My mother’s brother?

Uncle?

My…uncle?

I looked at the man with a nervous gaze, trying to cope with what my mother just said. Now that I actually took a moment to observe his facial features, he had the same black hair and emerald green eyes as my mother.

He must’ve known who I was the entire time, and I was a clueless idiot.

Even though there was nothing I could’ve done about it, it still annoyed me

‘I was not expecting that.’ Rye said in my mind, with a light chuckle.

‘Me neither,’ I thought back to my familiar.

Zeph held out his hand for a handshake, “It’s nice to finally meet you, Falyn. Your parents and sister told me a lot about you while you were asleep. Awakened at the age of four? very impressive. I also heard we have the same elemental attributes. Wind and darkness right?”

I returned his handshake, playing along with his act, “Likewise, and yes wind and darkness are my elements.”

I was surprised to hear he had the wind dark elements as well, and it got me thinking of the spell he used to nullify my wind bullets.

It must’ve been some type of dark magic spell.

Interesting.

“Well now that you're up, and you and Zeph are acquainted we do need to discuss matters about the future.” My father said as he handed me some food.

I grabbed the bread my father had given to me and dipped it in the soup, “What’s happening in the future?” I asked, even though I was more worried about my food than anything they were talking about.

I hadn’t noticed it until I had seen the food, but I was starving.

Even though Rye was in my mana core, I could feel him drool at the sight of the food as well, ‘Save some for me.’

“Well more specifically, It’s about your and Myla’s future, Fal.” My mother said as she sat down across from me. My father sat next to my mother, and Myla sat next to me.

At her words, I began to worry, “What’s going on?”

She took a somewhat deep breath and began, “Well, your father and I have been talking and we have come to a decision. Myla is almost ten and she is close to being ready to attend school. Your father and I had planned to send her off to the academy in the capital once the time had come. We told her all this while you were asleep and she has already agreed.”

I looked at Myla, her face beaming with pride, “All I have to do to get in, is pass the entrance exams, and it’s smooth sailing from there!”

I wasn’t surprised she had accepted, she had always been talented, even shocking me sometimes.

I turned my gaze away from Myla and back to my mother and father, “That’s great and all but where do I play into this? I’m not old enough to attend the academy.” I stopped for a moment trying to think what this could be about, then I understood. “Do you want me to go with them anyway? But what could I possibly do?”

Zeph laughed, “This kid catches on fast, he’s nothing like you, Melvin.”

My father just smiled and spoke to me calmly, “Like your mother was saying, Yes, Myla is going to attend school. But not you Falyn, well, not yet anyway. It's all up to you, but your mother and I think you should train under Zeph, giving your similar elements and talents.”

I looked at Zeph from the corner of my eye, and the words he said before he knocked me out came to mind. I had asked him about the nullification technique he used and he had responded with, “I can tell you, but only if you accept.”

Is this what he meant? Had he known my parents would suggest this?

I stopped peaking at Zeph and turned my eyes to my father, curious about why he couldn’t train me himself and anxious about what me going to the capital would cause, “Why can’t you just train me here, dad?”

I was a four-year-old awakened mage. I might be new to this world and from the sticks, but even I knew that wasn’t normal.

I would stick out like a sore thumb.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

My father let out a sigh, “Because son, I feel as if I’m holding you back. I see so much potential in you. So much more, that if you keep training with me, you will never be able to release your shackles.” I watched my fathers expression turn glum at his own words. He wasn’t disheartened at me, but at the fact that he believed what he said was the truth.

I had been hiding my progress from him and the whole family in fear they would treat me differently, but seeing him right now and how he cared about my future and my progress I couldn’t help but realize how foolish it all was. I had been with them for four years and they didn’t care about me being a mage, and they didn’t treat me as their little “genius.” They only cared for me as a son and brother, only wanting the best for me.

“Don’t get me wrong, though.” My father continued, “I can still give you pointers here and there, and when you get stronger we can actually spar, instead of you fighting just my golems.”

I smiled, “I see, but don’t get mad if I end up beating you.”

He gave a playful scoff, “Yeah, right, like that'll ever happen.”

At this, my father's expression seemed to brighten up a bit.

Thinking about what he said, I pondered over the events that happened last night. I knew Zeph was strong from our fight, probably stronger than I'd guessed. If I could train under him, and in the capital no less, I would learn a lot about magic and this world. It’s an offer I shouldn’t pass up.

I couldn’t help but think he planned all of this. He showed me his strength knowing I would want to know more. Now he was giving me a choice.

Damn sly bastard…

I turned back to my father, “Even if I do decide to train under Zeph, is there any way I could see you guys, or could you come to visit?”

My mother cut in before my father could speak, “Of course dear, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Your father and I will be on Tri beach, there is a warp gate there so we won’t be that far away. Zeph also brought us some communication amulets so you can contact us whenever.”

Zeph pulled out three stone circular tablets from a bag and placed them on the table. He slid them one by one over to me, Myla, and my father, “Here, just implant your mana signature into these, then have the person you want to contact later, or in the future, implant their mana signature as well. This will allow you to contact that person from anywhere, no matter the distance.”

I inspected the tablet closer, there was a sky blue gem embedded in the center. I assumed this was where I implanted my mana signature.

I placed my index finger on the gem and pushed my mana into it. The gem glowed and pulsed for a couple of seconds then stopped. I looked around at my father and Myla, as their amulets did the same. My mother pulled out her own amulet and we all exchanged mana signatures so we could contact each other.

After we were all done, my parents and I continued discussing my future. Even though I was only four, they saw me as old enough to decide my own path, which I found kind of weird, but I quickly got used to it.

Now that I had the amulet, allowing me to contact them anytime, I didn’t see any problem with going to train under Zeph. Besides, his self-importance and dumb snide remarks, he sounded like an actual good person.

My mother and father told me stories of how he would casually join their party because he was bored, and always caused a scene. They said one time he got swallowed by a mana beast because he fell asleep in the dungeon. Thankfully he ended up surviving from killing it from the inside, but they say he smelled for a whole week.

They told me a lot of other similar stories and Zeph just sat there embarrassed, coming up with excuses for everyone.

The stories gave me more of an idea of Zeph's character and caused me to look at him in a new light. My parents seemed to trust him very well, with all the stories and jokes jeered toward one another, I could tell my father and Zeph had known each other for a long time.

‘He doesn’t seem that bad.’ My Rye thought to me, ‘I think we should go,’

‘Rye, you just want to go to explore the capital.’ I thought back.

But Rye did have a point though. Zeph didn’t seem that bad. The more we talked the more I could accept his personality.

In the end, I came to a decision.

I turned my gaze to Zeph, “I’ll train under you, but you have to promise to hide my abilities from people the best you can, I don’t want people to look at me like some type of freak.”

At my decision, Zeph let out a hearty laugh, “Deal! But I don’t see why, if I was awakened at your age I would definitely show off and flirt with the young noblewomen.”

“Well, I’m not as flamboyant as you Zeph,” I responded.

“I’m glad you feel that way, Fal. Zeph is a good mentor but please, try to stay away from his bad habits.” My mother chuckled. “Besides all that, I’m glad you’ve decided, we'll pack our things tonight and head out at dawn tomorrow.”

At my mother’s words, we all went to our rooms to pack out things.

I packed the many books I felt would be useful in the capital, then moved on to my clothes. My clothes all looked damn near identical, I was in dire need of a new wardrobe. I just marked it down in the back of my mind as something to do when I get to the capital.

‘Don’t worry I’ll remind you.’ Rye said

‘Really? That would be helpful.’ I responded.

Rye let out a chuckle, ‘Yeah, if I remember.’

After calling Rye a useless familiar, I finished packing my things and helped my family pack theirs.

When we were all done we had a very talkative dinner, and having Zeph at the table made it all the more lively. This was the last dinner we would have at this house so my father went all out on the cooking. Many aromas filled my nose that clashed well together, making my mouth water, and I made sure to save some for Rye.

The whole family continued to laugh and talk as we ate the feast.

Time seemed to move so fast in these moments. The presence of your family and loved ones really made everything feel right.

When dinner was over we all went to sleep. We didn’t have a spare room, so Zeph had to sleep on a makeshift pallet he made in the living room.

I was tempted to have Myla splash some water on his face while he was sleeping, but I decided not to.

I went to my room and crawled in my bed, letting my eyes shut on their own, feeling eager and excited for the future.