As a few days of reading Vega’s pages turned to weeks. And weeks of practice seemed to become months, Erzo soon realized he was now thirteen years old.

  With age comes wisdom, and he felt much different than he did when he first entered the forest. Almost like a new person entirely. He could remember Vega shouting orders and insults at him to shake his resolve during meditation. Erzo needed more than a few weeks of practice before he could stop crying by the end of what the book had said to him. He can be pretty mean sometimes. But his guidance was necessary.

  Erzo stood confident inside his fully functional treehouse, staring out into the world. Even he was surprised by what he was capable of when he put his mind to it. Anything was better than that hole in a tree after a while. The breeze at such a great height was always nice. The mana could be felt so much better up high than on the ground.

  He was no longer the scrawny kid that looked as if a decent meal never touched his lips. The forest provided him with more than he could ever need. Fruits, nuts, and meat were bountiful. His magical affinity grew with each passing day and Vega’s teachings were invaluable.

  Erzo could remember his first lesson that fateful next morning after opening the tree.

  It was special…

  “Illusion magic is one of the easiest to learn and hardest to master,” Vega had said to him.

  “Why? I am surprised you would need any magic at all to make a simple illusion or trick,” Erzo said, confused as usual.

  “Because it requires the greatest amount of control. You must be precise or else the illusion will fail. And it can fail in more ways than one.”

  Curious, Erzo had begun to read the chapters on illusion magic while being taught how to control his magical affinity. It was very difficult. But thanks to Erzo’s inquisitive nature, after his first month, he was finally able to cast a shadowy form of himself. It was a minor illusion, but one that gave him plenty of protection against the forest’s direwolves and other threats when foraging for food.

  A bird on a nearby branch chirped loudly and snapped Erzo out of his daydream. He looked down at his hands and smiled proudly. So much has changed. He then grabbed hold of his blue and silver leviathan brooch before noticing a thick fog roll through the trees.

  “I think it is about time I head back to the city to find Mel and her brother,” he said. “What do you think about making this a permanent home, Vega? It is better here than in the city.”

  “Whatever you want to do boy. It is not like I can go anywhere,” Vega responded while laying on the leaf-pile bed.

  Erzo looked at the grimoire puzzled and said, “You know, I have been meaning to ask but, why is it you are a book? Were you changed or something?”

  “A story for another time boy. But it wasn't by choice.”

  “You are so smart and knowledgeable, it would be hard to believe you would have been a book the entire time.”

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  Vega didn’t respond so Erzo decided not to push his luck. If he meant another time, he knew he would be told eventually. Erzo walked over to Vega, picked him up, and began to make his way down the tree.

  The late afternoon sun was covered in a thick, musty, fog. This time of year was always foggy, and at its coldest before the snow came, but not so cold that a simple cloak wouldn't do. Unfortunately, it would take some hours to reach the city walls by foot and by then it would be nighttime. Guards at the outer gates tend to increase the number of shifts at this time. Usually, so everyone has a chance to stay warm throughout the night and do their job properly. Erzo only knew of this because of his evening “walks” to find food scraps that the guards did not want to finish. They are fed like pigs by the king and spoil most of it. Such a privilege went to waste. Erzo’s fists clenched inside his cloak as he walked.

  When Erzo reached the outer edge of the forest, he could just see barely see the outline of the outermost gate. More guards were patrolling around than he had ever seen before.

  Did something happen? He thought to himself.

  “You will be fine boy, just walk in,” Vega said with a chuckle.

  “Yes, you would like that, wouldn’t you? Create a commotion with a peasant boy walking into a city without proper paperwork?”

  Vega thought for a moment. “How did you leave to begin with?”

  “I snuck out when the guards were in the middle of changing shifts midday,” Erzo said "Typically they don't care if you leave, but they will want to make sure kids my age are "properly" documented."

  He thought for a moment longer and then squatted by a bush while he pulled Vega out of the brown leather satchel. “You know what Vega? I think I will take your advice and walk in.”

  “This will be interesting,” Vega chuckled.

  Erzo smiled at him then put Vega back into his satchel. He stood tall. Confident and ready for anything, unlike his previous self months prior. He brought both of his hands out to their sides. Shoulders relaxed, Erzo breathed out slowly, then drew in as much air as he could and just as slowly released it. Blue mana danced around his feet, up his legs, and throughout his body and arms. Erzo’s eyes grew brighter and changed to an opalescent hue of blue.

  “The world always feels so small when I draw mana from it,” Erzo smirked proudly.

  “Remember to control it,” Vega responded. “Just because you know mid-level illusion magic by now, does not make you an expert in all areas of magic.” Vega paused for a moment. “Though I must admit, you exceeded even my own expectations of you these last few months.”

  Erzo turned towards his satchel and smiled. “Thank you, Vega.”

  “Hurry up, boy, it is cold,” Vega scoffed.

  Still smiling, Erzo turned his attention towards the outer wall again and began to walk forward, “With pleasure.”

  The blue mana began to spread wide around him and then fade slightly into the night - Erzo along with it.