Despite the setback with the other parents, Anna refused to give up fighting for her son. She went to appeal directly to the village elder once more.
"There must be something more we can do to stop these boys from harming Max," she implored. "I will not stand by as my child is beaten and abused."
The elder sympathized with her plight, but cautioned against rash action. "I cannot punish the boys without evidence or their parents' consent," he said. "But I will speak to them myself, and to others in the village, to be alert for any bullying. And I advise you to keep Max close by your side for now."
Anna nodded, downcast but not defeated. She would be extra vigilant about Max's activities and whereabouts. When Max was upset that she insisted on accompanying him everywhere, she simply said the village was no longer safe for him alone.
Months passed without further bullying incidents as Anna kept close protectiveness over Max. He chafed under her constant supervision, but Anna refused to budge - Max's safety was paramount.
Anna was a mother hen, who was protective of her chick, but instead of the chick following the mother it was the other way around.
The day finally arrived when Grandma Rumi's magical mentor friend, Mr. Talbott, was due to move into their home to begin instructing Max. Rumi had written to the reclusive sorcerer who owed her past favors.
Though eccentric, Mr. Talbott was renowned for mastering complex spells and agreed to tutor Max in the arcane arts.
On a sunny morning, a horse-drawn carriage halted outside their cottage. A tall, slender man with a balding head and long silver-grey beard stepped out. "You must be Madam Rumi's family," he declared in a sonorous voice. "I am Mr. Agilbert Talbott, Master Sorcerer."
After greeting Max and Anna, the eccentric Mr. Talbott immediately asked to see "his dear Madam Rumi" again after so many years apart. Anna led him to Rumi's room, where the white-haired sorcerer dramatically grasped Rumi's hands, exclaiming "My beautiful Rumi, how delightful it is to see your radiant face again!"
Rumi chuckled at her old friend's flamboyant manner. "Still the incurable romantic I see, Talbott. Come now, we aren't blushing youths anymore."
"Nonsense, your beauty remains timeless," insisted Talbott, kissing her hand gallantly as Rumi swatted him away with a smile. "Ah, what adventures we shared back then! Do you recall the time I conjured that marvelous illusory forest for your birthday picnic?"
Rumi's eyes twinkled at the memory. "How could I forget? The animals and trees all seemed so real. Yet you made the sky rain chocolate truffles instead of water!"
They shared a laugh, lost for a moment in nostalgia. Then Talbott sighed. "My biggest regret is letting your husband steal your heart from me back then. Jerome was a good man, but we would have been magical together...in every sense of the word!" He added a playful wink.
"Now Talbott, you know my heart chose its own path," Rumi chided gently. "But we have remained the dearest of friends over the years. I am forever grateful for your presence in my life."
Talbott patted her hand affectionately. "You speak true, as always. My life is richer for knowing you, Rumi. Now!" he exclaimed, abruptly shifting tone, "Let us look to the future, not the past. I am here to mold young Maximus into a sorcerer without parallel!"
At dinner that night, Talbott regaled Max and Anna with tales of his travels and studies around the world. "...and so I told the Sultan, that's no enchanted flying carpet, that's my bath towel! Needless to say, I departed Agrabah quickly after that misunderstanding."
Max listened raptly, fascinated by the magical mishaps and mysteries Talbott described. He found it hard to sleep that night, imagining the incredible abilities he might learn from this eccentric master sorcerer.
The next morning, Max rushed eagerly to his first lesson with Talbott. For hours, they sat outdoors as Talbott spoke of magical history, theory and philosophy, cautioning Max that proper foundations were essential. Though initially disappointed they did not practice active spells, Max soon found himself enthralled by the glimpse Talbott gave into this profound, complex craft. He had much yet to learn, but the long path of study and discipline now stretched excitingly before him.
For the first six months, Talbott did not actually teach Max any spells. Instead, he focused entirely on strengthening Max's body and mind to prepare him for the rigors of magic.
Each day began at sunrise with Talbott leading Max through extensive physical exercises - running, swimming, climbing, and other endurance training. Max was then made to do increasing numbers of pushups, sit-ups, and other calisthenics to build his strength and stamina.
In the afternoons, Talbott had Max engage in mental concentration exercises. He would give Max a small bowl and have him continuously refill a massive water tank, drop by drop, using only his focus and willpower.
For three months, Max struggled with this grueling regiment. Collpasing exhausted at the end of each day, he was disheartened that he could not yet fill the tank fully day after day.
After months of grueling physical and mental exercises without learning any actual magic, Max finally cracked. "Master Talbott, I can't take this anymore!" he cried out in frustration one day. "You promised to teach me real sorcery, but all we do is run, climb and move water drops! I'm exhausted and I want to quit."
Talbott gazed steadily at the distraught boy. "Maximus, I understand this has been difficult," he said calmly. "But there are reasons for my methods. Magic is incredibly dangerous in untrained hands. You must have complete control of body and mind first, or spells could wreak havoc."
"But why does it have to be so hard?" Max complained bitterly. "I'll never be good enough if this keeps up. The other kids already make fun of me for being some 'magic apprentice' but I can't even do anything!"
Sighing, Talbott gestured for Max to sit beside him. "Listen to me closely," he said gently. "True mastery never comes easily or quickly. Think of magic like...learning to sail. First, you must build a sturdy vessel. Then gain your sea legs by riding smaller waves before daring big ones. And learn to navigate by the stars, not just drift aimlessly. Does this make sense?"