Mrs. Hargrove took Leo's hand and led him to the bakery to get a honey cake. She hadn't been in town for a long time, but the familiar scent of freshly baked goods brought memories rushing back. As they rounded the corner, her eyes widened at the sight of the shop. The once small, quaint bakery had expanded into a bustling hub of activity, with a line out the door and windows filled with colorful, elaborate pastries.
"Well, I guess she really did get to live her dream," Mrs. Hargrove said with a soft smile, admiring her sister's success.
Leo glanced up at the sign above the shop—"Hearth's Bakes & Brews." As they stepped inside, the warmth and sweet aroma wrapped around them like a comforting embrace. The scent of honey, cinnamon, and freshly baked bread filled the air. Leo's gaze was immediately drawn to the glowing orbs floating near the ceiling—small, playful fire wisps gently illuminating the space and keeping it pleasantly warm.
The shop was cozy yet vibrant, with wooden tables and chairs scattered around, each adorned with a small wisp hovering nearby, casting soft, flickering light. The fire wisps danced in midair, their glowing bodies pulsing in rhythm with the energy of the shop, bringing a magical touch to the bakery's welcoming atmosphere.
A woman in her mid-thirties with flour-dusted hands and a joyful expression approached them, her smile as bright as the glowing wisps above.
"Oh my, Beth! You came by! It's been years—how have you been?" Mrs. Hearth, the bakery's owner, exclaimed as she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Hey, sis!" Mrs. Hargrove laughed warmly, stepping forward to hug her sister. "I'm in town for business, but I thought I'd show Leo around. It looks like your bakery has really taken off—I'm so proud of you!"
Mrs. Hearth beamed, looking around her thriving shop. "It's been a lot of work, but I love it. And it's nice to have a place where people can relax." She glanced down at Leo. "Would you like something sweet, Leo?"
Leo nodded shyly, his eyes still glued to the mesmerizing fire wisps floating overhead.
"Could I get two honey cakes?" Mrs. Hargrove asked, inhaling the irresistible scent. "The smell is driving me crazy."
Mrs. Hearth grinned. "Of course! I just took some out of the oven."
After receiving their cakes—golden, drizzled with honey, and warm to the touch—the sisters sat down at a small table near the window. They caught up on life, work, and the bakery, while Leo quietly nibbled on his treat, letting his mind drift. The honey cake was sweet and rich, melting in his mouth, and for a moment, it helped calm the storm brewing inside him.
But the worry wouldn't fade completely.
"Why haven't my mom and dad come back yet? It's been two days since the attack," Leo thought, his chest tightening with anxiety. He looked around the shop again, watching the fire wisps dance lazily in the air. His magic training allowed him to control up to ten wisps at once, and while the effort was minimal, his mind wasn't on magic. He was more concerned with the sudden disappearance of his parents, and the uncertainty gnawed at him like a dark shadow creeping through the back of his mind.
In the world Leo lived in, magic was as much a part of life as breathing. Controlling wisps—small, elemental spirits of energy—was among the most basic forms of magic. Most people could only command one or two wisps at a time, but Leo, even at his young age, had advanced control. He was able to direct up to ten wisps simultaneously, a feat that placed him on the path to becoming a skilled Arcanist.
The wisps themselves were drawn to places of warmth, light, and strong emotions, feeding off the ambient magic in the world. Fire wisps, like the ones in the bakery, thrived in cozy environments, providing both light and heat. They were harmless, playful beings that enhanced the atmosphere of places like this, but Leo knew there were other kinds of wisps—more powerful, dangerous ones that were used for combat, healing, or even darker purposes.
Leo's mind drifted back to the present as he finished the last bite of his honey cake, savoring the sweetness lingering on his tongue. He took a sip of the honey milk that Mrs. Hearth had thoughtfully served with the cake, the warm, creamy drink complementing the rich flavors perfectly. Across the table, he saw Mrs. Hargrove chatting with her sister, but now she was walking back toward him.
"So, what do you think of the cake?" Mrs. Hargrove asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"It's great!" Leo exclaimed, nodding enthusiastically. "You should ask for the recipe for your bakery back home. The warm, sweet cake would definitely help raise the spirits of the villagers." His tone was earnest, thinking about how the soft, comforting flavors might bring some cheer back to their troubled village.
Mrs. Hargrove paused for a moment, considering his suggestion. She smiled softly, touched by his thoughtfulness. "You know, that's not a bad idea. I'll ask her before we leave. It could be a nice addition to what we offer back home."
After a moment, she glanced around the bakery, taking in the lively, magical atmosphere one last time before they left. "So, what else would you like to see while we're in town? There's a magic shop just down the road if you want to take a look around."
Leo's eyes lit up, excitement bubbling up inside him. "Yes! I want to see it! I hope they have some books for the classes I'll be taking," he said, practically bouncing in his seat.
Mrs. Hargrove chuckled at his enthusiasm, remembering her own early days as a magic student. "Well, let's go, then. I'm sure they'll have something interesting."
As they left the bakery, the cool breeze of the bustling town square greeted them. The streets were lively, with people going about their day, vendors selling enchanted trinkets, and magical creatures flying overhead. Leo's excitement only grew with each step they took toward the magic shop.
The shop itself was tucked between two tall, ivy-covered buildings, with a sign that read "Wonders & Whimsy" in glowing, enchanted letters. The windows were lined with old tomes, glowing potions, and strange artifacts that hummed with magical energy. As they stepped inside, a soft chime rang, and Leo felt a sudden rush of cool air scented with parchment, herbs, and something faintly metallic—likely the smell of alchemical concoctions brewing in the back.
The interior of the shop was filled with shelves upon shelves of books, magical tools, and oddities that seemed to shift and move on their own. A floating quill scribbled on parchment at the counter while small light wisps floated above, illuminating the space with a soft glow.
Leo's heart raced as he scanned the titles of the books nearest to him—everything from beginner spellcraft to advanced studies on elemental theory. He quickly moved over to a section that caught his attention: "Advanced Wisp Control: A Study of Elemental and Arcane Manipulation." He could barely contain his excitement as he pulled the book off the shelf.
"I think I've found the first thing I want to get," Leo said, turning to Mrs. Hargrove, who was browsing through a shelf of magical crystals and amulets.
"Good choice," Mrs. Hargrove said, smiling as she glanced over the selection. "That's a great book for honing your skills with wisps. I used it when I was in school."
As they continued to browse, a kind-looking older man approached from the back of the store. He wore a long robe with intricate silver patterns that shimmered with arcane symbols. His hair was white, and his eyes, though aged, had a sharpness that spoke of wisdom and experience.
"Looking for something in particular, young one?" he asked, his voice gentle but filled with authority.
Leo glanced up, wide-eyed. "I'm just looking for books to help with my studies. I'll be starting classes soon."
The man nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, a young mage in training. Then you'll need more than just books on theory. Practice is just as important as knowledge." He gestured toward a nearby shelf that had several small, glowing crystals. "These wisps-in-a-crystal will help you practice controlling multiple wisps at once. You release the wisp from the crystal, and it'll follow your commands, allowing you to hone your skills without needing a naturally occurring one."
Leo's eyes widened as he looked at the colorful crystals. "Wisps-in-a-crystal? That sounds amazing! Can I try one?"
The man smiled. "Of course. Pick one, and we'll give it a go."