Magic Trainer Vol. 1
The line outside the Library backed up again today. New students started programs of study every week as refugees were getting settled in the city. A father at the front of the line stepped to the side of the line with his young son. One of the sages usually greeted the youngest students at the door to ease the transition but it wasn't helping today.
"Third time." Gorn grunted.
It wasn't a judgement. He was pointing out the pattern. I couldn't help but smile in reply, "I wasn't grumpy like that."
Gorn's belly laugh made the whole street look back us. I loved it. I wasn't embarassed anymore. I added, "That kid's got a ways to go to beat my record."
Gorn's hand could cup both my shoulders but his gentle touch told me he knew how much I had grown. He stepped forward proudly beside me.
"I appreciate that you still take me to the door." My comment got a nod and slight bow from Gorn. After my parents got sick, he stayed by my side. I never doubted he would pick me up every day.
We were just two people from the door when Gorn shared, "They are Sogut."
The people of the forest were Sogut. Gorn was Sogut, but had been employed by my parents before the migration away from the forest began. He felt great compassion for everyone but more so for the plight of his people. He didn't help with the refugees directly though, I think his duty to me prevented that.
"I got this." I pulled my old Magic Trainer Vol. 1 out of my backpack. Most of the students the library didn't get magic training but general literacy and trade training were important to the city council and the library was the first step. I do have to say most of the younger magic classes were filled with Sogut, they were naturals.
"Hi, I'm Junah." I knelt by the young boy. He shrunk next to his dad's leg.
"Did you get your Magic Trainer?" I handed him the book. I had figured out Gorn's tricks. He just presented things as next steps. Then kept taking little steps forward.
"I bet you are in Ms. Rosario's class. That is the best room in the library." When he looked up from the book I offered my hand and he took it.
To his father I said, "See you tonight, dad." The sage at the door, held it open for us.
Walking to my class the hallway seemed longer than usual. There was something profound in that moment outside and it was not about my own growth. I took slow steps as I pondered it.
Gorn and I had traveled a long time before settling in Etonia. In some places magic was limited to monastaries or remote communities. In the South magic was not trained in a school setting. Wizards would only take an apprentice occasionally and often experimented on them or limited what they were allowed to learn. It was outright banned from everyone except established wizards in most of the Kingdoms.
I had never felt like a refugee as we traveled. But no one in the South be able to share a book like the Magic Trainer as I just did. I would be imprisoned for an act like that. That was why we ended up here.
Outside my classroom hung a signup sheet. "Aides Needed for Etonia Council." The text warned of 16 hours minimum of work a week in addition to schoolwork. I added my signature. The council is going to need help to change the world.
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