Since Vesca's conquest, the dismal air of the camp has been replaced by one of hope and jubilation. A large fire has been built in the center of the camp, over which the butchered Ammit roasts. While the festivities proceed, Vesca seeks out Valentiana.

"There's something that's been bothering me. When I was fighting the Ammit, Mr. Fraxinus was able to maintain his invisibility, even while healing me. Then I remembered that time he fought with Stellata. You seemed surprised he wasn't healing, even though he was using transmutation magic. Care to explain?"

Vesca looks at Valentiana with an exacting stare, waiting for her response. Valentiana sighs and leads Vesca aside. After checking if anyone is listening, she speaks in a hushed voice.

"What do you know about Focus Chants?"

"Hm? You mean narrowing your focus to make certain spells easier to cast?"

"Exactly. It's because of focus chants that a magician can cast spells without reciting the whole chant every time, but this doesn't come without restrictions. Typically, when you activate a Focus Chant, you become limited to casting spells of the same school as the chant."

"So if a Focus Chant restricts spells, how is Fraxinus able to cast multiple school spells at once?

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"More years ago than either of us would like to admit, Fraxinus had an epiphany: because Focus Chants, like all spells, are mental exercises their restrictions are largely self-imposed, so if one could conceptualize of a chant without narrowing their focus, the restriction would be removed."

Vesca's expression changes from one of curiosity to dismissive skepticism.

"That... doesn't really sound possible."

"For most, it is. The only reason Fraxinus is able to do it is because he's so obsessed with sigils he can actually visualize every spell at the same time. Regardless, it still took him years to be able to actually do it for even a few second."

Vesca's eyes widen as he tries to imagine how someone would overcome such an impossible hurdle.

After a moment of awed silence, Vesca turns his attention back to the feast.

"I wonder if the food's ready."

"Are you sure you wanna eat that?"

"Why wouldn't I. I killed it, after all."

"Oh, I guess you were asleep for a while after you got back, so you wouldn't know."

"Know what?"

Vesca's voice takes on its usual nervous suspicion.

"The stray was the one who butchered the animal."

"Wha-?" Vesca's face turned pale.

"I know, right! Mr. Fraxinus won't even let me cook for him! Why would he let that bandit touch his food?"

Suddenly, a tense quiet falls over the camp. All eyes are trained upon Fraxinus, who is now carving the roast meat. He sits down at the head of the makeshift banquet table.

[Transmutation: Reshape

image [https://img.wattpad.com/d0830dbb5a8a05ac8c44fd8006b076bb53b4c3f5/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f3257453945504a594f77753534413d3d2d313434383737313131312e313764333133623835356338326162643530373532383334303237392e706e67]

The survivors look on in shock as the magician eats, seemingly oblivious to the audience he has attracted.

"I assure you. It's quite good, but it won't stay warm for very long."

Within hours, nothing of the beast was left but offal.