[Harlan is just as surprised as Michael that the spell actually worked. Maybe he should try to do a better job of masking it, but he's never been good at that.
He gently tugs the paper towel out of Michael's hands to get a better look at it. Sure, not perfect, but it's a far cry from what any kid should be able to do on his first try. Especially like three minutes after learning that magic even exists. Especially Michael.
Teaching Michael as an adult was challenging. They made basically no headway, and Harlan suspected it was largely to do with Michael's limited patience, but... It was more than that, too. Like the magic was being blocked somehow.
It's possible that small Michael was able to learn the spell so quickly because of some weird god clause that's part of this event, but it's just as possible that the problem was with adult Michael. Would that have something to do with the Visitor, maybe?
Hm.
He'll get to that in a minute.]
You know, there's a few different kinds of mages. Which you are depends on how you get your magic. Most mages are wizards, and wizards learn magic the same way you learn things like math and English in school. That's what you should be.
[He sets the paper towel on the table and slides it back to Michael.] But a wizard wouldn't be able to do this as quickly as you did. Learning spells takes time, and it takes even more time when you're just starting out. You did it on your first try. In less than a minute. [He hopes his tone conveys how big of a deal this is.]
When I was a kid, I could learn spells really fast too, but that's because I'm a sorcerer. I've had magic in me since I was born.
[He pauses. He's not exactly sure where he's going with this. It's not like Michael is going to be able to tell him what's going on here, but, well. Something is up.]
Are you sure you don't have magic where you're from?
no subject
[Harlan is just as surprised as Michael that the spell actually worked. Maybe he should try to do a better job of masking it, but he's never been good at that.
He gently tugs the paper towel out of Michael's hands to get a better look at it. Sure, not perfect, but it's a far cry from what any kid should be able to do on his first try. Especially like three minutes after learning that magic even exists. Especially Michael.
Teaching Michael as an adult was challenging. They made basically no headway, and Harlan suspected it was largely to do with Michael's limited patience, but... It was more than that, too. Like the magic was being blocked somehow.
It's possible that small Michael was able to learn the spell so quickly because of some weird god clause that's part of this event, but it's just as possible that the problem was with adult Michael. Would that have something to do with the Visitor, maybe?
Hm.
He'll get to that in a minute.]
You know, there's a few different kinds of mages. Which you are depends on how you get your magic. Most mages are wizards, and wizards learn magic the same way you learn things like math and English in school. That's what you should be.
[He sets the paper towel on the table and slides it back to Michael.] But a wizard wouldn't be able to do this as quickly as you did. Learning spells takes time, and it takes even more time when you're just starting out. You did it on your first try. In less than a minute. [He hopes his tone conveys how big of a deal this is.]
When I was a kid, I could learn spells really fast too, but that's because I'm a sorcerer. I've had magic in me since I was born.
[He pauses. He's not exactly sure where he's going with this. It's not like Michael is going to be able to tell him what's going on here, but, well. Something is up.]
Are you sure you don't have magic where you're from?