“It’s absolutely intangible, Gandrad,” said Maximilian as he sniffed at the air. “I mean, ordinarily, I can at least see traces of your spells, but this time...”

“Intangible?” Gandrad repeated as he worked his staff softly in a circle. “Yes, you said that once already, Maxi. Your a Wizard of the highest order, man, will you at least conjure some sentences that reflect your supposed rank.”

Gandrad might have been the same rank as he was in their order, but Maximilian could only ever guess at how the aged Wizard could not only weave a spell so complex, but to be able to also converse while doing it. Gandrad truly was the most powerful magic user he had ever seen, and to see such a display up close, he considered himself extremely fortunate.

“Very well,” Maximilian said. “What I mean to say is, I have never seen such power, how in the name of the seven do you channel it? I have witnessed the efforts of other high-ranking users many a time before, Gandrad, but to witness you using such power with seemingly no effort is astounding.”

Gandrad, ever modest, did not smile at the compliment, and simply maintained his composure, drawing the staff in a pattern again and again. A whirling whizz of wonder filled the great hall, of colours that Maximilian had never even seen before dancing and bouncing all about them. “How do you do it? What’s your secret to Snap Magic?”

Gandrad smirked. “While others are avaricious for power, Maxi, greedily grasping for it, I am not. I am vessel to the magic. It is my friend, not my subject. This is the only secret I hold, my friend, and it is no secret at all.”