CHAPTER 2

“What are you all doing? This is my family, my house!”

The words burst from my lips, a desperate plea echoing in the stillness of the room.

In an instant, my father appeared, his figure a blur as he rushed toward us, his face etched with urgency.

“Corporal, we’ve received complaints from a noble family that this child attacked and shamed Shinzu. He must be brought into custody.”

“Shut up with that nonsense, Dakeda! Go back to your post!” My father’s voice was a thunderclap, fierce and unwavering.

“But corporal, isn’t this an abuse of power? We’re just doing our job after all.” The tension crackled in the air, thick enough to slice through.

“Dakeda is right, corporal. You may outrank us, but we’re talking about your child harming a noble.”

“I have my own problems to deal with, so scram!”

“Just don’t say we didn’t warn you, corporal. Let’s go, Tund.”

With a reluctant nod, the men retreated under my father’s command, their heavy boots thudding against the wooden floor as they left. My father turned, worry etched across his brow, and moved to check on me and my mother, inspecting us for any signs of harm.

“Are you both alright—?! Damn it, I know you’d never do something like that, Komeharu.” His voice was a low growl, thick with concern.

“Thank you… dear… That was terrifying…” My mother’s voice trembled, her sobs laced with relief.

“I’ll confront that noble myself tomorrow. Don’t worry, dear.”

“Just promise me you’ll be fine…” My mother pleaded, her voice quivering like a candle flickering in a breeze.

“Of course, our sweet son could never.” He leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead before we returned to the dining table, where the remnants of our meal still lay warm and inviting.

We joined hands, bowing our heads as we offered a prayer to the Sun God, the air thick with the scent of incense and the faint glow of candlelight.

“Praise be to the Sun God and Lunaris,” my mother intoned, her voice steady and reverent.

“Solaris,” we all echoed in unison, our voices rising like a harmonious chorus.

With gratitude, we consumed our meal, the flavors bursting in our mouths like a celebration of life itself. Yet, my mother’s gaze drifted toward my father, concern shadowing her features.

“Dear, there’s something Komeharu wants to tell you.”

“What is it? Tell me,” my father replied gently, his smile radiant as if he could hardly contain his eagerness.

“I want... to learn magic!” I declared, the words spilling from me like a rush of warm sunlight breaking through clouds.

Silence enveloped us, save for the whisper of the wind outside, weaving through the trees like a gentle lullaby. My father’s smile faltered, a flicker of hesitation passing across his face.

“I… I see. I do know a friend—he’s a mage. Maybe I’ll ask him... the price is…”

“One argentous,” I interrupted, my excitement bubbling over. “I already met a mage; he wants one argentous for every lesson.”

Father’s expression shifted, worry wrestling with hope beneath his brave facade.

“Oh! I see! That’s not really bad at all… hahaha!” He laughed, but it was laced with a hint of disbelief, and my mother joined in, though her laughter was tinged with concern.

“I’m really sorry that I could never afford you the best presents, Komeharu. But this is all I can do.”

He reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the cool metal of an argentous coin, then handed it to me. This was it! A lesson with that shabby mage! I leapt from my chair, wrapping my arms around my father in an exuberant embrace, and he enveloped me in his sturdy arms.

“Thank you, father!”

“That mage you speak of better be good. Tell me all about it after your lesson, okay?”

“Yes, father!”

The laughter lingered, filling our small home with warmth as I finally secured my tuition. Later that night, I crawled into bed, a sense of accomplishment wrapping around me like a soft blanket. Meanwhile, in my parents’ bedroom, a hushed conversation unfolded.

“Dear, was that really necessary?” my mother’s voice was soft, a whisper among shadows.

“We can’t break his hopes, darling. He’s three years past admission age; he deserves at least this much.”

“But what about meals?”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I should do fine without breakfasts.”

“Dear! Don’t say that! You need plenty of energy for tomorrow. You’re guarding the gate too! What if you get hurt?”

“Don’t worry, darling,” my father soothed, enveloping her in a warm embrace. “I’m a strong man, after all.”

My mother’s gaze lingered on the bruises that mottled my father’s skin, each one a testament to the dangers of his work as a guard.

“I’ve heard of more bandits coming in… Will you be okay?”

“I’ll protect everyone in this city, including you, darling. Plus, I might get promoted to sergeant! I’ll work extra hard for our family… and our baby…”

“Thank you…” my mother whispered, wrapping her arms around him, drawing strength from his presence.

***

The dawn broke with a soft light as we all woke early to greet the day. My father donned his equipment, the leather armor gleaming with the promise of duty. I beamed with pride at him.

“I’ll get going now; goodbye dear and Komeharu-kun!”

“Bye, father!” I called out, my heart swelling.

“I packed a little extra for you, Komeharu. Make sure to eat well and take care,” my mother said, placing a steaming bowl before me, the tantalizing aroma of spices and meat swirling through the air like an embrace.

“I will, mother.” I hugged her tightly, her warmth radiating against the chill that had settled in my bones. As I scanned the room, my gaze fell upon that shabby mage lingering nearby, shadows clinging to him like an old cloak. Did he have nowhere to stay?

“Yo, shabby mage,” I called out, curiosity igniting in my chest.

“I’ve got a name, boy. I’m James,” he replied, his voice gravelly with age, a hint of amusement glinting in his eyes.

I held up the argentous coin like a trophy, my expression serious. “For real? How did you even manage to scrape that up…?”

James groaned, rolling his eyes as if I were a child. “Fine, follow me.”

I trailed behind him, bewildered as we approached a tavern with creaking doors and a swinging sign, its aged wood weathered by time. A tavern?! What are you doing—?

“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. I’m hungry, kid,” he said, his voice low and matter-of-fact.

Had I been duped?

We stepped inside the dimly lit tavern, the warm glow of lanterns illuminating rough-hewn tables, their surfaces scarred by countless stories. The scent of roasting meat enveloped me, a delicious promise.

“I’ll have roasted mutton, please,” he called to the tavern keeper, who nodded, his hands busy behind the counter, a flurry of movement.

Damn it, I’d been ripped off.

“Relax, kid. I’m not one of those prickly professors. I’ll teach you my way. And my way says we should eat first.”

“Huh—?”

“Your roasted mutton, sir.” The tavern keeper placed a steaming plate before James, the savory scent wafting toward me like a teasing whisper.

“Let’s eat first! I mean, I’ll eat first, Hahaha!”

“You scammer!”

“Hey now, be patient. I won’t be energized if I don’t enjoy my food.”

“Food my ass! You’re scamming me! Do you even plan to teach me?” I glared at him, frustration bubbling like a pot left too long on the fire.

James ignored my glare, savoring every bite, his eyes closed in bliss. The audacity!

“Before we start, can you cast magic? Can you feel it?”

“Huh? I was never able to.”

“Tch, you’ll have to pay extra then.”

“WHAT. THAT’S OUTRAGEOUS. YOU ONLY ASKED FOR AN ARGENTOUS!”

James raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Kid, calm down. As a bonus, I’ll cover that in your first lesson.”

“You…!”

“Open your palm and imagine a little gate just above your palm. A gate of water.”

“W-what?”

I focused intently, the warmth in my hands intensifying, a tingling sensation dancing at my fingertips. Suddenly, something flickered into existence—a small pebble, barely larger than a grain of sand. Is this… magic?

“That’s mutton, by the way, sorry.”

“What the hell do you mean-?!” My disbelief surged, I expected something more, but to trick me with scraps of food?

“I said, that’s mutton. That’s food. The gate in your hands is the food; it’s mana. That concludes our lesson, goodbye and see ya..”

“You’re just messing with me!”

I gritted my teeth, frustration igniting my determination. He simply stood up and left. I’m angry! But since when did my arm… get so sweaty.. Actually, I really feel… sleepy.

***

"Yo, kid."

James's voice startled me awake. I blinked, groggy, finding myself slumped beside the alleyway.

"Congratulations," he said, grinning. "You just did magic."

"Huh—what? I don’t understand."

He pointed to my palm. "You had mana coursing through you. So much that it started leaking out like sweat. Most of it returned to your body, though. You were basically overloaded with energy. Not bad for a shabby mage, huh?"

I frowned, still disoriented. "You seriously had me thinking you were some scam artist. But... is that really all I can do? Make sweat… magical sweat?"

"Nah, you’re missing the point." James shook his head. "Mana doesn’t have a physical form—it's pure energy. And too much energy doesn’t equal power. Let me show you what you could’ve done with the same amount of mana."

He crouched down and drew a quick sigil in the dirt. Suddenly, water shot up like a spring fountain, sparkling in the air.

"See? That’s basic," he said, then he redrew the sigil in one continuous stroke. The water twisted and condensed into a large, smooth blob, hovering just above me.

"Wait—hold on!" I barely had time to react before the blob splashed down, soaking me from head to toe.

"What was that for?!" I sputtered, drenched.

James shrugged, his grin widening. "Thought you still looked half asleep. Consider it a wake-up call."

"Nonsense!" I muttered, shaking off the water.

"Anyway," he continued, "you don’t have a good sense of your mana yet. You only notice it when you’ve already released too much. Next time, try visualizing something smaller—droplets or a gentle flow, instead of flooding yourself. Still, for a beginner, not bad. You can head home now."

"I... I see. Thanks."

I walked away, dripping wet, while James turned in the opposite direction. Damn, this has been one heck of a day. That shabby mage....

CHAPTER 2 END