“You have learned the magi language enough to speak it as a native would.” Teacher Broffenberg nods. “These past four years you have worked very hard. Even though it’s two years early, I will recommend you for the Sorena Royal Academy.”

Unable to contain my glee at the prospect of attending magic school, I jump up and run to hug her. “Thank you, Teacher Broffenberg.”

“Then, this will be my last lesson on magic to you before you are enrolled.” She pulls away from me and sits me back down in my chair. “Let’s review a few points. Mana can be infused into any language to invoke a spell, but we use the magi language because it proves to be the most efficient with mana. The more raw the mana, the more powerful the spell will be, but if you do not purify mana after absorbing it for usage, then it will run rampant and you will turn into a first generation demon. Ways around this are using mana stones or items that are etched with proper runes, which allows the channeling of raw mana either stored within the stone or taken from the air around you. So, according to all of this, here is my question for you, to ponder as you progress through magic school. Why does raw mana run rampant within us, but not within demons or mana stones?”

I’ve always wondered how to keep mana under control without purifying it, but I never bothered to ask why. It’s like when most readers read a book for entertainment and see the logic of a world is flawed, but they don’t bother to ask why because it’s a suspension of disbelief. It’s natural to that world and no one questions it.

“That concludes our final lesson.” The magician kneels beside my chair and looks up at me. “Nova, you are a star that will shine brightly like the sun, a talented and bright child the likes of which have rarely been seen. It is my hope to see you lead humanity into a new world.”

Why do I feel like the past five years of my life have been full of raised flags?

“You will turn ten in the next week, and after that, you will be joining as a first year in the Academy. I wish you luck and much growth while you are there.”

“Thank you, Teacher Broffenberg.”

“I regret that I have been summoned for an important meeting and will not be able to attend your birthday banquet. Before I leave, is there anything you wish to know?”

I clench my fists in my lap. Maybe she will answer this time, considering the question she asked me. “All this time, my parents, Teacher Mannes and you have all kept me from learning much about demons, so I have always wondered, if demons are born from living beings with rampant mana, then how come there is a separate world for demons?”

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She sighs and glances down before looking back up sadly. “That was a world devastated by demons. The humans in that world were unable to withstand the wave of demons that attacked, and demons took over. All the mana ran rampant in every living being, and the world became known as the demon world.”

“Then there are worlds besides ours.”

“There are countless worlds.”

“Have you visited many other worlds?”

Smiling, she shakes her head. “I’ve only visited a few in my time.”

“Have you visited the demon world?”

Her eyes flash with sadness. “Yes.” Before I can ask another question, she retrieves a box the size of a pad of sticky notes from her pocket and holds it up to me. “Now, these are my farewell and early birthday presents to you.”

I gingerly take the box, wrapped in a rose gold ribbon. “Thank you. May I open it now?”

“Of course.” She nods her assent.

Carefully, I pull the ends of the perfect bow and pull off the ribbon. After placing it on the table next to me, I remove the top of the box and then nearly drop it in surprise. “These are too precious for me. I don’t-”

“Do you dislike them?”

“That’s not it but-” I can feel my ears begin to burn.

“If you don’t dislike them, then please accept them, my first gifts to my first pupil.”

“First pupil?” I stare at her in shock. I know getting someone as accomplished as her as a teacher is extremely difficult, but I didn’t know I was her first student. “How old are you, Teacher?”

“Don’t you know that it’s rude to ask a lady’s age.” She laughs softly and takes the box from my hands. Standing up, she pulls out a necklace and clasps the chain around my neck. Then she places a ring on my thumb. “I do believe that your index finger will fit into this ring in a few years, but for now it will fit on your thumb well, or you can put it on a chain and hang it around your neck.”

Shocked, I fight to regain my composure. “Then I shall gratefully accept.”

On her face is the kindest smile I have ever seen from her. There is a tinge of sadness in her posture. “Since I am busy, you shouldn’t see me out. I will let your parents know.”

Before she leaves the room, I give her another hug. “Thank you, Teacher Broffenberg.”

“The pleasure is mine,” she says, hugging me back. “If fate wills, may we meet again soon.”

She leaves and I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, a crying wreck, with the necklace around my neck and the ring on my thumb. The necklace, a simple silver chain with a tear-shaped, black pendant, shines softly with mana, a protective spell etched into it. Around my thumb is a one-piece, rose gold colored ring made of the highest quality mana stone.