Chapter 4: Patience! The Moment Awaits!

 

A magician can start their training when they are at least nine years old.

Those words were stuck in my head, it’s starting to get a bit annoying. Nine years old… That’s three years away, then I can finally cast my first spell.

But however, I still have to get to climb to the library for Claude’s lessons. And I was starting to not like books because of those experiences. There was one time were I almost fell to my death off the railings when I decided to lay on it to rest, and once, I even cried like a new-born infant on the stairs due to my exhaustion (long story).

I was starting to get irritated by those monstrous mountain-climbing stairs. There must be a shortcut to it… I asked many people for more faster (and safer) ways. I remember asking some maids about it, they said that they don’t know since they had never been to the library. Then a guard, who replied that he had never knew we had a library. Then a servant, “What’s a library?” that servant had replied. It’s strange you know, who doesn’t know what the heck is a library?

“I remember there is a lift to it.” General Kano had answered when I asked him about it. “But, I don’t think children like you should use it without an adult.” Well, I get it. There would be too many buttons on it that will frustrate a six-year-old prince.

I had another idea, which I only came up with it now because I was stupid that how come I had never thought of this when I came to the library for the first time. I decided to follow Claude together to the library. And the reason why Claude arrived there without a sweat? He used the lift that General Kato had mentioned.

I had learned more than just the origin of magic, there were more things to understand too. Magician legends, mythical creatures, and, the one I had find the most interesting; the elements of magic. All of them were fascinating, and were unique in their own way. If I were to use magic, I must have started to choose on which element to use now.

I had also learned about how magic had affected us humans, both positive and negative. Claude had told me this story: “Centuries ago, magic was mostly disliked by people, despite the legend of the nice sister, people believed that magicians were evil witches and wizards who used their power for evil.” “Well, that’s not true, right?” I interrupted kindly. “It’s not entirely true. Even though there are some people who do used magic for evil… People had hated magicians so bad, that they decided to hunt them down and when they had caught one, they will burn them alive…” I gulped, this was also some information that I regretted knowing it. Claude looked at me apologetically, “I think we should bring your teddy bear the next time we come here.”

“But this had changed, two hundred years ago; a king and his son were heading to a visit a neighboring kingdom, in order to do so, they had to cross a mountain, with dangerous edges. When the king and his son were hiking through… The son made a wrong move, and he slipped off, and he was plummeting down hundreds of meters. Before the son had met his demise, a miracle appeared. The son had splashed into a bubble of water, levitating in the air. A magician had saved him, who had used the element of water. The king was grateful for the magician’s kindness, and once they had reached the nearby kingdom, he told the king who ruled there about this incident.”

“The news spread like wildfire, kings told queens about this heroic magician, and they knew that some magic can be used for heroic purposes. And this ‘burn-the-witch-or-wizard’ had died out. And magic is accepted by everyone out there.” I made a quiet clap of applause. “So, because of that dude, magic can exist in peace?” Claude nodded. “Yeah, if it weren’t for him, the numbers of magicians could be even less, or worse, extinct. And out of the twelve elements, water is the most favorite of every magician and is used by many.” That was an interesting story, and I can’t wait to turn nine in order to learn magic.

We repeated the same thing over and over again. And I had learned more new subjects about magic, and they were getting more interesting as we progress on. I had learned about more legendary magicians, there was one who had escaped the Underworld when he accidentally slipped into it, there was one who had been raised by a werewolf, one who had tamed a thunderbird (which no one had ever did) and so many more, and each of those stories had raised my spirits of becoming a magician.

When I was in bed, I would often pray to the Gods of Olympus to make time speed up so that I can turn nine way quicker. But I think I should respect time, as I don’t think the Gods will speed it up just for one person. Claude also had decided to have these lessons for four days, since he knew I must be tired for learning these things non-stop. But that didn’t stop me for waiting to become nine.

Who knows what I would become when I am finally a magician, maybe I might become a legendary figure for the generations to come. Oh, it must be nice for those legends, being famous even after death. My seventh birthday has arrived, and that has made me even more impatient to become a magician. But, I can handle it, it’s a waiting game, and I had played many waiting games before…

Before I knew it, it was time.

I finally turned nine, excitement had flowed through me when I blew out my candles, I was so delighted, that I could have gotten a mental breakdown. “Happy birthday brother.” Claude said as he patted my head. “Thanks bro, and…” “Yeah, yeah, you’re nine now, you can finally learn magic.” My face casted a huge smile, yup, I think I might need to be applied into a mental hospital now.

There was a lot of things I need to ask my brother, but I couldn’t keep my cool down. “So, when will be my first training?” I asked. Claude took a bite from my cake, “Anytime you want.” He replied with his mouth full. “It can be today you know!” I was so hyped up to finally cast a spell, I hope there will be one to turn something into a football or something. “It’s your birthday today, I think you should relax for now.” He does have a point, birthdays are meant to be relaxing, but learning magic is even more relaxing to me!

“And also, have you decided on what element to use yet?” Claude asked. The joy I had almost faded away, for three years, I haven’t decided on what element to use yet. I once planned on using the element of insects, but due to my phobia of roaches, I scratched that. I also decided on using the element of thunder, but I’m not Zeus, I don’t think I can use lightning well… “I’m… I’m still deciding.” I managed. “It’s alright, take your time.” Claude replied, “You can even think about it when we are on the way to the Cave of Elements.”

“Huh?” The Cave of Elements… That’s something that I had remembered learning form one of the books. It is the place where all magicians choose their elements before they train. “Are we going there now?” I asked, and an idea ran into me immediately when I thought of the cave. “If you want.” Claude answered. “Alright, pack your things, we’re leaving.” I said just after Claude had finished, “I think an element can be a perfect birthday gift.”