Luca regarded the older boy before him. They have been trying to disenchant the life-extending ring for a little while now, but they hadn’t done any progress. And suddenly this Elmar, who was thought disenchanting and enchanting two days ago, wanted to help?

“Are you sure you know what you are doing?” Asked Luca. The ring was not in his hands, it was in Theanore’s. She was notorious for being too trusting. He feared she would hand the ring over without even making the boy prove himself.

“It is simple. You have to feel the enchantment in your bones before you can learn it. What does a life-extending ring want? For one to feel alive! I have never felt more alive than I do now. I won’t botch it up.” Said Elmar as he extended his hand towards Theanore.

The little nymph smiled up at him and handed him the ring without asking any questions, just as Luca had feared. But instead of fulfilling his other fears and running off with the ring, the boy placed it in the mana fountain. And it disappeared.

“Ok, give me a ring, so I can enchant it.” Said Elmar as the three children stared at him with wonder in their eyes. Marinus gave him a simple gold band, and he wondered how Elmar wanted to do this with a single black mana crystal.

Elmar breathed in and then out. His fingers danced over the band. He could feel the magic coming from the mana fountain. Up and up, it went until it was caressing his face. He memorized the feeling and spoke.

Fire, water, lightning, air.

All good and powerful.

All sweet and useful.

But what are these paltry enchantments?

If not, that which makes up life?

Wrap, wrap around, elements of old.

And give me this ring of gold.

The black crystal disintegrated and Elmar saw that the new ring was glowing. It settled after a minute and Elmar gave it to Luca.

“Is it a life-extending ring?” Asked Elmar as Luca tested it with his magic.

“It is. But how did you come up with this?” Asked Luca, voice full of wonder.

“A rabbit pointed the way for me.” Said Elmar, not willing to tell them about Hades, least he frightened them.

“Fine, don’t tell us.” Said Luca as he handed the ring to Theanore.

“This ring will extend your life far more than the old one. I couldn’t even figure out with how much. I don’t have enough mana to see the number. But be warned: This ring slows down your age. If you prefer not to be small forever, then hold up on wearing it until you are at least twenty.” Said Luca.

Theanore immediately put on the ring.

“But I do want to be small forever.” Said Theanore and Marinus wilted next to her. “I don’t ever want to grow up! Elmar, make more rings. Enough for everyone!”

“Thea, why don’t you want to grow up?” Asked Marinus. He wanted to marry Theanore when they grew up, but if she refused to do so, then he had to remain as a child with her.

“Grown ups have responsibilities.” Said Theanore, one finger raised. All boys looked at her and her finger lowered. “Why? Why should I grow up?”

“You’ll break Marinus’ heart if you don’t, Thea.” Said Elmar. “He really wants to marry you. Don’t you, Marinus?”

“I do. But if you remain a child, Thea, then so will I.” Said Marinus.

“But you won’t be happy?” Asked Theanore, and Marinus nodded. She took off the ring and placed it in a box.

“Then I will hold off on using this until I am twenty. But, Elmar, make one for everyone still. Let the children of the orphanage be happy.” Said Theanore, and she was hugged by Marinus, who kissed her nose.

“Don’t you want to learn how to make the rings yourself?” Asked Elmar. But all three children shook their heads.

“You can make them mighty with your black mana crystals. And you figured out the secret. This should be your source of wealth.” Said Luca and the other two agreed.

“Wait! We need to pay him.” Said Theanore, and she took out a four-leaf clover and handed it to Elmar.

“For the ring you made. We can pay you for the rest in gold.” She said, as Elmar took the four-leaf clover. He felt the mana within and that it was dead. Perfect to be in sync with his mana reservoir.

“You don’t need to pay me in gold. Just in enchanted items, so I can learn more enchantments. And I would also like a portable mana fountain. I will leave after the New Year and travel to the forest of plenty.” Said Elmar as he absorbed the four-leaf clover into his skin. He could feel the dead thing twitch inside the mana lake. It felt almost…happy.

“Sure, we will enchant you numerous things for you to disenchant. And I’ll get mommy to make you a portable mana fountain.” Said Theanore, rushing in the direction of where she had last seen Esmer.

Marinus gave Elmar a new ring, and the boy enchanted it with the same words. There was grass under the mana fountain now, and the snow was melted at its foot. Life was slowly being released from the claws of winter. Even some trees were blooming.

“It is weird that when you enchant, nature responds.” Said Luca. He had never seen anything like this before.

“Isn’t it like this for everyone?” Asked Elmar as he placed the next ring in the growing pile. Luca exhaled loudly.

“No, are you not listening? You can probably become a great Druid if nature is bending to your will already. Have you decided who is going to train you?” Asked the former dungeon core. Untrained mages were a plague on the land. They spiraled out of control far too easily.

“I already have an offer.” Said Elmar, thinking of Hades. And even if the deity thought him in riddles, he would still teach him. That was more than what he could expect at the mage’s guild, where they gave you a heavy tome and locked you in the library until you figured something out.