Eldin wasn’t sure how long he waited in his chair, but he was apparently the very last person to be called into the room to meet with the mysterious interviewer.
Once he heard his name called out, he got up and entered the room he had seen so many other wizards walk into. Inside, he was greeted by a windowless space with a few wisps of light illuminating the area. A single man with a long flowing white beard and similar light blue mantle he had seen the other spellcaster wear.
“Have a seat my boy.” The wizened man suggested as he gestured to the simple wooden chair across from him. Once Eldin had taken a seat, the interviewer squinted, “My eyes haven’t been the best of late, but you seem mighty young to be a wizard.”
Eldin hid his amusement, the old wizard looked almost identical from the one of the many books he had read during his studies.
“Pardon my manners.” The man said with a cough, “I forgot to introduce myself. I am Donnale Wiproch. And you are?”
The initial amusement became astonishment. No wonder the wizard before him looked so familiar, he was literally the author of most of the books on elemental theory his dad had him study over the years.
Eldin sat there speechless. He had no idea that such an amazing wizard was taking the time to interview others. The man was a legend in the field of magical research. Eldin managed to respond with his name, “Eldin Woodman. Sir.”
Donnale smiled happy to know that the young man before him was aware of his contributions to elemental theory. “You can’t tell from my face, but I am as surprised as you are. A young man already an elementalist and Elrin’s boy? How is that overly serious father of yours doing these days?”
A trip down memory lane was the last thing that Eldin had expected during the interview. “He… is doing fine. Still making sure my mom doesn’t accidentally destroy Woodvale or the forests.
“I had received a letter many years ago from Elrin saying something about Milli having a son. Those two unhinged adults are your parents?” Donnale couldn’t help but laugh. He remembered the time he had spent with Elrin when he educated him.
Eldin couldn’t believe that there was someone who was willing to call his parents unhinged. Then again, there weren’t many people like Wiproch. He was still in awe sitting before him.
“Well enough with pleasantries.” Donnale said, “I’m assuming you are here for the chance to speak tomorrow?”
“That is correct sir.”
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Donnale eyed the young man, “What made you so dead-set on becoming an elementalist at such a young age. Surely you understand the meaning of that accomplishment. You’d have to dedicate almost your entire life, living, and breathing theory and control to achieve that. Was there nothing else that interested you while growing up?”
Eldin once again was completely caught off guard. He was expecting questions to test his knowledge to see if he could teach a class on elemental theory. And yet here he was being grilled about his family and life choices.
Thinking about the answer to Wiproch’s question, Eldin eventually answered. “I’m not entirely sure. I mean I had managed to become a wizard at the age of 12, adding one more element didn’t seem like such a challenge. Although it was incredibly difficult.”
“You simply did it because you could, not because you had a reason to?”
Pondering on the philosophical question, Eldin was still unsure what the wizard was trying to do, “I just wanted to do it. I’m not sure if I can give you a better answer.”
Donnale stroked his beard with his aged bony hand, “Have you ever felt like you have an uncontrollable urge to study or go just a little deeper?”
Another question that made Eldin search himself for answers. He hated it. Why couldn’t he be asked about theory or a demonstration. He could feel some frustration build up inside him. “When you put it that way, there have been many times I wanted to know if there was more than what was in the books I studied.”
The old wizard let out a sigh. He wasn’t sure at first, but after his questions, he was sure now. The boy before him had an unnatural thirst for knowledge. He knew only one other person to suffer from the same problem. “Young man, I would encourage you to look for more in this life than knowledge. I can tell you have already internalized everything there is to know about the elements that can be found in any book.”
Donnale stood up and walked around the small desk to stand in front of Eldin. “Teaching the class tomorrow would be a simple task for you. If you want to, you can have the job.”
With his last statement, he rested a hand on Eldin’s shoulder, “May the gods protect you.” He said with an almost ominous tone before leaving the room.
Eldin sat by himself for a minute or two processing the entirety of what had happened. No matter which way he looked at it, the supposed interview had become a philosophical search of his soul. The oddity was too strange for Eldin not to be affected.
Still, if he wanted the job, he could take it. Not to mention he was still paying a daily rate at the Gorging Gorgon. He needed the crystal, and maybe he could negotiate a cheaper rate if he purchased the room for a month instead of each day.
With many other thoughts on his mind, Eldin returned back to the front desk to inform the lady that he would be taking the substitute teaching job tomorrow. As happy as he was to get the position. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Wiproch was actually worried for him.
Leaving the large building and heading back for the Gorging Gorgon, Eldin found himself lost in his thoughts as he walked through the streets. Why did he feel like he had done something wrong? He almost walked face first into the inn door.
Now that he had arrived, Eldin realized that it was barely past noon. Looking around he wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to disturb Lumina’s sleep, and he wasn’t feeling nearly as sleepy as her.
Deciding that hanging around the Adventurer Guild would prove more entertaining and possibly open another avenue of work. Eldin made his way towards the unique guild.
