Master and Student

“More lessons? Neeee, that’s boring. Why not do something fun for once like going to town or hiking at the forest? Or, we can relax outside, just the two of us,” Master Shion asked. You can only groan in response.
“Master Shion, you’re supposed to be my teacher. I’m here to learn about magic from you, not play games. The academy exam is in a week, I need you to be teaching me,” you argued. “If not, then I’ll be studying on my own again.” She pouts at you as you leave her to do her own thing again.

You were sick of your master. Despite being declared a prodigy magician by the academy, she acted like a child, doing whatever she found fun. Despite being assigned to her as her only student, she has been long since lost focus or motivation in teaching you, so lately, you’ve had to recluse yourself in her workshop and learn the rest on your own. You head back into her personal workshop filled with books scattered around, a desk holding various reagents and potions, and a cauldron brewing some liquid you can’t recognize. You shift through the books on the floor to find one you don’t recognize, but it’s no good. You’ve read these already. You pour through more books, getting more and more frustrated with each one, you’ve read all of these a long time ago. You throw the useless ones somewhere else on the floor, adding to the already messy piles of scattered books throughout the room. It’s no good. You look through several shelves then to Master Shion’s desk. You search the drawers and notice a notebook. Is this some of her own research? It could have some valuable info, so it wouldn’t hurt to take a peek.

Opening it up, the notes were messy and scribbled down like a child’s handwriting. Anything remotely related to magic was interjected with random details describing how bored she was or how she would rather be doing something else, as expected of your master. You flip through more pages until the more recent pages capture your attention.

“The academy decided that they can’t leave me alone and now they want to send someone to watch over. How annoying, I don’t have time to be taking care of someone else.” The date of this entry was about 3 years ago, when you were assigned to her.
“I told him no, but he came here anyways. I took him outside to see what he did know. It was barely anything! He is worthless, doesn’t even know the basics. Do I seriously have to take care of this child?” Her writing became simpler, more emotionally charged as though she was writing a diary. You flip through several more pages, seeing a change in her attitude overtime.

“Everyday, he comes here looking forward to seeing me. I admit, I didn’t like it at first, but I’m starting to get used to this. He always praises me and talks about how he wants to become just like me. It’s flattering, really” After this point, she stopped writing anything regarding to magic, herbs, or potions. She just rambled on about her life from this point.

“I showed off more of the advanced spells I knew today. I wanted to amaze him even more, see the look on his face when he realizes that I’m even more amazing than he ever thought! I wanted to push myself further because he makes me feel proud to be a magician. Until he came, nobody ever paid attention to me. They sent me so far out into the country because they didn’t want to deal with me anymore. Nobody else ever wanted to pay attention to me. Atleast, nobody but him.”

You flip through more pages until you notice one that was crumped, half-torn off and had noticeable water marks as though she was crying when writing this entry.

“He talked to me about his dreams and aspirations again. He wants to graduate and become a fully-fledged mage just like me. It’s flattering, really, that someone actually looks up to me for once, as though I mean something to him but still. If he graduates, then would he come back and visit? No, of course he wouldn’t. I have nothing to give him anymore. I’m no longer the amazing witch in his eyes. He just wants to leave and find someone else better than me in every way. I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want him to leave me. The academy gave him to me, and now, they are going to take him away from me forever.”

You felt as though you were prying too much and decided to put the notebook back into the drawer. So, Master Shion has been feeling insecure and depressed concerning you. On second thought, maybe exams can hold off for now. You left the room, thinking of a way to cheer up your master. You find her outside, tending to the garden. She looks up at you, “Hmm? Is there something you need?” she asked.

“No but is it okay if I just spend today with you?” you requested, giving her a small smile. She smiles and motions you to come over to her and show you the herbs and vegetables she has been growing. There wasn’t enough time left before you two would go your separate paths, so it would be best to enjoy these days with her as well.

Journal Entry X: We spent the afternoon working on the garden. I know he was concerned about the exams, so I tried to make it as brief as possible, but he insisted on staying with me. He kept asking me questions many things even if there wasn’t anything new I could teach him. Still, it’s not so bad being together like this.

Journal Entry XI: He asked to practice spells with me, so I took him back to the forest to see how far he has come. Every spell I requested, he executed everything perfectly, didn’t even need my help or advice. While I should’ve been proud, deep down inside, I wish he failed. I wanted to point out anything, any mistake, any hope to know that he still needed me. It hurts, but I don’t want to see him go away. Am I selfish because I want to keep him here?

Journal Entry XII: This day, he asked if we could just go into town for extra supplies like quills, ink, and paper. It has been a while since we’ve been to town together. He was the only company I wanted. I even bought him a necklace as a good luck charm. The look on his face, I could savor his sweet smile even for just a moment, but it felt like an eternity for me. Still, there’s only 2 days left before he goes. Will I ever get to see his smile again?

Journal Entry XIII: It was our last day together. We spent our final time brewing potions under the night sky. Sitting outside, watching the stars with the sweet aroma from the cauldron, it was a magical experience. The calm silence felt as though even mother nature herself created this moment just for the two of us. It was beautiful, but I couldn’t enjoy myself. This was our last time together. I wanted to cry, beg him to stay and live for more of these moments, but he deserves better than me. All I can do now is hope that he atleast comes to visit from time to time.

Journal Entry XIV: He’s gone now, left for the academy. Part of me wanted to come along and wish him good luck, but it would only make the goodbye hurt even worse. It’s best to just say goodbye now and accept that he’s gone forever. The house feels empty now. I have nothing to look forward to anymore. Nobody to make me feel better about myself. It’s just me. Here. Alone. Forever.

Back on the familiar road, I t has been a month, but it felt like years have passed since then. You follow the path past the town and into the rural countryside, holding onto a sack of your belongings and a special letter for Master Shion. It hasn’t been that long, but hopefully, she’s doing alright. Soon, you can make out master’s house out in the distance. Up on the hill, you make your way onto her doorsteps and notice the mess outside. The garden seemed to be littered with weeds and untended herbs. You knock on the door, no response, so you quietly make your way inside. Leftover flasks were gathering either dust or mold. You check her workshop to see the room empty as well, the cauldron you two used was now stained with algae all over the brim. Shelves were unused as every book or tome was now strewn across the floor or even submerged in the cauldron. You make check her bedroom to see her small figure wrapped underneath a few blankets. Her face buried in her pillow. You come over and rock her a bit to wake her up. She stirs and slowly lifts herself up. When she realizes its you, she immediately jumps out. She takes your hand, rubbing it to see if she isn’t dreaming. “You. You’re back! Then, what happened?” She shows a look of guilt and concern which you reassure by proudly presenting her the letter.

“I passed with flying colors, even the elders were impressed. It was all thanks to you, master!” you pump out your chest and give her a pat on the head. “The elders wanted to transfer me to the capital for further training, but I thought it would be better to stay your wing. After all, who can be a better teacher than you, master?” you give her reassuring laugh. She only looks up from the letter and gives you a tight hug which you reciprocate. You look down on her to see her crying. She gives you one more warm welcome.

“Welcome back. It’s good to see you again.”