The last event of the holiday was coming fast. As dawn arrived people all around the town were moving towards the central square, again. this time, it was a genuine ceremony.
The mayor was standing on the elevated platform, waiting for everyone to gather.
He was a short, middle-aged man, dressed in a long brown coat with crystals embedded in the pauldrons. His short blond hair was hidden underneath a hat made of some kind of fur. He was rather tall, standing at around 185 centimetres, similar to Adam. His eyes were blue and shined as if they were a pair of crystals, reflecting the sunlight.
"Good morning my dear citizens. I am honoured to announce and lead, the final event of The Warm Hearts Day, The Intruduction Ceremony!" The mayor, named Rudolf Crismont looked around the crowd, checking their reaction. He smiled, as his words were taken by the people with enthusiasm.
"As you all should know, firstly, we will interview and introduce every and all of those new to adulthood, the new generation. After that, we will proceed with reminding ourselves of the great deeds and feats achieved by Ferson and its people in the past year. Then, of course, I invite you all to stay and party with us all, in the morning. The day after, hahaha! " Chuckled the mayor.
"First, following the alphabetical order, let's welcome Alan Goose! Also, I forgot to mention that we have two special people to introduce, and we will save their part for the last! Now, let's greet Alan with a warm applause!" Shouted Rudolf, announcing the first ascender, and welcoming him on stage.
"Hi! I'm Alan Goose" The boy introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you, Alan. What are your plans for the future? I see that you got a sword by your side, so, I guess you want to be an adventurer? It's a very popular dream, thou not achieved that often." Guessed the mayor.
"Not exactly, though your guess is somewhat accurate, Master Rudolf. I want to join the guard corps, just like my late father." Replied Alan, with a proud expression on his face.
"Amazing choice, young man. I am sure your father would be proud of you, being a guard is an honourable job, a service to the community."
A few quick questions later, The mayor took out a piece of paper and announced another person to come up and introduce themselves.
The next person stepped up a podium as Alan walked down. It was a girl, one of the prettiest this year, but Adam wouldn't notice such details, as his focus was located elsewhere.
He had to tell his uncle, Derek Puffypaw, about his decision. About his earlier-than-expected departure from Ferston and his destination, the capital.
It was a hard thing to do, considering it would mark a moment after which he could not turn around and change his heart, it would potentially be one of his last talks for a while with his adoptive father, who cared about him for years till now, a role model who served as a lighthouse for Adam in ways of behaviour around others, approach to public opinions, hard work and many other skills essential for a young man to live a happy life.
Now, he had to say his goodbyes and pray that he would see him again.
Adam turned to Derek, who was standing next to him amongst the crowd.
"Uncle, I have a very important thing to say, could we move to the side, for a bit of privacy?"
"Ok... Sure?"
After moving to the edge of the square, and taking a few deep breaths, Adam was finally prepared to say his line.
"Head guard Edgar made a proposition to me. I agreed, and I am going to the capital with Max, the head guard's son." Adam said quickly, as to take it out of himself.
"That fast? Well, you've got me surprised, but I... May surprise you more." Derek looked surprised, but more so, concerned and afraid, as he made a very quick and decisive decision.
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"I want to come with you. You definitely... wouldn't survive a day out there without me, lad" He probably wanted to sound sure in his belief, but his voice betrayed him, making Adam sure that Derek was not sure about what his nephiews answer would be.
"Are you sure? You spent all your life here, all your friends live here not to mention you have a beautiful house. Wouldn't you like to stay?" Adam was worried, he didn't want to make his uncle leave ferston against his will. Despite what he said, he really wanted him to come as it would make the future way less scary.
"That's exactly why I want to go with you...., I haven't seen anything besides these woods for over 30 years. Regrettably, I would leave my house, but maybe I could sell it before departing.
As for my friends..., at this point, even while staying amongst them I feel like an outsider. They all started their own families... I am not well fit amongst them." Derek stared at the scene, watching as another person walked up on it while waiting for Adam's answer.
"Okay,... I will gladly accept your company. But what could you possibly do when I am in the army with Max?" Wondered Adam. The hunter had formidable skills in the field, but to his nephew's knowledge, he wasn't in a good relationship with the guards and the army. And him becoming one of them was weird for Adam to think about.
"I.... will probably work as your attendant, surely a mage must have one. And I am eager to discover what attractions capital holds.." Derek's eyes glistened for a moment as if he imagined something amazing.
"So you just want to laze around? Be warned, if I buy a house I will need a a butler to sweep the floors, a mage can't be forced to do things like that on his own." Answered Adam brazingly.
Adam was ecstatic about the possibility of using his uncle to do chores for him, now roles would turn around. But before that, he felt the rough palm of his uncle's hand on the back of his head.
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The Introduction Ceremony was nearing its end. The last person just stepped off the stage when the mayor announced the special introductions.
"Now, I would like to invite Adam Axigna and Max Steelarm to the stage. Rumours say those two managed to tame the mana, and become mages! Let's introduce them with a round of applause." Said Rudolf Crismont, his eyes sparkling, as if it were his children that brought him pride and glory as a mayor of Ferston.
As the boys walked on the stage, most people stared at Max, leaving Adam with relatively no attention on him. The reason for such disparity between their eaycatchingness was clothes. Adam was dressed in his leather armour, while it looked cool and all, it was nothing extravagant or rare to see. Max, on the other hand, was dressed in a greyish robe, shining with a metallic lustre, underneath which was a collection of spikes and blades made of metal. Much cooler and eye-catching than plain brown armour.
"Hi boys, would you like to tell us about your plans for the future?" Asked the mayor.
A moment of silence ensued, as the boys weren't eager to come in first.
Eventually, Rudolf lost patience and set the speaker.
"Max, what are your plans?"
"I was planning to go to the capital. Father told me that going to the military there is a wise choice." Hidden Noble answered, with a bit of annoyance heard in his voice.
"Oh, you are going to join the army? Not a thing I would do, but I guess your father knows best. Well, I wish all the best for you, young junior. Remember me when you become someone high in the hierarchy, I'm just a pitiable mayor." The man joked, at least that's what Adam thought.
"How about you,... Adam?" Apparently and obviously, the mayor didn't remember Adam's name off the top of his head.
"I plan on coming with him. It's always better with a company. Besides, I always wanted to visit the capital, I heard there is a huge tower in the middle, its tip reaching the clouds. " Answered Adam, with a little dreamy voice.
"I was there, before, and while the tower exists, unfortunately, it doesn't reach the clouds. It is very beautiful though.
As for you joining the army, aren't you scared? Serving in the army is not the safest job of all, especially for an aspiring mage such as you. I am sure you would be welcomed with open hands by essentially every noble house if you offered them your services.
Even talentless mages are very valuable for their big mana stores, a talented one like you is priceless. Not literally of course."
"Thank you for your advice, Mr. Rudolf. I will go to the Capital either way, but I will think it over, over there." Replied Adam, and even though what he said, seemed honest, no one standing on the platform believed it.
The interview continued, as the host asked a lot of questions to the boys, it made people wonder; who thought of that many questions? It was simply incredible from the bystander's viewpoint.
Afterwards, The ceremony quickly ended, but people didn't scatter just yet. The party after was just about to begin.
Many fights ensued and grudges were solved as residents of Ferston ended the year with a blank card, and with wishes, dreams and aspirations for the year ahead.
Adam and Derek, on the other hand, walked out just after the ceremony. Even though they would gladly stay and party with their friends and colleagues, they had a house to sell. Besides that, being one of the focal points wasn't something Adam wanted at that kind of party, and with him becoming a mage, even the mayor's extensive list of questions couldn't put an end to citizens' curiosity.