The white haired old man no longer had his arms folded. He seemed to be ready to pounce. His eyes still looked gentle but I feel terror and despair from just looking at them.

However the handsome man does not seem effected by any of it. He just looks at me like nothing unusual has happened and asks me, “What is your name boy?”

As he spoke to me, a warmness enfolded me and that dreadful feeling vanished.

It took me a while for his question to sink in yet still he just stood there looking at me calmly.

“Answer him boy or else he will stand there all night waiting for you to answer without asking again.” The white haired man says annoyingly.

“My name is Dan?” I answer confusingly and look at the white haired old man. I did not meant for that to be a question but I was confused about what was happening. One moment I am dreadful another I feel safe.

“Are you telling or asking boy?” The while haired man says then mutters under his breath with a pout on his face, “He is nowhere near intelligent like my princess. I still refuses to believe that this boy is anything like my daughter. How can they both be same?”

This man’s mood changes in a heartbeat. One moment he is angry, another he is pouting.

“Yes. My name is Dan.” I answer with more confidence this time. Hoping that he doesn’t mind my stupidity.

The handsome man nods and asks me, “Do you want to be my apprentice?”

“App..ren..tice?” I just stand there and repeat the word like an idiot who doesn’t know what an apprentice is. Ofcourse I know what an apprentice it. From all I know being an apprentice means that someone is lucky enough to learn an art, craft or skill which can be used to make a name or earn a living. And given my circumstances someone like me could only dream of becoming an apprentice. Especially given that the person asking might be a magician. So why would he choose me?

Seeing that I am not answering and am lost in my own thoughts, a confused frown appears on his face. He must be thinking that I really do not know the meaning of the word ‘apprentice’ so he starts telling me, “It means that I will guide you but it will take a lot of time and patience. All I require from you is a promise. A promise that you will try your best and never let yourself be corrupted. Do you understand?”

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What does he mean not to let myself be corrupted?

Oh! I see. He must be telling me to not use his taught skills to do wrong or profit off of poor and helpless.

“I understand you. But… do you mind …if I ask you a… question?” I say to him stutteringly.

“Ask.” He replies calmly while the white haired man rolls his eyes at me.

“Is sir… a …. Magician by any chance?” I ask him trying to be polite about it.

Hearing my question the white haired man chuckles while the handsome man only smiles and I don’t know why but I felt happy seeing him smile.

He replies gently, “No.”

“What would happen if I am corrupted?” I ask him another question in a low voice while hoping that he wouldn’t get upset by another question.

However I worried over the wrong reason. It is his answer that really got me worried for he looked me right in the eyes, his face return to neutral and he replies in his calm and collected voice, “I will kill you.”

Eventhough his voice was calm, I still felt shivers run through my body as I look into his hauntingly beautiful eyes I could clearly see him, in my mind, staying true to his word.

I gulp at my own imagination. Should I reject him? But if I do reject him then it would be foolish of me. What if he got angry? Moreover I might not get a chance like this again.

“I accept….” I say to him. Then I think that I accepted to being killed by him so I further add, “….being your apprentice.”

“Oh! So he accepts. Such an honor for us.” Says the white haired old man mockingly with a disapproving expression on his face.

“He has no sense of respect. My daughter is far better than him and yet you never offered to take her as your apprentice.” The white haired old man complains to him with a sour face.

“I have told you this before, she is yours and VanDovah’s daughter. So if I take her in, it will unbalance the scale. However he is connected to no one so it does not matter.” The handsome man replies calmly.

Wow! This is the first time that being an orphan became an advantage.

The handsome man looks at me and in his cool and calm voice, he says to me, “In your path I will guide you but I will not lead you, I will give you suggestions but I will not teach you. Because you are the one who is incharge of your own life and in the end whatever path you choose, you will know for sure that it was you yourself who chose it. Do you understand?”

I nod but he just keeps looking at me. I get the hint and reply verbally, “Yes. I understand Master.”

“Good.” He says with a light smile. This is the second time I see him smile and it is entrancing.

While I was lost in his smile, he says to me, “My name is Zaif and from now on you are my apprentice.”

I feel so happy that I start daydreaming about my good life.