In this country called Ursica, all families must have their children Appraised within six months of their twelfth birthday. Some children, depending on their magical sensitivity, undergo Appraisal at earlier ages… but for mundane kids like me, that event comes at twelve. I turned twelve eight weeks ago, and I’m just reaching that milestone today.
It’s funny. Upon rebirth, I thought my time as Arata Ikeda would make me… y’know… OP in my second life. Unfortunately, I don’t benefit too much from his wisdom. Niska's a humble fishing town, where an understanding of 21st Century, big-city Earthling culture means jack squat.
The Industrial Revolution took a different course in this world. We enjoy conveniences similar to 20th Century Earth’s here, but they’re powered by a combination of magical and mechanical innovation, versus pure scientific means. Arata’s love for PCs and smartphones is as applicable now as reading glasses are to blind people.
Ah, well.
If nothing else, Arata’s memories make school a breeze. I blazed through grades one to six; in three months, I’ll have barreled my way through seventh. My parents chalk up my academic performance to talent… though my father jokes I inherited all the brain cells he lost during his adventuring years in Olvana.
Oh, right! Argin and Katria are retired dungeoneers. I couldn’t tell you how or why, but most aspects of this universe operate by ‘game logic’. This Appraisal ceremony I’m overdue for? It works like any gamer from Arata’s day would expect. Instead of unearthing the details of a weapon or armor, though, a certified Appraiser in this world can also reveal a human being’s Attributes.
As I ponder this, staring out the window of our shared attic bedroom, my little sister Eris slips through the doorway. I keep my eyes fixed on the dirt road below. Eris is nine years old, eyeball-deep in that childhood phase where one lives in their make-believe world. I’m not doing her any favours by humouring chuunibyou behavior, but…
“Roar!”
Sounding more like a kitten than a tiger, Eris pounces me from behind. Her small hands grip my shoulders. I humour her with my best ‘shocked’ reaction, yelping in mock-surprise while a chorus of giggles burst from her mouth.
“Did I scare you, irmán?”
I clutch my heart and exaggerate a sigh. We’re close in enough in age that calling me by name is more appropriate than the word for ‘sibling’, but Eris’s were-tiger persona is ‘adopted’. So, yeah.
“Anyone would be scared if a tigress jumped them. You’ll startle the ghost out of someone someday.”
Eris grins, her dark hair glossy under the sunlight that streams through the window. Arata didn’t have siblings. After he fell ill, his parents blamed their own genetics, and abandoned all plans for a fuller household. I think he… I… would’ve enjoyed a little sister like Eris, though.
“Maybe when you’re Appraised you’ll find out you’re a tiger, too.” She drags a chair into place beside me and kneels on the padded seat. Together, we continue staring outside. “When’s Papa supposed to come back again? I thought he was gonna take you to the Appraising place after lunch.”
“Yeah… he was.”
I prop my elbow on the windowsill and rest my chin in my palm. Seems the patience and wisdom of a 30-year-old Earthling flee when I need them the most. Outside, the townsfolk putter to and fro, basking in the springtime sun. My fingers drum an impatient beat against my cheek.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“You don’t look excited.” Eris turns worried eyes my way. “What’s wrong?”
“Hm? Oh…” I suck in a breath and let it out slow. I’m her big brother, but I have enough life experience to be her father. Acting sullen over a few hours’ wait sets a poor example. “Nothing. That’s just my thinking face. I wonder what Affinity I’ll be is all.”
“Me, too! Mama and Papa are Dawn-types, so I think we’ll also be Dawns.”
Her eyes glitter at the prospect. I can’t help smiling. Yeah… Dawn-type would suit her fiery tiger-shapeshifter alter ego quite well, huh? We both know there’s no proven tie between genetics and Affinity, but I won’t burst her bubble.
Anyway, I hope she’s wrong.
My understanding of Affinities is basic as any other twelve-year-old’s. It’s common knowledge, though, that Dawn and Dusk alignments affect a person’s inclination towards certain magical schools. The world’s greatest practitioners of healing magic, Grand White Mages, are Dusks. Dawn-type White Mages exist, but one presumes the journey from wannabe to actual healer is more difficult for them.
Eris’ fingers close on my arm. She shakes me hard, scattering my thoughts.
“Bwuh?”
“Irmán, look! It’s Papa! Papa’s home, you can go now!”
I bolt upright in my seat. Indeed, our father stands waving at us from the road, wearing a big grin on his face and a bigger sea serpent around his shoulders. So that’s what took him so long…
“Race ya.” Eris tugs on my shirt and bolts for the door. I scramble after her, chair skidding behind me.
“Hey, careful! You’ll fall down the stairs!”
“I’m a tigress,” she calls back, halfway down the first flight when I reach the top step. “We always land on our feet!”
Well, at least she’s using the handrail.
We hit the first floor, cut through the sitting room and round a corner for the front door. The foyer’s a short, narrow thing, just big enough to fit two excitable kids, their monster-slaying dad, and the remains of one such monster. I know because space runs short once he unlocks the door and shoulders his way through.
“Welcome home, Papa. Can I put the snake on the table?”
Argin laughs, ruffles her hair. “This old girl’s too heavy for you, I’m afraid. Sorry to keep you two waiting--had a li’l trouble tugging her outta Grandpa Rhys’ pool.”
“You always end up getting rid of monsters for Grandpa Rhys… can’t someone else do it sometimes?” Eris sighs, closing the door behind him. Her cheeks puff out when she frowns. “Besides, Grandpa Rhys isn’t even a real grandpa. Everyone just calls him that.”
“Hey, hey. They call him that because he’s old, and sometimes old folks need help.”
Father’s voice is serious as he heads for the kitchen, my sister in tow. I flank him, struggling with my growing impatience, and help lay the serpent on the kitchen counter. Eris makes an ooh-ing sound and strokes its smooth, blue hide.
“One day I won’t be yanking sea monsters outta ponds with my bare hands anymore,” Argin says, rinsing them under the tap. “When that day comes, I’ll have to count on the kindness of friends and neighbours, too. What goes around comes around. Be good to people, and someday someone will return the favour.”
He sighs, shakes his hands dry. Then he gives the sea monster’s corpse a loud pat.
“I figure we’ll leave this beauty for your mother to chop up. Hmm… Anyone here feeling fried sea serpent tonight?”
“Ew, no!”
Eris screws up her face, and we share a good laugh. Sea serpent tastes like rubber at best. No, Katria’s gonna sell the pieces to the local Summoners’ Association, where they’ll be turned into food. Sea serpent jerky seems popular with familiars nowadays.
“Well.” Argin rests a large hand on my shoulder. “Your mother won’t be home ‘til 16:00, and I can’t darn well leave you all by yourself. What d’you say we all go together to the Appraiser’s office?”
Eris’ blue eyes widen to saucers.
“Can I really come?”
“Don’t see why not.” Argin's mouth splits into a broad grin. ”Think of it like a preview for your own future Appraisal. Go, throw on some proper clothes and a good pair of shoes. No sandals! The big city’s full of big feet, wouldn’t wanna get your toes stepped on.”
“Okay, Papa~”
Eris bounces away. Though my excitement surfaces less visibly than hers, my heart is most definitely racing. After twelve long years (and eight weeks, but who’s counting) the first milestone of my Ursican life has arrived!
-TBC-