Paul's POV
It was evening when I returned home, bone-tired from the day's work.
Paul: "I'm home... ah, I'm beat."
Lily: "Welcome home, dear."
I kicked off my boots and plopped down near the door.
Paul: "Has Kai been home?"
Lily: "He didn't go out today... oh, I have some news!"
I raised an eyebrow, curious.
Paul: "What is it?"
Lily: "Someone from the guild came today. She's going to teach Kai magic!" She said, beaming with pride.
Paul: "Magic? Isn't it a little too early for that?"
Lily: "No way! He's only got three years left until the Royal Academy entrance exam!"
I sighed. She was right, of course.
Paul: "So, how much is this going to cost?"
Lily: "One gold coin, but we're providing room and board."
Paul: "O-One gold coin!?"
Lily: "Yes, but think about it—shouldn't we support our son in reaching his dreams?"
I rubbed the back of my neck, defeated.
Paul: "You're right... where is this magician now?"
Lily: "She's in Kai's room."
I decided to go see what they were up to.
Kai's POV
Alice: "To cast a spell, you must chant the incantation. Do you understand so far?"
Kai: "Yes!"
Magic wasn't as simple as I thought. One wrong word and the spell could fail.
Alice: "Is there anything you don't understand?"
I raised my hand.
Kai: "Master, isn't chanting slow? If we face a swordsman, won't we be at a disadvantage?"
She nodded.
Alice: "You're right. Magicians are vulnerable to quick attacks. But there are ways to deal with that, such as casting faster spells to slow down your opponent while you chant the bigger ones."
Kai: "What are fast spells?"
Alice: "They're immediate spells, ones that don't require much mana or chanting. I'll show you tomorrow."
Before I could ask more, the door creaked open, and Dad stepped inside, his heavy boots making a soft thud against the wooden floor. His frame filled the doorway as he glanced around, his eyes settling on me and Alice.
Paul: "Studying hard, I see."
He smiled faintly, though there was something tired behind his eyes.
I nodded quickly. "Yeah, Dad." The words felt a little stiff, probably because I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about all this magic stuff just yet.
Dad's eyes shifted from me to Alice, who stood tall and composed, her hand resting on the staff she always carried. Her blue hair, messy yet elegant, tumbled down her back, the moonlight from the window catching strands of it and making it almost glow.Her long, dark purple dress, adorned with subtle gold patterns, swayed slightly as she adjusted her stance. The wide-brimmed pointed hat she wore gave her the look of an experienced magician, adding to the air of mystery surrounding her.
Paul: "So, you're the one who'll teach my son, huh?"
His voice was calm but carried a note of seriousness, the protective father in him showing.
Alice: "Yes, I am Alice. It's a pleasure to meet you."
She bowed her head slightly, her hand gracefully tipping the brim of her hat. Her demeanor was respectful but firm, and she met Dad's gaze directly, unphased by his imposing presence.
Dad chuckled softly, his tension easing a bit.
Paul: "Haha, nice to meet you too. I hope you'll take good care of him."
Alice: "Of course. I'll make sure he's ready for whatever challenges lie ahead."
There was a confident glint in her eyes as she said this, and for the first time, I felt a little less doubtful about her being my teacher.
Dad's face softened. He stepped closer to me, ruffling my hair, though it didn't feel as embarrassing as usual.
Paul: "Alright, son, don't cause too much trouble for your master, okay?"
I grinned up at him.
Kai: "I won't, Dad."
With that, Dad left the room, but not before exchanging a quick glance with Alice. It was a silent exchange—one of those looks that adults give each other when they're sizing each other up. Alice stood her ground, though, still holding her hat, her eyes unwavering.