Wakening up I can feel someone holding me. I open my eyes and see an old man. My first instincts are to start struggling. I thrash around in the man's grip causing him to notice my awakening. Though my thrashing isn’t effective enough to have the man release me.

“Don’t worry child.” I hear a calming voice respond. It reminds me of waves hitting the shore. “I will not hurt you.”

I stop thrashing and stare at the man. His eyes are gray but clear. His stare feels like it can see through any lie.

“Good. I am Ashvan.” Ashvan says to me. I can only nod in response.

Seeing me nod he looks slightly surprised before asking “Can you understand me?” I nod again at his question. He smiles brightly and says “Good this will make things easier.”

“As I said before I am Ashvan. I am currently traveling to my homeland of Loric where I am headmaster of water magic at the school of Four Elements.” Ashvan explains to me. “I found you in the river and made an oath with the water to protect you.”

I nod again and relax finally. I don’t know why but I can feel that I can trust this man.

“I don’t know why you were in the river but I will raise you no matter what. I will also teach you all that I know about water magic and the proper way to use it.” Ashvan says. “You will be my only disciple.”

That’s what I want! I want to learn magic. I start shaking a little in excitement. Ashvan looks at me but can’t tell how I’m feeling. His face turns a little dejected before saying, “Do you not want to learn magic from me?”

No! I mean, Yea I want to learn magic from you! I shout in my head. I don’t know how to tell him that.

“I see so that is indeed the case then.” Ashvan sighs sadly. No! I want to learn! Please teach me! I want to start now!

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I really need to figure out how to tell him. I can’t speak so that’s not an option. I can’t respond in any descriptive way.

While thinking of ways to tell Ashvan that I want to learn he continues to carry me along the road. After some time he sighs and pulls out a cup. With a wave of his hand water appears and pours into the cup.

That’s it! I yell in my mind. I can control that water in the cup to make him understand. I start thinking to try and manipulate the water inside the cup. I’m able to move it so that it’s sticking to the top of the cup.

I watch Ashvan raise the cup to drink. After a few seconds a confused look appeared on his face. He looks into the cup and sees the water sticking to the top of the cup. He turns to me with a surprised expression.

“Did you do this?” He asks calmly. I nod in response. His face turns bright as a smile spread across his face.

“So you want to learn magic from me then?” He asks. I nod again. His smile grows wider.

“Then you were shaking to tell me you wanted to start learning now?” He asks. I nod again. His smile grows even wider. It’s almost to the point where his whole face has turned into a smile.

“Good! Good!” Ashvan starts saying while laughing. “Fine then I’ll start teaching you magic now. Since you’re still young I can’t give you the direct way I train with water magic. I’ll wait till you can walk to do that.”

Eh? I need to be able to walk to learn his magic? I need to try and start walking soon then!

“For now I’ll just start with the basics of magic.” Ashvan says with a smile. He’s walking with more of a bounce to his step now.

“First is the elements. Currently there are four with variations in each element. The four major elements are Fire, Earth, Wind, Water. Each represent a certain attribute and specialize in one thing.” Ashvan start his explanation. It seems he really is a teacher.

“Do you want to learn about all of the elements? If not I can just focus on Water.” Ashvan asks me. I nod in response. It’s better to know about all elements than just mine.

“Good. Fire is attributed with destruction and specializes in attacking. Earth is attributed to stability and specializes in defense. Wind is attributed with swiftness and specializes in mobility. Water is attributed to adaptability and specializes in healing.”

“However, even though they are specialized doesn’t mean they are limited to that. That means that earth can attack still without and downside. Unfortunately, unlike other magics Water magic when used to attack  is potentially useless.”

“This comes from the properties of water. If you were to throw a ball of fire there will be damage caused by fires innate property to burn. Now if you were to throw a ball of water it would only splash off and have no real damage. This disparity causes people to disregard water mages completely.” Ashvan explains with a sad tone.

“Well maybe you’ll be able to change that.” Ashvan stares at me expectantly. I don’t know how I’m different though.I hear a grumble and realise that I haven’t had anything to eat since I’ve been born.

“I see that you’re hungry.” Ashvan says with a laugh. “Let me see if there’s a monster nearby that could feed you.”

With that we leave the road and enter the nearby forest.