Chapter 14

Finn crept outside, careful not to wake up Oscar and Cosmo as he slipped out. Finn’s dream encounter with the gods still fresh in his mind. Finn was unsure what the first god had said until he stepped outside.

Surrounding the Verdant Haven, a faint barrier of forest green light now outlined the boundaries of the Haven. Above, an intricate magic circle, similar to the one Finn had seen in Serena's domain, now cast its glow over the area.

Sitting down at a bench outside the cabin, Finn pulled out the magic tablet, recalling what the goddess of knowledge, Sytania had told him.

As she had said, there was a new section labeled as “Divine Decorum” which he ignored, for now. Instead, he located the next addition, labeled as “Magic Mentorship”.

Finn’s eyes grew at the large amount of detailed information within the book, and silently sent a prayer of thanks to the goddess. For the next few hours, Finn jotted as many notes as he could before first light.

The hours flew by, and Cosmo eventually came outside to join him, rubbing his eyes with the longing to go back to sleep.

“How long have you been up, Finn?” Cosmo asked. “It looks like you’ve been up all night, and it’s only the crack of dawn”.

“Not all night,” Finn replied, “only a few hours.”

“You’re crazy," Cosmo said, shaking his head and sitting down next to Finn. “what are you working on?”

Finn was unsure how people would react to a god showing up in his dreams, and was wary of who should tell, if anyone.

“Um, promise to keep it a secret between you and me?” Finn asked.

“Anything,” Cosmo said. “You’re pretty much the only family I have now.”

There was a grimness to his words, but Cosmo didn’t let any of his sadness show.

“A goddess showed up in my dream…and she gave me this information to help with the magic lessons.” Finn handed Cosmo the tablet, and he began reading it intensely.

“WOW!” Cosmo said, excitedly “A real goddess? That’s crazy rare!”

Finn let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding relieved it wasn't unheard of.

Cosmo, now fully awake, only now seemed to realize the new slight glow to the haven, and looked around with confusion, until he looked up to the diagram now above the village.

“Woah…” Was all Cosmo was able to choke out before looking at Finn. “What happened to the village?”

“Um, I think the god of the nature was thankful to the people of the village who fought off that Treant and blessed the village in thanks..?” Finn said, scratching his head awkwardly.

“Wow…” was all Cosmo managed again, as he surveyed the area.

Finn continued to write notes and used Cosmo as a sounding board now that he was awake. Finn would bounce ideas to Cosmo, who would help him word things in a way that would make sense to a group of beginners.

Finn was grateful for Cosmo, who was always willing to learn, but was also incredibly smart, picking up topics with ease that had taken Finn much longer to understand.

Eventually, Alistair woke up, approaching Finn and Cosmo. Alistair, as well as everyone else who was waking up, all noticed the obvious magic circle now above the village, so Finn explained it to Alistair, as he had to Cosmo, and Alistair quickly organized a village meeting, where he announced the news.

“Alright everyone, I know you all have noticed the divine magic circle now residing within our village. I have been informed that Floranis, the god of Nature has blessed us with its protection as thanks for defeating the Corrupted Treant in the forest.”

A loud susserous swept across the room as the ramifications of what Alistair said sank in.

Elizabeth stepped in to get the room under control. “Everyone, please settle down. I know this is very exciting news, but let’s keep our decorum.”

The room settled and Alistair cleared his throat, taking to the stage once again. “In other matters, I would like to announce that our new guest here has offered to train the children of the haven introductory magic, supplemented by myself.”

He paused, as another susserous of whispers swept through the room.

“That being said,” Alistair gestured to Finn. “I believe Finn here is ready to finally reach Iron Rank!”

Finn blinked. “Wait, what? Really?” he asked, nonplussed.

- break -

Finn positioned himself at the heart of the intricate ritual circle Alistair had meticulously prepared, the geometric patterns etched into the ground around him glowing faintly with a soft, magical luminescence.

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The air was thick with anticipation, an almost tangible energy seemed to buzz against Finn's skin, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"Remember, Finn, reaching Iron Rank isn't just about accumulating power. Just do what you normally do when you meditate, and allow yourself to connect with the magic around and the magic within you, allowing it to become an extension of yourself." Alistair explained, his voice steady and reassuring.

Finn nodded, his nerves fluttering in his stomach, a whirlwind of doubt, but also excitement. "I understand. It's just... it feels monumental, you know?"

Alistair smiled, his confidence unshakeable. "Everyone’s journey is a series of milestones, Finn. This is yours. Trust in the magic, and trust in yourself."

With a deep breath, Finn closed his eyes, focusing inward. He could feel the magic around him, a vibrant current that danced at the edge of his consciousness, inviting him to delve deeper.

As Alistair began the incantation, the circle's glow intensified, casting ethereal shadows across Finn's closed eyelids. He felt a warmth spreading through his body, starting at his core and radiating outward, a sensation akin to sunlight breaking through clouds to warm the earth. It was as if the magic itself was seeping into his bones, rewriting the very essence of his being.

The ritual was a symphony of sensations, each note a thread of magic that wove itself into Finn's soul. He felt a connection to the world around him in a way he never had before, a profound unity with the elemental forces that governed the universe. It was an awakening, a rebirth into a realm of possibilities that stretched out, limitless and inviting.

As the ritual concluded, the glow from the circle dimmed, and Finn opened his eyes. The world seemed sharper, the colors more vivid, and the flow of magic a constant, comforting presence in his mind. He looked up at Alistair, a question in his eyes.

Alistair's nod was all the confirmation Finn needed. "Congratulations, Finn. Welcome to Iron Rank."

As Finn sat, he felt both profoundly different and yet the same. Most noticeably, Finn felt stronger. It felt like the power at his fingertips and new potential.

- break -

Following the ritual, the air in Verdant Haven was electric with excitement as Finn, now freshly minted as an Iron Rank mage, prepared to impart his knowledge to the eager young minds of the village.

The makeshift classroom was a clearing near the edge of the village, where the gentle rustling of the leaves and the soft chirping of birds provided a natural backdrop to the day's lessons.

Nyx, brimming with vibrant energy, eagerly took her spot, her tail wagging in eager anticipation. Cosmo, ever the loyal companion, stood by his side, and had spent the entire day with him, his eyes now bright with excitement. Alistair, prepared to offer his experience and guidance, also stood beside Finn, ready to lend his support.

Finn silently roiled with anxiety, but forced a confident smile as he greeted the group of excited students.

"As we begin," Finn started, his voice carrying across the clearing, "remember that magic is not just about power. It's about connection—connection to the world around us, to each other, and to ourselves."

He paused for a moment, ensuring he had the full attention of his audience. "Before we dive into spells and manifestations, it's crucial we learn how to reach inside ourselves. Through meditation and focus, we can find our connection to the magic that dwells within."

Finn demonstrated, sitting cross-legged on the ground, inviting everyone to mimic his posture. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly, guiding them through the process of calming their minds and centering their thoughts.

"Now, reach inward," he instructed, his voice soft yet clear. "Feel the energy that lies dormant within you. It's a part of you, waiting to be acknowledged, understood, and harnessed."

He began by demonstrating basic magical principles, starting with the simplest of spells. A soft glow enveloped his hands as he carefully molded the magic into a tangible form, a small orb of light that floated gently into the air, illuminating the faces of his awestruck audience.

"Through this connection, you'll discover not only your affinity but also the means to interact with the world in ways you've never imagined. Let this be your first step on the path to understanding the magic that binds us all."

Nyx stepped forward, her determination shining as clearly as the gleam in her fierce green eyes. Under Finn's watchful guidance, she focused intently, her brow furrowed in concentration.

The group watched with intense focus, watching Nyx, ostensibly the leader, and moments later, a gust of wind began to swirl around her, a tangible manifestation of her newfound Aeromancy.

The air around her pulsed with energy, coalescing into a swirling vortex at her command. Her face lit up with a triumphant grin, her joy uncontainable as she mastered the breeze, her tail swishing excitedly.

Cosmo's turn came next, and with Finn's encouragement, he focused on the stars above, despite the daylight that hid them from view. His connection to Astromancy was strong, and with a few whispered words, he created a miniature constellation that danced around his fingers, a personal night sky that drew gasps of amazement from the onlookers.

Alistair took over for a while, demonstrating defensive spells and the importance of protection in a world where magic was as much a danger as it was a gift. He spoke of balance, of the responsibility that came with power, and of the bravery needed to face the unknown.

As the day wore on, the lessons expanded to include practical applications of magic in everyday life, from aiding in the village's ongoing reconstruction efforts to enhancing the yield of the communal gardens. Finn, Cosmo, Nyx, and the other children discovered not just the joys of magic, but its potential to bring about real, positive change in their world.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the clearing as the first day of lessons came to a close. The children, tired but exhilarated, talked excitedly among themselves about the spells they'd learned and the ones they dreamed of mastering.

Finn watched them, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. Today was just the beginning, but it was a beginning filled with promise, not just for the children of Verdant Haven, but for Finn himself, who had found a new purpose in this world, a world that, day by day, felt more and more like home.