Rivalry with Jasper

Ged is assigned a guide, a tall, graceful youth named Jasper. Jasper's polite but condescending manner immediately irritates Ged. On Roke Knoll, Jasper challenges Ged to perform an illusion, but Ged, knowing only village witchery, refuses. Jasper performs a trick, making a spring appear, and Vetch, another student, creates a creature from earth. Ged feels humiliated and swears to prove his power. This rivalry becomes a central conflict, driving Ged's pride and leading him to make a terrible mistake. Jasper's mockery is a constant goad to Ged's ambition.