Chapter Text
“Again Qifrey?” Olruggio glared.
“Look you can’t keep taking apprentices, you’ll run yourself thin. Not to mention there’s no space for another one.”
Qifrey sighed “He’ll be good for Richeh, they could learn a lot from each other.” He trailed off for a moment.
“Euini needs a new teacher, and requested me.”
“Tell him no, your max is 4. It was supposed to be 3, remember?”
“He’ll be lost without a master, plus he might appreciate your guidance too.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Euini’s previous master was abusive. Euini doesn’t have any confidence in his own ideas anymore, so a Watchful Eye who creates contraptions would be a good inspiration for him.”
“A student without a master huh? Fine, the kid can stay until he finds another master who suits him.” Olruggio scratched the back of his head, “I assume the Knights Moralis have him in the meantime?”
“Yes, the girls have already started preparing a welcome meal for when he arrives. Mind keeping an eye on them while I go get him?” Qifrey asked, though he was already walking off towards the atelier’s windowway.
It hadn’t been more than a day but to Euini it felt like a month, he’d completed the trial, he’d shown his old master that he was valuable, who scoffed and said it was just luck. He decided then and there to quit his apprenticeship for Kukrow, and work under Qifrey just like Richeh. Well, he hoped at least. He probably would get rejected or something, he wasn’t a skilled witch after all. No, he caught himself; if Qifrey said no it would simply be because he already had too many apprentices. “Euini, Euini, where are you?” That had to be Qifrey’s voice, and sure enough Qifrey came around the corner. Yet Qifrey didn’t see him and kept calling out for him, why? Guess he just blended in too much with the room because he was so unremarkable, or he realized it was because he was wearing the shade cloak Alaira let him keep. Quickly taking it off, Qifrey noticed him. “Hello Euini, Luluci said you’d be back here. I just finished off the paperwork, so follow me and I’ll show you to our atelier. If you’re still willing to study under me that is.” Euini nodded and the two went off to Euini’s new home.
Upon their arrival back at the atelier, the delicious scent of the awaiting meal was in the air. Walking up the stairs to the dining area revealed just how much food there was, it was a feast. “Welcome home Euini!” The whole atelier cried in unison; and Euini ran. Euini ran with tears in his eyes back down the stairs. Euini ran to the windowway room, put the cloak over him again, and cried in the corner. Euini heard someone walking down the stairs.
“You alright Euini?” It was Qifrey again.
“No, I don’t deserve such a nice feast just for being here.”
“I see, well then it’s for passing the second trial”
“H-huh?” Euini looked up puzzled, tears still in his eyes
“Well 3 of my apprentices passed the second trial today. If you say your being here isn’t worth the feast, then join us in celebrating the success of you all instead.” Qifrey held out his hand, and Euini took it hesitantly. The two walked back up the stairs, and when they reached the top Qifrey announced that it was time to eat to the success of 3 of his students today.
Euini sat down at the table and hesitated, there was so much delicious food! A beautifully brown bread that was still warm from the oven sat next to a perfectly roasted chicken, with a bowl of soup that judging by the smell was going to taste like nothing he’d eaten before. Roasted carapace yams with grill marks on top were there as well. “How much can I have, master?” Euini asked, his eyes glittering with hope like emeralds. “Mm? As much as you want, of course.” Qifrey smiled. “Thank you master, I’ll keep doing you proud.” Euini reached towards the carapace yam first, cut it open and savoured every bite. He’d never had something so delicious! The witches and apprentices talked and laughed, it was something Euini hadn’t really experienced before. Coco was amazed at his shadow cloak asking how he did it, and when she finished Tetia insisted that the trial takers tell her everything about what happened. Euini would’ve had to run and hide if a black haired older man he later learned was Olruggio hadn’t caught on and changed the subject to something he called “snug stones” and if they helped everyone sleep. That night though, Euini needed no help falling asleep. Tetia had made an amazing spell called the Serpent Bed of Sand, that gave him a temporary place to rest in Olruggio’s study.
Everyone here was so incredible, that was, except for himself. He really didn’t fit in with the others, did he? Richeh and Agott had almost done the trial for him, Coco was so excited and joyous with boundless ideas and curiosity, and Tetia had made him a bed! That wasn’t even mentioning everything Qifrey had done for him. Even Olruggio, while intimidating, let Euini use his study and even gave him a key in case he wanted to lock the doors. What could Euini do to even come close to matching any of their skills? The most impressive thing he’d done was remove 1 sign from a seal to make his cloak. All he had done was copy others and take their work… that was his last thought before falling asleep.