Book One – Chapter 2

As a novice, Yves honed his skills in manipulating glass and light, crafting intricate illusions that wove false realities. He quickly discovered the vast realm of magical artefacts — potent items infused with arcane power capable of rewriting history itself. Together with his pathera familiar Midnight, Yves travelled the world as an artefact hunter, visiting ancient ruins and studying the magic and history of different cultures. Along the way, he engaged with fellow wizards, scholars and guides, sharing insights and gaining knowledge from their varied experiences.

Over the years, Yves had encountered and amassed an assortment of beguiling and mystical objects. Among these treasures was a staff crafted from the heartwood of a sacred tree that held the power to coax objects within a limited radius into levitation and motion by touch. This versatile ability allowed Yves to manipulate his surroundings far beyond the confines of Lightshifter wizardry. For example, Yves could employ his staff to raise and move heavy objects, be it boulders or fallen trees that obstruct his path. He could also use the levitation ability to create makeshift bridges or platforms to access to otherwise elusive terrain. While this power was not as flashy as some of Yves’ other abilities and did not possess the inherent grandeur of true elemental magic, it proved a beacon of practicality throughout his myriad escapades. The staff became his compass through treacherous landscapes, an invaluable tool to uncover concealed treasures, and a means to outmaneuver his assailants. Yves, of course, recognised that the staff’s potency was proportionate to his proficiency. He pursued relentless study and ceaseless practice to unearth its magical nuances. For now, the levitation ability was a valuable asset in his arsenal, and one that he relied on often, steering his path with precision and navigating challenges that would have otherwise been insurmountable.
Setting aside extravagant narrations and grandiose embellishments of daring escapades, the staff had made Yves downright lazy in everyday life. He had stumbled upon a shortcut to effortlessness – a philosopher’s stone for magical slacking, a scepter of sloth that lifted and carried everything from laundry to groceries. That was the true reason why he was particularly adept at handling the thing.