“Now shielders, I want you to close your eyes and focus the depths of your mind on something that makes you feel relaxed. It's important to fully clear your mind when you are blocking out magic.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. This would be easy for me. I had been practicing techniques to help relax my body and mind since a young age. My brain drifted into thoughts of the ocean. The feeling of saltwater drenching my skin when in the depths of the sea. The sounds of waves colliding with the shore. The smell of salt and sand coating the air. I fully submerged myself in my imagination, so much so that I almost believedI was really there.
“Wielders, place your hands on top of your partners and prepare to use your chosen magic on them.”
I sensed Pia’s palms on top of mine, but I was so absorbed in my thoughts that her hands felt foreign against my skin.
“This last step is the most important. Listen up, shielders.” Stoll’s voice echoed throughout my mind, though it sounded so far away. “As the wielders try to use their magic, I want you to imagine yourself stopping them. Visualize your body physically blocking the magic from reaching you. It sometimes can help if you imagine yourself speaking to the magic, telling it that you are not allowing it to enter your body. When you're both ready, you may attempt this.”
Pia palpitated my hands gently. “Are you ready?” she whispered, as to not disturb my inner peace.
I nodded softly, not taking my mind out of its current state of relaxation. I heard her release a breath and felt her adjust her stance as she prepared to try and mend my face.
I centered myself in my mind, visualizing myself mentally speaking to Pia’s magic.
Do not heal me.
I imagined the horizon above the shoreline back home—dripping with orange rays of sunlight.
Do not heal me.
Waves rolled over my toes, washing away the sand that covered them.
Do not heal me.
I was so immersed in the experience that I couldn't be sure if I was even doing what I was supposed to. My cheek tickled, but I couldn't sense any alleviation of the gash on my face. Did Pia even try to use her magic yet?
Do not heal me.
I imagined myself blocking out her powers, while keeping my soul tranquil.
Do not heal me.
I thought the phrase to myself again andagain.
Do not heal me.
Do not heal me.
“Do not heal me.”
A bolt of lightning struck through my veins. The electricity singed my nerve endings and my skin prickled, making the hairs on my arms stand up. My entire body shook as the sensation took over, but I didn't falter from my false reality. I was still on the shore, although it appeareddifferentnow.
Hands grasped my shoulders, vigorously shaking me. I snapped my eyes open to see dozens of others staring at me, completely mesmerized.
My spatial awareness returned, and Professor Stoll released me. I locked onto Pia, who gawked at me, her eyes fully dilated. Stoll moved to stand next to her and stared at me with a very similar expression.
I raised an eyebrow. “Did I do it?” I touched my fingers to my cheek bone, running them over my constellastones and the injury that still very much hurt.
No one answered me.
“Did you even try to heal me yet?” I directed that question to just Pia.
She clenched her jaw shut and gulped, then shook her head.
I frowned. If I failed at using my mental shield, then why was everyone looking at me like I wore nothing but my undergarments?
Throwing my arms up in confusion, I glanced between the two of them. “So then what's going on?”
