Colin started learning magic between his errands, and in order to understand his power he'd spend more and more time outside. During summer he would even do most of the cleaning and washing outdoors to be in the presence of his element; to familiarize himself with it and get fully immersed. These small moments outside would soon become a way for him to escape the harsh reality of his circumstances, and being able to spend time outside in the wind felt like a prize for Colin.

From Katherine he further learned magic was strongly tied to the user's own imagination: to use magic from the core, one had to be able to strongly imagine the force of their element; with all their senses imagine it manifesting around the user.

And, of course, this wasn't enough. It was just as crucial to understand where that power came from and how it worked in the nature: water users had to know what it looked like when the water froze, but also understand how exactly it happened. Alchemy and science being linked so strongly to magic was initially a surprise to Colin, but he soon came to realize all these things were merely a different way to perceive the very same world.

To take in all this information, Colin also started reading books that Katherine had allowed him to read. Occasionally he would even read the books in her library after he had learned how to tell apart hexed and non-hexed books: the original warnings Katherine had given to him about her highly cursed items had, for the most part, been just a way to keep Colin from snooping around.

Colin wasn't sure to what extent Katherine was aware of his doings, but she didn't seem to mind. Instead she'd be occupied by her own work: doing magic research in her own work room, making medicine, drying herbs and visiting people. Colin didn't know what exactly she did with those people, but imagined it was probably something like with his mother - and he hoped the poor people would not have to suffer the same fate as his mother once had to, when Colin was robbed from her.

Two years passed with Colin learning more about the wind and the world of magic, and he turned fifteen. During this time he had grown taller and his features had changed, the child's roundness changing into the leanness and muscularity of an adolescent. Katherine never talked with Colin about these physical changes and what they brought, but tossed the boy a couple of books he could use to educate himself - after all, it would prove to be troublesome to her if Colin didn't even understand himself and his changing body.

Colin still missed his family but didn't try to escape: he knew it was useless. Instead, the childish aggression and pouting of his initial arrival had turned into cunningness and planning of an adult, and Colin had started making plans of his own regarding his escape: when the witch was out Colin would go through all the safe books, practice magic on his own and then make sure there were no traces or clues of his doings when Katherine returned back. And as their relationship had not grown any closer during all these years spent together and remained rather formal, Colin couldn't even accidentally blurt out about his doings - and it's not like Katherine cared enough to listen to him most of the time anyway.

When Colin was 16, Katherine taught him how to make some medicine and how to dry plants. Likewise, she taught him ways he could use the wind to dry the laundry faster, just like she had promised to do as long as Colin worked hard and didn't complain - and he didn't; he had learned there was nothing more dangerous in this household than doing so.

"I thought you said you didn't want to make me your assistant," Colin once grinned mischievously while brewing potions in a room reserved for it.

"I didn't," the witch said. "But I'm getting old and tired, so I'm making you do some of my more boring work."

"Geez, thanks," he replied.

"I have to leave for a travel for some weeks, by the way. I want you to look after the place."

"Like always."

"I don't like your tone, boy," the witch spoke in a warning cadence to her voice, but then added: "I should have some customers coming when I'm gone, so for once I want you to do the dealing."

"Would you let me do that?"

"I have no other choice. Otherwise I wouldn't: I don't trust your social skills."

"Well, whose fault is that?" Colin thought. "It's you who has just kept me here all these years with little to no people around."

Indeed, the only things Colin had interacted with were some of the forest creatures, but they were not the same thing as real human company: their communication was different, and so was their life.

And so Colin was left alone for two weeks to look after the building, and this was also the time he finally decided to put the gears in motion.

When the customers arrived, a young couple asking for medicine before the woman was giving birth, Colin gave them a letter.

"I'm sorry to bother you like this," he said and tried to seem as innocent and casual as he possibly could. "But the mail, as you know, doesn't really come here really often, so it'd be a big help if you could take this to my mother."

Colin then explained them where to take the letter, made the couple promise not to talk to the witch about this delivery, and off they finally went.

It was a letter home where Colin told his mother he was alive and well, at least somewhat, and that he'd like to come home if just possible. He also detailed in his letter that if things went as planned, he really would come home within a month or two.

For the rest of his alone time, Colin crafted his escape plan.