On fourth day right before the lunch, teacher Alaric returned.

Even though every evening headmaster's servant would clean the room, over the course of today’s morning, I have already managed to undo all her work. Seven books were lying on floor, and I was lying beside them, reading eighth one.

"Teacher, I...“ I wanted to explain myself, as I was scared of his reaction. After all, he told me to do something and instead, I was relaxing and reading.

Teacher Alaric chuckled. He did not expect six years old kid like me to properly focus on training. As he saw me panicking, he let out soft heartfelt laugh.

"Aiken, it is alright to be interested in books, but you should treat them better. After you finish reading them, you should place them back onto shelf.“ he said, as he casted spell and seven books levitated, returning back to shelf.

"I'm back. So how is your progress on learning spirit-training technique I gave you?“ he asked, trying to make me feel even more guilty than I already felt. However to his surprise, his question led to something completely else.

"Teacher, I think I have already learned it.“ I answered.

He looked at me with doubtful expression. What is this brat saying? It took him many months to learn this first level of [Mystical Spirit Expanding Technique], how could have this brat learned it within few days? After all it was unique method to train one's spirit, while all usual methods used different ways of discharging mana to improve spirit capacity instead. Learning even basic control of spirit should take much longer.

"If you think you have learned it, show me your progress.“ teacher asked of me, thinking I was bluffing. I fixed my sitting posture to one for meditation, and then I started cycle of contracting and stretching my spirit.

Ever since Alaric has reached third level of [Mystical Spirit Expanding Technique], he was able to perceive spirit of others, when he focused. When he realised, that not only was I moving my spirit, but more importantly, I was also properly stretching and contracting it, he gasped with disbelief. This was final step of first level of technique, one he had not even mentioned to me yet, since he thought there was no need, as properly learning how to move my spirit should have taken me at least few months. As he finally calmed himself down, he touched storage ring on his finger and took out purple crystal.

"Aiken.“ he called my name loudly, interrupting my meditation. "How long ago have you been last measured for your spirit capacity?“ he asked.

"I think it should be about two weeks ago, teacher. Why are you asking?“ I responded with confusion.

"Do you still remember how much mana did you have?“

"I think it was little over five hundred.“

Alaric blinked. He had not noticed previously, but now he realised that most of books lying on ground previously should have been too boring for ordinary child to read. Also, for child of my age, counting to twenty would be considered advanced math knowledge. He started to have growing suspicion as he placed crystal into my hand.

"Six hundred and two.“ I exclaimed with surprise. Over last two weeks, my soul capacity grew almost by hundred? That was too insane. Or was it because of new technique?

As I looked at teacher, I could feel his stare filled with interest. My uncle never truly noticed how unusually fast have I learned things like numbers and reading, because he had never been teacher and other village children were not interested in learning such things. But teacher Alaric on the other hand remembered how late it was he learned higher numbers. He looked at book I had in my hands when I entered room, that was now lying on earth.

"Aiken, do you remember name of seven great cities of Southern empire?“ he asked.

"Capital city Brion, and six royal cities Alsante, Illorb, Landor, Montrove, Trove and...“ I responded, but then I realised I could not remember last one. After pondering for while, my eyes flashed with happiness as I finally remembered seventh city.

"Xindar was the last one, I think.“ I finished.

Teacher Alaric smiled. This kid is not simple village boy, he thought. This outstanding talent in ability to memorize and learn combined with unusual spirit capacity, it would be such pity for this boy to be wasted as guardian of some nameless village.

"Aiken, keep training until evening. I will return at evening, and I don't want you to waste even second of your time, is that understood?“ he asked.

"But teacher, you just returned!“ I protested.

"Listen Aiken. Be a good boy. Reason I am leaving now is for your own good. Just wait till the evening, alright.“

"Alright.“ I answered with voice filled with disappointment. After all, I hoped that after his return, he would teach me some powerful spells.

He left again and this time, I started seriously training my spirit, only interrupting it when lunch and dinner was brought by old servant.

While i was finishing dinner, teacher returned.

Following him was woman, whose age was probably slightly less than thirty. However, she was dressed in exquisite violet robe, with her violet hair fixed in complex hairdo by three long silver pins.

"Good evening, teacher Alaric, good evening, lady.“ I said as I stood up from food.

"Aiken, it seems like you interrupted your training to eat.“ said teacher Alaric, as he entered. "So this little boy is one you were talking about, Alaric?“ asked the woman as she looked at me.

"Aiken, this lady is Mia Sable, current mistress of Sable family of merchants who is also tier eleven magic practitioner.“

I bowed down bit in her direction to show respect, but I honestly had no clue about how important was person in front of me. I had no knowledge that Sable family was second of four wealthiest and most influential merchant families of city. Their wealth and influence could easily rival most of practitioner families.

Lady Mia came closer to me, inspecting my face and hair, making me feel uncomfortable in progress.

"Alaric, call servants to prepare bath. Can't you see that this boy is quite dirty? I will have some of my servants bring some nice clothes for him.“

"But Mia, you see, I told you he is commoner, so...“ opposed Alaric, but he was interrupted

"So you think it is alright when he's not properly bathing himself? Go get some servants to prepare bath or prepare it yourself.“

Alaric nodded and without any further protests left the room.

"So you are called Aiken, right, little boy?“ she asked, as soon as he left.

"Yes, my name is Aiken.“ I answered shortly.

"Alaric probably has not told you why am I here, right?“

"No, he didn't, lady Sable.“

Woman laughed lightly, as she placed hand in front of her mouth.

"That is so like him.“ she smiled. "You see, Alaric has invited me, because he wants me to sponsor you. If you were to study in branch of commons, he thinks that would be waste of talent. I will pay so you can study in branch of generous.“

"What is branch of generous?“

While you, reader of my memoirs have already been provided with basic explanation of school being divided into three branches earlier, I was at that time been only six years old and my uncle nor teacher Alaric had ever explained it to me, so I was completely clueless.

Smile in face of lady Sable has turned into icy expression of anger.

"Damn that stupid idiot. Not telling you about why he invited me is one thing, but not even telling you about how school is divided is too much.“ she cursed.

Then, her expression calmed once more and she started explaining.

"Listen, boy, this school has three branches for children of different backgrounds. First, branch of honor, where practitioners and nobles can have their children schooled. Branch of generous, where children of wealthy merchant families, like mine, can learn magic. Last is branch of commons, where talented children of commoners can learn magic. First branch is only accessible to families of practitioners and nobles, but other two can be accessed by anyone as long as he is willing to pay.“ she explained to me.

It was not complete true. For example, Mia Sable managed for her older daughter, who was extremely talented, to enter branch of honors, but even with influence of her family and backing of two nobles who had borrowed money from them, it was still extremely hard.

"Children of branch of commons have only access to first floor of library and have much worse conditions for learning and living. With your talent, it would slow you down pointlessly, so I decided I would pay some additional fees to have you study in branch of generous instead of branch of commons.“

As I understood her explanation, I felt indebted to her, and had no clue how to thank her. Seeing my expression, she laughed lightly.

"It was only about ninety gold or so, so there is no need to worry about such small thing.“

You have to understand my shock at that moment, because from my point of view, ninety gold was absurd amount of money. I did not know how much it really was, but I knew that just thirty nine gold coins was great sum . Saying ninety gold coins was not much money seemed absurd to me.

But to Mia Sable, it was amount of money she would receive as her share from profits of her family every month. While it certainly was quite the sum, because she was current leader of family and because monthly profit of whole family even after everyone in family received their share was over four hundred gold, she could probably take even more without anyone saying anything, if she wanted.

I had no clue how would I ever be able to repay such favor.

"Please, do not scare my student, lady Sable.“

Finally, teacher Alaric has returned.

"Aiken, your bath is ready. Servants of lady Sable will lead you there and help you with bath.“

"Alaric, you dare to call this boy your student? You have not even explained to him how this school is divided. If you call him your student, what kind of teacher does that make you?“ responded lady Sable to his accusations.

Seeing that they were probably going to argue for long time, I decided to leave them alone.

Being in bath with servants who would try to assist me even though I did not need help felt extremely awkward. If I was born in rich family, I would probably be used to servants, but I was not, so whole situation was uncomfortable for me. Therefore I washed myself quickly and left as soon as possible. When I finished, they gave me clothes that looked like they must have belonged to some rich child. I silently returned back to room, where both teacher Alaric and lady Sable were waiting for me.

"Yes, it seems like my son's old clothes suit you well.“ said lady Sable with chuckle.

"So now that lady Sable is fine with way you look, let me tell you how lucky brat you are. She decided she will not only finance your studies, she would also give you some small pocket money, so you can buy things of need like snacks, potions and magic items in city.“ teacher Alaric stated. I was surprised, why would she be willing to spend so much money on me? My question got answered immediately.

"However she has request for you. This year, her younger daughter Saffron is to start attending magic school as well in branch of generous. However, there are also few children of families who don't really like Sable family. They might want to bully or hurt her daughter. So of course, you should make sure nothing like that will happen, understood? You are to keep close eye on her, alright?“

"I am thankful for your support and I will do anything to repay my debt to you, lady Sable.“ I bowed down as I responded with words I prepared to thank lady Sable with while bathing.

"Thank you Aiken. Safety of my daughter is in your hands. Also, you don't need to call me lady Sable, aunt Mia will suffice. After all, I can accept you to branch family if you want.“ she answered.

"Alright, it is almost time to go sleep, but first, show me progress you made with meditation during afternoon.“ said teacher as he placed purple crystal in my hands once more.

"Six hundred and fourteen.“ I said. Both lady Sable and teacher opened their mouths in disbelief.

"Aiken, how much mana did crystal show during lunch?“ asked teacher Alaric.

"Six hundred and two, teacher.“

I looked at him, confusion in my eyes, until I started counting. Over few hours I managed to gain twelve mana. If I would focus on practicing, I could reach tier seven magic in less than two weeks.

"You were right, Alaric. Not supporting talent like this would be certainly waste of opportunity.“