[Third Person’s PoV]

Six days had passed since Lucian and the others discovered the source of their abilities. Aside from that revelation, nothing major had occurred—except for the fact that Lucian had begun teaching Annabeth more about magic.

It was July 3rd, just a day before the campers would hold another celebration, lighting up fireworks in a grand display. However, as the camp prepared for the event, Lucian and Annabeth were nowhere to be seen. Instead, they were deep inside Lucian’s lair.

“Shouldn’t you be paying attention when I’m explaining things to you?” Lucian asked in annoyance, glancing at Annabeth, who was holding a mechanical limb in her hands.

In front of her sat a half-constructed doll. Its torso and head were complete, but it only had one arm and one leg. A small compartment in its chest was open, revealing a hollow space where a heart was supposed to be.

“But I am listening,” Annabeth said, tilting her head in confusion. She walked over to the table, placed the mechanical leg down, and picked up her Phoenix quill.

“Have you forgotten that I can remember everything I hear? Not to mention, I have perfect recall. Don’t worry, I am paying attention,” she added as she began drawing and inscribing runes along the leg.

“Yeah, well, I’d still appreciate it if you looked at me while I teach you about magic circles. This is something you might actually need. You are my first disciple, after all, so I’d like your undivided attention,” Lucian said with a slight pout.

“But how else am I supposed to finish my project? This way, I can complete it and learn at the same time,” Annabeth reasoned, continuing to carve runes around the leg.

Lucian sighed in exasperation. “Whatever,” he grumbled. “Wait… what was I just saying? Damn it…” He scratched the side of his head, trying to recall.

“You were explaining magic circles,” Annabeth reminded him. “How they function as both a formation and a ritual. The runes act as guides for the ritual, and once arranged in a specific formation, they follow the rules of that structure and execute the commands embedded in the guide. Meanwhile, the circle itself serves as the boundary that contains the magical power.”

“Good, I was just testing to see if you were truly listening,” Lucian said smugly. However, he heard Annabeth scoff, clearly not believing a word he had just said.

Lucian’s cheeks reddened slightly as he cleared his throat. “Alright, as I was saying—magic circles function as structured frameworks that channel magical energy, providing a stable foundation for spells. The placement of symbols, geometric shapes, and inscriptions determines how magic flows and interacts within the circle’s boundaries.

Magic circles also serve as ritualistic conduits. The inscriptions—usually runes, glyphs, or ancient scripts—carry instructions that dictate how the magic is executed. These runes act as a language of magic, ensuring that a spell or enchantment follows a precise sequence.

Runes are essentially the blueprints of a magic circle. They provide the necessary instructions for the energy to follow, much like coding languages tell a computer how to execute commands. Different runes can represent elements (fire, water, earth, air), actions (binding, destruction, restoration), or even abstract concepts (time, protection, amplification). When arranged in specific formations, they establish rules that govern the magic within the circle.

Some runes act as triggers, while others serve as stabilizers, preventing the magic from becoming unstable or volatile. Without runes, a magic circle would be nothing more than an empty boundary—it’s the guiding script that brings it to life.”

Annabeth, still focused on the mechanical leg in front of her, asked, “Then how come you can cast spells without a magic circle? I see you using most of your magic freely, especially your shadow magic. I think I have an idea, but I want you to confirm it.”

Lucian nodded. “I know this might sound like a cop-out answer, but it all comes down to intent and willpower—”

“But wouldn’t that mean the answer lies in spirituality and the soul?” Annabeth interrupted. “Think about it. Where does our willpower and intent come from, if not from our souls?”

Lucian placed a hand on his chin, pondering. “Yes and no. It’s complicated, and I don’t have all the answers, but the thing about magic is… it’s not supposed to make perfect sense. That’s what makes it magic in the first place.

Yes, willpower and intent can come from the soul, but there are other factors at play—like our mentality. Mental strength is closely tied to the spirit, but they’re not the same thing. For example, when someone is mentally exhausted and their thoughts feel sluggish, does that mean their soul or spirit has been drained?”

“Of course not,” Annabeth responded.

“Exactly. So willpower and intent involve more than just the spirit—it’s a metaphysical concept.

But that doesn’t mean magic is limitless. Magic itself has rules and limitations that must be followed. It’s similar to alchemy—there are fundamental laws within the system that can’t be broken.

No matter how much belief or willpower I possess, it will never be enough to defy the laws that govern magic,” Lucian explained.

“I see what you’re saying,” Annabeth nodded, moving toward the ankle of the leg and beginning to draw around the foot. “Even if magic itself doesn’t necessarily have limits, we as humans do. We’re restricted in what we can actually do with it.”

“Exactly. Overall, magic as a whole is…” Lucian paused, placing a hand on his chin, lost in thought.

“What? Why did you stop?” Annabeth asked, looking back at Lucian, who was deep in thought and unusually silent.

Lucian blinked, then shook his head. “You know how the end of my Sequence deals with paradoxes, right? Well, I just realized—magic itself is a paradox. As magic users, we make the unreal real. Magic, in its essence, is a contradiction…”

He trailed off, then sighed. “Sorry,” he apologized, shaking his head again. “I just thought I should take note of that for later.”

Pushing the thought aside, Lucian stood up and walked over to Annabeth. “Also, you should stop relying on the quill for a bit.”

“What? Why?” Annabeth froze, looking bewildered.

“You’ll grow overdependent on it and might not be able to use magic properly without it. Can you even control your magic without the quill?”

Annabeth hesitated. “I… haven’t really tried before,” she admitted, glancing down at her hand, then at the quill in her other hand.

Lucian gently took the quill from her hand and set it aside. “Then let’s try it out.”

Annabeth felt her cheeks heat slightly as Lucian stood behind her, guiding her hands with his own. His voice was calm and steady.

“There isn’t a single ‘source’ of magic inside us, like a core or anything. Magic just is—it flows through us naturally. If there was a core, it would probably be in our hearts. The key is learning how to guide it, not just relying on a tool.”

Annabeth gave a small, shy smile as she leaned into his presence. “Alright, so how do I—”

“Just like you’ve been doing, but without the quill. It’s been helping you, but also holding you back. The problem is that you think too much. Magic isn’t about thinking—it’s about feeling. In a fight, do we have the luxury of stopping to think?”

Annabeth took a deep breath and nodded.

“Close your eyes,” Lucian instructed. “Take a deep breath. Feel it—the power inside you, the energy coursing through your veins.”

His voice softened as Annabeth focused. “Now, guide it out. Let it flow through you, through your pores, without restraint.”

Slowly, a silver hue began to shimmer around Annabeth’s fingertips. The glow expanded, flowing up her arms, then spreading to envelop her entire body. Her golden hair lifted slightly, as if caught in a gentle breeze, moving like a billowing mane.

Annabeth exhaled softly, her silver eyes flickering with an ethereal light as she gazed at the magic surrounding her.

“This is… amazing,” she murmured in awe, marveling at the power flowing through her.

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