"Apparition?"
Alaric froze. That was not the answer he had expected. He had thought it might be something else.
"But you're only thirteen... This..." Alaric hesitated.
"Is that a problem?" Gavin had not expected that reaction from Mr. Rowle. "I know people usually have to be seventeen to learn it."
Alaric looked at Gavin with a complicated expression.
"There are three main reasons for that rule."
"Oh?"
Gavin's interest was piqued. He had never known why the rule existed.
"First, Apparition requires absolute concentration. You can't let your attention slip for an instant. Most wizards believe young wizards only develop that ability at seventeen. But you—"
"I'm very focused. You don't need to worry," Gavin replied confidently.
As a Cultivation Master, concentrating was child's play.
"I don't doubt it." Alaric nodded.
He had seen Gavin control an Obscurus. Anyone capable of wielding magic like that had a frightening capacity for concentration.
"Second, the entire process of Apparition is unpleasant, and failure can cause Splinching. Many wizards believe it's bad for a young wizard's body."
"Then I just won't fail." Gavin shrugged. "Besides, I remember plenty of people taking children along with Side-Along Apparition. You've taken me yourself. Have you forgotten?"
"Well..."
Alaric had not expected his own actions to be brought into it.
Still, plenty of wizards used Apparition to take children places, provided the children could bear it.
"What's the third reason?" Cordelia asked curiously.
"The third is the Trace." Alaric looked at his daughter. "If he used Apparition here in the country and kept changing locations, the Ministry of Magic might notice during a review that he was casting magic himself. He could receive a warning from the Improper Use of Magic Office. In a serious case, he could even end up in Azkaban."
Gavin thought that was