First answers.

'It's been three days since I became a mage. Since then, I learned many new things. First one is that every time I have a nightmare, the ghost in my head feels scarier. I didn't notice it after the first day, but this change is visible after three days. Of course, I can't tell if it will work with other nightmares because I have one since those bastards killed my family. Another thing I've learned is that after taking some risks, I was able to confirm that I can train my power to control earth, as long, as the leader of the bandits is resting or sleeping. Thinking about it, I can't call it controlling earth since I'm overestimating my abilities like this because I can only move pebbles. After three days, all I can tell is that patch of the earth inside my head got larger by one hundredth. I can't even see the difference in the real world. I can't even tell if there is any. It will be suspicious if I suddenly bent down and check differences between two pebbles and then take them with me and see how much stronger I am by measuring every day the difference in the distance I moved them and comparing it. It's not possible even because if I would like to do it like this since we are constantly moving. I need to find a way to measure my progress. Another thing is what I heard from these bandits. It seems that their leaders don't care about letting us know what they will use us for since they ignore them. It seems that we will be used either as gifts for other bandit groups in case of some disputes or sold on an illegal auction that will happen at the beginning of spring. I don't know much about it except that it happens every year. But since it happens so often why is it not discovered by police or other force they have there. And they can't do it every year. They raided a few villages this year and killed everyone in there. There is no way that no one noticed what this despicable scums did. Even if no one noticed, then there can't be this many villages or kids being born. There are too many questions that I can't answer now. I should try and talk with others to understand what's happening, but it seems that they aren't in the mood to talk. Maybe I should ask Finn about it since he seems to be willing to talk, but I need to find a good moment so that we can talk for a bit longer. It seems that bandits don't want us to get along with each other in case we tried to create trouble for them. We had our breakfast already so I'll need to wait until night.'

Making a plan for today John started following behind bandits they don't take brakes and don't wait for them so even following behind them Is a challenge. He was okay because he trained his body since he came to this world, but other kids who were six or younger had problems with keeping up with the rest. As for Emma, she needed to be carried every day by either Finn, Arthur, Thomas and John. She was light, but for boys around seven or eight, it was quite a challenge. John was using her as his training. He wasn't able to carry her for too long, but other boys were grateful for even a few minutes of a brake. John was surprised by Thomas, who was the strongest from them all. It seems that he liked to exercise. This day was passing like always for John. Training then no one was looking, eating everything he knew was edible on their road, carrying Emma the longest he could, and then he finally heard from bandits that they were stopping here for today.

'Thomas seats in the corner of the place they've got for sleeping as always, he seems to get angry easily but isn't unreasonable and in fact, contributes as much as he can to the well being If others here in exchange for leaving him alone. Grace seats close to him. She seems to feel more secure knowing that someone from her village is close to her. Arthur seems to be good friends with Finn since they know each other the longest here. Luke seats with his brother, but they don't talk much. I saw that he is easily scared even by small insects getting close to him. Clara is trying to befriend Elizabeth and Emma. I think it's because they are all girls, and their age is similar.'

After becoming a mage, John started to sort things in his head. He didn't forget what bandits did. He just understood that now is not the time to think about it. It's now time to make friends and find useful allies.

'It's time to talk to Finn.'

After preparing answers and questions in his head, John approached Finn, who was currently talking with Arthur.

"Hi Arthur, can you leave me, and Finn, alone for a minute? I have something to talk with him about."

"Yeah, sure."

'From my short encounters with Arthur, I know that he's trying to behave maturely, past events probably changed him as well.'

"So what do you want to talk about John?"

"I wanted to thank you for reaching out to me when I needed someone to talk. It helped me very much also I wanted to ask you some questions."

"No problem. What do you want to ask about?"

"Umm, I know it's perhaps hard for you, but can you tell me how long are you here?"

After hearing this question, Finn's expression changed slightly, and it seemed like it wasn't something he wanted to talk about, so John quickly changed his question.

"You don't need to answer, but at least please tell me if you know something about the place we are going to or this auction on which they want to sell us. You know, I want to know at least what's waiting for me in the future, but I'm here for too short and didn't hear too much."

"Oh, I heard that we are going to a kingdom called Bearmegham. I don't know much. I was leaving in my village for my whole life, but I've heard that our villages are between the two countries. As for this auction, I don't know anything about it. Is it all?"

"No, I'm not here only to question you, I'm here to make friends with you and Arthur, and I'm trying to be more open I hope we can become friends" When Finn was questioned he dodged eye contact. It seemed that he felt uncomfortable, but when he heard that John wanted to befriend him, it was visible that his mood got better. He quickly forgot about the whole matter. After spending some time with these two, John left them with an excuse of being sleepy.

'I've got what I wanted! Name or time of Finns travel aren't worth much since I don't know any other place than my village, but now I know that I was living between two countries. It's a pity he knows nothing about the auction, but I still have a month to ask others. Finally, some progress.' John felt asleep quickly because it was the first time he tried to question others without being suspicious and adding to this the hellish training, he felt drained both mentally and physically.