Ender's eyes darted through the job board in the city's square. There were a lot of good job options but he singled them into two that he felt were the most worthwhile.
'Hmm, this is hard… Should I try being a mage's or an alchemist's assistant? They both seem quite nice.'
He reached his hand and grabbed the two job advertisements.
'So this magician wants an assistant that will be able to read and write so that he can to copy text from books or sort his notes. It's sounds easy enough. The pay also seems fine but I suppose it will depend on the magician. If he can maybe give me pointers in magic and let me borrow a book or two, it could be worth it. Being an alchemists' assistant also sounds good. It has better prospects as I would be helping an alchemist create different kind of pills and potions, meaning that I will also learn how to make them myself, at least those that don't require magic.'
Ender sighed. He was finally going to start a legal job and stop going around stealing people. He wouldn't be able to focus solely on his childish dream in becoming a mage now.
'Perhaps it's time I gave up... I've read all the magic books I got my hands on, tried every single one of their spells and nothing worked. I should probably give up after today. I'm going to be a dad now, I can't keep chasing this pointless road.'
Ender's reasoning in waiting for the next day to make his final decision was because his birthdays were quite special.
'It will all be decided at midnight, when I turn 18. If it's like any other of birthdays, I'll just see the mana in the environment and feel some of it on my skin. Though, I wonder if something else happens this time since every year this reaction keeps getting stronger and stronger. There has to be a limit to it.'
If Ender was an average guy that didn't display any talent in magic, he would have stopped chasing it a long time ago. However, Ender knew that he was far from average. His own parents were extraordinary after all!
They had never specifically told him nor showed him anything extraordinary, but he still figured it out.
'Dad's extraordinary luck is anything but normal. Every single time he wished for something, it was as if the world was trying to help him. Not only that, he also had a tendency to appear suddenly out of nothingness. I vividly remember that one time where I saw his reflection materialising out of thin air.'
Ender sighed. Remembering his past was never easy.
'Mum was even weirder though. I remember that, like father she also had extraordinary luck. Though unlike him, she was uniquely unlucky! It always struck odd, that most of the things she tried doing, failed. There was also that thing about the fires acting abnormally in her presence.'
Ender shook his head, stopping the pointless reminiscing and going to back to the real world.
'I suppose, I can give both jobs a try and see which one I like more.'
Obviously he was going to start with the mage's assistant one.
Having chosen the job, he scanned the advertisement for the place. It was located inside the aristocratic part of the city. Probably the mage's own home.
Ender didn't mind going there but he doubted that his presence would be met with the same stance.
'Do I try the alchemist job first?'
He didn't.
Instead, he quickly headed to the place without making any stops in the road whatsoever, so as to not attract any unwanted attention.
He quickly found himself outside a manor. It was an average sized stone building, with a few wings and courtyards. It included a great hall for communal activities, private chambers and some guest rooms.
Surrounding the manor house were small gardens, orchards, and agricultural land worked by a peasant who was bound to the manor.
Ender felt out of place, but nevertheless made his way towards the door. After a ringing the bell a few times, he found himself standing in front of a young man.
He was dressed in finely tailored clothing with a sense of elegance but not extravagance. He had blond hair and a pair of piercing blue eyes.
"Hello, Mr. ? May I enquire the reason of your visit?" the young man asked while extending his right hand for a handshake. Ender of course reciprocated.
"Hello Mr. Montclair. My name is Ender and to answer your question, I came for the job you've posted in the town's square."
"Oh, finally! I've been waiting a while for someone to accept the job. Since I'm but a rank 1 mage not many are interested in helping me. The fact that the pay I offer is not that good, also serves as a deterrent."
The young magician couldn't have given a better opening to Ender.
"Really? I thought you would have had more people signing up. I suppose that's good for me! Since we both agree that the pay isn't very good, would you mind me asking questions that I have about magic and maybe look through your library?"
"Of course! If you have any questions ask away, I'll answer them as long as I know the answers myself. Your second request won't be a problem either. My humble library will be open for you." Ender felt like he got quite a deal.
"Perfect. When are we starting?"
"Right away. Come on in."
The time passed quickly for Ender inside the manor. For the day he only helped the young mage copy a few texts. However, he didn't let that deter him.
Instead, he was excited and quickly made his way home to announce the news to Catherine.
He zoomed to the slums and headed towards his neighborhood.
… When he reached his shack, all of his excitement instantly vanished.
He noticed that the door was slightly open and Catherine never, ever left forgot to close it.
An alarmed Ender pushed the door open…