"I will be taking your son, Aries, with me for the adventure," Drake exclaimed, his voice booming through the room like a thunderclap on a stormy night.
The warm glow of the lamp cast a golden light on my parents' shocked faces, and the air seemed to vibrate with tension.
"What? Mr. Drake, are you serious?" my father asked, his voice laced with worry and concern.
"He's just a kid, he doesn't even know about the outside world. How can he possibly handle an adventure? And as for magic, he's still so young...he wouldn't even know the basics," he protested, his eyes darting back and forth between Drake and me.
But before he could finish, Drake interrupted him, his voice confident and authoritative. "I have reasons, when we first met, I sensed Aries mana arcane flowing around him. It seemed that he has mastered his mana arcane. His magical signature is unmistakable."
The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the lamp and the quiet breathing of my family members.
My father, mother, and sister were shocked, their eyes wide with amazement. "It can't be, Aries? What?" my father exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and surprise.
My mother gazed at me sleeping on the couch, her eyes shining with wonder. "He mastered his arcane? Really?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
My sister's thoughts were written all over her face: "How did he? At this young age?" Her eyebrows arched, and her mouth hung open, as if she was about to ask the question out loud.
Drake's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, like stars on a clear night. "Yes, that's true. It's hard to accept the fact that Aries, at his age, has mastered his mana arcane. This even makes me hard to believe it."
My mother's face lit up with pride, and she smiled warmly. "He sure is my little warrior, alright," she said, her voice filled with affection.
My father's face broke into a wide grin, and he nodded in agreement. "That's what I can expect from our son," he said, beaming with pride.
They gazed at each other, their faces reflecting their shared joy and admiration.
As they looked at me, still sleeping peacefully on the couch, my sister watched me with a mix of awe and curiosity. "But how did he?" she whispered to herself,
A smile spreading across her face. "You are a genius, Aries. And I am jealous right now," she thought, her eyes filled with pride and affection.
Drake's eyes shone with conviction as he said, "So that's the reason I want him. I want to teach him more about it. He might become a future knight or a mage." The soft glow of the lamp highlighted the determination etched on his face.
My father's eyes clouded with uncertainty, and he fell silent, weighing the pros and cons.
My mother spoke up, her voice tinged with a mix of pride and worry. "I agree that he's mastered his mana remarkably early for his age," she said, pausing to collect her thoughts.
"But still, he's just a child. The world beyond this village can be unforgiving. What if he encounters situations that are too much for him to handle? What if he's not prepared for the dangers that lie ahead?" Her voice trembled slightly, revealing her deep-seated concerns.
Drake's expression softened, and he nodded understandingly. "That's precisely why I'm here, Miss Liora," he said, his voice filled with reassurance. "I'll be his guardian, his mentor, and his protector. I'll ensure his safety and guide him through the challenges he'll face. With me by his side, he'll learn to navigate the complexities of magic and the world beyond this village."
He paused, his eyes burning with intensity. "He can learn more, refine his skills, and mold himself into a knight or a mage who exceeds my expectations. I'm willing to take him under my wing and guide him on this journey." His words were laced with conviction, and his sincerity was palpable.
Drake stood up, his movements fluid and confident. He bowed his head, his eyes never leaving my parents'. "Please, I request that you entrust Aries to me for a few years. I'll teach him the intricacies of magic, introduce him to the world beyond this village, and help him reach his full potential." His words were a gentle plea, but his tone conveyed a sense of determination and purpose.
"Please raise your head, Mr. Drake," my father said, his voice filled with a sense of deliberation. Drake's head lifted, and his eyes met my father's, a spark of anticipation dancing in their depths.
My father's gaze held Drake's for a moment, as if searching for something, before he nodded thoughtfully.
After a moment of contemplation, my father spoke, his voice firm and resolute. "I agree, Mr. Drake. You can take Aries under your wing and train him." The words hung in the air, filled with a sense of promise and possibility.
My mother's face clouded with concern, her brow furrowed in a gentle worry. "I know, I can understand, but it's just that he's too young, honey," she said, her voice laced with a mother's instinctive protectiveness. My father placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and comforting.
"It's alright, honey," he whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "Our Aries can do it. We must trust Mr. Drake." His words were a gentle balm, calming her concerns and soothing her fears.
After a moment, she nodded, her face still etched with worry, but a sense of resolve evident in her eyes.
My father turned to Drake, a smile spreading across his face. "Very well, Mr. Drake. You have our permission." The words were a seal of approval, a green light for Drake to take Aries on the journey that lay ahead.
Drake's face broke into a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thank you, Mr. Dorrian and Mrs. Liora," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "We will depart tomorrow."
His words were a gentle promise, a commitment to take care of Aries and guide him on his journey. As he spoke, his eyes sparkled with excitement, and his whole demeanor seemed to radiate a sense of anticipation and expectation.
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I woke up with a throbbing headache, the pain radiating through my temples like a pulsating drumbeat. "Oww, that hurts," I groaned, rubbing my temples gently. Memories of Drake's unexpected blow flooded back, and I quickly rushed downstairs to find out whether he was still there or had left.
As I reached the bottom step, I noticed that all my family members were gathered in the living room, their faces filled with a mix of emotions.
Drake stood among them, his eyes fixed on me with a hint of a smile. My mother spotted me and rushed over, her face lighting up with warmth. "You are up, my dear boy?" she asked, enveloping me in a tight hug as soon as I stepped into the Hallway.
I was taken aback by the sudden hug, and my arms hung limply by my sides for a moment. I was confused, unsure of what was happening. "Mom?" I said, my voice muffled by her shoulder, as I tried to process the situation.
As I looked around, I noticed the packed bags and Drake's presence, and my curiosity piqued. "Mom, Papa, what is going on?" I asked, trying to wriggle free from the hug. But my mother held me tight, her grip warm and gentle.
Before I could ask more, my mother's eyes took on a faraway look, and her voice became nostalgic. "It was just like yesterday that you were born, and we held you in our arms for the first time," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
"You used to call me 'Mama' in your baby talk, and your Papa would duel with you, making you laugh with your giggles." Her eyes sparkled with memories, and her voice trembled with love.
I was taken aback, confused by the sudden trip down memory lane. "What happened, Mama? Why are you...?" I started to ask, but she interrupted me, her eyes locking onto mine with an intense gaze.
"Aries, do you wish to learn magic? Becoming a mage?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of hope and trepidation. My face lit up with a bright smile, and I nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes!" I exclaimed, the word bursting out of me like a dam breaking.
My mother's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at me, her voice trembling with emotion. "Go with him, Aries. He'll tutor you, teach you everything about magic." Her words were a mix of sadness and hope, as she struggled to let go of her little boy.
My father's voice was filled with pride and encouragement. "Be brave, Aries. Learn everything you can. You're going to do great things."
He paused, lifted me up. "Though I'm still proud of you for mastering your mana arcane," he said, his voice filled with admiration.
"how did he-" I was taken aback, surprised that he knew about my abilities.
He spun me around, my eyes spun with the room. "Stop, Papa!" I exclaimed. He gently put me down, chuckling. "Sorry, sorry. I got a bit carried away," he said, ruffling my hair.
My mother's hug was tight and desperate, tears streaming down her face. "Be safe, be healthy," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
"Promise me you'll come back soon." She held me close, her body shaking with sobs. I could feel her heart racing against mine, and her tears wetting my shoulder.
I smiled, hugging her back tightly. "I promise, Mom. I'll be right back," I said, trying to reassure her. I held her close, feeling a mix of emotions: excitement for the adventure ahead, but also sadness at leaving my family behind.
As we hugged, I could feel her love and worry, and I knew that I would carry it with me on my journey.
As I stepped out, my sister stood at the entrance, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "So, you're leaving, huh, Aries?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
I nodded, feeling a sense of excitement and nervousness. "Yeah, sis, I'll be back soon," I said, trying to reassure her.
Her eyes gleamed with mischief, and she grinned. "No need to rush right away to get back, take your time and get stronger. And next time we meet, we'll have a duel. You game?" she asked, her voice filled with a challenge.
I grinned back at her, feeling a surge of determination. "I'll take on your challenge, sister," I said, my voice filled with confidence.
With that, I bid farewell to my tearful mother, who hugged me tightly one last time. My father, who had been encouraging me throughout, gave me a firm pat on the back. My sister, still grinning, gave me a mocking salute. I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude and love for my family.
As I turned to leave, I set off with Drake, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. "So, now, where are we heading, old man Drake?" I asked, my face lighting up with enthusiasm.
Drake's eyes gleamed with excitement as he replied, "As we embark on this journey, our first destination will be the breathtaking landscapes of the Marden Kingdom." He paused, a smile spreading across his face.
"We'll traverse through lush forests, where the trees whisper ancient secrets to the wind. where the water sparkles like diamonds in the sunlight. And we'll settle temporarily in a secluded valley, where the air is crisp and the surroundings are perfect for your training."
As we climbed aboard a random passing wagon, Drake instructed the wagon rider, "To Xylaris, please."
The rider, a grizzled old man with a bushy beard and a twinkle in his eye, nodded his weathered face creasing into a friendly smile.
"Hop in, gentlemen. We'll get you to Xylaris in no time," he said, his voice warm and welcoming.