He tries to absorb Istredd's belief in him and transform it into self-confidence. Take each word of praise and stack them brick by brick into a wall, like the one he built in his mind when he practiced the defense spell. Fear of failure had been his motivation before, but now something more powerful pushes him forward.

Eager, as he has never been during these sessions, Wilhelm pushes himself up from the chair. The energy emanating from him is that of a spring coiled tight, ready to release.

"Let's go then."