After much deliberation, I decided to give Liz something like a theoretical lesson on magic. I certainly didn’t want to start a school, but maybe I could occasionally explain a few things to others.

  “To simplify the concept a bit, you need to understand that the essence of magic is based on mana. The air you breathe, the clothes you wear, rivers, plants, ourselves… everything is surrounded by mana, in large or small quantities. There are different levels of purity of it. This element exists everywhere, and by sensing it and changing its flow, you can alter everything around you. Perceiving the essence of this element is the foundation for learning magic. Sometimes living beings cannot naturally sense it, especially some species of animals or humans. Others, however, often or always in close contact with large amounts of mana, can innately perceive it, making them more naturally inclined toward magic. This doesn’t prevent the first group from learning spells, nor does it automatically make those who sense it from birth into wizards.”

  Liz looked visibly confused but didn’t ask anything.

  “So, once mana is perceived and understood by a living being, it can be manipulated in whatever way is most convenient. For example: this is just a stick.” I reached into my bag and pulled out a piece of wood I had picked earlier from the garden. “I, who control the mana within me, can connect with the mana inside this branch and modify it at will, like this.” I showed the branch to Liz, which slowly started changing shape, as if it had suddenly become liquid.

  “Or you can do something like this.” I snapped the stick in two and, bringing the ends together, fused them into a single piece again.

  “This is a type of magic that can alter the shape of things by creating a connection between ourselves and the object in question, a direct-link magic, one of the simplest forms. The mana inside me induces the mana in these sticks to connect and thus fuse the matter itself. There are, of course, many types of magic, but for now, we’ll focus on this: first, you must be able to perceive mana, then you’ll try modifying the shape of something, like a rock or a piece of wood. So, is everything clear?” I asked my friend, who was staring at me with a completely blank expression. Probably nothing was clear at all.

  “Uh… so basically if you think really hard about something, it turns into whatever you want?”

  I sighed in resignation. “You could say yes, though it’s not enough just to think. You also need to feel everything around you… But are you really sure you want to learn how to use magic?”

  I had offered to teach some useful magic to help with village chores to all the villagers, and Liz was the first to insist on having a sort of private lesson. But she had probably said it in her excitement without realizing she’d need to learn a bit of theory first.

  “I’m the only one who doesn’t understand anythingggg.” Liz started whining. “I want to throw flames and shoot lightning too!”

  “But I don’t do things like that…” I sighed a second time, on the verge of giving up. “Alright, let’s take a short break and then start over. I’ll try to explain as simply as I can.”

  My friend’s eyes lit up, and she nodded, getting up and running out of the library. “Let’s go play in the snowww!”

  Predictably, our lesson turned into a snowball fight, and with no chance to continue the magic lesson that day, we ended up going to Tristan for a music lesson. Liz soon left to go home, and I, left alone under the watch of my new teacher, regretted leaving the house that day.

  When I finally got home, it was completely dark. I settled in front of the fire, sneezing a few times. Liz and I had definitely overdone it staying out in the cold so long, although lately, it wasn’t unusual for us to be outside for one reason or another.

  I hoped there wouldn’t be any problems tomorrow; I had the feeling I was coming down with something.

  “Weren’t you having a snack with the others today? What are you doing lying on the couch?”

  Preon had just come back home, watching me from the doorway as he removed his jacket. I reached out to him without saying a word. My head was spinning, and my body felt heavy.

  He approached me with a slightly worried expression.

  “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

  I shook my head slowly. My breathing was becoming more labored.

  He came closer.

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  “Just hang on a moment.” Preon positioned himself in front of me and gently lifted me off the couch. Everything around me started spinning. Even though Preon was holding me, I felt like I was about to fall. My head throbbed painfully.

  He placed me on the bed and tucked me under the covers.

  “I’ll get you some water, just a moment.”

  I watched him leave the room as my vision narrowed until my eyes closed, leaving me in a black, swirling world.

  I was cold, yet my cheeks felt warm. I sensed something wet on my forehead and slowly tried to open my eyes. The room was bathed in a soft blue light from the two mana lamps. Preon was sitting on a chair beside me, one hand suspended in the air as if he wanted to touch my face.

  “You’re finally awake. How are you feeling?” He withdrew his hand.

  The headache had eased somewhat, but even the slightest movement required enormous effort. I tried to sit up, and the damp cloth on my forehead fell onto the bed.

  “A bit better, thanks. Though I feel sweaty. Maybe I should take a bath.”

  “Wait here, I’ll prepare the tub for you.” He got up and, before leaving the room, turned to me. “Do you think you can manage alone, or do you want help? I can call Liz.”

  I shook my head. “No problem, I can manage on my own, thank you.”

  With one last glance, he left, and after a few seconds, I heard the water running.

  In the past few days, I had pushed myself too hard. Between walks and working outside in the cold, I must have caught a fever.

  Yesterday afternoon had been the final straw.

  Preon returned to the room shortly. “Liz came by a few hours ago. She says hi and left some rice soup for you.”

  “I wish I’d seen her… I’ll heat it up after my bath and eat it then.”

  I got up with determination and walked toward the door, only to bump into the frame.

  “What are you doing?” Preon scolded in an amused tone, trying not to laugh.

  “It’s not funny. Try walking inside a spinning top.” I turned to stick my tongue out at him, and the room spun with me. I lost my balance again and ended up leaning against Preon’s chest, who looked at me tenderly.

  “Are you sure you don’t need a hand?”

  I hesitated for a moment. At that rate, I could’ve drowned in the tub without realizing it, and my silence answered for me.

  He escorted me to the bathroom, never letting go, as if I were a child learning to walk. He had me sit on the edge of the tub and told me to stay as still as possible.

  He returned shortly with a stool and placed it in the tub. He paused for a second, staring at me as if he’d forgotten something, and suddenly his face turned red.

  “Uh… well… I wanted to help you with the bath, but, well…”

  I pushed past the embarrassment, slowly removing the nightgown I was wearing, leaving only the light camisole.

  “Can you help me sit there?” I looked at him teasingly. Seeing him flustered made me feel less awkward.

  I let him lift me effortlessly and settle me into the warm water, sitting on the stool.

  With the help of a cloth, he washed me, and the sensation of the warm water made me feel a bit better.

  He didn’t speak the entire time in the bath, except for “Does it hurt?” or “Is it too hot?”

  When he finished washing away the sweat, he lifted me and placed me back on the edge of the tub. Still red-faced, he averted his gaze and grabbed a large towel, wrapping me in it.

  He carried me to the bed after drying me, even though I told him I could walk on my own. He handed me another nightgown.

  “You… dress yourself… right?” His gaze was fixed on the window, cheeks red, either embarrassed or still warm from the bath.

  “Yes, don’t worry,” I replied.

  “Good, I’ll go heat up your soup then. Don’t get out of bed, alright?”

  I’d never seen him like this before; it was both amusing and endearing. Chuckling to myself, I changed, feeling much lighter.

  I left all the wet clothes on the floor and got into bed, staring out the window. No light came from the other houses; it must have gotten quite late.

  After about ten minutes, Preon returned with a tray.

  He placed it on the bedside table, and the aroma of the soup filled the room, making my mouth water. Now, facing the food, I realized I was very hungry.

  I took the spoon and bowl and, blowing gently, started eating.

  I felt warmth in my throat and stomach, and this simple moment filled me with joy. I had fallen ill before, but I’d usually remain defenseless and lost for days. I remembered little of those times; the little energy I had was spent mostly hiding and protecting myself. Luckily, nothing ever happened to me, but having hot soup in those moments was unimaginable, and I never expected to experience it in such a situation.

  Once I recovered, I would have to thank Liz.

  Preon had stayed seated, watching me eat. I only noticed him at the last spoonful.

  “What’s wrong? Want some too?” I looked at him as if he were trying to steal my most precious treasure.

  “No, no, it’s just… seeing you eat so heartily warms my heart.”

  His spontaneity left me speechless.

  He approached, took the bowl and spoon, and handed me a glass of water. I drank it all at once and put it on the tray.

  “I’ll take this downstairs and be back. You start getting ready for bed; in a couple of days, you’ll be fully recovered.” He got up, taking the tray away.

  My heart felt like it would burst. I had felt better before, but now my whole face was burning, and not just from the fever.

  I lay down, pulling the covers over my head. Once I recovered, I would definitely go thank Liz for the food.