Days in this world were divided much like on Earth: seven per week, only with different names. Earthday, Fireday, Windday, Waterday, Thunderday, Iceday and Darkday. Simple enough; I didn't mind.
I woke up early that Earthday, in my fifth year. It marked the start of my school life. I'd be attending the village school.
At first, I'd been against it. Math, history, basic magic, swordplay — I could already handle all of that at a fairly advanced level. I'd rather spend my time studying on my own, on subjects I'd actually find useful.
My father readily agreed. "Our Revan is practically a genius. What's the point of sending him off with a bunch of brats? I'll teach him the sword myself, and you, Celia, can teach him magic. Math he can already do."
My mother was not amused. "What are you saying? You know how important it is for him to socialize with other children. He's been shut up in this manor far too long. His studies may be advanced, but his social skills aren't. Besides, he's been trying to use magic for a while now without any progress. Maybe a change of environment will do him good."
"But Celia, my love, it's far too early for him to use magic," my father protested. "You're a mage yourself; you know that sensing mana particles this young is unheard of."
My mother was right, though. I'd been studying magic from her books.
Mana in this world works in a curious way. It's all around us, but it divides itself into the different elements. Scholars have written many theories about why it behaves like this instead of as a single entity. Some say mana particles are born from the auras of the gods themselves. Others say each element leaves echoes behind: a great snowstorm, for example, would leave a large quantity of ice mana in its wake as it died down.
I found that hard to believe. I'd also read that ice and lightning mana are far scarcer than the four prime elements — fire, wind, earth and water. But that was a question best left to the scholars.
To use magic, you must first go through what's called the Awakening. Not everyone in Valentia can use magic; it's said only two in ten children ever awaken.
Scholars describe something called the magic gate. It isn't a physical organ but a spiritual one, with two doors: one on the back, which absorbs mana, and one on the chest, which expels it. Then there's the core, which stores mana particles, regulates how much it holds and releases the rest through the gate. As a child grows, the core grows with them, and around the age of ten it goes through the Awakening: a massive overload that floods mana through the body and carves pathways for it to travel. From then on, a person can direct mana as a spell requires.
Even after awakening, though, controlling mana is difficult. So every year there's an event called the Gathering, when all awakened children are taken to the temples of their gods. It's said that during this time the gods converge on a castle in the sky to judge them, and bless those they deem worthy. The god who blesses you determines the kind of magic you can use.
Beyond that, the information was vague. What criteria did the gods use to judge who was worthy? Did a god grant the ability to use an element, or only bless those who already had an affinity for it? I'd found nothing, and I was dying to know. I'd never laid eyes on the goddess of the Heim Empire, either. What kind of personality did she have? How much power did she command?
While I mulled over all of this, the argument about school ended in my father's crushing defeat.
So here I was, ready to leave home for the village.
The moment I stepped outside with my father, a chilly wind hit my face. We'd only walked a few steps when he spoke.
"Well, Revan, today a new chapter of your life begins. You might be a genius, but that's no excuse for arrogance. I expect you to be humble with your classmates and help them where you can. I believe that's the responsibility of the strong. If you want to be truly strong, never look down on others just because you're a little better than them right now."
Of course I wouldn't be arrogant over the meager knowledge and beginner skills I'd picked up. My father seemed to think I'd come far enough in five years to be tempted. Still, there was wisdom in his words.
"Of course, Father. I'll keep doing my best to improve, so I can become truly strong."
He smiled. "That's my boy."
After about half an hour, we reached the village plaza. Around thirty children had gathered there with their parents. As we joined them, an old man approached.
"If it isn't Kevin Astley!"
"Artras! It's been a long time," my father said with a smile. "I haven't seen you since you retired from the army. I thought you were living on the outskirts of the city, away from the front lines."
"It has been a long time. Five years or so. To think you were just a recruit when I left, and now you're the renowned Ice Fang, recognized by Her Divine Majesty herself." His gaze landed on me. "Oh? Is that your boy? So he's starting school this year too."
He studied me from head to toe, as if sizing me up. Then he seemed to remember himself.
"Where are my manners? My name is Artras. I was commander of the Wolf Knights, and your father's superior back in the day."
I studied him in return. He was tall, with long white hair and green eyes. They called him old, but his body didn't seem to have declined in the slightest. He wasn't muscular like my father, but he stood with a poise that left no opening to attack.
A hand landed on my head. "Don't be shy, Revan. Introduce yourself."
I bowed. "It's an honor to meet you, Lord Artras. My name is Revan Astley."
"Oh, what a well-mannered boy! Are you sure he's yours, Kevin? I find it hard to believe you could produce such a fine young lad." Artras looked thoroughly amused.
"Of course he's mine! My pride and joy — his father's looks and skills, plus his mother's grace. Mark my words, he'll be fighting off every lady in this village soon enough!"
He laughed so loudly that other children and parents turned to stare.
"Father, stop it. People are looking," I muttered.
"Stop it, Kevin, you're embarrassing the boy. And me, while we're at it." Artras glanced over his shoulder. "And when are you going to come out and introduce yourself, Lyndis?"
A small girl stepped forward. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Lyndis Alfield."
Her hair, a beautiful blue, fell to the middle of her back, and her eyes were a deep blue. But what struck me most was the powerful magic aura radiating from her. When those eyes locked onto me, I went pale.
"What's wrong, Revan?" my father asked, worried.
Still stunned, I answered, "She has a very strong magic aura coming from her body."
Artras's eyes went wide. "You can sense mana at your age, boy? I'm impressed. Indeed, my little Lyndis is highly compatible with ice magic. So much so that Lady Morana herself has already granted her blessing."
On Lyndis's hip hung a small emblem: a gold circular border, a light blue background and a golden character for ice.
So this is what a god's blessing looks like.
"Grandfather, that was supposed to be a secret," Lyndis scolded.
"And here I thought my Revan would be the one-of-a-kind genius of this generation," my father said, amused. "Seems I was mistaken."
"As expected of my little Lyndis!" Artras nodded proudly.
"Grandfather, please, you're embarrassing me. I may have my blessing, but I'm only a beginner."
"Well, being able to use magic at our age and already having a blessing is pretty incredible, if you ask me," I said.
Lyndis stared at me, caught off guard by the unexpected praise. "You're not scared? Or jealous because you can't use it?"
"Honestly, maybe a little jealous. You've done something I've been trying to do all year. But not in a bad way. I think you're amazing! I hope we can be friends." I felt a little embarrassed saying it.
"Tch! I'm going inside, Grandfather!" Lyndis announced loudly, and marched off toward the school building.
I turned to my father, confused. "Did I say something wrong?"
Before he could answer, Artras lifted me up and set me on his shoulder.
"Boy! I like you very much! Don't misunderstand my little Lyndis. She's had a difficult childhood because of her abilities. She has no friends besides her brother and this old fossil. Adults avoid her because of her enormous mana, and children her age are jealous of her early awakening. She's been so lonely she started trying to hide her abilities. I believe you're the first to praise her so earnestly."
He laughed happily and spun around with me still on his shoulder.
"Sir! I'm going to fall! I'm going to fall!"
My father just watched kindly as his son and his old commander spun in circles.
At last, Artras set me down and knelt to meet my eyes.
"Please be a good friend to my Lyndis, and support each other. School is a battlefield of its own, and it can be cruel to those who are alone. But even one good friend can make all the difference."
"Don't worry, Gramps. I meant to get along with her from the start. I'm sure there's a lot I can learn from her." I grinned. "Well, I'd better head in too. I don't want to be late on my first day!"
And I ran toward the school building.
The two men watched Revan's back disappear into the stream of children.
"You have a good kid, Kevin. I can tell he's very capable."
"Yeah, he is. I expect great things from him." Kevin grinned. "And who knows? Maybe your granddaughter and my boy will hit it off, and we'll become family someday."
"Tch! Now, now. I like the boy, but not that much!"
"Jokes aside," Artras said, "your boy's body is quite toned for his age. Have you already started training him?"
"He started on his own last year, so I figured if he was going to do it anyway, I might as well set him on the right path. But he's growing as a swordsman at a terrifying pace. He's already mastered every beginner technique." Kevin hesitated. "Honestly, he scares me a little when he gets into his battle mindset. You can really feel the killing intent coming off him. I suppose that's how it is. I can only hope to guide him to use those feelings the right way."
Artras looked at him for a long moment, as if weighing something.
"Say, Kevin. How about you let me teach your boy the Heavenly Blade Style? I have no sons or nephews to pass my title of Divine Blade on to, and your boy shows promise. Though I'll test him myself first." He smirked.
"You'd really do that? If I'm not mistaken, there are only three other Divine Blades. Are you sure you want the title to leave the Alfield house?"
"No. It's my duty to train the next Divine Blade of Frost, and I'm not getting any younger. My successor must begin training now. Lyndis has said she wants to inherit the title, but I think your boy might actually have what it takes to keep it. Whichever of them wins, the title will bind our houses together." He smirked. "And if that joke of yours ever comes true, perhaps more than the title."
Kevin let out a long sigh. "You just want to make them compete, don't you?"
"A little healthy competition might do them good. And even if Lyndis wins the title, your boy will come out stronger for it."
"Then I'll leave my son's training in your hands." Kevin bowed deeply to Artras.