Theo looked down, his hands still muffling Kai's ears, and chuckled at their flushed face.

“Master Leonardo.” – Theo said as he released Kai.

“O-oh, the tall one, with the g-glasses? He's v-very kind. One time at the library I was c-carrying a pile of books and he helped me, and I'm not even a student at Colosso.”

“Yes! He also helped me escape from Professor Heitor once! Mestre Leandro is such a nice guy!”

“I don't know, I don't trust much-”

Sam spotted a girl chatting excitedly with other students. Her sandy-colored curls were loose in disarray, she'd probably been hunting in the woods again. Without meaning to, Sam let his eyes dart to her exposed thighs.

“So?” Theo located the focus of interest of the cousin.

“In him!” - Sam's voice broke, and she was redder than a strawberry, it was the first time Theo had seen her so disconcerted.

“ Wow! Look at the time! I'm late for Melody class!” Her voice shrilling and she hurried out.

“B-but Sam, it's not yet...” Kai went after their friend, not understanding what had happened.

A mischievous smile soon settled on Theo's face. He would have to pay attention to this new event. From his backpack, he pulled out a small, leather-bound notebook. On the page he opened was a priority list, and he added one more item:

 

 

As he walked and wrote – not recommended – Theo nearly bumped into someone else on his way. Looking up at the person in his path, he quickly put the book away, and greeted the professor.

“Thank you so much for the chance to be your apprentice!” I promise I won't let you down!”

“I know you’ll not.” – Professor Leandro replied, his soft voice and languid eyes fixed on Theo. “Let's go to my room.”

As the sun went down, the shadows cast by the cathedral's windows were more like shadow hands ready to tug at his feet, Theo looked away.

“Why did you choose me?” – Theo asked nervously, trying to bring up the subject. “I don't remember any of your other apprentices.”

“You will be the first. And do you know why?” – Leandro stared at him, looking for something.

Theo shrugged, he didn't know.

“Because you're one of the most talented students I've ever seen.”

The surprise evident on Theo's face wasn't what Leandro was looking for, but the proud pose that followed.

“And leaving you at the mercy of such old-fashioned wizards would be a waste of immense potential.”

When they arrived in the room, the teacher offered tea and sweet cookies, which Theo was soon accepting, it reminded him of home.

“I see a lot of myself in you.” - Professor Leandro interrupted the boy's thoughts. — “Creativity, curiosity, the desire to change the status quo.”

Theo was sitting in one of the armchairs and Leandro who was still standing put a hand on one of his shoulders, his gaze locked on Theo.

“And together, Theo, we can end the disease in teaching magic.” If the professor's voice now had a different cadence, Theo couldn't say.

“What does that mean?”

“Have you heard of the Astral World?” – Leandro sat in the armchair opposite Theo.

“Yes. My uncle told me that the Astraes were sealed by Elite Kenaz mages…

“But do you know the reason for the seal?”

Theo vaguely remembered his uncle telling the story, standing still and listening had never been his strong point.

Leandro clapped his hands together, and a 3D projector began to rotate images, almost scenes, from an ancient time.

At the beginning of the Arcane Age of Humanity…

It is known that before the great civilizations, that is, before the great wars, men lived a simple, yet difficult life, but all the fruits of their work were theirs, for their own sustenance, and to use as they pleased.

It was at this time of harmony that “the Portal” appeared. According to ancient tablets, the portal could be seen from the plains of the east, the deserts of the north, and the mountain ranges of the west. But no one could see the creatures that sprang from it.

All kinds of astral beings, dragons, aliens, humanoids with eagle faces, jackals, lions, would later be treated as deities, or as an outbreak of a collective delusion due to contamination of water, but at that time they were completely invisible to earthly beings.

In time there were so many creatures among humans that the lines of mana emanating from their astral bodies adhered to the humans, and in time, they could see, and fear, the astral beings.

At first there was fear, but soon humans and astral beings started to create bonds, and the creatures taught the humans how to use the mana around them to facilitate everyday tasks, from planting, building, transporting.

Astral beings revealed the secrets of arcane magic without ever asking for anything in return. They simply enjoyed watching the curiosity, the pleasure of discovery, reveal itself on the faces of these fragile beings.