Going to the shadows

It seemed Salem's Institute was too small to keep his differences unnoticed for long. Empty classrooms would be invaded by giggling preteens, or at any moment a ghost could dart through the wall. No sanctuary. And thus he could be found stalking the forbidden forests, not too deep mind, for he was not foolish. Although he feared little that could be found here he was still wary of penetrating the dark depths ahead of due course, he had no want to see what creatures would do to his unconscious form.
Every now and again you would get some student thinking themselves a bold adventure, and he watched with a smirk as they would soon come running out, pausing on the tree line to compose themselves and walk with dignity like they just faced down a legion of Demontors, all the while trying so very hard to hide the sobs which shook their bodies.
Today you could find him in a small desolate clearing, a place he liked to frequent. The ground was charred and broken, long scars of disturbed earth showed the torture the land had been through. He smiled to think what it would be like in a couple more weeks time of his handiwork.
A scream broke his reverie, and his head tilted instinctively towards it, waiting for an answering call. His mind ticked off the possible causes, harpy? Student? Didn't sound human. With a sweep of his right hand and a shimmer of light he raised his basic shields, though not specifying against anything in particular or expending too much energy by making them powerful. At the same time he turned invisible, or nearly so, a slight bend of light revealing himself if he moved too fast, no point wasting magic making it perfect.
With these precautions, and a smile at maybe testing his strength against something worthy, he silently wove his way through the forest, taking a circular route to scope out what mysterious creature had caused the ruckus.

(edit: If you disagree with how my character does magic just wait and all shall be explained ;x)