Halo: Magicka

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...

Kurt's eyes hardened, clearly weighing the implications of what Eli had just said. His mind was racing, trying to reconcile the fact that a Spartan had knowledge of the future, yet couldn't reveal too much without jeopardizing it.

"Risk the future, huh?" Kurt repeated, his voice tinged with both disbelief and curiosity. "That's one hell of a burden you're carrying son."

Eli nodded, a sombre look settling on his face. "It's not easy, sir. The knowledge I have... it's not something I can take lightly. There's a fine line between what I can share and what must remain hidden. Too much could make things worse."

Jon, sensing the tension, chimed in with a more casual tone, "It's just how it works, Kurt. Eli's not trying to play mind games, but there's a lot at stake, everything in fact."

Kurt leaned back in his chair, processing everything. "I get it," he said finally, his voice more measured. "But, you need to understand, this whole program, everything we've done so far—it's been about giving humanity the upper hand, and then wizards just pop up in front of my desk. So whatever you know, whatever you can share without screwing up the timeline, just remember that you're not the only one trying to win this war."

Eli nodded proceeding to tell a white lie, 

"I can comfortably temporarily enhance about half of the company's morale and mentality, the whole company if I decide to empty out my magicka. Trust me I'm going to use everything at my disposal to make sure everyone in beta company survives."

"So that's why you all completed a near-perfect drop on your first day..." Kurt began piecing together every odd thing about this company.

Eli began grinning widely.

"Sir, please stop giving my older brother the satisfaction of seeing your incredulity, he thrives on it," Jon sighed as he smacked his brother's shoulder. He still felt more comfortable referring to Kurt as his superior officer.

"I'll take that advice promptly, Jon," Kurt replied, causing Eli's smile to wind back down.

"What do you need to get stronger faster?" Kurt spoke directly.

"A dedicated training room and time," Eli spoke before giving a trajectory, "I can reach the next rank by the time we graduate or deploy on our first mission."

"That's it?" Kurt asked incredulously.

"Yep," Eli said smiling, popping the p again.

"Oh god, not again," Jon put his hand to his face.

Kurt buried his face in his hands for a moment, muttering under his breath as he tried to process everything. The implications of what Eli had just said were massive.

Jon, looking amused but still serious, added, "Don't worry, Sir, you get used to it. Eli's got a habit of making things sound too simple. It's actually terrifying how much he can do with his magic."

Kurt sighed, pushing his hands through his hair, "I'll need to get the higher-ups involved in this, eventually, you understand right? If we can speed up your progression like this, we might have a shot at something bigger than just surviving. Hell, you might be the key to actually winning this war."

Eli just shrugged, "Already accounted for. If we can delay it till I reach the next rank, that would be perfect in case ONI gets any ideas about dissecting me. I've got the potential, but I need the space to reach it. That's the deal. A training room and time—that's all I need."

Kurt gave him a pointed look. "And you're sure you can control it? All this power you have, and you can just… tap into it whenever?"

Eli met his gaze without hesitation, "I'm sure. I can't predict everything, but I've got enough control to keep it in check. I'm not gonna let magic make me reckless."

Jon smirked at his brother, clearly impressed, "See? He's more responsible than he lets on, sir. Now, if we can just stop him from cracking jokes every two minutes, we might be able to focus more."

Kurt shook his head, a small grin tugging at his lips despite the chaos in his mind, "Just make sure you stay grounded, Eli. Magic or not, you're still part of this team. We need all of you, especially when the real fight begins."

Eli's expression softened slightly, "I know. And I'll do whatever it takes to make sure we win."

Jon stepped forward, clapping his brother on the back with a smile, "We'll make it happen, Kurt. Magic or no magic, you've got two spartan-1.1s soon to become spartan-IIIs on your side. And trust me, the covenant doesn't want to mess with us when we're together."

Kurt chuckled, a rare moment of levity cutting through the tension, "I'm starting to think the real battle won't be against the Covenant, but keeping you two under control."

With a nod, Kurt stood and straightened up, his demeanour shifting back to the seriousness of a commander, "Alright, you've got what you need. I'll make the arrangements for the training room, and we'll start augmenting the 300 of you who are left. But, Eli… keep your cards close. We don't need any surprises on the battlefield."

Eli gave a firm nod. "Understood, Sir. Also, on the topic of those... additions, they won't be needed."

Once the brothers walked out of the room, Jon shot Eli a look, "You know, you've really got to stop making everyone so damn confused all the time. But... I kind of love watching it happen when it's someone else."

Eli chuckled, rolling his eyes but a smile still gracing his face, "It's really satisfying, right?"

Jon laughed, shaking his head. "Just make sure you don't turn into some kind of wizard overlord, okay? We've got enough problems as it is."

Eli smiled, the weight of their conversation lingering, but his confidence never faltered, "No promises."

....

"Deep Winter, you witnessed all of that as well right?" Kurt spoke.

"Yes, Sir. Don't worry I've made sure that should anyone try to access my memory on such a conversation, or even ask about it in the first place - it will be completely erased from my own memory. Not even a sixth-generation AI would be able to get to it," Deep Winter responded, "We cannot allow the future of humanity to be threatened."

Kurt exhaled, tension still hanging in the air.

"This is going to be one hell of a ride," He paused before adding, "And Deep Winter… keep an eye on Eli. Not just his abilities, but the person he becomes, his character. We've got a lot riding on this."

"Understood, Sir. I will monitor his mental development closely," Deep Winter responded.

With that, Kurt stood up, a sense of resolve washing over him, although it still unsettled him that Eli knew that he was thinking about adding certain chemicals to the augmentation process,

"Goddamn wizards."

He knew that the stakes were higher than ever and that the future of humanity, and the success of the war, depended on Eli and the wider Beta Company. But it wasn't just about the war anymore—it was about making sure that the future didn't slip through their fingers.

.....

"You're still not grasping the depth of shields in general, Jon," Eli instructed in their own designated training space, "what is a shield to you?"

Jon gave his older brother a sceptical look, crossing his arms. "A shield? Something that blocks attacks, right? You use it to stop incoming damage."

Eli sighed, clearly not satisfied with the answer. "That's the surface-level idea, Jon. A shield isn't just about stopping attacks. It's about controlling the space around you. It's about knowing how much force to apply and when understanding the balance between offence and defence."

Jon raised an eyebrow, "So it's not just about getting hit and surviving?"

"No," Eli replied, his tone more patient now. "A good shield allows you to manipulate the flow of energy, whether that's kinetic force or magical power. It redirects, absorbs, and channels. In the case of energy shields, like those we might encounter in the field, it's not just about preventing penetration. It's about managing the threat. Think of it as a tool to control the battlefield, not just a wall to hide behind."

Jon mulled it over for a moment, still looking a bit confused. "So, like… it's a way to push back, even if you're not attacking?"

"Exactly," Eli said, giving Jon a nod of approval. "It's all about control, not just defence. When you stop thinking of a shield as a passive object and start seeing it as an active extension of yourself, you'll understand its true potential."

Jon seemed to consider this for a moment, his expression softening as the lesson started to click. "Alright, I get it now. It's about using the shield to create opportunities, not just block stuff."

"Glad you're catching on," Eli smiled, pleased with his younger brother's progress. "Now, let's get back to training. You've got a lot to learn... Imma blast you with more apprentice destruction spells now.

Jon groaned before cracking his knuckles, "This makes spartan training look like kindergarten."

"Don't worry, it's a good thing I'm proficient in restoration little bro," Eli smiled devilishly at him.

"Eli, has anyone ever told you you'd make a great drill instructor?" Jon asked.

"That's enough of that, [Flash Bolt]," Eli cast.

Jon's eyes widened as he saw the bolt coming straight at him, 

'more than just a shield... a way to manipulate the offence of others...'

Uttering a string of phrases,

"Steadfast Ward!" Jon roared as his palm shot out, a barrier invisible to the naked eye appeared in front of him.

Jon grunted as the Flash Bolt collided with the barrier, the force of the magic vibrating through his arm as the shield absorbed the impact. His feet slid back slightly, but the bolt had been completely stopped.

"Nice reflexes," Eli said, stepping back and giving his younger brother an approving nod. "You blocked it without hesitation. But that shield's only half of it. You used the right counter, but there's more to it. You need to understand how to keep that energy flowing, not just stop it. That is unless it's something of factors greater than your current level like a shot from a wraith tank."

Jon lowered his hand, the glowing shield flickering slightly as he lowered it. "So, I should redirect the energy, not just block it?"

Eli smiled, a bit more serious now. "Exactly. It's about using the shield to turn the opponent's offence into an opportunity for your own counterattack. When you block, you don't just absorb; you control the flow. You can take their momentum and direct it against them."

Jon looked down at his hands, thinking. "So, like... use their power against them, right?"

"Precisely," Eli replied, walking closer. "When you learn to redirect force instead of simply absorbing it, you become the one controlling the field. It's about manipulation, not just protection."

Jon's gaze hardened as the lesson began to sink in. "Got it. I'll start working on it."

Eli grinned. "Good. But remember, I only taught you a small part of it. The real challenge is in doing it in the heat of combat. When you're on the battlefield, you don't have time to think—you have to feel the flow of energy around you. Make it second nature. That's the essence of magic, the true understanding of the word Manipulation."

Jon nodded, his focus now razor-sharp. "I'll get there."

Eli gave him a brief clap on the shoulder before stepping back, "Great, Let's see if you can do it again with a slightly stronger Flash Bolt. Don't let me down, little bro.

Jon cracked his knuckles, his eyes burning with determination. "Bring it on, Eli. I'm ready."