‘Let’s start the second part of your training.’ Master Eldric said in my mind.

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me, ‘I’m ready, Master.’

‘Good. I will teach you to shield your mind from mental probes, to enter someone dream stealthily. But first, try to connect to my dreamscape and enter my dreams.’

‘You have probably already seen my portrait or statue. Focus on my image and try to make a mental bridge between our minds with your divine power.’

I obviously knew what he looked like, his portrait was in our history books. I closed my eyes and focused on the image of Master Eldric, trying to visualize him as vividly as possible. I pictured his dark eyes, wrinkled face, cocky grin, dark green skin, as well as his long pointy hears and teeth.

I breathed in the way he had taught me, in sync with the rhythm, fast yet profound.

Slowly, I made the divine power from my core transform into a thread and extend towards his mental image.

As the thread connected with his mind, I mentally walked over the bridge connecting our minds. The warm energy from my divine core extended toward master dreamscape. My soul was pulled out of my body.

Suddenly, the environment around me changed. I found myself in a lush forest, with tall trees and a river flowing nearby. Master Eldric stood before me, his figure exactly the same as the one I had seen in the history books. Only, he looked older.

‘Nice to finally meet you my disciple.’ He said.

‘Hello, master, nice to meet you too,’ I answered shaking his hand with a smile.

Master Eldric’s grip was firm, his touch warm. It truly felt like I was meeting him in the flesh.

‘Alright, now that you have entered my dream, we will proceed with the sheath training.’

‘Try to shield your presence from my senses. Imagine a cloak of invisibility around your body. Feel your divine power from your core and make it extend into a shield.’

I closed my eyes, drawing brief yet profound breaths as Master Eldric had taught me. I focused on the energy pulsing from my core. I envisioned it spreading out, forming a protective barrier around me.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed that a blanket of divine energy was covering my body like an armor. To my surprise, I had succeeded on my first try.

‘Alright Ryan, this is quite good. You managed to create mental barrier. But I can still see and hear you.’

‘Oh, I really though I had succeeded on my first try…’ I admitted with a sheepish smile.

My master smiled and replied sternly, ‘Don’t be so full of yourself young padawan, the way ahead is still long.’

‘What?! At least I made a barrier…’ I answered with gritted teeth, not wanting to admit I had failed.

Master chuckled, teasing me again, ‘Halfling shield won’t protect you my dear disciple.’

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

‘Alright, alright, I give up, what did I do wrong?’ I asked, waving the white flag.

Master stopped smiling and turned serious, ‘Concentrate on the texture, you must make your shield absorb sound and reflect light to turn truly undetectable.’

I closed my eyes again, trying to make my shield absorb sound and reflect light, but I found myself at a loss, not knowing how to proceed.

Putting theory into practice was easier said than done. I opened my eyes as blood rushed to my face.

'Hum, master... How do I make the shield absorb sound and reflect light again? I don't understand...' I admitted sheepishly.

My master burst out laughing, 'It seems like making you my disciple was the right decision. You never fail to make me laugh.' Then, he teased me again, 'though it makes me wonder if I found myself a disciple or a comedian.'

'Master please... don't tease me anymore I am thin-skinned...' I replied, my checks turning beet red.

'Ahahah,' master Eldric stopped laughing wiping small tears from the corner of his eye. 'Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore. Making my new disciple cry of embarrassment on our first encounter would be of poor taste.' He answered with a toothy smile.

What kind of master did Lucas and Karim recommend to me? I thought to myself.

'More seriously, to make your shield absorb sound you need to understand some basic principle first. As you know, a magician isn’t able to stop producing sounds, unlike powerful warriors who are able to control their breathing, heartbeat and use soundless steps. The only way for a magician to stop producing sounds is to create a soundproof barrier. To do this, you need to make every particle of divine power change propriety. You must imagine each particle absorb the noise your body produce.’

‘Let’s try this first.’

‘Alright master, I think I get it this time.’

I closed my eyes again, feeling every particle of my divine energy, making them absorb sound, changing the very property of my shield. I visualized a cloak, a thick, impenetrable layer of divine energy wrapping around me. I felt a thin layer of divine energy cover my body like a light armor.

Master voice sounded again, ‘Good, this is it. Try walking around a bit to test your new shield. Don’t lose focus though or your shield won’t hold.’

I concentrated, trying to walk around with my eyes closed to avoid losing my focus. But the task was harder than I though, being unable to see was unsettling.

To my surprise, every step I took was soundless.

Master voice echoed again, ‘Good, now try to open your eyes, Ryan.’

When I opened my eyes, I continued to walk soundlessly, until I stumbled on a small stone and lost focus.

‘Nice try. You nearly got it right.’ My master smiled at me innocently, like he didn’t do anything wrong.

‘Master, it was you right? the stone wasn’t there at the beginning.’ I accused him out of the bat.

‘Well, yes, you caught me. From now on, I will upgrade the difficulty of your exercises to speed up you training. We don’t have much time left.’ Master answered, his playful smile turning serious.

I couldn’t say anything in return. It was the truth. We didn’t have much time until the death games.

Suddenly, the dreamscape shifted. A towering mountain appeared before us.

'Now, walk to the top of this mountain while keeping your soundproof shield on. If I hear the slightest sound you will start over.'

'This...Master you are not asking me to do that right away... I can barely maintain my shield on...'

Instead of answering, master Eldric continued talking,' Just do your best and try again until you succeed.'

'Alright....' I answered resigned to my fate.

I concentrated, feeling the warmth from my core, making my divine power envelop my body and turn into a soundproof blanket.

I began to walk on the small trail leading to the top of the mountain. Each little distraction made my concentration waver and my shield flicker dangerously. Halfway through the mountain, a rock fell down on me at high speed. I narrowly dodged to the left. The sound of my landing echoed softly in the air. I had failed.

My master appeared in front of me, with a stern expression, 'Start over.'

Before I could answer, I was back at my starting point.

After twenty or so frustratingly unsuccessful tries, I finally reached the top.

'Good job. You passed my first test with flying colors, Ryan!’ Master praised me sincerely for the first time ever.

‘Well it’s all thanks to you master.’ I answered with a proud smile.

‘Not really, Ryan. You are a fast learner. Faster than most of my other disciples. It makes me want to discover your limits.’

My face flushed red, not used to his compliments. ‘Well, thank you master Eldric.’