Chapter Text
The sage sighed contently as his lecture finally came to an end and the students filed out of the classroom. This was the first time he had seen them so calm at the end of the day, usually they are simply ecstatic for the lecture to finish. Perhaps they were not quite as bored today.
"Sage! Sage!! I finished my homework early! Please can you look it over?!?!" A high pitched voice shrieked as the cookie came running forward.
Ah, it was one of the sage's star students. Candy Apple Cookie, an energetic and intelligent young girl. She just about always had her work finished on time, and when she didn't, she would apologise endlessly until her throat became sore.
"Finished already??? It's due on Friday. I handed it out yesterday!" The sage exclaimed in utter shock. "I know! But I didn't wanna risk missing handing the assignment in like last week!!" Candy Apple whined, now practically shoving her papers in her teachers face.
"It's Tuesday..." The sage sighed, though it wasn't an annoyed one. He gently took the paper out of her hands and looked it over, grabbing his answer sheet from behind the desk to recheck the answers.
"Why do you need the answer sheet? Aren't you like, the smartest cookie on earthbread?" Candy Apple asked as she watched him mark her answers.
"Well, sometimes even the 'smartest' cookie can mess up, my dear child. But that aside, you have once again aced your assignment, wonderful job!"
He pulled out a sticker sheet and put a gold star in the top corner as his student giggled in glee. "Hurray! Does this mean you aren't angry after last week Great Sage?!" "I wasn't angry either way..."
Candy Apple joyously took her sheet with a quick 'thank you!' And ran out of the classroom while squealing. Her attitude always gave the sage a good chuckle and he quickly put his things back where they usually go.
It was time he headed home too.
Upon returning home and entering his room, he was ever so slightly caught off guard by the pristine, dark blue envelope that was neatly placed in the middle of his desk. It certainly should have screamed bad news, and he most definitely should not have opened it. But he couldn't lie to himself and say he wasn't desperatly curious what it was.
He used his magic to bring the envelope over to him as he shut the door. He gently opened the envelope and pulled out the paper inside as carefully as possible. He was stunned by the beautiful handwriting, as well as the intense scent of vanilla that left the envelope.
After recovering from his initial shock, he began to read the neatly written letter.
Dear Sage of Truth,
I have been made aware of the actions you take and the statements you announce through my minions, and your stubborn eagerness to learn of the truth appears to have caught my intrigue.
I come from a kingdom in Crispia, and what makes it so unique is the fact it is the only kingdom there which was built by regular cookies, which floats.
With this information, I would like for you to find out the name of this kingdom, my identity, and what used to be my favourite spell. I trust you remember how I look, and I am aware there are pictures of me, so it shouldn't be too hard.
Once you have done so, I wish for you to perform the spell in the forest near the Peak of Truth. My minion will aid you from there.
I do so hope you take me up on this offer.
Regards, Truthless Recluse.
The sage damn near shrieked in the dead of the night, but managed a muffled squeal instead.
Words couldn't even begin to describe how happy this letter made him. He hurridly prepared himself for bed, the plan for what he would do the next day already formed in his mind.
The Truthless Recluse himself had sent him, a humble sage, an invitation to his home so long as he completed his challenge.
And oh how he so loved this challenge.
"Oh, I'd be but a fool to decline such an offer. Just wait, Recluse"
And with that in mind, he fell asleep.