Read Online Summoner: Origins The Prequel by Taran Matharu - Free Book Online Page B

‘Elaine, stop playing with your demon and pay attention!’
    â€˜That doesn’t make me feel any better. Now I’ll get shown up by a thirteen year old girl.’ Arcturus muttered.
    â€˜So?’ Elizabeth asked. ‘You’re newer to this than her, of course she’s likely to do better. What does age or gender have to do with it?’
    â€˜Umm . . . nothing,’ Arcturus said, shuffling his feet.
    â€˜Too right,’ Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at him. ‘Now, most noviciates find it easier when they are sitting down for the first time. Why don’t you sit down with Sacha beside you. Your connection with her won’t change no matter how far away she is, but it can’t hurt.’
    Arcturus settled down, cross-legged, and laid Sacharissa’s heavy head in his lap. The weight was comforting, and he twisted his fingers in her soft, black fur. Her warm, blue eyes gazed at him with trust, before she closed them and let out a contended rumble. He followed suit, waiting for the next instructions.
    Elaine sat on the ground beside to him, and he sensed the young girl give Sacharissa’s tail a surreptitious stroke. The demon snorted and Arcturus heard the thwack of her tail and a yelp from the young girl.
    â€˜Serves you right,’ Elizabeth said, tutting.
    She knelt on the ground behind Arcturus and laid her hands on his shoulders.
    â€˜Sense the connection, where you feel Sacha’s emotions and intentions,’ Elizabeth murmured, her voice soft in his ear.
    Arcturus searched for the mental umbilical cord that held Sacharissa and him together. As he touched it, he felt Sacharissa shudder, then relax as he gently grasped it with his mind. Instantly, his body began to suffuse with a sensation both cold and hot, rushing through his blood with every pulse of his heart. His breath quickened.
    â€˜That’s enough, let go for now. It’s just a small spell and you don’t want to drain her. Now, take the mana and push it through your finger. As it comes out, open your eyes and try to shape it into a ball,’ Elizabeth’s voice was low and confident, quelling Arcturus’s doubts. ‘You can do it.’
    He pushed the mana through his finger, the energy rushing through him like a whitewater rapid. He snapped his eyes open, and contorted his mind, willing the mana into the shape of a rough ball. Light curled, slowly, emerging from his finger and spinning into an orb that hung in the air in front of him.
    â€˜Excellent,’ Elizabeth breathed, still behind him. ‘Now, why don’t you try and float it up towards the ceiling.’
    Arcturus’s mind felt as if it might snap, his brow furrowed so deeply he could feel the muscles cramping. He nudged it upwards, and his heart soared as the orb responded to his touch. It spun and ascended, until it touched the ceiling and disappeared.
    â€˜Well done. That’s better than most students manage their first time,’ Elizabeth said.
    Arcturus smiled as another, much smaller ball floated aimlessly in front of him.
    â€˜I did it!’ Elaine yelled, punching the air beside them.
    Arcturus watched as Valens buzzed around the ball, making mock dives at it.
    â€˜You know, that’s probably enough for your first lesson,’ Elizabeth said, standing up and stretching with a groan. ‘I still have to move into my quarters.’
    Arcturus stood, earning himself a grumbling growl from Sacharissa as her head flopped to the floor.
    â€˜That’s great. I haven’t even had time to wash yet!’ he said, trying to remember the way to the baths.
    â€˜I wasn’t going to say anything,’ Elizabeth laughed, holding her nose jokingly. ‘Go wash up and then relax in your rooms, I will make sure someone bring you lunch and dinner. The others will be at training with Lady Faversham all day anyway.’
    â€˜When’s our next lesson?’ Arcturus asked as he