The next day Akari followed Dean as he showed her around the forest.  In back of the house was a small stream where she could catch fish if she wanted.  Behind the stream was a large span of forest and a mountain.

In front of the house was a water well and a nice flower garden with benches.  There was a small trail that was worn down, as if it has been traveled on for many years.  

“There is also a older man and woman who come here three times a week to help around the house.”  Dean told her. “Green and Serena are happily married for 20 years now and live not too far from here.  They have two children, Willard and Vie. Vie is married and doesn’t live here anymore, while Willard is off at the Sephina  Academy. He should be 17 years old this year.”

After showing her around a bit more, Dean tested out her skills.  He produced a Silver Crystal out from his refining room and Akari touched it.  

Three rays of orange, three rays of yellow, and three rays of indigo shined brightly and vividly.  Akari had become an elite trader, elite scholar and an elite fighter since she was last tested. When her fourth color lit up, still there was only one ray of violet, for mage.  However the ray looked strong and rich in color.

“Good. Good.”  Dean said as he nodded his head.  

He wasn’t expecting much of anything with Akari.  Usually, with his experience, once a child knew that he or she will become a mage, they would not be motivated to become better in the other abilities that they possess. While his good apprentice worked hard to become an elite in all of her abilities.  Now it was up to him to teach her and help her grow as a mage.

Dean brought her to his library and with a fick of his wrist, the books he wanted her to begin her training came out from it’s shelf and landed on the table in the middle of the room.  There were about 30 introductory books that he pulled out for her.

“Read these books.  You have one week to read everything.  If you have any questions, you may ask me.”  Dean told her. “Selena and Green will be here later today, please introduce yourself if you see a burly, bearded redhead man and small petite woman. Any questions?”  

Akari shook her head no.

“Good.  I’ll be all over the house, if you have any questions, just come find me.”  

Akari shook her head yes and bowed to him as he left.  Akari quickly sat down at the table and began reading. Her eyes opened up in awe as she began to really read about the powers of a mage.  

A mage could wield magic and form that magic into an element.  Most mages would only be able to wield one kind of element, however there are some stronger mages who can wield two to three elements, depending on how much a mage could store magic in their body.  

The elements that a mage can control are: fire, water, wind, lightning, and earth.  The mages are split up in two factions. Light Mages and Dark Mages.

Light mages, can control water, wind and earth.  Light Mages can also control light. They are able to light up a dark room immediately and call upon guardians for protection.   

While Dark Mages controls fire and lightning. Dark Mages controls darkness.  They are able to make a room pitch black and call upon shadows for protection.  

Several thousands of years ago, there was a war between Light Mages and Dark Mages, which caused the magic to disappear.  Because the magic disappeared, the are not many opportunities for mages to be born. There were also a lot of casualties during the war, which killed most of the mage population.  There is now only a few hundred mages left.

No one won the mage wars so a truce between Light Mages and Dark Mages was made.  In the public, the Light Mages and Dark Mages work together to protect the people and land.  However secretly, there is a fight for dominance and resources.

Akari read her book until the day became dark.  A delicious smell came from the kitchen, which caused her to get up from her seat and search out the person who was making her hungry.  

Akari entered the kitchen and there was a petite woman with an apron chopping vegetables.  Akari watched her for a long time, before she noticed that someone was standing at the door.

“Oh, my Gods!” Serena shouted as she clutched her chest.  “Don’t scare a person like that. I thought you were a ghost!”  

Akari bowed her head in greeting.  

“You must be Mage Koya’s new apprentice, Akari?  Correct?”

Akari nodded her head again.  

“My name is Serena, my dear.  Nice to meet you.” Serena said as she washed her hands and dried it on the towel that was over her shoulder.  “You must be hungry. That mage always forgets to eat so I bet you haven’t eaten anything today.”

Akari nodded her head again.  

“Poor thing.  Come here sit.”  Serena said as she pulled the stool out for her to sit by the counter.  She turned around and began to plate all the food she made and place it in front of Akari. “You’re still a growing girl.  Eat. Eat. Eat. You must not skip a meal you hear me?”

The first spoon full of the stew made Akari feel at home.  Akari looked up at smiled at Serena and smiled at her.

“It’s delicious.  Thank you.”

“Good.”  Serena said as she smiled back.  “There’s more where that comes from.  Don’t be shy to ask for more.”

Akari began to eat vigorously as if she had been starving for three days.  She at all the bread in front of her and soaked every last drop of stew on the plate with the bread.  

“You don’t talk much, do you?” Serena said as she watched Akari eat.  

Akari shook her head no.  

“I guess it works out for the best.  Mage Koya doesn’t like a lot of noise.  Especially when he is refining. He likes peace and quiet.  That’s why he’s out here, far away from other mages.” Serena told her.  

“How did you and Mr. Green start being Teacher Koya's servants?”  Akari asked.

“Oh, it’s a family tradition.  My family has served Mage Koya for several generations now.  He doesn’t ask much from us, but we help him as much as we can.  He treats us and pays us well so there hasn’t been any reason to leave his services.”  Serena told Akari as she took the empty plates and began to wash them. “When I heard Mage Koya announce that he had accepted an apprentice, we were all surprise.  We had thought that with an apprentice, there would be some liviness to his home, however you turned out to be exactly what he likes.”

“What’s that?”

“Quiet.  Studious.  Smart. Talented.”

“How do you know I’m all that?”

“I came earlier to check in on you at the library.  You had your head in the books and didn’t even notice my presence.  Kept on reading like no one was around you.”

“Sorry.  Sometimes when I’m reading.  That’s all I can think about.”

“No need to apologise.  I get it. My son’s the exact same way.  He’s studying at the academy now and all he does is read too.” Serena told her.  “My husband should be in soon for something to eat. I can introduce you to him.”

“That would be wonderful.”  

Akari and Serena chatted for another twenty minutes before a tall, bulk of a man with red hair and beard came into the kitchen.  He saw Akari and smiled at her. Akari liked Serena and Green very much. They were very genuine and direct. Akari spoke with the two of them for a little more before excusing herself to get back to reading.

Once Akari was far away, it was only then that Serena looked at Green with concern.  

“She…” Serena began to say.

“I know.  I agree.” Green said as he cut her off.  

“Do you think…”

“Mage Koya knows what he’s doing.”  Green told her cutting her off again.  “Fate has punished him long enough.”

Serena sighed heavily as she wiped the same spot on the counter over and over.  

“Just trust Mage Koya. That’s all we have to do.”  Green told her as he hugged her from behind. “We can worry, but we can’t interfere.”

Serena nods her head and leans into his embrace.  

“I just hope, everything turns out well in the end.”

“Me too.”