Fareed sat on his desk, arms folded. He hadn’t spoken in over a minute. Then finally, he let out a breath and said in a serious tone, “If what you tell me is true, then we are dealing with something that may be beyond even my expertise.”

  “But that’s impossible,” Arthur said.

  Alice sank deeper into the sofa.

  Elyas said nothing.

  Fareed bit his lip as though thinking of what to say next. “Are you familiar with the different traditions of magic, Alice?”

  “I didn’t even know there were different traditions of magic.”

  “Then let us start there.” Fareed cleared his throat. “It is a big world that we live in, filled with magic and wonder. What you may not know is that there are various ways of harnessing this magic. One might call them different paradigms or models, but the most common term is ‘magic system.’ ”

  Alice and Arthur nodded along.

  Fareed drew from his sleeve a slender rod the length of his forearm. He glided to the center of the room next to the telescope. “An important property of any magic system is its hardness. Hard magic systems can be quite different from soft magic systems, although it’s more of a spectrum rather than distinct categories.”

  “Ah… no, sorry, still don’t get it,” Alice said.

  “Perhaps a demonstration is in order.” He raised the rod, pointed it at an arbitrary point on the far wall, and recited a line in a foreign language. Lightning sparked from the tip of the rod and flew across the room. The bolt hurtled toward the bookshelf, but swerved at the last moment and hit a metal suit of armor in the corner instead.

  “Whoa,” said Alice.

  Arthur and Elyas applauded.

  Shaggy had jumped to his feet when the lightning struck, but went back to his nap afterward.

  “Thank you,” Fareed said with a bow. “The key characteristic of hard magic systems is that they have rules, and how much you understand the rules is directly correlated to how much you can use your magic to solve problems. We call that the first law of magic systems. For instance, to produce that bolt, I used my mana reserves to create a potential difference between the tip of my rod and the ground. From there, I merely directed the release of electrical charge. As to why it grounded itself on the suit of armor and not— never mind, I see I’m boring you.”

  “Not at all,” said Alice. This stuff was pretty interesting. Maybe she should have taken up a magic degree like Marion said.

  “What about those words you chanted?” Elyas asked. “That’s the verbal component, right?”

  “That?” Fareed said. “It’s entirely superfluous. What I utter has no bearing whatsoever on the effectiveness of the spell.”

  “Then why?” Arthur said.

  “Because it’s cool. That’s what we call the zeroth law of magic: ‘Always err on the side of awesome’. ”

  Fareed didn’t see it, but Arthur rolled his eyes. Alice flicked his ear, and he flinched.

  “You can say anything you want or even nothing. For example…” Fareed pointed the rod and yelled, “Lightning Bolt!”

  Again, lightning flashed from the tip of the rod to the suit of armor. Fareed demonstrated it a few more times with different words.

  Avada kedavra.

  Chidori.

  Fulminis.

  The same effect crackled the air with its awesome power, the ground shuddering each time.

  “I see,” said Alice, “And I suppose the rod itself is dressing too.”

  “Oh, the spell-casting focus is necessary; it helps channel my mana,” Fareed said. “But there are other magic systems that can create a similar effect without a focus. Qi-based cultivation systems spring to mind. Which brings me to my next point. The magic system I used to create the lightning is termed, in your language, the Arcane Tradition. It is the most prolific system of magic in this part of the world precisely because of its technicality and predictability. It is what powers most of the magical effects in the city, such as the ever-burning flames and self-cleaning streets.”

  Alice realized what Fareed was getting at. “So what magic system do I use?”

  “That, I’m afraid, is what I don’t know.” Fareed sheathed his rod and sat next to her on the couch. “While transmuting water into wine could be construed as a form of alchemy, I have never heard of multiplying food, for matter can neither be created nor destroyed.”

  Alice slunk back on the couch. “It’s hopeless, then. I’ll never understand my magic.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Arthur patted her on the shoulder.

  “Not necessarily,” Fareed said. “I believe what we have on our hands is a soft magic system.”

  “And what does that mean?” Elyas said.

  “It means we have to attack the problem from a different angle. If in hard magic systems, power is derived from understanding and application, then in soft magic systems, power is derived from a need, not a want. We have to create that need.”

  “You’re speaking in riddles again,” Arthur said.

  “Sorry. Let me explain. In soft systems, magic is often situational and can come in the most unexpected of moments. For example, I’ve heard of a system where the pure of heart can attain great power if they are awakened by fury.”

  “Which means…?” Alice said.

  “You need to get mad,” Fareed said.

  “Why didn’t we think of that?” Elyas said.

  Fareed gestured to the end of the room. “To start, why don’t you stand over there, Alice.”

  Alice went and stood next to the suit of armor. Arthur watched with Fareed by the telescope, while Elyas leaned back on the couch.

  “Now close your eyes, and try to visualize something that infuriates you,” Fareed said.

  Alice did as he told. She closed her eyes and visualized Francis’s very punchable face. That did the trick. Her hands tightened into fists and clung to her sides.

  “Now let off a primal scream of fury and unleash your raw untapped potential.”

  “Rrraaaaagghhh!”She screamed.

  “Is it working?” Arthur said.

  “I don’t know,” said Alice in between screams. She tried visualizing punching Francis’s face, then Claudette’s and Fulvio’s. But as she did, her father’s face appeared as well. A painful memory flashed in her inner eye, and overwhelming sorrow washed over what anger had scrounged up.

  “Hmm…” said Fareed, “we should be seeing some physical manifestations of raw energy right about now, such as a change of hair color. You should at least feel a tingling in your back.”

  “Nope, nothing,” said Alice.

  “Try clenching your butt, maybe that’ll work,” Elyas said.

  “That’s it, I’m out of here,” Arthur said.

  Alice opened her eyes. “Where are you going?”

  “A walk.” Arthur was already halfway to the door. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “You forgot something.” Elyas tossed him the glasses disguise.

  “Gee, thanks. Almost forgot.” Arthur rolled his eyes and left the room.

  “Now what?” Alice asked.

  “I’ve got some other ideas I’d like to test out, but first…” Fareed went to his desk and riffled through the drawers. He drew out a vial of a fine, dust-like substance that sparkled behind the glass.

  Alice followed him to the desk and inspected the vial. “Is that pixie dust?”

  “Close, but not quite,” Fareed said. “You are looking at fine-grain raw mana powder. Typically, spellcasters draw on their personal mana reserves, but when those run low, they can artificially imbue themselves with external sources.”

  Alice pondered for a moment. “So you’re telling me I have to eat it?”

  “Good guess, and indeed, mana potions were the standard form of intake until practitioners realized respiratory inhalation was far quicker.”

  Elyas leaned his head back and chuckled. “I’ve got to see this.”

  Alice’s jaw hung open as Fareed tapped a line of dust onto his desk.

  “Whenever you’re ready,” he said.

  Funny thing is, this probably wouldn’t be the weirdest thing Alice snorted. Still, though, raw magic…? Eh, what’s the worst that could happen?

  Bending over the desk, Alice covered one nostril and inhaled the line of dust in one go. The dust dispersed through her lungs, and her brain buzzed. A strong but pleasant aftertaste filled her nasal system. This is what sniffing rainbow unicorn fart must be like.

  “Feel anything?” Elyas asked.

  Alice shrugged.

  “That’s normal,” Fareed said. “It takes training to sense your mana reserves. But I do have some testing methods in mind.”

  They tried a variety of approaches to unleash her inner power. At one point, Fareed had her put on a blindfold as he and Elyas threw books at her. He said something about letting go of her senses and trusting ‘The Force of the Universe’. It ended in a papercut.

  They also tried using the power of friendship, which turned out to be the same as the awakened-by-fury method, except with her screaming, “MY FRIENDSSS!” as she joined hands with Elyas and Fareed. All she got was a sore throat.

  Alice collapsed on the recliner, panting. “Let’s face it. I’m never going to figure it out.” She wiped sweat off her brow and threw the handkerchief to the floor.

  Elyas was lying on the floor with Shaggy, who hadn’t a care in the world.

  Fareed walked around the room, stroking his beard. “Don’t give up yet. If every scientist or wizard relented the minute they encountered a setback, we’d never be where we are today.”

  “I’m no scientist or wizard. I’m a… whatever you call what I am.”

  “That doesn’t mean the scientific method won’t help you. We need to exhaust every plausible…” He stopped in his tracks and looked up, realization in his eye. “Or maybe, the scientific method isn’t the way to go.”

  “So what, should I just pray to Greg then?” Alice said.

  “Not necessarily.” Fareed dragged the ottoman and sat beside her. “What’s common with every method we’ve tried so far?”

  “They all failed.”

  “Yes, but also, all our approaches had something to do with what’s going on in here.” He pointed to her chest. “Whether it’s unleashing your raw emotions to the world, or letting go of your emotions and embracing a higher power, or even admitting the power your friendships give you, all these are about you resolving an internal conflict and completing an inner journey.”

  “So, you’re saying I’m a loser and that’s why I don’t have power.”

  Fareed raised a finger. “Perhaps you don’t have power because you think you’re a loser. Are you, perhaps, going through internal struggle and strife?”

  Alice flung up her arms. “What do you think? The damn inquisition is after me.”

  “That’s an external conflict. I’m talking about internal conflict. Guilt or regret, for example.”

  “Or maybe you’re lying to someone,” said Elyas, who hadn’t spoken up in five minutes. “Or to yourself.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Alice said.

  “Your story doesn’t add up.”

  “I’ve never been the best at math, man, spell it out.”

  Elyas’s head was resting on Shaggy’s matted fur. He stared blankly at the ceiling. “We already know about the bread and the healing — and no don’t say anything about elf bullcrap — but you also, allegedly, turned water into wine. Only, you didn’t realize it until your daddy-o pointed it out, right before he died.”

  “How did he die again?” Fareed asked.

  “Poisoned, probably,” Alice said.

  “The real question we should be asking is why,” Elyas said.

  “Francis and his dumbass lackeys killed him, that’s why.”

  “You mean the same people who are after you right now for some inscrutable reason?”

  Alice sat up. “What are you insinuating?”

  “You know damn well what I’m insinuating.” Elyas sat up too and met her gaze.

  Alice wilted. She turned away, if only so he wouldn’t see her face.

  What Elyas was suggesting was a thought that had already crossed her mind long before she ever poked her head in that damn library. An idea she had locked in a chest and buried in the deepest pits of her heart, where it remained for the longest time. But now, people were getting hurt; lives were at stake. She couldn’t keep running her whole life.

  It was time to take a stand.