15 - Avaloria Magic School

Searching my memory, I finally understood the reason for the mist of negative aura that hung around the house while the card was on the table.

From old Kael's memories I understood that the letters that came from Avaloria Magic School had only one purpose, to ask for money.

Every few months Hal would send a letter telling him how life was at Avaloria Magic School and how much money he needed to continue studying.

The problem was that the way Hal asked for this money made my parents feel obliged to send him the money he asked for, even if it meant going even hungrier at home.

When my father picked up the letter and started reading it, I could see how guilty he was feeling.

Coming to his side, I looked at the letter with curiosity.

[Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope you're all well, although I understand that life at home has its challenges.

I, on the other hand, have been excelling more and more at magic school. I have received recognition from the masters, which has been an enriching experience. My progress is going very well, and I feel that the effort is really paying off.

However, in order for me to continue on this path of development, I need a few more pieces of silver. I know that circumstances aren't the most favorable at home, but I believe that investing in my learning at this crucial time is something we can't afford to overlook, as I'll be able to make a lot more money in the future.

I really want my achievements here to be beneficial to everyone, and that requires certain resources.

Thank you for your understanding and your attention to this request.

Sincerely,

Hal.]

His audacity... considering that he still believes his family is practically starving, he has the audacity to ask for a few pieces of silver?

Even if I spent around 20 copper coins a day on food at home and had 10 copper coins left over, I only had 12 silver coins saved for an emergency.

If it weren't for my work as a healer, the family would still be starving with no more than 2 silver coins saved for an emergency, and Hal still has the nerve to demand these few coins as an 'investment ' for his studies?

After a few minutes my father finished reading the letter, he looked at me with questioning eyes.

“You're not thinking of actually sending him some silver coins, are you?” I asked with a frown.

“He's your brother, Kael...” My father said in a weak voice.

“Yes, and we both know that in a magic school there are tasks that students can complete to earn money and get resources to study, Hal is able to get his own money, we don't need to take money from the rest of the family to send to him.” I replied while rolling my eyes.

Listening to my explanation, my father knew it made sense, but I knew he was soft-hearted and looked at him as he tried to think of an alternative.

“If we send him some money, it'll be easier for him to learn magic faster and he'll be able to earn more money on his own in the future.” My father tried to convince me again.

I just sighed and shook my head in denial. “Dad, Hal's requests for money over the last two years have gotten bigger and bigger. He started out asking for just a few copper coins, then a few dozen copper coins, then a silver coin, now he wants a few silver coins, when will this money come back to the family? Finn and Milla were starving because of these requests for money from Hal...”

With my explanation, my father sighed and put the letter back on the table. “I guess you're right...”

After leaving the letter on the table, my father went to his room to think by himself.

Meanwhile, I went to say hello to the twins and check on my mother.

Like my father, she was sad.

“Do you want to send money to Hal too, Mom?” I asked as I sat down next to her in the kitchen.

Looking at me, a small smile appeared on her face. “I don't know, Kael... I overheard your conversation with your father and I think you're right, but it's hard not to worry about my son being alone in a magic school, maybe this money is really lacking for him...”

Hearing this from her, I just shook my head and kept quiet.

I don't think they're wrong to worry about their son, but looking at this situation from the outside, the money Hal is asking for seems very suspicious...

He always bragged about his great magical talent, how valued he was by his teachers and schoolmates, but he never showed any tangible results.

He's never sent home anything valuable, never written in detail about anything truly amazing he's done, making it seem like all he has are empty words.

Having once dealt with a corrupt employee at my company, who took advantage of the fact that I only focused on developing games to try and steal some of my money, my eyes have become a little more trained to spot suspicious actions like these...

'If I go to Hal's magic school, I could find out if what he says is really true or not...' I thought intrigued.

Now that I'm 15, I'm just waiting for the school entrance exam to open so that I can apply for it.

This has already been communicated with my parents and they've agreed to let me try to get into a magic school, even encouraging me to go to Avaloria Magic School to be looked after by Hal, who was apparently already a very successful veteran student there.

Seeing this letter he sent only served to motivate me even more to go to this magic school and find out the truth.

-

Just as I had hoped, in a few days the entrance exam for Avaloria Magic School was open and anyone could apply.

Unfortunately, this application had to be made in the city of Avaloria, which was two days' drive from where we lived.

As other commoners also wanted to test their luck and send their children to the school, a caravan was formed of several families who wanted to send their children to the school, as happened every year.

My father had already taken part in this caravan two years ago, when he went to take Hal to enroll in school, so on the day of departure he already knew where to go and I went with him.

There were 20 people at the caravan meeting point, 11 adults and 9 teenagers.

“Little doctor?” A man was surprised when he looked in our direction and recognized me.

Hearing what the man said, the other people also looked in our direction and were surprised.

Over the last few months the popularity of my clinic had spread throughout the city and practically everyone knew that there was a 'Little Doctor ' curing people for a low price.

When people saw me they quickly deduced why we were here and a collective sigh was heard.

Smiling politely at the man, I replied, “Hello Umfrey, how's your shoulder?”

Smiling, the man involuntarily stretched out his arm and shook his shoulder from side to side. “It's much better, Little Doctor, since you healed my arm I've noticed that even some of the old pains I used to feel have disappeared! Thank you so much!”

Hearing this explanation, I smiled politely back.

Curious, he asked me. “Are you going to apply to Avaloria Magic School?”

I nodded.

“Then I have to congratulate you, Little Doctor, since I'm sure that with your level of magic you're guaranteed to be admitted to the entrance exam!” He said excitedly as he patted me lightly on the shoulder.

The other people in the caravan looked at me with clear expressions of envy, including Umbrey's son, but I just ignored it and politely thanked the excited man before going to a far corner with my father to wait for the caravan to leave.

Since everyone knew how good it would be for someone's future to be accepted into a magic school, knowing that someone like me who already knew magic was going to apply meant that there would be one less place for their children who were going without even knowing if they had the potential for magic.

“I felt the same way as them when I went with Hal to the entrance exam two years ago, a boy who was the son of a merchant was constantly using magic during the trip, showing a high talent for magic, which left Hal and I unsure if Hal would be able to join the school, even though I had already taught Hal a few spells.” My father commented to me in a low voice, making me nod.

“It's okay, Dad, even if there's someone with better talent than me, as long as I get my place at Avaloria Magic School I'll be satisfied.” I smiled as I spoke to him.

I didn't intend to show my full talent at this entrance exam, so having someone more talented than me would be great to stop me from standing out too much.

Hearing what I said, my father was proud and patted me on the shoulder to cheer me up. “With your talent, I doubt anyone even more talented than you will come along, Kael, unless the son of an Awakened Mage comes along.”

I just shook my head at that and kept quiet as we boarded the caravan towards the city of Avaloria.

'I hope I'm making the right choice...' I thought a little worriedly.