“Don’t abandon her just yet, I beg you!” A man slammed his fists on the desk, his eyes bearing down on the seated figure before him.

“She’s complicit in everything he does!” an exasperated reply flew back across the desk along with a pleading look. “Marvin, do you know how bad it has become? Children are wandering into Greshelm every day carrying the decapitated heads of their parents. That’s what happens when someone refuses to join his forces. He’s razing the fortress of Palagon as we speak. His followers are delusional fanatics. They are blood-binding their firstborn to him! If she hasn’t decided to put a stop to it by now, then she is too far gone!”

“She’s scared, Gordon! She doesn't have a path out.”

“Scared?!” Gordon exclaimed, standing up from his seat. “She’s a dangerous mind mage who has done nothing but support his nefarious campaign for dominance. Her powers will soon eclipse my own. We have to take her out while we can.”

“Come on, Gordon; you’re better than this. You know Elena.”

“I knew the Elena that attended Windrake Academy,” Gordon replied bitterly as he sat back down. “That Elena is gone.”

“Dammit, Gordon. You know that’s not true.”

Gordon once again rose to his feet, and with fury in his eyes his finger shot out, waving menacingly at his quarry. “It’s time to face the reality, Marvin. She won’t speak to me, but she might speak to you. You need to do what needs to be done. I order you to kill her on sight.”

“No,” Marvin replied. A rumble of thunder from outside punctuated the word. Heedless of what transpired inside the tower, it signaled the arrival of a more literal storm.

“Are you refusing an order from the Grand Oracle?” Gordon challenged, deciding he was done arguing.

“I’m under no obligation to follow orders from the Grand Oracle,” Marvin countered.

“Fine,” Gordon huffed, his frustration evident. “Are you refusing a direct order from your headmaster?”

“I am not,” Marvin said, shaking his head in defeat. “You are no longer my headmaster. I quit.” Without a second glance, he turned and walked away from his former colleague’s desk. With heavy footsteps, he departed the office, shut the door behind him, and began his long, solitary descent down the spiraling staircase, leaving behind his tattered allegiance to Windrake.

***

Lovarn was a quaint, enchanting town nestled in a lush valley, surrounded by rolling hills and thick forests blanketed by a mystical aura. The sun poured its golden light over the cobblestone streets, which wound their way past charming cottages adorned with colorful flowers and ivy that climbed their stone facades. Each building had its own character, with crooked chimneys and unique shutters that swayed in the gentle breeze.

Just outside the town’s edge, a shimmering river wound its way through the landscape, its waters sparkling as it flowed gently by. An elderly potions master stirred a boiling cauldron on its bank, enjoying the open air. A group of four students watched earnestly while the older lady explained the various techniques she employed in her craft. Her silver hair glinted in the sunlight, and the wrinkles on her face told tales of wisdom earned through decades of experience.

The students had been listening astutely, but as she finished brewing the remedy for the Graveyard Fever and began to lecture on the importance of proper bottling, her previously captive audience’s attention was stolen away.

A figure in a dark blue cloak hiked along the winding path from the dense forest towards the town. By the time he reached the wooden bridge, the students could catch a clearer glimpse of him, their anticipation mounting. They huddled together, murmuring with growing excitement as they recognized the intricate embroidery on his robes, the majestic symbols patched into his shoulders signifying his esteemed status. The man extended his arm and gave the budding novices a friendly wave.

One of the students – a young, seventeen-year-old girl with smooth, silky black hair – leapt up and sprinted towards town. Her feet quietly padded along the cobblestones as she weaved her way through the streets. With a sparkle of determination in her hazel eyes, she raced toward a medium-sized cottage nestled slightly apart from the main thoroughfare of Lovarn.

The cozy home was covered with a thatched roof and surrounded by a thriving garden. The girl burst through the front door, jostling a graying old man from his afternoon nap.

“Papa!” the girl cried out. “The Grand Oracle is here! I saw him walking into town.”

The old man sleepily observed the girl’s enthusiasm from his favorite rocking chair. “Lucky us,” he managed to say with pursed lips.

***

A sturdy knock on the door came just before dinnertime. The girl rushed to the door and opened it before the other inhabitant could stop her. Her eyes widened as she saw their visitor. “Papa! Come quickly!”

“‘Papa?’” the old man on the doorstep echoed with a smirk.

“Shush,” the man inside the cottage retorted as he approached the doorway. “I didn’t want them calling me ‘Dad,’ nor did I want them using my first name. ‘Papa’ was a workable compromise.”

“Where did you find her?” the visitor asked.

“Her parents were killed near the end of the Burning Covenant,” the man explained. “Needed something to do in retirement. I’ve got another stray out running errands.”

“Are you going to let me in, or do you need me to apologize first?”

“It’s been nearly twenty years, Gordon.”

The visitor let out a heavy sigh. “I know, Marvin. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long. To be fair, it took me upwards of fifteen years to find you. You always knew how to disappear.”

“Why now?” Marvin asked suspiciously. “I get the feeling you need something from me.”

Gordon let out a stifled chuckle. “I may have a small request for you, but that can wait until the end.”

The black-haired girl who had been silently observing the interaction from the doorway finally chimed in. “Papa, how do you know the Grand Oracle?”

“Skye, don’t you have a fireproof tonic to brew?” Marvin asked, trying to think of a way to dismiss the girl.

“The last time I tried, it blew up. I need a new cauldron… and some new bed sheets.”

“Why were you brewing in your room?!” the elder man asked, his voice tinged with agitation. “Never mind; here’s some money. Go over to Madam Hart’s and pick up some new sheets.”

Skye’s face fell at the thought of missing out on the discussion, but she nodded and hurried down the street.

Marvin gestured for his visitor to enter into his home. “You may as well come in, Gordon. Have a seat – not in my rocking chair, though.”

“Marvin,” Gordon said, taking a deep breath as he sat on the sofa, “I deeply regret how I treated one of my closest friends. Looking back, I realize that it was an incredibly challenging time, not just for me but for all of Arestia. However, I know that this does not excuse my behavior. I disrespected you, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Marvin studied Gordon’s face, the lines of age and regret etched deeply into his features. For a moment, silence reigned, the gravity of the past hanging heavily in the air.

“Apology accepted,” Marvin finally said, his tone softening slightly. “Now tell me why you’re really here.”

“I needed to mend our relationship, Marvin, that’s the truth… and I need a dark magic teacher I can trust.”

“No way,” Marvin responded immediately. “Not even a possibility.”

“Hear me out–”

“Gordon, have you seen my garden out there? I’m enjoying retirement too much.”

“You’ve had two decades to enjoy it,” Gordon countered. “You’re needed back at Windrake.”

“Can’t do it, Gordon.”

“Ahh, stop being an old witch’s dingleberry. It’s time to pull you out of this shithole.”

Marvin clicked his tongue, suddenly reminded of how he, in fact, didn’t miss the sound of Gordon’s voice. “Insulting me will not change my mind,” he insisted, “and Lovarn’s a very nice town.”

Gordon couldn’t help but raise his voice in frustration. “Stop being so difficult!”

“You’re an eighty-year-old man. I would’ve thought you were above throwing a tantrum,” Marvin quipped.

“I’m not eighty!” the Grand Oracle exclaimed with indignation. “Mid-seventies, thank-you-very-much.”

“What happened to what’s-his-face? Professor Greene? Wasn’t he teaching dark magic?”

Gordon grunted. “He went crazy and became a Grimmault-wannabe. Recruited our fire magic teacher and the pair fled when we uncovered it.”

“Well, goblin shit,” Marvin said, raising his eyebrows. “If only someone performed a Soul Inquiry on every magic user at Windrake, maybe that wouldn’t have happened.”

“I performed it when we hired him, you spoony bard,” Gordon scoffed at the former teacher. “He flipped to the evil side during his years of teaching.”

“Ah, so it’s a terrible reflection on the working conditions, then,” Marvin replied.

“Windrake still remains the most prestigious academy in the land,” Gordon said with a scowl. “I can assure you the working conditions are top-notch.”

“Then it must be the boss,” Marvin said, holding back a smirk. He was enjoying his own facetious retorts a little too much.

“Alright, you’ve obviously been holding a grudge all these years. Go ahead and get it all out. We need a professor that’s not a total twat.”

“There’s no reason for me to come back, Gordon,” Marvin said.

“Dark magic already has a dubious reputation,” the headmaster said, “and with Greene’s recent stunt, it’s getting worse. Windrake – no, the entire land of Arestia – needs you to come back.”

The two men sat in silence for several minutes as Marvin pondered the offer. Gordon grew increasingly anxious, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the table as anxiety gnawed at him.

Finally, Marvin broke the spell. “If I were to say yes, I would have conditions.”

“Name them,” Gordon said quickly.

“I would like for Skye to be enrolled at Windrake,” Marvin requested. “She is a promising young sorceress, and I want her to receive the best training. Full scholarship.”

“Of course,” the headmaster replied quickly. “She’ll have to go through a Soul Inquiry and will be held to the same academic standards, but I don’t foresee any issues.”

“I do also have another under my guardianship,” Marvin said. “I was hoping he could accompany me as well. I want him to try his luck at becoming a null guardian.”

“Is he of age?” Gordon asked. “While mages, sorcerers, and artificers can enroll at the age of seventeen, I’ve recently changed the requirements for null guardians. New recruits must be eighteen, though I could possibly make an exception for an old friend.”

“Why the change in policy?” Marvin asked curiously.

“Null guardian initiates can be assigned escort missions,” Gordon explained, “which come with inherent risks. We lost a couple of seventeen-year-olds a few years back. I decided I was done sending kids out to combat.”

“There was a time when kids didn’t have the luxury of waiting until the age of maturity,” Marvin commented. “I remember seeing fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds standing up against Grimmault’s minions.”

A cold shiver briefly passed through the headmaster. “Those dark times are hopefully firmly in the past.”

“Regardless,” Marvin said, “the boy turned eighteen just last month.”

“So I can officially end my search then?” Gordon asked hopefully.

“One more condition,” Marvin stated. “I want a favor that you will honor in the future, to be used at my discretion.”

“A little ominous,” Gordon admitted, “but one of us will probably die before you redeem it.”

Marvin’s voice took on a solemn tone. “I’m serious, Gordon. This is the kind of favor that would have changed our conversation all those years ago. If I ask you to do something that goes against your better judgment – like when I urged you to trust Elena – you will listen to me.”

Gordon gulped at the severity of Marvin’s request, but the prize he’d sought was within his grasp, and memories of how easily his friend had walked away all those years ago were fresh in his mind. “I understand. I shall grant you the favor.”

A weak smile crossed Marvin’s face as he gazed at his former – and future – headmaster. He shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re convincing me to come back.”

“To be honest,” Gordon said, “it was a little easier than I thought. Is there an ulterior motive I am missing?”

“Maybe I’m just in a forgiving mood,” Marvin said with a chuckle. “Don’t go using your mind tricks on me, now.”

“Tempting,” Gordon said with amusement in his eyes, “but I respect you too much to resort to that.”

Marvin snorted. “We will see just how long that ‘respect’ lasts.”

“In all seriousness, Marvin,” Gordon said, his eyes filled with sincerity, “I’m beyond thrilled to have you back. Windrake Academy will be lucky to have the great Marvin Kalo once again amongst its ranks.”

“I’ve already agreed to take the job,” Marvin replied goodnaturedly. “There’s no need to pile on the petty flattery.”

“The semester starts next week. You know how busy I can get during this time. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Ahh.” Marvin raised a finger. “I should mention I have a prior commitment to attend to. I’ll miss orientation, but will be there for the first day of classes. Skye will make the orientation, assuming I find a way to get her there.”

Gordon scoffed. “What’s an old man like you have to do that’s so important?”

“I’m a decade younger than you!” the younger old man exclaimed, “and I have things to do. It’s not like I was expecting a visit from the ‘Grand Oracle’ after all these years.”

The headmaster smirked and shook his head. “I’ll see you in a week, old friend.”

Marvin rose from his rocking chair and guided the Grand Oracle to the exit. He opened the front door to reveal a black-haired girl racing back towards the cottage, bed sheets flowing wildly behind her.

“Aw!” she shouted. “Is he leaving already?”

Gordon chuckled as he stepped outside. “You must be Skye.”

The girl looked astounded at the Grand Oracle's use of her name and nodded eagerly.

“I look forward to seeing you at Windrake Academy,” he said with sparkling eyes.

Skye gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. “I’m going to Windrake?!”

“Yes, indeed,” Gordon replied, a smile spreading across his face. “You’ll be taking several of Professor Lokia’s classes. She’s truly an exceptional sorceress, and I promise you’ll have a wonderful time learning from her.”

With jubilant energy neither of the older men could muster, Skye bounced on her toes and wrapped the sheets she was still holding around her shoulders in a makeshift shawl. “I can’t believe this is really happening!”

Gordon stepped out of the cozy cottage, taking a moment to soak in the tranquil sights and sounds of the small village. A sense of gratitude welled up within him, and he turned to Marvin, his voice laced with nostalgia. “Thank you, my friend.” With a deep breath, he continued down the path, beginning his journey back to Greshelm.

“Are you walking by yourself?” Marvin called after him, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“There’s a teleporter in Hedard,” Gordon replied, glancing back. “I don’t venture out of the city too often, so I like to make the most of my time alone. It’s a rather pleasant walk.”

“You called this place a shithole.”

The elderly man just smirked in response and strolled further into town. Skye eagerly waved at the Grand Oracle’s back until he disappeared from her sight.

***

Less than an hour later, a boy strode past the last cluster of buildings in town, making his way towards the same cottage that had received such a dignified guest earlier that evening. His clothes were soaked in sweat and marked by dirt, while his stomach grumbled in protest against hunger pangs. Upon reaching the cozy abode, he pushed open the door without bothering to knock.

Marvin glanced up from his cherished rocking chair. “Dinner’s in the kitchen; it should still be warm. Skye and I already ate, so feel free to finish it off. How was Orvan’s?”

“I didn’t hate it,” the boy replied. “I helped him link together some chainmail.”

“Did you get in some sparring practice?” Marvin asked.

"Yeah," the boy answered, his exhaustion evident. "About two hours’ worth."

“Good.”

The boy shuffled into the kitchen to shovel food onto a plate. He took a quick bite before returning to ask Marvin a question. “I heard the Grand Oracle came into town?”

“You heard correctly,” the old man said.

“So,” the boy started and then hesitated, looking around to see if Skye was nearby. “Did everything go as planned?”

A satisfied smile crept across Marvin’s face. “It did. We’ll be within the walls of the academy by next week.”