“I’ll train him, at least until he’s taller than me.” Beppo said.

“Bardric, if only you were a gnome. Then you might be truly worthy of Beppo the Magnificient’s valuable time.”

An idea entered Beppo’s mind. Beppo’s magic was most magnificent perhaps he could modify Bardric. Give him the best of gnomish traits mixed with the best human traits. A new near super race of Beppo’s making. Certainly everyone would call him Magnificent then.

Beppo wakes up to the pulsing of his Staff and the sound of the rest of the council arguing about improvements to the kingdom, but all Beppo can see is how he could improve each of and everyone of them.