Mistress Tatiana stared at the water in disbelief, repeating the gesture with no change in effect. "Put your hands down, girl," she said in annoyance.

Natalia did as she was bid, and then the instructor stirred the water, this time with noticeable effect.

"All right, girl, go ahead," the mistress said.

Natalia raised her hand a second time, this time merely facing her palm towards the water from where she stood. The water went instantly still. The whole class looked on in surprise.

"I don't understand," said Mistress Tatiana, "you didn't even say the magic words."

"I said them in my mind," said Natalia, rather defensively. She could feel the eyes of her classmates staring at her, making her feel uncomfortable.

Mistress Tatiana cleared her throat. "You have each demonstrated the ability to unleash a portion of your power today. You will now go to separate rooms where, under supervision, you will practice what you have learned this morning. When you have met the expectations of your tutors, you will proceed to your lecture rooms where you will be introduced to the theory of battle magic. Are there any questions?

Svetlana raised her hands, waiting for the mistress to nod her head before speaking, "When do we learn to destroy things?"

"That will come in time, child," the mistress patiently responded, "but there are many more mundane spells that must be mastered first. Remember, you each have a powerful force within you, and you must learn to unleash it to its full potential. Calming a small bowl is simple. Eventually, you will be able to calm the largest waves but to do that, you must first know how to harness your energy."

Natalia raised her hand, waiting for the nod. Mistress Tatiana looked about the room, avoiding Natalia's gaze, but when no other student raised a question, she turned reluctantly to the low-born. "Yes?" she said.

"Would it not be better to learn to control the power that flows through us?" she asked.

"No," corrected Mistress Tatiana, "you are being trained to be battle mages. On the field of battle, you must let loose with everything you have, or you may fail."

"But surely-"

"But nothing," the mistress angrily cut her off, "there will be no further discussion on this topic. Now off with you, I have other places to be."

It was easy for Natalia to become adept with her first spell. In fact, if truth be told, she had mastered it the moment she first cast it. She had manifested similar powers early in her childhood, and so it was a simple matter for her to unleash it now, in a more controlled environment. She thought back to her lesson, but something nagged at her. Surely, there were times that spells should be held back, for if one were always to unleash power at full force, they would quickly deplete their stores of energy. She resolved to bring up the topic the next chance she got.