Frustrated with himself, he decided to give up for now and go to the refectory for food, though in the back of his mind, he continued to dwell on what he did wrong.
As they walked along the path to the refectory, Monica noticed Von lagging behind, his usually bright eyes downcast and his shoulders slumped. She slowed her pace to walk alongside him, her heart going out to her younger friend.
"Hey, Von," she said cheerfully, nudging him gently with her elbow. "What's going on? You seem kinda down."
Von glanced up at Monica, his expression a mixture of sadness and frustration. "I was trying to do that thing Master Elias showed us," he mumbled, kicking a pebble along the path. "But I couldn't do it. I'm not good at it."
Monica's brow furrowed with concern. She knew how much Von had been looking forward to learning magic, and seeing him so disheartened broke her heart.
"Don't worry, Von," she said reassuringly, reaching out to pat his shoulder. "It's okay if you didn't get it right away. Magic takes practice, you know? You'll get better with time."
Von sighed, his gaze dropping to the ground once more. "But what if I never get it?" he whispered, his voice small and uncertain.
Monica knelt down beside him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Hey, that's not gonna happen," she said firmly, meeting his eyes with a determined gaze of her own. "You're smart and talented, Von. I know you can do it."
Von's lips twitched into a hesitant smile, touched by Monica's unwavering faith in him. "Thanks, Monica," he said softly. "I'll keep trying."
Monica grinned back at him, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. "That's the spirit!" she exclaimed, jumping up to her feet. "And hey, if you ever need help practicing or just someone to talk to, I'm here for you, okay?"
Von nodded, feeling a warm sense of gratitude welling up inside him. With Monica by his side, he knew he could face any challenge that came his way, no matter how daunting it seemed. Together, they would conquer the world of magic, one spell at a time.
As Von and Monica continued their walk to the refectory, the atmosphere shifted from one of somber introspection to a more lighthearted camaraderie. Monica took it upon herself to lift Von's spirits, peppering their conversation with anecdotes and jokes, her laughter ringing through the air like a melody of joy.
Von found himself gradually drawn out of his melancholy as he listened to Monica's infectious laughter and playful banter. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and before he knew it, he was joining in, sharing his own stories and even cracking a few jokes of his own.
The path to the refectory wound its way through the lush gardens of the academy, the vibrant colors of blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies providing a picturesque backdrop to their conversation. The sun peeked through the canopy of trees overhead, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground below.
As they walked, Von and Monica passed by groups of students engaged in various activities – some practicing magic in small clusters, others engaged in friendly games of tag or exploring the nooks and crannies of the garden. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere which enveloped them like a comforting embrace.
Before long, they reached the refectory, its grand doors looming before them like a beacon of hospitality while the scent of freshly prepared food wafted through the air, tantalizing their senses and stirring their appetites.
With a final exchange of smiles and words of encouragement, Von and Monica entered the refectory together, their hearts light and their spirits buoyed by the promise of good food and good company.
As Von and Monica entered the refectory, they were greeted by the sight and aroma of a lavish feast spread out across long wooden tables. The air was filled with the tantalizing scent of roasted meats, savory stews, and freshly baked bread, making their mouths water in anticipation.
They found an empty spot on one of the long benches and settled in, their plates quickly filling up with a variety of delicious and magical foods. There were platters of succulent roast chicken glazed with a honey and herb sauce, trays of golden-brown pastries filled with savory fillings, and bowls of steaming hot soup made with magical herbs and spices, warming them to their core.
Von and Monica sampled a bit of everything, their taste buds tingling with delight at the array of flavors and textures. They shared stories and laughter as they ate, their worries and troubles forgotten in the joy of the moment.
As they enjoyed their meal, Von couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispers from the other students around them. Word of his victory in the challenges and his newfound mastery of arithmancy and myalomancy had spread quickly throughout the academy, and now all eyes were on him.
Despite the attention, Von remained humble, quietly savoring his meal and the company of his friends. He knew fame was fleeting and true mastery came not from accolades but from dedication and hard work.
Nevertheless, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swelling in his chest at the realization of how far he had come in just a few days at the academy. From a young boy knowing nothing about the basics of magic to a master mage, respected and admired by his peers, it was a strange journey, but one he would never forget.
As they finished their meal, Von and Monica lingered at the table, enjoying the warm camaraderie of the other students. The challenges of the last few days seemed distant now, replaced by a sense of contentment and belonging. These feelings left them filled them with hope for the future.
As they bid farewell to their friends and made their way back to their dormitory, Von couldn't help but smile. Everything was always better with his best friend beside him. Even though it was late, he wanted to do one last thing which was to visit Master Poralis and find out how to not age while speeding time for himself or slowing it for those around him.
As Von and Monica made their way through the bustling grounds of the academy toward the Temporal Spire, the whispers and stares from their fellow students followed them like a gentle breeze. Word of Von's triumph in the challenges and his ascension to the rank of master mage had spread like wildfire, and now all eyes seemed to be on him.
Groups of students parted ways to make room for them as they passed, offering nods of respect and admiration. Some even approached Von with wide-eyed wonder, eager to catch a glimpse of the young prodigy who had achieved such a feat at such a tender age.
"Congratulations, Von!" one student exclaimed, clapping him on the back with a grin. "You were amazing in the challenges! I can't believe you're already a master mage!"
Von smiled modestly, thanking his admirers with a nod of gratitude. He wasn't used to the attention, but he couldn't deny the warm glow of pride swelling in his chest at the recognition of his accomplishments. Back home, he had never done anything worthy of such notice, but here he seemed to be something special.
Monica walked by his side, her own eyes shining with pride as she basked in the glow of her friend's newfound fame. She knew how hard Von had worked to reach this point, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction seeing him finally get the recognition he deserved.
As they reached the tower dedicated to time magic, they were greeted by cheers and applause from their fellow students, who were present on the first floor. Inside, the room was filled with laughter and music as students wanted to shake hands or hang out with the powerful Von. Von found himself at the center of attention, surrounded by well-wishers and admirers who showered him with praise and admiration, but to him, this was all foreign.
Von stood amidst the jubilant crowd, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The cheers and applause washed over him like a tidal wave, filling him with a sense of awe and wonder. It was surreal to be the center of attention, surrounded by so many people who looked up to him with admiration and respect.
As Cat thrust a glass of liquid into his hand, Von blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected gesture. He glanced around at the sea of faces, his mind racing as he tried to find the right words to express his gratitude.
A glass of some liquid was thrust into his hand by the girl Cat and others from her class, she suddenly called out, "Speech! Speech!" as she raised her own glass in a toast to his honor.
"Thank you, everyone," he began, his heart swelling with gratitude. "I am truly humbled by your kindness and honored to be counted among the ranks of the master mages."
The room erupted into cheers once more, the sound reverberating off the walls and filling the air with energy and excitement. Von smiled, his heart swelling with pride as he raised his glass in a silent toast to his friends and mentors.
"To the future," he said, his voice ringing out clear and strong. "May it be filled with magic and wonder, and may we always strive to make the world a better place with our gifts." After Von took a sip of the liquid in his glass, the taste sweet and refreshing on his tongue.
As Von finished his drink, a sense of refreshment washed over him, invigorating his spirit and sharpening his focus. With determination in his eyes, he turned to the crowd, his voice cutting through the lively chatter.
"Thank you all for your kind words and support," he said, addressing the gathered students. "But there's something I need to attend to before the night is over. I must speak with Master Poralis."
The room fell silent, the jovial atmosphere tempered by the seriousness in Von's tone. The other students nodded understandingly, offering words of encouragement and support as Von made his way toward the stairs leading to Master Poralis's study.
As he ascended the steps, Von felt a sense of anticipation building within him. He knew that his conversation with Master Poralis would be important, perhaps even life-changing. But he also felt a twinge of nervousness, unsure of what to expect or how the esteemed archmage would react to his request.
With each step, Von's resolve grew stronger. He had come too far and worked too hard to let anything stand in the way of his goals. He needed to know how not to age while manipulating time for himself.
As he reached the door to Master Poralis's study, Von took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation to come. With a steady hand, he knocked on the door, the sound echoing through the quiet hallway like a drumbeat.