Chapter 1: The Neal Family | 1.3 Moving Districts
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Iris dozed in bed until her mother knocked and came in carrying a plate of small pancakes and a tiny bowl of syrup. Casey placed the plate on the bed and said, "Sweety, eat these and try to feel better." Iris slowly sat up and looked at the food. Addressing her mother, she asked, "Mom, what is your magic trait again?"
Casey sat on the edge of Iris's bed and answered, "When I was 10 years old, my magic trait was passioned attention." She brushed her daughter's hair before continuing. "It allowed me to use my mana to enhance my focus and stamina, so when I take an interest in something, I can spend more time and energy on it."
As Iris picked up the pancakes and dipped them in syrup, Casey continued to talk about her trait, "When I turned 12 years old, I became level 11. That's when magic enters its second stage, and I could choose to enhance my trait or change it." Iris perked up and asked for more detail.
Her mother elaborated that magic had different stages. Levels 1 through 10 are called stage 1. Levels 11 through 20 are considered stage 2. After entering a new stage, a magic trait can be enhanced, but each person is also given a chance to change their trait. "However, no one can control or know what new trait might appear, so enhancing your first trait is recommended."
Seeing her daughter's eyes twinkle with ideas, Casey caught her attention and gave her a warning. "Iris. Your magic trait isn't the end. If you hate it, you have a chance to change it later, BUT I want you to at least try to learn more about it."
Casey earnestly tried to warn Iris. "It's your first magic trait, and it should be the most personal attribute of you. Even if you do change it later, I want you to try to use your trait to the best of your ability. You never know. You might fall in love with it." However, Iris wasn't paying much attention to her mother's warning. Her mind was already hooked on the idea of changing her trait once she leveled up. Her mother left Iris's room after giving her advice.
Over the coming summer days, Iris's mood was mixed. She cheered up knowing that she wasn't stuck with her book mimic trait, but she was sad about the move. 'We have to move all because of me...' She thought while taping the last of her moving boxes. Iris looked at her mother who was standing in her room. Casey levitated a couple of black markers labeling each box with "Iris Bedroom".
Shifting a sigh, she was glad it was summer. Primary school was completely over, and she would start secondary school in a couple of months. 'A new school... a completely new school where I don't know anyone... At least, I can hide my magic trait. If I stayed, I would see everyone I know at the secondary school, and they would ask me about my magic trait.'
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Iris frowned thinking about it. 'They would treat me worse than Minnie.' She was certain about it since Book Mimic was an actual monster trait while Cat Charmer wasn't. 'Minnie...' Thinking about her friend made her sadder. 'Minnie also moved.' Iris wanted to message her friend, but she was too scared Minnie would ask about her magic trait. 'Would she stop being my friend if she knew about my book mimic trait?'
Iris pushed the issue away. 'Maybe later...' Everything in the house was packed into a rented moving truck. Her father drove it while her mother drove the family car. Iris watched the scenery outside the window. As they ventured near the district line, the buildings dwindled and a tall wall could be seen in the distance.
Iris looked at it fascinated. 'That's the capital wall.' She remembered learning about it in class. Not all districts had walls around them, but District 1 was centered around Texas's capital. Since it was the state's central district, a wall was built as an extra security measure.
Seeing the wall, her twin brothers became excited and asked their mother about it. She recited some general information about it, but then she told them to not be scared if they had to get out of the car. "They inspect cars and trucks crossing the district wall, so we may be asked to get out for a few minutes. You don't need to worry, and if that happens, you can ask the inspectors about the wall or their job. I'm sure they'd love to answer any of your questions."
Iris looked at her mother, and she was completely calm if not a little happy. "Mom, why are you smiling?" Her mother's smile widened further. "I was just thinking about my father, your grandfather. He used to work at the wall as an inspector. When I was interested in studying economics, I used to visit him at the wall and study the contra... I mean, the items being brought into and out of District 1."
As they drove closer, they had to join a line of cars, and there were men in uniforms along the side. Their father's moving truck was flagged and a man rushed towards it. Iris got worried, but her mother started laughing. "Mom. Mom. What about dad?"
She waved her hand. "Don't worry. That man in front of us is an old friend of ours. He even helped me meet your father. I'm sure he's just saying hello, and he'll probably come over here next." After a few minutes, he left the truck and came up to the car just like Casey had predicted. Her mother rolled down the window. "Hey, Jerry."
He smiled and greeted her back before reaching into the car. A bag of chips and a couple of water bottles suddenly appeared in his hands. "I don't have a lot of time to chill, but Mason asked me to give you and the kiddos some snacks since it's going to be a long drive." Casey thanked him, and he said goodbye before rushing off back to the sidelines. Iris relaxed after that, and their cars drove on uninterrupted. Eventually, they fell asleep as their parents drove to District 3, Dallas.