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"Well now, shall we get started Namine?" said Merlin, clapping his hands decisively.
The flamboyant, eccentric wizard and his new student stood in the training room of Merlin's house.
The wizard wore purple robes adorned with gold stars & a matching pointed hat. Namine wore a light blue strapless mini dress, a white halter top underneath the dress, a navy blue belt with a small bag attached, and white boots.
The room was filled with magically enchanted red painted targets and wooden dummies. It also smelled faintly of sulphur.
Namine summoned her Keyblade Tabula Rasa, which had a black wooden guard and handle, grey hilt, and a white head resembling a skeleton key. It's name meant "blank slate" and reminded Namine of an artist's easel or slateboard.
Taking a breath, Namine turned to Merlin and nodded and the wizard smiled widely.
"Fantastic! Now, the source of a person's magic, is based on their inherent personality as well as mana, the magical energy around us."
Raising his hands, Merlin said "Mana Mirar!"
Namine gasped in awe as numerous twinkling lights appeared around them. When she looked at Merlin, she was stunned to see a twinkling light glowing on the center of his chest.
"These lights are mana? I never knew magic could be so beautiful."
"Indeed, it can be. Magic can be beautiful, terrifying, or helpful depending on the person using it. "
Namine looked down at herself to see if she had a similar light, but found none.
"Where is my mana?"
"It hasn't yet been unlocked. Magical power typically lies dormant in those with magical potential. Now, is it okay if I touch your forehead? It is going to help you unlock your magic."
Namine nodded and Merlin stepped closer to her. Extending a long, thin finger, he reached out and touched the center of Namine's forehead before speaking.
"Close your eyes."
Namine did as instructed & felt Merlin gently press her forehead.
Immediately, she felt a cool sensation building in her chest that was gradually becoming colder. She could also sense some light behind her eyelids.
"I feel something! Words are coming…"
"Open your eyes, my dear."
Namine's blue eyes opened to brilliant icy blue light twinkling from her chest. Instinctively, she raised her Keyblade so that it pointed forward, gripping its handle with both hands. Merlin stepped back to give her some room.
"Blizzard!"
A big blast of icy magic flew from Namine's Keyblade and ricocheted off half a dozen targets and dummies before dissipating. Namine looked at Merlin nervously.
"Good! Very good for your first try! It just needs a bit more focus."
Merlin pointed at Namine's Keyblade before continuing.
"It's best to accumulate power at the Keyblade's tip when you perform magic. It allows you to channel your magic better."
Namine lowered Tabula Rasa and paused before asking her question.
"Is it possible to use magic for other things besides battling?"
"Certainly, my dear. I can also teach you healing & protection spells if you wish."
"Thanks, but that's not what I meant. Can I sit down for a bit?"
"Excellent segue my dear. Let me demonstrate my conjuration magic. Purpley cushiony sitty!
A comfortable looking purple couch appeared out of thin air between them. Merlin sat down and Namine dismissed her Keyblade and did the same with a small smile.
"Thank you. I hope I can be as comfortable with my magic as you are." Namine put her hands in her lap and twisted her fingers.
Merlin promptly pushed up his spectacles and considered Namine for a moment.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but might you be afraid to use magic?"
Namine stiffened and looked down in shame.
"Yes, that's right. The Organization made me use my power to alter the memories of Sora and those connected to him. I don't want to use magic again if I end up hurting others."
"And yet you came to me to learn it. Why do you think that is?"
Namine looked directly at Merlin before
responding.
"To protect what matters to me, to make up for what I did before. And to make people happy if I can."
"And you shall! I can tell that you're a kind soul that wants the best for others. But dear, know that you deserve to be happy too. Learn that most of all."
Namine hummed in agreement.
"I'll try. After all, a few people have already made me happy. Sora, Riku, Roxas, and Xion. Especially her…"
Namine felt her face flush a little as she recalled collecting seashells on the beach with the brunette.
A wistful sigh from Merlin brought her out of her reverie.
"Ah, yes. I had a similar fondness for Yen Sid years ago. He was always such a serious fuddy-duddy and I loved getting a chuckle out of him."
Namine was somewhat surprised to hear Merlin talk openly about his personal life.
Merlin looked rather amused at her reaction, winking before he rummaged in one of his robes pockets.
"Ah, here we are."
In the palm of his hand, Merlin held a snow globe. The globe stood on an elegant silver base with carvings of trees and deer. Inside the glass globe, some white deer stood among white pine trees.
Merlin turned the snow globe upside down and Namine saw a small silver winding key. Merlin tapped the key and it wound itself.
Soon, a soothing holiday melody began to play as fake snow gently fell inside the snow globe.
Namine's eyes widened and she and Merlin silently admired the snowglobe's beauty until the melody finished.
Handing the snowglobe to Namine, Merlin spoke his next words gently.
"Sometimes, magic is as simple as a snowglobe. This snowglobe isn't magic on its own, but it is magical for the people around it."
Namine summoned her Keyblade again as she considered Merlin's words. Maybe ice magic didn't always have to require so much effort.
Raising her Keyblade again, she thought of the snowglobe as she focused her mana towards the Keyblade's tip.
"Winter Wonderland!"
With a flash of white light, snow was silently falling all around them. The dummies and targets had also become a circle of white pine trees.
Merlin looked at Namine in admiration.
"Lovely job, my dear! Rather romantic too. Maybe you should try this spell with Xion sometime, eh?"
"T-Thanks!" Namine was blushing, but also proud of herself. She was more magical than she thought.