Delvin in the Dark Cellar.

[Deborah Campion]

The intro gave details about the world Delvin lives in. There is an onerous class system, but people can fight their way to rise above it. Distrust and lack of loyalty among associates and townspeople. Another stupid war.

[Jennifer Coxon]

Unfortunately there does normally have to be some kind of loss for people to get up out of their comfort zone and shine. In this case it is Borlock. If not for what happened Delvin may not have started to unlock his full potential.

[SweetSourSalty AndSpicy]

Delvin's recollections of Borlock were, I believe, his way of processing the passing of a friend and mentor. He was also trying to solve the mystery surrounding Borlock's death.

[Yasmine M]

I disagree that Borlock had to die for Delvin to become a magician. Borlock was already teaching him his tricks and wanted to make him his official assistant. With time, he was also going to let him know the secret of the stone.
The reason that he had to die was to create an enemy for Delvin. I mean by that, to justify the appearance of a mysterious scary character in the form of the dark figure... and by extension the Magician Guild.
Imagine the story if Borlock had been alive and they were both running away from the Guild while Borlock would teach him more and more secret tricks.

[Liza Chulukhadze]

I believe that one's end provokes another's beginning, so I agree with an opinion that Borlock had to die for the realization to come. I think it was more of a symbolic passage and I loved it. It is Borlock's death that made the story begin.

[Meghan Soderholm]

While reading this scene, I could not help but imagine what was going through Delvin's mind. This scene is a testimony to the emotional strength Delvin displayed throughout the book. I could not keep it together if I were in the same position. This scene is why Delvin is so admirable.

[Meghan Soderholm]

I disagree that Borlock had to die for Delvin to become a magician. Borlock was already teaching him his tricks and wanted to make him his official assistant. With time, he was also going to let him know the secret of the stone.
The reason that he had to die was to create an enemy for Delvin. I mean by that, to justify the appearance of a mysterious scary character in the form of the dark figure... and by extension the Magician Guild.
Imagine the story if Borlock had been alive and they were both running away from the Guild while Borlock would teach him more and more secret tricks.

I see how it is probable for Borlock to continue his mentorship with Delvin. However, I do not believe Delvin would have gone through the same adventure, met Fiorella and Jarla, and, most importantly, conquered the Dark Magician if Borlock were still alive. I believe that later in the book, Borlock would have been killed by the Dark Magician.

[Friederic Schröder]

In my opinion, I believe the death of Borlock was Paramount for a story to be told about Delvin, the adventure of Delvin began after the death of Borlock and no doubt, Delvin admired his mentor. Like the saying goes " You never know what to truly have till you lose it".

[Ophiohonren Hiram]

A lot happened following Borlocks death, the strange man in black and the people's sudden distrust in him, I mean, he was almost hanged and killed. I believe all this had to occur to clear the path for Delvin's adventure.

[Blackstenius]

I don't think Borlock necessarily had to die before Delvin could realize the intensity of Borlock's impact on him, I believe it only happened that way because of Borlock's untimely death. If he hadn't passed away, I believe Delvin would still have realized the magnitude of his master's influence on him. And on that part of Delvin reminiscing about Borlock, I think this way of mourning his teacher's and friend's death, and also a way of him coming to terms with the unexpected demise of his trainer.

[AntonelaMaria]

It’s very possible that Borlock did have to die for these feelings to be released. It’s a lot like “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” Delvin didn’t know what a big part of his life Borlock was until he realized that Borlock would no longer be around.

From all answers presented I agree with this one the most. I am in the same thought process. I think those choices by the author were intentional so he could present Delvin's character better.

[Joe Greggonz]

I believe the death of Borlock was instrumental in giving Delvin a clearer understanding of events.

[Soma Ezenwanne]

I don't agree that Borlock should have to die for Delvin to know how he was affected by by Borlock. I feel another twist should have been added to make value to be understood.

[Okocha Victor]

From the way things were presented, Delvin always appreciated Borlocks' impact on his life. Although, it is human nature to recount more when the person is no more. It's our way of preserving the memories we want to cherish, so recounting them helps us remember.

[Shelby Ayres]

I don't think Delvin realized how big of a role Borlock had in his life. So when Borlock actually died, it left a void in Delvin's life and he didn't know what to do. You don't really understand how big a role things/people have in your life until they aren't there anymore.