Fallen Stars [Howl's Moving Castle Fanfiction]

Chapter Ten - Only One Way

Chapter Ten - Only One Way

 I froze. 

Howl stiffened. 

Jacelyn and Richard's breath's hitched.

Everyone else who just happened to hear the conversation, suddenly struggled with passing by us. 

Maybe I shouldn't have asked that so straightforward...? A burning flush spread on my cheeks as I quite embarrased cleared my troat. "Oh, um, yes, Mr. Howl. I'd really appriciate it if you gave it a thought." I said shyly and barely glanced at him. With this silence, it feels like the chance of me becoming his apprentice shrinks to minimal as time flies by. Next time, it might have been better to introduce oneself before being rash and rushing in to things... I'll note that.

"Hm? Apprentice you say, huh?" The tall man said, "I suppose that's a perfect thing to say at the first meeting isn't it?" He laughed shortly and eyed me with curious eyes, and then at Richard and Jacelyn. "How about you two? You also want become my apprentices'?"

They gave him hesitant looks and then shared a doubtfull look before slowly nodding at him. So that's what they wanted? They also searched after the same thing as me, practically? But me not knowing that until recently is another part of it all, since it seems like the two had wanted to travel up to the mountains in a while now. Which means they've wanted to become Howl's apprentinces' long before I even thought about it. After all, I only thought of that field, for some reason I can't even explain. To think that I actually found other people with the same ambition as me? Coincidences nowadays...

Howl hummed for himself. "It could work... though it could also not be the greatest idea. Especially with how it is now, but I usually don't say no to apprintences'. I usually don't get apprintences' that much either for that matter. I wonder what Sophie would react if I brought so many people home though..." He continued to argue with himself, as we silently but surely stared at him while doing so. Is that how great wizards like him do? Well, I might find out soon enough. 

I felt a small nudge at my shoulder. "You also wanted to become an apprentice of Howl?"

She whispered to me with a cheery voice and flashed a smile. I nodded and glanced at Howl secretly. "More or less, yes."

"So it could work hm..." Howl rested a hand on his chin before abruptly turning around to face us with brightly shining eyes. "Yes! This could work! I accept it." 

We three shared a look with each other before giving a puzzled smile at the famous wizard. He tilted his head at us. "Though, I do want to know if you have the power within you to become a wizard." He said as he crossed his arms. My eyes widened and I tugged at the hem of my sleeve. He wanted to test our magic? I lowered my gaze to my fingers and frowned a bit. I've noticed that I almost always only can use my "magic" if I even can call it so, when being pressured. It's rarely that it even works, but when it does, something new happens everytime. No matter what, no matter what condition or situation, things change when I use my magic. 

Howl sat down at one of the harsh and solid rocks near by and smiled at us. "Just show me a little bit of what you can do, so I can judge if you have the potential within you or not. But guessing from your will of finding me and the castle, there must be something behind that, right? Go ahead with a little magic, just a simple thing." 

What should I do? I may feel a little pressured, but not on the same way as before. I can't show my magic just like that, even if I try really hard. Maybe if I just look at my hand with a super intense glare it would start reacting? Nah, doesn't sound so beliveable, but it's not impossible to try at least.