Alura returned with town guards and a doctor as fast as she could. 2 of the men would need to go to a hospital to have the bones in their legs fixed. It would take them a long time until they were able to walk. Another would never have any feeling below his waist or movement in his legs. The man who assaulted Alura would live despite the heavy blood loss. His hand would never work again.

All four were heading to the hospital and then to the dungeons. As for Lee, his injuries were tended to but not overly serious since he healed the stab wound. But when it comes to over use of mana, the only solution is rest. It wasn't until mid afternoon that he woke up. Alura was sitting next to him. She had changed back into her training clothes by now.

Lee woke and tried to sit up in bed “Lee, how are you feeling? Do you hurt anywhere? Do you want some water?” Alura blurt out question after question not giving Lee a chance to answer.

Lee said “I'm fine. More importantly, how are you?”

Alura said “Don't worry, I'm okay. I sent a message to your parents about what happened and they're coming down to get you. One of them went to tell the wizard as well so don't worry about that. He will be there for dinner at your house tonight so you can talk there”.

Lee slowly nodded his head to acknowledge he heard what she said. Lee looked Alura in the eyes and said “I'm so sorry. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have been caught off guard. That piece of scum hit you and grabbed you and....” He stopped short and then blurted out another thought. You're dress is ruined too. That couldn't have been cheap”. All Lee could think to say after that was “I promise you, next time I'll be stronger.”

Alura put her arms around him “it's okay. Don't blame yourself. You saved me Lee. You were stabbed in the stomach and you still managed to stop them. I'm so proud of you. I feel useless. I was fighting just one guy and I managed to screw that up. I'm not good at healing magic like you so I couldn't fix your injuries like you did mine. I'll be stronger next time too”.

Just as she said that she heard a door burst open. “Oh my sweet baby boy! Look what they did to you!” Lee mother rushed to in. Alura managed to break the hug just before Lee's mother could see it. She would be way to embarrassed by that.

Lee answered back “I'm find, don't worry. I'm just a little tired”.

Lee's mother said “Do you want something to eat or drink sweetie? Just name anything and mother will get it for”.

Lee answered “just some water and maybe a piece of bread would be fine. Thank you mother”.

Alura handed Lee's mother 4 silver coins “this is what we didn't spend when out. You should have it back”.

Lee's mother said “thank you dear, I'll be right back!”

After she left Lee asked “does she know I was stabbed?”

Alura said “Only I and the doctor know. I swore him to secrecy”.

Lee said “Good, if she found out I was stabbed I think she would try to never let me leave the house again”. Lee was silent for a moment and said “does your father know what that man tried to do to you?”

Alura said “considering the state of the dress it was impossible to lie about. I could try to ask them not to tell him but their too scared of my father. While you were asleep he was here to checked on me. About an hour ago he went to the dungeon when he heard they were finally transferred there”.

Lee didn't ask what she thought he was going to do. He figured whatever it was that man would deserve it and worse. Lee meant to kill him with his wind attack. He only held back because he wanted to be sure he had enough power to heal Alura.

After a while Lee' mom returned. She brought in a pitcher of water and a bag full of bread for Lee. Of course it was way more than he would need; but what else would he expect from her given the situation?

After Lee was feeling a little stronger and was allowed to leave. Alura left too saying she wanted to change her clothes for dinner tonight. Lee asked her to bring the dress she wore today as he thought the old wizard could maybe do something about it. When Lee got home his father had jut arrived there.

“Lee, I went to the hospital to see you but by the time I got there you've both left. I guess we took different routes to get back here. How are you feeling?”

Lee answered “just a little tired after the walk home. I want to rest in my bed until dinner if that's okay”. Of course they said it was.

A little under 2 hours later they woke Lee up to tell him the food was ready and everyone had arrived. Lee walked down stairs to see Alura and the old wizard”.

The old wizard said “I heard about your run in today Lee. That is a nasty business. Why don't you sit down here and I will see what I can do for the wounds you still have” Lee agreed to do so. While the hospital applied aid, being healed by a wizard was more effective.

Lee sat down and the old man placed a hand on his shoulder. The old man had used healing magic on him a number of times before and Lee felt the familiar power running through his body. He noticed the old man lift an eye brow slightly. He put his hand over Lee' stomach for a moment. Then gave Lee a pat on the back and said “all done! There will be a little light scaring but nothing too bad.

Lee turned to the old man and asked “can you do something for Alura? That small scar on her cheek she got today is something I really would like you to heal if you can”.

The old man wrinkled his brow“I can try to help if she wishes but as you know healing magic doesn't do much to fix scaring. Particularly when not applied right away to a wound”.

Alura simply said “it's fine sir. I'm not worried about it. If you can make it a little less noticeable that would be nice but don't think I'll be heart broken if you can't”.

The old wizard said “very well then, I'll do what I can”. He put his hand on her cheek and closed his eyes attempting to focus. After a short while he opened them and said “that is the best I can do I'm afraid”.

Alura looked at herself in the mirror and gave a smile “I think you did great, it's lighter than before. Unless someone really looks closely they would have a hard time seeing it”.

Lee agreed the old man had done a great job. But Lee would always know the scar is there. It would remind him of his failure and that he had to train harder in the future. Lee asked the old wizard “there is one last thing I would like to ask you if you'd be so kind. Alura brought a dress here today. If you could take it home and see what you can do about it that would be great”.

The old man agreed “of course, I shall do what I can for lovely young Allie. It's sad this had to happen today. And here I was all excited to come tonight and hear about your date”.

Lee was about to say they were just friends but Alura interrupted “So is dinner almost ready Mrs. River? I have to admit, I've looked forward to this all day. I do love your boar stew!”

They ate together talking about past days that were more pleasant. As they finished and the old man prepared to leave Lee asked to speak with him outside for a moment since they didn't get any time to meet up today. His parents said it was fine and were cleaning up as he was leaving.

Outside the house the old man said to Lee “I'm sorry you had to go through this. Obviously, some things happened you wish didn't. The important thing is you and Allie are in one piece. Hopefully this is an experience you can learn from and build on. If you do that then it will not have been in vain”.

Lee said “I hesitated, I realize my mistake. It's like you said. A single moment of dropping your guard even for the most powerful wizard can be deadly. I almost learned that far too well today”.

The wizard ask “do your parent know you were stabbed?”

Lee said “No, and I don't plan to tell them. Did you fix the wound when you healed me?”

The old man said “I did what I could but you will still have a small scar. Lucky it's right on the area your belly button is so it will be easy to cover up”.

Lee said “thank you old wizard. Don't you think it's odd you never told me your name?”

The wizard answered “it really isn't that impressive of a name”.

Lee was silent for a moment and then said “you're the wizard from the story aren't you? You're the one who helped humanity fight back the demon invasion.”

The old wizard asked “What makes you think that?”

Lee answered “a lot of things. For one, I've never heard a version of the story where that old wizard gave his name. Obviously he is a very private person... like someone else I know”.

The old wizard said “well that is hardly proof of anything”.

Lee continued “You fit the same age. From what I've gather from the story when he helped fight off the demon invasion the wizard was in his late 20s or early 30s. No exact age was given by the wizard but most people who saw him agree that is how he looked”.

Lee river continued “Let's say he was exactly 30 when the demon invasion came to an end. For the next 10 years it's said he wondered around the continent before he decided to find children to pass on his direction knowledge of magic. He over the next 10 years he found the children he wanted to teach and trained them. Then about 18 years ago the barrier up and he was not heard from again”

Lee continued “add all that together and you get a man about 68 years old give or take a few year. I would say that is your age about. Not to mentioned I was able to see one of the paintings of the old wizard recently. The hair is brown and longer and the face is fuller but I'm pretty sure it's you from your younger days”.

The old man laughed “basing it on age and a picture? A lot of wizards are around that are my age. As for the picture, if you look at 2 different paintings you're likely to get 2 very different looking faces. Of course you'll find one that looks like a young me.”

Finally Lee said “most importantly, I have seen your magic. I can sense how strong it is even when you hold back. I've had this suspicion a while to be honest”.

The old wizard said “and if I was that wizard, what would you think?”

Lee said “Well, it would be interesting for sure, I would still think of you as the old man you've always been to me though... almost like an adoptive grandfather”. Lee was surprised to hear that come out her his mouth. He only realized now it was true.

The old wizard smiled at that last comment and then laughed “I'm a couple years younger than 68 just so you know. This beard and hair style makes me just look a tiny bit older than I am.”

Lee asked “so you admit you're him?”

The old wizard shook his head “I admit nothing. Now I'm off to my house. I shall see you tomorrow!

As he left Lee saw Alura's father walking up the road. It appeared he was not about to let her walk home alone tonight. Lee could understand why given what happened this morning. Soon Lee's evening turned to night.

The next day dawned and Lee went about his usual routine. It wasn't until he was at the old man's house that he noticed something odd something odd. The old man was already waiting for Lee outside the house with a package sitting on his stairs.

Lee asked “What's going on? This is very usually for you to be waiting out here for me”.

The old man handed him a package that held Alura's fixed dress and answered “there is something I have to check out in a few other provinces, but it will take a little while. I'm afraid I'll be gone for close to 2 years”.

Lee was in shock. He asked “but who is going to teach me then? Is this about what I said last night?”

The old man waved his hand in the air dismissively “no it isn't about any of that. As for who will teach you... well, you have all the books you can read in my library which you are welcome too. Also, to be frank I don't have anymore to teach you at the moment. Simply go on growing your powers stronger and focus on duel casting. Part of learning to be a great wizard is learning how to teach yourself.

Eventually you will encounter things I never showed you or prepared you for and you need to be able to learn from it or adapt to fight it”.

Lee hung his head done in sadly and asked “why are you going?”

The old man answered “I've heard stories about the barrier and I want to examine it at various parts all over the continent. I want to see for myself if they are true”.

Lee asked “when will you be back?”

The old man said “I'll be back hopefully in time for your 16th birthday and before the magic academy exams happen. Don't worry Lee, even as you are now I would say you'd be able to get into the school of your choice. Keep working on your power and control.”

The old man stood up “I really need to set out now because daylight is wasting. I'll see you soon though River my boy! 2 years may seem long but it will fly by before you know it.”

After their good byes the old man gave him the keys to his house and a few more tips on things to work on while he was gone. After that he made his way towards town to find a carriage to travel in. Lee sat on the front step of the old man's house. He would be sad not to see his friend for nearly 2 years. He would need to be sure the next time he saw him that he was a student he could be proud of.

He stood up to go to the library. He would not waste this time. The old man was right. Two years would go by before he knew it and he needed to make as much progress as possible. The old man turned out to be right as usual. The time went by quickly.