# Chapter 3: The Training Center

Daniel trudged up the stairs to his apartment, the crystal pendant bouncing against his chest with each step. Six hundred dollars. He still couldn't believe he'd fallen for such an obvious scam. What would his father say if he knew? Probably something about how Daniel had always been too gullible, too eager to believe in magic and miracles.

Well, magic was real now. Just not as special as he'd hoped.

He unlocked his door and stepped inside. His one-bedroom apartment looked exactly as he'd left it that morning—dishes in the sink, unfolded laundry on the couch, bills scattered across the coffee table. Perfectly ordinary, despite the fact that its occupant was now officially a registered magic user.

Daniel tossed his keys on the counter and slumped onto his couch. The information packet from the orientation lay on the coffee table where he'd dropped it. He picked it up, flipping through until he found the section on training centers.

According to the packet, all new mages were required to complete at least a basic control course before they could apply for a permanent license. Without a license, using magic in public was illegal.

He scanned the list of approved training centers in the Chicago area. There were dozens, with various specialties and price points. The cheapest options were government-subsidized community centers, while the most expensive were private academies promising accelerated advancement.

Daniel checked his bank account on his phone. After the crystal fiasco, he had just over one hundred dollars left until payday next Friday. He'd need to choose one of the community centers.

His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten anything since that overpriced hot dog at the market. Daniel headed to the kitchen and opened his refrigerator. The leftover pizza from Tuesday stared back at him, along with a half-empty carton of milk and some dubious-looking Chinese takeout.

As he reached for the pizza box, Daniel paused. An idea struck him. He stepped back from the refrigerator and focused on the pizza box inside. He concentrated, trying to lift it telekinetically.

The box wobbled slightly but didn't rise. Daniel frowned. At the market, he'd lifted heavier objects with ease.

He pulled the crystal pendant from beneath his shirt and held it in his left hand, as the old woman had instructed. Again, he focused on the pizza box.

This time, the cardboard container floated smoothly out of the refrigerator and drifted toward him. Daniel grinned despite himself. Scam or not, the crystal did seem to help his control.

He guided the pizza box to the counter, then tried lifting a spoon from the dish drainer. It rose easily, doing a little loop-de-loop in the air at his command. He added a fork, then a knife, making them dance in circles around each other like some weird cutlery ballet.

"This is actually pretty cool," he muttered to himself.

For the next hour, Daniel practiced moving objects around his apartment. He discovered he could lift heavier things when using the crystal—up to about ten pounds before the strain became too much. Without the crystal, his limit seemed to be around three pounds, and his control was shakier.

So the crystal wasn't completely worthless. Maybe not worth six hundred dollars, but it did genuinely enhance his abilities.

By the time he finished practicing, it was nearly midnight. Daniel collapsed into bed, exhausted but with a new sense of purpose. Tomorrow, he'd call one of those training centers and get started on his official magical education.

Maybe he wasn't special in the grand scheme of things, but he could at least try to be good at this.

---

"Lakeside Community Magic Center. This is Colin. How can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm calling about the basic control courses," Daniel said, phone pressed to his ear as he scrolled through the center's website on his laptop. "I just got registered yesterday and need to sign up for training."

"Sure thing," Colin replied. "We have new classes starting every Monday. The basic telekinesis control course is six weeks, two sessions per week, two hours per session. Cost is $280, which includes all materials and certification testing."

Daniel winced at the price but knew it was probably the cheapest he'd find. "That works. Can I sign up for the class starting this Monday?"

"Let me check... yes, we still have spots available. I'll just need some information from you."

Daniel provided his details, including his newly assigned mage registration number.

"Great, you're all set," Colin said after a few minutes. "Class starts at 7 PM this Monday. Bring your temporary permit and something to take notes with. Oh, and wear comfortable clothes—nothing too restrictive."

"Thanks," Daniel replied. "Just one more question—do people typically use focus objects in the classes?"

"Some do, some don't. If you have one that works for you, feel free to bring it. The instructor can help you learn to use it properly."

After ending the call, Daniel felt a small surge of excitement. This was really happening. He was going to learn to control actual magic.

The weekend crawled by. Daniel spent most of it practicing with his crystal, seeing what he could and couldn't move. He discovered that distance mattered—he could move objects across his living room, but trying to affect something in another room was nearly impossible. Weight continued to be a factor too. He could lift his laptop, but his coffee table remained stubbornly grounded.

By Monday evening, Daniel had developed a minor headache from all his practicing, but he felt more confident in his abilities. He slipped the crystal pendant around his neck, tucking it under his shirt. Even if it was overpriced, it helped, and he didn't want to show up to his first class completely unprepared.

The Lakeside Community Magic Center turned out to be a renovated warehouse in an industrial area near the lake. The brick building looked plain from the outside, with only a small sign indicating it was anything other than another warehouse.

Inside, however, was a different story. The reception area was bright and modern, with motivational posters featuring slogans like "Control Is Key" and "Practice Makes Progress." A young man at the front desk—presumably Colin—checked Daniel in and pointed him toward Classroom 3.

"First door on the right," he said. "Eliza's great, you'll learn a lot."

Daniel thanked him and headed down the hallway. Through open doors, he glimpsed various classes in progress. In one room, a group was practicing what looked like fire manipulation, with small flames dancing above their palms. In another, several people sat in meditation poses while small objects floated around them.

Classroom 3 was a large, open space with padded flooring and a wall of mirrors on one side. Several people were already inside, sitting on cushions arranged in a semicircle. Daniel counted eleven others, ranging from a teenager who couldn't be more than sixteen to an elderly man who must have been in his seventies.

"Welcome," called a woman standing at the front of the room. "You must be Daniel. I'm Eliza Winters, your instructor."

Eliza was tall and athletic-looking, with her dark hair pulled back in a practical ponytail. She wore a blue tracksuit with the center's logo and a blue badge clip that identified her as a Yellow Zone mage.

Daniel took the last empty cushion, feeling slightly self-conscious. "Hi. Sorry if I'm late."

"Right on time," Eliza assured him. "We were just about to begin introductions. I'd like everyone to share their name, when they discovered their abilities, and what they hope to learn in this class."

The introductions went around the circle. Most of the students had discovered their abilities within the last month, though a few had known for longer but only recently registered. Their backgrounds varied widely—the teenager was still in high school, the elderly man was a retired accountant, and the others included a nurse, a construction worker, a graduate student, and several office workers like Daniel.

When Daniel's turn came, he kept it simple. "I'm Daniel Porter. I discovered my telekinesis three days ago when my toaster started floating. I'm hoping to learn enough control to get my permanent license."

Eliza nodded. "That's what this course is designed for. By the end of six weeks, all of you should be ready to pass your basic control examination." She stood. "Now, let's start with an assessment of your current abilities. I'd like each of you to move one of these tennis balls from the basket to the table."

She pointed to a large basket of tennis balls at the center of their semicircle and a table about ten feet away.

"Don't worry if you struggle," Eliza continued. "This is just to determine your starting point so I can track your progress."

One by one, the students attempted the task. Some could barely make the ball wobble, while others managed to lift it a few inches before losing control. The graduate student, a serious-looking woman named Priya, successfully moved her ball to the table but dropped it several times along the way.

When Daniel's turn came, he concentrated on a ball. It rose smoothly from the basket and floated toward the table, landing gently on the surface without bouncing.

Eliza raised her eyebrows. "Very good control for someone who only discovered their abilities three days ago. Are you using a focus object?"

Daniel felt his face flush slightly. "Yes, a crystal pendant."

"May I see it?"

Reluctantly, Daniel pulled the crystal from beneath his shirt. Several of his classmates leaned forward with interest.

Eliza examined it without touching it. "Standard quartz amplifier, good quality. These can be very helpful for beginners. Now, I'd like to see what you can do without it."

Daniel slipped the pendant off and tried again with another tennis ball. This time, the ball rose more slowly and wobbled in the air. He managed to get it to the table, but it dropped the last few inches, bouncing onto the floor.

"Still quite good," Eliza noted. "You have natural control, which is rarer than raw power. Many beginners can generate force but struggle to direct it precisely."

She returned to the front of the room after everyone had completed the exercise. "Based on what I've seen, we'll start with the basics of focus and control before moving on to distance and weight. Everyone find a comfortable position on your cushion. We're going to begin with a focusing exercise."

The rest of the class passed quickly as Eliza led them through various meditation techniques designed to help them connect with their abilities. Daniel found he actually enjoyed the methodical approach.

At the end of the session, Eliza handed out practice schedules. "Consistent practice is essential," she explained. "I recommend thirty minutes daily, focusing on the exercises we covered today. Next class, we'll begin working with various objects and more precise movements."

As the other students filed out, Eliza gestured for Daniel to stay behind.

"Your control is impressive for a beginner," she said once they were alone. "Have you had any prior experience with meditation or focusing techniques?"

Daniel shook his head. "Not really. I tried yoga once, but I wasn't very good at it."

"Interesting. Some people have a natural aptitude for control. With your permission, I'd like to run a few additional tests."

"What kind of tests?"

"Nothing invasive—just some more complex telekinetic exercises to gauge your potential."

Daniel hesitated. "Is this standard procedure?"

"Only for students who show unusual promise," Eliza replied. "It helps me tailor the training to your specific needs."

Unusual promise. The words sent a little thrill through Daniel. Maybe he wasn't as mediocre as he'd thought.

"Sure, I'm game."

Eliza set up a series of challenges—moving multiple objects simultaneously, manipulating objects with more precision, and attempting to sense the weight and composition of items without touching them. Daniel performed better than he expected, especially with the crystal pendant.

"Remarkable," Eliza murmured after the last test. "Your fine control is far beyond what I typically see in beginners. If you're interested, there's an accelerated class for promising students that meets on Wednesday evenings. It's more intensive and focuses on developing precision rather than just basic control."

"Would it cost extra?" Daniel asked hesitantly.

"No additional charge. It's part of our talent development program."

Daniel couldn't believe it. For once, something about his magical journey was exceeding expectations rather than falling short.

"I'd love to join," he said.

Eliza smiled. "Excellent. I'll add your name to the roster. Keep practicing those focusing exercises, and I'll see you Wednesday at 7."

Daniel practically floated home that night, and not just telekinetically. For the first time since discovering his abilities, he felt genuinely excited about the future. Maybe he wasn't just another face in the magical crowd after all.

---

Over the next two weeks, Daniel threw himself into his training. He attended the regular Monday and Friday classes, as well as the accelerated Wednesday sessions. At home, he practiced diligently, following Eliza's personalized regimen.

The accelerated class was smaller, with only six students including Daniel. The others seemed to take him under their wing, offering tips and encouragement. One of them, a barista named Jasmine, even invited him to join their study group on weekends.

"You're picking this up faster than most of us did," she told him during one session. "Took me months to get the kind of control you already have."

His progress was rapid. By the end of the second week, Daniel could manipulate multiple objects simultaneously, move items with precise control, and even levitate small objects while concentrating on other tasks.

During Friday's regular class, Eliza announced that they would be holding mid-course evaluations the following Monday.

"These aren't official tests," she explained, "but they'll give you an idea of your progress and what zone you might qualify for when you take your licensing exam."

Daniel could hardly wait. Based on his performance in the accelerated class, he was hopeful he might score in the Blue Zone, maybe even the lower end of Yellow if he really pushed himself.

The weekend study session with Jasmine and the others went well. They practiced together in a park, keeping their magic subtle enough not to attract notice from passersby.

"You've got serious talent," said Marcus, another student from the accelerated class. "I wouldn't be surprised if you hit Yellow Zone in the evaluation."

Daniel tried not to get his hopes up too high, but it was difficult. For the first time since discovering his magic, things seemed to be going his way.

Monday evening arrived with an atmosphere of nervous excitement at the center. The regular classroom had been rearranged, with a testing area set up at one end. Each student would be called individually while the others waited their turn.

Eliza explained the process: "You'll be evaluated on control, precision, weight capacity, and multitasking ability. The evaluation follows the same metrics used in official testing, so your results should give you a good indication of your current zone classification."

The first few students came back from their evaluations looking pleased. Most had scored firmly in the Green Zone, with one or two bordering on Blue.

When Daniel's name was called, he entered the testing area with quiet confidence. His crystal pendant hung around his neck, a reassuring weight against his chest.

The test began with basic control exercises, similar to what they'd been practicing in class but with more precise measurements. Daniel moved objects to specific locations, followed complex patterns, and maintained steady levitation without wavering.

Next came weight testing. Daniel managed to lift a twenty-pound weight—far more than the ten pounds he'd maxed out at when he first started practicing.

The multitasking portion required him to keep three objects floating while answering rapid-fire questions about magical theory they'd covered in class. He faltered only once, when a particularly tricky question about energy conservation broke his concentration momentarily.

Throughout it all, Eliza watched with a professional detachment, making notes on her tablet. When the evaluation ended, she tapped a few more things on the screen before looking up at him.

"Congratulations, Daniel. Based on this evaluation, you'd currently qualify for Blue Zone classification."

Daniel grinned, pleased but also somewhat confused. "That's good, right? Blue is above Green?"

"Yes, it's the second tier. About thirty percent of practiced mages reach this level. Your control is particularly impressive—you scored in the upper percentiles for precision."

"Upper percentiles? Does that mean I might reach Yellow soon?"

Eliza gave him a measured smile. "You're currently at the lower end of Blue Zone. With continued practice, you could certainly move up within that classification. Yellow Zone requires not just control but also significant raw power and the ability to maintain complex effects for extended periods."

"Oh." Daniel tried not to let his disappointment show. "I thought... based on the accelerated class..."

"The accelerated class is for students showing good potential, but it doesn't guarantee advancement to higher zones. You're progressing faster than average, which is commendable, but you're still developing your abilities."

Daniel nodded, the bubble of excitement that had been growing over the past two weeks deflating rapidly. Blue Zone. Better than Green, sure, but still basically average. Not exceptional, not extraordinary—just slightly above basic.

"Is there anything I can do to improve faster?" he asked.

"Continue your practice regimen. Focus on extending your endurance and attempting slightly heavier objects each week." Eliza's tone was encouraging but matter-of-fact. "Remember, Daniel, magical ability isn't just about natural talent—it's about dedicated practice and gradual improvement."

Daniel thanked her and returned to the waiting area, his earlier confidence replaced by familiar disappointment. The other students asked how he did, and he managed a smile.

"Blue Zone," he said. "Lower end."

"That's great for just two weeks of training!" Jasmine exclaimed. "Most people take months to reach Blue."

Daniel nodded, accepting their congratulations while internally adjusting his expectations once again. He'd spent the last two weeks believing he might be exceptional, only to discover he was just... slightly above average. Better than being completely ordinary, but nowhere near remarkable.

As the other students received their evaluations and chatted excitedly about their results, Daniel sat quietly, the crystal pendant heavy against his chest. It seemed his magical journey would continue as it had begun—with raised hopes followed by the sobering reality of his own mediocrity.