Wizard Town

Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Job

Elemental. That's the word that Autumn used to describe us. I know I'm different but I'm not that concerned about it. I have my family and my brother who loves me despite of my peculiarities. But now that I know someone who have an idea why I am like this, it made me really curious.

"Autumn? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Tanong ko kay Autumn. We are now currently sitting in front of a table in Mr. Hwang's workroom with Snow curled up in my lap.

"Did you ever heard the myth about beings blessed with great magic and powers called Elemental?" She asked which I only answered with a confused look. Before she can answer, Mr. Hwang interrupted us by placing a small bottle of potion in front of me.

"Drink that for now since your magic is still running wild." Mr. Hwang told me. Without much thinking I drank the potion. I know I shouldn't trust anyone especially someone who gave me some potion I'm not sure what for. But Mr. Hwang have only been kind and considerate so far.

"It's the same compressor potion I gave you last time. It's enough for now but not in the foreseeable future." He told me as he noticed my sudden hesitation. Napatingin naman ako sa direksyon ni Autumn. She's smiling widely. It's not malicious but it still weirded me out. Seeing my reaction to her face only made her grin wider.

"I never thought I would meet someone like me. According to the old books where I read myths abouth elemental, they only exist once every fifty years or so." Pagpapaliwanag sa akin ni Autumn.

"Am I really an Elemental though?" Tanong ko naman dito. It's just that this is my first time hearing about Elemental and its just too good to be true. Me suddenly finding out a part of myself that I've never heard before.

"How can you explain that kind of magic and core? Maybe you are just blessed with so much magic but your magic only revolves around the element earth." Mr. Hwang said. Which is yes, my magic is all about earth but that's not suprising since I'm from East Earth after all.

"Elemental's magic is like a personification of a certain element which explain me—" pagturo ni Autumn sa sarili. "The element wind while you—" then she point at me, "The element earth."

After some more arguments, I agree to help Mr. Hwang make the charm he was talking about to help me compress my overwhelming magic. According to him he need to soak the charm with my and my familiar's magic for three consecutive days in order for it to work for me. Which is fine for me since kadalasan namang wala sa tinutuluyan namin si Kuya Zan. Isa pa bored na din akong makipagtitigan sa maliit na kwartong iyon.

"I don't have money to pay you." I blurted out to Mr. Hwang as he search his workrooom.

"You can pay me later." He said with a shrug  like it doesn't really bother him.

I suddenly remember what Snow suggested to me earlier. It's really a smart move but I'm not sure if Mr. Hwang would agree.

"Can you give me a job in your shop?" Tanong ko kahit na kinakabahan ako sa magiging sagot nito. He stopped rummaging his shelves for a moment to look at me which only made me more nervous.

"I can tend to your garden and help with your inventory." I explained.

"I do need a job since babalik na si Kuya sa Academy so I need to provide for myself. Isa pa I do really need to pay you for all the help you've been giving me." I told Mr. Hwang who seems to be thinking about my offer which is really nice. I thought he would immediately decline.

"I need to talk to your brother though. I don't want underage worker without consent to your only guardian. Isa pa, I've heard from Vroj that you're are currently residing at the old stable on their manor. I have some few offer and deals." Ang sabi naman ni Mr. Hwang as he sat on his table in the middle of workroom. He bought a parchment of paper from one of his drawers and proceed to write something.

A grunt from Snow caught my attention.

'I told you, the old man can help you.' Snow told me through our bond with his eyes still closed.

"Yeah, you're right. I guess I'm just not used to people acknowledging me."

—

Zan as a child is a curious soul that's why at a young age he was already exposed to the unfair life of being poor compare to the noble people who seems to think only for their selves. One perfect example of that is Zan's currently job.

"I heard your an excellent young man from Master Vroj. If you are what he talks about can you make our garden much more grandeur than the noble family Yurima?" His current employer ask as Zan speculate the big but dead garden in front of him.

"What would you like to be the theme of your garden Madam? I'm not sure about the garden of the noble family you are speaking of, but I assure you that I would do my best to make your garden up into your standard and taste." Zan politely inquired. He was frustrated and borderline angry but this is his job so he doesn't have that much choice but to endure the nobles who cares more about their reputation than what is the current state of their country or town.

"Hmm..I want a fantasy like garden. You know, with lots of butterflies. Blue butterflies specifically." With an answer like that, it's a real wonder how Zan didn't attack anyone at this point.

This is the third noble family that he and Vroj have visited. It was also the fifth day since he left the old stable and his sister alone there to find a job so he would have some money for his schooling and hopefully left some cash for his sister before he went away. And here he is, trying to control his temper.

"I apologize in advance Madam, but I am a plant expert and not a butterfly whisperer. But if you wish I would plant some known plants that the blue butterflies likes. And about the theme fantastical, I think I can do that part really well." Zan said with a tight smile on his face. He really hopes that this Madam will finally settle her mind so he would do his job and be done with it as soon as possible.

"Alright. But can you plant pink roses? I would like some in my garden." The madam was a little disappointed for a moment but easily settled for another thing which Zan immediately agreed and finally, he got a new job deal.

The madam left Zan alone in the garden after he inquired a couple more things and proceed to tell him that she would be in their sala kung nasan nandoon din si Vroj.

Aside from caring too much about their reputation to other people, noble tends to like kissing ass of much more well known noble family. It's actually one of the reason that Vroj suggested this job for him. Vroj needs to visit a couple of noble family so their plan is for him to tag along and offer his gardening skills for a pay that is honestly shocking even for Zan. Sino bang tao ang magbabayad ng ganun kalaki para lang sa konting pagtatanim at landscaping? Well.. apparently noble likes to show their wealth in a flashy way that includes a very grand garden.

Zan makes a fast work of using his ability to make plants grow. He actually have a good amount of core magic but remembering one of the things Mr. Hwang had warned and thought them. Zan is being careful in using his magic. So instead of just standing there in the middle and let his magic flow freely. He one by one touched the soil where he want to grow a certain plant. It was a tedious work. At kahit na masyado itong aksayado sa oras, it's better to be cautious.

After a good two hours of work, Zan finally made a big sigh as he stand up form his crouched position and inspect his final work.

The garden is now filled with flowers in full bloom. For now it would stay in bloom but his magic will soon loose its effect and it would leave a garden full of healthy plants. Ang importante ay tapos na nito ang trabaho.

It's now time to go back and check his sister. He also needs to inform his sister of his soon departure. Even if Zan doesn't like it, he needs to left his sister alone for a whole ten months. He's honestly hoping that there would be someone to look after his sister. Kung meron lang sana ay kahit papaano ay mapapanatag ang loob ni Zan.

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