I descended a staircase to find myself in a modest dining room. Sitting about a round table was my father and the house maid, Soleil. They were munching on fish and bread, and talking about something I didn't quite catch. "Those robes suit you." Said my father, as I sat down to butter a piece of bread.

  "Yes. I find them comfortable to move in. And the material seems well for suited for the summer. This is fine work, Soleil." I said, ignoring my father.

  The blonde maid nodded her head. "I am glad to hear you say so." She replied, fighting a feint smile from forming on her lips. Soleil was the closest thing I had to a mother, after my own died giving birth to me. Although she was pushing 50 years of age, there was barely a wrinkle on Soleil's face, a perk of her elven heritage. Her outfit was typical for a maid; Black skirt and a white apron. Though the red kerchief on her head hid her pointy ears.

  "How do you know Soleil made those?" My father asked, perhaps a little incredulous.

  "There's no way you could have . You are far too uncoordinated." I answered. Though he was impressive in matters of the arcane, his ability to perform household chores were... Well, let's just say there's a reason he needed to hire a maid.

  The two of them shared a hearty laugh. I wasn't sure why though, I wasn't joking.

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  After I finished a satisfactory meal, my father faced me. "I doubt this needs saying, but you're a full fledged mage now."

  I appreciated his prompt answer to a question I had not asked. "By what metric exactly? I don't feel any different than I did yesterday." Not unless I counted that dream.

  "By the Imperial Academy's curriculum. But in truth, the term mage is little more than a title. Even so, I think I have taught you enough such that you can learn any spell on your own. Because the thing with mages is that we never stop learning, no matter our title. It is what defines us."

  In that moment, I considered asking my father about Eeuna, but I decided against asking him why I dream about girls.

  "That said" My father continued. "You are a man now, and so I think you are ready to use your magic for something more... practical."

  "Making me run errands already?" I asked. Though I suppose most children do errands and for their parents well before their 18th year. Not that I would know. I barely ever interacted with anyone in town, even the people my age. What I do know however, is that children learning magic in this kingdom is beyond rare. In that regard, I consider myself most fortunate.

  Father smirked "I just need you to find a specific ruin in the forest, and come back with a specific artifact I have been researching." I raised an eyebrow at the mention of his research. My father always kept a tight lid on the nature of his research. For him to mention even an iota meant this artifact must have been more important than he let on.

  "Sir, should I not accompany Sorace? Who knows what dangers may be in there?" Soleil argued.

  "I must agree." I said. "If this artifact is as important as I think it is, why me?"

  "You are more than capable of retrieving it on your own. Besides, the ruin is not so deep into the forest. You can be there and back before supper."