PART 13

He took a big rectangular box down from one of the shelves and put it down next to Benedict. It was an apparently empty cabinet with an opening at the top. The frame was made of wood, but the sides were made of thin, nearly transparent, paper. The enchanter did a series of movements over Benedict and, after a while, my little brother, still unconscious, started floating in the air. The man then passed his hands all around his body, no doubt to show me that there was no trick, did some more movements, and Benedict silently glided across and went still before slowly falling into the cabinet. The enchanter then turned on a lantern behind him. I could clearly see my brother’s outline against the paper. The enchanter took a pinch of gold powder out of a pouch and sparks flew. At the same time, my brother’s silhouette in the box simply disappeared! The man, in a single motion, undid the four sides of the cabinet and they immediately fell flat, confirming Benedict's disappearance.

I leapt from my seat. I must have been as pale as the snow falling in heavy flakes outside.

– Don’t worry, said the enchanter. I just sent your brother back to his room. He is back in his human body. You’ll only have to wake him up when you get home, he won’t remember anything. You see the crystal ball on the shelf? Go take a look.

I did as he said, my heart beating fast, and saw the peaceful image of a human Benedict happily snoring in his bed. I felt a wave of relief come over me and nearly jumped to hug the old man. I reached out to pick up my backback, not wanting to stay longer than I had to: I would have plenty of time to think about all my adventures in the comfort of my own home. But the enchanter didn’t see it that way:

– Why leave so soon? Your brother is safe, your parents don’t suspect a thing. Stay a little. I’m not done with you.

To be totally honest, I was expecting his offer. I felt that my adventure wasn’t over yet. On the one hand, I was impatient to make sure my brother was alright, on the other, I was itching to know the whole story. I was up to my neck in something special, but what was it, exactly? I hesitated for a moment, then accepted to stay. Looking back, it was the best decision of my life.

– I imagine you’ve noticed the portraits on the wall, the old man continued. Do you know why they’re there?

I now had a little idea about the answer to that question – a completely crazy idea – but I preferred to shake my head. The man went up to the portraits and pensively looked at them. An irresistible force pushed me to join him.

– All the illustrious magicians in these portraits were brought to my shop when they were about your age. Some ten or twenty years ago, others during King Arthur’s reign. They all had to prove themselves, and they all did. Of course. They were made for this.

My crazy little idea had been confirmed. Following this logic, it made sense why the starry background was the same in every portrait. This enchanter must have had his shop for centuries! If that was the case, he really didn’t look his age… The rest of his explanation, however, hit me without warning:

– It is now your turn to enter the circle. You are destined to do great things. You will become the greatest female magician of all time. What do you say?

What did I say? I had no words. This guy had impressed me and I could clearly see that he wasn’t joking. But still, the greatest magician? Of all time? That seemed completely surreal to me. I pinched myself hard to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Ow! No, I was obviously awake…

(Go to PAGE 14)