Warlock Apprentice

Angor said that just to look serious, in fact, he had no idea what kind of test to give the kids yet. He just didn’t want to tell anyone that he urgently needed one more new recruit to finish his task.

Since this was decided, he planned to get to it eventually.

In Vonman and Guina’s case, they had some problems with their manners and the way they treated other people. Angor didn’t intend to teach them how to behave, but he had to at least make sure the children didn’t offend someone in the wizarding world as soon as they got there and got killed by it. Especially Vonman, who appeared to be rather imperious.

He could come up with a proper test quickly enough, but he wouldn’t do it now. Before proceeding further, he had to ascertain the nature of their talent first.

“There’s an initial test you need to take first…” Angor explained while preparing the cellar accordingly, by placing a dish, a glass of water, and a lit candle on a table. Also, he dug an opening in the ceiling to let some sunlight in.

“This is the Talent Sphere, also known as the Abelles’ Eye.” He then placed the object on the table as well. “It will tell you the general orientation of your talent. You’ll get a better and more accurate test when you get to the organization.”

He briefly said the instructions.

“Keep your eyes peeled and don’t let anything slip from your view.”

Vonman stepped up first with a stressful look. “Um, sir? If I can’t see anything, does it mean I can’t become a wizard at all?”

“Not exactly. You’ll overlook it if it’s too unnoticeable. But we can still tell if the sphere lights up.”

Vonman wished to learn some examples of the “changes” he was expecting, but Angor didn’t answer. Abelles’ Annual Talent Collection had published more than hundreds of volumes now, and there were just too many to remember.

Vonman exhaled a long breath, rubbed his eyes, and put his hand on the sphere.

Red light pulsed in the cellar. At the same time, Vonman’s eyes lost focus.

“Yup, he got it,” Angor said to Guina while waiting. “You can’t see it, but Vonman’s currently looking for the ‘change’ in a unique view.”

Soon enough, Vonman put his hand down and began scanning around the room with an uncertain look.

“What did you see?” asked Angor.

Vonman failed to find anything since the test already ended. He somehow looked disappointed.

“I… There were creatures. Weird ones. That gap in the wall over there, there’s a transparent, soft goo-like thingy crawling out. The dust of the floor gathered into a ball or something, with eyes. There were… worms, hovering in midair. And I think there was a picture of a cat on the ceiling, but it blinked at me!

“Everything was so colorful. But none of them should belong to this world.”

Angor held his chin. “That could be related to Summoning. That must be why Ghoul Whisperer took you with him.”

Vonman still wanted to know more, but Angor didn’t satisfy him.

“You’re next.” Angor turned to Guina. “You can use your head to touch the sphere.”

Guina asked Vonman to carry her to the table with a determined look.

On his way, Vonman accidentally knocked Guina’s doll to the ground and quickly picked it up.

Angor noticed that the toy was a simple cloth doll with a big head. There were black threads sewn on its face in different shapes that represented its eyes and mouth.

The same threads used for stitching Guina’s mouth.

When put together, Guina’s form resembled the doll in a strange way, just without her limbs.

The Talent Sphere glowed in bright red as soon as she reached it, securing another name on Angor’s list.

“Mister Wizard, I saw my doll dancing on its own, like controlled by strings I can’t see.” Guina opened her eyes.

“That… sounds like puppet users alright.”

Like “Puppet Master” Bogula.

“I think my body was also shining, sir,” Guina added.

“Are you sure?!” Angor widened his eyes.

Guina was slightly startled by Angor’s reaction. “*Slurp* Yes. But I can’t see my whole body in that position, I can only see my tummy.”

Guina was wearing what seemed to be a piece of broken tablecloth improvised into a simple vest. There was a giant hole over her stomach from where her exposed skin could be seen.

“There were strange markings on my body. But… I can’t remember any of them. My head emptied when I woke up…” The girl looked down in defeat.

Angor quickly searched his mind for valid examples that might correspond with Guina’s case. The puppet part should be correct for now. But the “glowing body” and “marks on skin” should suggest something else.

This was rare evidence even when Abelles’ Annual Talent Collection had recorded countless cases. Most of the time, this meant someone with a special bodily property; the kind that would convince any organization to offer ten times as much reward to the recruiter who found the talent.

“What does that mean to Guina, sir?” Vonman couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

“For now, I can only tell you that you possess special power. This can be both good and bad for you. But again, you need to get back to the organization for an elaborated evaluation.”

Angor retrieved the Talent Sphere back into his bracelet and stood up. “You both have talents. Possibly good ones. But you all still have to work hard to achieve your potential. In the beginning, you’re no different from any other new recruits.

“I give you one hour to pack up your things. Then we’ll be on our way.”

…

Guina and Vonman didn’t have anything in the shelter to take. They knew the wizard in front of them was simply giving them time to finish up another matter, which was to say their last farewell to Chaira and Aarni.

The talent test kept them occupied for a while. Now they quickly found their sadness returning when looking at the two bodies in the cellar again.

“We’ve been best friends for three years. I-I didn’t think fate would separate us so soon…” Vonman knelt down and sobbed.

These kids were not real relatives, but they had established a bond stronger than any after taking care of each other in the harsh world.

They all had their childish dreams and ambitions, which all met with an early end.

“I shouldn’t have trusted that Ghoul Whisperer guy. I shouldn’t have given you to that ugly witch!” Vonman slapped his head.

“*Slurp* It’s not your fault…” Guina comforted him. “We were born in this situation. We never had a choice. But things are different from now on. I’ll control my own fate…”

“Yeah.” Vonman tried to stop his crying. “Still some time left. What should we do now? Bury them in the cellar?”

Guina frowned and considered something.

“I want to take them with us.”