Alistir returned to his dorm, tired and shook. Ginga had scouted Molly at the meet and greet, and found out at the subsequent meeting.

  What was he supposed to do? If he had told her about the program, she would've joined regardless. He didn't, and she still somehow made it in.

  School was tomorrow. Thankfully, the Hero Program doesn't take out scouted kids for another two years, since they still have to learn basic knowledge like math, history, reading, and writing. She would be a normal girl for two years.

  Then hell would begin for her.

  The decision was already finalized. The only thing he could do was send her out the country, but even that was highly dangerous.

  The path Molly was put on was his greatest fear. Becoming a living weapon, a Hero, for the royalty and government to exercise their power. No child should have to go through that.

  He could only hope that she won't do anything rash or wild that could make her hero training more intense.

  —--------------------------------

  Molly introduced herself at the front of the classroom on her first day.

  She struck the most awesome pose she could think of. One foot in the teacher's chair, one on the ground. Both arms outstretched, a massive, cynical grin, stars in her eyes.

  [Molly]: “What's up, duuudes!”

  She learned that from her dad.

  In the room was a class of about 30 kids, less like a classroom and more like a lecture hall. A population of mostly average people, say for a single blind kid in the back with a servant.

  Molly sat down at her bench with a few other kids.

  A boy to her right asked her suddenly.

  [???]: “What's your lineage, Molly?”

  Only nobles had bloodline names, and are mostly unnecessary in everyday life. Much more focus is put on having a unique first name.

  Molly didn't have a lineage name. She knew her father, but he obviously wasn't a part of a bloodline. Her mother, well… she never met her at all.

  [Molly]: “I don't have one. I'm adopted.”

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  [???]: “Oh, ok then. Well, my name is Airen.”

  [Molly]: “Nice to meetcha.”

  [Molly]: “Wanna help me change the world?”

  [Airen]: “Uhhh….sure.”

  [Airen]: “So, how are you changing the world?”

  [Molly]: “My Dad left behind this awesome, legendary book, that is filled with cool ideas!”

  [Airen]: “Can I come over and read it?”

  [Molly]: “Not yet, but I can tell you about the stuff in it.”

  The teacher, Ronel, sat down at his desk. A middle-aged man with a funny mustache and scary eyes, he was nowhere near as mean as his eyes would imply. He spent the rest of the period handing out supplies and notes.

  [Teacher Ronel]: “That's enough, you two.”

  —--------------------------------

  Molly returned home with Alistir. For some reason, he seemed a bit down.

  [Alistir]: “Look, Molly, there's something I need to tell you.”

  [Alistir]: “You've been selected for the Hero Program.”

  [Molly]: “What's that?”

  [Alistir]: “Torture.”

  [Alistir]: “It's where you get trained for 8 years until you become a living weapon. All of the good and peace in your life will be gone.”

  [Molly]: “Umm… that doesn't sound good.”

  [Alistir]: “Did you speak to a guy named Ginga?”

  [Molly]: “Yeah! He had this axe that used alchemy in it! So I asked him about it!”

  [Alistir]: “Starting today, I'm preparing you for the Program. In secret.”

  [Molly]: “Won't you go to jail for that?”

  [Alistir]: “I don't care.”

  And so the decision was made. In order to better prepare her for the Program, she would practice magic in secret, and spar with Alistir after school.

  [Alistir]: “Ok. Let's go and activate your magic.”

  [Molly]: “R-REALLY?!”

  [Alistir]: “Be quiet. Please. I’m already suspicious for supporting your dad’s book.”

  [Alistir]: “Listen to me. Very closely. You are never to use magic anywhere other than our secret sessions.”

  This is so stupid of me, Alistir thought. He can already see the prison sentence from here. This is a terrible mistake. A mistake that he is making on purpose.

  [Molly]: “I understand.”

  [Alistir]: “Promise me.”

  [Molly]: “I promise.”

  —-----------------------

  Walking down the hallway, past the dorms, past the library, was the private sage closet. This is where many important magical devices, potions, and materials are located, just for use by the sages. Alistir went into his closet, getting out a small object resembling a tiny dumbbell, with two crystals at the end.

  [Alistir]: “This is a high-grade Resonator. It allows you to feel the flow of magic inside you and roughly gauges the amount of magic you have.”

  [Alistir]: “Hold it.”

  Alistir already knew she had a high amount and affinity for magic, due to the massive magic organ she has in her forehead.

  [Molly]: “Wha-whoooaaa!!”

  [Alistir]: “Shhhhhhh!”

  The crystals began to light up, oscillating in brightness. Her hands began to light up. Then her arms. Then her head and body. The magic organ, the gem in her forehead, lit up like a light bulb.

  She could feel it! A warmth and slight tingling in her body, flowing from her mind to her hands and feet! It felt so relaxing.

  It reminded her of dad.

  [Alistir]: “Felt nice? Get used to it.”

  [Alistir]: “Come with me, outside.”

  —--------------------------------

  Alistir had taken Molly out to a secluded forest clearing a few miles outside the city limits. A bland setting, full of dried winter grass and leafless old oak trees. It was just warm enough that her breath couldn’t be seen anymore.

  [Alistir]: “Make sure you remember the route. You'll be coming here often.”

  The usual stressed and overly professional front that Molly recognized was gone, replaced by a stern determination that she couldn't in a million years envision on Alistir's face.

  She knew this was serious, which made her recall the conversation between her and Ginga. If he was doing something so important, why was he so absent-minded about it? Did he not care that much?

  [Alistir]: “Listen up. We'll start immediately. Our first lesson will build on what we just did. You will learn to feel the magic and move it throughout your body without the Resonator.”

  [Molly]: “Ok.”

  [Alistir]: “I have it with me to get you started. We will not leave until you do it once.”

  Sounds straightforward enough, she thought.

  Once again, she held the Resonator, feeling the magic and warmth flowing around her body. The flow didn't feel like it could be controlled by her, though. It was like a second circulatory system.

  [Alistir]: “In order to move the magic on your own, one must replicate the effect of the Resonator with only your mind.”

  She held her arms out, remembering the warmth she felt with the Resonator, and focused on her hands.

  Nothing happened.

  She reminisced on the memories of having naps with dad, the warmth and comfort of those nostalgic days. Tears began to well up.

  Nothing happened.

  This went on for another five hours.