Three days have passed since he obtained the notebook.
He has practiced as much as his body would allow, and all other time was spent reading, eating or sleeping.
He has grasped the theory, and execution of the spell… but something is missing.
The spell just won't work, either it just shoots some green sparks or an illusory projectile shoots out.
But this isn't the spell, no, it can't even make a mark on the wall.
He has read the notebook from front to back, cover to cover. But he doesn't see where he is wrong.
The only thing he could think of was… killing intent. He didn't want to kill anyone, he had no target.
After all, emotion and will was everything when it came to spells.
Incantation and wand both could go, but if you tried to cast magic without will or emotion?
Good luck.
The notebook says that you need strong emotions and will. Both have to be directed to kill.
You must have the hate and anger to kill someone, then also the will.
He had neither.
He wanted power, and if he had to kill to get it… so be it. He would never end up like the corpses he disposed of.
He had ambition. He had will. But what he lacked was pure emotion, the hate.
The days passed, but to no avail.
Soon four more days passed. A week.
Today was his birthday.
Waking up in the morning he congratulated himself.
"Happy birthday. Rhys Hale."
As he sat up he rubbed his forehead. All this magic training had put a huge strain on his mental strength.
He woke up every morning to pain, pulsating through his entire head, spreading down to his body.
Every failed cast sent waves of pain behind his eyes, like someone was driving a nail into his skull.
And that he always tried to conjure negative emotions to practice his spell.
It tore him down, affecting his mood, sleep, appetite and learning ability it seems.
He put on his clothes and headed downstairs.
"Awake?" Wilhelm asked as he poured the porridge into the bowls.
"Yes."
Rhys walked over and grabbed his bowl and spoon, then he turned around and walked over to his seat.
Wilhelm sat down opposite him and started to eat.
How could he seriously, by free will, want to eat this?
Rhys had no choice… but Wilhelm? Who could stop him if he wanted to eat something good?
Rhys started to eat. After a few minutes Wilhelm spoke.
"Have you learnt the spell?"
Rhys looked up and swallowed.
"No, not quite, but I am close."
Wilhelm nodded and took another bite.
Rhys was surprised, he expected to see some reaction, anger, irritation, disappointment… nothing?
Good for him.
They kept eating in silence, but soon Wilhelm had finished eating.
"Was today your birthday?"
Rhys looked up again, why did he ask this?
"Yeah, the 23rd."
Wilhelm nodded.
"I have a birthday present for you later, after dinner."
Rhys was confused, present? For him? He felt that there must be some trick to this.
"Really?" Rhys questioned.
Wilhelm nodded, then smiled.
"You'll see, you're going to appreciate it."
I definitely won't appreciate it. Rhys felt more and more scared.
"Go back and practice your spell." Wilhelm said annoyed. Have you no trust in him?
Rhys nodded and hurried upstairs to his room.
He obeyed and kept practicing the spell.
Time flew by. And it was right before dinner time.
He had made considerable progress on the killing curse.
Everytime he threw the spell he would be able to conjure a phantom shell.
It looks a bit like the spell, but there is no substance to it. It's pretty much all for show.
How is he supposed to overcome the lack of powerful negative emotions? The notebook doesn't say.
It assumes that you already have negative emotions strong enough to fire the spell.
Rhys sat on the edge of the bed and twirled his wand. Throwing the killing curse, or trying to is exhausting.
He was just about to continue when he heard Wilhelm calling him.
"Rhys! Dinner!"
He stood up and put the wand in his waistband. Time for slop.
Walking downstairs he saw Wilhelm already seated, and his bowl was in front of his seat.
He walked over and sat down. As he picked up the spoon and was about to take a bite of the porridge, Wilhelm spoke.
"Are you excited about your birthday present?" He said with a teasing smile.
Rhys stopped the spoon that was about to enter his mouth.
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."
Wilhelm nodded.
"I really thought of you when I got you this present."
Ha. Though of me? How thoughtful of you. In his heart Rhys sneered.
If he thought of him, it couldn't be good.
"You did?" Rhys asked, with some surprise in his tone. He had to at least play along.
Wilhelm smiled. If you didn't know better you could've thought he was a father smiling at his son.
"Indeed, I believe this present will help you greatly on your path of magic."
Rhys was apprehensive but also curious. What could this be? And could it truly help him progress faster in magic?
He was doubtful. He had never heard of this in the movies or books.
"What is it that can help me on the path of magic?" Rhys asked. He was too curious.
Wilhelm laughed.
"Now you're interested? Hehe, it's a secret, but you will see in a little while."
He looked down at Rhys's bowl.
"Eat up, you will need it."
Rhys froze. What did he mean by that? His worry rose again…
Let's ignore it. Must've been the wind.
Spoon after spoon.
A few minutes later and he was done with his food.
Wilhelm stretched and stood up, he reached out and grabbed the bowls before he headed to the sink.
"Wait a second." Wilhelm said as he cast a few spells and started to clean up the kitchen.
Rhys closed his eyes and relaxed. He had to be prepared for anything.
When the sounds in the kitchen stopped did he open his eyes.
Wilhelm stood in the kitchen looking at him while wiping his hands with a towel.
"Let's go." He threw the towel on the counter and walked out the kitchen.
Rhys hurried along.
"Where are we going?"
Wilhelm kept looking straight and responded.
"The basement."
Rhys sighed inwardly. Of course it was.
...
Enjoy.
CHAPTER END.