The days grew colder as winter was soon approaching. People started stocking food and supplies they might need when the land would be covered by snow. People started wearing thicker clothes. The taverns and bars were overflowing with customers as people went there to warm their body with alcohol. The women working on the tavern wore increasingly revealing clothes despite the increasing cold inviting unwelcome grabs and touches from drunk customers. Not that they cared, for their purses grew heavier with each contact.

Vincent spent his days with Brian and Rachel. He would be lost in a book whenever he had time to kill. He held a book until intense drowsiness took over him. Master Rigrit developed a very favorable impression of Vincent as he spent most of his time reading. As an avid reader himself, he understood how much one could learn from books.

4 months had gone by in a blink of an eye. Vincent had developed a much closer relationship with Brian and Rachel. The former was like a brother who was always with him while the latter was like an older sister that poked her nose in his business all the time. Vincent had grown attached to both of them before he realized it.

Today was the day of Vincent's 10th birthday. He was brimming with excitement and energy as he too would finally begin learning the mana conversion method. He looked forward to finally taking his first step on the path of wizardry. After today, he would be one more step closer to achieving his goal.

The teacher and his students held another feast to celebrate Vincent's birthday. The atmosphere was extremely lively. The table was filled with delicious and exotic dishes. Even Master Rigrit himself only had these in rare occasions. The feast ended followed by each members presenting their gift to Vincent. Nelson got him a book while Master Rigrit handed him a robe that signified one's identity as a wizard. Brian and Rachel gifted Vincent a golden pocket watch. It had delicate looking hands and the inner gears could be seen through the clear glass. Vincent was moved greatly by the gestures of goodwill and love.

Master Rigrit handed Vincent a letter at the end and retired to his bedroom. The letter was sealed with red wax. The seal was stamped with an emblem of a bird perched atop a candle holder. Vincent looked at it curiously as he lit the lamp in his studying desk. He slowly opened the letter as Brian came over and looked curiously at the letter.

"Dear Vincent,

First of all, I would like to wish you a happy 10th birthday. I hope you are doing well at Master Rigrit's place. While I would have loved to wish you in person and see how you are doing myself, I do not have the time nor the luxury to do so.

I have heard nothing but praises from Master Rigrit about you. But I would still like to remind you to not waste your time. Nurturing a wizard costs a fortune and I am spending at least a 100 gold coins on you every year. It might not be an astronomic amount for a noble but I must remind you once more that you and I have no connection even though you are my flesh and blodd. I have no obligation to take care of you. Still, I am doing this to clear my conscience.

I will support you till your 15th birthday. I hope you will use every single moment available to you till then. The world is a tough place and I wish for you to be ready for it before then.

This will be our first and last contact. Do not try to contact me or the Devonton family.

Elric Devonton"

Reading the letter wiped all traces of earlier happiness from Vincent's face. He sighed as he put the letter down. He felt confused and lost. The man he didn't really care for had wrote him a letter. He didn't feel any anger or happiness from it. All that remained in his head were more questions and uncertainties. He put all the useless thoughts aside and crumbled the letter and threw them away.

Brian was shaking with visible anger from head to toe. At first, he was only curious about the contents of the letter. But his flames of anger burned hotter as he read the letter. He hated how the man penned his words. He hated how miserly the man was despite being a noble. He specially hated how the man denied his responsibilities and stated how he was doing this only to clear his conscience.

Brian wanted to comfort Vincent but after looking at him, he didn't know what he should do. Vincent didn't look like he was angry or pitiful. He just had a blank look on his face as if lost in thought. He tried voicing his thoughts but gave up halfway each time. He watched as Vincent crumpled the letter and disposed of it before going to bed. Brian looked at Vincent as he continued his inner struggle. He eventually decided to just let it be and went to bed too.

************************************************************

Master Rigrit guided Vincent carefully as he watched his youngest student attempt converting his energy into mana for the first time. He had great expectations from this student even though he would only be under his tutelage for 5 years. This time span was considered short as an average student would take about 9 years to reach tier 2 and become a second circle wizard. Even Nelson who was very diligent was barely reaching the edge of tier 2 and he was already 16. If all went well he would become a second circle wizard at the age of 17.

Vincent followed the instructions and circulated his energy in a set way converting it to mana. He then circulated the mana throughout the mana circulation system in his body. It felt like blood was being pumped throughout his body with great force similar to the sensation after an exhausting task that required much physical labor.

This exercise required him to use his mana from all over his body. It was similar to training muscles except much harder. The practitioner would feel an aching sensation all over his body as it stimulated their mana circulation system. It was similar developing muscles to make them tougher and stronger. Once the practitioner was capable to releasing mana outside their body, they would have become a first circle wizard. They could start practicing according to spell models and cast it after learning them.

It was a cumbersome process as the practitioner would be utterly exhausted after each session of training. They would need to replenish their energy and it required a good and nutritious meal. This was a very expensive and time consuming process. Hence, advancing as either a wizard or warrior was very tough.