The following afternoon—
Kai stood outside Alice's office.
He knocked twice.
"Come in."
He stepped inside.
Alice barely looked up.
Papers covered her desk.
Reports.
Supply requests.
Construction plans.
Trade routes.
The rebuilding of Asphyxia apparently generated enough paperwork to bury an army.
"You look busy."
"I am."
"...Can I ask something?"
"You already are."
Kai smiled awkwardly.
"...Can you teach me magic?"
Alice finally looked up.
"...No."
Kai blinked.
"...That was fast."
"I'm busy."
She pointed toward the mountain of documents.
"I have a kingdom to run."
Kai nodded.
"...Fair enough."
He turned toward the door.
"I'll just find somewhere else."
Alice sighed.
"There is somewhere else."
Kai stopped.
"The Magic Academy."
Kai turned around.
"Asphyxia has one?"
Alice stared at him.
"...Of course it does."
"You thought I learned magic by throwing fire at trees?"
Kai scratched the back of his head.
"...Maybe."
Alice pinched the bridge of her nose.
"The academy is on the eastern district."
"They'll teach you the fundamentals."
Kai nodded.
"Alright."
"I'll go there."
He reached for the doorknob.
Alice watched him.
"...I didn't say I wouldn't teach you."
Kai slowly turned.