As I turn four, my mother begins taking me on outings to the local market. The scene before me is like a vibrant tapestry, vastly different from the supermarkets I had imagined.
The market's winding streets are lined with small, tent-like structures, each one adorned with colorful fabrics and enticing wares that seem to dance in the breeze. The stalls are a riot of colors—vibrant silks, intricately woven baskets, and glittering trinkets on display.
Vendors greet us with warm smiles, their voices ringing with charm as they offer their goods. A woman selling fruits beckons us closer. The sweet aroma of ripe peaches, melons, and oranges wafts through the air, mixing with the scent of fresh vegetables, their vivid greens catching the sunlight.
My eyes widen as I take in the variety—woven textiles from faraway lands, gleaming rings and ornate jewelry that sparkle like tiny stars. The stall with glittering stones pulls me in, and I reach out instinctively. I hold one of the gemstones in my small hand, marveling at its color.
"What do you think, Aries?" my mother asks, her voice gentle. She smiles down at me as she places me on her lap, wrapping her arms around my waist.
I lean back into her warmth, feeling safe. "It's beautiful," I whisper, my voice full of awe.
She chuckles softly. "Maybe one day, you'll find a gem for yourself."
As we walk through the market, I realize something strange—there's not a single gadget or device to be seen. No flashing screens, no mechanical hums. The world is old in a way that makes my chest tighten, but in a good way. It's so different from what I imagined, and yet, it's perfect.
My mother leads me to another stall where a merchant is displaying intricate coins. She explains that the currency system here works in a way that's entirely unfamiliar to me.
"Ten bronze coins equal one silver coin," she says, her fingers brushing over a set of shiny silver coins that glint in the sunlight. "And one gold coin is worth a hundred silver coins."
I examine them closely—the intricate designs and symbols seem like they're telling a story, each coin a piece of this world's history.
With my mind whirling from the new information, I can't help but feel like I've only scratched the surface. The market, with its wealth of colors, sounds, and smells, leaves me feeling both dizzy and elated. But the feeling passes quickly, replaced by a deeper, quieter sensation. I start thinking about something else—my magic.
Later that evening, I sit quietly in my room, the light of the setting sun casting long shadows across the floor. I cross my legs and fold my hands in front of me, recalling the advice my sister gave me.
"To harness your arcane mana, you must first attain serenity," she had said. "Focus your mind and calm your body."
I take a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs. My hands are positioned as she showed me—thumbs gently touching the palms of my curled hands, the other hand supporting them. Slowly, I close my eyes.
For a moment, nothing happens.
I frown. "Why isn't it working?" I mutter, frustration creeping into my voice.
Then, suddenly, I remember my sister's words. "Serenity first, then focus."
I exhale, my frustration fading with the breath. I let my mind go quiet, like the calm of a lake after a storm.
My body feels still, but my thoughts race. With each breath, my focus sharpens. I feel something stir within me. A soft, buzzing sensation like a gentle breeze flowing through my veins.
The energy is subtle, but it's there. I sense it. My magic. The arcane mana, like a thread of light weaving its way into my very being.
I try to focus more, guiding the stream of mana through my small body. It's a delicate dance of willpower and patience. I've been practicing for over a year now, since I was three, but it's still difficult. My body is too small, my reserves of mana too limited.
I groan, feeling drained. "Haaaah... Haaaah... It feels like I'm losing all my strength."
But despite the fatigue, I don't give up. I know this is just part of the journey. Slowly, my control strengthens. The buzzing grows in intensity, more familiar now, as if the magic is becoming a part of me.
"Just a little longer," I whisper to myself.
The sound of clashing swords reaches my ears from the backyard.
Curious, I stand up, leaving the quiet of my room. I peek through the door, and my heart races. My sister, Keylith, and father are locked in a fierce sword fight.
My mother appears, standing at the top of the stairs. She smiles warmly and lifts me up, settling me onto her lap. I wrap my arms around her neck and snuggle into her, my face alight with excitement.
"Let's watch, Aries," she says, her voice calm and soothing. "Let's see who emerges victorious—your dad or your sister."
I watch as Keylith's blade flashes like lightning, her feet dancing across the ground, each strike precise and powerful. Father is just as skilled, his movements graceful, his sword cutting through the air with deadly intent.
The clash of metal rings through the air. "Clang! Clang!" I hear the sounds echoing like thunder. Keylith's blade strikes again, and Father steps back, grinning.
"You have a million years to land a scratch on me, Keylith," he teases.
Keylith responds with a fierce grin, dodging a swift strike. "Don't get too hasty, Daddy," she mutters, her voice low and focused.
I can't help but be mesmerized. The speed, the grace—it's all so incredible. Then, in a flash, Keylith's blade seems to shimmer with a magical glow, a gust of wind swirling around it, making her attack even faster, more precise. The next moment, she lands a clean hit on Father's arm.
Father stumbles back, mock shock on his face. "Hey! No fair, you can't use magic in swordsmanship!"
Keylith laughs, her chest heaving from exertion. "Who cares? I won—that's what matters."
I jump from my mother's lap, eager to congratulate my sister. "That was amazing, Keylith! You combined your wind magic with your sword—totally boosted your attack!" I exclaim, eyes wide with admiration.
Keylith beams, teasing our father. "Looks like Aries has sharper eyes than you, Daddy."
Father laughs, shaking his head. I grin, but then I turn to Keylith, curiosity bubbling inside me.
"How did you master your mana arcane?" I ask, my eyes shining with the desire to learn.
Keylith taps her chin, considering. "Hmm… I started feeling mana arcane when I was about six. It wasn't easy, but after lots of practice, I almost have it down."
She ruffles my hair affectionately. "You still have a long way to go, little Aries."
A rush of competitive pride fills me, and I smile to myself. "Hm, maybe I already started mastering it at a younger age than you, sister," I think with a quiet confidence.
Keylith eyes me curiously. "What's the matter, Aries?"
I turn away, my smile lingering but my voice steady. "Nothing," I say quietly, walking off with a newfound sense of determination.