Mages—extraordinary beings capable of countless miracles. And today, Rin's master revealed to her that she, too, possessed the talent to become one of them.
For a lowly, filthy child from the slums, such a possibility was beyond her imagination.
The happiness struck too suddenly. If this were a dream, she wished never to awaken.
Though she said nothing, her eyes betrayed her eagerness to begin learning magic immediately.
Tris: "Your formal study of magic will begin about a year from now." The words fell like cold water, extinguishing her excitement.
Rin: "Why must I wait a whole year?"
Tris: "Children usually begin learning magic at ten or eleven, when they have enough spiritual energy to train.
Your frail body means you possess even less than normal. So you must spend the coming year strengthening yourself."
Rin: "Strengthening my body?"
Tris: "Even before teaching you magic, I'll show you how to use the little spiritual energy you have now to train your body.
A strong body will increase your total energy slightly, preparing you better for magic later."
Rin, who knew from her past hardships how vital a healthy body was, quickly regained her excitement.
Rin: "Please teach me."
Tris: "Very well. We can start now. First, imitate my movements."
Rin watched as her master lowered his stance, moving slowly, arms shifting deliberately. The motions were too slow to resemble fighting, yet not like dancing either.
Rin: "Will this really make me stronger?"
She couldn't understand how such movements could help.
Tris: "By themselves, no. But first, you must learn the outer shell. Later, I'll teach the inner core."
And so, a charming scene unfolded—two children moving awkwardly yet adorably in the room.
After a while, Tris asked:
Tris: "Have you memorized it?"
Rin: "Yes, master. What's next?"
Tris: "Breakfast. I'm hungry."
Unlike Rin, who was merely imitating, Tris was truly training, so he was starving.
For Rin, the mention of food lit up her eyes as brightly as the promise of becoming a Mage.
* * * * * * * * * *
'Heehee, the meal was delicious.' Rin rubbed her small belly, now round with food.
Though Tris had been the one hungry, Rin devoured the dishes like a starved child.
Her past of hunger and her love of good food made it impossible to restrain herself.
Tris: "Next time, don't stuff yourself so full. It harms your body."
Rin: "Eating too much isn't good?" Her past of scarcity made this incomprehensible.
Tris: "Not only food—almost anything in excess leads to bad results. That's why moderation is important."
Rin: "Rin understands."
Tris: "Now we must buy personal items for you. You can't keep wearing my oversized clothes."
In the slums, Rin had never owned shoes, always walking barefoot. Now she wore Tris's spare pair, far too large, making each step clumsy.
Rin: "Buying things for me? Master, you're so kind." Her cheeks flushed as she whispered.
...
At the clothing store, Rin marveled at the beautiful garments on display. But when she saw the prices, her face paled.
Even the cheapest children's clothes cost two or three silver coins, while some reached a gold coin.
For that money, Rin would rather buy cheap clothes and spend the rest on food.
Rin: "Master, maybe we should try another store?" She tugged at his sleeve, whispering.
But Tris ignored her, going straight to the shopkeeper. He swiftly ordered more than a dozen full sets of girls' clothing.
Rin: "I don't need so many clothes!"
Tris: "You need outfits for different seasons—summer, winter, travel, and the forest. And since you're growing, I'll buy larger sizes too."
He continued, purchasing shoes, undergarments, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, toothbrush, towels…
He purchased items so quickly that the shopkeeper had to carefully ask whether the clothing measurements needed to be confirmed.
In truth, Tris had secretly used magic to compare the sizes with precision and select the appropriate garments, though the shopkeeper was unaware of this.
Tris: "Deliver everything to this address, except for this pair of shoes."
Shopkeeper: "At once, sir. Thank you for your patronage."
The shopkeeper bowed with a radiant smile, while Rin's face turned pale, her mind buzzing with the staggering cost.
She knew the rich had money, but spending so much on clothes was beyond her imagination.
Tris: "Put on these shoes, Rin. Let's go home—I'll help you arrange your belongings."
Rin: "Master, is shopping always this expensive?"
Tris: "Clothes are bought only once every few years, so it's acceptable. And these are ordinary clothes. Magical garments cost far more."
Rin: "Even more expensive?"
Tris: "Many times more. Even I don't buy them, since I'm still growing and can't wear the same outfit for long."
Rin once again had to adjust her understanding of wealth.
* * * * * * * * * *
Rin delightedly admired the new belongings spread across the floor.
Tris: "Choose one outfit to wear. I'll store the rest."
Hearing this, Rin hesitated for a moment, then quickly chose a black and white dress and changed into it.
Once dressed, she happily spun around, admiring the outfit on her body.
The white short-sleeved top with cute frills, paired with the charming black skirt, made her look both adorable and lively.
As she admired herself, she noticed the remaining items vanishing into thin air.
Before she could ask, Tris handed her a ring engraved with intricate patterns.
Tris: "This is a spatial ring, a magical item for storing belongings. I've placed all your personal items inside. Put it on and channel your spiritual energy into it."
Rin obeyed. The ring shrank to fit her finger.
She recalled his earlier lessons and directed her energy into the ring.
Instantly, she sensed all her belongings neatly arranged in a mystical space.
She reached out, and an item appeared from nowhere into her hand. Reversing the process, it vanished back inside.
Rin: "It's amazing!" She felt as though she truly was a Mage, wielding miracles at her fingertips.