Jon sipped his tea a bit, thinking about what to tell to the woman. "Well, I am high school student, I like to think that I am doing pretty well in school. I am oldest child in the family and have brother Jacob who is 10 years old and sister Zoe who is 15. I have a few friends, though my best friend is a girl named Karyn. I like reading various books, my favorite genres being fantasy and mystery. Er... I dunno, honestly I guess I am pretty ordinary, don't know what else to tell you." he said bit nervously, not really sure what to tell about himself. Instead he looked around the room bit more, his eyes glancing curiously over some titles in the bookshelves. He thought he was pretty well-read but he only saw couple titles that he knew there.
Helia smiled "That is fine, Jon. What about the future? What do you think about doing after you finish high school?" she asked curiously, her tone pleasant. It honestly sounded as if she really was interested about him. Jon returned his attention back to the woman and thought for a few moments. Honestly, he never thought much about the future. When someone asked him similar questions in the past he usually gave stock answer of going to some kind of college or university to study programming, or computer hardware engineering. Or maybe becoming lawyer like his mother. But now that he thought about it he honestly did not know what he really wanted to do in the future. As such he gave Helia a honest answer:
"I... really don't know, honestly. I used to tell that I would go to college to maybe become lawyer or computer programmer or engineer but honestly? None of these feel like something I truly would like to do..." he said softly.
Helia smiled slightly "It feels as if there is something more you could do, but you are not sure what, right?"
Jon blinked a little and nodded "Yes. I think so?"
Helia smiled, taking a sip from her cup and putting it down. She then looked Jon into the eyes. "Jon, do you believe in magic?"
Jon blinked for a second and nodded "Yes. I believe that not everything could be explained. That there are more to the world that are unseen. I honestly always liked fantasy so I suppose I believe in magic because I want to believe that there is more to the world than we all know."
Helia smiled "That is interesting answer. What if I told you that magic is, in fact, real?" she said, looking at Jon's eyes.
He gulped a bit at the intensity of the gaze "I would ask to prove it." Helia smirked lightly and raised her palm up. Moments later a small flame appeared above her palm, growing in intensity as soon her whole hand was covered in flame.
Jon looked in amazement at the dancing flame on alluring woman's palm. Curiously he stretched his own hand towards it and Helia smiled "Careful. It is hot." she warned. Jon just nodded, but still moved his hand. As his hand neared the flame he could feel the heat coming from it. The warmth spread through his fingertips and registered in his brain. This was real. Slowly a giddy smile stretched on his face as he realized that he likely just met the magic teacher he wished for.
Dismissing the thought he moved his hand back "This is so cool..." he said in honest awe and looked Helia in the eyes. "So you are a mage? Sorceress?"
Helia smirked and moved her hand into fist, extinguishing the flame. "A witch, actually." she took a cup of tea and sipped from it once more. "Your reaction is rather interesting, I will admit. Usually I expect people to freak out, but I suppose you are bit more unique case." she said with a smile.
Jon felt bit nervous under witch's gaze "Err... Don't get me wrong. I am freaking out inwardly and I have like a million questions, but I guess I would first like to know - why did you show this to me?" he then hurried to explain himself "Not that I am not grateful or anything and I would totally keep the secret and everything if you want me to, and this is so amazingly cool and stuff, but I would imagine that you are not supposed to show magic to some random high school students or else knowledge that magic is real would be more widespread in world and there would be rumours or something." he took in deep breath "And I am rambling. Sorry... Er, guess I got too excited?" he rubbed back of his head sheepishly.
Helia giggled at Jon's reaction, smiling "Now that is much more interesting reaction. And you are right, magic users like me are not supposed to reveal magic to general population lightly. But like I said you are rather unique case." she sipped from her cup and then continued "You actually possess potential to learn magic yourself. I noticed it when you bumped into me, but I was sure when you said that you saw the crescent moon symbol outside my shop. Only someone with magical sight should be able to see that symbol." she explained.
Jon blinked a bit "So, I could be a wizard or something? Use wand to do magic like in Harry Potter books?" he asked.
Helia giggled. "No, not quite like that, but yes - you could learn magic." she said with a smile.
Jon nodded "So, would I need to attend some kind of magic school or something?" he asked.
Helia hummed "Normally, yes but only a few magic schools remain in this plane of existence. And you are too old to get into one. Usually magic knowledge is passed through apprenticeship. From one master to single apprentice. Sometimes a master takes more than one apprentice, but it is uncommon." she paused "I suppose you could already guess what I am trying to say, so I will get to the point. I am looking for an apprentice to pass on my knowledge and craft. The reason why I moved to this town was actually to find one. I divined some time ago that this is where I would meet a potential candidate for apprenticeship. I believe you are that candidate. Though, I will admit you are not exactly what I expected. Nonetheless, would you like to become my apprentice?" she smiled.
Jon was trying to not show just how much excitement he felt and stopped himself from agreeing and begging the woman to teach him and decided to ask a few questions first. "Er, not that I am not honored or anything, but what exactly this apprenticeship entails?"
Helia looked satisfied by the question "Good, you did not jump instantly at the chance of magic and instead asked for more details. This is good quality. Not many would manage to do so at such offer. As such I feel I should be completely honest with you, even if such honesty might make you refuse my offer entirely." she paused for a bit.
"Like I said, I am a witch. What is important for you to know is that witchcraft is a magic practise reserved entirely to women. There are no men who are witches. And you, unfortunately are a man. Now, that is not the end of the world and can be, in fact, fixed. To save our kind from extinction in old days witches were forced to take in anyone with potential, even men. Rituals were developed to change male form into woman's. If you are to become my apprentice, you would have agree to be transformed into woman." she paused a bit "I ensure you that the ritual itself is completely safe. There were no cases of complications and those who changed in such way learned to accept and even enjoy their new states. I understand, however, that the very thought of such measure may sound uncomfortable to you and may very well be a deal breaker. I will completely understand if you would like to refuse my offer instantly because of this." she said sadly with a sigh.
She then leaned forward, gazing at Jon with serious eyes as she could see the teenager struggling to process the information. "I will be blunt, Jon. Chances of you meeting another magic user who would actually teach you are pretty low. Usually apprentices are taken in much younger age. The oldest being around 10 years old. It is because magical talent needs careful nurturing from young age and a serious discipline so the magic does not go out of control. You are already way past that age. Even I would usually be reluctant to take in someone your age, but in you I see good qualities. You are kind and helpful, you are smart and more than that you have thirst for knowledge. I can see it in your eyes, you have the mind that wishes to figure out the secrets of the universe, to explore the unknown. I watched you for a bit when you browsed my shop and seen how quick my book collection attracted your attention. Even as we drank tea your eyes could not help but wander towards the titles in the bookshelves here." she paused "I will also admit that I have more selfish reasons for really asking you to accept..." she said softly.
Jon's gaze locked onto the beautiful woman before him as he took moment to lick his suddenly dry lips and gulp. Honestly, this was not what he expected. He hoped that he will be just accepted as apprentice as he was, but hearing that he would have to sacrifice his manhood in order to learn magic? It was truly shocking. As Helia laid down more facts before him he felt worse and worse. It seemed that chances of him learning magic if he refused this were low. He, of course, thought about wishing stone as a solution but then he considered the wording of the wish he made. Wishes could not be undone, he might be able to change parameters a little, but if what Helia said was true he was past the age where he would be wanted as apprentice. And he honestly did not want to de-age himself and go through puberty again. Helia, though, was willing to take him in as apprentice even then considering his age. And he did truly believe her being honest about all she said. It was like some kind of sixth sense that told him that it was true. There seemed to be another reason for why she was asking him to become her apprentice on top of everything she already said and he could not help but inquire "What... other reasons you... err... have?" he asked weakly.
Helia looked bit sad as she started speaking "Because witches are a dying breed. There are only three covens that still remain in this world. We are rare, our traditions and craft are almost forgotten, not even considering the fact that a lot of us were hunted down in ages past because of our gifts. You must have learned a bit about witch-hunts? A lot of our sisters died in them. The few remaining used very drastic measures to keep our ways alive. Like ritual I mentioned. Even during these peaceful times there are very few of us. Finding someone with magic potential is harder and harder in modern times. So I am hoping beyond hope that even having in mind the price you would have to pay, you would agree to become my apprentice."
Jon was trying to calm the jumbled mess that was his mind to no avail. He could not decided such life-changing decision right now. He felt he needed time to think as such he took in deep breath. "I need time to think. I am not going to say no just yet, but this is not something I think should be decided on the spot. Can I have some time to come up with decision?" he asked Helia, speaking more strongly than he honestly felt.
Helia nodded "Of course. I would say to take as much time as you want, but... could you come up with decision by the end of the week? If you are not going to agree I would like to know sooner rather than later so I could look for another hopeful candidate in another place."
Jon looked at the woman who at that moment looked much older for just a moment and realized that she probably was searching for apprentice longer than he imagined. As such he nodded "Okay. I will visit by the end of the week with whatever decision I make." he finished his tea, setting cup down on the plate. Jon got up from his seat "Thank you for the tea, Helia. And it was really nice to meet you." he extended his hand for a shake.
Helia got up too and shook offered hand "You are welcome, Jon. It was nice to meet you too. And..." she paused, biting her lip a bit "Please. Give it consideration. That is all I ask." she said.
Jon nodded "I will." he said and without saying anything else left the shop.
