SORCERER (The Elemental Magic Series Book 1) by Michael Nowotny

hand.
    Peter called it quits for Christi before she completely exhausted herself.
    "Good you can help me. He's being stubborn, Peter," James said. "Sorry about that last one, it wasn't supposed to hit you in the head Alec." He apologized.
    They spent the next five minutes throwing pebbles at him while having him talk with Christi. He kept a portion of his awareness at the back of his mind on his power well.
    "He's doing good Peter," James told Peter with a knowing look that told him what they both knew. He shouldn't have this level of control yet, maybe in a couple months but not now.
    Peter threw pebbles at his back and James from the side switching occasionally. Peter threw one from the front that went down the top of his robe and Alec stood to let it drop out the bottom getting a good laugh from Christi and Alec joined her.
    A loud smack sounded as James walloped Alec's rear with a particularly large book. The light flickered several times but Alec had gotten used to separating his awareness. The light stayed on. It was so easy now he barely needed to think about it and Peter suggested Alec and Christi go outside telling them they'd be down in a minute. Alec and his small glowing glass ball followed Christi down the steps.
    "I can't believe he hit you with a book!" Christi exclaimed when they got to the parlor.
    "He wasn't being mean, just trying to break my concentration."
    "You must be concentrating pretty hard." She said.
    "No actually it's real hard the more you concentrate. You have to just keep it at the back of your mind where your power is. Kind of like a nagging worry that you've forgotten something, you’re thinking about it but not fully."
    "Oh, I see, you just kind of forget about it but let it sit there." She said closing her eyes trying to do it.
    "You ready?” Peter asked coming down the steps followed by James.
    "What are you doing?" James asked Christi.
    "Alec explained how he has kept his focus without actually concentrating." She told him.
    They went out and circled the tower to a nice long courtyard as Christi explained to James what Alec had told her. They sat on a bench as Alec was led to a spot several meters away.
    "Rest assured I'm not going to hurt you, OK Alec. Trust me?" Peter asked.
    "OK, I believe you." Alec said hesitantly.
    "I'm going to try to break your concentration." Peter said stepping back several meters.
    "Watch this, the old goat's going to get the surprise if Alec is doing what I think he is." James told Christi in a whisper.
    She watched Alec's face as he blanched and hit the ground flat. The light never went out of his hand as a fire ball roared over his head. Her mouth gaped open.
    "It wasn't a real fireball!" Peter called to him as he walked over and helped him to his feet.
    Alec’s eyes were still huge as he stared at Peter.
    “I think that's about it for today. That's some real good work Alec. See how long you can maintain your concentration and let me know tomorrow," he said helping Alec dust himself off.
    Alec and Christi headed to lunch while Peter and James talked and walked toward one of the other towers. When they were out of sight Christi turned to Alec.
    "I bet I can make you lose your focus."
    With a mischievous look in her eyes and looking at the glass ball he still had in his hand, she stood up on her toes and kissed him soundly. The light went out in his hand. She giggled pointing at it while Alec tried not to fall over with the smell of her perfume still filling his nose and a light cherry taste on his lips.
    He pushed a small part of his awareness back to his power as she led him to the hall for lunch.
    They ate quickly and parted ways for the rest of their classes. Alec ran back to the tower grabbed his small box that held his quills, ink and paper making it to Mr. Callen's class with time to spare. He chose the same seat he'd used yesterday at the front of the room, no one said a word to him. Mr. Callen went over what he would teach in his class then