Learning how to become a Mage is understandably a difficult path, and it would be next to impossible to do it alone. But it’s a good thing you have Serie.

You know she’s very selective on who she takes under her wing, making it all the more surprising that she chose you to be her apprentice. You knew next to nothing about being a Mage, but with someone as powerful and knowledgeable as Serie, you’d have an easier time than most.

With time, and a lot of hard work, you get better and better. Your mana capacity has improved to a level you never even dreamed of, and you’ve learned spells most people haven’t even heard of, thanks to Serie knowing every spell in existence. However, the more time you spend with her, the more odd things you start to notice.

She never looks you in the eyes, often purposely affixing her gaze to the floor or the ceiling to not meet your eyes, she’s started to talk to you less, but seems interested in what you are, and sometimes, you can even catch the slightest tinge of pink dusting her cheeks when she looks at you, thinking you aren’t looking. Rarely, you even have the feeling that you’re being watched, but you find nothing upon searching.

All these signs can only really point to one thing, but it honestly seems like a foreign concept to you. Someone like her in love? It just seems impossible. You’ve never asked, but you’re certain she’s been around for centuries, and would probably view love and relationships as a distraction, so what other explanation could there possibly be for her avoiding you like this? Had you done something wrong? Is she sick or something?

After your latest training session, you’d finally managed to get ahold of her without her immediately leaving.

Master? Why are you avoiding me?

You can’t help but ask, the question having been burning in your mind for a while.

“My dear apprentice, whatever could you mean?”

She asks, that same almost smug expression on her face. She’d never admit how much she loves you. Even if it’d kill her.