The next morning was a heavy one; whether due to the current mood or his lack of proper sleep, Tinz had no idea. The fairies in the little town offered fruits for breakfast to which Magnolia happily took. And Ferry… was Ferry. She yawned with a small ‘woof’ as the group sat around a small table.

    Tinz’ foot was tapping on the floor anxiously. He had to find a way to convince the elder fairy to teach him. He doubted a healer alone could fix him; it had to be a healer with access to technology and the power of the pen Tinz was given. It had to be him. 

    His rambling thoughts were interrupted, as per usual, by Laura entering the room with a loud smack of the front door opening. She shyly waddled in, not making eye contact with anyone.

    “Uhmm… hi,” she mumbled. The trio stared at her, before going back to eating.

    “What’s up?” Tinz asked before biting into an apple.

    “I’m really sorry about my grandpa,” she began, “He’s always been weird to outsiders. But I’ve always thought the more the merrier if it’ll keep healing alive…” she sniffled. Tinz could only nod before she burst out into tears. 

    “Whoa, hey–”

    “Both my parents left for the big city! And Grandpa’s been taking care of me! All this time! So please don’t hate him too much!” she wailed as she fell to her knees and gripped Tinz’ leg. Tinz awkwardly looked away.

    “I don’t… hate him. I guess I’m just perplexed. …Is there any way to convince him?”

    “I-I don’t think there is…” her voice trailed off as she sunk even further to the floor. “But he’s trying his best! So–”

    “I don’t hate him,” Tinz repeated himself. Magnolia simply chewed on her fourth banana. Ferry whined and laid down on the floor.

    It was then they all realized Laura didn’t shut the front door, as a voice from outside chimed in.

    “Lauraaa! Isn’t it time for your training?” The voice called out. Laura immediately stood up with a red face.

    “I have to go… please don’t follow me! Grandpa would be mad if he saw you were sneaking in on lessons…” she sniffed again before leaving in a hurry.

    Tinz and Magnolia exchanged glances.

    “Are we following her?” A raised eyebrow from Magnolia.

    “Absolutely,” A nod from Tinz.

    The two did their best to follow quietly after Laura. Apparently the training grounds were further in the mountains, and by the time they arrived, Laura was sat in front of the elder fairy reading a book. Tinz squinted; they were a little far away, but the rock they hid behind was the closest place to hide.

    “Can you hear anything?” he asked.

    “Nope,” Magnolia responded, reaching into her sleeve and dragging out a kiwi.

    “Dude… how many fruits are you gonna eat?”

    “I thought you were here to learn. Eyes forward!”

    As they kept watch, Laura didn’t exactly do much. From where they stood, they could see her read, write in a notebook, practice wielding a wand, and use a singular spell on a potted plant to heal its broken stem.

    “Is… is that it?” Tinz asked.

    “I mean, maybe she’s a beginner. It is a pretty easy to learn the skill, but to advance it and be good at it is another can of worms entirely.”

    “Hmm…” 

    Magnolia’s head whipped around to peer behind them.

    “Quick! Someone’s coming!”

    “Oh shi–”

    She grabbed Tinz by the cowlick and dragged them both into a bush. The person in question ran up the stairs prior to the training grounds, and unto the grounds themselves. They seemed out of breath.

    “Tinz… something’s up. I smell blood.”

    “...Huh?” He peered around the bush and towards the group of fairies that were amassing in the training grounds. The fairy that just arrived had a huge gash on his arm. “Jeez… how did that happen?”

    The two watched as the elder fairy raised his cane. A green light emitted from it and wrapped around the gash on the other fairy’s arm. When it disappeared, the gash was gone too. “Whoa!” Tinz stood up and gasped.

    “Idiot! Sit down!”

    It was too late. The elder fairy saw him, and so did the others. Tinz stood there with a lopsided, awkward grin.

    “Uhm. Oops.”

    The elder fairy shook his head and gestured for Tinz to come forward.

    “If the other is with you she’s free to come as well,” he looked at the bush. Horns and a halo peeked up from it before Magnolia stood up.

    “Uhh, hi, Laura… I know you said–”

    “Now’s not the time for chitchat, we have an issue on our hands,” the elder fairy chided.

    Magnolia brushed herself off as she walked over to stand next to Tinz.

    “What do you mean?”

    Laura sniffled again. “My friend here said that… there are bad people in the village… they’re here to steal stuff and had fiery sticks with them…”

    “”Fiery sticks”? Wands?” Tinz asked, anxiously looking back towards the fairy village. The elder fairy rubbed at his chin.

    “We have to get there immediately. You three stay here with Laura. I’ll head down,” he said before shuffling off.

    “Wait!” Tinz caught up to him with ease. “We’ll go too, we can help–”

    “No. This is a matter for the villagers to handle. Stay,” his voice was stern as he waved Tinz away.

    He stood there, unmoving, watching the old man go down the stairs. Smoke could be seen rising in the distance, and Laura’s cries grew louder. Magnolia slowly approached him.

    “What do we do, Tinz…?” she asked, voice soft.

    “Ferry’s down there. Villagers’ matter or not, it’s our issue too now. Let’s go.”