Author's Important message:
As I mentioned in the foot note in chapter 2 a day ago. The border of his ability has changed to approximately 10 meters in all directions. This is because my math suc*cough* I felt he would progress to quickly otherwise.
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Who doesn't want to attend the prestigious Spirit Academy but never gets the chance?
The one who breaks the silence is Haux who dashes to my chest in excitement and happiness. Causing us both to fall over, but the pain doesn't register.
'The Spirit Academy!!!'
Dad, seeing our stunned faces laughs loudly.
"Hahahah pick up your jaws will you? I said he has been given a chance. He still needs to take a test in reading comprehension and mathematics. And Haux will also have to take a test."
Hearing his words I finally get my grip on reality.
'Reading comprehension? Can I do it?'
Yet even when thinking this my whole body is shaking with excitement.
Haux is also looking at dad with sparkling eyes. The only reason he wants to go to the academy is for my sake. But when it includes showing of his might... well, having seen his mock battles with Felix I know he loves it.
"But.. but? What? How could you do something like that?! You know he can't read! Why?... CHARLES?! STOP LAUGHING!"
Only now did mom wake up from her daze. Seeing dad laughing while she's panicking she snapped at him.
"But Emma, he can read."
Dad says with a beaming smile. When he said this everyone in the room turned their eyes towards me. Even Clair, the usually too pride full to care Spirit turned her head towards me.
"Mom, I can only read a littl.."
Before being able to finish my mom breaks down crying. Screaming at dad how he could've hidden such a thing.
Turning my head towards Haux, I smile a smile so big my cheeks hurt.
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(Change of perspective)
12 hours before the news, in the City of Neer. Inside an office located on the top floor of a gigantic golden palace stands a man. The palace is decorated with thousands of carvings symbolising majestic creatures such as Dragons, Unicorns, Giants and winged humanoids.
The middle aged man is wearing a light blue cloak with mysterious inscriptions seemingly making the surrounding air distort. In his hands is a letter with a silver stamp.
"So Jamie finally wants to cash in that favor huh? But to want his servant's son to get a chance to enter the Academy... either he has gone senile or the boy is... heh, seems like things just got interesting."
After the crazy middle aged man finished talking with himself he suddenly flicked his sleeve.
Not even a second after moving his arm a three meter long crack in space appear in front of him.
The dark crack suddenly widens sucking in all light in the room.
But inside the pure black rift a creature slowly emerge, shining so brightly the room lights up like a firework.
A second later a leg made out of blazing fire steps out of the rift. Following the leg of fire is a head. A head completely made out of flames, with two seemingly inter-dimensional white horns shining with an otherworldly aura.
"Aurora, I want you to inform our old gang that fourth bro is sending not one but possibly two sons this year."
The majestic raindeer Spirit bows its head before turning around disappearing along with the black rift in space.
The middle aged man, not in the least affected by the appearance of such a being slowly walks to the window of his office. With a view over the entire city of Neer he smiles while muttering.
"You sly fox, so your second son didn't die after all... to hide him even from us five brothers you really need a spanking, hahahahaah!"
The crazy middle aged man continued to laugh like a mad man, scaring the birds who where silently resting on top of the palace roof.
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(Nero's perspective)
After the discussion with my family I decided to go on a walk with Haux on my shoulder.
The invited Chosens living in the Xeria Empire are all gathering in the capital two months from now.
Aspel is fairly close to the capital, so by riding a carriage I can probably get there in 4 weeks, 3 if I hurry.
But I'm first going to the city of Neer to take the tests. Which is why I leave tomorrow morning.
My little sister got an invitation from Eric to travel with him, which she immediately accepted. I guess there is some kind of charm a rich boy like him possess.
Not even noticing it I entered the merchant area of Aspel. Stopping in the middle of the street I breathe in with my nose.
The smell of freshly cut timber mixes with the smell of fresh food sold on the stands around me, all of which completely consumes my senses.
I've never noticed how much I love this town. I was always hurrying, hurrying not to be seen, not to be pitied.
But now? I'm leaving towards the Spirit Academy!
I heard from dad that from Aspel there is only a total of 4 people including me who will be going to the Spirit Academy. That's four out of approximately 200 six year olds!
That's two percent!
If every township in the Xeria Empire sends four children there is already over 200 students! And that's not included the countless villages, cities and the capital!
Feeling my hands sweating and my pulse rising I smile a bright smile.
Not noticing all the citizens staring at me in shock, I continue my walk.
...
The day passed without me noticing and before I knew it I was back at home.
Sitting by the table in the kitchen I sense my surroundings.
Mom is crying while setting the table. Dad is reading the newspaper and Haux is flying around happier than ever with a cat grabbe... Is that Clair?
Quickly forgetting what I just sensed I pretend as nothing is happening. But Clair's desperate hisses still echoes throughout the kitchen/dining area.
'Rina is so going to snap at me... oh... who cares I'm leaving tomorrow!'
I think while still smiling brightly.
...
My sister got home an hour later but I had already told Haux to let Clair down before she noticed.
So with a sobbing mother, a traumatised kitten, a sister not understanding what's wrong and two smiling idiots the feast slowly came to an end.
...
The next morning I woke up before Haux. Seeing him sleep standing up I decide to take my revenge for yesterday.
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A few minutes later I'm done. My majestic Spirit is no where to be seen. In his place is... el Hauxo, a bird with glasses, a "majestic" mustache and pink painted claws.
Looking at my masterpiece I almost combust in laughter. Imagining his usually serious eyes combined with this... I almost stop breathing.
'Hahahahahah haahhh, I'm so glad my ability has improved... this is why I'm practicing everyday.'
I think to myself holding my tummy in a desperate attempt to not wake him up by laughing.
"Nero, Haux! We are leaving soon, wake up and get something to eat!"
Flinching I check if Haux woke up...
'He did...'
Haux is looking at me with a questionable look as if asking why I'm standing in front of him with a pink pencil in my hand.
...
Then he notices them, the pink claws.
Sensing Haux freeze on the spot I finally let out my laughter.
"PHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAA EL HAUXO HAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH..."
Haux, understanding what has been done to him looks at me with a bit of killing intent in his gaze... yet... combined with his mustache and glasses... I completely collapse in laughter.
Kneeling on the floor I try to control my laughter to breathe. But each time I almost grasp it, his expression pops up into my head...
'Haahhhh, El Hauxo...'
Haux has long ago started ignoring me but I can sense a few of his feathers sticking up in irritation.
Taking a last laugh I stand up and walk towards my personal bathroom... while occasionally letting out a small laugh.
Finding a small cloth I drench it in water before returning to Haux.
While wiping away my masterpiece with a smile, I sense Haux's expression.
'You will pay for this.'
Is the thought that pops up in my head when sensing his expression. Smiling faintly I turn my face towards him.
"Hahh that's what you get for pecking my forehead to wake me up."
He does a bird shrugg (yeah it's a bird shrugg). Before looking at the wet cloth with a tint of expectation.
My smile widens slightly before I start cleaning his feathers as well.
...
A few minutes later I'm finished. Haux is lying on my bed, asleep with pure bliss clearly written on his bird face.
I quickly change out of my pyjamas and head down towards the kitchen.
...
Inside the kitchen is my whole family. Everyone are gathered around the small table located in the middle of the far too large dining room.
My mom is looking at me with both pride and sadness on her face. Dad is already drinking his morning coffee while Rina is combing the fur on Clair. Even Caden has skipped morning training to send me off. He looks at me with such a big smile you almost wonder who it is that's going to the Spirit Academy.
"Good morning little bro', where is Haux?"
Caden says while looking at my shoulder.
"He is still sleeping."
I answer with a smile.
Sitting down I immediately start eating. My mom speaks enough for the five of us as she repeatedly reminds me to send letters and visit when I have time off.
I answer everything with a nod and a smile. Afraid that my voice will crack if I speak, my mom just means to much to me.
When the clock turns nine my father suddenly stands up.
"Okay, we've delayed this far enough, we don't have all the time in the world."
He says the last part while facing mom who nods weakly.
"What about my luggage?"
I ask while putting a freshly baked piece of bread in my pocket.
"We have decided to buy you new clothes, as you are going to grow taller during these upcoming years. You only need to pack a few clothes to change into during the travel towards the academy. We will send the rest."
Answers my mom while looking at my pocket with a smile on her face.
Not knowing what to say I head towards my room to pick up Haux and some clothes.
...
Entering my room I spread my ability so it covers every corner. Quickly gathering everything I need I turn towards Haux.
"Wake up we're leaving!"
I say while shaking him gently.
Haux immediately awakes and without any delay jumps onto my shoulder.
Giving him the freshly baked bread, he quickly starts gobbling it down.
With a backback full of clothes and a bird on my shoulder I head towards my dad.
...
Outside I quickly sense my dad talking with a horse carriage driver.
Walking up to them I greet the driver named Jon.
Talking with him I have my eyes opened facing his face. Jon doesn't notice I'm blind at first but when he does I sense him frown.
I'm used to it so it doesn't bother me but a low voltage lightning bolt from Haux eased my heart a little bit anyways.
Giving the slightly frightened Jon my luggage I step into the wagon. My family is gathered outside waving me and my dad off. Even Rina is there looking at me indifferently, but her just being here still feels kind of good.
With a smile on my face I hug Haux who is sitting in my lap lightly.
'The first time leaving Aspel... I wonder how the outside world looks like."
With a lash from the whip we head off!
'To Neer!'
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On a balcony of the Silver estate are two figures silently watching the carriage leave through the gates.
"Do you really believe he can read?"
The woman asked, breaking the silence.
"Charles has been with me throughout my life, he has never lied to me. It doesn't matter if I believe he can read or not. I believe Charles."
The tall, golden haired man answers indifferently.
A long silence envelopes the two until the woman once again asks.
"Have you noticed he doesn't use a stick when he's at home? He even knows where the carriage door is located.. could it be tha..."
Before finishing speaking the middle aged man interrupts her.
"It doesn't matter, what's done is done. He is not our son anymore."
The golden haired man says with strong resolve clear in his voice, but looking closely enough you could see his hands clenching until his knuckles turn white...
Author's Note:
Okay, the journey has officially started. I want to take this chance to thank you all for your wonderful comments. You may not know this but it really fills me with energy to write even more.
This chapter is slightly longer than the previous ones. So don't blame me if I use tomorrow to stock up on more chapters!
Thanks for reading!