Chapter 42: Chen Zhaohui, part 3

After he dressed the boy in his old robes, he made him some green tea and whispered the healing spell over it. The boy repeated the incantation, expecting something to happen, but when nothing did, he pouted. Nikola chuckled at his new son's enthusiasm.

"You need to undergo a ritual to unlock your magic first. But before that, you need to learn to read and write in several languages. Not to mention various herbs that go in the potions must be gathered first."

"So, I can't do magic yet, mama?" the boy asked, as he sat down on a pillow; hands crossed over his chest.

Nikola flicked a strand of brown hair behind his ear. It had been so nice keeping it in a braid. Perhaps he would swing by and have granny Nuo Nuying braid his hair again.

"No. But you want to be the greatest, right? Spells are just demands in various languages. I'll make a scholar out of you before you become a mage. But I have a trick, let us say a shortcut. But…"