"Tribal Magic, also known as Folk, Traditional, or Ancestral Magic, is one of the oldest forms of magic, maybe even the first in the world. It cast spells using medium, ceremony, sacrifice, prayer, and dancing. In modern times, this kind of magic is scattered in small places in Asia, Africa, the Indigenous peoples of America, South America, and many non-European countries."
"Before wandcraft and handweaving became mainstream, wizards first used Tribal Magic. As time developed and magic evolved, most of the world abandoned this form of magic. However, some small magical communities that are not influenced by the outside world or are very traditional still preserve and use that particular magic. Is that what you mean?" asked Christian.
"I don't think I could have explained it better myself," said Tiara with a smile, so she caressed his ear.
"Mom, I'm not a child anymore."
"If you're not a child, what are you?"
"Be serious."
"Alright. Any more questions?"
"Can you demonstrate?" asked Christian.
"No problem." Tiara removed what looked like a small stack of hay from her bag. "Dife," she uttered, and the hay became a flame. "The hay is the medium, and the incantation is in Kreyol." The flame suddenly increased in intensity, forcing Christian to take a few steps backward, but his mother was perfectly intact.
"Once conjured, I have certain control over the flame." She closed her hand tightly to sniff out the flame. "That's a simple explanation of tribal magic. Any questions?"
"I have a few questions."
"Then ask them all."
"Alright. Firstly, will you teach me all three types of magic? And are there other forms of magic out there?"
"I will not teach you tribal magic now; the other two are enough for your plate. As for other forms of magic, there are indeed other types."
"Previously, you said you were accomplished in these three, not that you only know them. So, do you know more?"
"Very astute. I do know a fourth type of magic, but I only know one spell, and I cannot teach it to you. I will mention it when the time comes, but don't expect too much; this is a little complicated."
"Now, I'm even more intrigued," said Christian. Sadly, he saw the decisive look on his mother's face and decided not to pry. "Of these three types of magic, which one is better?"
"No magic system is inherently superior to others — it depends on the user: remember these words."
"I will," replied Christian seriously. "Buuut, if you add to rank them, how would you do it?"
"Interesting question. Wandcraft is the obvious answer: it's fast, efficient, and powerful. Handweaving takes too much time and effort to train, but the payoff is worth it, and it's not any less than wandcraft. As for tribal magic? It's both the strongest and weakest system."
"How can it be both the strongest and weakest?"
"Shamans or Voodoo Priests who use tribal magic can achieve extraordinary things if given enough time and preparation to cast their spells. However, what kind of person would give their opponent time to use a medium or dance in a duel?"
"That makes sense," nodded Christian.
"Due to its nature, Tribal magic is known for powerful curses and warding magic."
"Curses, I can understand, but what's warding magic?"
"Also known as protective enchantment in the west," explained Tiara. "It's when you put charms or spells around a specific area as protection. For example, the magical barriers in our houses would be a form of Warding Magic."
"Our house has magical barriers?"
"Yes. I had to protect the place after you were born."
"How come I never saw anything? Is it because I did not awaken my magical powers?"
"They are mostly invisible, and the powerful ones need to be activated in an emergency."
Christian frowned, "How could we activate it if you were not here? I thought Aunt Eleanor was a …."
"That's one of the advantages of tribal magic," explained Tiara. "In an emergency, she only needs to light up a few specific candles in the house, and the wards will activate. Muggles cannot activate normal protective enchantments."
"That sounds cool."
"It is," nodded Tiara. "Any more questions?"
"I think that's all for now." He wanted to ask many more things, but felt he did not have to ask all of them at once.
"I've dumped a lot of information on you. Take a moment to process them and tell me how you feel."
"How do I feel?" muttered Christian, pausing for a few seconds. "Excited and curious about this new world, but I'm also scared."
"Scared? Of what?"
"Scared that I won't be enough."
"Be enough? Are you talking about your magical capabilities?"
"Yes," nodded Christian. "You said it yourself: I was almost a Squib. What if learning magic is –"
"Hey," said Tiara as she knelt on the floor to look him in the eyes while on the same level. "I have no doubt you will be one of the finest wizards this world will see and maybe even the very best."
"You don't know that for sure."
"But I do," replied Tiara. "I've prepared you to walk this path."
"What do you mean?"
"There is a reason I insisted on you taking all these courses," explained Tiara. "There are four main steps to cast a spell: wand movement, incantation, and intent, which is the key to more advanced and complex spells.
"I wanted you to learn fencing and calligraphy to train your grip, wrist, and hand-eye coordination. Calligraphy teaches patience, focus, spatial awareness, and visual processing.
"All incantations are language-based, and 90% of spells combine Latin, Ancient Greek, and Old English. With your talent for language, pronunciation will never be a problem, and you will have an overwhelming advantage if you ever try to create your own spell.
"Meditation was to train your focus, willpower, and ability to control your emotions — all assets needed for the intent aspect of spell casting."
Christian looked at his mother with his mouth agape, and he took a moment to regain his bearing. "What about the others? Chess, archery, piano, violin, and Capoeira."
"Chess was to develop your tactical mind and cultivate your leadership ability. Piano and violin were more to prepare you to survive in the Muggle World if you were a Squib."
"How would that help?"
"Your aunt suffered much discrimination as she rose through the corporate ladder because of her skin color and background. I wanted to reduce the difficulty for you and thought a classical background would be helpful."
"I guess I understand," Christian nodded. "Then, what about archery and capoeira?"
"Capoeira is to cultivate your defensive capabilities. Some spells in the wizard world cannot be blocked and can only be dodged. As for archery? It was meant to teach you how to aim spells and train your accuracy. But I also have to admit some selfishness was involved; your father was an excellent archer — a hobby he took up after we went into hiding. I wanted you to learn it so you could have something in common when…"
"Father? What exactly happened to him? Why did he abandon us?"
"He did not abandon us," corrected Tiara, her demeanor changing to a more severe one. "You only need to know he's lost, and I have not been able to find him."
"You're not lying to me, are you? I'm not a child and can take the truth."
"Magic is wonderful but also dangerous," explained Tiara after sighing. "There was an accident and … You only need to know he's alive but cannot return to us yet."
"I understand," Christian replied after a brief silence.
"Good. Now, let's continue with a lesson," stated Tiara as she stood up. "Before I teach you your first charm, I need you to remember something and make me a promise."
"I'm all ears."
"Magic is not omnipotent: it cannot revive the dead, create love, or accomplish many things. When wizards refuse to accept these facts and try to break these rules, the result is always catastrophic to them and sometimes the entire world — Remember this."
"I will."
"Good. Now, I want you to make me a promise: no matter how powerful you become in the future, how many grand achievements you've made, how much status, wealth, and power you have, always look at magic with respect and awe. Do not think you're above magic and its rules."
Tiara saw some confusion in her son's face, so she expanded:
"I want you to be curious about magic all your life: ask a thousand questions and seek answers. But under no circumstances should you become arrogant and think you've reached the end of magic or that you're above its rules and restrictions. Always be cautious and vigilant. You can do that, can't you?"
"I think I can do it," Christian nodded.
"Even if one day you've replaced Dumbledore as the greatest wizard alive, or even go beyond his achievements?"
"Okay, now you're scaring me." Christian felt she was overthinking; he hadn't yet learned a single spell, but she was already planning when he would become the greatest wizard.
"I'm asking you, can you promise me to keep such a mindset even in that stage of your life?"
Christian saw the seriousness in her face, so he said clearly, "I promise."
"Then, let's shake on it," said Tiara seriously, and Christian took her hand and shook it.
"Good. I know I did not raise you to break your promise. Now, we can begin."