The rest of the week seemed to pass all too quickly for Ritchie. He was learning so much from Maria he didn’t have a lot of time for his homework and it was showing in his grades. Not that it mattered to him what grades these monsters gave him. For the most part, he often refused to show up to class. Only his lessons with Maria were difficult or even anticipated.He now knew how to summon objects, establish magi connections, manipulate the morti mind, he knew how to manipulate the wind and weather and was learning how to play with fire. Maria had taken to blushing whenever she taught him because he was so powerful and would often complete the exercises that she gave him within minutes or seconds. Ritchie kept his ego in check, however, though Maria didn’t know how. He had all the license to deny her respect and try to learn it all himself, which he certainly could do, and yet he didn’t. He acted as though she were the more powerful one. Somehow, Maria knew that he still felt responsible for his mother’s death.