Fivik came out of the room and said, "This one's a little better. It may not be quite good enough as a formal apprenticeship gift, but you can make do with it for now. I'll get you something better later."
He Xi didn't quite understand.
Does that mean... she's taken me on as her apprentice?
Was it really that casual? There wasn't even a ceremony?
And normally, shouldn't I be the one giving her an apprenticeship gift?
Why was it the other way around?
"Teacher Fivik," He Xi said uncertainly. "Um... are there any other requirements or tests I need to pass to become your apprentice?"
Fivik was about to set the head on the workbench, but paused at his words and turned around in confusion. "Requirements?
"What requirements? You already called me Teacher, didn't you?"
A hint of suspicion appeared on her little face. She suddenly flew in front of He Xi and stared up at him. The magic around her stirred faintly, pressing down on him with an invisible force. "Are you trying to back out?!"
He Xi felt as though the air around him had grown stagnant, and quickly waved his hands. "No, no, Teacher, you've misunderstood. I meant, do you have any specific expectations for me as your student? Like a certain standard I need to meet, or rules I have to follow?"
Fivik was taken aback, then realized what He Xi meant.
The magic around her settled, and her face relaxed as if to say, "Oh, that's what you're worried about."
"Expectations? You already meet them." She counted on her stubby fingers. "First, you're talented. I've already confirmed that. Second, you're easy enough on the eyes. I don't dislike looking at you." She examined He Xi's face more closely, seeming to like it more the