“Alexander! To what do I owe the pleasure?” Professor Geron asked with curiosity echoing in his voice while hanging from a ladder, putting back a book inside the tall yet slender darkwood shelf.

Standing at the door, I glanced over the surprisingly small yet utterly messy office before saying to Professor Geron, “Sorry if I’m intruding, Professor. Should I come back another time?”

Boxes and piles of books littered the floor, and by the looks of it, Professor Geron was going to struggle to fit everything in such a cramped space. At least he had a window observing the central courtyard from the high up and even had a small balcony circling the tower.

“Sorry if I’m interrupting, Professor,” I said, watching him step off the ladder.

“What? No, no.” He scoffed, gesturing me to enter. “My doors are always open to you, Alexander.”

As I entered after giving him a nod, he grabbed my shoulder and walked me in, guiding me toward a chair.

“Please, sit,” he insisted before realising the seat had been already occupied with a pile of worn-out light leather books. I couldn’t even read the title as it had nearly completely faded, just enough to be unintelligible.

He hummed, looking around desperately for a free place to sit.

“It’s alright, Professor. I’ll just stand here,” I reassured him with a nod, finding the place I stood comfortable enough, and it gave me a better chance of bailing if things went south, such as the conversation dragging out. “Redecorating?”

I tried not to move, worried I might accidentally break something. Also, Mana Sense felt somewhat overwhelming, but getting used to large amounts of information was good practice, and the more often I did it, the easier it became. I learned how to increase the range by about five more meters with focus alone, but subconsciously it was hard to remember. Lastly, my upper core seemed ready to upgrade to the third circle, but my lower one dragged behind, leaving me worried about how it’ll affect further strengthening.

Despite making me physically stronger and faster, even more durable, it also appeared to be dead weight that drastically slowed down the progression of my upper core. It best showed when I trained with Andras, and no matter how hard I tried, it was a massive struggle to perform even the simplest of arts.

At least the one I learned proved useful despite its simplicity. It gave the rusted and crude sword enough power to split a goblin in half, even cutting through a barrier regardless of its fragileness. And perhaps with enough training, I could make up the difference for the apparent lack of talent.

Professor Geron’s opinion also needed to be considered, one for which I was yet to ask, but as he kept leaning closer, my mind was more worried about personal space.

“More like decorating,” he said, grabbing my shoulders firmly. “To be honest, ever since I arrived, I’ve been abusing my privilege as a Professor to look at old archives. There’s so much to learn from there. Spells, rituals. You name it. They got it.”

“Captivating,” I muttered, slightly backing off to breathe.

“It really is. Sadly, it left me without a proper chance to get cosy.” He hummed again, walking over to a chest full of books, closing it and then sitting down with his arms crossed. “Well, all in the day’s work, I guess.”

“Do you need help, Professor?” I asked, somewhat out of personal interest and some just out of sympathy. By the looks of it, he hadn’t used magic to help him either. Confusing, but then so was he at times.

“Hmm. I could certainly use an extra pair of hands around here.” He looked around again, pondering.

“Professor, might I suggest something a bit controversial? Perhaps it piques your interest?” I asked, feeling a bit weird showing up with an agenda.

“Controversial, hm?” He stroked his chin before showing a grin. “Like I’d ever turn down such an offer. Alright, let’s hear it.”

“Would you perhaps consider a temporary, if not permanent, apprenticeship?” I asked, furrowing my brows while looking for any hints of dismay. And noticing he hadn’t said anything in the first few seconds, I rushed to keep talking, hoping to sell my point. “It would help you with the crisis for an extra pair of hands while refraining from committing to a student who might not prove as useful in the future.”

“Are you suggesting you’d do a poor job?” He hummed, pinching his chin with keen interest.

“Not at all, Professor. It’d be in my best interest to do my best, and at the very least, I’m diligent and disciplined, thanks to my father.”

“The Duke sure does keep a strict eye on his children,” he said with a low tone, staring blankly at the chair.

“Penelope’s the best of us,” I chuckled, knowing damn well how much effort she put into her studies despite already having learned so much.

Theory-wise, she’d put me to shame.

“Well, you’ve made a strong case for your sister, and plenty of other students are worth considering.” He again intentionally pushed me on the back foot, forcing me to convince him as if enjoying the moment.

“Then I ask of you to let me prove my worth, and if by chance I fail, I’ll be content when handing over the title to another. Think of it as a short-term test of sorts. An internship for the apprenticeship position.”

“Never thought you’d be the type to use your father’s connections,” he said, though not in a disapproving type of way.

“The world dealt me quite a few bad hands, so I’m more than happy to use the rare few I’ve been blessed with. Besides, you’ve taken an interest in me ever since the day we met. And respectfully, Professor, you strike me as someone straightforward – a true researcher.”

“Wow.” He began to clap. “What bravado. And the delivery. Stunning, really.”

“Thank you, Professor,” I said, making him smirk. Although unhinged, he seemed to appreciate the effort.

I had no idea what was on his mind, but I figured he would either kick me out or I’d leave with a sigh of relief. Regardless, at least it’d be quick.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Relax, I’m just pulling your leg, Alex. I’d love to have you as my apprentice. If anything, your dual cores fascinate me, and as a researcher, as you said, what more could I ask for if not the privilege of having you work under me during your stay at Grimhold?” He paused, looking me directly in the eyes. “You don’t mind me calling you Alex, do you?”

“Not at all, Professor.” I felt like he already did in the past, but maybe I was wrong. “But just to be sure, you approve of my offer?”

“Indeed. But honestly, I expected you to approach me sooner. What easier way could there be to get to go on the trip to the Beast Lands?”

“It seems I’ve been thoroughly figured out,” I sighed, somewhat embarrassed but not really. “Seriously though, I’m thankful for the opportunity. I’ll genuinely try my best not to disappoint.”

“You should be. Countless talents wander the castle nowadays. I’m beginning to worry what it all means.” He chuckled, but behind his sarcastic tone hid caution. “It seems fate cruelly awaits. And you, like the rest, shall be dragged into it.”

“Pardon?” I chuckled, acting worried – ignorant even.

“Ever wondered why demons never managed to stay in power? Even during the Dark Ages?” he asked, giving a curious smile. “Despite the chaos, and demonic beings of immense power roaming the planet, they still fell.”

“Infighting?” I was taking a guess at best, seeing as we knew little of the twenty-thousand-year-old history that was sacked and altered over the years.

“Could be. Considering how fast Nuia fell, it was a miracle the southern continent of Kendor lasted as long as it did. As for Sylvania to the east, the fae were always difficult to deal with. And Frostfield? Well, who’d be crazy enough to invade such a dreadful snowy place.” He seemed disgusted with the thought, making weird faces. “Regardless, it was us who beat them back. Humans.”

“But we didn’t stop there,” I pointed out, referring to the bloody wars led a few years later.

“Right. Humans had divine powers bestowed upon them by the church if not gifted by gods. That alone changed everything,” he said, his voice turning grim. “At first, they only fought evil. But politics always had close ties with religion, giving birth to new crusades led by warmongers. Now they tell stories of their bravery and tenacity and how they beat back the demons, but forget to mention they stayed in power, governing on who rules the most powerful of empires.”

“And what do you believe, Professor?” I asked, genuinely curious.

He went silent, getting up and walking around the room until eventually reaching his desk with his back turned toward me.

“Professor?” I asked again, seeing as he still wasn’t saying anything.

“There are many mysteries in our world, Alexander. Some of which we’ll never uncover. But one thing proved true many times, and that’s that nature always strives for balance. It’s the will of the arcane.”

“I see. . .” I muttered, not really all that into the theory of living mana and its will.

It was one of few well-spread religions, one that claimed mana was a living existence that altered the world around it as needed – omnipresent, with no will of its own. Some Elves were particularly fond of the idea, but most stayed true to their gods.

“You seem to disagree,” Professor Geron pointed out, focusing his gaze. The office was a bit cold, making it all the more eerie. “Just because I believe in the will of the arcane does not mean gods don’t exist. In fact, I believe that both are needed if the world we live in is to function. What I’m saying is, they can co-exist.”

Religion was a topic I commonly avoided. And while I believed in the twelve gods of old that Eleron worshipped, I never denied the existence of others, such as the elven pantheon in which Alice firmly believed.

“Alexander. Do you believe in fate?” he asked, making me think for a bit.

“No. Can’t say that I do, Professor,” I said, touching upon another topic I’d rather avoid.

“Why’s that?” he pried shamelessly.

Even when we first met, he was prone to asking countless questions whenever something piqued his interest. First it was my cores, and now my opinions. It made me wonder how much I should share with tell him. Though it wasn’t as if I had a better option to whom to turn if needed, and he was my father’s close friend.

Letting out a sigh, I explained, “It’s too cruel to be. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

Born as a cursed child, a bastard of the Eleron family, one shunned by society and most of his family, I refused to believe that the cruelty I witnessed and felt was merely destiny. Not only did I deny its existence, but every fibre of my being screamed to fight it if true. Otherwise, why suck it up and keep moving if it was all foretold?

Our father drilled into us toughness, insisting that we mustn't let the world or our women see us fall off our horses. It was what it meant to be a man responsible for his family, doing whatever it took, regardless of how hard it got. Training to be a knight only made me even more tenacious and stubborn.

“Maybe you’re right.” He sighed before smiling at me. “Though we should probably continue this conversation another time. Lots of work yet to be done.”

“Of course, Professor,” I said, looking around with keener interest. “This. . . will take a while.”

----------------------------------------

While on my way to Alice’s room to deliver the good news, I happened to overhear an argument coming from the other side of the door. It was Alice, and by the sound of it, Maya.

“Seriously! What’s your problem?!” Alice yelled with a surprisingly stern voice. “You’ve been picking on me non-stop. Did I do something to upset you? What is it?”

She kept barraging Maya with questions, giving her no time to answer.

“Maybe I’m just prone to hating on entitled brats that think they can do whatever they want,” Maya scoffed, her voice calm and deep.

“Entitled brat?” Alice was shocked, chuckling to herself. “You seriously talking about what happened with Dustin?”

“See? You already know.” Maya smirked, her voice gave it away.

"They attacked Ron. What we did was just," Alice argued, but all it did was made Maya laugh.

"Just, right. . . They get expelled while you and your lover boy get to run around and do whatever without any consequences. Must be nice knowing anyone else would've been thrown off the island within the hour. Princess."

Leaning against the wall flanking the door, I kept listening in, but Alice fell silent. Maya's words must've been getting through to her.

It felt strange not helping, but some battles I just couldn't fight for her yet.

"That's. . ." Alice muttered.

"Let's not even talk about using your friends-" Maya said, suddenly interrupted by a strange distorting sound that echoed within the room, almost as if space itself morphed.

“Maya, stop bullying her,” said a familiar voice as someone apparently teleported into the room.

It must've been Amelia, their roommate.

"Alex?" Penelope called out my name, appearing out of nowhere, even almost scaring me. She and the others were returning from class.

"Oh, hey. . ." I said, pushing off against the wall.

“You’re not doing anything weird, are you?” She giggled.

“What? No," I denied, shocked that she'd even suggest such a thing.

“Relax. I’m just messing with you,” Penelope said right before Alice stormed out of the room agitated, disrupting Penelope's blissful peace.

“Get me out of here,” Alice demanded, grabbing both our hands and dragging us away while looking just about ready to murder someone. “I can’t listen to that bitch anymore.”

While I had heard her curse before, it was quite rare for her to do so. Sometimes it even took me by surprise. Regardless, it felt good having to deliver good news once she was ready to listen. And if lucky, it would’ve made her forget all about Maya – a rare win-win situation.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.