Felix is stuck in a never-ending cycle of job applications, rejection letters, and the crushing weight of existential dread. When a job offer magically appears in his inbox with a salary so ridiculously high it could pay off his student loans and bu...
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Cain rubbed his chin, glancing at the dancing flames on the younger man's hands. "We're just getting started. But before we move on, let's see if you can put that flame out. Gently, though. No need to scorch the earth just yet."
Felix nodded, taking a deep breath as he focused on the flame again. He imagined it getting smaller, shrinking down until it was just a tiny ember, and then finally winking out. It took a bit of effort, but eventually, the flame twisted, then flickered one last time and disappeared, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke.
He kind of missed it?
"Nice," Cain said, clapping him on the shoulder. Felix hissed, his hand was heavy. "You're a natural."
Felix couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. He'd been skeptical at first, but now that he'd actually done it, the whole Wishmaking thing was starting to seem...pretty exciting? And if this was just the beginning, who knew what else he could learn? What else could he do?
I wanna swim in a pile of gold so bad.
"So, what's next?" Felix asked eagerly, already itching to try something else.
Cain chuckled, clearly enjoying Felix's enthusiasm, beckoning him over with a lazy tilt of his head. "Eager, eh? There's a lot more to cover, but we'll take it step by step. For now, though, I think you've earned a break. Besides, there's something else you need to see."
Felix raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's that?"
Cain's grin turned a little more mysterious. "You'll see."
...
Personally, Felix thought, he doesn't pull off the whole mysterious look so well.
"I can hear you mumbling."
Ugh.
—
The older man led Felix off the platform and back towards the garden, taking a different path this time. Felix followed him slowly, but his curiosity piqued. They walked in silence for a while, the sounds of nature filling the air—the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the gentle murmur of a nearby stream. Good ambience. 10/10.
Eventually, they reached a secluded part of the garden, where the trees formed a natural canopy overhead. In the center of the clearing was a stone fountain, its surface covered in a thin layer of moss. The water bubbled up from the center, cascading down into a shallow pool, twinkling in the sunlight filtered from the trees.
Cain stopped at the edge of the clearing, turning to face Felix. "This," he said, gesturing to the fountain, "is a place of reflection. It's where Wishmakers come to center themselves, to reconnect with the magic around them. It's a good place to clear your mind, especially when things get... complicated."
Felix looked at the fountain, then back at Cain, who was too busy blinking sleepily. "Complicated how?"
Cain shrugged, his expression unreadable. "You'll see soon enough. But for now, just take a moment. Close your eyes, listen to the water, and let the magic guide you."
