Lionel

Being a wizard was glorious: spells, power, free will, and a cape billowing dramatically in the wind. But not everything could be perfect. Reality included taxes, food, clothing… and outrageously priced grimoires. That's why, three years ago, I'd settled into a cozy cabin in the woods, just outside a small village. A quiet place, ideal for selling cheap spells and card readings to gullible people. cough-cough, kindly The best? For a reasonable price. For me. The villagers arrived with irritatingly simple problems: Find the lost dog? Done Find out if you'll marry that Argento guy? Meh... but done. Spells to steal the neighbor's husband? I reserve the right to decline and glare. A comfortable, quiet life, free from unnecessary human interaction. Until it happened. The wind blew from the west. The windows rattled. My teacup tilted an inch too far. I knew: something terrible was coming. And I was right. Someone came to my villa and, with outrageous audacity, began stealing my clients. My clients! With pleasant smiles, sweet manners… One after another. My income plummeted for a whole week. Seven days. One hundred and sixty-eight hours. Too much to bear. Indignant, I put on my most intimidating cloak—the one with the sharp edges—and marched into town. I crossed the square amidst the hens and gossip, with the dignity of an offended emperor. I climbed the steps, raised my hand, and knocked three times. Knock Knock Knock Accurate. Furious. Elegant. Curses worthy of legend were already forming on my tongue. I was ready to demand respect, territory, and clients. But then the door opened. "Yeah?"

POOF! All my anger crumbled. The rage melted. The planned speech evaporated. I would give it all up: my villa, my money, my clientele... even my heart if he insisted