[Somewhere far from the academy]
"How much longer should we wait?"
"Until he casts without chanting. Let them teach him."
"Yes, sir."
[Back at the academy, Renji and Maya sit on a bench]
"I can't wait any longer." Renji says.
"I know. But if I teach you now, hell will raise."
"Who made this stupid curriculum? Only teaching magic without chants in the third year?"
Maya smiles.
"Not everyone is like you. Most students aren't ready to learn it any sooner than that, and even then, most of them can't do it well. They might be able to cast a few weaker spells without a chant, but that's it."
"I feel like I'm being held down with this. If you won't teach me, I'll find it out myself."
Maya sighs deeply.
"Alright... let's say I'll teach you. But you have to promise not to show anyone for now. Deal?"
Renji hugs Maya out of nowhere. She gets a little flustered.
"Deal. Thank you so much."
Maya stands up.
"Uhmm. Now, as I said, this practice is very difficult. No matter how exceptional you are, this won't be easy. You will not be good at it from the jump like usual."
"It's that hard, huh?"
"Yeah. Very few people have mastered this art. And those who did are elite among elites."
"Do you think I can do it?"
"That's a stupid question. Yes, you can. It's a matter of how long it will take you."
"How long do you think that'll be?"
"The elites I mentioned, they usually master it in two-three years. In your case... I'd say less than a year."
"That's... a lot of time."
"True that. But if you master it, the power that comes with it is on another level. If you remember, I once said it could make your spells 10 times stronger or more."
"I remember that. The ends justify the means in this case. But what can be so difficult about it?"
"You're about to find out. I'll meet you at the entrance after school. Now go to class."
"Yeah, yeah. See you later."
[A few hours later, in the depths of the forest]
"I'll warn you." Maya says. "If you overdo this training, you will suffer. A lot."
She pauses.
"This is not just about mana reserves anymore. It can mess with your whole body. One day of pushing too far can put you in bed for days."
Renji scoffs.
"It can't be that bad. Come on, what do I gotta do?"
Maya sighs.
"The same as usual, except when the chant comes to you, don't speak it. Try."
Renji gets in position, closes his eyes and starts focusing.
He imagines it. A burst of water coming out his palms. His breathing steadies. Then, the words come to him. He follows the instructions and does not speak them.
He sits there for seconds, and... nothing.
He keeps trying and trying, but no spell is produced.
Maya throws a playful jab.
"See? Not as easy as you thought, mister do-it-all."
Renji squints harder. He's not giving up.
Suddenly, a flicker of a new feeling jumps across his chest.
He leans into it, and he is finally able to cast the spell.
The result? A few water drops.
Maya breaks out in laughter.
"What was that? Are you trying to make amends? No more destruction, but watering plants instead?"
"Ugh. Shut up."
Maya brushes off the tears she got from laughing so hard.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it. There's finally something you can't do. I had to take the chance."
She gets back to seriousness.
"Alright. Keep trying and see if it gets any better."
[About an hour later]
Renji did not manage to cast anything more than those drops of water.
He falls down to his knees out of exhaustion.
"I'll never question you again... this is brutal."
Maya walks up to him and helps him up.
"Enough for today. Just keep training it an hour a day. Not more!"
"I know, I know... Thanks for staying here with me."
"It's my duty as a teacher, don't worry about it."
"Stop saying that. Liar."
Maya smiles.
"You don't have to call me out like that."
They both say goodbye and go home for the day.