Hana gathered the three apprentices right after dinner. She seemed very serious about it.

“Do you want to know why you are placed in the women’s dorm?” Hana asked Adrin who shrugged at the question. “Because no one was really expecting a male apprentice to turn up in the countryside. A room simply wasn’t prepared for you.”

“Are you saying what I’m thinking you are saying?” Adrin replied.

“Yes, girls are more likely to become a mage than boys. It is just a widely known fact. I’m not even surprised when you told me about Emilia.”

“Oh, okay,” the young man nodded a little. He was thinking about it.

“Don’t you realize it yet?” she continued. “It also means that most male apprentices will already be affiliated to a family, noble, magi, or even royal. You, Adrin, are among the few who shall be the center of attention whether you want it or not. That can be very good or very very bad.”

“What do you mean?” Adrin asked.

“Well, most of the family will play by the rule while some others might not,” Hana sighed, “they may try to remove you to keep the delicate balance of power.”

“Why are you telling him this?” Emi, the lover, asked if not a little alarmed. Her hand already reached for his arm.

“I’m telling him because someone with actual talent will be too valuable to be removed,” Hana leaned back on her chair. “I’m just saying you better not have any foolish idea of hiding your talents as we can use it to our advantage. Besides, the academy will test your best affinity, you won’t be able to hide it anyway. ”

“The academy will not test all of our affinity?” Adrin asked.

“Yes, it is better to focus on your best than generalize, you don’t want to be a jack of all trades.”

Emilia had a genuine concern on her face while Adrin was still acting stubborn. They were looking at each other, talking with their eyes, and anyone could tell that they knew each other very well. Emi tightened the grip on his hand before he gave in.

“Okay, you are right,” Adrin sighed. “I do have a considerable [Crystal] affinity.”

“I knew it!” Hana rejoiced. “That’s why you aren't interested in my [Stone Meld] at all, you have a better one, [Crystal Meld] is considered quite rare because you can shape even gems.”

Nerina was watching everything unfold while keeping her mouth shut.

His lover hooked Nerina’s arm and pulled her closer and hugged her. She was overjoyed at the fact Adrin had an exceptional talent in magic. She had no idea why in the world Emilia was clinging on to her instead of the young man.

Adrin was out of the ordinary just like her instinct told her the moment she first saw him. There was no surprise to her when Hana first found out that he was sensitive to mana.

‘But shaping crystals? That’s incredible,’ she mused.

For at least thirty years Nerina had been hiding most of the time while living in the village. Life was hard when you looked many years younger than you really were. Some would avoid her like a curse and others would try to take advantage of her because of her size.

Even now she looked like someone who barely met the age requirement. She was lucky that Hana spotted her and recognized her thin lineage or she would still be stuck there.

In that hell hole called a village. She was lucky all this time when the trees were her loyal allies. She could sculp them to become her sactuary.

Nerina had tried to get away or live on her own in the Wilds, but it had proven man to be unlivable many times. Trying to connect with its denizens had failed as some living creatures were dead set on killing her. She simply didn’t have the skill to venture beyond the immediate surroundings.

She had lived by foraging or stealing whatever she needed, and she had done this for many years until her existence was almost forgotten. The villagers were shocked when she suddenly showed up at the recruiting drive.

Without Hana being there, she didn’t think she would be allowed to volunteer because of how young she looks. Some 'good-hearted' idiot would always speak up and no one was going to believe the child.

“Can we work something out about the test?” asked Adrin. “I don’t want to be the center of attention.”

“I don’t know if we can, but what’s wrong with that?” asked Hana, puzzled.

Thoughtless people who loved to be showered in attention always found it odd when someone simply disliked it. Nerina had gone through this many times but it seemed Adrin was even worse than her. She could see it in his eyes, he absolutely hated it.

“I'd rather disappear than be in that position.”

“And what, become a rogue mage? Hiding and running from everyone for the rest of your life?”

“That’s not really a bad idea,” Adrin replied.

“No! That’s a really terrible idea,” Hana’s fists clenched and pressed on the table. “You can say that because you have no clue what those people are capable of! You’ll stand a better chance working for them for a few years, using their resources to build your strength. Use them as they use you to become strong enough so no one can order you around.”

“But why are you saying this? You can just rat me out without ever telling me,” he reasoned.

“Because I want to be on your side, Adrin, I have this talk because we commoners are pawns in their playing field, mages or not,” Hana sighed deeply. “Because you are the only hope for other mages like me to be recognized and appreciated.”

“Hana is right,” Nerina found herself saying before she closed her mouth shut.

“I think so too, Adrin,” Emi said right beside her.

All of them turned and looked at her. It was the first time she had spoken out loud and she didn’t even know why she did it. What was she trying to do? Nerina tried to look away and ignore him but then she recalled something, a saying grandmother always said.

“The easy way out always leads back in,” she continued.

She had literally lived this quote for far too long. Nerina had always tried to find an easy way out but it still led her back to the village. It had become so unbearable until she had no choice but to volunteer and face her fears anyway.

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to say, thanks Nerina,” Hana held her hand for a moment.

The three of them stayed quiet for some time before Adrin let out a long defeated sigh. Everyone could tell what was inside his head. He was just that kind of man.

“I know it is hard for you,” Hana said. “But keep your chin up, I’ll be there to back you up. I’ll report this talent of yours so you’ll be safe. It might even speed up our return.”

“You mean, your return,” Adrin crossed his arm.

Hana chuckled as she got up and left the room.

Nerina couldn’t help herself from looking at the spirits and their subject of infatuation. No other humans had such an ability to attract these mystical creatures other than herself. Maybe that's why he had so much talent? Or was it the other way around?

“Sorry, Nerina, we didn’t even consider your situation,” Adrin suddenly said. “And thanks, I think what you say is right. Running away from problems will only make it worse.”

“It’s fine, Elven blood, especially females, are welcomed in the academy, no matter how thin,” she repeated what Hana had told her.

“Wow, so you are- is that why your hair is green? How about your parents?” Emi asked excitedly, almost jumping on her seat.

“They are gone,” she simply said.

“I’m sorry,” Adrin said. “But I think what she means is, do your parents have elven traits too?”

“No, my father looks exactly like any other human, only taller than average. Only my grandmother has the same green hair and pointy ears.”

“I see, then your elven blood should be stronger in you than your parents,” Adrin concluded.

“But my mother is a human, won’t that make the elven blood weaker or thinner?”

Adrin chuckled, “no, genetics don’t work like mixing water.”

“Gene- what? What do you mean?”

“You’ll get used to it,” Emi chuckled. “Adrin's awakened spirit is an odd one.”

The young man cleared his throat. “Your elven blood should be just as strong if not stronger. A blessing or a curse, the traits just don’t show up on your father.”

“You mean I can be a great healer like my grandmother?”

“I believe you can be anything you want and be great at it, Nerina,” Adrin smiled. “I'm sure of it,” the young man ruffled her hair like she was a toddler.

“I’m older than you,” she complained even when his action had warmed her heart.

“Oh, do you now?” The young man replied.

“I’m at least thirty years old,” she said to him.

“But you look like-” Emi chimed in.

“I know what I look like,” she mumbled in a pout.

She looked barely in her teens and the only thing that developed was her chest. They made her back hurt all the time. Nerina also had to hide them all time or she would get into trouble a lot more than she could handle.

“I’m sorry then, Miss Nerina,” Emilia said playfully. “Do you want to continue training?”

Nerina nodded. Adrin had been a huge help in her mana control but it was hard to hold a man’s hand for so long. She was glad that now she had Emilia to train with.

Her new friend was a bundle of energy unlike herself.