“You are the least talented mage I’ve ever seen!” Omoi laughed. “It has been four days and you still can’t recreate that massive gust of wind! You can’t become a floater like this!”

  Omoi sat hanging from a verdant tree, observing Shōshin’s struggles from high above. As birds chirped past him with the fresh breeze flowing past his face, he descended down to the earth. Within an instant, Omoi’s feet touched the ground. He then patted a massive boulder. “You gotta be able to blast this away if you want to stand toe to toe with the new students! You can’t take it easy forever, haha!”

  Drenched in sweat, Shōshin panted heavily. He eyed daggers into the boulder as he rose to his feet and wiped his forehead. “I know that! I’ve been trying! It isn’t easy!”

  This is odd, I was sure he was fairly powerful, but this isn’t even close to what I saw. I assumed he was just tired from expelling that much mana, but it has been a few days, so what is the issue? I wonder…

  “Shōshin, can you define the situation you were in again?”

  He sighed. “Omoi, we’ve been over this. I ran in thinking a little girl was hurt, I bumped into the fire mage, next thing I know I’m hiding behind a toy, then he was sent flying. Honestly it still doesn't feel real, I’m not even sure she was there, but that is the story.”

  Omoi took a puzzled expression as he studied Shōshin. He began to pace back and forth as he spoke.

  “Okay, I have an idea or two. I believe the reason why you can’t recreate that wind isn’t only due to your lack of training. Your flow of mana appears to be off, plus you are in a lax state. If we tweak that, you may get better results.”

  Shōshin raised the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face clean of sweat. A small portion of his midsection was exposed, showing a slight degree of muscle formation. As he exhaled heavily, he seemed relatively confused. “Lax? What are you on about? I’ve been doing this training for four days! I’ve been drenched in sweat and tired beyond belief! I’ve worked out muscles I didn’t even know I had! Are you telling me it isn’t enough?”

  “No no no, you got it all wrong! It isn’t the sense of your body, it’s the sense of your mind.” Omoi says as he taps his temple. “A battle isn’t only about what’s in the flesh, it’s about what your mental state is whilst in combat, that can even apply in training. If you aren’t properly fixated on a goal, how can you achieve it?”

  Shōshin finished wiping his sweat. “So, I’m not thinking hard enough? My issue is my head isn’t in the right place?”

  “Not exactly, you aren’t thinking as if your life's on the line. When you were face to face with that mage who could use fire, what went through your mind? You thought you’d die, right?”

  “Uh..” Shōshin scratched his head as he recalled that day. “I was afraid, I assumed I would get really hurt if not worse, but at my core I knew it wasn’t a situation I could escape? I think it was because that girl was kind to me.”

  Omoi’s face lit up with glee. “See, right there! You had to face that challenge, it wasn’t exactly what I pictured but maybe that’s why you can’t do this. You don’t think it’s do or die.” Omoi then snapped his fingers. “You have to visualize that scene again, it’s the way to embrace that mindset.”

  Shōshin slumped down, feeling defeated. “What you just asked is impossible. You want me to recall that moment? It is lumped in with too many thoughts to translate right. I still don’t feel confident in what I told you, then your grand solution is to pretend like I’m dying or something? That’ll never work.” He then looked to the sky and let out a pained sigh. “Are you certain you didn’t make a mistake?”

  Omoi took a moment to absorb Shōshin’s words. Before he could reply, Shōshin broke the silence.

  “I just feel like…this is undeserved. I’ve never been proud of strength or whatever. I lack smarts, charisma, control over my magic, and now I put you in a poor situation. You told me you didn’t tell your other professors about me, they’ll see my results and hound you for it. I don’t think you should bother with me anymore Omoi. The few days I got to explore my desires was fun, but it’s time I get real. I’m just…nothing. I shouldn’t have selfishly accepted that offer. I shouldn’t have evaded the truth for as long as I have.” Shōshin threw a hand over his eyes to conceal his face. “I shouldn’t have even lied to begin with! This is all my fault!”

  Damn, I thought I had already rooted out his negativity, but this goes deep. What the hell is the issue? It can’t just be his lack of strength, that’s solvable, is it a mental block? Who could’ve done this? What could’ve done this? Is it too much to ask? No, let me try to address what he said first. I can’t help if he’s not on board with what’s going on right now.

  Omoi took a calm, understanding tone as he finally spoke. “Shōshin, I don’t think I made a mistake in choosing you. I saw something in you, that you need to see in yourself. I’m confident in my judgment, and it’ll pan out. If you’re worried about the training we can always dial it down. If you can’t do this-“

  “That’s the issue! I can’t do this! Why did you convince me into going this far! It’s a waste!”

  “Shōshin, did I not tell you my dream? I want to help as many people as I can with this body god gave me. The difficulty of the task doesn’t matter, it will not sully my dream. You showed me something special, the will to protect when you have nothing to gain.”

  “What is so special about desperation! You claim I saved her? Where was she! Did you ever look into why she was there? Did you ever locate her?”

  Omoi was forced into a momentary pause. He exhaled and took an apologetic tone. “No, I was not able to find her. After getting you to safety I had inspected within a 15 mile radius of the examination grounds. I even asked around, there was no meaningful information. Even though I did briefly see a figure behind you, there is no proof she ever entered the exam’s area. I am sorry.”

  Shōshin raised his volume. “See! I am a failure! By some fluke I managed to send some jerk flying, and now I’m leaving a top professor at Princeton with nothing more than scraps! You would have fared better taking in that flame mage.”

  “Shōshin–”

  Before Omoi could continue, Shōshin fled. Leaving Omoi left to his thoughts.

  Have I…failed you?

  He really had to do this…work me up so much! I was a fool to think I could do this. I ran away, why? Is it because I’m scared of failing someone else? Or is it because I’m scared of being worth something? Can I just fear change? No…I don’t deserve that courtesy, I don’t even deserve to liv–

  A massive crash interrupted Shōshin’s thoughts. He peered over to see Omoi, oozing a purple hue around his frame. He panted heavily as he spoke: “I’ve finally found you! It has been hours, but I can finally face you head on!”

  Shōshin fled again, ignoring Omoi’s declaration. Omoi was quick to follow. As he steadily closed the distance, Shōshin panicked as he turned to him.

  “STOP! I AM NOT SOMEONE WORTH THIS! GO AWAY!” he shouted as he snapped his fingers, releasing a minor gust of wind.

  At most this’ll blow my hair, but dodging looks so much cooler, right?

  Omoi effortlessly weaved around the wind and firmly grasped Shōshin’s wrists, halting his escape.

  “Omoi, let me go!”

  “Shōshin…” He released his grasp on him. “I do not want to give up on you, just give me a moment…”

  For some odd reason, Omoi’s tone caused Shōshin to realize he had never truly locked eyes when he spoke with Omoi. They’ve been face to face, but he never took in his gaze or appearance. Whether that was due to embarrassment, fear, self sabotage, or a culmination of the three, Shōshin never did it. For the first time, he decided to study the man he’s spent most of his week with.

  “Please listen to what I say.”

  As Omoi spoke, he constantly adjusted his stance and body language. He did so not only to show interest in what he’d be speaking about, but also to emphasize his own meaning of compassion, at least that is what Shōshin could gather. He finally saw the man he swore he’d been failing. Omoi stood with an air of confidence, even when he was in a conversation like this one. He shared similar tanned skin Shōshin, while sporting a more caramel-tone to his flesh. He was taller than Shōshin, with a slimmed, muscular body. Paired with baggy bottoms, Omoi wore a slightly wrinkled collared shirt and cap that was backwards, showing his braided hair that fell to both his shoulders. Lastly, Shōshin had noticed accessories like a pendant around his neck as well as rings that occupied a few fingers on his hands. All these features belonged to the man who had been training him, hardly akin to what an educator should look like.

  “You deserve to live out your dreams, everyone in this world does. There is no issue with doubting yourself, until it shields you from growth. You swear you’ve doomed me to embarrassment but that isn’t the case. I didn’t need to train you, I didn’t need to speak to you, but I did. I chose these actions since it’s what I desired to do, for my dream. I’ll never stop helping others. I never want anyone who’s within arm’s reach to feel like they have no way out. That professor I mentioned earlier, Loki, I’ve known him since my first year attending the academy. Even if you don’t succeed where you need to be, he’ll understand. You don’t need to fear failure. I won’t judge you if you’re able to succeed or not. I’ll never give up on you. So please, don’t box yourself in. Do not cheat yourself of the chance to do great things in this world.”

  Shōshin, without hesitation, spewed a rebuttal. “Omoi, what you said clicked, but it isn’t simple to understand. I never dared say I could do something as extraordinary as change the world or fix everyone’s problems. That comes with power, which I don’t have. Being able to come home, see my mother smile, and live happily with her has been the dream I’ve clung to for the longest. You say that everyone in this world has the right to live out their dreams, I disagree.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “What?”

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “I can’t believe you. You’re lying to me again, lying to yourself. Doesn’t that get tiring?”

  “That isn’t—“

  “Then why show up to the exam?” Omoi’s words sharpened, as if they could pierce past Shōshin’s skin. “You know I checked the records, we both know you lied to her about being registered. Why go through all this if you didn’t dare for more than her happiness. That can be achieved by earning a job, but that doesn’t complete you. She seemed like a lovely mother. She’d understand if you couldn’t, but you showed up anyway.”

  “As that may be, that isn’t right. You do not know who I am or why I do what I do. I told her cause—“

  Omoi shut down Shōshin from crafting another lie. “Cause you want to be a Monarch right?”

  Shōshin gasped hearing Omoi say this. “That isn’t true at all! I took you as a serious person! You really just blurted out such a childish thing?”

  “Oh yeah? That is all your mother could yell about when I hauled you away. She deeply cared for your desires and it seems like you don’t!” Omoi berated Shōshin’s lack of drive as he kept hammering his words into him. “If you truly don’t want that, then leave. If you don’t want any of this, leave. I’ll be here and help you if you want it. So, what’ll it be? Want to go home and admit you lied to your mother? Or will you finally own up to your dream? Can you handle that?”

  There it is again! His words just gnaw into me! Mouthing off all about my mom, swearing I can’t own up to something? All with such a sense of kindness? I can’t take this feeling anymore! No, not now! For once…may I? Can I please be normal, be human, and be allowed this right? Even if I’m not…Omoi is giving me such intensity…so why not try…?

  “I—“ Shōshin tightened his jaw, clenched his fist, and met eye to eye with Omoi. “I want to be a Monarch, I know I can’t, but I want to be. It is something I’ve wanted since before I could even speak. These people, this pillar of history, who couldn’t help but idolize them? They get the ultimate freedom of dictating their lives how they want. Becoming a person like that…is the only way I see the path to her happiness! Is…there a problem with that?” Shōshin displayed some uncharacteristic bravado in his statement, but still lost heart in his conclusion.

  “Do you even know what it means to be a Monarch? Do you understand what comes with it?”

  “It’s a dream. Realism comes secondary, right?”

  This filled Omoi with joy, leading him to embrace him for a hug.

  “You’ve taken the first step into being true to yourself. You’ve fixed your mind on a goal. Now, you’ll be able to challenge yourself to find it.”

  I think for now, he’ll be able to progress. I was scared I was too harsh on him, but it appears it lit a fire under him. He seems to lack any faith in himself. I’ll be sure to validate him. I’ll foster him into someone who can stand with confidence. I won’t fail you like this world has, I swear it, you will be able to fight for your dream Shōshin, just don’t lose faith!

  Shōshin stood there quietly until Omoi let go. “Now, what do you know about magic?”

  “Magic?” Shōshin backed up after being released from the hug. “Well, we’ve had it in our history for years, it’s all around us, and there’s different types? Pretty odd topic switch.”

  This Omoi guy is so random. Is this calculated? I just can’t get a good grasp of him.

  “Okay, you have entry level knowledge, somewhat.”

  Not even beyond the basics? Well this is good, maybe educating on it now will help his growth. We go over it on the first day anyways, but going in with something is better than going in blind

  “Correct, but that’s a broad outlook. Magic has three types of classes.”

  “Three?”

  “Yeah. There’s Elemental, the type that you hold. There’s conceptual, the type that I use. Then there’s Folklore, the rarest of them all.”

  Shōshin nodded his head in slight fascination. “I never thought about them being divided like that. How do you know which is which?”

  “Well, Elemental Magic is easy to define. It is the most common class of magic. Control over water, fire, or in your case air is the most obvious way to tell. Mages who hold elemental classes tend to have natural traits around their magic. Like water mages can typically breathe underwater while fire mages have some heat resistance.”

  Wait, is that why I can sense differences in the air? I’ve done that for a while but it never clicked…Is that why I get so worked up from Omoi’s words?

  “I think I have one of those.” Shōshin showed minor hesitance, but continued. “There’s times where I can kind of feel the air around someone or something changes. I felt it heavily when you first spoke to me.”

  “Ah, I see. It’s probably based on levels of mana. Did it feel that way for the flame mage?”

  “Not really? There was some tension but I don’t think it’s due to his mana. I can’t really tell, I never really understood the differences.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You’ll learn soon enough. Moving on, Conceptual Magic isn’t as common, but it isn’t the rarest of the three. It comes with having control over a natural law or unnatural power, like me.”

  Omoi then took a coin out of his pocket and chucked it at Shōshin. Shōshin flinched as it raced to his face. He braced for impact, but it never came. He opened his eyes to see the coin floating in front of his face.

  “Woah..”

  “Yeah, I have Gravity Magic, which falls into the conceptual class. I can control the gravity of objects, as long as I touch them a certain amount of times. It varies though. I just allow gravity to have a looser interpretation in my presence.”

  I wonder if you could do something similar with Air Magic. Should I ask?

  “Finally, Folklore Magic is based on myths and fables of old. There aren't many mages who possess this class of magic, but they tend to be destined for greater things in life. In every era, there has been at least one who's had their name in the history books. I personally have never met a mage like that so my knowledge is limited.”

  “I see, so I’m an Elemental Mage.”

  “Correct, now do you know what type of mage you are?”

  “Uh? I'm a mage of air?”

  “Not quite, have you ever thought about how you use your magic?”

  Shōshin’s eyes widened slightly. “No, I haven’t.”

  “You see, on top of the three classes, there’s also three types of mages you can be. There’s Internal, which is the usage of your magic entirely centered on what’s in your body. There’s External, which is the usage of your magic expelling from your body and how it affects the things around you. Then there’s Hybrid class, which can use both internal and external types of spells.”

  Shōshin snapped his hand, causing a small breeze to blow his hair upward. “So this would be external?”

  “Yes. You’re the same as me.”

  “I see, so I’ve been looking at this all wrong.” Shōshin’s words held a strong sense of life, as if he had just been reborn anew.

  Have I always been weak? Or have I been using my magic incorrectly? I want to test it. These new ideas, can they fuel my dream? I just have to delude myself with Omoi’s words. I can do this, I want to, I will!

  Shōshin then positioned himself in front of the boulder, leaving a bit of space between himself and it. Omoi then stepped away, sensing Shōshin’s intent.

  This is different. This kid has got something in mind. He seems motivated, I’ll let this play out. You’ve learned something, show me!

  Shōshin’s eyes met the boulder once more, this time with an air of determination. He put his right arm back as he focused solely on the boulder.

  If I am an Elemental Mage, I can be one with air? Omoi said he gave his magic a looser interpretation, so I’ll mimic that by focusing all the air around my arm, and pump it forward!

  Shōshin sharpened his focus as the air around him kicked up calmly. It slowly blew his hair around before swelling towards his right arm. A dim baby blue aura leaked into his arm as he tightened every muscle in his body. “If I am capable of something, I’ll find out now!”

  Shōshin then brought his arm forward. The aura began to flicker in and out before ultimately disappearing. He was too engulfed in his actions to notice this change. Omoi, who had been spectating, saw this and his eyes widened.

  There! I see it now! How could I have been so blind!

  With a snap of his ring finger and thumb, Shōshin poured all his compiled might into his attempt to destroy the boulder. A wild gust then escaped his fingers, dashing towards his obstacle. An attack that was stronger than any he’s called forth since his training began was mere inches away from his target.

  “C’mon!”

  Please…for my mother…for myself!

  Shōshin’s eyes began to water. “Show me…that I can dare to dream!”

  The gust then collided with a massive thump into the boulder, as if all the compiled air was a blunt object. Dirt was kicked up as the wind continued to drill into the boulder. After a few more seconds, the wind died out, and the boulder remained. Shōshin fell to his knees in utter defeat. He hung his head low as he hid his face from Omoi.

  “Dammit! Even after what I learned I can’t do anything!” Shōshin yelled out in a fit of frustration. He began to pound on the ground repeatedly out of anger.

  Omoi rushed over and excitedly picked Shōshin off the ground. “Don’t be silly! This is growth! Take a look!”

  Shōshin glanced at the boulder and his eyes lit up. There were several fractures all spanning across the boulder. Though he failed to destroy it, he’s advanced.

  “See! You were simply in your own head. All you need is finesse.”

  “My own head..?”

  He’s right, I am extremely negative towards myself. Maybe if I open myself up, I’ll get results…I can do at least this right? Am I supposed to feel this weak?

  Shōshin’s body went scarily limp as Omoi cushioned him, and laid him on the ground.

  “Omoi, I feel terrible. What happened?”

  “You aren’t attuned to using such levels of magic like this. You can muster one strong gust, if you are lucky. As for that, I may be able to fix it. Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

  Omoi disappeared from sight in unison with the conclusion of his statement.

  How’d he move so fast? Wait…did he let me flee? He could’ve caught me whenever but he let me run off…to be alone?

  Shōshin mustered a weak smile. “Omoi…you kind jerk..”

  Omoi slowly returned into sight as he handed something down to Shōshin.

  “Here, try it on.”

  “What is this?”

  “This is a magical item, used specifically for amplifying and helping to regulate mana within one’s body. I’ve named it, The Five Point! That isn’t its real name, but it’s so much cooler!” Omoi seemed very passionate about this, like a child.

  Shōshin studied “The Five Point”. It was a black glove woven of silk, with a small metallic star in the middle.

  It just looks like a fancy glove…

  “C’mon, try it on. I swear you’ll see the difference.”

  Shōshin sat up, and slipped it onto his hand. He immediately felt a surge of energy fill within his body. His hand was then cloaked in a blue hue as he stood there fascinated by this new found power.

  Woah! I feel insane right now! Is this me? All this power within me, can I really be called me?

  “So, how do you feel?”

  “I feel like…I’m not even myself. What is this glove, some kind of wonder drug?”

  Omoi chuckled. “You think that. It’s an item that simply allows you to function at your current maximum.”

  Shōshin’s eyes filled with determination. “This is me at my maximum?”

  “Seems like it! I mean look at you, you’re bursting with energy! You even made it back up on your own.”

  Shōshin leaped back, scared of this.

  I really am standing. It felt…seamless. Can power really be this enthralling? I wanna blast the boulder, hell, I can probably level this whole forest!

  Shōshin readjusted his focus, and solely eyed the boulder. He allowed this newfound power to wash over him and take control. Mana slowly swelled into The Five Point as he was intent on destroying the boulder, regardless of collateral.

  Omoi swiftly stood in Shōshin’s way. “Want to relax for a second? You’re getting too wound up. Take a breather, you’re in a trance of power.”

  “Omoi, watch out, I’m gonna show you what I’m truly capable of, my maximum!”

  “Don’t you understand? This isn’t the normal you. Take a deep breath, relax, and properly harness the power. Shooting an attack way beyond your normal limit isn’t smart.”

  Shōshin’s mana swelled more violently, ignoring Omoi’s words.

  Silence! I’m finally going to do something right! I’ll destroy everything that’s holding me back! Starting with that-

  A coin then slapped into Shōshin’s forehead, causing him to plummet back in pain.

  “OW!” Shōshin yelled as he rubbed his forehead.

  “Take that as the first of five lessons I must give you. Power is a blessing. It is a tool that makes us disassociate from reason. Remember this well, never let the power override your way of thinking. Rationality is stronger than any “wonder drug” you can take. We have more time to prepare. You won’t be able to use The Five Point as you are right now. Not only does it inflate your ego, it is bringing forth mana unused for years. Your body wouldn’t be able to handle the recoil. You’d faint after one attack.”

  Omoi might be right. I have never felt like that in my life. Was that joy? Exhilaration? No, it was power. My senses escaped me, how scary.

  Shōshin stopped rubbing his forehead and returned to his feet with a leveled head. “So, what can I do?”

  “For today? We get some rest. We have to expose you to the power it brings forth without fully deluding your rationality. We’d need you in peak condition for tomorrow.”

  Shōshin remained silent for a moment until Omoi slapped his back. “I get what you are thinking, don’t stress it. It is natural you reacted that way. I’m here to guide you so that it doesn't become the path you go down.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course I am. Once I drill The Five Points into your head, you’ll be unbeatable!”

  Shōshin exhaled lightly. “Right! This tool will help me achieve my dream!’

  Omoi, I think, I am starting to change. The way I spoke to you, the tone I used, everything I’ve done over the past few days, it isn’t me. It is scary. It feels like a prolonged dream before being woken up at the best part. I see that you might be someone who…I can trust. I’ll still hold back, but Omoi? I think I’m going to like being around you. So, please let me earn the chance to stand by you, side by side. Until then, I’m going to get a bit greedy.

  Shōshin slapped Omoi’s back as he ran ahead.

  “Ouch! What was that for!”

  “Nothing! Let’s go rest!” he blurted out in a joyous tone

  Shōshin, grinning ear to ear, with the sun aligning itself behind him, jogged ahead.

  Omoi looked up at the setting sun and smiled. “His eyes still looked tired, but that is the first time I’ve seen him smile. I can’t fix all this damage in one day, but I won’t give up so easily. Don’t worry, soon enough I’ll teach you that you are worthy of being loved, I swear.”