The morning sunlight poured through the dining room windows, casting a soft glow across the rustic wooden table. Aiden shuffled into the dinkng room, his footsteps heavy with the weight of sleep. His hair stuck out at odd angles, and he rubbed his eyes, yawning as the smell of freshly brewed coffee hit him.
It was the first time Aiden didn't bother with his appearance. While he would always wake up in the crack of dawn and carefully brush out his hair to keep it tame so as to not let anyone see his bedhead, in Soleil, his life is now different.
He doesn't have to be as prim as before, as he wasn't expected now.
At the head of the table sat Vesper, his dark hair slightly mussed and his sharp features softened in the quiet morning light. He held a steaming cup of coffee in his hands, his posture relaxed but his gaze keen as he noticed Aiden's arrival.
"Morning, son," Vesper said warmly, gesturing to the chair across from him. "Take a seat. Einya's in the kitchen working her usual magic. Breakfast will be ready soon."
The word son made Aiden pause mid-step. He wasn't used to anyone calling him that- especially not someone like Mr. Caleena. It didn't sit badly with him exactly, but it felt… strange.
Awkwardly, he nodded and mumbled, "Uh… good morning... s-sir, I mean... Mr. C," before sliding into the chair.
Vesper raised a brow, a faint smile playing on his lips as he noted Aiden's hesitation but chose not to comment. Instead, he took another sip of his coffee, his eyes watching Aiden as if trying to read his thoughts.
"Adrian up yet?" Vesper asked after a moment, breaking the silence.
"Nope. He's snoring so loudly, I thought the windows might shatter. Honestly, I'm surprised the whole neighbourhood didn't wake up thinking an earthquake hit."
Vesper laughed, the sound deep and genuine. "Aye, like father, like son," he said, shaking his head. "When Adrian was a boy, his snoring could wake the neighbours. Of course, Einya didn't take kindly to mine either. She once threatened to throw me into the garden to sleep with the dogs."
Aiden chuckled, the unease beginning to fade under the warmth of Vesper's humour. But the light atmosphere shifted when Vesper leaned forward, his expression growing more thoughtful.
"You've got quite the magic aura about you, Aiden," he began, setting his mug down. "Ever since your powers awakened, it's been... very haywire."
Aiden straightened, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean, Mr. C?"
"Your aura- it's loud and untamed. That's how Adrian found you so quickly in the woods. Your magic was practically screaming for attention."
"Oh," Aiden murmured, the memory of Adrian's sudden appearance flickering in his mind. "So, that's what he meant when he said he found me easily."
"Exactly," Vesper said, rising from his chair. "Now, since I'm finished with my coffee, let's head out for a while. There's something I want to show you."
Curiosity mingled with apprehension as Aiden quickly got up and followed Vesper through the house. They stepped out into the back garden, a tranquil space alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and birdsong. Dew still clung to the grass, glinting in the early morning light.
Vesper turned to Aiden, folding his arms across his chest. "Tell me, Aiden. Do you know how to control your emotions?"
Aiden shrugged. "Yeah, I think so. I've had plenty of practice keeping my cool."
"Good, now, apply that same principle but to your powers."
Aiden frowned, not entirely sure what Mr. Caleena meant, but he closed his eyes and tried. Reaching inward, he focused on the strange energy that had been bubbling inside him ever since his powers awakened. He tried to push it down, to force it into submission. But no matter how hard he concentrated, nothing happened. The garden remained still.
When he opened his eyes, Vesper was shaking his head, his expression equal parts amused and patient.
"You're doing it wrong, son," Vesper said, his tone gentle but firm.
Aiden flinched slightly at the word son again.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"What you're trying to do isn't control; it's suppression. You're bottling your magic up, locking it away in a small box like it's something to fear. But magic isn't something you can trap. It's part of you. Like your heartbeat or your breath. You have to let it flow naturally."
"But… what if it gets out of control?"
"That's why we're here," Vesper replied, placing a reassuring hand on Aiden's shoulder. "Years of suppressing your magic have made it unstable, Aiden. That's why your aura is so wild; it's like a dam about to burst. But if you let your magic out little by little, you'll learn to shape it, to guide it. Control doesn't mean forcing it down. It means understanding it—trusting it."
Taking a deep breath, Aiden closed his eyes again. This time, he didn't fight the magic. Instead, he allowed it to rise, following its natural rhythm. Warmth bloomed inside him, spreading from his chest to his hands.
When Aiden opened his eyes, Vesper was smiling, his pride evident. "There you go," he said softly. "See? You've got it in you, lad. You just needed to stop fighting it."
Aiden stared at the shimmering light on his hands, his emotions a mix of relief and awe.
"Thanks," he said quietly, unsure what else to say.
Vesper clapped him on the shoulder, his smile widening. "We've got plenty of work to do, son," he said with a wink, "but this is a good start. Trust me, we'll make a proper Magi of you yet."
Aiden felt the familiar awkwardness at being called son again, but this time, he didn't correct Vesper.
Instead, he let the word linger, like the warmth of his magic.
It wasn't until almost nine in the morning that Adrian decided to wake up. He padded downstairs, looking like a tornado ransacked his bed, and noticed the house was quiet, save for the faint clatter of pots and pans from the kitchen. He followed the noise instinctively, only to realise it led not inside, but to the back door.
As he approached the back door, he noticed his mother, standing just outside. She was leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed, gazing out into the backyard. A faint smile played on her lips, though her expression seemed more contemplative than cheerful.
Adrian opened the door, stepping out into the crisp air.
"Morning, Mum," he mumbled, his voice rough with sleep. "What are you doing out here?"
Einya turned her head slightly to look at him, and noticing her son still sleepy, she gave a peck at his forehead. "Good morning, my dear," she said softly. "Just watching your father and Aiden."
"Huh? Did you say Aiden? What's he doing up this early?" He stepped closer, his curiosity piqued, and followed her gaze to the backyard.
There, in the centre of the garden, stood his father and Aiden. The scene was startling enough to wake Adrian fully.
Aiden was standing several paces away from his father, his hands raised and glowing with the unmistakable flames. His expression was a mix of concentration and frustration, his jaw clenched as he hurled a small fireball toward Vesper.
"Focus, Aiden!" Vesper barked, his voice carrying across the yard. With a casual wave of his hand, Vesper deflected the fireball into the ground. "Don't hold back- trust yourself. You've got more in you than this."
Adrian blinked, his grogginess replaced by surprise and amusement.
"He's throwing... fireballs at Dad?" he asked, glancing at his mother.
Einya chuckled softly. "Your father's teaching him to control his magic. He's… less patient than I'd be, but it's effective in its own way."
"Yeah, 'effective' until Aiden sets something on fire," Adrian muttered, his lips quirking into a smirk. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms as he watched.
In the yard, Aiden hesitated, lowering his hands slightly. "I don't know if this is a good idea," he said, doubt flickering across his face.
Vesper stepped forward, his tone firm but not unkind. "That's your problem, son. You're doubting yourself. Magic doesn't thrive on hesitation- it thrives on certainty. You've got to trust yourself. Trust that you can control it."
"But what if I mess up? What if—"
"No 'what ifs,'" Vesper interrupted sharply. "Just focus. Stop thinking so much and let it flow."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, leaning closer to his mother. "Doesn't sound like Dad's going easy on him."
Einya smiled faintly, her eyes never leaving the two in the yard. "Your father believes in tough lessons, but he wouldn't push Aiden if he didn't think he could handle it."
In the yard, Aiden took a deep breath, his hands glowing brighter as he summoned another fireball. This time, his movements were quicker, more fluid, and the flame streaked toward Vesper with more force.
Vesper deflected it again, though his expression showed a flicker of satisfaction. "Better," he said. "Now do it again—and this time, believe in what you're doing."
"Poor Aiden. He has no idea what he's signed up for."
Einya glanced at him, her smile growing. "Perhaps. But he's learning—and more importantly, he's trying."
Adrian watched for a moment longer, a mix of admiration and amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Well, he's got guts, I'll give him that," he said, pushing off the doorframe. "Guess I'll grab some bacon and see how long he lasts out there."
Einya laughed softly as Adrian turned back toward the house, the sounds of Aiden's determined efforts and Vesper's commanding voice continuing to echo across the garden.