Chronicles of Destiny

As they continued to delve deeper into the dungeon, Kaelem's mind raced with excitement over finally making progress with his magic. The precision and control while using the bracer were perfect, and he wanted to keep practicing - the rush was intoxicating.

"Are there more goblins?" Kaelem asked, struggling to contain his excitement. "Are there more to practice on?"

Selkor raised a concerned eyebrow, knowing too well how enticing it was to use magic. "Patience, boy. We should explore a bit more before inviting further trouble. Not every encounter will be a manageable one, so you must understand your surroundings."

They wandered through the narrow cave corridors, the air stuffy and humid as they made their way deeper into the dungeon. Flickering torchlight illuminated strange carvings along the walls, telling tales of battles long forgotten.

"What do you think happened here?" Kaelem mused, tracing his fingers along one of the carvings.

Selkor paused to study one of the drawings closely. "They speak of a time when the dungeon was a site of power. Wars were fought to harness the energy that dwelled here. Mages sought it because they believed it would amplify their spells, but many were consumed by their own greed." He turned to Kaelem with a stern expression. "Remember, overzealous ambition can lead to ruin. You have a gift, but it should be used with wisdom above all."

Kaelem nodded. This wasn't the first time Selkor had warned him of the cost of power. As they ventured further in, they came upon a large chamber filled with debris and broken furnishings. The air felt noticeably heavier here.

The chamber was much larger than the other rooms they had come across, the ceiling high and supported by large stone columns. In the center of the room was a stone altar, covered in a thick layer of dust - abandoned for who knows how long.

"This could be a place to practice," Selkor suggested, gesturing to the altar. "Try focusing your magic here, see if you can shape it into something tangible."

Kaelem felt slightly apprehensive. How could Selkor be certain a goblin wasn't about to come around the corner at any second? Nevertheless, he approached the altar, placing his hand on the cold surface and wiping away some of the dust. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he once again pictured the river of magic within the center of his being. The runes on his bracer began to glow as he started to channel his magic.

'Focus,' he thought to himself, projecting an image of the magic flowing into a solid form. He recalled the lightning bolt he had first conjured with the help of the scroll. He wanted that raw power, but this time, he wanted to control it.

As he concentrated, he felt his body thrumming, his magic enveloping him, swirling around him. He imagined a ball of energy forming, supported by the same runes on his bracer. With each breath, he guided the power, bringing that very image to life.

Kaelem opened his eyes to see the large sphere of energy suspended in the air, runes identical to those on his bracer holding it in place. It crackled with energy, vibrating against the air and illuminating the chamber. Kaelem felt a wave of butterflies in his stomach - he did it!

"Excellent work," Selkor congratulated him. "Now, see if you can maintain it."

Kaelem continued to concentrate, feeling his connection to the sphere and doing everything in his power to keep that connection going. He tried experimenting: adding more magic than required made it unstable, while reducing the magic caused its form to falter. He thought back to the stream he would visualize - his magic flowing like water.

The sphere continued to shimmer in the air, reestablishing its form and glowing vibrantly in the dark chamber. It felt alive, responding to his thoughts and his will.

"Marvelous, boy," Selkor said, moving around the room. "Now try to change its shape, something other than a ball."

Heeding Selkor's instruction, Kaelem shifted his focus, commanding the orb to take a new form - something he could hold, something with a sharp edge. "I can feel it!" he exclaimed, excited by the possibilities as his mind started to wander.

The sphere changed with Kaelem's thoughts, becoming a thin blade of pure energy with a sharp edge that gleamed in the darkness. But as his mind wandered, the blade began to twist and contort, becoming unstable. Kaelem gasped as it broke apart, exploding into deadly shards that scattered across the room.

"Kaelem!" Selkor shouted, stepping forward as he waved his hand, summoning a white dome around himself and Kaelem with his own magic. The shards pierced whatever they made contact with, digging in a few inches before fading into mist. But when they hit Selkor's shield, they disappeared into the air, instantly consumed by his magic.

Kaelem stumbled back, his breathing ragged. "I didn't mean to - "

Selkor placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Focus. Remember, it's not about raw power or force. It's about focus. Distractions are dangerous, especially for you. Your magic relies on you for instruction. Disrupting that balance causes it to become overwhelmed and volatile."

Kaelem nodded, trying to catch his breath. "I know, I got carried away."

"Every wizard struggles with this in the beginning," Selkor continued to reassure him. "It's part of your journey, though it's more extreme in your case. With each attempt, you'll learn more about your limits - and how to surpass them."

Kaelem regained his composure, his face brimming with determination. He would master this. With Selkor's guidance, it was possible - not just to harness his magic, but to understand it on a deeper level.

He knew now that his lack of an affinity meant that anything was possible. The magic relied on him as much as he relied on it. If he could gain control over the process, his abilities would be limited only by his creativity.