It was the day to hunt another boar for Mr Roswell.
Lucas and I reached the forest, capturing 2 lepus on the way deeper into the beast boar territory. The lights were dimmer than the outskirt due to the lusher leaves of the trees and smaller gaps between them.
It doesn't take too long before we finally see a the boar in our view. Both of us readied our weapons, proceeding with the plan we came up with.
Using magic, I conjure thin threads of mana, tying it from a tree to another making a simple trap to trip the target as it charge at us.
With a nod signalling Lucas to proceed aggroing the beast, Lucas pulled his arrow as far as he could.
With his right eye on the target, he took a deep breath and released it halfway, stop his breathing, stabilising his bow and arrow for the snipe.
The arrow flies straight at the pig, hitting directly into its cheek!
The pig growled and squealed in anger. It's two long tusks pointed at Lucas, quickly charging with speed towards him.
However, the pig was far from intelligent.
As he reaches the trap, it legs tripped on the magic strings losing its balance and fall over.
Due to its earlier momentum his face was dragged across the soil 2 meters from the trap.
Taking the chance, I immobilised it with magic and Lucas quickly shoots an arrow into its neck. The boar let out its final squeal before showing no more signs of life.
We brought the boar to Mr Roswell's workshop. Mr Roswell once again feel impressed at our hunt.
'Such a nice boar you got me. As promised, I will craft your prosthetic arms. Let me measure your arms first'.
I was really excited to get new prosthetic. And so we say goodbyes to Mr Roswell. The prosthetic arms will be done in a week and we continued our routines as usual the following week.
Oh, Lucas also brought me to fish at the nearby river (the same river they found me). We caught a big fish that looks like salmon, however its body is crimson red except its head which is grey. Its flesh are red pink, and oily. When grilled, it has slight flaky texture, and each bite forces the fish oil out, covering the tongue with heavenly savoury flavour.
Oh, that reminds me.
'Status'.
---
Name: Cassius Bloodfallen
Level: 5
Mana: 340/340
Attribute: Water (S+)
Talent:
Mana flow (A)
Mana control (A)
Mana acceleration (B)
Mana agglomeration (B)
Regeneration (A+)
Skill:
Self-regeneration
Mana Threads
---
None of my talent or skills changes. Only my level. It seems that my level increases my strength a bit and I feel like I can think faster. Maybe it's just me? And I noticed something strange that wasn't there before.
System. I don't understand what it is, but I know that it have something to do with how I can see the floating panel in front of me.
Everyone in this world can see the panel after the coming of age ceremony. It is unnatural even though in this world we have magic. Who created this 'system'? Who wrote all of this? I can only assume it as something from God of this world.
A week passed by and we went to the workshop to collect my new prosthetic arms.
The prosthetic arms had different metallic parts attached to it coloured white and grey. The surface was smooth, and at the hole where I would slot my arm in, there was red lines decorating the inside, eventually converging into the single spot at the centre.
It was the mana circuit where mana can be channelled into the arms and into the palm and fingers.
Mr Roswell fitted them in for me. The prosthetic was extended to fit until just above my elbows. 3 black straps made of comfortable pelt of beast and metal buckles further make them fit really well.
"Mr Roswell... It looks really expensive. Are you sure I can have these?".
It really looks expensive. No way these are equivalent to 2 boars. I feel bad about it.
'Don't worry about it. I have these materials just laying around gathering dust in the storage from the days I work in the city. You kids have a promising future. This old man feels glad to help'.
Mr Roswell held my arms, telling me that he made it for me because he wanted to assuring me.
I channelled my mana into my new arm. Somehow, I can 'feel' touching sensation with it. It seems that the prosthetic has a function to feel pressure as I touches it with my other arm. However, I can't feel the cold air surrounding me. I am really grateful to Mr Roswell. I will be sure to pay him back for it someday.
I tried to move my fingers and it did. However, when I tried to grab a branch nearby, I can't seem to grip it properly as I always lose my grip. As Mr Roswell says, it takes practice.
We said our thanks and return to our home. With these new arms, it will make things much easier.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
***
2 years pass by.
It was spring when the coming of age ceremony was held. Different flowers blooms here and there, making the scenery sweet and warm.
A person who wore a tall white hat clad in white robes came to our village along with another person accompanying him. The priest brought a white crystal orb to perform the ceremony for those who had reached 12 years old or older if there's anyone missed theirs.
Lucas is actually the youngest member of the village before I came, and so he was the only reaching 12 years old this year.
However, the chieftain told me that I would participate too. Chief said the priest is someone he trusts and knew about my situation. Chief also said the priest can change my name in my status, as he was given the authority by the system. I think I sort of get it.
One might wonder why the ceremony of age done specifically at age 12? It's more because of only priests, people who have rare attribute of light can let others access the system. They act as an intermediary between the System and the people.
There's very little priests in the continent because even if one has the rare light attribute, they doesn't necessarily want to become priest. Naturally, they had to have a schedule to make things in order. The priest had already travelled across different cities and is now on the way to another, passing through this village.
The villagers gathered at the village square to view the ceremony. Everyone wanted to know what kind of attribute and talents do Lucas and I have. Villagers stop their trades leaving their stalls to watch the ongoing ceremony. Lucas, after all, was cared for collectively by the villagers after his parents passed away. And... Even me too. The villagers were nice people.
Although some are... Peculiar. Like the high Simon. People didn't call him high Simon because of his height. But because of ridiculous stories he told people.
Like that one time he said I was blessed by the God because he saw blue spirits surrounding Lucas's home around the time I first came here. He keeps trying to spread weird rumours in the the pub.
Okay he did saw me using my magic while I was playing with Lucas back then but the way he interpret them made me laugh so hard when Lucas told me about what he said. Perhaps all his stories have some 'based on true story' origin being taken too far.
Ehem. Coming back to the ongoing ceremony.
The thin, young looking priest sat under the roof, sheltering him from the sun. He placed the crystal on the table and ask Lucas to touch it.
As he placed his hand on the ball, the crystal glows in light green colour. The villagers watch in anticipation.
Lucas definitely looks really excited. While the priest shows a surprised look, and turned around to his companion and whispered few words to him.
The companion then opened his book and write details unknown to the viewers.
"You have a bright future, young man", said the priest with a smile. The villagers cheers for Lucas for the positive words the priests said.
Then, it was my turn. All of the villagers already know that I could use magic and it no longer surprises them. However, my real identity as the son of Bloodfallen was only known by Lucas and chief, and the priest here.
As I sat down on the wooden chair, the priest told me that the chief already told him about my situation.
He asked me to place my hands on the crystals, and as I did, it glows a bright blue. The status screen appears in front me.
---
Name: [Request to change 'Name' accepted. Change 'Name' from
[Yes/No]
Level: 5
Mana: 340/340
...
---
'Yes', I spoke in mind.
The name Cassius is no more. Now, I am free from that name. I smiled at the changed name in my status.
The priest then whispers to his companion, making him write unknown details into his book. The priest praises me for my talents and bright future, followed by cheers from the crowd.
The ceremony was then over. The priest proceeds to talk to chieftain about something.
Lucas came to me in a hurry to tell me about his attributes and talents.
Lucas had a B+ wind attribute with few mana related talents which around B and C ranks. He also had one skill, Primal Instinct skill at B rank. The skill does seems fitting for Lucas specialised in hunting.
Lucas have a really great attribute affinity and talent given that he was just a commoner that didn't go through artificial selection for good genes. Or did he? I don't know about Lucas's parents. Perhaps they were both respectable people.
While Lucas was still excitedly talking to me about wanting to use magic, the priest and chief approached both of us.
"Lucas, Bell, I have good news for you.".
Lucas and I shift our focus to chief, waiting for him to continue.
"You both have great talents and can get scholarships to study. Which means, you can study magic and other things at magic institute for free, all covered by the empire".
After a brief pause, he continues.
"You both have promising futures. There's so much to explore out there. And there's many things in the city compared to this small village. What do you think?".
Lucas and I look at each other, thinking about how to respond.
I personally wanted to learn magic. It was the first thing that I was excited for when I realised magic existed in this world. But it feels like I am still in an unknown world, and the village is the only place I can feel secure and safe.
Going alone, to an unknown place is scary for me.
'Bell, let's go together'.
As if he understood my worries, Lucas spoke those words.
'I wanted to use magic like you do and maybe visit the cities. But, emm, if you wanted to stay here I will stay with you'. Lucas looked at me with sincerity in his eyes, before shyly averting his eyes.
Right. Lucas is with me. My friend, and someone I can call my family. I no longer have to worry about anything. I am not alone in this world.
A small smile appears on my lips. With new resolve, I tell Lucas I wanted to go with him.
"I want to go too. Let's go together Lucas".
We told the chief and the priest our decision on the spot. Then the priest's companion wrote down more things into his book.
The guy accompanying the priest then came to us, giving both of us a ring silver ring with symbols marked onto them along with a pouch filled with some silver coins. The ring was a proof of talent being officially appraised to be used during admission into the academy and the coins was for the expense for our travel.
The companion who was with the priest then gave a small briefing on the academy as well as the subjects we would learn.
The academy is in Starshear, the capital of Noven Kingdom. The territory was directly ruled by the imperial family.
Imperial Magic Research Institute Starshear.
A grand name for the best educational institute in the entire kingdom. There are other institutes however this institute accepts only talented people with B ranks and above for their attribute or talents. They even give scholarships to those talented students who didn't have a good background unlike the aristocrats or wealthy merchants.
To put it in perspective, 99 out of 100 have E and D elemental attributes.
And for those who have elemental attribute between C to S rank,
C ranks made up most of them, around 8/10 from those between C to S.
B ranks made up the 1 out of 10,000 of total population.
While A ranks is 1 out of 100,000.
And S rank is very rare at 1 out of a million which mostly was from named families with deep histories and keep their lineage in keeping a generations with specific attribute and talents.
Given the rarity of talented magic users, the empire highly values them.
The academy is located in the neighbouring state. South West direction from here. It takes 3 to 4 days on carriage from the village to Flaron city, the biggest city in Silverstein and where we can use High Speed Magic Accelerated Train, a type of transportation that covers different routes connecting big cities to each other, moving on an extensive railways allowing fast and easy travel between cities.
It only takes around 6 hours journey on the train. The technological advancement in the city compared to the rural areas has a clear disparities. Of course, many technologies in this world uses mana cores of intermediate to higher ranked beasts which are not so easily available.
About the subjects that we will learn in the academy, since me and Lucas has no prior education (unlike in the city which does have Preparation Schools) we would have to learn the necessary subjects like Aeneas Language, Elementary Mathematics, History of the World, Basic Humanoid and Beast Anatomies, Introduction to the System, Magic Codex and Magic Programming and more stuffs for 2 years.
Usually people in the city will learn these earlier from seven years old onward in preparation school. When the guy starts to give out the list of subjects and explain what each of it is about I start to get headache.
This feels like I am going back to high school. Just thinking about group assignments, essays, and exams. I want to cry.
I am actually more worried about Lucas. Will he be okay?
Lucas face was stiff as if he can't even understand anything from his explanation.
Well, and so time passes by.