But hold on a moment child…

Fahran lets out a laugh.

Before walking forward, intent to become the greatest, there is something you should consider… Where are you right now? Are you near a beach? Is it hot or cold? How humid is the air, how's the pressure?

Where you are currently, if it is a good place, it is a wonderful indicator of what you want. If it is a bad place, it is an indication of what you don't want. At that point, you should be considering prevention methods.

But if it is a good place… If you feel that things are right… Then you have an inkling as to what you should be aiming for.

Because before that place is your path, your path of magic.

So? How is it? Do you feel fire in your veins? Or is there vengeance in your soul?

Are you a warrior or a saint?

There’s much to be said of the moment, and from it, much of the future can be divined… Well, on a good day.

And even divination is a path…

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But every path carries a price… For example, divination robs you of the experience… but at least you’ll know about it.

Fahran lets out another bellow.

If you’re a warrior, you will have enemies.

If you wish to burn everything in your path, people will not care for you.

If you wish to plant seeds… Well, the harvest is worth it to me…

Fahran lets out a chuckle.

“What are you laughing at old man?” A lady says from beneath the porch stairs.

Fahran looks up and his eyes widen.

“Child! You’ve come!” Fahran says with a smile.

“What child? This child has a child of her own. Come greet grandpa, Lily.” The lady says as she climbs the stairs with a little girl in hand.

The little girl climbs the stairs with her mother and looks at the old man. She wondered who he was, but she was a courteous girl; she waved hello.

Fahran smiles. “Hello, child.” He says, secretly delighted.

Fahran looks up at the lady. “Margaret. How’s my brother? And your mom?” He asks.

“Dad is doing good. Like you, he spends all day idling. But he’s taken up gardening. So he has something to do. Mum's taken up volunteering at the orphanage.” Margaret says as she takes a seat, placing the little girl on her lap.

Margaret looks at the view and lets out a sigh. “So? How is it here? How’s retirement?” She asks.

Fahran smiles. “It’s enough. I still have things to do.” He says. “Speaking of, I used to teach you magic. What do you wish I did better?” He asks, curious.

Margaret lets out a bitter laugh. “Don't remind me.” She says with a shake of her head. “You were a terrible teacher.” She says honestly.

Fahran raises an eyebrow. “How could that be? I wasn’t that bad?” He says.

Margaret lets out a sigh. “You were. I think it’s because you saw things at too high of a level. You couldn’t understand my perspective. Some things that were obvious to you were definitely not to me. And sometimes the things you said seemed absurd, sometimes even wrong. I would spend time wondering how you were so cold, so calculating.” She says before looking to Fahran. She puts a hand on Fahran’s arm. “But somehow, I don’t think it was your fault.” She says before letting go and hugging her child.

“Hmm.” Fahran says, considering the matter. “I suppose, I can be cruel at times. But alas, sometimes the world deserves cruelty.” He says.

Margaret lets out a bitter smile. “My advice, if you decide to teach magic again… Be a little gentler… Some kids need space to grow…” She says.

Fahran smiles. “I suppose you’re right.” He says with a shake of his head.