I studied him for a moment. “I thought you were a rogue…” I said under my breath. He started walking towards the stairs. “I am.” He huffed. I quickly follow after him, looking up at the back of his head.

 He stopped at the bar, looking at the bartender. “Some ale please.” He puts a gold piece down on the counter. The bartender glances at Kael before sliding him a mug of ale. He took the gold piece and put it in his pocket as he walked to another customer.

 He chugged the ale in under a minute before letting it mug fall on the counter. He lowered his head for a moment, seeming to be struggling with something. I slowly went to touch his shoulder when he stood up from the seat, glancing back at me.

 “Are you hungry, kid?” He asked. I opened my mouth to answer him, but nothing came out. His face was filled with a sadness that he could not bury if he tried. He cocks an eyebrow at me as I slowly shake my head no.

 “Teach me magic.” I softly spoke. Kael’s gaze softened a fraction as he studied me, as if measuring my resolve. “If you want to learn magic, kid, it’s not going to be easy,” he said, his voice low and somber.

I took a deep breath, meeting his eyes with determination. “I want to learn. Teach me.” He nodded slowly, then turned and started walking towards the door. “Come on, then. We need space for this.”

We left the rustic tavern and ventured into the surrounding woods, the air cool and crisp with the scent of pine and earth. As we walked, Kael's presence was both reassuring and intimidating. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and excitement. I had always admired magic from afar, but never imagined I’d have the chance to learn it myself, especially not from someone like Kael.

We reached a small meadow; the moonlight casting a gentle glow over the grass and wildflowers. Kael stopped and turned to face me. “Alright, Kid. First thing you need to understand is that magic is about focus and intent. It’s not just about saying some fancy words and waving your hands around.”

He demonstrated by holding out his hand, murmuring a few words under his breath. A small, flickering flame appeared in his palm, casting a warm light on his face. “This is a basic cantrip—something simple but useful. We’ll start with something similar.”

I watched in awe as the flame danced in his hand. “How do I do that?” I asked, my voice tinged with eagerness. Kael extinguished the flame and took a step back. “Close your eyes,” he instructed. “Feel the magic inside you, the energy that flows through all living things. Focus on that energy and imagine it taking form in your hand.”

I closed my eyes, trying to follow his instructions. I could feel my heartbeat in my chest, the cool breeze on my face, and the rustling of leaves in the trees. I tried to concentrate on the energy within me, imagining it like a river flowing through my veins. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to grasp it.

“Don’t force it,” Kael said gently. “Let it come naturally. Magic isn’t about control—it’s about connection.” I took a deep breath, trying to relax. I let go of my frustration and just focused on the surrounding sensations, the warmth of Kael’s presence, the softness of the grass beneath my feet. Slowly, I began to feel a faint tingle in my fingertips, like a spark waiting to ignite.

“Good,” Kael said, his voice calm and encouraging. “Now, hold on to that feeling and imagine it forming into a small light in your hand.” I focused on the tingle, imagining it growing brighter and more intense. I felt a surge of excitement as a faint glow appeared in my palm, flickering like a candle flame. I opened my eyes and stared at the tiny light, a sense of accomplishment washing over me.

Kael’s lips curled into a small smile. “Well done, kid. That’s a good start.” I looked up at him, beaming with pride. “What’s next?” He chuckles softly as he looks at the sun setting. “Next, we practice,” he said. “Magic takes time and effort. It’s not something you’ll master overnight.”

For the next few hours, Kael guided me through various exercises, helping me refine my control and focus. It was a struggle, and there were moments when I felt like giving up. But Kael’s patience and encouragement kept me going, pushing me to try harder and reach further.

By the time the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I had managed to create a few simple spells, each one a small victory that filled me with a growing sense of confidence.

Kael looked at me, a glint of approval in his eyes. “You’ve got potential, kid. Keep practicing, and you might just become a decent mage.” I grinned, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “Thank you, Kael. I won’t let you down.”

He nodded, then turned to head back to the tavern. “Let’s get some rest. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.” As we walked back through the woods, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Kael. Despite his gruff exterior and troubled past, he had taken the time to teach me, to help me grow. And for that, I was grateful.

 We head north for a while, looking for a good place to set up a camp. Kael looks at me for a moment. “Want to know a life secret, kid? He asked. I look up at him, curiosity getting the better of me. “What is it?”

 He looks at the soft blue skies as the sun is getting higher in the sky. “You can fit everything you know in a bottle for you to show. Everything you have in your heart with fear crashing into it, but nothing can touch your happiness anymore. You’ve set on adventure alone. There is no crew. No one on this quest can help you. This is all your own battle to win. This is your life and you need to protect it.” He said.

 I raised an eyebrow at him, confused why he decided to tell me that. “Is this some cryptic old man’s wisdom?” I ask. He let out a hearty laugh. “Yeah. Yeah it is.” He gives his first genuine smile for the first time in hours. 

 He gently pushes a hand out to stop me from walking. “We should stop here for the time being. I will wake you in an hour before we head to Violet City.” he said. I raise an eyebrow. “How do you know where we are?” I ask.

 He smiles softly, “Unlike you, kid… I spent my years traveling this realm.” I felt my face get hot from embarrassment. “Okay.” I mumble. I sit down against the tree. Closing my eyes, trying to ignore his pacing as the darkness consumes me.