"Really!", Adrien gasped. "You -- you think I'm ready for that?".

"I think you're more than ready", Val said with a smile. "You've already practiced a lot of elemental magic, after all".

"Yeah -- but...". Adrien's brow furrowed. He knew that magigraphic paper was expensive material - he had received a block of it many years ago as a present, and he had hated to take it apart and cut it up so that he could attach samples of his spells in his letters of application to all the sorcerers that he wanted to petition for an apprenticeship. "But are you sure that I -- that I'm really ready to use such nice things? If I make a mistake, I'll waste your paper, and --".

"-- The paper was supplied by the Council of Magic", Val said, cheeky. "It came with the apprenticeship packet, and I can request more if needed, so I'd use it with absolute abandon. This is a great opportunity to make all the mistakes you want".

Adrien chuckled a little; then he took a deep breath to steady himself. "If you say so, then...".

"Oh, I am saying so", Val grinned. He stood up from his armchair. "But before you start, I'd recommend you clear your mind. Would you like to come sit by the fire?".

"That sounds wonderful", Adrien smiled.