The next day started off smoothly. Everything was fine.

“Shape your palm like a bowl. Yes, you’re correct. Again! Okay. Listen here, imagine a warm flame, or somewhere you wished you can be now. Then flames should burst out, slow and easy. Let’s start. Three, two one! Yes, you did it!” Dunce yelled, as Ashwa’s own flame burst out warmly. She smiled proudly.

“I think this going to be easy!” she laughed, gently trying to stroke her flames with her other hand.

“Oh no, not easy at all, youngster! Try again. Extinguish it by remembering something you hate. Magic follows your emotion, lady!” Dunce barked.

For the rest of the day, the old sorcerer taught Ashwa how to use her powers, like setting trees aflame, fireballs like she made when Kayla and her encountered the Beast. Easy to say, but hard to do.

“Can I rest?” she panted, willing her flames to die. Dunce was about to bark at her for discontinuing, but he too felt there was a great need to rest. He whipped out a cup of what looked like fruit juice, except it was strangely pink on colour. Handing the cup to his student, he grabbed a biscuit out of thin air, and ate it hungrily. Outside, the skies darkened. The day neared to its end.

“What’s this?” Ashwa asked, looking at her cup with pink liquid.

“That’s Pink Potion. It’s a type off energy drink, if you ask me,” Dunce grabbed a mug of hot chocolate and started to sip.  Ashwa stared at the drink curiously, then with a sigh, she drank.

The pink liquid flooded into her throat. Pleasure of the coolness spread in her, demanding for the drink more. After a few mouthfuls, the drink was finished. It had tasted like Paul, the baker in Vil’s cinnamon rolls, which saddened her heart, thinking of the villagers. Was her family fine?

Dunce, who seemed as if he could read other’s thoughts, he spoke quietly. “I was one of them too. Gabriella’s third son who went missing at the age of New Empire. I spent many years wandering, guided by a strange light. I speak prophecies, you know.”

“Could you tell me what I’m about to say next?” Ashwa joked.

“Nope, youngster. Not all the time. Only those that are close to me, those whom I love the most will be clear in my mind. You might be one of them, but don’t go on wishing,” Dunce said, smiling a little, then sank into his armchair contently. Kayla and Asco hadn’t come back yet. As far as Ashwa knew, they were bringing some guy called Jensen and another elf lady, Nadine.

KNOCK, KNOCK. KNOCK, KNOCK. The others had arrived.