Clio was in utmost focus, concentrating on the strawberry-like fruit on her table. A cool mist had started to freeze the fruit, but she tried to take it to the next step. She held her hands together like a prayer as the ice began to crystallize the fruit like a winter frost, as she stood locked in concentration the ice started to thaw as if trying to maintain form. As she slowly spread her hand, she watched the ice starting to slowly turn into mist once more until...

“Are we interrupting something?!” Jason shouted from behind her.

“Huh?” She quickly turned her head away for one second.

The experiment was ruined, strawberry fruit melted completely turning into a blob of strawberry goo that exploded juice on her face and the table. While Jason found this hilarious, Clio was furious and the other women were disappointed at him pulling such a childish feat. Anthony simply watched in astonishment as Clio rushed over to Jason and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t smash your face for ruining my concentration.” She looked into his eyes with her juice covered face in utter fury.

“Uh, you got jelly on your face.” He couldn’t help but stare at the stains that mark her like bad face paint.

Clio immediately dropped him and grabbed a towel to wipe her face clean, while Jason breathed a sigh of relief.

“I was just trying to help you, Clio.” He called over her shoulder. “If you’re going to lose focus from a simple question, how are you going to keep it together if you’re going to make it in management?”

“Unlike your ambitions Jason, I have bigger plans than simply being Selene’s second in this store.” She tossed the towel straight at his face. “I’m trying to work on the third circle of Water Mage, while you’re busy joking around.”

“Whoa, sorry.” He caught the towel before it hit him and then threw it on the ground. “I didn’t realize that freezing food was so important to you.”

“You’re always thinking with your stomach Jason.” Zoe looked at the rag on the ground, alerting him to pick it up immediately. “Unlike the Empire who uses its Lesser Water Mages to preserve food and rations for military purposes, I’ve been telling Clio about another use I have.”

“That’s right.” Clio stood up against his criticism. “Ms. Gaia says that if I can master Flash Freezing, I could increase the life of your herbal remedies for years instead of days. You know that means, we’ll be able to work further out of the regions and wouldn’t be confined to short time limitations in an emergency.”

“A very astute rationale, not unlike the Water Mages of the frozen regions of Page in the Free States.” Everyone turned to Anthony and realized he had split away from the group and was examining the splatter fruit and set up on Clio’s worktable. “I understand they use a similar technique to import medicine to the Empire and The Republic respectively.”

“What are you looking at Anti? Want her to make a jar of preserves for you?” Jason chuckled.

“I was observing the array that Ms. Harmonia was used for this procedure, while certainly effective for Second Circle Hydro-kinesis, it might be ineffective for your needs.”

“You’re saying there’s something wrong with my water magic?”

“Not at all, in fact it seems to grasp the basic connections but lacks an advanced understanding of the Lesser and Greater Mage techniques.”

“Are you saying there’s something wrong with my teaching, kid?” Zoe acted insulted at someone who wasn’t even a Fire Mage.

“With all respect Master Zoe, your methods may be effective when teaching Pryo-kinesis, which builds on the same principles, it deviates from a crucial state of mind.”

“...Well, you got me there, kid.” Zoe rubbed her head in embarrassment. “I tried to explain to her that it's hard to learn water from a fire mage, but she insists that I at least teach her the basics.”

“Why not seek aid from a seasonal water mage, I’m sure there are many interested in trying, considering you’re managed to get this far on practically your own with minimal instruction.”

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“My parents would never allow that.” Clio looked to the ground. “Most of the experienced Water Mages left to the Empire to work for noble houses, and the only other place they train water mages is in the Free States.”

“I can see the dilemma since the Free States border on demon territory, so the risks could be considerable.” Anthony rubbed his chin. “If you wouldn’t mind my insight, perhaps I could offer you a little advice.”

He walked over to Clio and escorted her back to the table.

“What do you know about Water Magic?” Jason asked.

“Probably a lot more than you.” Iris scoffed as she watched this demonstration play out.

Anthony picked up the bowl of water and went to gather more water from a nearby brass faucet.

“I read an article from an old professional which poetically compared third circle Water Magic as harnessing the power of Spirit but only as a keystone for building the three other fundamental human energies.” When it was nearly filled to the brim she began walking back to the table. “That means that you’re not using the same method as the second circle Mage by drawing water from a source, like a stream or the bucket of water.” He placed the bowl in front of her, so she could see her own reflection in the water. “In the same way Fire Mages draw Soul to produce fire and then Spirit to draw from their environment, you must draw not on a source but the water within your own body.”

“In other words, drink up Clio.” Zoe made a chugging motion as she pointed to the bowl of water.

It seemed like a simple enough modification, but Clio was uncertain of its results. Still, with no other option she grabbed the bowl from Anthony, her slim slender fingers rubbing up against his rough callused hands in the process. She proceeded to drink that whole bowl down the last drop and caught her breath slowly as grabbed another fruit from a nearby stock. When she picked up the old fruit and placed the new one in its place she began the process once more, this time not imagining the water in her stomach as a bowl much like the one she had been holding.

She closed her eyes as she imagined the water turning into mist, feeling the chill of icy mist as it exited her breath. Meanwhile, Anthony watched as the very mist she had summoned started moving around the fruit, her hands guiding it turning it into a miniature sphere around the fruit. She prayed in the same fashion as before this time spreading her hands apart and then putting them back together in one great...

Clap! The ice crystals that had formed around the fruit had disappeared, turning into a light mist that rode above it like a cooling atmosphere. The fruit was now a dried husk of its former self, with all the moisture and water evaporated leaving it preserved in its dehydrated state.

“You can open your eyes now.” Anthony kindly praised.

She saw before her, on the table a free dried fruit, but to her elation. “I did it?...I did it!”

Everyone started clapping, except for Jason who simply looked away and did not want to admit her pretty impressive display of magical accomplishment.

“Big deal, it's just a fruit.”

“Yes, it’s also a stepping stone for greater things.” Zoe limped over to Clio to give her a pat on the back. “Good job kid, keep practicing and you’ll be a vital part of this enterprise?”

“You mean it?” Clio beamed with happiness, before turning her smile to Anthony. “...I mean, I could haven’t done it without your help Anthony.”

“It’s quite alright, I just gave you some information, you’re the one who chose to follow it.”

“It does make me wonder what kind of Library happens to have articles on Water Magic just lying around though.” Jason turned his eye toward Anthony again before he felt a sharp pain on his side from Iris’s elbow.

“Would you relax, the guy’s gifted and you’re just jealous that he might replace you since we like him more.”

“I have no intentions of taking anyone’s position.” Anthony raised his hand in protest. “I’m only here to learn and from the looks of everyone here, I’m certain there is much I can gain from each of you. I only hope that is something we all wish to achieve.”

“I’m sure there’s much we can teach others.” Iris inched closer beside him. “Maybe in private, over the light of the forge?”

“Actually, I was hoping you’d help me get a head start on the next level of Water Magic.” Clio said getting close to him. “I know Hail may seem like it’s only good combat, but I have some fascinating ideas on how to convert a miniaturized storm into a working ice box if you’re interested.”

“Not before I finish my list of useful beast materials I’ll be needing to improve my remedies.” Jason jumped in between the both of them. “A lot of folks will pay good money for Copper Sow tusks, if you wear them they can relieve arthritis.”

Boom! A loud bang went off in the room that was nearly deafening. Everyone turned to see Zoe holding her hand in the air with sparks fizzling from her opened palm. A thunder shock was an excellent way to get attention, but some would say a little excessive in a closed area like here.

“Before you youngest start to pile on work for the kid, I hope you won’t mind if I have a few words with him?” She moved her fingers to signal him to come over.

Anthony didn’t know what was wrong, but from the stern look in her eyes he seemed like he had done something wrong. Whatever it was, Zoe would soon discuss it in private as she left the store and went for a walk down the road. Their destination was the city Gourd, the last city of the lower states of the Duchy of Aster.