An hour had past since Arwen started introducing the different herbs and their uses to her.

“Now this is a type of herb known as Sage Grass, you can tell by the hint of blue at the top. It is very common in the forest surrounding these lands, if you grind it down and mix it with Yellow Clovers it can make a useful salve that can be applied to wounds.” Arwen instructed.

Ava nodded absorbing up all the information she can. At first Arwen tested her capabilities by telling her things and asking her to repeat, demonstrate what he described with the herbs on his work station.

Seeing she seemed to do just fine with just about anything he asked of her, he seemed to soon forget he was dealing with a young child and started going off about all types of herbs and their uses.

Arwen was a good teacher and had great insight into his craft.

Shortly after a while Arwen said, “Well that’s just a quick introductory of what you’d expect to learn from me, though the main thing is to also start your training as a magus.”

“What?” Ava asked shocked, it was what she hoped for but did not expect it to come about so easily.

“Of course! Most Magus would rely on a testing stone before they begin training, since it is useful to identify what Qi that individual can sense. If they have no talent in a Qi type then that person will never be able to detect that Qi. The first time of meditation is always the most difficult, and most individuals find it challenging to even detect elemental Qi despite having suitable talent. It is why after identifying an individuals talents through testing and they are determined to have suitable spiritual energy to become a Magus they are instructed to begin meditation to sense Qi with a suitable instructor who shares the same elemental Qi. If they still cannot sense the Qi, they will enter a chamber which contains a denser than normal elemental Qi type which the person has been identified to be attuned with. If that person still fails to detect the elemental Qi, then they are hopeless prospects to become a Magus. You on the other hand don’t have to worry about this at all, at it seems you talent is so high you are already sensitive to the surrounding Qi.” Arwen quickly ran through how an individual is usually tested.

“What if my spiritual energy isn’t suitable?” Ava knew the answer to this already since her spiritual energy has grown greatly since she started meditating regularly yet she wondered how Arwen noticed.

“To start with your way too astute and intelligent for a child your age, that is a sign of being born with a high amount of spiritual energy.” Arwen said making Ava open her mouth wide in shock.

She did realise she was showing too much of her true capabilities because she was growing desperate with her current situation, but she didn’t expect Arwen to throw it out there so bluntly.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Ava felt relieved there was a suitable explanation for it though with the elves not being superstitious viewing her as some demon who hijacked the body of a young a child.

“What else?” Ava asked curious since the way Arwen phrased his theory indicated there was further reasons.

“If you as far as I am on a particular path you can slightly sense fluctuations on untrained one’s such as you. Your spiritual energy has been growing, a persons spiritual energy natural grows until they reach around seven or eight years old, however not everyone is a blessed as you. How dense your spiritual energy is at that age usually determines your talent in spiritual energy, and going by that you should have very suitable talent to become a Magus.” Arwen explained.

Nonetheless Ava already knew he was being deceived. Her talent in spiritual energy was ordinary, yet she was able to cultivate it from birth unlike the majority who started at six.

A true genius would be above her level even now despite having never trained spiritual energy in their lives. She knew if she did not figure out a way to circumvent this weakness in the future it would be difficult to keep up with those geniuses.

However she would never dare admit this to Arwen who also seemed to be much more than the other tribesman think he is.

“Are you a Magus?” Ava asked curiously.

“You can sort of describe me as one, though my daughter will be guiding you as a water mage herself.” Arwen said mysteriously.

Ignoring her desire to press him further on what he meant by that, she decided not to push it.

“Then when can we start? I want to learn some magic.” Ava said with an eager grin making Arwen laugh heartily.

“Good! I love keen students.” Arwen chuckled before he continued, “Althaea! Looks like you’re going to be more busy around here, but at least you’ll get yourself a little helper now.”

Althaea, Arwen’s daughter appeared looking confused by what he meant until she looked down at her with an inquisitive gaze.

“You can’t mean?” She stumbled.

“Yes you will train her to practice forming basic water spells, meditation… give her an introduction on what it like to be a magus. You don’t have to make her a war mage, but it’s a good start to pick up a few things before she’ll eventually go to an academy.” Arwen said.

“She’s too young! And is yet to be even tested, how will we even know she has the talent, and don’t tell me about that ridiculous theory you prattled on about to those tribesman year ago when you didn’t know an accurate diagnosis.” Althaea said clearly not a believer in all of her fathers outlandish theories.

Her mother on the side appeared even more abashed seeing the father, daughter duo arguing.

“Maybe we should leave…” Her mother said timidly.

“No!”

“Yes!”

The Father Daughter said at a similar time. Both of them glared at each other before Arwen came to a compromise.

“She can sense water Qi, and has been able to engage with me about basic herbology for the last hour, she isn’t no ordinary child and you know it.” Arwen said firmly.

“Fine I’ll give her one chance, but if this fails you will let her return home with her mother and never ask of this again. Come with me girl.” Althaea said pointing at the door to another room in the hut which she just came from.

Ava nodded obediently following her inside wondering what test she would undergo.

’I need this to go smoothly.’ Ava said determined not to fail. This was her chance to start her training in becoming a Magus.

She was not going to fall at the first step.