Don’t use magic.

I blinked many times, trying to figure out if the dark smudge in front of my face was my eyes going bad or something else before realizing it was Frey’s scowling face just very, very close to me. I sat up on my dream bed while the spirit kept her arms crossed and stared at me.

“So… Did I do something stupid?” I asked her.

“You… I… stu… Mmm… Yesn’t?” Frey grumbled, mumbled and stumbled over her words. “I mean, it WAS kind of stupid to continue practicing even when you felt it making you sick, but at the same time it was inevitable. It was gonna happen regardless. Kind of like when you exercise muscles you never use for the first time and end up sore all over. I guess I didn’t expect it to happen because… Well, it never happened to me or anyone I know. I’m someone who was born controlling magical energy, so… Ugh, yeah. It’s my bad. Sorry, kid. I should’ve warned you.”

“It’s fine. It’s like I’m earning for myself everything you gave me, so I’ll endure it. And how do you think I did?”

“Mmm… Fine, I guess. I still have to draw it out for you to use, but you’re actually moving the energy on your own. It’s good for a real first attempt.”

“Just fine? Damn. I thought I did pretty good…”

“Don’t get cocky. Magic comes pretty hard for humans. You’ve gotten too used to me handling everything. It’s gonna be a long process.”

“And I’m fine with that,” I told her.

Frey sighed, shook her head and smiled at me. “And that’s why I like you. Now, listen to me well and remember this when you wake up. Right now you’re sick because the flow of magical energy inside you is all messed up. Your body is starting to understand a totally new function, basically. It’ll take a day or two to recover, but after that you shouldn’t experience anything as bad as this when you practice magic again.”

“That’s a relief…”

Frey nodded. “Now comes the part I don’t like. While you’re recovering, refrain from using magic or moving magical energy in any way. And I mean ANY way.”

“...” It took me a couple of seconds to dawn on me what that meant and why Frey didn’t like it. “Wait, doesn’t sex create sexual energy for you to feed on? And sexual energy is really just magical energy?”

“Correct.”

“Meaning…”

“Yep.”

Can’t have sex for a day or two, then. “That’s… not so bad, right?”

“No, but… Remember, the magical energy coursing through you is sexual in nature. It affects your emotions and your libido. With it being so… out of control, you may experience some mood swings and… heightened libido.”

“...” Oh no. “Meaning I’ll get horny.”

“Yes.”

“But I can’t have sex.”

“Yes.”

“Magic is stupid.”

“Isn’t it?”

“I guess I’ll just… spend these two days asleep and playing games?” I said. “It’s been a while since I got sick from anything, and I always did like staying in bed playing games.”

“As solid a plan as any, I guess. Just… good luck. Anyway, you’re waking up. This was only a short nap. Rest a lot, drink a lot of water and don’t be afraid to eat a lot, either.”

***

I opened my eyes to find myself still in my room, only more light was coming from the window and there were six people in my bedroom instead of just Frey.

“I was assured he’d be fine, he ate without problems and is sleeping soundly.” Alice had her back to me as she talked to mom, Maria and Diana. Guess they decided to come back here after having lunch.

I don’t know if it was my eyesight or if mom really did look kinda pale. “Magic sickness of all things…” she said with a weak voice.

“Mr. Luke Allen said it’s normal,” Alice continued.

“And Oliver is both a friend and an important asset to him,” Diana told mom. “If he’s not worried, we can be sure this isn’t serious.”

“I hope you’re right…”

Maria stepped away, taking her phone to her ear. “Sweetie? Mm, yes, lunch was good. I’m at Holly’s house right now and we found out Oliver is sick. Apparently it’s nothing major, but I thought you’d like to know. Mm, maybe tomorrow?” She stepped out into the hallway to continue talking.

Noelle and Isabelle were closer to the door, too, not wanting to make the small room even more cramped and giving mom and Diana space to see me.

“I’m fine, mom,” I said, sluggishly sitting up. My body still hurt, but I didn’t feel as nauseated as before. Still a bit dizzy, but my mind was clearer. “Just some… unexpected side effects from something.”

Mom sat down on my bed and put her hand on my forehead. “You have a fever,” she said, looking worried.

“But I’m already feeling better than before. I can move now, at least,” I said with a chuckle that hurt my chest a bit.

“Maybe we should take you to the doctor, anyway,” she suggested.

“I doubt they’ll find anything. Instead, they may be weirded out that I have these symptoms when nothing else is wrong. Frey said I’ll be fine so long as I rest and don’t do any magic.”

“...Alright.” Mom kissed my forehead and squeezed my hand. “Stay in bed. If you need anything, just ask, okay?”

“Thank you.”

“Holly…” Diana began, but mom cut her off.

“Forget the drinks. Stay here if you have to.”

Diana smiled. “Thank you.”

“I’ll be off, then,” Maria said. “Don’t want to be a bother. Sorry to intrude, Oliver.”

“Hey, hey… Tell me how the shop is doing, at least,” I told her, grinning. “Did Isabelle already burn it down?”

“Hey!” my sister exclaimed from the door.

Maria chuckled. “She’s been doing well and Fernanda has been stepping up. The shop will survive, so rest easy.”

Not that I ever thought myself indispensable, but that was good to hear.

Maria said goodbye, mom and Isabelle went downstairs while Alice, Noelle and Diana stayed in the room with me. Oh, and Cake hadn’t left my side.

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