As Max rushed excitedly to meet Victor by the stream, he called out "Victor! You won't believe what happened yesterday."
Victor turned and grinned, always happy to see his friend. "What is it Max?" he asked.
Max quickly explained how Grandma Rumi had arranged for him to study magic, and even attend the prestigious academy in Kedarfield.
Victor's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, that's incredible Max! You'll get to learn all sorts of spells and enchantments. Maybe you can even teach me what you learn?" he said hopefully.
Max nodded. "Of course! Though I don't know how good I'll be at magic. What if I can't do it?" he said, suddenly feeling anxious.
Victor clasped Max's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, you'll do great. And no matter what, we'll still be friends. I know you'll work hard."
Comforted by his friend's encouragement, Max felt his confidence return. The two boys spent the morning enjoying carefree play in the meadows and cool stream.
As Victor left with his father who had errands to run, Max lingered by the stream, hoping to catch more fish. The sun shone brightly as he focused intently on the shimmering water, waiting for the telltale tug of a bite.
Absorbed in his task, Max didn't hear the footsteps approaching until a shadow fell over him. Looking up with a start, he saw three older boys from the village standing there - the ones who sometimes bullied him.
"Well, look who we found all alone today," sneered Carl, the ringleader. The two lackeys beside him, Lucas and Jonas, snickered.
Max stood up warily, clutching his fishing pole. "I don't want any trouble, just leave me alone," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Did you hear that? He doesn't want trouble," mocked Lucas. "Too bad, 'cause you're gonna get it staying out here by yourself."
The boys began shoving Max between them, laughing as he stumbled. Max felt anger and humiliation rising up. He wished Victor was still here.
"Stop it!" Max yelled, swinging his fishing pole wildly. The metal hook swiped across Carl's face, leaving an angry red welt.
The bully clutched his cheek in shock and fury. "You'll pay for that," Carl growled. The trio descended upon Max, raining blows and kicks. Curling into a ball, Max could only endure until they tired of the sport. At last they left, their taunts trailing behind them.
Bruised and aching, Max slowly picked himself up. He dreaded returning home to face worried questions. But he refused to ever let the bullies see tears, only steeling his resolve. Next time, he would be ready.
Bruised and aching all over, Max slowly dragged himself up from the ground after the bullies had finished beating him. His clothes were dirty and torn, his fishing pole broken. Wincing with every movement, he began the long walk back home, dreading the questions he would face.
When Max finally stumbled through the door, Anna took one look at his battered state and immediately rushed to his side. "Max! What happened?" she cried, horror and anger rising inside her as she tended to his wounds.
Max just shook his head, refusing to speak of his tormentors. But Anna already suspected who was responsible - Carl, Lucas and Jonas, three older village boys who had bullied Max before. She had cautioned them herself to leave Max alone when she caught them shoving him once in the street.
After cleaning Max's cuts and putting him to bed to recover, Anna went to speak with Grandma Rumi. "It was those boys again, I just know it," she said, near tears. "We cannot let them keep attacking my son when no one is around."
Rumi agreed, her expression stormy. "They have gone too far this time. You must tell their parents at once, before the situation gets worse. Make it clear this aggression stops now, or there will be consequences."
Anna nodded, steadying her resolve. She would confront the cruel boys' parents first thing in the morning. Max would not suffer this alone any longer.
The next morning, Anna went to speak with the village elder, explaining the bullying Max had endured from Carl, Lucas and Jonas. She asked the elder to summon the three boys' parents for a meeting at his house to address this pressing issue.
That afternoon, Anna sat tensely across from the three sets of parents - Carl's mother and father, Lucas' mother, and Jonas' father. The village elder began solemnly, "Anna has brought serious concerns about your sons bullying her child Max to my attention. She asked that you all come here today so we can discuss this constructively as a community."
Carl's father immediatley bristled. "Now see here, my Carl would never harm another child! He's a good boy who looks after his little sister. I won't sit here and listen to these accusations."
"That's right," Lucas' mother chimed in. "Our boys play a bit rough sometimes, but Max probably just got a few bumps and bruises from some lively fun."
Anna struggled to remain calm. "With all due respect, this goes far beyond normal play. Max came home battered and bleeding, with torn clothes. He refuses to tell me who did it, but I know in my heart it was your sons."
Jonas' father scowled. "Come now, let's not make rash assumptions. Max could have gotten those injuries anywhere. Unless you have proof, you cannot just charge in here slandering our boys."
The other parents murmured in agreement. Frustrated, Anna replied "While I have no definitive proof, I trust my son. And I have warned your boys before to stop harassing him. Their bullying has gone on for too long while adults turn a blind eye. It ends today."
Carl's father stood up angrily. "How dare you imply our children are liars! We've heard nothing to suggest our boys have done anything wrong. If you cannot control your own wild son, do not take your failure out on us."
The other parents echoed his sentiments. Despite Anna's passionate appeals and the village elder's attempts to mediate, the meeting ended without resolution. The unrepentant parents refused to acknowledge their sons' roles as bullies. They left united against Anna's efforts to hold them responsible.
Exhausted and despairing, Anna questioned if she had only made things worse for Max by speaking out. But seeing his wounds again upon returning home, her resolve hardened. She would stand up for her son.