The farther we go, the more secluded it feels. “I’m kind of thankful you’re not carrying a shovel. It feels like you’re luring me off into the woods to bury my body.”
He scowls at me, obviously irritated. “If that were my plan, I wouldn’t need a shovel. I’d just use magic to open up a hole in the earth and have it swallow you.”
“Comforting. Thanks.”
As we arrive at the trees, I notice the branches aren’t random but carefully woven together, creating a natural enclosure. A burst of colorful flowers is scattered along the living walls,creating a magical alcove cut off from view from the rest of campus.
Wylder gestures for me to enter through a gap in the branches. Inside is a private garden nook with two upholstered benches facing each other across a small table. The table holds items I’d expect to find in a garden shed: a couple of clay pots, seeds, a container of soil, and a small jar of water.
“Sit.” He slides onto the bench opposite me.
I perch on the edge of my seat. “What is this place?”
“A teaching space.” He arranges the items on the table. “Welcome to Basic Magic 101.”
“Wait.You’reteaching me?”
His green gaze meets mine, one eyebrow raised. “Is that a problem?”
“No! I just figured with me being generally despised, and after what happened with Dr. Thorne, they’d assign someone more...”
“More what?”
“I don’t know. More official? Less... you?”
He pegs me with a look. “I’m more than qualified to teach novice magic.” He places the clay pot between us. “This will be your first basic magic class. We’ll start with the power of the elements, intention, and control.”
My stomach tightens. “I can’t believe I’m six years behind everyone my age.”
“That’s irrelevant.” His tone softens slightly. “Magic isn’t a race. Power comes from bloodline, sure, but it also comes from focus and connection. You are on your journey, not theirs.”
I nod, trying to push away my anxiety.
“Let’s begin with some Wiccan tenets.” Wylder straightens his posture. “‘An it harm none, do what ye wilt.’The essence of that teaching is simple—your magic is yours to command, but you bear responsibility for its effects.”
“Like a magical version of ‘with great power comes great responsibility’?” I ask.
His brow furrows. “If that Spider-Man reference helps you remember, then yes.” He continues, explaining more principles about balance, intention, and respect for natural forces.
After covering the basics, he gestures to the items on the table. “All witches can affect the five basic elements of the pentacle, but affinities give us a much greater depth of power with specific elements.”
“Like your plant magic.”
He nods. “Affinity isn’t determined by heredity but by your natural disposition and innate strengths. The exercises we’re starting with today, focus on respecting and controlling the four physical elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.”
He hands me a small seed packet. “We’re going to grow a plant for your room.”
I open the packet, revealing tiny brown seeds. “What are these?”
“Moonflowers. They bloom at night. I thought they were appropriate for your situation.” He pushes the container of soil toward me. “First, earth. The foundation, the nurturer, the stable element that grounds us.”
I pour soil into the pot while Wylder explains the life-giving properties of earth. Then, he does something that makes me catch my breath. He places his palm over the soil, and a soft green glow emanates from his hand. When he removes it, the soil looks richer, darker.
“What did you do?”
“Encouraged the microorganisms.” His eyes gleam with quiet pride. “Plant affinity has its perks.”
“That was beautiful,” I say honestly.
