After she sat down they began conversing about all manners of trivial things such as

how he enjoyed working at the inn and his cooking. Her work as a waitress and how life

in town was treating her. The conversation was filed with awkward pauses from his side

as she leaned forward as if listening and sometimes she would lean back and dusted something

of her blouse or adjusting her attire. During those times he just didn't know where to

keep his eyes.

Suddenly Alberta called out to him reminding him that his shift was about to start. saying

goodbye to Melisa he got to work. Once done with the lunch shift he went over to Ralph,

continuing his work, he got a few helpful pointers on how to treat the iron which

ended in a slightly better result compared to his first attempt.

Ralph didn't comment on the work much he pointed out that the poor quality was mostly

caused by Vivo's inexperience and lack of strength. When finished with a second piece

he was to tired to continue so he went back to his room to rest before his next shift in the kitchen.

There had been quiet a few requests today but nothing he couldn't handle after all he wasn't the

only cook in the kitchen. Finally done he Figured he'd go over to Mordecia and see what being a

scholar was all about.

As he knocked on the door Mordecia answered it and let him in. Following Mordecia down the hall he noticed

The apprentice in an adjoining room together with someone looking awfully a lot like Mordecia.

He continued following Mordecia deeper into the structure as he thought: Mordecia didn't mention

that he had a brother, I should ask about that, also this structure seem to be a lot larger than

it looks to be on the outside.

They reached a small room where the walls where lined with shelves full of books. In the center of the

room stood a round table, that almost seemed to big for the room, some books where lying open upon it.

Mordecia gestured him to take a seat on one of the stools surrounding the table as he grabbed a candle

and took a seat himself.

-Mordecia: First off we'll start of with a simple mental exercise to help you focus.

he put down the candle on the table and lit it with a simple gesture of the hand.

-Mordecia: Now imagine a flame in your mind let it burn bright and strong revealing all your

thoughts and emotions. Now cast all your thoughts into the flame, let it incinerate them, watch

the flame expand in your mind now devouring your emotions and embrace the void left behind.

When your ready take this and focus your mind on this and think of fire.

He placed a small round object on the table made of bronze with a small hole in it covered with dimmed glass.

Vivo picked up the ball and looked into the dimmed glass. Time went by and nothing happened, thoughts of

frustration floated up outside the void, suddenly Mordecia spoke.

-Mordecia: it's the middle of the night lets take a break and get something to eat.

Surprised that time had passed by so quick Vivo stood up and began stretching his body had gone stiff after siting uncomfortably

for hours on end. Merdecia walked into an adjoining room for a moment and came back with a package, two

mugs made of clay and a bottle. Unfolding it the package revealing some bread, cheese and dried meat.

Vivo took a piece of cheese and bread and ate it while Mordecia gave him a mug and some meat.

Surprised by the taste of wine he raised an eyebrow.

-Moredecia: Don't get to frustrated, we all have different affinity for magic and even those

with high affinity can have a longer learning period, we can all use magic in one way or another.

-Vivo: Somethings been on my mind, I saw your apprentice as we entered and beside him was someone

looking an awful much like you.

Mordecia smiled at his comment.

-Mordecia: you noticed that hehe well all will be explained in due time, it is my hope that you

have higher magic affinity and stronger resolve than my other apprentice.

He paused for a moment then continued.

-Mordecia: What we have been trying to do tonight is to teach you how to control your mana,

it is not something that is easy to do, most people that attempt this need between one to three

days before showing any signs of channeling mana. Once you have channeled for the first time it'll

become much easier to continue. Now go get some rest I'll come and get you tomorrow morning.

The next morning Mordecia arrived at the inn expecting Vivo to be sound asleep, but that was not

what he found, in the taproom Vivo was sitting eating breakfast with the girl from the alley.

Vivo saw him and excused himself, walking over to Mordecia he didn't look at all tired, even tho he

shouldn't have been able to get more than 4 hours of sleep.

Mordecia led him to a small hill by the river just east of town where you had a good view

over the fields and the surrounding area.

-Mordecia: those three mountains just north of town is where our former rulers rest, the mountains further north

is where our iron mines are located if you walk just straight east for a couple of days you reach the next

town and these fields to the east and south of town is what sustains us, the mountains to the south contain

coal, tin and copper.

He paused.

-Mordecia: You see, this town about 150 years ago was a prosperous city but war ravaged the city

and a darkness was left behind after the enemy forces where destroyed. This town is slowly dying,

the fields don't produce as much nourishment as they should, and the population is declining slowly.

I have tried to rid the town of this evil several times and failed but it is my hope that you will

succeed where I have failed.

Vivo followed him back in town where they continued to walk around aimlessly.

-Mordecia: Have you noticed the people?

Vivo had never really taken a good look at the other people in town he were always preoccupied

trying to either remember something new he learned or something from his past. But now

He gazed at the people he passed by, most of them were ordinary people going about their daily

lives, there where a few better dressed people going about which he figured where traders

but nothing seemed out of place.

-Vivo: I don't see anything out of the ordinary.

-Mordecia: you don't do you, take a closer look at their stature, or better yet look at their eyes.

Upon a closer look he realized That most people walked around cowering for a bit, and the look in their

eyes was that of someone defeated. It hurt him to gaze upon the people now that he saw their misery.