After a full day of reflection, Richie plucked up his courage. He waited for his father to return from Chester and met him at the entrance to the hall.
- Good evening, father.
- Hey, Richie. Did something happen?
- Dad, we need to talk... without prying ears.
- If it's necessary, then let's go to my office.
Father and son reached Rich Sr.'s office and sat down in the guest chairs, which were arranged opposite each other.
Gerald, noticing his son's agitation, asked with concern:
- Richie, what happened?
- Dad, I have to tell you something...
- What?!
Richard took a deep breath, exhaled, and said:
- Dad, I'm a wizard!
Gerald's reaction wasn't much different from how any normal adult would have reacted to a similar statement from a child. He laughed good-naturedly.
Noticing that the child frowned, the father decided to calm him down:
- Son, you are certainly a good magician, but you are far from being a wizard.
- What if I told you that I don't know a single trick and all my stunts are performed using superpowers?
"I don't believe it," Gerald said good-naturedly. "Richie, you have to understand, you shouldn't confuse reality with fiction. Hmm... Maybe we should take you to a child psychologist."
"Dad, I'm not crazy!" Richard protested. "I can prove it. Choose the item you feel the least sorry for."
Gerald decided to play along. He picked up a heavy box of Cuban cigars from the corner of the table. He emptied the cigars onto the table and placed the box in front of his son.
- Dad, look at the box, or better yet, put your hand on it.
- Fine.
Gerald was in high spirits, anticipating another trick from Richie.
The boy, as usual, hyped up his emotions and uttered the activating word:
- Abra-Kadabra, disappear!
Richard figured out how to use activator words after a series of experiments. They made using magic much easier. Abra-Kadabra became a universal keyword, helping to achieve the right emotional state. Then came the command the supernatural ability was supposed to carry out.
The box disappeared and Gerald's palm, losing its support, hit the tabletop with a slap.
Rich senior was amazed and delighted.
"Richie, that was an incredible trick!" he declared joyfully. "You're turning into a real illusionist. Well done. Will you share the secret of your trick with your father?"
"No tricks," muttered a sullen Richard. "Dad, it was magic! I actually made the box disappear!"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Gerald burst out laughing. "Yes, it's a brilliant trick, but I don't believe in magic."
"Dad, mages exist!" Richard said with firm conviction. "It's a fact. They hide from ordinary people, living in reservations. They even have their own currency and a secret, autonomous ministry. When a child with the gift of a mage turns eleven, representatives from the local school of magic and wizardry come to see them. The young mage is required to study at this boarding school for at least five years."
"Richie, you have a great imagination," Gerald chuckled, naturally not believing the child's words. "I wouldn't expect anything less from such a genius."
Richie massaged his temples with his fingers and began taking deep breaths, silently counting to ten. Having calmed down a bit, he looked closely at his father and said in a sad tone:
"Eh... I didn't think it would be so difficult. Dad, from what I understand, the leaders of the state should know about the existence of wizards. If you don't believe me, ask Uncle Charlie. I think he should know about the Ministry of Magic."
"Ha-ha-ha!" Gerald's wide smile never left his lips. "I'll definitely tell Charlie about the wizards who live in reservations, closed off from ordinary people. He'll laugh!"
"And I also think," Richard continued after a heavy sigh, "that my mother was actually a sorceress, not a spy for a foreign government. And she used love potions on you, not chemicals."
Gerald laughed so loudly that he doubled over, clutching his stomach with his hands.
"Oh! Son, I also think your mother is a real witch, but I didn't think you shared the same opinion!" the Duke forced out a sardonic remark after he'd finished laughing.
"No-o-o-o..." Richard groaned, pressing his right palm to his face. "I thought it would be difficult... but not this hard!!!"