Max felt a hand on his shoulder, and then he heard the voice of Judas in his ear.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"I assume you'd be more comfortable using magic, judging from your background. So use it."</span><br/><br/>Max felt the power of the Caster as he created a ball of fire that grew larger by the second- the words echoed in his head, but he grimaced, remembering the sneering face of his father. He would never be good enough, could never wield magic well enough to live up to the Hendrix name, and he was a fool for thinking otherwise. He took a deep breath and replaced the pistol at his side as the renowned Caster explained the ingrained aversion of wildlife to fire.<br/><br/>The explosion that followed was both effective and perfectly controlled; Max, who had been around magic his entire life, knew true mastery when he saw it. The birds that weren't incinerated were shaken from their purpose, turning away from the ship in a hasty retreat in light of the devastating counterattack. A few more remained, however, seemingly intent upon their meal- or perhaps it was a primal rage that fueled them.<br/><br/>Max raised his own hand, the one fitted with the casting glove, and he watched as a trio of fireballs materialized in front of him, none of them quite so large as the ones that had merged together at Judas' behest. He focused for a moment, and then one zoomed outward, crashing into a bird and exploding on impact as the creature went careening out of the air. It released a screeching wail of pain as it died, and two others that had been flanking it suddenly veered upward, away from the ship and back in the direction from which they had come.<br/><br/>After a moment Max lowered his hand and the two remaining fireballs dissipated; he sighed with regret upon recognizing that the remaining birds he could see did not seem intent on continuing the fight. He would've liked to have been able to properly showcase his ability, to demonstrate some usefulness for the benefit of his peers and superiors, but at the same time he was somewhat relieved. In his mind, his father's voice was much louder than that of Judas.