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'?"
"La traccia di potere magico che avevi sentito non veniva da Adamas. Proveniva dalla sorella." Alexander si grattò la tempia, pensieroso. "Ma il ragazzo… è brillante. Sa calcolare probabilità e muoversi con astuzia. Lo prenderò nella sezione scientifica, non posso farmi mancare quel talento grezzo."
Il gufo strabuzzò gli occhi e il piumaggio si increspò visibilmente. "Cosa?"
Alexander alzò un sopracciglio. "Cosa 'Cosa'? Ti riferisci al potere magico e alla ragazza o al ragazzo?"
Kronum batté le ali. "A entrambi. Ma soprattutto alla fonte del potere. Le hai detto qualcosa riguardo quella cosa della mia visione?"
"È troppo presto, non posso andare in giro e dire ai quattro venti che il mio legame ha paura di un corvo nero e bianco. Non sappiano neanche se era riguardo a lei o chissà chi. Inoltre… volevo capire se era tutto frutto del destino o solo suggestione da parte tua."
Il silenzio calò per un istante. Poi il mago continuò.
"Sai qual è la cosa buffa? Noi non riusciamo a percepire bene il potere magico come fate voi creature, quindi all'inizio volevo rifiutarla. Mi ha parlato in modo diretto, poco cerimonioso… quasi rude."
"Alex... Non pensavo avessi questo genere di gusti..." disse Kronum, con un tono che portava scherzo e sincerità.
Alexander ci mise qualche secondo a comprendere la situazione, per poi sbuffare e dire: "Ma che diavolo hai capito! Deficiente."
Kronum inclinò il capo e fece schioccare il becco due volte, con quell'aria compiaciuta che lo rendeva insopportabile quando prendeva in giro qualcuno.
"L'età inizia a farsi sentire, eh? Non sei più mentalmente flessibile... Ma rimani sembre un brontolone."
"Ho sessant'anni, quindi può essere... ma torniamo a noi. Ti ricordi la domanda che mi feci quando ci incontrammo? Era semplice ed efficace, diretta ma non troppo..."
Il gufo inclinò la testa. "Quale domanda?"
"Uff... e poi sono io il vecchio rimbambito. La domanda era 'Perché vuoi studiare la magia?' Ricordi la mia risposta?"
"Ah... Certo," disse il gufo, riprendendo un'espressione di serietà assoluta. "'Perché è divertente.'"
Alexander si voltò a fissarlo con uno sguardo pieno di memoria. "Lei ha detto la stessa cosa."
Il gufo richiuse le ali attorno a sé, mentre il fuoco del camino rifletteva nei suoi occhi scuri come la notte. "Allora tienila d'occhio, vecchio brontolone. Perché da ciò che hai detto... potremmo averne trovato un altro."
******
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.