A group of teenagers walked out of the town hall of Eastlodge into an open cobbled square. A wooden platform rested before them, empty and without purpose now that the Ceremony was over and it would remain so until it was needed again. Shops lined the cobbled square and a few people could be seen talking to shopkeepers or cleaning the area in front of their shop.

It was evening so most of the town was at home, preparing supper or getting ready for bed, although there were a few people that remained in the square. These were the families and friends of the Eastlodge gifted, who, upon seeing the people exit the town hall, rushed forward to congratulate and greet them.

A large woman ran up to a boy wearing glasses and snatched him into a hug. “My baby Eric, I’m so proud of you.”

Eric grunted and turned his head away, red rapidly spreading across his cheeks. “Mom, please not in the square.”

Eric’s mom continued to hug him. “We’re all so proud of you Eric. The smartest boy in all of Eastlodge and now a cultivator. I couldn’t ask for a better son.”

A tall thin man with glasses walked up to join the duo, he placed a hand onto Eric’s shoulder and smiled. “Good job son, you really are our pride and joy. You’ll do great things one day my boy, great things but for now we should probably head home and stop embarrassing him in front of his friends.” Eric’s father emphasized the last part to Eric’s mother, steering both of them towards the exit to the square.

“Oh all right.” Eric’s mother responded with a sigh, letting go of Eric.

Eric let out a sigh of relief, taking a moment to regain his composure. Straightening his back he turned to Connor. “See ya tomorrow.” With that he turned and left with his parents.

“See ya.” Connor waved to Eric, he watched Eric leave before letting out a sigh. ‘I guess I need to head home too. At least I get to tell the old man he was wrong. It’s so surreal but I’m actually going to leave, I’m actually a cultivator. After being stuck in this backwoods for all my life I get to see the world. No more tilling fields, no more planting seeds, and no more harvesting grain. I finally get to choose what I want to do and be what I want to be.’ He clenched his fists and a grin spread across his face. ‘Soon I’ll join the ranks of the truly powerful.’

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His smile dimmed. ‘Mayor Bueacanon has a point though, the world is ruthless and without the strength to impose my will on it I’ll be crushed. I’m nothing right now, worse than a speck of dust. Even worse is that I actually have talent, that makes a target but that also provides opportunity. I have no background but that means I won’t start out with enemies.’

Connor shook his head. ‘Enough of that, I need to start walking if I want to make it home in time for supper.’ Sighing he began walking home.

The walk home was uneventful for Connor, besides for people congratulating him. 30 minutes later he arrived in front of a waist high fence with a gate. Inside the fence was a one story wooden cottage with a thatched roof and a stone chimney merrily puffing out smoke, behind the cottage were tilled fields of dirt and a small bare brown barn. Beside the cottage was a patch of dirt, green sprouts barely peeking out of the soil.

‘Home sweet home.’ Connor opened the gate only to be assaulted by a flurry of pecks and loud honking. “Shut up Jerry, it’s me.” Connor said as he kicked at the goose harassing him.

“Welcome home boy.” Connor jumped as he heard a voice speak. Looking up he saw a greying man in overalls and a dirty white shirt, stained with dirt and sweat, a straw hat on his head and a pipe in his mouth. Salt and pepper stubble adorned his sun burnt face. He stood in the doorway of the cottage with crossed arms.

“I’m back pops.” Connor responded as he walked towards the door.

Taking a draw from his pipe, the man let out a ring of smoke. “How’d it go.”

“Well, I’m a gifted. A deadly steel man.” Connor replied curtly.

The man stopped leaning against the doorway and looked at Connor. “I see, I guess you’ll be leaving soon than, won’t you boy.”

Connor stopped walking and returned his father’s gaze. ”Yes sir.”

The man remained silent for a moment then turned to walk back into the house. Pausing before getting too far into the house he turned over his shoulder and looked back at Connor. “I’m proud of you son.” Then turning back, he disappeared into the house.

Connor stared at the doorway for a second, shock evident on his face. Standing in silence for a few moments a single tear ran down his face. All was still for him in that moment. Nothing mattered but that phrase said to him by a man he’d hated for most of his life. ‘He’s proud of me.’ Looking down at his hands he repeated that phrase. “He’s proud of me.”

Connor stood there for a long time before entering his home. Supper was eaten in silence, he nor his father spoke of what was said. After a filling meal of bread and cabbage soup, Connor went to his room and flopped down onto his straw mattress.

‘Today has been the most eventful day of my life.’ He smiled, ‘and it’ll only get better from here.’