/lit/ - Literature

I'm trying to incorporate a single magical/mystical ability as a central plot point within my novel, it's not being introduced until about midway through and I'm not sure how to present it to the protagonist without it feeling contrived. One of the antagonists gifts the ability to the protagonist who he's currently keeping captive in order to manipulate him further, I've got most of the details ironed out except for how the protagonist is given the ability. The novel, so far, isn't magic heavy so I don't want it to come out of left-field. I was thinking of doing something simple, the protagonist could consume or ingest something given to him by his captor, yet the gift is supposed to be very unique and as such the method of receiving it should be unique also, but I haven't come up with anything yet.