-Vivo: So what exactly is it I have to do in order to help.

-Mordecia: All in due time young one all in due time. First of you need to learn how to

manipulate the world around you through the control of mana.

Vivo felt his frustrations bubbling up to the surface again. Not being able to help the

towns people nor being able to get a straight answer out of Mordecia certainly didn't

didn't help his mood.

-Mordecia: There is more you need to know. It is not only the darkness corrupting the town

but the lord, he doesn't seem to be corrupted by the darkness, he isn't properly managing the town

he is spending more money than necessary on the army and arranging games. There is high poverty

and beggars in every corner. The army isn't even active protecting trade routs or the mines.

His feelings of frustration turned into anger during Mordecias speech.

-Mordecia: Calm down my boy no need to get angry, problems exist to be solved.

For some reason the fact that the lord was neglecting his duty to govern the town really

got to him.

-Vivo: How can someone in a position of power disregard their duties and the lives of his

people to such an extent when everything around him is dying.

-Mordecia: No point in troubling yourself with it, you cannot do anything about it now

but an opportunity might arise and then we will take action it might be tomorrow or a year

from now but it'll come. As for now i think you have an appointment with a kitchen.

It had been a week since he explained to Vivo about the condition of the town. Yet Vivo hadn't made

any headway with his mana channeling. This bothered Mordecia he had never meet anyone capable

of keeping their frustrations and emotions in check. Vivo's unwavering patience could make

it impossible for him to channel although if he manages he could become stronger than anyone

before him.

Once again they where siting in the small room Vivo focusing on the algora to help him channel

and Mordecia transcribing a book.

-Vivo:ARGH!

He was about to throw the algora into the closest wall when the dimmed glass finally shone

with a bright blue light, if only for a second but it was there, he sat down surprised.

-Mordecia: Finally my boy i thought you would keep your feelings bottled up forever Haha.

-Vivo: You mean I had to let my feelings go to channel then what's the point with the calming

exercise. Isn't it a bit counter productive.

-Mordecia: No my boy this test is not only to help you begin your channeling but also to determine

your potential as a magician.

-Vivo: well then I must have a very low potential since it took me longer than anyone before me

to channel for the first time.

Mordecia smiled at his comment.

-Mordecia: Let's begin your training for real now. Remember that feeling focus on it and try

to channel into the algora again.

Vivo tried for a few minutes but nothing happened.

-Mordecia: clear your mind boy enter the void.

just a few seconds later the light was back.

He was surprised that it worked but he couldn't understand why there was no difference in what

he was doing between him trying with or without the void.

-Mordecia: Now try doing the same thing again but keep up the flow to keep the light on for a

longer duration.

As hard as it was the light would stay lit for longer with each try until he could keep it up for

nearly a full minute.

-Mordecia: that's enough for tonight get some rest. You may keep the algora

I have no further use for it.

The next two weeks he spent doing his daily routines alternating between working the kitchen

and the smithy during the day and studying under Mordecia during the night.

He reached Ralph's skill level in blacksmithing quiet soon even tho he didn't quiet have the

stamina nor the strength to work for a full day yet his quality of work was the same as Ralph.

He advanced quickly while studying with Mordecia, creating different mana flows analyzing the

structures of different items, he analyzed the manaflow of his own body under the careful

supervision of mordecia. He then recreated that manaflow in front of him, Mordecia hadn't given

any reason for this exercise other than helping him control mana, this was hard and frustrating

work since he couldn't get a straight answer out of Mordecia. And he didn't know if this was

another test as with the algora.

He thought it strange that during the two weeks he didn't see Mordecias supposed brother nor

his apprentice.

Every night at the inn he spent some time with the algora keeping it lit for as long as possible

before he slept for 2-3 hours ate breakfast and went over to the smithy before his lunch shift.