'Twas not as if I had been rent from reality; just as dust is swept by the wind into the forgotten, so hath magic faded. It has been centuries since I last heard the word "mage" from the lips of the living. Yet, were the dead able to speak, they would answer the questions resounding in my mind: Where have all the mages gone? When did the art of magic come to an end?

This is why I have awoken from my slumber and descended from mine abode above the sky. I soared through the heavens to behold what mankind hath been about and why they no longer practice magic. I have seen how once-green forests have been replaced with buildings aglow with artificial light, and how the fresh air hath been sullied by black smoke.

It seems that whilst I slumbered, the once-beautiful Earth hath fallen from grace. It seemeth I must search for lost gems buried in this world’s soil. I will also need to create a place to teach the ways of the past once more.

As I descended further into this changed world, I beheld the remnants of an ancient magic barely remembered. The relics of a bygone age lay hidden beneath layers of dust and neglect, and the people, now unaware of the true power they once wielded, live in ignorance of their heritage. It is clear that I must seek out those who might still possess the spark of magic within them, however faint. I shall need to be vigilant and wise, for not all who claim to seek magic do so with pure intent.

In my quest to restore the ancient arts, I must also contend with forces that would hinder my efforts. There are those who benefit from the current ignorance and may not welcome the return of magic. I must tread carefully, forging alliances where I can and confronting foes where necessary. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but if I am to guide this world back to its rightful balance, I must face these trials with resolve. Thus begins my journey through this altered land, seeking the lost and rekindling the ancient flames of magic.

To reclaim and renew the magic of old, I must first create a sanctuary where the ancient arts may be taught and preserved. Thus, I shall craft a portal to another dimension, a hidden realm where time flows differently and where the secrets of magic can be safeguarded from the eyes of the unworthy. In this realm, I shall establish a grand school dedicated to the study and mastery of magic, a place where those with the true potential can be trained. Yet, for this vision to come to fruition, I must seek out knowledgeable teachers who have not succumbed to the loss of magic. These venerable instructors must possess the wisdom and skill to impart the ancient knowledge, and together, we shall build a new generation of mages who will safeguard the legacy of our craft and restore the balance to the world.

The streets were loud and restless, filled with the hum of machines and the murmur of countless voices. In this age of steel and glass, few took notice of the world beyond their devices, blinded to the magic that still lingered in the shadows. But I could feel it—faint and hidden, yet undeniable. Among the neon lights and towering screens, a flicker of the old magic called to me. I followed the trail through the winding streets, where I found myself at the threshold of a strange place—a theater, its doors adorned with glowing signs. Inside, the crowd’s cheers echoed, and there upon the stage, he stood.

Eadric.

I had sensed his power before I saw him, though now it seemed concealed, distorted. He wore strange garments—black with glittering silver trim—and in his hands, he held not the tools of a mage but props that seemed to hold no power at all. As the audience gasped and applauded, he pulled a white dove from his sleeve, and with a wave of his hand, it vanished into thin air.

This... this was the magic of old?

I watched, perplexed, as he continued his performance—cards that appeared from nowhere, flames conjured from thin air, then extinguished just as quickly. The crowd roared in delight, but something felt wrong. The energy was there, though it was twisted into these mere tricks. It was not the ancient art I knew but a spectacle for amusement. Did this boy even know the power he toyed with?

At the show’s end, as the crowd dispersed, I approached him. He was wiping sweat from his brow, his confident stage persona faded. “Well, well, a fan coming to meet the great Eadric, eh?” he said, flashing a grin. But his eyes widened when he saw the ancient robes I wore, the staff at my side.

“Thou art no mere entertainer,” I said, frowning. “Thou dost wield magic, and yet... thou playest with it as though 'twere naught but a jest.”

He looked at me in confusion, then laughed nervously. “Magic? Oh, come on, it’s all just tricks! Sleight of hand, illusions—people love it, but it’s not real.”

“Not real?” I echoed, my voice growing firm. “Dost thou not feel the power in thy veins? Dost thou not know the flame thou carriest within thee?”

Backstage, Eadric stormed ahead, his face flushed with frustration. The narrow hallway echoed with the clatter of props and hurried footsteps as he shoved aside a curtain, leading me into a cramped dressing room littered with playing cards, fake wands, and a half-eaten sandwich. He spun around, his hands on his hips, glaring at me.

“You’ve got some nerve, you know that? What was that stunt out there? You can’t just barge in and start talking like... like you’re straight out of some fantasy book!” His voice rose with each word. “That was my first real performance! Months of planning, gone, because you wanted to... what? Play along with the act?”

I stared at him, bewildered. “This is no act. Thou art gifted with the power of the old magic, yet thou usest it as if 'twere naught but a child’s game.”

He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Old magic? Are you serious right now? Look, I don’t know what Renaissance fair you crawled out of, but this is the real world. There’s no magic, okay? It’s all illusions, tricks! That’s what people pay to see.” He paused, his eyes narrowing as he took in my robes and staff. “You’re one of those cosplayers, aren’t you? Really leaning into this mage character, huh? Well, here’s a tip—you’re overdoing it.”

I furrowed my brow. “Cosplayer? I am the guardian of magic, descended from the sky to rekindle what thou hast forgotten. Magic is not a mere illusion. It courses through thee, even now.”

He shook his head, laughing bitterly. “Yeah, well, tell that to the world. Everyone knows magic’s just a fairytale. Tricks, sleight of hand, that’s all it’s ever been. And people love it that way. No one believes in real magic anymore.”

I stepped toward him, my voice calm and unshaken, though I sensed his rising frustration. “Thou must understand, Eadric, magic did exist. It still does. The power within thee is real, and I am not here to deceive—”

He interrupted me, his laughter sharp and bitter. “Yeah, maybe if you’d told me this when I was a kid, I’d have bought it. Back then, I’d have believed anything—heck, I’d have believed pigs could fly! But guess what? You grow up, and life kicks the fairytales out of you.” He shook his head, pacing as his words tumbled out faster. “The world isn’t about magic or wizards saving the day. It’s about surviving. If you don’t have money, the world doesn’t care. The only thing that matters is getting by.”

I watched him quietly, not entirely understanding the depth of his frustration. His words felt distant to me, as though they held weight I could not grasp. He spoke of hardship, of a world shaped by coin rather than power, yet I could not fully comprehend why these things mattered so greatly to him. “But why would thou concern thyself with these trivialities? Magic—true magic—is far beyond these things.”

Eadric turned away, shaking his head. “You don’t get it. Magic doesn’t pay the bills. Tricks do. And if I’m lucky, maybe someday I’ll make enough not to live in this hole.”

As Eadric grabbed his things, ready to storm out, I reached out with a thought, and in an instant, we were no longer in that cluttered room. The air shifted around us, and the world below blurred into a haze as we floated high above the city.

Eadric’s eyes widened, his voice rising in panic. “What the fuck! I’m going to die!”

I glanced at him, my tone as calm as ever. “Thou art not.”

Before he could react, we descended gently, landing in a vast field of grass, far removed from the city’s chaos. Eadric staggered as his feet touched the ground, eyes wide with disbelief. “Where... where are we?” he stammered, spinning around to take in the rolling hills and the clear skies, so different from the world he knew.

“This is my dimension,” I said plainly. “A place I have created beyond thy realm. Here, thou wilt be my student, and I shall teach thee the ways of true magic.”

The air here was different—thicker, charged with energy that hummed just beneath the surface. Eadric stumbled as he took in the world around him, his eyes wide with disbelief. It was like something out of a fantasy book: towering trees with bark that shimmered like silver, creatures darting in and out of sight through the thick foliage, and mountains in the distance, their peaks swirling with clouds that crackled with faint lightning. A strange bird with three wings flew overhead, letting out a sharp, haunting cry that echoed across the vast field.

As we made our way through the enchanting forest, the air filled with the scent of unfamiliar blossoms and the sounds of distant creatures, Eadric glanced at me, curiosity evident in his eyes.

“So,” he said, breaking the silence, “you mentioned something about me being your student. What exactly does that mean?”

I continued walking, my gaze steady on the path ahead. “Thou art gifted with the potential to wield the ancient magic that I guard. In this realm, I shall teach thee the ways of true magic, a skill long-lost to thy world. Thou must learn to harness this power, understand its depth, and use it wisely.”

Eadric nodded, then looked at me with a puzzled expression. “Alright, I get that part. But where are you from? The way you speak—it’s kind of strange.”

I considered his question thoughtfully. “I am from a time long past, from a place where the old magic thrived. The way I speak is a remnant of that era. While I dwelt in the heavens, I studied the histories of humankind, observing how they lived and spoke. It is curious to me that thou dost not speak as thy ancestors once did.”

Eadric raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re saying this is how people used to talk? It’s kind of old-fashioned, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “Indeed. It is the language of the past, and it seems strange to me that it has faded. I find it intriguing that the manner of speech has changed so much while the essence of magic has been lost.”

As we continued through the forest, we emerged into a clearing where a charming cottage sat nestled among a garden bursting with vibrant flowers, herbs, and vegetables. The garden was alive with color and the gentle hum of bees. Eadric stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. He murmured softly, “Beautiful.”

I glanced at him, a hint of approval in my gaze. “So, thou findest this place beautiful. That is good, for we shall be staying here during thy training.”

I nodded. “In a way. In the past, there was a human who taught me much about the nature of good and evil within humanity. This human possessed an open mind and great magical power, yet chose to reside in a place such as this.”

Eadric furrowed his brow. “What happened to her?”

I paused, searching my memories. “I am not quite certain. My recollections of her are unclear, and I do not remember her appearance distinctly. She simply vanished from my knowledge.”

We approached the cottage, its wooden walls adorned with creeping ivy and blooming flowers. “But for now,” I said, “this shall be our home and the center of thy training. Come, let us enter and prepare for what is to come.”

Inside the cottage, Eadric took in the quaint, old-fashioned decor and glanced out at the lush garden. He seemed puzzled and asked, “So, this is where the training’s going to happen?”

I nodded, arranging some magical tools on the table. “Aye, this place shall serve well for thy training. It is well-suited for our work and provides all that we need.”

Eadric looked around with growing confusion. “Alright, but where’s the grocery store? The shops? Restaurants?”

I tilted my head, slightly bemused. “We have no need of such things here. The garden doth provides vegetables, herbs, and fruits. We have hunting grounds for additional sustenance. All that we require is at hand.”

Eadric sighed, clearly frustrated. “You wouldn’t understand. Fast food—it’s a staple of modern life. Quick and convenient. Maybe one day, I’ll show you what it’s like. It’s a whole different experience.”

I regarded him with curiosity. “What is this ‘fast food’ thou speakest of? And why dost thou sigh so?”

He shrugged with a small smile. “It’s a part of the modern world that’s hard to explain. But don’t worry about it now. Maybe someday, I can introduce you to some of the wonders of my world.”

After our discussion, I noticed Eadric’s weariness from the journey and the day’s events. The sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden hue over the garden and the cottage.

“’Tis best we take our rest now,” I suggested, guiding him towards the cottage’s interior. “I have heard that humans require rest to be at their best. The dimension’s day and night cycle shall provide us with the necessary time for recuperation.”

Eadric nodded, clearly relieved at the prospect of rest. “Yeah, I could use a break. This day has been... a lot.”

We settled into a comfortable arrangement within the cottage. The warmth of the hearth provided a soothing backdrop as we prepared for the night. I observed him with interest, noting his need for sleep and the way he prepared himself for it.

“Rest well, Eadric,” I said softly as he began to drift off. “Tomorrow, we shall begin thy training in earnest. This dimension’s cycle shall serve as a guide, and we shall make the most of each day.”

As the cottage grew quiet and the night deepened, I kept watch for a while, reflecting on the coming days and the path ahead for both of us in this new and wondrous world.