CH-2 The Boy Who Could Barely Cast

Tyler Arborius sat cross-legged on the academy practice grounds, his hands trembling as he concentrated

Before him, a simple crystal sphere rested on a stone pedestal. All he had to do was make it glow—a basic exercise every first-year student could accomplish.

"Just focus," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the chatter of his classmates.Closing his eyes, he pictured the arcane energies swirling within him, tiny and reluctant. 

He imagined drawing them out, coaxing the invisible threads to life. A faint warmth built in his palms, and Tyler opened his eyes, hopeful.

The crystal sphere flickered weakly, its light barely discernible in the midday sun.

"Pathetic," a voice scoffed.

Tyler turned to see Marcus Vayne, the star student of their class, leaning against a nearby pillar. Marcus's robes shimmered with enchantments, and his signature smirk was firmly in place.

"You've been at this for hours, Arborius," Marcus continued, his tone mocking. 

"Are you sure you're even in the right place? Maybe you'd be better off scrubbing floors at the academy."

Laughter rippled through the group of students gathered nearby. Tyler's cheeks flushed, but he forced himself to stay calm.

"Better to struggle and learn than to coast on arrogance," Tyler said, his voice steadier than he felt.

Marcus's smirk faltered for a moment before he sneered. "Keep telling yourself that, Talentless."

The insult stung, but Tyler turned back to the sphere. He wouldn't give Marcus—or anyone—the satisfaction of seeing him quit.

The Weight of Expectations

At the Arborius estate, things weren't much better.

"Why must you embarrass us, Tyler?" his father demanded one evening during dinner. 

Cedric Arborius, with his fiery gaze and imposing presence, was a man who rarely minced words."I'm trying," Tyler said, keeping his head down."Trying isn't enough," Cedric snapped. "Do you think your brother or sister got where they are by simply 'trying'? Magic is in your blood, Tyler. If you can't wield it, then perhaps you don't belong in this family."Tyler clenched his fists beneath the table, his appetite gone. His mother, Elena, cast him a sympathetic glance but said nothing.  Lyra and Cassius exchanged smug looks, their silence louder than any words.That night, Tyler retreated to his room, staring out at the vast, star-filled sky. The weight of his family's expectations felt like a mountain pressing down on him, but beneath the despair was a flicker of defiance."I'll prove them wrong," he whispered to the night. "I'll prove them all wrong."A Fateful EncounterWeeks later, Tyler's life took an unexpected turn.It began with a seemingly innocuous lesson in the academy library. Master Caldwell, an elderly magician with a penchant for rambling, was lecturing on the dangers of ancient relics. Most of the students were barely paying attention, but Tyler hung on every word."The Forgotten Grimoire," Caldwell said, his voice low and reverent, "is perhaps the most dangerous artifact in Arcanis. It is said to contain knowledge that predates even the Magisterium. Those who seek its power often find themselves consumed by it."Marcus raised his hand lazily. "If it's so dangerous, why hasn't anyone destroyed it?""Because no one can find it," Caldwell replied. "The grimoire is hidden deep within the Whispering Woods, a place where magic itself warps and bends reality. Many have sought it. None have returned."Tyler's heart raced. The Whispering Woods was a forbidden zone, its dangers legendary. But if the grimoire truly held ancient knowledge, could it be the key to unlocking his potential?The WhisperLater that evening, as Tyler sat alone in the library, a strange sensation washed over him—a faint whisper, like the rustling of leaves in the wind. He looked up, but the library was empty. The whisper grew louder, more insistent, pulling at the edges of his mind."Who's there?" Tyler called out, his voice echoing in the vast chamber.No answer came, but the whisper shifted, forming words."Seek... me..."Tyler's pulse quickened. Was he imagining things? Or was this some kind of magical residue left behind by centuries of spells?"Seek who?" he asked aloud.The whisper faded, leaving only silence. But the words lingered in Tyler's mind, and a strange compulsion took root.The next day, he scoured the library for maps of the Whispering Woods. The forbidden forest lay on the outskirts of the kingdom, shrouded in mist and mystery. Every text he found warned of its dangers—illusions that trapped unwary travelers, beasts twisted by chaotic magic, and worse.But Tyler couldn't ignore the pull.The DecisionThe following weekend, Tyler packed a small satchel with essentials: food, water, and the few magical tools he owned.He left the academy under the cover of night, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement.For the first time in his life, he wasn't waiting for permission or approval. He was taking his fate into his own hands.As he approached the edge of the Whispering Woods, a chill ran down his spine. The air was thick with magic, the trees unnaturally still. Shadows seemed to move of their own accord, and the faint sound of whispers danced on the wind.Tyler hesitated for a moment, his resolve wavering. But then he thought of his father's scorn, Marcus's taunts, and the weight of his family's expectations."I'll find my strength," he said, stepping into the forest. "Even if it kills me."The woods swallowed him whole, the mists closing in behind him.Tyler Arborius was no longer just a boy struggling to cast spells. He was a seeker, chasing the whispers of destiny.~To Be Continued~