Chapter 3: The Training

"So one could use his spiritual power to conjure the elements which are wandering in this planet. Then with a magic formula, you can convert it into your own spells and exclusively make a monopoly. In short, what I mean is that your spell will work only when you say the words. Since in the first place, you created it. Got it?" Christopher said in a single breath as he finished off with an explanation about the workings of the spells to Astra.

"Ammm yeah I do get it, I can't wait to make my own spell" Astra felt every atom in her body buzzing with excitement. Patience has never been her virtue.

"Ahem, if your rapport to the elements is null, then no matter how hard and strong you conjure the elements, it would be impossible for you to become a sorcerer. So don't be too much excited about it!" Christopher warned.

"Ohhh alright." She sighed in disappointment. Rolling his eyes at her dramatically, Christopher continued.

"As a novice in magic, there are three types of divine abilities that you need to perfect before you dream of being a full-fledged sorcerer.

1. Eye for detail: This is basically a scrutinizing ability where you can meticulously observe anything and everything. Without any condition, it gets activated directly at first and you can dance using the spell easily.

2. Metamorphosis: This is a lower level of elemental magic where you can change any element, right from the structure of its atom, into anything.For example, you can use any ordinary metal and change it into a coin. Basically counterfeit. Well I know it's an illegal thing but at times, when the situation demands for it. One can use it to transform any metal into a weapon too.

3. Teleportation: It involves two distant, entangled particles in which the state of a third particle instantly "teleports" its state to the two entangled particles. I know this one is a bit tough and isn't performed by every single person but as you have an abundance of mana , we can try it.

If you wanna be a sorcerer the tricks and spells are in a plethora. Now, we gotta workout starting with each one of them."

Astra's jewel eyes gleamed and twinkled with eagerness after listening to the elucidation of Christopher. She was completely enraptured.

"Wowwww....we surely will work on each one of them." She bobbled her head, clenching and unclenching her fingers in delight.

The door opened and Diana entered the room with a tray of coffee and pastries.

"So glad to see Princess in the company of a friend. But before proceeding further please have some snacks." Diana smiled warmly at the two.

"Thank you, Diana."

"I'll take my leave then"

"Come Christopher. Let's have some snacks....and there are some chocolate brownies there."

Raising an onyx eyebrow curiously, Christopher couldn't help but ask, "You like chocolate?....you seem like you can finish everything on your own"

"Well I do love sweets but I am not allowed to eat them often. I understand their concern but still, I would love to relish them whenever I get a chance though."

"You can have mine too....I'm not really fond of sweets! I'll have the coffee."

"No!! that's not fair. I can't eat your portion. Please accompany me too. I order you!" Astra couldn't help but giggle.

Her smile was so sweet and innocent that looking at her Christopher couldn't deny her.

"Ahem! I don't work on order but I'll consider your request of accompanying ya!" He declared assuming a casual tone.

"Alright, whatever!"

As Astra attempted to grab the plate of chocolate brownies she was about to trip over. In a jiffy, Christopher uses his magic and puts on a cushion in front of her to break her fall.

"Ahhhh, thank you so much again for helping me. It's all because of these new boots which Diana asked me to wear. I don't usually wear such attire as I am adorning today." Frustration and annoyance evident on her face, Astra crossed her arms, throwing a tantrum, "Argh but Diana obliged me to wear those today!"

She looked at him with a razor-sharp gaze and then shook her head. "You might think of me as a clumsy person....but this is not how I am."

Christopher walked towards her and patted her head in mock-affection only to say, "No kiddo, I know you aren't clumsy but stupid!" He grinned wickedly knowing he had hit a nerve.

"What did you said....Christopher, I'll kill ya!" Astra threw her fists in the air as she got up with fierceness radiating off her.

"Ohh really? Catch me first." He challenged her.

Too bad for him, Astra was a fast runner for real and while running after Christopher she ended up jumping on him in an effort to catch him. She fell on him and they ended up with Christopher's back hitting the floor surface with Astra on top of him. A compromised position indeed if someone like the butlers or the maids were to see. Talk about the atmosphere turning awkward real quick.

*******************

It was already evening and when Robane was about to ask from Christopher to bid a farewell for the day he saw the Princess all over him.

They both were trying to stand up. Astra was even brushing up her dress with her hands.

Misunderstanding the situation, Robane furiously walked towards them with long strides and directed his gaze critically at Christopher.

"Brat what are you doing and how dare you-"

Astra interrupted him before he could finish his sentence as she reasoned, "It is not what you think Robane. It's not Christopher's fault. I tripped over him because of these new shoes I suppose while I was trying to catch him. And besides, he saved me twice today. "

"Is that so!? If you are saying I believe you princess but looking at you in that manner was pretty unexpected for me. If his highness had seen you like that he would have caused havoc around the whole kingdom if not destructing it quite literally."

"Yo! stop exaggerating things and make some way for me to leave Robane. So I'll bid farewell to you for now. Until tomorrow then." Saying this Christopher vanished into thin air.

"Wow! He's so good at teleportation." Astra couldn't help but admire almost with a sense of longing.

Robane who realized that it was the first time he had looked at Astra so gleeful and jovial with her big blue eyes sparkling with joy and excitement felt like this meant everything to him.

"So how was your day princess? What do you think about Christopher? Is he a good peer to you!?" He asked her with raw affection and concern dripping from his voice.

"Well not gonna lie. He is like a tsundere person who pretends to be kinda rude but he's actually caring. I guess we will be good friends. Thank you Robane for introducing him to me." She flashed him a genuine smile.

"It's my pleasure princess. You are always welcome." Robane said returning her smile.

"By the way Robane, can you tell me more about Christopher? I mean about his family or his past. Do you know anything about him!?"

"Well Princess, mostly many people know about him I guess. Christopher was born in a prominent echelon blessed family. He had younger twin brothers, later though one died for some uncanny reasons. Back then the brothers were playing together when Christopher spontaneously used some magic. Everyone was oblivious of his innate magic powers. Later he was chided and extruded from his own parents...."

"Oh my lord! That's pathetic!" Astra baffled.

"Well, his parents later left him near the watchtower. There was a wizard who lived in it who became a sort of a guardian figure. He was probably 6 or 7 then. Christopher is an enigma; no one knows how long he has lived yet. He is good at transforming himself to any age he wants to sustain with…."

Flabbergasted, Astra exclaimed "Wowwww! I never knew that we can alter and control even our own age with magic."

"Yeah, princess! Perhaps even every little baby in Kelpler has heard his name. His acclaim knows no bounds. He has been known from centuries past to be the most powerful sorcerer. His prowess and divinity level are at an altogether different level."

"What!? Christopher is more than hundreds of years in age..." She felt bewildered and almost dumbfounded at this revelation. "I still can't believe this! If he's more than a hundred years or more, it means he was a victim of prejudice. Back then, magicians were rare. He must have been treated as a mutant in his childhood. That's the reason he was abandoned by his own family. How heart-wrenching indeed!"

"That's not the entire picture, Princess. He has many back stories concerning his life. He didn't really live an easy life. So don't mind him being imprudent mostly. He was nurtured by the wizard of the black tower with whom his parents left him to stay. Currently, nobody knows the whereabouts of his senpai. Well, it would be better if he would be comfortable in opening himself to you and revealing his own life stories to you in bits and pieces."

"Yeah, you are right! One day I hope he would be my good friend." Astra spoke with sincerity.

"Indeed Princess. Oh, I just recalled your highness was waiting for you to ask about your day. You should go and meet him now."

Nodding at Robane, Astra went to the study room where Elihom mostly resides.

*knock knock*

"Yeah come in Princess! Well. I've checked on Christopher and I trust Robane's judgment. What do you think about him? Is he competent to accompany my precious daughter to teach her? Do validate about your experience of spending a day in the company of a complete stranger. " Elihom couldn't help but feel overprotective afterall Astra is his beloved daughter and the future moon of the empire.

"Dad! Please calm down! Haha, you seem so stressed out. Don't worry!" Astra tried to dismiss his worries as she spoke about Christopher's demeanor, "He seems to look like a jaded and nonchalant person but not going to lie he's the kindest soul I have ever met."

Elihom simply glared at Astra with a straight face. =_=

"What in the world do you mean by 'He's the kindest soul....hold on, you have just met him today. It's too soon to reach such a conclusion. In my sight, he is the most imprudent peculiar child I've ever seen. If it wasn't for Robane I wouldn't even let him in a five-mile radius around you. Never ever. Hmph!" Astra couldn't help as she chuckled looking at her usually composed and refined father throwing such a childish tantrum.

"Hahahaha ooh my lord! Chill dad! You and your over-protectiveness is cute at times. Well, he....."

Elihom cut her off sharply – "I can't hear so much about a person like him from my precious daughter's mouth. What if he's a nasty bluff?"

"Arghhh dad, he isn't a bluff. OK, whatever. I should take my leave. Good night dad!" Knowing this conversation wasn't going anywhere, Astra decided it's better to drop it rather than attempting to make her father see eye to eye. Her father is not an easy man to placate, that's for certain.

"Ammm listen Astra....well never mind. Good night. I'll look into every matter related to this on my own. Take care, my Princess."

"Yes, dad I will, so don't worry!"

***************************

While Astra was leaving the study room and heading toward her bedroom in the midst she came across Robane who seemed to be waiting for her.

"So what did my highness say? Was it related to Christopher!?"

"Well yeah! As you know he's always overprotective towards me. What else can we expect from him?" Astra shrugged her shoulders.

"Haha, correct! He loves and cares for you. After Queen Flora's demise, his highness has changed alot and he really wants to treasure you. You are his only love and his world revolves around you. Don't ever mind him being a little over the top when it comes to your safety."

"Yeah. I understand his concern for me. Amm...but at times he really goes overboard but still I know he only desires the best for me...anyways, thank you Robane for always being by our side no matter what!" Beaming Astra bid him goodnight.

"It's my pleasure princess! Goodnight, have a good deep slumber!"