Val smiled; after he was done with his coffee, he drew the jar of jam closer to himself, and spread it over some bread. "So", he commented, "you are now 24. I always forget that you are younger than I am... You've already lived so much, accomplished so much, while I...".

"What are you talking about?", Adrien laughed. "You're a master sorcerer!".

"Yes, but that is all I've ever been", he replied, his voice low. "You have many friends, have done many things, have been many places... And I -- first I was with my master, then in Thandice, and then I came here. In the years I've been here, very little has changed... I haven't even finished working on the kitchen. I know that I haven't done much with my time".

"Though, you have all the time in the world", Adrien said, furrowing his brow.

Val took a bite of bread and jam. He waited a long time before answering. "I suppose I do", he then said.