Questions and a tasty beef pie!

Ender grabbed the book again and started reading it from the beginning. However, unlike last time, he didn't rush through it. Instead, he read it slowly, paying close attention to every detail.

"Fluidity, adaptability. Fluidity, adaptability," Ender repeated softly, trying to burn the water's essence into his consciousness.

And thus, after re reading the spell's description and instructions, for multiple times, it was time to try casting the spell again.

"Did I chant a wrong incantation? I'm not sure…" he uttered dubiously.

He tried to recollect his past attempts, but the memories were elusive.

'Here goes nothing I reckon.'

This time, Ender kept his eyes open, determined to witness the outcome. The memories of his past failures surfaced in his mind, but he didn't let them deter him.

And so, he cast the spell…

"Liqua Orbis."

A simple chant. There wasn't anything special about it.

Ender's voice didn't contain his anxiousness, nor his excitement.

"…"

The sphere started as a mere droplet, but under Ender's continuous mana supply, it expanded and solidified into a translucent, gleaming orb of water. It hovered just above his hand, glistening in the sunlight.

Then, without warning, it rapidly began to descend.

Splash.

The water orb touched the ground, splashing gently and creating a small puddle. Ender stared at the water with awe.

A moment passed and then another, before Ender's brain registered what happened.

"I DID IT!" he exclaimed while getting up, unable to contain his excitement. His heart raced with a sense of deep satisfaction.

The rest of Ender's evening was spent on running and jumping around the house while shouting those three words.

"I DID IT!"

— — —

The next morning, Ender woke up much calmer. Mind you, he was still very excited about the day before.

"So according to the author of 'A novice mage's guide to magic', what I did yesterday shouldn't be possible. That either means that, everyone that had more than two aptitudes in the past, has hid it for some reason, or that all the mentions of those cases were erased from the history. Of course, there's the third option. I'm the first one to ever show an aptitude for more than two elements."

As seen, Ender had woken up in a contemplative mood.

Growl.

"Haha… I didn't eat since yesterday morning."

With the embarrassing revelation, Ender got out of his bed. He quickly found an unworn pair of clothes and got dressed.

"Hmm. Do I have any money left in my pouch?" he pondered aloud.

His hands went to his waist where his pouch was located, and opened it.

"I see at least a few tens of dragnariums. That's more than enough," nodding to himself, Ender made his way out of the house.

— — —

The market was bustling with activity. Merchants hawked their wares, and the aroma of freshly baked breads and various cooked dishes filled the air.

Ender wandered through the stalls, eyeing the delicious food on display. He couldn't help but be distracted by the sights and smells that surrounded him.

'I think I should stop eating just bread loaves. While they are plenty to survive, they are not the most nutritious food out there…'

His journey through the market was slow as he marvelled at everything. The last time he had come, he left as soon as he got the tomes and enough bread to quench his hunger.

'I wonder if the vendor that sold beef pies is still here. He was quite old after all and it's been a few years,' he mused internally.

Suddenly, he was overcome by a sudden urge to eat a beef pie.

Ender's stomach growled, making him chuckle.

"Seriously?" he said, as he adopted an almost defeated stance.

Forced to satisfy his appetite, Ender retraced his steps through the bustling market.

He manoeuvred through the crowd and stalls, his eyes scanning for the familiar food stall that had once been a regular eating place for his family.

After a few minutes of searching, he finally spotted the vendor's stall. The elderly vendor, stood in the exact same place as he remembered.

At a towering height of two metres, it was quite hard to miss him. It was also hard to miss the mouthwatering beef pies that he was cooking.

Tom was a stout and sturdy man in his mid-60s. His short, greying hair was neatly combed back and his beard, though also greying, was well-groomed. His bright blue eyes were twinkling with warmth and mirth.

He was currently placing the yet uncooked pies in a humongous furnace, all while wearing a homy smile and talking with his patrons.

Ender couldn't help but smile as he approached the stall. The aroma of the beef pies was even more enticing up close.

'Ah heavens. It's smells even better than I remember!'

The vendor was currently engrossed in his conversation with a group of customers and thus he didn't notice his approach.

Clearing his throat politely, Ender finally caught the vendor's attention. The old man turned towards him, his smile broadening when he saw a new customer.

He was about to give his welcoming speech when he paused, a look of recognition flashing through his eyes.

"Well, well, if it isn't young Ender!" the vendor exclaimed, his voice warm and welcoming. "It's been a long time, hasn't it? You've definitely grown taller since the last time you were here. Last I saw you, you were knee-high to a grasshopper."

Ender grinned, feeling a rush of nostalgia, ignoring the vendor's last sentence. "It's good to see you too, Tom. It has been a while indeed... I've come back a few days ago and I couldn't resist visiting."

The vendor chuckled, his hands expertly working the dough and meat. "I'm glad you stopped by. You know, I was wondering what had happened to you. Haven't seen you or your family around in ages."

Ender's smile faded just a little. "Well, things haven't been easy… A lot has happened."

Tom quickly realised his mistake and was about to change the subject, but Ender beat him to it.

"How about you? How's little Abigail? If I was as tall as a grasshopper, she was a pint-sized pal back then," Ender exclaimed while trying to describe the little girl's height with hand gestures.

Tom's eyes lit up at the mention of his daughter.

"Ah, Abigail! She's growing like a weed. I'm sure that she will become taller than you kid," he chuckled, making Ender adopt a deadpan expression.

He wasn't short…

"She's still as energetic as ever and loves helping me out here at the stall. She's got a real knack for making those pastries, you know."

Ender couldn't help but smile at the thought of the baby that surfaced in his thoughts.

"That's great to hear. I'm sure she'll grow up to be a fine woman," he said, making Tom nod with pride.

"She's a little firecracker. Keeps me on my toes, that's for sure," he said as he finally handed Ender a fresh, steaming beef pie.

"On the house, my friend. Consider it a welcome-back gift," he said with a warm smile.

Ender's eyes sparkled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Tom. It's good to be back. I will definitely pass by again, maybe even catch Abigail next time."

With a heartfelt farewell, Ender left the stall with his delicious beef pie in hand.

As he savoured the first bite, he couldn't help but moan in pleasure.

"So good!"