“Oh…” was the only response the boy could make, still focused on the image in his companion’s hand, before the man snapped his hand shut and the vision disappeared. “Wha— Hey, can you teach me how to do that?”
The mori clasped his hands together and hung them over his knees. “Do you want to learn a silly trick or something more?”
He felt a little sheepish and he scratched his cheek and looked away in embarrassment. “Let’s go with something more. Although it would still be nice to have a few tricks in case I ever need one.”
Vaust laughed. “I’ll admit, I don’t disagree.” He studied him again. “To continue, are you familiar with the trinity of Mana disciplines?”
Devol nodded vigorously. “Oh yes.” He leaned back on one hand and held the other out to count by raising his fingers in turn. “There’s Vis, Vita, and Vello.”
“Indeed. And what are the meanings behind them?”
The boy held his first finger up. “Vis is using Mana to enhance your body, which will enable you to be stronger and faster and able to endure more, things like that.”
“Increasing your natural stamina,” Vaust summarized and pointed at him. “Don’t forget that if you focus only on adding power to your strength, you won’t be able to strengthen your power.”
“Right!” He nodded and now held two fingers up. “Vita is the ability to control the flow of your Mana so you don’t expend more than is necessary.”
“Correct,” the mori agreed and held two of his fingers up. “It’s not the most dramatic discipline but an important one, nonetheless.” He held a third up. “And the last?”
Devol mirrored him with three fingers. “The last is Vello, the ability to transfer Mana, which enables you to cast cantrips and even strengthen or control simple objects.”
“They don’t necessarily have to be simple.” Vaust clarified and lowered his hand. “But it’s a good way to learn it. And a quick check—are you familiar with cantrips?”
He raised a hand and tilted it from side to side. “I know of them, obviously—like the bolt cantrip you did in the forest to create an arrow from Mana and solidify it. They are simple spells that many Magi learn over their years of training and include the basics that almost anyone can use and those that fall into different classes. But for me…well, they aren’t one of my stronger abilities. My mother is very skilled, though.”
“There is no shame in that. It comes easier to some rather than others,” his companion said to reassure him and placed a hand on his chest. “The mori are taught cantrips from a very young age and have much more time than humans to learn them.”
“I’ve heard that the mori are some of the most gifted Magi among all the realmers,” Devol stated.
Vaust smiled. “That is true, something many hold in high regard, although the angeli would argue that point.”
The boy looked at him, his curiosity piqued. “I’m sorry, who?”
The man waved a hand. “Nothing to be concerned about now.” He rested his arm on his leg while his other hand stroked his chin. “I have to say, you are very well taught for your age.”
Devol nodded and smiled. “See, I told you I know a lot.”
“You certainly have the basics,” his companion replied and raised an eyebrow. “Now, what about Anima?”
“Hmm?” He hesitated and his face fell. “Anima? I don’t think I’ve heard about that. Is it a mori specialty?”
“Not quite. It’s more of an advanced discipline,” Vaust clarified, pushed to his feet, and stretched. “Since we’re now well-fed, come with me for a moment, would you?”
“Um…sure, okay.” He stood and followed him out of the cave. They walked in silence onto the wide plain under the night sky.
“Would you like to see that something more I told you about?” the mori asked and turned to him after they had wandered a few yards away from the cave. He pointed past him. “Move a few feet away.”
The boy complied and turned toward him as his companion held his arms apart. “You may wish to brace yourself,” he warned and drew a sharp breath before Devol noticed a red shimmer around his body, one that promptly exploded outward. It raced through the young Magi and made him feel like he would be thrown back dozens of yards or lifted off his feet.
In an instant, it was gone, but he could still feel a heaviness in the air that was almost tangible. It seemed like he could barely move his arms or legs. He looked at Vaust and frowned at the faint red shimmer that faded quickly—or, rather, it looked like it was absorbed inside him.
“What is…going on?” he asked and struggled to remain standing.
“This is my Anima, Devol,” his companion explained as he continued to stare at him.
“Anima?” the boy asked and panted from the pressure. “It feels so heavy. What are you doing?”
The mori straightened. “You use your Mana to surround yourself like you would with armor. It creates a field that makes it more tangible and easier to use for protection and to access its power. That heaviness you feel is my Anima suppressing your Mana.”
“Is that so?” he responded irritably as his breathing became weaker. “Do you mind toning it down a little, please?”
“I could but I think it would be more useful if you did it yourself,” Vaust countered.
Devol tried instinctively to adopt a questioning look, but he did not have the best control over his muscles at the moment. “What do you mean?”
“I think you can manifest your Anima, my friend,” the man declared. “From what I’ve seen so far, you’re almost there.”
The more tenacious part of him agreed that this was probably a good time to try, but the more reasonable side asked, “Can I have a hint?”
“Certainly. In fact, I’m giving you a big one at this moment.” Vaust
