As my apprenticeship with the Archmage began, I still wasn't at my best, understandably. The war trudged on and served as a constant reminder of my circumstances. Having always believed myself to be strong-willed, forward-thinking, and just plain stubborn, I'd become uncharacteristically subdued during my first few weeks with the Archmage.

My mother's death, over sixteen months ago, had finally hit me. A fact I had not realised at first. I guess throwing myself into finding employment and then focusing on studies kept certain emotions at bay. I hadn't realised I'd been wandering around in a sort of limbo, becoming demotivated and empty. Lost.

The Archmage knew of my mother's passing and to be fair, she was compassionate - for a while. Three months into my role, however, she took me aside to tell me the time for grieving was over. Now, I needed to work. She pointed out in no uncertain terms, that if being part of the Magocrasy was my dream, I needed to put the past behind me. Allowing myself to sink before I had even attempted to swim was, as she put it, "pitiful, tragic, but above all, extremely discouraging."

I won't lie; I took that conversation hard. My initial oversensitivity to her remarks threatened to derail my progress, but a period of introspection and solitude led me to a profound realisation. My mentor's seemingly harsh words were a catalyst for my growth. And so, I embraced my studies with renewed vigour and set about absorbing every lesson she imparted.

It was also around then that my friend Geraldine made my life a million times better. Since being assigned to our respective mentors, we saw each other infrequently. I missed the times we used to study together and just hang out enjoying what free time we had during our first year.

I met her one day while acquiring some items Archmage Modera had requested from the Apothecary in the Magus Commerce Exchange. My friend was there on a similar mission, but for her father, who was an alchemist.

Geraldine handed me a small package. "I've been meaning to get this to you for a while now," she said.

I looked at the gift a little blankly. "What is it?"

"Open it and see," she replied, smiling. I could tell she was desperate for me to open her gift.

I did as she said and found a pair of blue-tinted spectacles. I confess I baulked, but trying not to sound ungrateful, I asked, "What are these for? My eyesight is not impaired."

"Well, technically, it is," she replied candidly. "But they are not for short—or long-sightedness." She quickly hooked the frames over my ears. "They will, however, help you when reading."

I was confused. "What? How?"

She pointed to her own glasses, which had pink-tinted lenses. "I have the same problem that you do," she said.

I was still unsure as to what she was referring to, and I think my face said it all.

"My father had a bit of a mishap in his laboratory, but as a result, he inadvertently created these." Again, she indicated both our glasses.

My inability to grasp what she was trying to tell me was evidently frustrating her. Looking around, she grabbed a pamphlet from one of the counters and thrust it at me. "Read it!" she insisted.

I heaved a sigh but decided to humour her, even though I knew it might take me a while to decipher the words.

For the first time in years, words did not dance upon the pages; they were no longer muddled or incoherent. I was speechless. Amazed!

Smiling, she explained it had been a complete fluke that her father happened across the miracle lenses when one of his experiments had 'backfired'. Fortuitously so, as it happened. "My father says I suffer from a condition called word blindness, and when I realised you had the same difficulties with reading as I had, I asked him to make another pair for you. I'm sorry they aren't pink like mine." She handed me her glasses and asked me to try them. I did, but strangely, I found the blue ones served me better. I was extremely grateful to my friend.

"Thank you, Geraldine. I – I cannot tell you how much this means to me. Please tell your father I am very grateful."

Geraldine shrugged and smiled coyly.

"But I must pay for these, I can't accept…"

"No! They are a gift. From me."

"I can't, I…"

"No more discussion. Accept my gift and let's go have something to eat."

I was quite overcome, and agreed, on the condition I bought her lunch. That was acceptable.

So, now in possession of the coolest blue-lens glasses, I was, unexpectedly, considered trendy. Ha! Me? Fashionable? As a very plain individual, I must admit, the prospect amused me highly. Best of all though, the theory part of my studies was less arduous and time-consuming, and I managed to read through all the textbooks at a far better pace.

Over the next few months, the Archmage lost some of her iciness. I wouldn't say she exactly warmed to me, but the sharp critiques eased, replaced – albeit sporadically - by congratulatory phrases; 'Well done,' 'Good call,' 'Well, I never!' I was improving, refocusing, and learning fast. In some cases, my progress resulted in commendations from several peers as well as a few Archmagi.

Even my father declared he was impressed by my dedication; that was as close to a compliment as I'd ever had from the man, therefore, it meant a great deal to me.