The Apprentice's Apprentice

Part 14

Cora's forehead wrinkled. "So what type am I in?"

Selena smiled. "We won't know that until you've completed learning the basics. Each of the basics of spell casting relates to one of the seven types of magic. In learning the basics it is nearly always the aspect you have an affinity for that you pick up first, and any you have a weakness for you pick up last. After you learn the basics of using your magic you will learn the seven basic spells. That is when we'll be certain of your strengths since in working towards mastery of each spell you will focus on each type. Now while you're learning these basics I'll have Warren practice them alongside you."

He crossed his arms over his chest and glowered. "Why do I need to go over the basics again? I mastered them a long time ago."

Selena turned an icy glare on her apprentice. "You only think you've mastered them. In reality your spell casting is far from perfect."

"No one's perfect!"

Cora hid a wince. She'd seen identical expression on her brother's and mother's faces when they fought enough to know it would be best for her to just try to fade into the background. The last thing she wanted to do was get drawn into their argument.

"That is no excuse to be sloppy," Selena snapped. "And you have been cutting corners for weeks now, trying to move ahead quickly rather than correctly."

Warren glared back, his chin up. "That's because you keep refusing to teach me more advanced magic."

"That's because you haven't truly mastered the fundamentals yet."

"I already have! You just keep saying I haven't."

"I am a full mage who has served as master for over half a dozen apprentices. I know when someone has mastered something or not." When Warren continued to glower, Selena narrowed her eyes. "Fine. If you wish to prove your mastery, you can teach Cora here the basics. Her mastery of them will prove yours."

Warren choked while Cora's gaze darted from one to the other and back again.

"I can't teach her! I'm still an apprentice! Only full mages are allowed to teach magic," Warren cried.

Selena raised one snowy eyebrow, her gaze steady on Warren. Cora, ignored for the moment, just stood and watched. "You have been complaining incessantly about my not giving you enough responsibility and yet when I present it to you, you reject it. And it's not as if I'm asking you to be her permanent master. You only have to teach her the basics which you swear you have mastered. It should be a relatively simple task. Though I will of course be testing Cora once you have finished to ensure you've done a thorough job of it."

Warren sputtered for a moment, his hands balling into fists. "No apprentice ever has to teach another. It's not fair!"

"Neither is life and you would do well to get used to that. Now, to give you added incentive to do a more thorough job teaching than you have in learning, I will only be teaching you as long as you have taught young Cora here. For every hour spent teaching I will reward you by teaching you for an hour. And if she fails my testing, I will take over teaching her and you will be joining us for those lessons until I am satisfied you have both mastered the basics. Do I make myself clear?"

He glared at her for several seconds before nodding curtly. Before either Cora or Selena could say anything else, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room. "Well," the older woman said as she leaned back in her chair, one hand reaching out to tap the head of the cane that rested against her chair. "That has been coming for days now but I must say I didn't expect him to be quite so upset. You had best run after him, my dear. He's liable to sulk elsewise. His room is the first door on your right at the top of the stairs."