Should Magic Really Be This Powerful?

With Potato’s instructions Terry finds himself in front of two large doors. “This is the throne room? Aren’t there supposed to be guards or something?” Potato hums in agreement, “We don’t have a lot of man power right now so the sooner we get you trained in magic the better. Now come on, we got to get you to the King.”

Terry pushed the door open slowly peering into the room as he did. The room was large with wide space and tall walls fixed with extravagant stained-glass windows that filled the room with a bright colorful light, the only color in the room. The room was rather bare and empty, like there was supposed to be more decoration and splendor but for whatever reason, it was removed.

Soon Terry spotted three individuals in the back of the throne room. A knight standing guard who seemed to be on the edge of sleep. An elderly man wearing a luxurious fur robe and gold crown on his head, snoring loudly in large wooden throne. And a blond-haired girl wearing an extravagant gown and jewelry, examining their nails lazily.

Terry entered the room and gradually walked up the three and stopped in front of them, coughing into his hand to get their attention. The girl looked at Terry as if he was a piece of gum on the bottom of his shoe.

“Who are you and why are you in the throne room?” She asked with a tone of irritation in her voice. Before Terry could answer Potato jumped off his shoulder and on the floor in front of the girl. “Your Majesty! I bring great new!” he shouts joyfully startling the sleeping man awake and causing the drowsy guard to stand a little taller. The girl glares at Potato, “And why is our royal wizard a squirrel?”

“Is it a crime to be cute Princess Kiwi?” Potato retorts smiling and fluffing his now furry body. The Princess Kiwi scoffs, rolls her eyes, and smacks the elderly man on his shoulder. “Father, the rat wants to talk to you.” The man who Terry now knows is the King, rubs his shoulder. “Potato, what news do you bring us?” he asks.

“I have successfully summoned the Hero to save our beloved kingdom Kalabash.” Potato declares as he gestures to Terry behind him. “Hey.” Terry says with a nod. The King claps his hands together, smiling and laughing like a child on Christmas. “Oh, Joyous news indeed. Welcome Hero. We must welcome you properly, quickly get this man a pumpkin.”

The knight nods and quickly leaves the room. “Oh, a pumpkin, that’s a great honor Hero Terry.” Potato says as he climbs back to his spot on Terry’s shoulder. Before Terry can ask, why a pumpkin, the Princess shouts.

“Hold on, you expect us to believe that this wimp,” She says pointing up and down at Terry, “Is the Hero who will save us.”

Terry was annoyed at the whole situation himself but now found himself annoyed by this incredibly rude Princess. “I like this about as much as you do, but you are not going to point at me like that.” Terry watches the Princess gasp and clutched her chest, as if Terry had just threatened to throw her out a window.

“You will not speak to me that way Fake Hero!”

“Fake Hero?”

“Until you can prove you are the real Hero, You’re a fake.”

Terry opens his mouth to respond but Princess Kiwi continued. “If you really are the Hero, then you will have no problem showing us your magical ability.”

---------------------------------------------------

Terry looked out onto the large open field used as the training grounds just behind the castle. Racks of various swords and spears laid against the castle walls along with tables with small wooden shields, ropes, and what looked to be used glass bottles. The Princess Kiwi dragged him out here along with Potato and the King, and was currently standing before a small group of royal knights with a smug grin. “Blueberry front and center!” she yelled.

A small girl with short blue hair and the bare minimum of amour scrambled to the front of the group and bowed before the Princess. “I’m here you Highness. How may I serve you?” Princess Kiwi turned back to Terry, “This is Blueberry, Captain of our Royal Guard. Once we prove you are a fake, she will take you to the dungeon where you will rot for the rest of your life.”

Terry looked at Princess Kiwi and then to her still bowing royal knight. “And how am I going to prove that.” He asked. The Princess smirked and walked further into the training field. She held out her hand and began to chant. As she chanted her hand began to glow orange until she shouted “Fireball!” Out of Kiwi’s hand came a pitiful ball of flames that slowly floated to the practice dummy at the end of the field and slightly singed it. “How was that faker!” Kiwi laughed as the knights clapped along with the king. “Marvelous work honey.” He spoke.

Terry stood there dumbfounded, “What?” he started but Potato whispered in his ear. “Yeah, she’s not the best magic user around but the king doesn’t want her to feel bad so he makes everyone praise her.”

“Your turn Faker.” Kiwi said, shoving Terry as she walked past him. Terry glared at her but walked to where the Princess had stood regardless.

“Alright Potato, how do I use magic.”

“You don’t know?”

Terry had an urge to grab the blond squirrel off his shoulder and throw him as far as he could. “Kidding, I’m kidding. Of course I’ll teach you. First close your eyes, breath deep, hold out your hand, and think about shooting out a fireball.”

“That can’t be it.”

“Well, you should also chant Flamea Magi as you build your magic.”

“What about the ‘fireball’ part?” Terry asked referring to Kiwi’s magic.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that. Princess Kiwi does that every time she does a spell and no one knows why.”

Terry nodded, he took his stance and repeated everything Potato had told him. Slowly he began to feel his hand filling with a burning warmth. Terry pictured a ball of fire in his hand the size of a baseball before he pulled his arm back like a pitcher, throwing the ball from his hand. The whole time Terry kept his eyes closed. He waited a moment before opening one eye to peek at the scene in front of him. There was a large burnt path in front of Terry that stretched to the field dummies and beyond. Terry slowly turned to look at the group behind him. The knights, the King, and even the incredibly rude Princess stood there, mouth agape.

Potato laughed on Terry’s shoulder, “I guess that’s enough proof, eh, Princess Kiwi?”

For a moment everyone stood there in silence when the knight Terry met in the Throne room earlier ran out of the castle and up to Terry. He handed Terry a large round large pumpkin and grinned, “Welcome to the Kingdom of Kalabash Hero.”