"Magic is not a toy." The shadows shift and twist around his hands, alive, whispering. "Do not underestimate it. Every spell, every charm… carries intent. Every shadow you command… has its own will. Disrespect it, little one… and it will consume you, teaching you lessons far sharper than I ever could."

He tilts his head, a sly grin crossing his face. "Respect it. Understand it. Feel it in every fiber of your being. Only then can you hope to command shadows… only then can you survive the consequences of learning the arts that mortals dare not touch."