Magic

On the ancient wooden table laid three thick and heavy books. They shimmered in a bronze hue contrasting to the blue unfamiliar letters drawn on the top of the cover with elegant streight lines.

"Those are spell tomes, all of them are first level spells of your element. Metal. I borrowed them from an old comrade, you will need to chose one of them eventually to become a noble sourcerer."

Vincent looked at his mother, she was concerned, jet she chose not to talk. She only glanced at her husband, waiting for him to continue.

His stern eyes looked at Vincent, they would not tolerate any objections.

"These are very precious and the decision of which spell to take is an important one. You will not decide now as our family's fate depends on it. I will hire a tutor to learn the ancient language with you. He will also teach the necessary amount of Latin."

His face showed a moment of anger and contempt, as he ravelled in the past. Brushing over it as if it never happened he took one of the books and opened the cover. There on the ancient parchment blue lines glowed oniums, humming with power. Vincent could feel it. His hair stood up and a shiver ran down his spine.

"I have heard it is beneficial to start familiarizing yourself as early as possible. It would bring great honer to our family, were you to learn the craft properly."

He looked at the small boy with expectation and eagerness. Th boy stared back.

"How are they called, the spells?"

'They are what my life will depend on in two and a half years. I should not choose randomly.'

His father nodded, a small smile on his lips.

"The first one is called metal body, it changes your flesh. I have seen a commander on the battlefield decimate an entire enemy Contubernium. Alone." His voice sounded proud.

"The second spell is called reinforcement. My friend told me, it will temporary enhance the tenacity and sharpness of a metal weapon. It could be useful."He patted the sword strapped to his side, his body was toned, even it marked by age. He paused a bit when he arrived at the last book.

"This one comes from the winter kingdoms, and its title reads 'manipulate metal'. My friend said it should allows you to change the shapes of metals. He does not, however know how effective it is."

Vincent's father let the information sink in.

Under his well groomed beard he muttered,"Should be useful for a smith.".

Victor kneaded his right hand with his left fingers, mulling over the eventual decision. Different than what his father assumed he did not have much time.

'My father seems to like the first one, but it is useless. I am a cultured mage, not a mindless barbarian. The second one could be a bit better. But I do not plan to fight in melee, even the best fighter may lose a finger or even his head. And I doubt they have good medical treatment in the current ara. Personally I prefer the last one. I could even build my own gun or reconstruct my laboratory. Well if the spell is precise enough.'

"I understand father, I will do my best in learning them."

Vincent waited for his father to continue. He always had the last word.

"Good, you can go. These books will remain exactly here. You will come to this place every day and learn. I will see that it is done."