Inside a quaint wooden college, Emil, Felix, and the Night Sage sat a round, wooden table. Each of their expressions varied respectively from shock, pride, and tranquility.

“You… want me to be your apprentice?” Emil asked the Night Sage with great difficulty. “Why?”

“In this world, there aren’t many people that I can’t see through,” the man’s eyes glimmered as he spoke, “and you are one of them. There is something special about you, Emil, and your talent would only go to waste if you worked as a servant. So, I’ll decided to take you under my wing. Do you hate it?”

Emil questioned, “Will you treat us poorly?”

The Night Sage blinked, surprised by Emil’s blunt question. In the next second, he laughed loudly. “I suppose that would be what concerns you. No… I will provide the best resources I can to aid your growth, Emil. And as for you, Felix, I won’t treat you like they did, either.” He shook his head. “I’m also from common birth. I don’t look down on others like the Damgaards and families like theirs.”

“Then… okay.” Emil paused then asked, “How strong are you?” It was clear that the Night Sage had an honorable position if a powerful duke like Alexander treated him with respect. Emil had a basic understanding of the workings of the world after working at the duke’s manor for a while. If one didn’t come from a good family, the only way to be respected by anyone was to be powerful. The Night Sage had reached that rank if he claimed he was not a noble.

He stood up with a laugh. “Emil, come walk with me.”

“Okay…” Emil followed the Night Sage and glanced back at his father, who simply smiled encouragingly at him.

The Night Sage lived within the woods far from society, but there was a nearby waterfall that connected to a lake, which then flowed into a river. It was maybe a five minute walk to the lakeshore and they made it in silence.

Emil kept glancing at the Night Sage, wondering what was going on. Underneath the setting sun, the two stood at the lake. The tall and lanky Night Sage wore a barely noticeable smile on his face as he gazed at the water’s surface.

“You asked if I was strong?”

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“Yes,” Emil said with a nod.

“To some, I am all powerful. To others, I am weak. Do you understand?”

A swift response came, “No.”

The Night Sage grinned mirthlessly and tapped his forehead. “It means the world is bigger than you think, boy.”

Emildrew silent at this. He knew that the world was bigger than he could imagine right now. But he did not understand how the Night Sage could be both weak and strong… you either stood at the top or you didn’t.

“What is it that you desire the most, Emil?”

He thought about this question for a short moment. The answer came readily to him and he spoke, “Safety.”

“What do you need to achieve that?”

“Power.”

The Night Sage’s eyes slid onto Emil. “Why do you think that?”

“Because I am weak and I can only take what comes to me.”

“Hah! You have an interesting mind for a ten year old.”

Emilfrowned then shrugged. Not too long ago, he had been rather ignorant. But within the span of two months, he had learned what suffering truly was and was forced to mature. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“But you’re wrong. You need more than just power.”

“What else?”

“Luck!” The Night Sage boldly announced. “You are not immortal. If someone stabs you in the heart, you will die. It doesn’t matter how strong you are. But if you are lucky, then that blade will miss your heart, and you will survive. Get it? This world is a gamble. And you must win every time. And how do you win, Emil?”

“By being lucky?” the boy guessed.

“Yes! I am fortunate to have met you. My luck is good. The same could be said for you.”

Emil nodded his head, understanding what the Night Sage was saying. Luck was an unseen force that moved the world as well. He had never thought about it. But when he put it into perspective, things made sense.

Johan was not safe because he was strong. He was rather weak when it came to fighting. But he had been blessed to have been born under the name of a Damgaard.

But Emil’s father was unlucky. His mother as well.

His eyes glowed. “But I don’t think that my luck is very good.”

The Night Sage patted his shoulder. “Really? I think that it is.” He squatted down so that his eyes were level with Emil. “You met me. And now, your life is on a different track.”

Emil blinked. “A different track?”

“Oh, certainly. Nothing will ever be the same.”

Emil’s hazel eyes filled with shock at this statement.

“You are going to see the world.”