Years of training

As Aurelia released him from the hug, Jasper met her gaze. "I... will," he said, his voice low.

Aurelia nodded with a sad smile on her face.

She watched as Jasper turned and walked towards the door, his posture straight and purposeful. As always, he carried himself with a seriousness that belied his years. Now that he was home, she was thinking of ways to get past his wall, which he built himself to block people.

Aurelia watched him leave, her eyes softening as she observed his broad back. It seemed like only yesterday he was a child, and now he had grown into a man. She knew the reasons behind his emotional distance, having learned about his past from the foster care records.

The memory of how Jasper's parents had sent him to a foster home during their divorce still pained her heart.

As Jasper disappeared from view, Aurelia sighed deeply. But then, a small smile played on her lips as an idea formed in her mind. Perhaps there was still a way to bridge the gap between them. With renewed determination, she called for her maids, instructing them to prepare a special dinner for Jasper's return.

Jasper's mind was already turning to the tasks ahead as he stepped out of the house. He thought back to the years of intense magical training he had undergone. Theodore had given him an opportunity that few in this world ever received – the chance to become a wizard in an age where such power was increasingly rare.

He remembered the day Theodore had told him about the magical training. Most children would have been frightened or reluctant to leave their homes for a decade. But Jasper had seen it for what it was – a chance to gain power. Power that could reshape the world, could bring nations to their knees. Power that ensured he would never again be as helpless as he had been as a child. To never become dependent on anyone other than himself.

He was acutely aware of the immense resources that had been invested in his magical training.

In this world, magic was not a trivial thing to be taken lightly or easily obtained.

The fundamental principle of equivalent exchange governs all magical practices. To gain power from nature, one had to offer something of equal value in return. This could be years of dedicated study, rare magical components, or even personal sacrifices. Jasper's mind briefly flickered to memories of grueling training sessions, sleepless nights poring over ancient tomes, and the physical toll that channeling magical energies had taken on his body.

Moreover, not everyone could wield magic, no matter how much they desired it or how hard they worked. Magical talent was an innate quality, a rare gift that set certain individuals apart. Jasper had discovered his own affinity for magic at a young age, a realization that had both thrilled and terrified him.

The Blatherwicks, particularly Theodore, had recognized this potential in Jasper and had spared no expense in nurturing it. The best tutors, the rarest magical artifacts, access to forbidden knowledge – all of these had been provided to shape Jasper into the powerful practitioner he was today.

Theodore was a man of influence, and his years of experience in the magical world had given him the foresight to see Jasper's potential. In Theodore, Jasper saw not just an adoptive father but a mentor who understood the importance of power and position.

Throughout his years of training and during the brief holidays when he returned home, Jasper remained focused on his studies. He spent most of his time in his room, poring over ancient tomes and practising complex incantations. Aurelia's attempts to draw him out and engage him in family activities had been met with polite refusals.