The Academy Of Space And Time

Even after I had a good night's sleep, I actually felt too weak to go back to my training, but knew we couldn't lose any minute.

That morning, Raegan showed up to my room with a weird pink plastic cube.

"Don't worry, it's not a chew toy for dogs," she said, reading my puzzled expression. "It's a polymer cube that imitates the reactions of Enchanters. You can cast a spell on it and see how your opponent would react. We are going to use it to learn our second lesson: how to kill."

She shifted the cube into her hands.

"This polymer is called ReAd, from the Latin word Readopto which, I guess, could mean remodelling in this context."

"Enchanters like Latin," I offered. "It's not everywhere, like most books humans write about magic would make you think, but I've encountered many Latin words."

"I have no clue whether it's just Enchanters in the United Kingdom or not. Maybe all across Europe," she replied. "But this was our language when most of our rules, politics and culture were created. Right before we had to separate ourselves from the world of humans. People who write history books say life was great back then. It was good for us to dwell between humans."

I wanted to reply that it was never good for me, but what did I know? It must be hard to live separated from the creatures that look more similar to you, all the while being less technologically advanced and having traditions that are almost only based on magic — because that was what had divided the two species in the first place.

I looked at the cube, concentrating, for some time but nothing happened. But you should cut me some slack. Killing is not that easy.

Sometimes, to cast a great spell, it takes hours. Unless you're an expert, of course. After an hour, the cube was crumbling up.

"That's good!" Raegan exclaimed. "Though you'd have to be faster. I figure it's going to take us a few more days to continue our quest."

I would have wanted to learn quicker too, but killing on the spot is very hard, even if the thing you're killing is a polymer cube invented by someone who shares your name.

As it often happens, just when I was about to give up, I felt something clicking inside of me.

And the cube vanished into thin air.

"I know I shouldn't say this," Raegan commented. "But it gets easier with time."

I hoped she meant it in a theoretical sense.

With a nod of her hands, she put the cube back together.

"No," she said bitterly, her voice shaking a little. "You can't do that with people."

"So, what do we do now?" she asked then. "Do we have to try it again?"

I smiled at Raegan.

"You're my best friend. If I really have to spend my day killing that cube over and over, there's no one else I'd rather do it with."

She smiled back at me, showing her strong white teeth. "Of course, but don't let it become your favourite hobby."

After a few hours, I was able to destroy it twice and Raegan five times but, according to her, I did good.

During lunch, I sat next to Jeff. I missed talking to him. I asked him how his training was going. He was humble, as usual, but he looked happy he acquired new skills.

"You know, Ryan," he admitted, blushing. "I would have never thought I'd be dabbling with black magic. I didn't like the idea. And Grandpa... He says I'm traumatised from last year's quest, because of the amnesia. He told me that I wouldn't be able to contain all of my power. But I thought about it and I realised that it's better to try anything once. It's better to be a good person because you are able to make the choice, and not because you are limited."