Chapter 124 Spell casting (1)
Alessia's POV
Indie is not quiet what I expected, As Enya leads us towards the Magic room. I steal a glance again. The first time we met during my welcoming dinner I didn't pay much attention to her,she was wearing a hoodie and I assumed she was elderly like Enya but I am sorely mistaken.
Today there is no hoodie she is very young ,perhaps about my age. Dressed in a tight red bandage dress her lustrous blond her tied up in a tight chignon,sharp aquamarine eyes that catch every movement,a small button nose and full lips that are set in a tight grimace.
What shocked me the most is as young as she is, she is a member of the high council
She must be one heck of a powerful witch to be this young and part of the revered group.
Enya places her hands on the circular door and as the symbols highlight we all walk in together before she turns around and gestured towards Indie.
“This is indie, you met during your welcoming feast. She is a council member and One of the protectors of the Coven alongside Orzo”
Turning to her I give her a smile “It is nice to see you again Indie” She stands with hands behind her back I feel her power radiating around her like a second skin. She tilts her head lightly in response.
“Please step into the protective circle” she continues as I nod and get into position.
“We are not working on creating regular protective shields today” She adds gently “You have already passed that task with flying colors.”
I am glad she heard about it, hopefully she does not try any sneak attack
Orzos words after the sneak attack from last night flicker in my mind “ It wasn't difficult for you to absorb it.”
“Today's lesson” she says as she starts to pace “Is about chanting,shields can be created in two ways using your inner eyes and by spell casting”
She comes to a stop in front of me “Shields as you know will protect not only your self” She pauses “but can protect a small space and people around you if strong enough”
That part gets my attention, So I can create a shield large enough to protect my friends Alex, Angelica, Luca, Lucy? How many people can I protect at a time? Before I can ask she continues..
“To learn defense magic using spells you must be disciplined and focused”
Melissa instructs “Use emotions as an anchor, dont suppress them but acknowledge them.”
Enya takes a deep breath from her vantage point on the sofa.
“You should think of It as building blocks”
Melissa adds “but instead of actually building a fence or wall you are reinforcing the very air we breath.”
Cool, I nod slowly
This is obviously going to be very hard
Melissa points to one of the old sigil crafted into the stone floor on the right still within the protection circle.
“Enter that circle.”
I do tentatively and the minute my foot crooses the boundary I feel a rush of warmth.
Melissa trains her eyes on me.
“Princess take a deep breath and close your eyes” she instructs calmly “Be one with your thoughts this spell cannot be done if there is any fear or doubt in your heart”
It's difficult to trust them completely after what happened with Orzo but I am determined to learn all I can so I will try.
“For the spell to be effective you must be calm”
she says “You must believe that you and all that is yours is untouchable.”
I take a deep breath in I think of all that matters to me and how I have to learn this for them.
For My late Mother
For Alex
For Angelica
For Luca
I feel something sizzle deep within me as my confidence grows.
I can do this
I will do this
I must succeed
Melissa starts chanting slowly her voice is even and does not miss a beat. The words sound ancient, not loud or harsh but they sink into my brain like a code. Something to lock up in my memory for future use
I repeat slowly
At first it seems as if I failed and nothing happens
Then suddenly a slow wind picks up as my magic flares, the tell tale shadowy purple lines appear and My skin tingles.
“Try it again this time more solid”Mellisa says
\-I've got this
This time I repeat the chant my voice is louder and steadier. The sigil under my feet starts glowing faintly as the stone floor warms up responding to my power. I feel the spell echoing through my stomach to my chest, down my spine and into my palms.
“Yes this is good”
Melissa murmurs “Now keep it that way.”
I hold on to it as sweat trickles down my temples, but this lesson is much better than yesterdays
and It's more intense.
Melissa raises her hand slightly “Let us test your shield.” I appreciate her fore warning, immediately fortifying my shield as her magic pulses towards me
\-Not a defensive move this time, but a test. The air around me ripples then her attack dissolves against my shield.
“You didn't block the attack rather you neutralized it.” Melissa adds thoughtfully
I gulp hard “Is that wrong?”
I know that's how I treated Orzos attack as well
She gives me a small smile “Every witches line of difference is different.”
“But your kind of defense is not easy to master especially during an impromptu attack.” she continues
I gasp the magic armageddon hint again?
“It takes most witches a long time to be able to cast a spell and maintain their focus.”
Glancing down at my hands it's still glowing dark purple, not with my fire this time but a shield which feels safer and steadier.
“Was my mother able to do that?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
Melissa raises an eyebrow at me studying me for a moment “Among other things yes,Your Mum used to layer her attacks fire, spell casting, and counter strike.”
She lets out a breath “She was a witch that believed survival was merely about power but about the art of preparation and practice.”
That does sound like something my Mother will say. “I think we have done enough for today.” Melissa says as she continues to study my shield .I slowly exhale just realizing how deeply tense I had been. The weight of doubt starting to lift from my shoulders bit by bit. Only I and the others understand just how important it is for me to ace these lessons.Failure can not and will not ever be an option !