Visitor

In the morning, a visitor arrived upon the doorsteps to the grounds of Kalman's workshop. Wearing a blue robe, the youthful looking mage that was the Archmage's apprentice and assistant, Yulian, came bearing a gift.

As if he had specifically chosen this timing, he arrived just as Theodore's morning lesson had come to an end and Fiana was about to leave and tend to her other tasks.

"Why Yulian, a fine morning isn't it?" Fiana greeted the seemingly youthful man with a smile. "What brings you here?"

"Good morning, Master Fiana. I have a delivery for young Theodore. It is a gift from Master Annaliese."

"My, my, a present from Annaliese herself!? That's rare!"

"Is that so? I wouldn't know. I don't get to speak to her very often. Now then, may I see Theodore?"

"Oh, of course. Come one in. I'm sure Theodore will be happy to receive a visitor. He seemed rather lonely these days too. I sure wish that I could bring him outside every now and then."

"It is for his own protection. He's a special case after all. You know the kind of attention he's going to attract should his face be known."

"I suppose that's true. But being cooped up inside all day isn't going to be good for him either."

Fiana was genuinely worried for Theodore. Though he had not overtly expressed it, from her interactions with him, Fiana could tell that he was beginning to become moodier by the day. In fact, she was rather impressed that a ten-year-old like him could hold it in for as long as he did.

Being able to see the concern on Fiana's face, Yulian pondered for a moment before speaking.

"I'll see what I can do about it. The Archmage did say to see if I can do anything to make his time here more accommodating, after all."

"In that case, I'll leave it to you." Fiana beamed a bright smile, looking somewhat relieved. "I really ought to go now, but how about I treat you to lunch next time as thanks?"

"No need. I am only performing my duties."

"Oh, no need to be shy. It's a promise, alright!"

Without waiting for Yulian to reply, Fiana went off, leaving him no room to refuse. She gave him the impression of a kind but strangely pushy woman.

"Looks like you've got yourself a date," spoke a voice from behind.

Turning around, Yulian found the figure of a child with a head of snow-white hair and a pair of blue eyes that held a sharp gaze. This was the one Yulian had come to see, the one they called Theodore, the one said to be a successful case of reincarnation magic, though no one truly knew for certain who he was the reincarnation of.

"Theodore, congratulations on passing the entrance exam," Yulian gave his belated congratulations.

"Eh, they were going to pass me no matter what. It's who I was in my past life the elders were interested in."

Yulian was rather stunned by the reply. He did not expect Theodore to be so straightforward with it. Or perhaps this was the moodiness that Fiana was talking about? In Yulian's eyes, he certainly seemed to be lacking in patience and appeared to be unwilling to beat around the bush.

"Anyways, come right on in. I'll get you some tea if you want," said Theodore as he extended his invitation. Irritable as he was feeling, he wasn't about to forgo polity.

"Are you sure? Do you not need Elder Kalman's permission?"

"Oh, it's fine, I'm sure the esteemed elder wouldn't mind so long as we don't disturb him."

"I see, in that case, I'll take you up on your offer."

It wasn't obvious, but in his voice, Yulian could hear hints of hatred when Theodore referred to the elder. Of course, being the assistant to the Archmage, Yulian knew to keep this to himself and refrained from making any comments on the matter.

After a brief moment of surveying the surroundings and another moment of hesitation, Yulian followed Theodore into the workshop.

Once inside, Theodore sat him down and brought out some tea brewed from the herbs found in the garden. From the speed with which he brought them out, it could be assumed that he was already in the midst of making it, probably for himself. Even so, Yulian cautiously swept his Aether through the hot fluid, drinking it only when he made sure that it was safe. A mage can't afford to let their guard down in this city.

"So, I hear that you have a gift for me," Theodore spoke straightforwardly. He had no intention of hiding that he was listening in on the conversation between Yulian and Fiana.

Some would think of Theodore as candid, some others would find him tactless. As for Yulian, he found it convenient as he was tired of dealing with mages with the tendency to beat around the bush, which were not few.

Without a word, Yulian handed over the box he had placed beside him on the couch, gesturing for Theodore to open it once it left his hand.

Without making any obvious movements, Theodore looked the box over cautiously as he weighed it in his hand. He was being careful, as a mage should. It made Yulian wonder if he truly was a reincarnation of someone as he already possessed the bearing of a time-worn mage at the age of ten.

Eventually, Theodore opened the box, finding within a mage's robe, newly sewn and neatly folded for him.

"Usually, it should be the master who prepares this for their apprentice. However, as Elder Kalman appeared to be occupied and Master Fiana is not technically your master, the job fell upon Master Annaliese since she already knew your measurements. Still, she seemed to have taken a liking to you. Rather than simply ordering it, she made this robe with her own two hands."

"I suppose we *do* get along," Theodore casually commented. "I would have liked to be under her instead. Too bad I'm stuck with Kalman."

Yulian could only smile wryly at such a bold statement. With no exaggerations, many would have killed to be an apprentice under one of the elders, but at the same time, Yulian knew that Kalman had no interest in teaching anyone. The whole affair was only something on paper.

Yulian also found that the brash manner in which Theodore spoke was akin to Annaliese's during her meetings with the Archmage. The two were no doubt similar, and perhaps that was why the master enchanter was so taken to him.

***

End of Chapter 35

***