That should be enough meditation for the morning. I’ll ask the brothers if they want to have breakfast.

Adion got up from his bed and headed out of his room. As he opened the door, though, he saw Perk standing outside with an eager expression on his face. His younger brother was beside him, looking around with a bored look.

“Good morning, boss!” Perk greeted with a smile.

“Good morning,” Tib said.

“Er…what are you doing outside my room?” Adion asked.

“Waiting for you to wake up,” Perk said, “Are you ready to start training?”

“Well, you could have just knocked, you know? Anyway, we’ll start the training tonight. I have to go to Hevima to do my own training during the day.” Adion said.

“Oh,” Perk looked a little bummed out.

“You can train by yourselves while I’m gone,” Adion said, “You’re only a peak Stone mage. That’s far too weak. Meditate properly while I’m gone. And Tib, you should practice your mana manipulation.”

“I thought we would train my aura control,” Perk said.

“Once we’ve had a few sessions together, you’ll be able to handle it yourself,” Adion said.

“And I thought I would need to swear an Oath of loyalty before you showed me how to become a mage?” Tib questioned.

“Training your mana sense and mana manipulation will always come in handy,” Adion said, “Anyway, have you two had breakfast yet?”

“No,” Tib answered.

“Then let’s eat something,” Adion said.

The three headed downstairs and sat down at a table to order some food.

Perk and Tib both threw themselves over the food once it was placed in front of them.

Is this really worth the hassle? Yes. It should be. And they are good kids. Tib could become really remarkable if he makes good use of his Authority over shadow. If my theory is correct, he should be able to form a core a lot faster than he would have been able to without taking the pill.

Adion had based all his decisions regarding the pills on the letter he found along with them. It had stated that the recipient should take the Fire Phoenix Wisdom Pill once he had his core formed, and that the Grand Soul Clarity Pill would be of great use in the Soul stages.

This made Adion comfortable taking the wisdom pills as soon as he found them, and it also made him hesitate to try the other one.

Tib didn’t have a core, but Adion wasn’t going to hand him a Fire Phoenix Wisdom Pill; he would receive a Moon Shadow Panther Wisdom Pill. Adion had taken both those pills himself when he was just a weak Stone mage, and he knew that there wasn’t anything dangerous happening, just the awakening of his Authority. And Authority was connected to the soul, not the mana core.

The recipient of the letter had a shadow spark, and nothing was said about taking the Moon Shadow Panther Wisdom Pill once his core was formed. Adion theorized that it was probably obvious to take that pill earlier than that, as it would help significantly in practicing control of shadow mana and forming a shadow core. The reason for not taking the Fire Phoenix Wisdom Pill was probably just because there was no need to have that power that early. It might be confusing having that strange power all of a sudden, and take focus away from forming the core as soon as possible.

It is possible that I am completely wrong about everything, but I have to trust what I have experienced myself more than an old letter with unclear directives. It wasn’t like it was a proper guide containing all information on what to do in all situations. The recipient would be surrounded by powerful and knowledgeable mages, after all. If not the world had ended, that is.

“When will you be back?” Perk asked, finished with his breakfast.

“When the sun goes down,” Adion answered, “So we will have plenty of time tonight.”

“Okay, boss,” Perk nodded.

“Here,” Adion handed over some coins to the boy, “For lunch. You only get breakfast and dinner here. You will need the energy.”

“So much?” Perk asked.

“It’s just a couple of silver coins,” Adion shrugged. He then got up from his seat to leave. “Well, time for me to go. See you tonight.”

“See you later, boss,” Perk got up to bow. Tib hesitated for a while before following his brother’s lead.

Don’t know how I feel about that.

Adion left the inn and started walking to Hevima with hurried steps, not wanting to waste sunlight.

When he arrived, Quahim was already sitting by the window, painting as usual.

“Good morning, teacher,” Adion greeted.

“Good morning, Adion,” Quahim said, still looking at the painting in front of him.

Adion took a seat on the carpet in the middle of the studio and started conjuring shadows. He could do so in just over a second now, but there was still room for improvement. Adion didn’t spend much of his time in Quahim’s studio practicing his shadow anymore. Conjuring shadows the first thing in the morning was as far as plain shadow magic training went. He usually spent the rest of the day painting and reading.

He had a lot more use of training his shadow magic at his nightly excursions when he had a lot of shadows to play around with and could freely use his Authority. And he would need to practice his painting skills at some point. At least Quahim seemed to think it was important to paint, and Adion enjoyed it a lot, so he didn’t want to question it.

Once he had tired out his Will, Adion got up and prepared to start painting. He set up his canvas and mixed some colors on his palate. He was currently working on finishing the painting of Sell’s hair. It would be the second painting he would finish that wasn’t just for the purpose of practicing his skills. The first one had been the one overlooking the Endless Forest. He had finished it a few weeks ago and decided to name it ‘A world for the taking.’

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Quahim had only muttered ‘youth’ and walked away when Adion told him the name. But Adion was happy with it, and was planning to bring it with him to the Academy.

Adion got his mixture of colors ready in no time, as he had done the process for days already.

I think I’ll finish it soon. I will miss painting it. But I suppose I’ll get to see the real deal soon. That will be even better.

After painting in silence for a little over an hour, Adion turned to Quahim.

“Do you know any place nearby with a Moonlight Oak?” Adion asked his teacher.

“A Moonlight Oak? Why?” Quahim asked, turning to look at Adion.

“I need it for an Oath,” Adion said.

“Obviously,” Quahim said, “Who is taking the Oath?”

“Well,” Adion hesitated, “I guess I might have found myself a couple of subordinates.”

“Subordinates? Why?” Quahim asked.

“It could always be useful,” Adion said.

“Sure,” Quahim said, looking at Adion questioningly, “What’s the Oath for?”

“I will reveal some secrets sooner or later,” Adion said, “Need them to keep it quiet.”

“Hmm,” Quahim hummed, “There is one in the Lomerian Garden.”

“Really?” Adion asked, “I’ve never seen it.”

Adion had run through the Lomerian Garden several times. It was a beautiful park on the east side of the city. Anyone could enter for a few coins.

“They don’t advertise it,” Quahim said, “But most mages know of it.”

“I see,” Adion said, “Thank you, I’ll take a look.”

“So what is this secret that you don’t want them spilling? Your strength?” Quahim asked.

“That would be one thing,” Adion carefully nodded, keeping Atao firmly in the back of his mind.

“Are you really not going to indulge your old teacher?” Quahim asked.

I suppose I could tell him one thing. I might even catch him off guard.

Adion had thought about revealing his Gift to Quahim. It was something he would reveal at the admission anyway, so it would be common knowledge soon enough. And Adion wasn’t scared Quahim would sell him out. He could have done so long ago, knowing about Adion’s relationship with Sell.

“Do you really want to know?” Adion asked with a small grin.

“Not if you’re going to act all smug about it,” Quahim answered.

“How about I show you?” Adion asked.

“Mm,” Quahim nodded. Adion thought he could see some excitement in the old man’s eyes.

Adion focused and froze the space surrounding Quahim. He couldn’t hold on even for a second, though. His Will not a match against the Diamond mage.

“Really? No reaction?” Adion asked. Quahim hadn’t even widened his eyes in surprise.

“A Gift?” Quahim asked.

“Mm,” Adion nodded.

“What does it do exactly?” Quahim asked.

“I can stop things from moving. Powerful mages are a bit hard to keep still, though,” Adion answered.

“Interesting,” Quahim said, “How long can you stop someone at the same stage?”

“Long enough for my sword to pierce their heart,” Adion said.

Quahim was quiet for a while before a small smile slipped out. “Seems like my Sell didn’t just take a liking to your face.”

“It was probably the main part, though,” Adion said with a smile of his own.

“Hehe,” Quahim chuckled, “Interesting. Very interesting.”

Adion thought Quahim would ask more questions, but he simply turned around to continue his painting again.

He’s going to startle me with some question to see my reaction, isn’t he? I’ll make sure to keep Atao ready.

However, contrary to Adion’s thoughts, the day passed without any questions from Quahim. He simply sat in silence and focused on his painting the entire day.

“It’s getting dark,” Adion said once the sun was nearing the horizon.

“Mm,” Quahim nodded, “I’ll paint some more. I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Adion nodded, “Thank you for today, teacher.”

Adion put away his painting material and headed out of the studio.

Once on the street again, Adion enjoyed the fresh air. Even with so much going on, his mind was caught up with Sell at the moment.

I wonder where she is now? Is she on her way to the Academy already? What has she been up to since I saw her?

Adion knew she wouldn’t be visiting Rethi before going to the Academy. Quahim had told him. He also denied Adion’s wish to send her a letter, scolding him for having reckless ideas.

Stubborn old man. Surely, there should be a way of getting a letter to her without people knowing.

Adion got back to the inn and snapped out of his musings as he went to Perk’s and Tib’s rooms.

I’ll get them started and then head out for some shadow training later. I can’t put a break on my own progress too much.

“I’m back,” Adion announced as he knocked on their door.

“Boss!” Perk greeted happily once he opened the door.

“Mm,” Adion nodded, “Have you guys had dinner?”

“We did,” Perk answered.

“I guess I’ll wait with eating a little then,” Adion said, “Let’s go to my room, and I’ll start teaching you a few things.”

“Right away,” Perk said with a happy smile, “Tib, come one.”

“I’m coming,” Tib said, walking up to his brother.

Adion led them to his room and made them sit down on the floor while he took a seat on his bed.

“Alright, what do you know about aura?” Adion asked.

“It’s like the feeling of a person, right?” Perk asked.

“In a way,” Adion nodded, “Aura stems from the soul. If the soul is the sun, then aura is its warmth. And the soul carries with it everything a person is. Some things are very obvious, like the strength of a person. But there are less obvious things. We are talking about the soul here. With a sharp enough aura sense, you can tell everything there is to know about a person. Even going so far as to read their minds.”

Adion smiled as he saw Perk looking at him with a horrified expression, “Yes. I can.”

“Ah!” Perk yelled out and turned to his brother, “Boss can read our minds, Tib!”

“Hahaha,” Adion laughed, “I was only joking. I am nowhere near that skilled. I doubt anyone is. But it should be possible in theory. An example for you to see how far you can reach so as not to set the bar too low.”

Adion continued his lesson, making use of much of the knowledge Fellion had once taught him. But this time, Adion had a lot of insights to add as well. And as the brothers asked their questions, Adion realized that teaching was an excellent way of learning.

I guess this isn’t so bad.