Darwin enters the GMS, looking a bit tired but accomplished, carrying a strange book under one arm. As he steps in, confetti explodes around him, startling him. Tally and Saffrey stand near the door, both holding party poppers.

Tally: Kid, you made it! Three whole months here at Ashbain’s General Magical Services!  You’ve made it further than A LOT of people in the past.

Saffrey: So proud of you, Darwin! Three whole months of hard work, life-threatening nonsense, and Merrick’s delightful personality. Who knows, maybe you’ll even make it to six months!

Darwin: Wow, time really has flown. I still remember walking through that door for the first time and wondering what I’d gotten myself into.

Saffrey: {noticing the book} Hey, what’s that? Corliss giving you homework or something?

Darwin: Oh, this? While I was helping Corliss clean up the last of the spell books, I found it in the back. It doesn’t have a name or any markings on it. Not even a single word inside—just blank pages. Corliss said I could have it.

{Darwin sets the book down on a nearby table. Saffrey eyes it suspiciously but doesn’t say anything. Merrick appears at the top of the stairs, his staff in hand, descending slowly with his usual commanding air.}

Tally: {patting Darwin on the shoulder} Well, kid, to celebrate your 90 days, you’re finally getting your first official training session… with Merrick!

Darwin: Really? What kind of training?

Merrick: Let’s go, young one.

Darwin: Uh… go where?

Merrick: You’ve been here 90 days. It is time for you to learn… and meet the Cyclops.

{Darwin freezes for a moment, his face going pale. He looks at Tally and Saffrey for clarification.}

Tally: {grinning mischievously} The Cyclops. Yep, it’s the real test. Survive this, and you’re one step closer to being an official part of the team. Don’t survive? Well… It was nice knowing you, kid.

Saffrey: {laughing} Hope you had a big breakfast because you’re going to need the energy. Oh, and I really hope your mom kept up with your health insurance.

{Darwin stares at them, his nerves kicking in. Tally and Saffrey just laugh, clearly enjoying his unease. Merrick, unimpressed with the antics, clears his throat.}

Merrick: Enough nonsense. Darwin, let’s go. Your destiny won’t wait all day.

{Merrick heads toward the door, and Darwin follows hesitantly, throwing one last worried glance back at Tally and Saffrey, who wave cheerfully.}

Saffrey: {grinning} Don’t trip on the way out, newbie!

Tally:  And hey, don’t forget—if you fail, we get your room!

Darwin: But I don’t live here.

Saffrey: {with a sinister grin} We know…we mean the one at your house!

Darwin gulps and steps out the door after Merrick as Tally and Saffrey share a laugh. Merrick and Darwin fly through the air on the trusty Grandmear, Merrick’s old but loyal magic broom.  The wind rushes past them.  Darwin thinking the fresh air would help with the knot forming in his stomach. His mind churned with possibilities of what was up ahead.  How dangerous could the Cyclops even be?, he thought to himself.

The scenery below began to change, transitioning from the bustling streets of Havenmere to rolling fields and scattered woods.  Darwin’s unease only deepened when he spotted a massive figure standing in the distance. The Cyclops’s silhouette loomed like a small mountain, unmoving, its single eye unmistakable even from afar.  This is fine, he thought. It’s just training… probably. He clung to that shred of hope as they descended toward the grassy field, his heart racing with every inch closer.

Darwin glances nervously between Merrick and the towering Cyclops standing in the distance. As they fly closer, the Cyclops grows even more imposing—a hulking figure at least 12 feet tall, with broad shoulders, wearing surprisingly formal attire: slacks, a dress shirt, suspenders, and a tie. Despite the odd clothing choice, Darwin is too intimidated to question it.

They land a few feet away from the Cyclops. Darwin’s hands shake slightly as he steps off the broom, his eyes wide with fear. The Cyclops frowns as he looks down at them, his single massive eye narrowing. Darwin stiffens, expecting the worst. But then the Cyclops breaks into a wide, gentle smile and extends a hand.

Toro: {in a deep, booming voice} Ah, welcome! You must be Merrick’s new Apprentice. Darwin, isn’t it? Three months in, and you’ve made it all the way here. That’s impressive!

{Merrick folds his arms, nodding slightly as if in approval. Darwin hesitates, his fear still evident, but he steps forward and shakily extends his hand to meet the Cyclops’s.}

Darwin: {nervously} Y-yes, sir. It’s, uh… a pleasure to meet you.

Toro: {laughing heartily} Sir? Oh, come now, lad, no need to be so formal. I am Torin Toro, but you can call me Toro. Though I must ask—why do you look so scared? Let me guess… Tally and Saffrey painted me as some sort of man-eating monster, didn’t they?

{Darwin glances at Merrick, then chuckles sheepishly.}

Darwin: Well… maybe a little.

Toro: {grinning} Those two rascals! Wait until I see them again. I’ll show them a real monster. 

{He laughs again, the sound reverberating through the valley.}

Darwin: {relaxing slightly} So, um… why am I here today?

Merrick: {stepping forward} You’re here to learn something your little university would never dare teach you. Today, you’ll learn how to use The Mage’s Eye.

Darwin: {confused} The Mage’s Eye?

Merrick: {nodding} Of course. They never mentioned it to you, did they? Some skills can only be learned in the field, under the guidance of a true master. Luckily for you, I am such a master.

{Darwin stands a bit straighter, his curiosity piqued.}

Merrick: Let’s start with the basics. Do you know how your mana is formed?

Darwin: {confidently} Yes, sir. Mana is formed in our ki points, which are connected by meridians. Each ki point contains the type of mana we’re most efficient with. The larger ki points hold our main type of mana, while the smaller ones store other types we have access to.

{Merrick smirks slightly, pleased with Darwin’s textbook knowledge. Toro listens attentively, giving a slight nod of approval.}

Merrick: Good. That’s the foundation. But what they don’t tell you is how to manipulate those flows to see the unseen. That, my boy, is what we’ll work on today.

{Darwin’s curiosity begins to outweigh his nervousness as Merrick gestures for him to step closer. Toro watches silently, a kind but observant presence. Merrick stands in front of Darwin, his expression sharp as he taps his staff lightly on the ground. He takes a steady breath, and suddenly his left pupil begins to glow faintly. A small arcane circle forms within his eye, its intricate patterns shifting slightly as if alive.}

Merrick: {his voice low and analytical} Hmm. Interesting.

{Darwin, feeling his skin prickle under the weight of Merrick's gaze, fidgets slightly.}

Darwin: Interesting? What’s interesting?

{Merrick doesn’t answer immediately, scanning Darwin head to toe. He strokes his beard as if deep in thought. After a beat, he turns to Toro, gesturing toward Darwin.}

Merrick: Take a look for yourself.

{Toro tilts his head, the single glowing eye narrowing slightly in focus. A faint hum resonates as his eye begins to emit a soft golden light. As the arcane patterns within it spin and lock into place, he steps closer to Darwin.}

Toro: {his voice deep but calm} Well now... That is unusual.

Darwin: {growing anxious} Unusual? What’s unusual? Someone tell me already!

{Merrick folds his arms, clearly deliberating how much to reveal.}

Merrick: Your mana flow... it’s different.

Darwin: Different how?

Toro: Most mana streams are like rivers—straight and steady, flowing to their destinations without much resistance. Yours, though…

{Toro gestures toward Darwin, his large hand moving in small swirling motions.}

Toro: Yours has whirlpools. Small eddies that spin and churn within the streams.

Merrick: I’ve seen hundreds of mana flows in my time. Yours is... unique, but then again you might just be defective

{Darwin’s spirit crashes, his face becomes long and sad.}

Darwin: I’m defective?

Toro: Merrick, don’t say things like that to the young one.  There is no such thing as a defective wizard.

Merrick: It means your mana behaves in ways most don’t. Which can be a bother and a pain if not managed correctly.  Only time will tell.

Toro: I wonder if you even realize the gift—or the burden—you carry young Darwin.

{Merrick clears his throat, breaking the moment.}

Merrick: Enough speculation. We’re not here to marvel at your weird mana. Today, you’re learning to activate your Mage’s Eye.

{Darwin’s curiosity momentarily overrides his anxiety.}

Darwin: Right… The Mage’s Eye

Merrick: A technique that allows you to see the flow and nature of magic around you. With it, you’ll be able to discern the type of magic your opponent wields and figure out the best way to counter it.

Toro: {grinning slightly} It’ll also help you spot traps before you trip over them.

{Merrick steps back, motioning for Darwin to stand still.}

Merrick: Now, focus. Draw your mana to your core and channel it toward your left eye.  Chant this incantation, you will need it at first. No incantation needed once you master it, but for now, you’ll need these words: Oculus Arcana Aperta.

{Darwin closes his eyes, his brow furrowing as he tries to follow Merrick’s instructions. The energy in the air seems to shift as he attempts to concentrate and repeats the incantation Oculus Arcana Aperta. After a moment, he cracks one eye open.}

Darwin: Nothing’s happening.

Merrick:  Keep trying.

{Darwin holds his breath, grunting and contracting every muscle in his body, looking like he is about to pass out}

Toro: {chuckling deeply} You’re trying too hard, kid. You’re all tension and no flow.

{Toro steps forward and gently places a hand on Darwin’s head.}

Toro: Breathe with me. In... {he inhales deeply} and out... {he exhales slowly}. Let your mana settle. Find your center.

{Darwin hesitates, then matches Toro’s breathing. With each breath, his posture loosens, and a faint glow begins to form around him. He whispers the short incantation Merrick taught him, his voice steady but soft. Suddenly, his left pupil glows, and an intricate arcane circle appears within his eye.}

Darwin: I did it!

{Merrick and Toro exchange glances. Merrick, ever reserved, simply nods in approval. Toro, however, grins broadly.}

Toro: Look at that. Told you it was in you.

Merrick: Don’t celebrate yet. It takes years to master this. You’ll need to balance the strain of using your Mage’s Eye with your other abilities in a fight. Now, tell me what you see.

{Darwin looks at Merrick, the arcane glow in his eye intensifying as he focuses.}

Darwin: {excitedly} I see it! Your magic... it’s Enchantment and…Arcane, with some elemental mixed in…right? Lightning magic with something else…, right?

Merrick: Close enough. Now look at Toro.

{Darwin turns toward the Cyclops, his Mage’s Eye flickering slightly as he struggles to maintain the focus. He scans Toro, his brow furrowing as he processes what he sees.}

Darwin: It’s a very strong magic. I see... Nature? But also something else—Enchantment? Wait, your mana’s weird too! It’s layered.

Toro: {laughing deeply} That’s right, kid. My magic’s all about strength, healing, and some nifty tricks like my roar and one more you’re gonna see in a few minutes. Not bad for your first try.

{Darwin beams with pride but suddenly winces, clutching his eye. The glow fades, and he blinks rapidly.}

Merrick: Alright, I’ll give you a few minutes to rest your eye.  The real test begins shortly…