If he didn’t have Striding Wind, Theo had a feeling that he might be dead already.

Lying on the ground, he was more sweat than man after running through all the obstacle courses (more carefully) again. His muscles trembled as he massaged them with mana, and he absentmindedly wondered if there was a point where this stopped working, or if there were any long-term effects to constantly forcing mana through his muscles.

Sparrow sat on the ground, non-plussed. “You recovered?” They asked, and all Theo could force out as an answer was a groan.

He was getting better, and it wouldn’t be too long before he’d be able to jump to the top of the first obstacle course in one shot, but it didn’t help his control. In fact, it did the exact opposite, and every day was an exercise in relearning his limits and what he could do. He admitted it was getting better, and it was probably better long-term to constantly get stronger, but that didn’t mean it was easy or convenient. Theo did acknowledge that complaining that he was getting strong too fast would probably be classified as humble bragging, and was glad this was all relegated to his thoughts, where he could complain for as long as he wanted without judgme-

“Well, while you’re lying there, I might as well tell you what I want you to do next.” Sparrow said, interrupting Theo’s internal monologue. He looked up, and saw them just standing there, casually inspecting their nails and hands.

“I’ve got something I want you to do for me. Go pick up my order from The Glass Stopper.”

---

The Glass Stopper was located in the Commerce District. It was huddled between two very brightly painted, tall buildings (One bright yellow wood, and one vibrant red brick), but even so it was the one that stood out. Its storefront was almost entirely glass, and protected by some magical runes that shimmered over its entrance.

Theo stood there for a moment, entranced. Partially from the glass (it was difficult to find glass of that size or quality, let alone both simultaneously), and partially from the strings of mana he could see wrapped around it.

After another moment of appreciating a lovely sight (the way one would at a museum, or while around someone attractive), he walked up to the runes, but deliberately stood just outside their protective area. Theo didn’t know much about runes, but he knew enough to not walk into ones he didn’t understand. Just in case.

Now closer, and without the glare and reflection marring the surface, he could see inside the store. The inside was much simpler than the storefront. It was an incredible number of wooden shelves, all with glass bottles filled with various substances, all of different sizes and shapes and colours.

Theo couldn’t wait until he could look at them closer. Looking around, he tried to find some door handle or opening, and couldn’t find one. But, there didn’t need to be one as when he searched for a door, the strings of mana shifted so that there was a rectangle free from runes. Walking up to it, he hesitated as there was nothing that showed him how he could potentially enter.

Then there was the gentle hiss of a snake, and Theo had to stop himself from jumping as the glass seemed to split into two, and the rectangle free of mana shifted, slowly sliding out and creating an entrance.

He jumped through, not trusting it to stay open for long enough, and he didn’t want to test if it would wait for him to go through, or start closing ON him at some point. In the back of his mind, Theo wondered if this could trap someone, or what would happen if the runes were tampered with. Shaking his head, he stopped that train of thought. He was here to pick something up. And Sparrow wouldn’t knowingly put him in dan-

Sparrow wouldn’t knowingly put him in danger that they didn’t think he could handle, or they would be watching over him.

Collecting his scattered courage that he’d dropped at the sound of the glass sliding open, Theo walked deeper into the Glass Stopper, between the shelves filled with beakers and bottles, until he reached an unmanned wooden counter with a bell on it, and pigeonholes filled with various ingredients and bags and bottles lining the wall behind.

Theo waited for a moment, just in case someone came out, but nobody did. He gave himself a moment longer to look around, and did a double-take as he realised the way the sunlight reflected off the bottles caused the polished wood floor to resemble stained glass. In the afternoon sun, between the light and the magic, the stained glass effect felt fitting.

Theo took in the silence and the faint smell of various herbal mixtures in the air. It wasn’t unpleasant, in the way that a spicy meal wasn’t unpleasant. Eventually, he ran out of novel sensations and things to look at, and rang the bell. It was a clear, pleasant sound, and out from another invisible sliding panel, this time directly behind the counter, emerged a kindly-looking man with a trimmed beard, face held in a gentle smile.

“Ah! A customer! Welcome to the Glass Stopper! Finest purveyor of alchemical goods in Union City.” Proclaimed the man, as he sized Theo up. “I’m Chris, the owner of this establishment. I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before. What brings you here today?” Chris reached out his hand towards Theo.

Theo shook Chris’ hand. “I’m Theo. The Dancing Wind sent me here to pick something up?” Theo didn’t mean for it to be a question, but it gradually rose in pitch until it was one. He was rather unsure of what exactly he was here to pick up. After all, all that Sparrow told him was to pick up their order.

“Lovely to meet you, Theo.” Chris said. It was the first time he’d talked to this man, but Theo already believed in the sincerity of this man. Chris had an infectious charm around him that he definitely liked. Chris continued, adding as an afterthought, “Ah, Sparrow! Such a lovely bard. One second.” The shopkeeper turned around and started whistling as he regarded the wall of pigeonholes and looked for something (presumably, Sparrow’s order).

“How do you know Sparrow?” The shopkeeper asked, as he looked slightly over his shoulder before returning his attention to scanning the boxes upon boxes in front, searching for something.

“I was trying to help them out in a fight before realising that they definitely didn’t need it. Anyway, they took a shine to me and decided to personally mentor me.” Theo replied. Chris nodded his head, not the slightest bit confused by what he said.

“Ah yes, this year’s project.” Chris continued to nod to himself, before seeing Theo’s face and continuing, “Don’t worry! That title means you go on to do great things. Everyone they pick out ends up doing something impressive. There’s been more than a few prodigies that they’ve uncovered, let me tell you.” Chris nattered on, turning around to fully face Theo.

“There was Emily, the one who managed to mash action and focus magic together and learned how to convert one to the other. Alice, who could sing and perform just about any song, especially after hearing it once. Finally, Fergus, who made a mean pie and was a lifesaver when travelling long distance with limited rations.” Chris continued. “Between you and me, I would have taken the fresh food and Fergus’ company every time. My mouth still waters thinking of his chicken and leek pie.” Chris was lost in thoughts of food, reminiscing so strongly that for a moment Theo felt like he could almost also taste Fergus’ pie. Shaking that thought away, Chris chuckled to himself and addressed Theo.

“Point is, don’t worry! Sparrow has reasons for choosing you, and I know that you’ll do fine. Just gotta believe in yourself, and give yourself time to grow.” The smile on the shopkeeper’s face was so sincere that Theo found himself starting to believe.

“Thank you! To be honest, believing in myself has always been hard. I grew up an orphan, and if it wasn’t for The Pub I wouldn’t be able to tell you if I’d still be alive today.” Theo paused. He didn’t expect to open up to a stranger, but something about how genuinely Chris was listening and expressing interest made him feel like this was okay, if not expected.

“Ah, The Pub!” Chris remarked, very brightly, before realising what Theo was actually saying. While he kept smiling, Chris’ face and energy grew respectfully subdued, but it was still positive.

“Life can be hard sometimes, and that’s not fair on any of us. Take for example, this shop.” Chris gestured around, and Theo swore some of the bottles moved a little bit as he spoke.

“I started off just like you. I was an orphan and I didn’t know what I was doing. But I was lucky, and got tested and it turned out I was decent enough at magic to go to the College of Spells.” Chris paused to pick up a bag from the pigeonholes and set it down on the counter as they talked, pulling out a glass stirring stick that they started waving around for emphasis.

“Of course, I didn’t have the brains, or the control, or the mana to become a proper Mage, but I fell in love with alchemy after a class and here we are!” Chris beamed, contentment in his voice and warmth in his chest.

“This shop is my pride and joy, and I’m happy I found my calling.” Chris quirked his lips up slightly as he stared off into space. “Even if once upon a time I desperately wished to be on a battlefield, firing off spells and changing the course of wars.” He sighed, wistfully.

“As a kid I got tested, and I didn’t have the aptitude or patience needed for runes. Sometimes I wonder if I would have been better off if I did.” Theo sympathised. There was a pause, before Chris woke them out of their collective reverie with a crisp clap.

“We can wonder all day, but there’s better things to do. And nowadays, I’m sure I enjoy alchemy more than I do being cold and hungry, travelling to who-knows-where. So. Tell me Theo, how have you been finding training with Sparrow? Do they still organise the…”

---

They talked for hours, and Theo found himself smiling and laughing more often than he would have expected while on an errand. Gradually, the sunlight in the store disappeared, and the stained-glass reflections on the floor were now illuminated through balls of mana floating on sticks that grew brighter as the sunlight grew weaker. Eventually, the bell on the counter started to ring by itself, and Theo only then realised that the sun was now a distant memory, and it was distinctly time for dinner.

“Ah, there’s the sign for me to close up for the day.” Chris lightly tapped himself on the forehead as he tutted under his breath. “Thank you for coming by and chatting. It’s been lovely meeting you, please come back soon!” Chris waved, and the mana balls lit up in such a way to illuminate Theo’s path out, as Chris started collecting various piles in the pigeonholes and the sliding door behind him opened up once again.

“Thank you, I’ll definitely come back around!” Theo called back, as left The Glass Stopper once again carefully walking through the sliding glass and rune-work, feeling very upbeat as he walked to The Pub. It was pleasant to simply chat with someone so passionate about life.

It took him five minutes to realise that he never picked up Sparrow’s order.