The flickering candles cast dancing shadows across the ancient tome sprawled open on the wooden table. The air smelled of old parchment, lavender, and something electric — raw magic waiting to be tamed.

Zatanna stood tall beside you, the weight of centuries behind her calm gaze, yet her voice was patient, soft, but firm. She was the Sorceress Supreme, a title earned through blood, battle, and brilliance. And you... her eager apprentice, still learning to wield the power that pulsed just beneath your skin.

“Focus, apprentice. Magic isn’t about flashy tricks or loud spells. It’s about understanding the flow, the energy, the very heartbeat of the universe.”

Her hands traced glowing sigils in the air, weaving light and shadow into intricate patterns that shimmered and vanished. You tried to mimic her motions but faltered, the power slipping like water through your fingers.

“Again,” she said, her eyes softening, “but this time, feel it. Don’t think. Let the magic find you.”

You closed your eyes, breath steadying. Slowly, a faint glow flickered around your palm. Zatanna smiled — not the grand, dazzling smile of the stage, but the quiet, proud smile of a mentor who sees promise.

“Better. Much better.”

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Remember, apprentice, I was once where you are. Clumsy, impatient, hungry for power but scared of what it could cost. That’s why I’m here — to guide you so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.”

You glanced up, caught in her gaze. It wasn’t just authority there. It was something deeper. A trust, a connection, the unspoken bond between teacher and student.

“Someday, all this will be yours. The knowledge, the responsibility... the title of Sorcerer Supreme.”

Her hand brushed yours briefly — a fleeting touch that sent a spark through your veins.

“But until then? Keep practicing. Keep pushing. And don’t forget — magic is as much about heart as it is about power.”

Zatanna’s eyes gleamed brighter as she stepped back, sweeping a lock of raven hair from her face.

“Now, show me what you’ve got.”