We Was Wizards - Chapter 1 [Novella]
Thank you for taking the time to read the first chapter of my novella, We Was Wizards. This story takes place in a universe where magic exists, but roughly 20% of the population is born without the ability to cast spells. It is a comedic fantasy.
I welcome any constructive feedback or any questions about the story. If you enjoy it, please be sure to follow me so you can catch each new chapter as it comes out every Thursday around 6pm EST.
Ain’t no magic in the projects.
In the rich neighborhoods, they got all type of mages and shit. Stand on a circle and instantly teleport anywhere in the world.
Niggas got cars.
Extend your life, be cured of diseases with the wave of a hand.
Niggas got Medicaid.
Send your thoughts to anyone in the world and hear they answer in your mind.
Niggas got phones.
It ain’t fair, but that’s just how it is. We was born without magic, and those booshie mufuckas ain’t about to share theirs. Wands is illegal in the hood. A wand is like a pen with one spell in it, and any nigga can use it just by sayin' a word. They passed a law, said mufuckas who ain’t mastered magic couldn’t understand the responsibility. Said it was for our own good. Bullshit.
In the hood we ain’t got no mages, no sorcerers—not even a mufuckin’ warlock. Nah, what we got is sages. Huckster mufuckas, trickin’ dumb niggas into thinkin’ they can do cantrips and shit. Ain’t no such thing as a cantrip. It’s just some bullshit like horoscopes or fortune cookies, but some fools trick theyselves into believin' because they want it to be real—and they spend way too much dough on it.
I was chillin’ on the block with my homie Tyrese when this one sage mufucka named Rufus Jenkins came struttin’ around the corner. He was wearin' a dirty purple robe—tacky as fuck with gold runes all on it—and an old Lakers cap with a hole in it. He was old and had a white ass beard with a salt and pepper mustache. Nigga looked like homeless Morgan Freeman.
He walked up slowly, reached out his hand and asked us “What’s good, sons?”
“Get out of here, nigga, we ain’t interested.” I answered, lettin’ him hang.
“Busta.” added Tyrese.
“Why so hostile, young blood? You know I’m only here to share my wisdom with the community.” he replied, puffin' up his chest. Righteous mufucka.
“Yeah, and tryin' to rip niggas off—or, maybe you’re just here to slang some potions to the fiends?”
“I resent that.” he said, all smug. “I know your moms, Daniel. We go way back. You know I wouldn’t fuck with that.”
“It’s D. And you sold my auntie some elixir to help her with her insomnia. Bitch was in a coma for three days.” I paused. “What do you even want anyway?”
“Actually Daniel, I’m here to see you. You mind giving us some space, son?” he asked, lookin' at Tyrese.
“Fuck you, old nigga.” He spat back.
Rufus thought for a moment and reached into his pocket, then pulled out a crinkled ten-dollar bill, holdin' it out to Tyrese. “Listen young man, this is important. How about you go buy yourself a snack while we have a quick chat.”
T snatched the bill out the sage’s hand and turned to walk off. “I was hungry anyway.” he muttered. God damn it, Tyrese.
The old man stepped over and put his arm around me. He smelled like incense and Black and Milds. “Daniel, the reason I’m here is because I‘m getting up in years. My health has been taking a turn for the worse, and I need to pass on my knowledge before I leave this world.”
He put his other hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eye, tryin’ to be all dramatic and shit. “Daniel… I want you to become my apprentice.”
I laughed in his face.
“What makes you think I want to become a sage? Slangin’ elixirs and cantrips to dumb niggas for small change? I do great at school, honor roll and shit. Real good with computers. I’m goin' into IT.”
I pushed him off of me. The old man stood up straight, not breakin’ his stare, “I’m not talking about parlor tricks. I want to teach you real magic.”
“Nigga, you can’t do magic.”
“Not exactly… But, I’ve found a way to teach magic. An ancient scroll from one of the great libraries. I’ve known you since you were a boy, Daniel. You’re a smart ass, but you’re capable, and that’s why I’ve chosen you to be my pupil”.
This mufucka.
“I don’t know what kind of scam you tryin’ to pull, but I already told you, I’m not interested.” I said, before walkin’ off to go catch up with T. I didn’t look back.