„Hey there. You really know how to pick them. This spot is amazing in weather like this.“ Martin said as he sat down next to Kael. „Mhh yeah its nice here. Warm, sunny but in the shade at the same time.“ While they were talking, Martin slid a small backpack that Kael had not even noticed he had with him off his shoulders. Reaching in, he pulled out a sturdy-looking, light violet carton. „So, I don't know about you, but I really need some energy after a long day at school, and since dinner is not till later cake shall do.“

Placing the carton on the grass between them, Martin reached into the backpack again. This time he pulled out two bottles of water. He offered one to Kael with a smile and placed the other next to himself. The backpack was tossed to the side, making more room for them to eat. Mimicking the sound of a treasure chest opening, Martin revealed what he had brought in the cake carton. There sat four well-made pieces of cake decorated with chocolate or fruit. They looked good too.

Memories bubbled up as he watched Martin reach in and rearrange the pieces, placing them so that Kael had the choice of what to pick. Looking over the neatly arranged pieces of sweet delight, memories of times long gone bubbled up. Weekends of their family sitting together in a café or bakery, enjoying themselves with food and laughter. Closing his eyes and regulating his breathing helped, but it took him a while to get himself back under control.

When he opened his eyes again, it seemed that Martin had not noticed his little episode. He was rummaging in his retrieved backpack, complaining about forgetting to bring some plates and forks. „It is just not right to eat cake by hand.“ He said after confirming for the third time that he did not have any utensils in his backpack.

Smiling at his antics, Kael reached over and grabbed the small piece of white paper that a slice of Frankfurter Kranz rested on. Maneuvering the piece of cake into his mouth, he focused on the taste. Opening his mind fully to his empowered senses. Smooth, rich buttercream, fruity marmalade, fluffy sponge, and roasted almonds. The cake was good.

Satisfied, he took another bite and looked up, only to find that Martin was staring at him, a smile on his face. „What?“ he asked after swallowing. „Nothing, its just. You looked very intense there for a second. Everything alright with the cake? It taste bad?“ - „Oh, uhm, well no its quite good actually. I uh, used to like this cake a lot and with my improved senses...“ The smile slowly turning into a full-blown grin, Martin nodded.

"Ahh yes. The pleasures of the physically gifted. It is no wonder really that many of them go into gastronomy, instead of using their talents in a, more... active way." - „So you found out anything about my... Awakening? Start of awakening? What is the process called anyway?“ Both interested and a little self-conscious, he tried to guide the conversation towards a more comfortable topic.

„Oh, yea no, well, maybe. It's complicated. Oh and its called the initiation. The process you went through on the roof that is. Anyway so yea it's complicated.“ Martin said between bites of opera cake. „Like, there is just not much information in the books I have access to. The topic of initiation mages is not discussed until the later years of study usually and they have their own library. Most of the books I can access are much more general. Now, don't bite my head off."

Torturing Kael by stopping right in the middle of what he was explaining seemed to please his only friend immensely. Only after the cake had vanished into his mouth in its entirety did Martin continue. "What I did find were mentions of irregularities in the process. I am pretty sure they were talking about smaller stuff, like different affinities or compatibility issues, but there was a section that mentioned that some awakenings can be very different depending on 'the method used'. Whatever that means. Could just refer to little things like the placement of the hand of the mage performing the initiation, or something more. Anyway, the writer only mentioned them in passing, not delving deeper into the topic. Somewhere in the libraries of the upper grades there might be a book explaining more, but that is sadly out of my range.“

Kael thought about his time with the Archmage again. The whole process was strange. From the way Martin had explained about the process of initiation, a mage was just supposed to place their hand on the pupil's back, and pour mana into their still sleeping mana pools. Initiates would just sit down on a chair, and a mage would do 'something. Boom, you're almost a mage. The awakening would then follow a few hours or days later.

„Hey, Kale, you listening? Ah good, you were spacing out there for a second.“ - „Yea, sorry. Just thinking. You were saying?“ - „I was saying that I might have someone in mind to introduce you to. Someone more senior you know. Might be a little while before I find them though, if I ever do.“ Martin said contemplatively. Seeing Kael's confused face, he elaborated. „Well, its“ - „Complicated, I get it. Sheesh is there anything about magic that isn't?“

„Haha yes, magic is that way most days sadly. There is this mage that supposedly has sponsored many unusual mages over the years. She keeps out of the usual politics of the higher society and mage circles, doing her own thing. Rumor is that she runs some sort of restaurant, but no one knows where it is. Well anyway, there might still be a chance. My uncle is meeting with some of his friends early next week and I managed to convince him to take me. One of his old friends from school is supposed to be one of the ones sponsored by her.“

Well, that was good news, though Kael. Although he was trying, the process of connecting his mana pool to the outside was already so hard, the future would certainly be no different. There was no way for him to move forward alone at a reasonable pace, and for all his help, Martin was simply not old and experienced enough to help.

„Nice, lets hope she is real and not just a figment of imagination. Its always easier to deal with someone that has impressive 'help' than admitting that someone is just better than you. Would not be the first time a rumor like that was used to placate the injured souls of privileged idiots.“ - „Ain't that the truth!“

By the time they had finished their second piece of cake, their conversation had turned from magic-related topics to complaining about snobby idiots and what stupid things they got up to. Although Kael hadn't been in school for the last few years, self-important idiots seemed to be a universal phenomenon. With their conversation turning lighthearted and swinging from topic to topic, they only noticed the passage of time when a gust of cold wind made them shiver. The sun was just on the cusp of the horizon and tinted the sky red.

„Its so late already, fuck.“ Martin cursed after looking at his smartphone to check the time. „If I'm back late again I don't know what my Mom will do. She was already super pissed when I showed up in the middle of the night, exhausted and dirty. No need to sit in the doghouse twice in as many weeks. Want to walk with me to the station?“

It wasn't far to the station, and they arrived about fifteen minutes later, joking all the way there. They had reached the station and were now waiting for his tram to arrive. „If you have questions, or just want to talk, write me. There is a lot going on at school right now so I don't have that much time but that should end in a week or two, then we can hang out more.“ - „Sure. I'll try to feel the ambient mana at least by then and maybe by the time we meet again you can help me with the next step.“ Kael said with a grin to the teen standing next to him.

Before they could talk more, the sleek tube of metal, glass, and composites that was the tram stopped in front of them, cutting their time short. „That's my ride. Talk to you later. If anything comes out of the meeting I'll let you know.“ - „See ya.“ The closing doors cut off the last bit of his response. Kael watched as the tram began moving again, taking Martin with it. After the public transport had left, he sighed and started his lonely journey home.

Over the last few years of social isolation, he had grown numb and had gotten used to being alone. There had just not been a reason to interact with anyone other than Lucy. And their relationship, if it could still be called that, was not what one could call social. Now that someone new had come into his life, someone he felt a connection with, the walls he had built began to crumble. He simply hadn't realized how much he missed people.

There was no way to know how his friendship with Martin would work out. There never was with other people. He only knew that he would do his best to keep their friendship alive.