Long and surprisingly lightweight, it took me a moment to realize the shape my Implement had taken. It was a bat. A baseball bat.

I practically leapt to my feet in delight.

"I did it!" I shouted.

"You did!" Olezhka let out a triumphant roar.

I gave the bat a few practice swings. It was perfectly balanced, designed to fit my hands and my hands alone. I could feel magic running through it, humming in the soft grain of the wood.

"Now I can do magic!" I ...