《The Apprentice of Fairy Wizard》


 Chapter 2: Night of Red Moon

    Smell of lavender.


    It was the first thing that hit me when I was about to wake up from a weird dream and felt for the first time the warmest bed ever. I still could remember what my dream was. I was attacked by a strange old man in red cape and saved by a gentleman with his magic. It felt so real for a dream.


    "Are you awake, girl?"


    Or not.


    I opened my eyes and saw the unfamiliar cream-colored ceiling and small chandelier. I moved my head to look around. I was in a decent bedroom with bookshelves, wardrobe, desk and chair, and nightstand. The same gentleman who saved me was sitting comfortably while reading a book that I couldn''t make out the title.


    "Where am I?" I asked to the man confusedly.


    "My house, on the edge of London." He closed his book and set aside his glasses. "You''re fainted after I saved you from Red Cape. I don''t know where do you live, so I brought you to my house, despite the disagreement from my butler."


    "...who are you? More like, what are you?" I asked him again, this time more firmly. I knew from the first met, he wasn''t normal. That old man...Red Cape or whatever...called him "Sorcerer". Plus, he could set his cape on fire without any fire-related things to do that.


    He looked troubled after I asked that and felt a bit guilty. It was either he couldn''t say it or just lost in words. Then, another man came into the room, carrying a tray of light meals. He was tall brown-skinned man with jet black hair and yellow eyes that stood out the most.


    "Marigold asked me to bring this to you." He said to the man as he put the tray on the desk. I could feel a quick glare coming from him. "You haven''t been eating properly for two days, watching over this...girl to wake up."


    "Two days?!" I sat up out of shock, which earning me a huge headache.


    "Easy." The man laid me down to the bed. "You''re exhausting your body to the point it''s about to give up. Since I couldn''t give you any medicine before you wake up, I had to wait you to get up."


    "But you don''t have to watch over her all the time, Master." The dark-haired man replied in cold tone.


    "I''m different from her, remember?" The man looked to the other male with a bit anger. "Alvin, ask Marigold to brew Chamomile Tea for two and bring it to this room."


    "Yes, Master." With that, the man, Alvin, left the room.


    "Well...I can see you have many questions to be asked." He pointed out, which caught me in surprise since he looked like he could read my mind.


    "It''s all written in your face."


    Oh...


    "First, my name is Kiel. Kiel de Clare. That man who just left is Alvin, my butler and some-sort of Guardian for me. There''s another person is called Marigold and she''s like the caretaker of this household." He introduced himself.


    "Then, what''s your name, girl?" Kiel asked me back.


    "I don''t have any, my mother and my friends just called me Red because of my red hair." I answered with monotone tone.


    "...what are you?" I asked him the same question, since it was cut off by Alvin, before he asked any fuhrer. "That old man...Red Cape or something...called you Sorcerer."


    "Ah...yes." He admitted. "I''m Sorcerer who can use Fairy Magic by borrowing their power."


    "Fairy?! You''re that Fairy Wizard in that legend?!" I said in disbelief. The first thing that came to my mind when I heard "Fairy" word was that legend.


    "...what?" He looked confused hearing that name.


    "You don''t know? The Fairy Wizard who can cure people''s sickness, heal the land for a huge harvest..." I told him, suddenly remembered the fairytale I loved when my mother was still alive, as he looked more confused than before.


    "...it seems I made out my own legend for what I''ve done during those world wars..." He tried to absorb what I was saying. "Though I prefer to be called ''Sorcerer'' than ''Wizard''. Those are two different things, but for humans, it''s the same thing."


    "Meaning?" I even didn''t know it was two different things.


    "Sorcerer is someone who can use magic without any training, they just have the knowledge or talent to draw the magic from a magical beings or environment and use it by their will. Wizard is someone who learn the magic through training, it also requires talent in order to use a certain element of magic."


    I had quite a hard time to adsorb new information, but at least I got the rough idea.


    "However, it seems you also has a talent to be a Sorcerer."


    "Sorry?" I was dumbstruck for his sudden fact for me. I never felt I had some kind of "special" talent in my whole life. "I''m a normal girl."


    "Aren''t you?" His tone was deepen when he asked me back, like he knew it was a lie...or he also had experience it.


    "...okay, I always feel I''m a misfit with other children..." I admitted it as I surpassed by embarrassment.


    "Go on." His tone changed back to his normal gentleness as he listened to me.


    "...and I always see weird things since I was little...my mom told me not to meet their eyes and not paying any attention."


    I remembered I never told anyone about what I saw, expect to my mother. I once told them that there was a weird shadow on the park one day and they began to call me a liar and weirdo. It was the first and last time I told anyone expect to my mother. However, here I was, telling about that to a strange man I just met two days ago.


    "Your mother is a clever woman, and her cleverness runs down on you."


    "Is that a compliment?" I said in disbelief since he sounded like he knew my mother from what I just said.


    "You can say that. Because of your mother''s advice, you''re still alive regardless of your magic aura. If you''re not, you will get attacked more often, meaning what happened on the other day will be repeated and can be more dangerous. Perhaps you won''t be alive right now."


    I mentally thanked my mother for her wonderful advice. Even she never get what I saw, she knew those sights could be bad for me and giving that advice was her only way to protect me. I suddenly felt like she was protecting me even after she passed away.


    "The tea is ready." Alvin came back with another tray, but this time it was teapot with two tea cups, honey and milk. "And you haven''t touch your meal, Master."


    Hearing that word, I finally felt my hunger. Since I didn''t had supper and breakfast on that day and fainted for two days.


    "You can ask for that meal, you know." Kiel pointed it out which caught me off guard. Did he notice I was eyeing the meal with hungry look?


    "You''re babying that girl, Master." Alvin took the tray of meal with his other hand and brought both of the trays to us. He put the tea on the nightstand and the tray of meal on the bed next to me. I sat up slowly to prevent the possible headache.


    "Go eat first. It''s better to have your stomach full when you drink the medicine." He stood up from the chair. "I will fix up a medicine for you. You better drink it after your meal."


    With that, he left the room, leaving Alvin with me alone. I didn''t really like this person for some reason...no, more like I was wary around him. There was something that made me wary and on guard around his presence.


    "Human girl." He called me out all of sudden and I didn''t like being called "human girl" like he wasn''t a human...was he?


    "You better eat before it''s colder than now. Marigold''s cooking is the best when it''s still hot."


    With no reason, he walked towards the door and about to leave me alone in the room.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "You better leave this place after you drink the medicine. I can''t afford having my Master troubled by your presence."


    The way he acted around me already gave out a clear meaning that I wasn''t welcomed here, at least for him only. His words before he left made me clear about the way he acted. Plus, I couldn''t remain here any longer, the Headmaster would surely punished my friends who worked at the same factory with me because I went missing for two days. It wasn''t their fault, it was mine, and I had to face the Headmaster for them. I couldn''t afford having them suffer because of me.


    0-0-0


    I did what Alvin wanted me, although it''s not purely my intention to do what he''s saying. I asked Kiel to take me to my orphanage after I drank my medicine. He wanted me to stay longer because he thought I wasn''t strong enough, but I insisted. Giving up, Alvin drove me and Kiel to the orphanage. Marigold, the Maid, sent us off with warm smile. I was surprised when I met her. She looked stunning with silver wavy long hair, braided nicely, and golden eyes. I was gawked by her beauty before Alvin poked me to go inside the car.


    Like usual, the younger children were outside, playing happily. When they saw the car, they ran into the building and came out with the Headmaster. She was surprised to see me coming out from the car with Kiel. She quickly pulled out her fake sweet smile and took me from Kiel.


    "I see...you found her in sick condition, so you brought her into your house to be treated, Doctor Kiel..." The Headmaster talked with Kiel with her sickly sweet innocent tone and I hated it.


    "Yes, and she''s insisted to go back to this place, so I take her back." Kiel replied with his normal tone. "It seems she loves this place."


    "Of course, she loves my orphanage." She said it as she hugged me, but I resisted her touch and struggled to break free from her hug.


    "She looks like she doesn''t like your hug."


    "Oh, she''s always been a shy girl. She''s always like that." She replied as she tightened her hug to keep me from struggling more.


    "I see...well then, I have more work to do, so I will leave for now." He saw me straight to my eyes and suddenly I felt he was up to something. "See you later...Red."


    As soon as we didn''t hear Kiel''s car, she threw me straight to the cellar without no food or water as the punishment for missing for two days and locked it from outside. I was already expected it since it was the consequence if I returned to the orphanage. At least with my return, my friends would be released from their punishment.


    In the darkness, I felt the warm bed and the smell of lavender from the pillow even those weren''t here now in this dark and wet cellar. I suddenly missed a little of Marigold''s delicious meal, the bitterness of Kiel''s medicine and his warm presence. Heck, I might even missed Alvin''s annoying side now. I never felt it since I was little, so those moments were probably the happiest moments in my life.


    "I wonder if I can be welcomed in Kiel''s house..." I talked to no one. "It will be wonderful...if I can...live with Kiel, Marigold...Alvin will be fine too...together..."


    Without a warning, I fell asleep and probably having the nicest dream. A dream which I could live happily with a wonderful family.


    0-0-0


    I woke up abruptly when I heard a loud children''s screams coming from outside. In darkness, I tried to find the door and tried to open it when I managed to feel it to check out what''s going on. However, it was locked with padlock from the outside by the Headmaster, so it''s impossible to fry it open.


    "Help!"


    "Save us!"


    "Someone, help us!"


    "Someone, anyone! Help us!"


    I was horrified as I heard the screams from the children outside. I tried to imagine what possibly happened on the outside, but I only could think of the worst case scenario, which was...a murderer went inside the building and the children...


    "Stop.Thinking.Bad.Things!" I slammed my head to the door per each words, trying to block any bad thoughts, and also trying to block those screams.


    After few minutes, the screams ended, following with heavy footsteps. It was wandering around the building, I could hear the steps was either getting close or getting near the cellar. Then, it stopped for a moment and it was coming close and close to the cellar until it was stopped in front of the door. I held my breath as I prayed whoever it was to go away.


    "O Light from Ea Themar...I plea Thee for your holy power..." A familiar voice came from nowhere and it was scared whoever it was who was in front of the cellar door.


    "Bloody hell, it¡¯s running away! Alvin, after it!"


    "Yes Master!"


    Hearing those voices once again, I was relieved to the point I lost my strength to stand up. They really came back for me.


    "Red! Are you there?! Answer me!" I heard sounds of banging from outside. Kiel sounded he was panicked, unlike his usual self.


    "Ki...Kiel!" I called out for him, didn''t realize my voice was broken into sobbing.


    "Hold on! I will get you out!" I could hear a relieved tone from Kiel.


    "Lock of the padlock...you''re a good lock, but you have already fulfilled your duty...at my will, I will set you free..."


    I could hear the single sound of "click" and Kiel opened the door in hurry. He immediately hugged me as soon as he saw me. I hugged him back and sobbing on his chest and he caressed my back gently, trying to calm me down.


    "Kiel...what happened outside?"


    "...it''s unpleasant sight...it''s better you don''t see it..." He pulled out a small veil, opened it and gave it near my nose, so I could smell it. I didn''t know why Kiel did that, but I felt heavily sleepy as soon as I smelt it.


    "Tonight is unpleasant night for you...it''s better you don''t experience this night in your age." Kiel''s words seemed far away and the next moment, darkness embraced me once again.


    0-0-0


    A smell of Lavender.


    I slowly opened my eyes as I realized I was back to the same warm bed. The light from the window hit my eyes, forcing me to wake up. What happened last night seemed like a far away nightmare. Then, I realized I was wearing night gown instead of my hand-down clothes from the orphanage. Not to mention, I smelt nice, kinda like soap.


    "Oh, you''re finally awake." A sweet voice like a bell drew me to Marigold, who''s carrying a tray of delicious cream mushroom soup and sandwiches along with warm milk with honey, made her way to the bed.


    "Master and Alvin came back home with you in early morning. Master told me to take care of you until he came back from the Ministry." She told me as she set the tray on my lap when I sat up to face her. "What happened last night was unpleasant and Master has to inform the Ministry."


    "...what happened...last night..." I asked her with small voice, afraid for the answer.


    "I''m apologized, but that''s what my Master can answer." She looked a bit sad. "Whatever it was, we all know this will happen sometimes during that night."


    "What kind of night last night?" I asked in curiosity. "It''s the same like any nights, right?"


    "No, last night was the Night of Red Moon, the time when the malevolence is in the highest level." Marigold explained with a sad look. "During time like this, Master and Alvin have to hunt them down and purify them. Sometimes, it possesses humans, fairies, spirits, any kind of beings with emotion and going rampage."


    "Rampage...don''t tell me..."


    "The malevolence possessed the Headmaster of your orphanage." A sudden appearance of Kiel surprised me and Marigold, let alone answer my doubts, and he looked hurt when he saw me. "It went rampage and...murdered the children in your orphanage."


    What?


    "I tried to protect you and those children on orphanage by setting a strong barrier around the orphanage to prevent malevolence from entering, but your Headmaster already had large amount of malevolence in her heart, so it broke down after being attacked from inside and outside."


    Please, this couldn''t be happening... I refused to believe...


    "I''m apologized, but you''re the sole survivor of that tragedy. I''ve failed to protect your friends... If I realized the barrier would break down so easily..."


    "...leave..." I looked away from Kiel''s sad eyes. I didn''t want to look at either of Kiel, Marigold, or Alvin now. "...leave me alone..."


    I felt Marigold left from my side and the sound of the door closed quietly made me think both Marigold and Kiel left me alone in this room.


    "Red..."


    Or not.


    I tried to hold my tears as I looked back to Kiel, but Kiel could see my tears. If not, he wouldn''t hug me now, comforting me. Because of his gentleness, I broke down and crying on his chest. I cried and cried until I had no strength to cry again.


    "Red...I have another news for you." Kiel said after I managed to collect myself after the crying and I faced him.


    "I''ve decided to adopt you...as my daughter and apprentice." Kiel informed it with a bit careful tone and I was little shocked to hear it.


    "...are you pitying on me?" I asked with a hint of venom in my tone. I didn''t care how gentle Kiel was, but if he did that just because he pitied me, I rather refused the generousity.


    "No!" Kiel quickly answered me like he was already expected my reaction. "It''s not about pitying on you...I just feel like you more belong in this household than any families. You possess quite a great amount of magic and I...want to nurture your talent."


    "...I have a feeling it''s more than that." I replied with disbelief look.


    "Well...I..." Kiel looked pretty panicked as he looked for the right answer. "I...hate to admit this, but...it will be nice to have a new companion in this household...this family...it''s pretty quiet with just three of us."


    "You can refuse if you don''t want to."


    "...No, I''m staying." Kiel looked pretty shocked for my quick agreement. "I also don''t want to admit this, but...I feel like this is the place where I can belong...you know, I''m a misfit in the first place because of my talent and you have the same talent as I am...I feel it''s better I''m staying here."


    "Then, it has decided." Kiel tried to hide his happiness, but failed since it was clearly shown.


    "From today on, you''re no longer been called ''Red''. Your name is Rosina de Clare."


    "Rosina? What it means?" I asked him with mild curiosity.


    "Rosina means little rose and it suits with your red hair and green eyes. Plus, you has a small build."


    "Well, I''m sorry that I''m small." I playfully hit Kiel as he laughed at my act.


    "I guess I should call you Father for now on, since you''re my ''father'' now." It felt weird to hear the word "Father" coming out from my mouth, but it had a nice ring to it.


    "I don''t mind, even we look more like brother and sister than father and daughter." Kiel playfully pointed it out. I couldn''t help, but noticed how young Kiel was. He was like in his late twenties, so we''re like siblings than father and daughter.


    "You''re the one who decided to adopt me as the daughter....father."


    "You''re right." He smiled as he patted my head gently.


    New name, new family, new environment and possibly new future.


    I guess this was my fresh start...as Rosina the Fairy Sorcerer''s Apprentice.

 Chapter 1: Our Fateful Meeting

    "Mummy..."


    "What''s wrong, my dear?"


    "I can''t sleep..."


    "Come sleep with me, my dear, and I will read your favorite story."


    "Can you read the Fairy Wizard again?"


    "My, you really love that story, aren''t you?"


    "Yeah!"


    "Alright then, let''s read your favorite story."


    "Yay!"


    "There''s once a time, there''s poverty all over the land. The field doesn''t give a good harvest, the river dries out and the livestock are dying. One day, a mysterious young man comes to visit those farmers, claiming he''s a wanderer and need a place to stay. After seeing how poor the farmers are, he pulls out some strange crystal-like dust and throws it into the air. Like a miracle, the fields become healthier than ever and the water flows steadily on the river, even the seeds they planted are miraculously grow and ready for the harvest after one night. On the second day of his stay, two old couples brings their dying son to the wanderer and asks for his mercy to cure their son. With his mysterious power, he heals the boy back to health. On that day, he saves countless of lives, both young and old, from their sickness. On the third day, he gives his farewell and blessing over the village and disappears into the mist. Ever since that time, no one knows who''s that wanderer and people call that wanderer ''The Fairy Wizard''."


    "...mummy, is the Fairy Wizard real?"


    "If you believe it, dear."


    "Then, he will save your life too?"


    "...of course, sweetheart. It''s past your bedtime, let''s go to sleep now."


    "Good night, mummy..."


    "Good night, sweetheart..."


    0-0-0


    "Wake up, you lazy girl!!!" That annoying voice of the Headmaster woke me up from my dream...while it has been awhile for me for dreaming, especially about my mother who passed away last year.


    There''s only two of us, me and my mother, who lived poorly. She worked in a factory to keep us living, even though she had a weak body. I never knew who my father was and my mother said he left before I was born. Eventually, she died due to her sickness last year and left me alone. Because I had no relatives, I was sent to this orphanage.


    This orphanage looked nice from the outside, but inside, everyday was a living hell. The Headmaster used us to begging money on the streets or delivering some "packages" to the buyers. Some of older children, like myself, worked at factories that¡¯s owned by one of her "friends" with our salaries went straight to the Headmaster. Only the young and the new children are allowed to play on the front garden to "make the place looks nice" as the cover.


    "You stupid girl, I said wake up!!!" She dumped a bucket of water to my face, which I didn''t really care about it. "Now, you make your bed wet. You sleep on the floor until your bed dries up!"If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "Yes, ma''am..." I responded emotionless, which earning a painful slap.


    "Don''t talk to me with that tone, stupid girl! Now, go and deliver this package! Then go to work at fabric factory after that!"


    With that, she dumped the package on my hands and kicked me out from the hidden back door, the only entrance and exit for us to do our "jobs". The front entrance is only for guests, so no one knew what she had done to the children. I bet those people didn''t know the dark side of this orphanage.


    Even I was just been in the orphanage, it was enough time to kill my emotions, hopes and dreams.


    Reality was much harsher than those in the fairytale books my mother used to read for me.


    But never in my life I thought my mother was a liar.


    0-0-0


    I could hear my stomach growling, which was a reminder I didn''t have both dinner last night for punishment along with breakfast too since I was kicked out. I was too weak to walk to the factory after delivering that package and sitting down while observing the people passing by.


    I was already expected they wouldn''t care about me, a dirty girl on the streets. Hearing the London Bell, I knew I was late for work, but I didn''t care, both the missing work and the punishment from the Headmaster. When I was daydreaming, I spotted an ugly old man with red cape among the passing people. He seemed like normal old man, if only there''s no scythe on his back and sharp teeth. On that moment, I realized what I just saw and remembered my mother''s words about those strange creature.


    "If you see those strange creatures, you mustn''t have eye contact with it and ignore it, walk away like you never see it."


    Yeah, I knew perfectly my mother''s words were true, but...our eyes met. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, I collected my remaining strength and moved away from the streets into the alleys, hoping that creature just thought it was a coincidence.


    "You can see me...can''t you?"


    Or not.


    On the next second, I could feel the cold hard wall on my pained back after that creature in red cape slammed me painfully, his hand of sharp claws on my throat. He lifted me high, making me choking for air and at his mercy. He was powerful, much powerful than the adult. I was on the edge of conscious and unconscious when he examined me from top to bottom.


    "It''s rare to find a human with powerful magic like you..." He purred in the most creepiest way.


    "Too bad I want to eat you now..." With that, he took his scythe from his back and ready to slash my throat.


    "Air of the Northern Land...banish this creature of evil."


    A powerful gust of cold wind slammed that old man to the wall on the opposite, releasing his strong grip on my throat. I coughed greatly to get the air back to my lungs and looked up to see the newcomer who, I wondered, was going to save me.


    He was a tall, slender and handsome man with blonde hair and oddly-looking purple eyes. He was dressed finely, like the way of a noble or rich people dressed. He was holding a black cane with odd-looking crafts and a strange stone with moon-like color on the top. I finally realized there was some tiny human-like creatures with wings flying around him. Those looked oddly similar with something...


    Wait a minute...those are fairies?


    Don''t tell me...this man...


    "Well...well...I never expect to encounter you, Sorcerer." That old man stood up and came face-to-face with that man in front of me. "I was just about to enjoy my meal, so hand her over."


    "Bloody hell...I was just finished annoying errand and I had to fight you...Even you''re one of us, you''re different from us..." With that, he held his cane up to the same height as that old man''s eyes.


    "You never be like us, Sorcerer. From the beginning, you''re enemy to my kind." With that, he came to him with his scythe on his hands, ready to slash this sorcerer.


    "O Salamander of Volcano...I ask thee for your hellish fire...burn my enemy."


    In the blink of the eyes, a fire appeared on his red cape and eventually burned that old man to the crisps. I was speechless as I watched what just happened in front of me. I didn''t know if I could process everything that just happened. The man turned around and said something to me, but I couldn''t hear what he was saying.


    The next thing I saw was an oddly-welcoming darkness.

 Chapter 3: The Wandmaker

    It had already been 2 years since I was "adopted" as Kiel''s daughter and apprentice. Now, I''m 13 years old and no longer had unhealthy thin body thanks to Marigold''s dealicious and healthy home-made food and snacks. My hair that was cut short and unevenly by annoying young children now grew longer and trimmed nicely by Marigold. She also fixed my hair into side ponytail with blue ribbon. Father gave me dresses and clothes that I always saw the rich people''s daughters wore while I was on streets, although I asked him for the clothes that''s easier for me to move around as I still had my active side and often got dirty.


    Even though I was also his Apprentice, Father never once taught me his magic in the last 2 years. In fact, he only taught me about English, Mathematic, History, Social Studies, and Science...well, mainly about medicine plants, both from Human Realm and other Realms, because it was important for making magical herbal medicine that father always made for his clients. He expected me to learn it as soon as possible.


    "Knowledge is power in society, without it, you''re nothing."


    That was father told me before he made me more homework. Aside from English, he also taught me some of French and Italian, saying it was equally important as I learnt English. Aside from school lessons, he also taught me Fairy Language and their history, alongside other magical beings. I never went to school in my entire life, so everything was new to me and father was patiently teaching all of those.


    I was truly grateful with father. He still made time between his errands, his potion-medicine brewing and teaching my lessons. He kept Saturdays and Sundays as off-day; Tuesdays and Thursdays for my lessons; and Mondays and Wednesdays for his jobs. While he was gone for his jobs, Marigold and Alvin taught me all kinds of important Etiquette to be like a noble daughter because back in Fairy Realm, father was some-kind of important noble. I had to learn the manners or I would stain father''s images as the noble in Fairy Realm.


    My way of talking, my manners, everything. Though father told me it''s alright to act what I wanted, but it had to be graceful. He didn''t like having me not as myself.


    0-0-0


    "I think it''s the right time for you to meet him." Father said it bluntly during the lessons.


    "Meet who?" I stopped writing the formulas for this calculation and looked to my father.


    "Gilbert Baker. He''s the Wandmaker, the wizard who''s specialized in wand-making." He looked troubled for a minute, like he was debating with himself.


    "I think...it''s time for you to learn magic."


    "Seriously?!" I jumped from my seat when I heard that. I had been waiting for this moment.


    "Don''t get too excited, young lady." He flicked my forehead.


    "Ouch!"


    "I can''t teach you any fairy spells at your current state. I''m planning to teach you how to brew the herb medicines first, but it requires a wand in the end."


    "...speaking of wand, I never see your wand, Father."


    "You''re seeing it." He pointed to the cane he''s always carrying.


    "Your cane is your wand?!" I could feel my voice raised in shock and confused. "I thought it''s just normal cane with unique carfting style."


    "Wand can appear either as a stick or a cane like this and it''s crafted by the Wandmakers and depends on the Sorcerers, wizards and witches." He showed me his cane closer. "Your wand is like your hand, eye, touch, all your sense. No one can use your wand because it''s linked with your soul."


    "So, every wand is unique and the one-and-only?"


    "Yes, wand is like your mediator for your magic. The wood of the wand determines the characteristic of your magic. Combination of the Cores and the Gemstone determine how powerful your magic is."


    I was half-listening to father''s small lecture about wands and half-daydreaming about what my wand would look like. Not to mention father was finally decided to teach me his magic, which I had been waiting for, and I didn''t mind I had to brew potions and medicines for my first lesson. Magic was magic afterall.


    "Are you listening, Rosina?" I went back to the reality when he called me.


    "Ye-Yes!"


    "Anyway, we will meet Gilbert tomorrow at 10." He told me as he looked into my writing progress.


    "No lessons?"


    "You still have Etiquette lessons with Marigold and Alvin in afternoon." Father was still looking into my writing progress and closed the homework book. "And more homework for English Grammar, you still mess up with the same mistakes."


    "Yes, I understand Father..." I mentally sighed because I got more homework to do. There was still Mathematic, History and French homework to do. Father truly kept me learning even he was away for his jobs.


    "And I also lend you my basic potions and medicines books. I can''t let you brew one yet, but at least you should learn how to brew some from books."


    "Really?!"


    "I''ve decided that you can learn it, so why I don''t lend you those books?" With that, father stood up from his chair.


    "That''s all for now. You better don''t stay up too late because of the excitement and doing your homework or we will be late for the meeting."


    "Don''t worry, father. I will sleep around 10." I replied him happily.


    "Well then. Good night, Rosina." He smiled as he caressed my head gently. "Have a nice sleep."


    "Good night, Father."


    0-0-0


    I woke up a little bit late because I finished up all the French and English homework at night and it was past from my bedtime when I was done with those. Another reason was because I was too excited to sleep because I finally learnt magic, even it was still brewing potions and medicines.


    After a nice bath and Marigold''s warm and delicious breakfast, Alvin drove me and father out of town to the north. It had been a long time since I was out from the House, I mean really away from the House. I mostly spent my time inside the House and sometimes went to the garden when I missed the outside. There was Greenhouse as well where Marigold took care medicine plants for brewing, I sometimes helped her out when I had no homework or lesson to do. To be away from the House felt like a small blessing because to be honest, I didn''t really like staying inside for so long.


    After around 2 hours of driving, we arrived in small but peaceful town. Well, it was like a village in atmosphere, but bigger and more advanced. Then, Alvin stopped the car in front of an old house on the edge of the town.


    The house looked like it was stood for like more than decade. Even it was an old house, it was well-cared by the owner, both the building and the garden. I followed father to the front door and he rang the bell.


    "Coming." A voice from inside replied as I could hear footsteps walking towards the door.


    The door opened and revealed a man around his late 40s with fine gray haircut and blue eyes. His clothes was a simple white shirt and brown pants. He looked to father first and then to me.


    "You come not on the day of your wand maintenance, which only means one reason." He spoke up with deep, understanding tone.


    "Yes, I want to craft a wand for my apprentice who''s also my daughter." Father said it proudly as he tapped my shoulder.


    "What''s your name, Child of Sorcerer?" He asked as he looked straight to my eyes.


    "I''m Rosina...Rosina de Clare." I answered timidly because I could feel his eyes weren''t looking at me, but to my very soul.


    "It''s nice to meet you, Miss de Clare." He offered a handshake, which I took it. "I''m Gilbert Baker, but I''m more well-known as the Wandmaker."


    0-0-0


    Gilbert guided us to his studio. The smell of various woods and few other things which I didn''t recognize its smell hit my nose before I set my foot on his studio. The studio was messy, but tidy at the same time. There were boxes full of various woods with label on it. "Apple", " Holly", "Oak", and many more. Next to those boxes was two large of cupboards, each I think served as different things with one and another. The first cupboard had labels like "Orichalcum", "Mithril", "Golden Apple" and many things I didn''t recognize. The second cupboard had labels I could recognized the most; "Sapphire", "Emerald", "Ruby", "Diamond" and many more. Wood crafting tools was dominated the other part of the studio. A large table with few chairs were on the middle of the studio.


    "Take a seat while I''m picking up the wood first." Gilbert said to me and father as he carefully picked one wood from each boxes.


    "Now, let''s start with the wood first." He said that as he put the wood in front of me.


    I didn''t know what to do, so I just sit and stared the woods with confused look. Gilbert took the chair on the opposite of the table and waited for my next move.


    "Pick one of the wood and focus." Father''s words broke my trails of confusion.


    "Like this?" I picked up the nearest wood and hold on with both hands.


    "Try to focus of warming up the wood on your hands."


    I had no single idea what father meant, but I trusted him. I tried to "warm the wood up" like he said. Before I knew it, the wood suddenly shattered into dust, leaving me in shock.


    "Don''t worry about it." Gilbert spoke up before I apologized for "turning the wood into dust". "It happens all the time, so go on."The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    I picked randomly and did the same thing. The second and third wood were turned into dust just like what happened on my first try. However, nothing happened when I did that on the fourth wood. Gilbert looked happy as he took the wood from my hands.


    "I see...your wand will be made out from Eucalyptus wood." Gilbert told it as he put the wood in a box among his wood crafting tools.


    "This wood is well-known as one of the strongest wood with healing capability. The magic energy is good and pure, clean like the earth from which it is born. It seems you''re destined to be a healer, maybe even greater than your father." He commented about the wood of my wand and he carefully searched few things in the cupboard. I looked at the corner of my eyes that Father smiled when he heard that.


    "Uhm...Father?" I called father and he looked to me with a bit confused. "How can he tell that much?"


    "Well, the wand-making magic is one of the oldest magic, but the most mysterious one. Even I can''t figure out the mechanism of that magic."


    "And the same thing goes to who can hold the magic." Gilbert joined the conversation as he walked back to the table, carrying various things on his hands. "The magic chooses its wielder. Even one of your parents or your ancestor is a wandmaker, it''s not make you guarantee that you will be a wandmaker. Me, for example, comes from a herbalist family, yet I got chosen by this magic and become wandmaker."


    After saying that, he placed those items in front of me, each with one and another. There was a beautiful apple coated in golden color, some glass bottles with various things inside like rainbow-like dust or some liquid with different colors, rose petals with earthy-red color, some-kind of fish scale, and many more.


    "This time, try to hold your arms like this." Gilbert took my arms and guided my arms. "Close your eyes and feel the magic within you. You don''t have to think, just feel it like you feel things with your senses."


    I did what Gilbert told me. I closed my eyes and tried to "feel" the magic within me. Gilbert said it''s like feeling things with my senses, so I emptied my mind and felt deep down inside myself. I felt something I never felt before, it was like spring breeze in the middle of forest, flowers seemed to be playing nice melody, the trees were singing.


    "And open your eyes."


    Gilbert''s command stopped the vision and I opened my eyes. there was 3 items that''s resonating to my "magic". Gilbert took the items and placed it beside the wood that chose me.


    "How can you find her in the first place, Kiel? This young lady is surprisingly powerful." Gilbert said to father with surprised tone. "There''s only like few wizards, sorcerers and witches to have this within their wands."


    "What are you talking about?" I asked out of curiosity.


    "Orichalcum, the blessed metal that''s bestowed from God of Sea. Phoenix Tears, it has magical healing power. Fairy Dust, something fairies use for magic and I think she gets it from you. It reminds me of your own Cores."


    "What?" I was dumbstruck when I heard that and looked to my father.


    "My wand has Phoenix Tears and Fairy Dust as two of the Cores, Holly as its wood and moon stone as its gem. This is why I can use Fairy Magic and skilled healer."


    "Ah, I just remember something, since you mentioned about wood." Gilbert went back to the pile of wood and searching of something among them.


    "There it is. I hope this will suit you." He handed me over a thin-thorny green wood, which I knew perfectly what this wood was.


    "Is this from rose?"


    "Yes, this wood is famous among female wizards, witches and sorcerers for its rosy scent." Gilbert sounded happy when he heard my question. "But I never make a wand or rod made of this wood."


    "Why?"


    "Rosewood is probably the weakest wood to be use as wand wood, but good if you mix it with other wood because it''s somehow enchanted the magic, aside of giving its signature rosy scent, and it''s often compatible with most wizards, witches and sorcerers and safe to be combined with other wood for wands and rods."


    "However...Marie Nithercott, the infamous human elf wizard, has rosewood for her wand wood." Father disproved Gilbert''s words. "Right now, she''s the most powerful wizard in this era."


    "Marie Nithercott...she''s an exception." Gilbert was in deep thought when he heard that name.


    "Who is she?" I asked because both Gilbert and father seemed to be in deep thought.


    "Like I said, she''s the most powerful wizard in this era, Rosina." Father explained to me. "Her mother was a fairly powerful wizard and her father was one of Elf Kingdom''s royal wizards. At that time, it was impossible for a human and an Elf to be together and have child, but she was born under that condition."


    "And it had to be paid with her mother''s life." Gilbert said in eerie tone.


    "...yes. Her mother died soon after she was born. For the past 50 years, she was raised and trained in Elf Kingdom by her father and other Royal Wizard members until she made a decision to return to human realm. Ever since then, she''s becoming powerful than before. Also, due to her elf bloodline, her beauty stays premanent even after 100 years had passed."


    Marie Nithercott... Somehow, she reminded of my past, more like we were alike on one side. I grew up without knowing about my father and she grew up without her mother. I was a Sorcerer and She was a wizard. I was pity on her because she didn''t know what mother''s love. On the other hand, I was a bit jealous on her because she was able to learn magic during her childhood while I was forced to hide it. However, it was our father who brought out the talent of magic from inside.


    "...okay, let''s continue on." Gilbert quickly changed the topic and pointed to the rosewood on my hands. "Try to do what you do with the wand wood."


    I focused on my energy like I did to find out which wood for my wand. The same warm energy flowed from my hands through the wood. At my surprise, it didn''t shatter into dust like the other wood.


    "Okay, it seems I can use this for the mixing." With that, he took the rosewood and placed it in the box alongside the materials earlier.


    "Now, the last material." He places couple of gemstones on the table in front of me. "The gemstone. For this one, focus on your energy and make it shine like a sun."


    I closed my eyes and places my hands above the gemstones and focused on the energy. I let my instinct did the work and let my energy flowed from my hands, imagining a shining gemstone. I opened my eyes and saw one gemstone was shining to brightly that it was hurting my eyes a bit.


    "And stop!" Gilbert broke my focus and quickly took the gemstone before the brightly shine disappeared.


    "...Kiel, this girl is special..." He told to my father as he examined the gemstone. "Alexandrite, the mysterious color-changing gemstone. She might be rivaling Marie Nithercott in term of magic, seeing how Orichalcum, Phoenix Tears and Alexandrite choose her."


    "Come to think of it, she also has Orichalcum and Alexandrite for her wand."


    "Man, how lucky are you, to find such a rare unpolished sorcerer with possible a great deal of magic."


    "If that''s the case..." Father patted my head. "It seems I make a right choice to give you detailed magic lectures when we go back home."


    "Eh?" What did he just say?


    "Since you have the talent, I better lecture you the basic of the basic until the advanced one. Of course, I won''t let you go easily for your schooling lectures too."


    "Hahaha, that''s so like you, Kiel." Gilbert laughed as he saw my mix of surprised and miserable face when I heard there would be more lectures. "I will get the wand ready in one week. Until then, have fun on Kiel''s magic lectures. He can be a devil teacher when it comes about his specialty."


    For this moment, I wished I didn''t have to learn magic.


    0-0-0


    "Oh, by the way, Kiel..." Gilbert called out father just before we''re leaving his house.


    "I think...I find my future Apprentices just few towns from here. Strange enough, it''s sisters and both have the same talents." Gilbert told him and it gave father sad look. Wasn''t that a good news?


    "I see... It''s good for you then. It''s rare to find one Apprentice, let alone two and siblings." Father congratulated him, but there was a hint of sadness in the tone. I wanted to ask, but something made me not to do that.


    "Yeah, they''re smart and well-aware of their potentials, so they''re safe for now. Tomorrow, I will ask them if they want to be my Apprentices, probably I have to lie to their parents for it." He joked a bit at the end.


    "Of course. Not everyone is fond of wizards and sorcerers. I wish you good luck with them." With that, father leaded me to car.


    "It''s my pleasure to be in your care for all this time, Gilbert. Good day." Father said that before we''re leaving.


    "Father...is something wrong for him to have apprentice?" I finally found courage to ask him during our way back.


    "You will understand when the time comes, Rosina." Father just responded it while looking out the car''s window.


    0-0-0


    Just like what Gilbert promised, my wand arrived through the packet in front of the house. When I opened it, I was stunned how beautiful this wand was. The wand was thin, but beautifully white pearl with the length was around 39 inches. From the top to bottom, there was beautiful red and purple-colored four-petal flower patterns. The gem was on the bottom of the wand. I could smell the familiar rosy scent coming out from the wand. When I held it for the first time, I felt I had been holding it for the rest of my lifetime.


    "I''m surprised Gilbert can craft such a beautiful wand like this." Father was praised Gilbert''s work a bit when he saw me handling the wand.


    "Your wand isn''t made by him?"


    "...no. It was crafted by the other wandmaker, but he already passed away." He answered as he held his wand a bit tight, which I missed that.


    "But, Gilbert talked like he''s the one who crafted your wand."


    "Well...that''s the mysterious side of wandmakers. It''s like the wandmakers in the past has passed their knowledge on their chosen successor, despite the past, present or future. Even the successor can''t explain it."


    I was amazed by the mysterious magic of wand-making. I felt Gilbert was the one who was special in here, seeing he was chosen by this magic.


    Before I realized it, father was already dragged me to the tower on the south part of the house. The tower was for his herb workplace. I had been visiting his workplace for his magic lectures. My homework was twice harder since last week.


    "Since you have your wand now, I want you to practice for real." He said it as he was setting ingredients for a potion or medicine.


    "Huh? Right now?!" I asked in surprised tone.


    "Of course, it''s better you practice than listening to lecture." With that, he finished preparing. "Now, what kind of potion or medicine you''re going to make?"


    Dried Thyme, Basil, Blueberry leaves, Oregano leaves, Anise seeds and pure spring water...


    "Cough Medicine?" I answered after one minute of recalling the recipes that father pounded to my head since last week.


    "Correct. Now, brew a nice cough medicine." With that command, father sat on the chair and watched my movement, which made me even more nervous.


    I took a deep breath and tried to recall the recipe. Two leaves for each dried Thyme, Basil, Blueberry leaves and Oregano leaves I put on the pot, poured the pure spring water until the leaves was soaked by the water and boiled it in low temperature. Crushing the Anise seeds into a fine powder while stirring. When small bubbles appeared on the edge, I put the Anise seed powder and stirred it nicely in medium temperature until it was boiled and the liquid turned clear blue.


    I thought I did a great job when I watched the greenish liquid turned into clear blue when it was boiled. Now, for the magic-!


    "The Small Lady is brewing her first medicine." The sarcasm tone of Alvin broke my focus and I didn''t know when Alvin came to the workplace.


    "Shut up, Alvin!" I shouted angrily at him when I tried to recall the spell.


    "You better don''t mess up, Small Lady." He playfully said it as he watched beside me.


    I took a deep breath and chanted the spell.


    "Nature of the green, cleanse of water, heareth my voice, and bless me to heal the ones who need."


    As soon as I finished chanted, the liquid on the pot slowly stirred on its own and changed the color from its clear blue into a beautiful bluish transparent water. Alvin and father watched in awe when it happened.


    "I can''t believe this...the Small Lady can brew the cough medicine." Alvin leaned to the pot to check on the water, but suddenly fell asleep.


    "Alvin?! What happened?!" I went panic when it happened.


    "Because you failed to brew it..." Father answered as he put Alvin on the old couch.


    "I...made a mistake?"


    "Yes... You put two Blueberry leaves, instead of one leave..." Father literally facepalmed as I realized my mistake. "Because of that, you made sleeping drug instead of cough medicine."


    "...sorry..." I lowered my head and quietly apologized, but father patted my head.


    "It''s okay, you''re still learning. Next time, you do it properly."


    "Yes, Father!"


    From that moment, father let me help him to brew the medicines and potions, despite I made some mistakes. Even so, father never got angry and made me to brew the new one properly. Slowly but surely, father entrusted me to brew easy medicines and potions. Without realizing it, my brews became a little famous and few of father''s client requested it. From that, the rumor of him taking an powerful unpolished apprentice was everywhere.


    Now, I was more well-known as "Child of Fairy Sorcerer."

 Chapter 4: Off to Fairy Realm

    It had been five years since I came to this house and being adopted as the daughter and Apprentice of the Infamous Fairy Sorcerer. Before I was studying like normal child would do, only Father taught me the important lessons for me to be more understandable with his Fairy Magic and Herbalism.


    Now, it had been two years since he taught me the basic of the basic of Herbalism. The normal lessons were lesser than before, but it didn''t mean I stop having such lessons. Most of the time we always used for lessons was replaced by Father''s Herbalism lesson and helping Father in his herbalist''s work. Father didn''t allow me to brew dangerous potions or medicines and let me brew the basic or moderate potions or medicines, which was mostly request by his clients that came from various Realms and people from Human Realm who needed "miracle medicine".


    To our surprise, some of Father''s clients requested me to make their potions or medicines with the reason I never knew. Father seemed to know the reason, but he was still doubting it.


    "Your wand is made of Eucalyptus Wood and it''s believed to hold power of healing. Maybe because of that, the potions and medicines you''ve made are a bit powerful than the ones I''ve made. However, I can be wrong about that, so let''s just say they will be your future clients when you finally becomes a full-fledged Sorcerer."


    Even father sounded like that, he secretly praised me for doing nice jobs in brewing medicines and potions. I was already happy enough that I helped father''s job as Fairy Doctor. Yes, I started to call him that since he was more like a doctor than a sorcerer to me now. It was far from my imagination from the bedtime story, but I loved for who he was now.


    0-0-0


    "Rosina, we will be travelling to Fairy Realm next week." Father told me that during our Herbalism lesson.


    "Is there special occasion for it?" I asked him since he always traveled there with Alvin and never took me there.


    "Yeah, it''s almost the time for The Naming Ceremony." Father said that as he collected my homework for Herbalism. "It''s coming-to-age ceremony for young fairies where the Fairy King and Queen bestow them their second name that acts as ''pact'' between the individual''s magic and soul to the Fairy Realm''s magic. It also applies to me even though I''m human."


    "Then, you have second name as well, Father?"


    "Yes, it''s Aelfdene, but it also acts like my name in Fairy Realm since the fairies don''t like calling me with my human name." He said it without breaking his judging look at my homework. "It''s also a good time to properly introduce you to my parents."


    "I have another family than you?" I asked curiously. Father hardly ever talked or mentioned about another family members.


    "Yes, I''ve mentioned about you couple times during my visits to Fairy Realm and they wants to meet you soon, so I think it''s a good time to properly introduce you before the Naming Ceremony."


    "I wonder what they will look like. Will they look like Citron and Nyra with small body and fairy wings or like Marigold with her beautiful look?" I almost jumped from my seat when I thought about it. I always wondered how the other fairies looked like beside Father''s fairies.


    "You will see about that in a week." Father chuckled to my enthusiasm.


    Citron and Nyra were two of the fairies that Father made a pact with. Citron was Fire-Element Fairy while Nyra was Earth-Element Fairy. I first met Nyra when I visited the Greenhouse, she''s the one who made the plants all happy and healthy beside Marigold. I first met Citron when he picked up the package that Father once forgot to bring. Finch was Air-Element Fairy and he''s extremely shy. I only saw glimpses of him around Father or around the house, I only caught him in his full fairy body during storm nights.


    I was surprised to know that Marigold was a fairy, or more specific a brownie. No wonder why she''s good in taking care the house and her love for porridge, honey, butter, and cream. Father also always left a cup of finest cream, butter or honey and sometimes a bowl of porridge on the fireplace every single night. It must be her payment and his thanks for keeping the house clean and making everyone warm home-made food.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    However, I never knew what Alvin was. Alvin looked and appeared like a human, but I knew he wasn''t a human. He could be another magical being, but he never told me and Father also avoided the topic. I didn''t know who or what Alvin was, but I knew he would never hurt any of us. Although, he never stopped his sacrasm to me.


    "Oh yeah, after the Naming Ceremony, some of the lessons will be switched into Magic lessons." Father said it, cutting my line of thought.


    "...really?" I asked unsure.


    "Yes, you''re almost an adult now and you will be getting your second name, so I think it''s now the right time to teach you magic."


    "Yes!" I cheered, but Father slightly hit me with my homework.


    "But you still need to fix your habit for switching up some of the flowers or you will make poison rather than a medicine if this continues. I will give you more homework about this." Father smirked seeing me pouted knowing I would get more homework.


    "And you better finish the homework before the time we go to Fairy Realm or else you will get yours on the next one, which is in 25 years."


    I just quietly cried in my heart, Father could be a sadistic when it came to Herbalism lessons.


    0-0-0


    I was so tired for doing homework from last week and also so excited I could learn magic that I couldn''t sleep well. I tried not to rush doing my homework or Father would give me more homework than before if it turned up badly. At least, it''s all paid off. I finished all my homework before the time we went to Fairy Realm.


    Marigold prepared a lovely dress for the occasion. It was white ribbon-tie dress with a Prussian blue jacket with ruby brooch on the middle of the ribbon-tie, the brooch was Father''s gift for her 16th birthday. She also prepared a lovely deep brown heeled, long leather boots and leather gloves with the same color.


    After putting the dress, Marigold made me sit in front of the mirror as she fixed my messy hair. For this occasion, she used blue rose accessory to tie my side ponytail. It was still a surprise to see myself dressed up like a young woman from high-class family, while I was just poor orphan girl few years ago. To see myself now, I knew I''ve come so far.


    And reminded myself that I had to live for my friends'' sakes, who died on that night. I prayed each night for them to be in better place than the hell we experienced together.


    "You look beautiful." Father said it, breaking my thought. It seems he came to my room when I was admiring my current look. I turned around to face Father and I was amazed by his current look, which was so different from his usual look.


    He was wearing grey long coat and light grey vest with black bow-tie and matching grey pants. The clothes he was wearing made his dirty blonde hair quite stood out. His cane still always on his side.


    "And you look different from usual..." I said my thought loudly and quickly covered my mouth in embarrassed. Father just slightly chuckled.


    "Of course. I actually don''t really like dress up formally, but since it''s special occasion, I have to." Father sighed a bit, but stayed in playful tone. "Afterall, this is my beloved daughter''s coming-to-age ceremony and the first meeting of your grandparents."


    "D-Don''t tease me like that!" Hearing the word beloved made me blushed. Father just laughed a bit seeing me getting blushed like that.


    "Alright, it''s time to go now."


    "Okay, Father."


    I quickly grabbed my briefcase of some changed clothes and medicines. Father also carried briefcase with the same things inside. Marigold waved at us as we''re about to leave, but strangely, Alvin didn''t come with us while he always came with Father for his jobs.


    "Alvin, you''re not going with us?" I asked curiously.


    "Nah, I Have to stay put this time, little Lady." Alvin answered in bored tone. "Someone have to tell the potential customers that Master and little Lady are away and only have common medicines and potions available to be sold. Marigold is mute and extremely cautious to strangers, so I have to be the one to do that."


    "I see. Too bad for you, Alvin." I teased him as I sometimes did to him.


    "Nah, I don''t like going to Fairy Realm at all, unless it''s Master''s jobs." Alvin just replied coldly like always though.


    "Why?" This caught my interest.


    "You''re still too young for the answer, little Lady. Come back when you become Sorcerer in Master''s level." Alvin teased me, but I had feeling he avoided the question. However, I decided not to ask anymore.


    "We will be going then. Take care, Alvin, Marigold."


    "We will be back soon."


    With that, Father took me to the border of between Human Realm and Fairy Realm. As we crossed the border, we were greeted by heavily dense forest that acted as outer side of Fairy Realm. Fairies were close to nature, so it''s not strange thing to see heavily dense forest in their territory, plus they also loved to trick humans to get lost in their forest.


    "Winds of Ea Themar...Hear my plea and show the path of your world."


    Finch appeared transitively as Father used his power for his Fairy Magic. Finch turned into blue-ish wind and created the path of wind leading to the entrance of Fairy Realm.