Madame Laveau tilted her head towards the origin of the boy’s voice. Despite not being able to actually see him, her gaze nonetheless gave off an imposing aura. “You claim to have thoroughly studied the notes detailing everything about the runes from Moirai Keep.”

  “Yes, madame,” Isaiah replied shyly with a nod.

  “Hmm, interesting. So tell me, out of all the runes collected from the keep, name the five that have the highest Water affinity requirement. Rank them in descending order of requirement.”

  “Umm, that would be Bestial Healing, Flesh Grafter, Cleanse Infection, Induce Anesthesia, and Solid Mana Conversion.”

  “Name the mana consumption rate for each of those runes.”

  “Bestial Healing is 48 mana per second, Flesh Grafter is 30 mana per second, Cleanse Infection is 31 mana per cast, Induce Anesthesia is 27 mana per cast, and Solid Mana Conversion does not consume mana—instead allowing to user to convert and absorb solid mana from nearby sources. The conversion rate varies depending on both the mass and the proximity of the source of solid mana, up to a limit of 128 mana per second.”

  “The original idea for this ritual was based upon a similar ritual from long ago. Name that particular ritual as well the members who participated in it.”

  “This ritual was part of a collection of rituals from the Nine Sisters, known as the Echidna Ritual. Its members are Morgen, Moronoe, Mazoe, Gliten, Glitonea, Gliton, Tyronoe, Thiten, and Thiton.”

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  After listening to the boy answering all those questions with such remarkable fluency, the madame gazed at him with a sense of intriguing amazement.

  “By the goddess of Salem…this child is indeed as bright as you have claimed. Perhaps even more so,” Madame Laveau said. “I can see great potential in him becoming a scholar of the runes, one that is worthy of my teachings.”

  “Does that mean you’ll accept him as an apprentice?” Anne asked, feeling hopeful.

  “Absolutely. At this point, it would be remiss of me not to,” Madame Laveau said.

  “Haha! Yes!” Miri cheered, pumping a celebratory fist in the air. Both Anne and Isaiah seemed exceedingly happy about the acceptance as well.

  “Now that you are my apprentice, I shall expect you to be on your best behavior,” Madame Laveau said with a smile as she turned towards the boy.

  “Yes, madame! Thank you so much for the opportunity! I promise I won’t let you down!” Isaiah replied, grinning from ear to ear with a deep sense of gratitude.

  “Helping me out at the shop is no easy task. You shall do everything I ask you to, including cleaning Noir’s birdcage.” This statement had earned her a caw from the pet raven in response, who then flew over from her roosting spot to land on the shopkeeper’s shoulder. “This is Noir, by the way. She has been my loyal companion for many years. Treat her with the same respect as you would treat me.”

  “Yes, madame, I’ll happily do anything you ask,” Isaiah agreed, bowing repeatedly with overwhelming appreciation, “including cleaning Miss Noir’s birdcage.”

  Miri let out a chuckle. “I’ve never seen anyone feel so happy with cleaning birdcages.”

  “I’ll even clean Tusko’s pen if it means I’ll get accepted to an apprenticeship,” Isaiah said.

  “Hey, be careful what you wish for. I might just take you up on that offer,” Miri said.

  Everyone burst into laughter, an air of jubilation permeating all around them.