The days after Aelric’s conversation with Elda passed quietly, almost too quietly. Delsworth had settled back into its usual rhythm, and with the trial behind him, Aelric found himself blending back into the town’s daily life. The whispers and stares had stopped, and the town seemed content to move on. But Aelric wasn’t.

Each morning, Aelric trained in secret, practicing his control over the magic that now felt like a second heartbeat. His magic flowed more smoothly, responding to his will with less resistance. It had been a relief to realize that he no longer needed the ring to suppress his power. In fact, the absence of the ring had allowed him to grow more attuned to his abilities. Every day, his confidence in controlling the fire inside him grew.

He was no longer the man who feared his own strength, but someone beginning to understand that power was necessary. The world was dangerous, and people like him—those who had magic—were hunted. The inquisitor’s test had been a close call, and Aelric knew that without control, he would never be able to protect himself or those he cared about.

As Aelric sat cross-legged in his small room, eyes closed in concentration, his thoughts turned to the masked figure who had warned him. The figure had spoken of danger, of a hidden world where mages were hunted by the church and its inquisitors. Aelric hadn’t fully understood it then, but now, after everything, the truth weighed on him.

Power was necessary. Magic wasn’t just a gift or a curse—it was a means of survival.

Aelric opened his eyes, staring down at his hands. He felt the warmth of his magic simmering beneath the surface, waiting to be called upon. He had to keep practicing, had to push himself further. The days of hiding and waiting for danger to come to him were over.

The thought of leaving Delsworth had crossed his mind several times since the trial. A larger town, maybe even a city, might offer more opportunities to learn about magic or find others like him. The masked figure had hinted at a larger world, and Aelric knew that staying in Delsworth would limit his growth. But he wasn’t ready to leave just yet. There were still things to consider, and despite everything, Delsworth was his home for now.

With a quiet sigh, Aelric stood and stretched. His body felt stronger than it had in weeks, and his mind was clearer. The morning’s practice had gone well, and he had pushed his magic further than before. He could now summon heat to his hands without letting it manifest as flame, a subtle but important advancement in his control.

As he prepared to leave his home for a walk through the town, his thoughts drifted to Rurik. The blacksmith had been a steady presence in his life, offering him work and guidance when Aelric had first arrived in Delsworth. But Aelric had been avoiding him since the tavern fight, unsure of how to face the man after everything that had happened. Rurik had warned him to stay out of trouble, and Aelric had done the opposite.

Now, as Aelric walked toward the marketplace, he knew it was time to face Rurik. The future loomed ahead of him, uncertain and filled with danger, but one thing was clear: he couldn’t avoid his responsibilities forever. If he was going to leave Delsworth one day, he needed to settle things with Rurik first.

As he approached the blacksmith’s shop, Aelric felt a mixture of guilt and determination. Rurik had given him a chance when no one else would, and Aelric didn’t want to seem ungrateful. But there was more to it than that. The path he had chosen—magic, power, and survival—was one he needed to commit to fully. Rurik deserved to know that Aelric’s future might not be in Delsworth for much longer.

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When Aelric reached the shop, he saw Rurik hammering away at a piece of iron, the rhythmic clang of metal on metal filling the air. The blacksmith’s broad shoulders glistened with sweat, and his intense focus made Aelric hesitate for a moment. But he knew he couldn’t turn back now.

Gathering his resolve, Aelric stepped into the shop, the familiar scent of hot iron and smoke filling his senses.

Rurik glanced up from his work, his expression unreadable. “Aelric,” he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. “You finally decided to show your face.”

Aelric swallowed, feeling the weight of the moment. “Yeah. I’ve been... trying to sort things out.”

Rurik set his hammer down and crossed his arms, leaning against the workbench. “And? Have you?”

Aelric nodded slowly. “I think I have. The trial... everything that happened, it made me realize a lot of things. I’ve been practicing, trying to get my life back in order. But... I don’t think my future is here, in Delsworth.”

Rurik raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

Aelric hesitated before speaking again. “I’ve been thinking about leaving. Not right away, but soon. There’s a bigger world out there, and if I stay here, I’ll never learn what I need to know.”

Rurik studied him for a moment, his expression softening. “And what is it you think you need to know, Aelric? What are you looking for?”

Aelric’s gaze dropped to the floor for a moment before he met Rurik’s eyes again. “Power,” he admitted quietly. “I need to be able to protect myself. After the trial, I realized that I can’t rely on anyone else to keep me safe. I have to be strong enough to survive on my own.”

Rurik was silent for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Aelric’s words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and measured. “Power, huh? That’s a dangerous thing to chase, boy. But I can see why you’d want it. The world’s not kind to people like you. Never has been.”

Aelric nodded, relieved that Rurik understood. “I’m not looking for trouble, Rurik. I just... I don’t want to feel helpless anymore.”

The blacksmith grunted, uncrossing his arms and stepping closer to Aelric. “I get it. But power’s not something you find by running away. If you’re going to leave, make sure you’re leaving for the right reasons.”

Aelric frowned. “I’m not running away.”

Rurik gave him a hard look. “Aren’t you? You’ve been avoiding me, avoiding everyone since that fight in the tavern. And now you’re talking about leaving town? Sounds a lot like running to me.”

Aelric opened his mouth to protest, but Rurik raised a hand, cutting him off.

“Listen,” Rurik said, his tone softer now. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t leave. If you think there’s something out there for you, then go. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that leaving is going to solve all your problems. You’ve got potential, Aelric. I saw that the first day you walked into my shop. But potential doesn’t mean a damn thing if you don’t work for it.”

Aelric felt a knot form in his chest, but he nodded. “I know. That’s why I’m staying for a little longer. I still have things to learn here, and I don’t want to leave without being ready.”

Rurik eyed him for a moment before nodding. “Good. Take the time you need. And when you’re ready, I’ll support whatever decision you make. But until then, you’ve got work to do.”

Aelric couldn’t help but smile. “I will. Thanks, Rurik.”

With that, the conversation ended, and Aelric left the blacksmith’s shop, his mind clearer than it had been in days. The future was still uncertain, but for the first time, Aelric felt like he had a plan.

He would stay in Delsworth for a while longer, train, and build his strength. And when the time was right, he would leave—perhaps for a larger town, perhaps for something bigger. But wherever the path led him, Aelric knew that he wouldn’t be walking it as the same man he had been when he first arrived in Delsworth.