The next year.

Korvus was sweating from the effort of concentration. His eyes were closed and he was reaching out with his senses to locate the mana needed to cast his spell. He knew it was all around him, but he was exhausted from the days work load.

He had cleaned everything in the alchemy lab, which included reciting the name and function of each thing he cleaned of course, and fed all of the carnivorous plants in the arboretum. After cleaning the wounds on his arms from a slow weasel toss to a baby Shambling Mound he had exactly one hour to eat and practice making hand held objects invisible. After that it was back to work on his ritual studies until it was time to cook for the local villagers. Master Riven stressed an importance on helping the villagers down the road from the spire. "If a wizard is aloud to grow in power, but is neglected in the study of good conscience, he will fall to the dark powers that he is often forced to summon and deal with", was a mantra spoken so often that Korvus sometimes heard it in his sleep. Seemed like good advice, not that Korvus had ever seen a dark power, but the theory seemed sound.

Korvus was under pressure because he knew he would have to be up early to take his morning lesson. It was dark and he was not aloud to have a lamp in his room. "Every wizard must at times be his own light and guide in life young Korvus, therefore you shall have only the light you are capable of creating by your own will in this room." Korvus took a deep breath and used the relaxation exorcise Master Riven had taught him. His mind released like a tense muscle letting go and he felt his connection to the mana around him return. He gently filled his lungs with air and incanted the arcane word for light as he touched his bed post. The reward of a soft gentle glow filled the room and filled Korvus with satisfaction. He would study the animal messenger ritual for one hour and then be off to bed. He longed for the power to send a message to, and more importantly get a reply from, his mom and dad. He knew he would see them on the comeing solstice celebrations but four times a year did not seem enough for his ten year old heart.

Tomorrow was a whole new day of studies and chores.