By the time Magnus turned 11, his training had intensified. Arnold and Tracy began teaching him about the history of the Adams family and their connection to the crystal. He learned that the crystal was a source of immense power, tied to a legacy that stretched back centuries. But it was also dangerous, and only those with a strong will and pure intent could wield it.
Eleanor, meanwhile, grew more resentful. She had always been the heir to the Adams legacy, and Magnus's growing importance threatened her position. One day, as Magnus practiced his meditation in the garden, Eleanor confronted him, her eyes blazing with anger.
"You think you're special, don't you?" she spat. "Just because they're training you, just because they need you for their stupid crystal. But you'll never be one of us. You'll always be an outsider."
Magnus looked up; his heart heavy. He had tried to befriend Eleanor, but her resentment only seemed to grow with time. "I don't want to take your place," he said quietly. "I just want to help."
Eleanor laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. "Help? You're just a pawn, Magnus. A tool. And when they're done with you, they'll cast you aside like the trash you are."
Magnus didn't respond. He had heard these words before, from the children at the orphanage, from the patron, and now from Eleanor. But this time, they hit harder. Was he really just a tool? Was that all he would ever be?
---------
That night, Magnus lay in bed, his mind racing. He thought about the crystal, about the connection he had felt, and about Eleanor's words. He didn't want to believe that he was just a tool, but the doubts lingered.
As he stared at the ceiling, he heard a soft knock at his door. He sat up, his heart pounding. "Come in," he said quietly.
The door creaked open, and Tracy stepped inside, her expression softer than usual. "I heard what Eleanor said to you," she said, her voice gentle. "I'm sorry, Magnus. She's… struggling with her own role in all of this."
Magnus looked down, his hands trembling. "Is it true?" he asked quietly. "Am I just a tool to you?"
Tracy hesitated, then sat down on the edge of his bed. "Magnus, you're more than that. You're special. The crystal chose you, and that means something. But it's not an easy path. There will be challenges, sacrifices. And not everyone will understand."
Magnus looked up; his eyes filled with tears. "I just want to belong," he whispered.
Tracy reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "You do belong, Magnus. Not just to this family, but to something much larger. And when the time comes, you'll understand."
Magnus nodded, though his heart was still heavy. He didn't know what the future held, but for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe he wasn't just a tool. Maybe he had a purpose—a real purpose.