What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

* I'm not sure whether mentioning the gunpowder thing will be spoilers but even though it's a twist it seems so vital/unique with the story/magic system that it felt like I had to include it. Give me a heads up if I should edit it.

I think I read it sometime between 2010-2014.

- Street Rat MC: I think I remember a scene where he prevents a pickpocket and maybe gives the kid advice afterwards (but that might be conflation as it's a common trope). Then he goes to find some presumably shady guy about getting ingredients/recipes for black powder since his mentor won't supply him.

- I think I remember the MC having to experiment a lot with the black powder because he didn't have a proper recipe.

- Well-Off Mentor & Gemstones as Magical Focuses: I remember a scene where the MC is introduced to his mentor's house. Specifically, the mentor shows how to use a stone/gem to open the gate to his home. I think the mentor might live in a mansion?

(view spoiler)[- I think it's implied that the mentor has experimented with gunpowder with his magic before. I got the feeling that he was in grieving from losing his wife in an accident? But I didn't get far enough for it to be explicit, if that was where it was going.

- I don't seem to remember any servants in his house so his supposed mansion was unmaintained? I think he might've been isolating himself due to grief? (hide spoiler)]

This sounds like the Magic Thief series. The MC, Conn, attempts to pick a wizard's pocket, and when he survives the magical ward the wizard takes him on as an apprentice. Magic is focused with a locus stone. Later, Conn uses blackpowder because he doesn't have a stone.

Thank you so much, this is definitely it.

Davy wrote: "Thank you so much, this is definitely it."
You're welcome!