I will also recommend your daughter for the entrance test," the crimson wizard said in a solemn voice.
Ethan and Alice froze in unison, their eyes wide open in a mixture of wonder and disbelief.
They knew their children were brilliant, but a double recognition from the Red Tower commander... It was something beyond all expectations.
Ambra, on the other hand, couldn't completely hide the emotion. Her purple eyes lit up slightly, and a tiny curve escaped her lips. An imperceptible smile, almost invisible, but which made her face fuller and rosy.
"You also got a recommendation, eh, Ambry? What did he ask you?" said Adamas, with a smug expression and a brotherly smile. His voice was a mixture of genuine curiosity and pride.
Ambra returned with a tender look. "Yeah. Don't worry, Ady, we'll talk about it later."
"Thank you, Mr. Rubino," He finally said Ethan, the most solid voice he had expected.
"Ohoh, they earned it, nothing to thank for," Alexander answered with a loud laugh, then added in a more serious tone: "Now let's move on to the less fascinating part: bureaucracy."
With a snap of his fingers, he made a small file appear with a red seal on its back. Above, engraved with golden ink, was written: Magic Academy - Proposals and Recommendations - Red Section.
"The recommendations apply to the entrance fee and the following six months of study. After this period, any economic benefits will depend on academic results: those who excel will be able to obtain significant reductions, in some cases even total exemption."
He paused, in which he turned to the upper balcony where Ambra and Adamas were present. After a few seconds, he turned back to the duo's parents and resumed.
"Your son, still too young to attend, will start classes in two years. The first courses focus on the theory of rune-archaic diagrams and the use of arcane tools. Being a professional I won't go and explain it all, I hope you understand. After three years, you will be able to choose a scientific specialisation."
After another pause to make Ethan and Alice fully understand the speech, he continued.
"Your daughter, on the other hand, can start as early as next year. If she passes the test with excellence, she can skip the first theoretical year and start the second directly, thus entering a class with peers. The initial two years in the magic section are used to learn the basics, then you access the practical part, with study and control of the spells. You too can then choose a specialisation."
He paused again, letting the words settle into his parents' thoughts.
"All information on the training course and future possibilities is available on the first floor of the Red Tower. They will be happy to welcome you."
Alice nodded after a few moments, her voice calm but vibrant with emotion: "Thank you for the opportunity you are giving our children, Mr. Ruby."
"Ohoh, please call me Alexander," he answered with a genuine smile.
Then, as if struck by a sudden memory, he turned to Ethan. "I think I've heard from your daughter that you have a magic shop, right?"
Ethan nodded. "Exactly. 'The Wind' in the Northwest District is ours. Do you need anything?"
"Actually, yes. I need to restore my magic stick," said the commander in a respectful tone.
With a fluid movement of his arm, he summoned a long stick of about 1 meter and 70 meters in front of him. The surface was lined with scratches and cracks, witnesses of time and who knows how many battles.
However, the beauty of the object was still intact: the light color of the birch wood shone under the light of the room giving a sense of lightness, almost ethereal, also decorated with red wine bands and a black drawing of an owl carved at the top end. From the latter hung a crimson ribbon with hand-engraved runes.
Ethan watched the stick carefully, passing it gently through his hands. "No problem. Pass tomorrow, and by the end of the day it will be like new."
"Thank you very much. This stick means a lot to me." Alexander's voice was quiet, but the feeling was tangible.
After a few more exchanges of courtesy, Alexander walked towards the front door. The boys greeted him enthusiastically from the foreground, while Alice accompanied him to the door.
"Don't worry about the sudden visit, it was a pleasure." said Alice with a friendly smile.
"It was my pleasure." said Alexander.
Just outside the threshold, his body was engulfed in light flames that did not burn, but danced around him. With a rustling sound and a trail of red sparks, he vanished into thin air.
******
100th floor of the Red Tower, Office of the Commander
The hall was immersed in a silence broken only by the crackling of the fire in the chimney. Then, an explosion of brilliant flames materialized in the middle of the room, slowly taking the shape of the magician. Alexander Rubino returned to his leather chair, emitting a prolonged sigh.
"Uff... you were right, but only in part, Kronum," he said, addressing the most shadowy corner of the office.
From there, a pair of black eyes opened. The sound of light feathers followed: a wheat-coloured owl moved silently on the back of the commander's chair.
"Explain, Alex. In what sense 'partly'?"
"The trace of magical power that you had heard did not come from Adamas. He came from his sister." Alexander scratched his temple, thoughtfully.
"But the boy... is brilliant. He can calculate probability and move cunningly. I'll take it in the science section, I can't miss that raw talent."
The owl rolled its eyes and the plumage visibly spiked. "What?"
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "What 'What'? Are you referring to the magical power and the girl or the boy?"
Kronum flapped his wings. "Both. But above all, at the source of power. Did you tell her anything about that thing about my vision?"
"It's too early, I can't go around and tell the four winds that my bond is afraid of a black and white crow. They don't even know if it was about her or who knows who. Also... I wanted to know if it was all fate or just suggestion on your part."
The silence fell for a moment. Then the magician continued.
"You know what the funny thing is? We can't perceive magical power as well as you creatures do, so at first I wanted to reject it. She spoke to me directly, unceremoniously... almost rude."
"Alex... I didn't think you had that kind of taste..." said Kronum, in a tone that brought joke and sincerity.
Alexander took a few seconds to understand the situation, and then he snorted and said, "What the hell did you get it! Deficient."
Kronum tilted his head and snapped his beak twice, with that smug air that made him unbearable when he teased someone.
"Age is starting to make itself felt, huh? You're no longer mentally flexible... But you're always a grouch."
"I'm sixty, so it may be... but let's get back to us. Do you remember the question I asked myself when we met? It was simple and effective, direct but not too much..."
The owl tilted its head. "What question?"
"Uff... and then I'm the old swagger. The question was, "Why do you want to study magic?" Do you remember my answer?"
"Ah... Of course," said the owl, echoing an expression of absolute seriousness. "Because it's funny."
Alexander turned to stare at him with a look full of memory. "She said the same thing."
The owl closed its wings around it, while the fire of the chimney reflected in its dark eyes like the night. "Then keep an eye on her, old grouch. Because from what you said... we might have found another one."
******
Meanwhile, Turals' House
The smell of freshly prepared food spread throughout the house. Ethan, rolling up his sleeves, was completing the preparation of the dinner.
"Honey! Can you set the table? It's almost ready," He said to his wife in the living room.
"Already done! But who did you take me for?" Alice answered, laughing.
The laughter filled the room, as Adamas ran into the kitchen followed by the faithful Silver, and Amber watched them from the entrance of the room, leaning against the doorpost. She didn't say anything, but her bright violet eyes spoke for her.
That day would remain in her memories for the rest of her life. Not for the commander's visit or the recommendations, those were actually just a passage, she knew it well.
The warmth that had been created, for the hope and trust that, silently, had grown in her, as if to say, "You can do it, now it's up to you." That would have stayed.
Ambra looked down for a moment and put her hand on her chest.
Yes, it was worth it.