The door clicked and whished open. Kiyoteru beckoned and Len and Oliver rushed in, closing the door as quickly and quietly as possible without being too suspicious.

"Remedial Physics."

Len tilted his head, then glanced to Oliver, who looked to the teacher as usual with full understanding.

"That's what you'll say if anyone asks you why you're seeing me after school," he explained, turning to Oliver, "and as for you..."

Oliver nodded. But Kiyoteru lacked an immediate response.

"We could say you're helping me out with something, but your brother will definitely pick up on that."

"I understand," Oliver bowed lightly, then frowned as he turned to Len, "I guess I can't really visit much after all."

Len felt like something had just escaped his heart; left it empty for a moment. "Don't worry," he shook his head, "A bit sad... but if it's the only way..."

Oliver smiled, and they both nodded together.

"Okay," Kiyoteru clapped, and the attention of the two children quickly returned to the teacher. "Let's start our crash course," he raised a finger.

Immediately, a bright light appeared at its edge, and tables and chairs levitated off the ground, floating mystically, Len awed at the sight, looked for strings or magnets or anything to explain. It was only after a while did the other senses return to him. And glancing to Oliver he saw that he had been watching him with a smile. "How did you do that?"

The tables and chairs returned to their spots, and this time Len watched it carefully, but he was still no less perplexed.

"Well that's what you're going to learn today," the suddenly-super-interesting teacher told.

Len trembled slightly.

"But first," he said, "the theory."

Excitement quickly doused. And the Oliver beside giggled, patting his back in a way that comforted him. But as much as it did, the dread still lingered,

Better be nothing like Physics.

＊＊＊

Len and Oliver sat in the front-most seats, facing the teacher with their full attention.

"Let's start with how it works," Kiyoteru said, holding the marker up in his usual antic way – with the forefinger, thumb, middle-finger and ring finger alternating on each side of the marker – to write.

F a i e L i n e s

"Our world is full of invisible energy. On Earth, they are concentrated in what are called Faie Lines. They are everywhere, and take form as wire-like sources of energy, from as little as five," he pinched his fingers, "to up to fifty centimetres in diameter."

Len bit his lip and replayed the short lecture in his mind again. Invisible energy... Some Lines... everywhere... and—how big are they again? Let's just hope that isn't important.

"Can we continue?"

Reflexively Len nodded.

"Okay. Magic," he illustrated the word with his finger again, levitating the marker, "is done by manipulating, or bending these lines to your will."

Len nodded,

"For example, to levitate this marker, I manipulate the Faie Lines, creating disturbances in the Faie Field, that creates a force that pushes the pen upwards, equal and opposite to the force of gravity."

Len blinked... twice... and the only thing in his mind, Good thing the class's empty, or someone would have shouted "Don't you mean 'marker', sir?" by now.

Oliver looked at him with concern, and Len forced a smile. Kiyoteru sighed.

"I guess it's not important for now. But remember this," he said, "Will. Will and determination. Faie Lines resonate strongly with them. They are what will drive you when you are practicing magic.

Nod.

"That is one of the three main steps of magic,"

There's more? Len thought; the triumph of understanding slipped away.

"Yes. That was the first one, is Bend, or Manipulate. The second one is Gather, where you will concentrate the Faie Energy into a certain point. This can protect you from being influenced by other people's magic, and can protect you from certain magical attacks. You can also use this step to charge for more advanced magic spells."

Len nodded blankly.

"So, Len, can you guess what the final part is?"

Len thought about it and scrunched his face. Bit his lip. Closed his eyes. Then opened it again. "Spells?"

"Correct!" Kiyoteru said.

Len grinned and glanced at Oliver to check—he was smiling for him. Len could feel his heart, his tummy tingle.

"Step three is Release. Where you release the gathered energy in the form of a spell, or an attack. However, you must remember that some spells can be done with only the first step, Bend."

Len nodded and raised his hand.

"Yes."

"So to do step three, we have to do steps one and two first?"

"Correct. Any more questions?"

Len shook his head and looked to Oliver.

"Good. Now, let's get started with our first practical. Meditation."

It was then Oliver stood up with his bag. "I need to go now, or Hio'll get suspicious," he frowned, "Sorry, Len."

Len shook his head, "It's okay. See you tomorrow?"

Oliver nodded and smiled before moving to leave. Len watched as Oliver walked away, then closed the door between them. In his heart a sting started to grow.

"Len," Kiyoteru said, "Let's get started."

Len immediately sat back straight and faced front.

Kiyoteru laughed at this and walked to the further side of the classroom, where there were less desks. "We need some open space to effectively meditate, obstacles will make it harder for you from finding the Faie Lines."

Len nodded, stood up and walked to sit beside Kiyoteru, facing the open window that let in the evening-yellow sunlight.

"Sit upright, but relax. Be careful about your posture, keep yourself in a receptive position, you want to detect invisible energy."

"Now, close your eyes, and focus on your natural rhythm, your breathing, your heartbeat. Make sure it's steady, and at a natural pace."

Nod.

"Get rid of any complex thoughts, try to sense what's around you, the humming of the birds outside, and the warmth of the sun on your skin."

"Now, search for a stream of light. But don't try too hard, or your rhythm will go out of balance."

Len focused, but he couldn't find anything out of the ordinary, certainly nothing mystical. The light filtering through his eyelids rippled and shook, and the cold was numbing his fingers and feet. He could feel as though something were worming under the skin of his leg and his breathing started to deepen.

"If you can't find it, try to relax again, focus on your breathing and pulse, forget about searching for a moment."

Len took deep breaths, and returned to a relaxed sitting position, he tried to not think about finding the lines, or the rapid heartbeats that he should try to slow, or Oliver, or even trying to calm his mind.

Dammit, why do I keep getting these chaining thoughts!

"Len."

He opened his eyes, and looked to Kiyoteru—bit his lip, fiddled his fingers, and quickly averted his eyes.

"Don't worry," Len felt a hand on his shoulder, "it's not easy for anyone, you'll get the hang of it eventually."

But eventually's not soon enough. I need it right away.