Raelyn's eyes snapped open, her heart racing. "I found it!" she exclaimed, looking to Corix.

He straightened, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "You're sure?"

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously. "I saw it—it's like a spring, in my mind. That's where the magic flows."

Corix approached, his skepticism giving way to something closer to relief. "Good," he said finally. "Now let's see if you can use it."

Raelyn closed her eyes again, shutting out the Hall of Prayer and the statues looming around her. She let herself return to the spring in her mind, the vivid image of the bubbling water and mist-shrouded clearing drawing her back. The sensation of the spring's energy was immediate—cool and alive, wrapping around her like a gentle embrace.

She stepped into the shallow water, her movements deliberate, each ripple carrying the faintest pulse of magic. She knelt, letting the water lap at her ankles, and leaned forward. Her hands dipped into the spring, and the surge of warmth that shot through her fingers made her gasp softly.

The magic was there, flowing freely and abundantly, but controlling it was another matter. The energy coursed up her arms, its strength almost overwhelming. It wasn't like holding the locket's vibrations, faint and steady—it was wild, untamed, like trying to hold onto a rushing current with bare hands.

She clenched her teeth, fighting to keep the energy from spilling out uncontrollably. Slowly, she pulled the magic inward, feeling it gather in her chest, a golden warmth spreading through her body. It wasn't perfect—the flow faltered and wavered like an unsteady flame—but it was enough to make her feel the connection.

"Open your eyes," Corix instructed, his voice cutting through the haze of her concentration.

Raelyn obeyed, her breath hitching as she looked down. Her hands were glowing softly, golden light emanating from her palms in a warm, steady radiance. She stared in awe, a small, triumphant smile tugging at her lips.

But Corix wasn't finished. "Good," he said gruffly. "Now focus it. To the tips of your fingers. Precision is everything. Magic is useless if you can't control it."

Raelyn nodded, the weight of his words sinking in. She closed her eyes again, returning to the spring in her mind. This time, she imagined the water flowing not just through her body but toward her hands. She stood ankle-deep in the spring, bending forward to let the magic pour into her hands.

The warmth in her palms intensified, but as she tried to push it toward her fingers, the flow resisted, spreading haphazardly up her arms instead. The magic felt slippery, refusing to obey her. Her brow furrowed in frustration, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead.

"Steady," Corix said sharply. "Don't let it scatter. Draw it in—focus."

Raelyn took a deep breath, centering herself. She visualized the spring again, its calm, pristine waters. The flow had to be deliberate, she realized, not forced. She imagined the water narrowing into a stream, flowing smoothly down her arms and pooling in her hands.

The glow in her palms steadied, growing brighter. Slowly, she willed the energy toward her fingertips, imagining it as a delicate thread of light. The sensation was strange—almost like guiding a thin, fragile stream through a narrow channel. Her fingers tingled, but the magic wavered again, flickering uncontrollably as it threatened to spill out in all directions.

"Too much," Corix warned. "Refocus. Don't let it overwhelm you."

Raelyn clenched her jaw, closing her eyes tighter. The spring in her mind came into focus once more. She pictured the water, the gentle ripples spreading outward. This time, she cupped the water in her hands more deliberately, as if cradling something fragile. The glow in her mind mirrored the glow in her palms, and she envisioned a single drop of light traveling to each fingertip.

The glow in her hands shifted, retreating from her palms. Slowly, painstakingly, it gathered at the tips of her fingers. Her arms trembled with the effort, every muscle in her body tense as she channeled the magic with deliberate precision.

Finally, the glow settled, a soft golden light shining only from her fingertips. She opened her eyes, her chest heaving with exertion.

Corix stepped closer, studying her hands with an appraising eye. "Good," he said at last, his tone begrudging but approving. "You've managed the first step. Now stop."

Raelyn exhaled shakily, releasing the magic. The glow faded from her hands, and the energy drained from her body, leaving her feeling exhausted but exhilarated.

She looked up at Corix, a small, victorious smile on her lips. "I did it," she whispered.

"Barely," he replied, though the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. "And this is the simplest application of magic. You'll need much more control before you can use it properly."

Raelyn nodded, her confidence bolstered despite his words. She had taken her first real step toward becoming a magus, and she wasn't going to stop now.

"Watch carefully," Corix said, stepping back. He raised his hands, the faint golden glow of magic sparking to life at his fingertips. Raelyn's breath caught as she watched him move with practiced precision. His fingers danced through the air, tracing a series of intricate symbols that lingered like trails of light. The glyphs shimmered, hanging weightlessly before him, their edges pulsating with raw energy.

Raelyn leaned forward slightly, captivated by the delicate yet deliberate way Corix worked. The glyphs seemed alive, humming softly as they began to weave together. The patterns merged seamlessly, forming a translucent shield of golden light that encased his balled fist.

"This," Corix said, his voice calm and authoritative, "is a Shield of Light. It will block projectiles and deflect attacks. Simple, but effective. Essential in any fight." He twisted his wrist, and the shield shifted fluidly with his movement, its surface glinting like glass in the soft light of the Hall.

Raelyn stared, wide-eyed, her heart pounding. It wasn't the first time she had seen magic performed—Ardesco was filled with skilled magi—but this was different. Watching Corix summon the shield with such ease made her realize the potential within her own reach. The way he commanded the energy, the symbols responding to his touch like an extension of his will, was mesmerizing.

Her thoughts raced. Could she really learn to do that? Would she ever move her hands with such confidence, her magic bending to her commands as naturally as breathing?

Corix flexed his fingers, and the shield dissolved into a burst of golden sparks that faded into the air. "You'll learn it soon enough," he said, his tone matter-of-fact, as though this incredible feat were nothing special.

He reached into his satchel and pulled out a small leather-bound book, worn with age but meticulously cared for. "For now," he said, handing it to her, "study these glyphs. Memorize them. Each one has a purpose. You'll need to recall them with ease if you're to wield magic effectively. Tomorrow, the real work begins."

Raelyn accepted the book with trembling hands, the leather cool against her palms. She ran her fingers over its cover, the faint scent of parchment and ink wafting from its pages. Her heart brimmed with anticipation, and for the first time in what felt like forever, excitement burned away the self-doubt that had weighed her down.

She glanced up at Corix, her eyes shining. "I'll study every page," she promised, clutching the book to her chest.

His expression softened for a moment, his usual skepticism replaced by something closer to approval. "Good," he said simply. "You'll need it."

Raelyn clutched the book to her chest, her heart brimming with anticipation. For the first time, she felt like a true magus in training.

As Corix turned to leave, she remained still, her gaze drifting across the Hall of Prayer. The towering statues of the gods seemed to watch her silently, their stone faces serene and unyielding. Her eyes stopped on one in particular—the statue of Lucifer.

The god stood tall and commanding, his hands resting firmly on the hilt of an impressive longsword. The blade's tip pointed downward, its intricate carvings disappearing into the stone plinth. His expression was resolute, his gaze fixed on some unseen horizon, and his presence exuded both strength and sorrow.

Raelyn swallowed hard, the weight of her objective pressing on her anew. She had heard the legends—of Lucifer's weapon, hidden somewhere in Unevia, a relic powerful enough to cleanse the land of the evil that now crept across its realms. Her locket, its vibrations now so familiar to her, was supposed to guide her to it.

She straightened her back, her fingers tightening around the book. The path ahead would be grueling, and she was still far from ready. But as she stared into Lucifer's carved eyes, she felt the faintest spark of resolve ignite within her.

"I'll find it," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet Hall. "I'll find your weapon... and I'll make things right."

The locket around her neck pulsed softly, as if in silent agreement.