I walked over to Adrian’s place, discarding the cigarette out of respect for his home.

The door was unlocked, but I didn’t go inside, waiting to be allowed inside.

Adrian’s wife led me inside. Adrian mentioned her often--usually not positively--but the few times that I met his wife she didn’t have good things to say about him either. Their bickering was mutual.

I didn’t know if that made it a healthy relationship.

Then again, what did I know about relationships beyond friendship?

I pursed my lips at a recollection. Romance, it was intoxicating, wasn't it?

I had been confessed to once. It was a bad time for both of us. It was only natural that it ended in tears.

I touched my lips with my finger, “Assertive woman,” I muttered, remembering the sudden kiss, “A shame I was dealing with my own problems then,” I said wistfully.

Remembering the time that led to my escape from the society of mages, I clenched my hand.

“A bad time for it, huh?” I mocked myself, “That’s one way to put it.” Being honest with myself, I was a mess at that time.

“Bad time for what?” Adrian walked in from the back, hearing the vocal part of my thoughts.

“I was reminiscing,” I said honestly, "I'd rather not say about what," I said, protecting my own dignity.

“About what? The countries you conquered? The princesses that you rescued? Perhaps, forbidden magic that you happened to uncover?” he said inquisitively, but clearly not taking himself seriously.

“I was a former mage, not a war hero or some ancient magus,” I said simply, looking at Adrian for his ridiculous remarks. He was making fun of me.

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“Oh,” he said, “‘Ancient Magus'? What’s that?”

“An informal term. I was just referring to mages from ancient times, it’s vaguely related to what we were talking about, it's not worth asking about,” I said, tapping my foot.

“I’m curious now, tell me more,” Adrian asked.

Clicking my tongue, I gave him a crude summary of one of the most famous ancient magus, “Gemet, dubbed the ‘Heretical Scholar’. Some genius mage obsessed with modifying his body by grafting beast appendages and enchanting his body with experimental magic to create something he called ‘perfection’. Accounts say that he wasn’t killed from some external threat, but his own experiments.”

“What differentiates his genius from lunacy?” Adrian said, frowning.

“The difference is simple,” I said, barely caring--every mage knew this, “He was successful.”

“That’s disturbing,” Adrian commented, trying to shake off what he just heard. I wouldn't let him forget so easily.

“Just think of all the beasts he killed,” I smiled, “All the people he grafted to confirm his findings before experimenting on himself,” my smile grew, “That’s not even considering any of his side projects. Truly a mad genius,” I said, recounting what an old mentor had told me about Gemet.

“I was going to serve you something to eat,” Adrian said, gagging a little, imagining Gemet’s deeds, “But for my own sake, I’d rather not bring food out anymore.”

“Shall we talk about something more lighthearted?” I asked.

“Obviously,” Adrian replied, narrowing his eyes and speaking quickly, “You didn’t even need to ask. Of course,” he continued, his intonation slowly rising in pitch.

“How’s your son?” I asked, breaking the flow of the conversation.

“I’m glad you asked,” Adrian said, nodding, pleased, “Good as ever.”

***

“Just show me the slightest bit!” Alaric begged, “Just the smallest sliver! I want to see it--your magic!” He called, beckoning me to relent.

I pointed a finger at Alaric’s clothes, and after a short moment it caught on fire, and Alaric didn’t immediately notice.

“Satisfied?” I asked, walking off to my own house, to tailor.

Alaric swatted the portion of his clothes that began to burn, desperately extinguishing it. He looked at me,baffled, “How did you do that!?” he asked, surprised, “It doesn’t seem like fire magic… but…” Alaric ruffled his head, “Argh,” he shrieked quietly, clutching his hair, “It doesn’t make sense!”

“I’ll leave you with that food for thought,” I said, entering then slamming the door to my house shut as I did so.