The Mage's Forgotten Wand

The crystal spires caught morning light as Zeph and Raven practiced in one of the academy's abandoned courtyards. Their official reason – remedial training for a struggling student – provided perfect cover for exploring true magic. Ash's modified detection arrays kept corporate monitoring at bay while Thaddeus supervised with his usual mix of criticism and ancient wisdom.

"Your pattern integration is still atrocious," the book commented as Zeph demonstrated another flow technique. "Though I suppose it's marginally better than yesterday's attempt. At this rate, you might achieve basic competence sometime in the next century."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Zeph muttered, but his attention was on the natural currents swirling around them. After the Crimson Dawn's attack, the magical flows felt more precious somehow, their harmony a sharp contrast to corruption's wrongness. Each pattern held renewed importance as they prepared for future confrontations.

```

Status Check:

[Corporate Cover: Maintained]

[True Magic: Active]

[Flow Control: Improving]

[Pattern Integration: Developing]

[Thaddeus's Approval: Minimal]

```

"Show me that sensitivity pattern again," Raven said, her premium wand steady in the opening stance. "The way you track the deeper currents."

Zeph nodded, letting his awareness expand. Power moved around them in complex patterns – corporate channels layered over natural currents like architectural drawings superimposed on a forest. His modified practice wand hummed as he gathered magic without forcing it through standardized paths.

"Here," he said, weaving the flows into a demonstration pattern. "Feel how it wants to move."

Through his working, Raven could sense how magic naturally flowed. Her usual precise movements faltered slightly as she connected with it. For a moment, her carefully maintained composure slipped, revealing genuine surprise at the clarity of his perception.

"That's... different from grandmother's teachings," she said, regaining her focus. "More immediate."

"A crude but effective demonstration," Thaddeus noted. "Though your execution still needs considerable work. Both of you. The fact that one student has natural sensitivity doesn't excuse the other from proper technique."

Raven's magic reached out tentatively, trying to match the natural harmonies Zeph showed her. Her premium wand wavered almost imperceptibly as their powers aligned – a rare break in her usually perfect form. She covered it quickly with a series of textbook-perfect corporate patterns.

The morning sun climbed higher as they worked through increasingly complex exercises. Each pattern built on the last, weaving together corporate facades and true magic in layers of protection and power. Traces of the Crimson Dawn's corruption still lingered in the academy's flows, making their practice all the more urgent.

"The sacrifice magic left marks," Zeph noted, tracking distortions through the natural currents. "Like... tears in reality's fabric. They're trying to heal, but slowly."

"Yes," Raven agreed quickly, stepping back to maintain proper practice distance. "Grandmother said corruption can linger for weeks. We should focus on the advanced resistance patterns."

```

Pattern Analysis:

[Flow Harmony: 94%]

[Resonance Sharing: Active]

[Power Synchronization: Strong]

[Corporate Masking: Stable]

[Training Focus: Technical]

```

They moved through the exercises, corporate facades hiding true magic beneath. Raven's usual fluid precision occasionally stuttered when their powers synchronized particularly well, though she covered each slip with increased focus on technical details and precise corporate forms.

"Your resonance is drifting," Thaddeus pointed out. "Both of you. Proper magical practice requires absolute concentration. Again, from the beginning."

Zeph repeated the pattern sequence, this time letting his sensitivity guide him deeper into the natural flows. The modified practice wand sang as he demonstrated more advanced techniques, showing how true magic could strengthen reality against corruption's influence.

"Watch the corporate sensors," Raven cautioned, her own power moving in careful harmony with his demonstration. "The monitoring crystals are more active since the attack."

She was right. The academy's security systems had been enhanced, crystalline matrices pulsing with increased vigilance. They worked carefully to maintain their cover, making each true magic pattern look like approved practice forms to corporate detection.

"Less talking, more practice," Thaddeus interrupted. "Unless you think the Crimson Dawn will politely wait while you discuss security protocols?"

They refocused on the training, moving through pattern after pattern as the morning wore on. Zeph's sensitivity picked up subtle changes in the local flows – places where their practice was actually helping reality heal from corruption's touch. The natural currents responded more strongly to each working, as if eager to be restored to their proper paths.

Raven's magic moved with practiced precision, years of training evident in every gesture. But when their powers aligned particularly well, that precision would waver almost imperceptibly. Each time, she responded by drilling corporate forms with renewed intensity, as if seeking the comfort of familiar patterns.

"The resistance sequence needs work," she said after another round of practice. "Show me that flow detection technique again. For technical analysis."

"Your dedication to proper magical theory is admirable," Thaddeus commented dryly. "Though your execution still leaves much to be desired. Both of you. Again."

The crystal spires hummed overhead as they continued working, corporate magic flowing through standardized channels while true power moved in ancient paths beneath. Zeph focused entirely on the patterns, on helping his training partner understand how natural flows could counter corruption.

Eventually, Ash's detection arrays signaled the approach of other students. They smoothly transitioned to approved practice forms, their true magic hidden beneath perfect corporate facades.

"Well," Thaddeus said as they finished, "at least today's practice wasn't a complete disaster. Though your corruption resistance patterns need significant improvement."

Raven packed her equipment with precise movements, her usual confident demeanor firmly back in place. If her hands lingered slightly over certain items, or if her responses had been less composed during practice, such small details were lost in the larger concerns of their hidden war.

"Same time tomorrow?" Zeph asked, already thinking about the next set of patterns they needed to master.

"Of course," she replied, premium wand sliding smoothly into its holster. "We need to be prepared if the Crimson Dawn attacks again."

They separated to maintain their corporate covers, each focused on the growing threats they faced. Behind them, the courtyard's magical currents settled back into standard patterns, though places where they had practiced true magic retained a subtle harmony – like ripples spreading through deep water, changing flows in ways that wouldn't become clear until much later.

```

Session Summary:

[Training Progress: Advanced]

[Cover Maintenance: Successful]

[Pattern Mastery: Improving]

[Corruption Resistance: Developing]

[Security Status: Stable]

```

Some changes in magical currents are too subtle to notice at first, visible only in retrospect when their effects finally surface. Like true magic hidden beneath corporate channels, they flow quietly beneath the surface, slowly altering patterns that even those involved won't recognize until long after they've been changed.