Alice's POV
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft silver glow over the village as I made my way toward Paul and Lily's house. The quiet of the night offered no comfort—something had been bothering me about Kai, and it was becoming more apparent in every lesson. He wasn't himself, and I had a feeling tonight's conversation with Paul would be difficult.
As I reached the door, I could hear soft murmurs inside. Paul and Lily were waiting, just as Paul had asked after today's lesson. The concern in his voice when he mentioned Kai was unmistakable. I stepped inside, the warmth of the house washing over me as the door closed behind.
Paul was sitting near the fire, staring into the flames as if searching for answers. Lily sat beside him, her hands folded in her lap, her face a mask of quiet concern. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on all of us.
Paul glanced up at me, his expression betraying the worry he always tried to hide. "Alice, it's been six months since you began training Kai, hasn't it?"
His voice was calm, but the underlying tension was clear. I nodded, feeling the weight of my own concerns rising.
Alice: "Yes, it has."
Paul leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing. "So, what do you think of him?"
I paused, considering my words carefully. Kai had always been dedicated, hardworking, and eager to learn. But something had changed recently—something that I couldn't quite explain but could feel deeply.
Alice: "Kai is a remarkable student. His intelligence and understanding of magic theory are beyond his years. His control over spells is excellent."
Paul's expression softened, but I knew I had to continue. There was more to say, things that couldn't be ignored.
Alice: "But there are two things I've noticed. Problems, really."
Paul sat up straighter, and Lily's gaze flicked to me, the tension in the room growing.
Paul: "Two problems?"
I took a deep breath. "The first problem is that, at the beginning, Kai was progressing rapidly—absorbing everything I taught him. But after his... confrontation with Akio, something changed."
Paul's face darkened at the mention of Akio. "Akio's words really hit him, didn't they? I didn't realize it was so serious."
Alice: "It wasn't a physical fight, but emotionally, it left a scar. Akio's words about Kai leaving the village—about abandoning their promise to protect it—shook him. Since then, Kai hasn't been able to give his all. He's holding back, doubting himself."
Paul's jaw tightened, and I could see the frustration and sadness in his eyes. Lily reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm, but said nothing. The atmosphere grew heavier.
Paul: "I see. I didn't think Akio's tantrum would affect him this much."
Alice: "Kai and Akio had a bond, a promise to protect this village together. When Akio lashed out, Kai took it to heart. He's questioning his path, and until he resolves this, I fear his progress will continue to stall."
Paul let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair. "I had no idea it was weighing on him like this."
Alice: "There's more. The second issue is his mana capacity. Normally, as a magician trains, their mana capacity grows in tandem with their knowledge. But with Kai, it's different. His mind is developing faster than his body can keep up. His mana capacity is growing too slowly."
Paul's face hardened. "That's… concerning. So what does that mean for him?"
Lily, who had been silent so far, leaned forward, her voice soft but filled with worry. "Is there something we can do? To help him?"
I shook my head slowly. "There's no easy fix. His mana capacity can grow, but it will take time—more time than we originally thought. What worries me more is the emotional block. If he can't resolve the conflict with Akio, his progress will continue to be hindered, no matter how hard he trains."
Paul leaned back, his face etched with worry and frustration. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows on the walls as he processed everything. His desire to push Kai toward greatness was clear, but so was his instinct to protect his son from the harsh realities of the world.
Paul: "I didn't realize how much Akio's words had impacted him. I just… I want to see him succeed, but not like this."
Alice: "Kai has the potential to overcome this. He's strong, but he needs to find his way again. The bond with Akio is more important than it seems. It's tied to his sense of purpose."
Lily: "He needs to remember why he started this journey in the first place."
Her voice was quiet but determined. She and Paul exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them.
Paul: "We'll talk to him. Lily and I. Maybe we can help him find that spark again. Help him realize he's not alone."
I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. Kai's path was full of obstacles, but with the right support, he could push through. He had to.
Outside, the moonlight bathed the village in its gentle glow, the night as silent as ever. But I knew that, soon enough, both Kai and Akio would face even greater challenges. And when those moments came, they would need each other more than ever.