2 Home

In the capital of the Rothederial Empire, a young girl jogged along a cobblestone path, her dirty blonde hair swayed in the wind. Strapped on her back was an extremely simple arming sword, with a wooden hilt and a very sharp and sturdy blade. She wasn't able to contain her excitement, as it was the long awaited 13th birthday of hers. Heather came to a stop before a large towering construct, the famous Script Tower.

Caerum returned home tired as it was the last day of school after all; not to mention that he now had to attend training with his childhood friend, Fulrian. The house he lived in was inconspicuous. It had a chimney, few windows and just about everything else one would need in a home. Entering the house, Caerum took off his shoes and threw his silk coat over the wooden hooks beside the door. Awaiting him was his father, a man in his early forties dressed in dirty green work clothes. He had ruffled green hair, indicative of his earth magic. "Welcome back Caerum, how was the graduation? Went well I presume!" Servin asked ecstatically. "It was good," Caerum silently replied. He was tired and was wanting to get some rest from the eventful day that was his graduation. "Hard day, eh?" Servin couldn't help but ask as he Noticed Caerum's hard disposition. "Y-Yeah, I'm just going to rest for a little while." Caerum staggered to his bed, all of this exhaustion was the result of his energetic childhood friend, constantly urging and pushing him around like a doll to be played with. Laying on the bed while tightly hugging his pillow curling into a fetal position, he wondered why Fulrian bothered with him in the first place. There were many other people she could have hung around with, but instead she chose to spend her time with him. With her type of personality, they shouldn't be compatible with each other; let alone best friends.

"What does she even think of me?!" Caerum contemplated.

Thinking of the future made Caerum sunk deep into thought. Now that he was a free, unemployed spirit not in school and unburdened. Maybe that's why his mother left him, to live a life free from the stress and responsibility. He didn't know much of his mother, only that she had abandoned him. With all these thoughts swirling around his head, Caerum found it hard to keep his eyes open. After some time, he finally let his drowsiness drag him into slumber. Servin walked in to see his son sleeping soundly, vulnerable and content. Caerum looked as meek as a kitten. Looking at his son's peaceful complexion, Servin felt that he had responsibility as a father to support his son, especially now that Caerum had just graduated and is at his most vulnerable. Servin couldn't take care of him forever. Knowing this Sevin prepared himself, he had long avoided the issue of Caerum's mother but he was sure that his son would want to know about this before he leaves. However, it would be wrong of him to just wake Caerum up now. He looked like he was having a happy dream.

"Good night, Caerum." whispered Servin.

Caerum felt a lingering pain permeated his head, his head laid bare on the mattress. He was still half conscious. Caerum tilted his head to the right, the morning afterglow shone through the windows, creating streaks of bright sunlight across the room. His thoughts buzzed around as he slowly began to gain consciousness. With a sudden realisation he leapt out of bed, hitting the floor with an audible thump. He had only intended to sleep in for a couple hours, instead he had slept through the entire afternoon. He was suppose to go through Fulrians' training regime today, who knows what she has in store for Caerum. Knowing her, it probably wouldn't be something too good, especially for someone like him. Caerum barged out of his bedroom, fully awake. He had to prepare for Fulrians arrival! She could spring up at his door any moment now. Grabbing his gray lined blue coat, the dull grey shade showing his lack of magic. He then rushed into the kitchen. The kitchen had a smooth, solid earth floor, constructed out of earth magic, being convenient for cleaning and better fire prevention. The kitchen also doubled as a dining room, a Sylvawood table decked the middle. At the end of the kitchen was the cooking area. There were pots, pans, ladles and other cutleries. Then there was the Ignis podium, a valuable circular magic item that produces a flame when mana is inserted. Caerum then proceed to chuck a mana shard into the Ignis podium, letting it reheat the remaining soup his father left for him last night. Caerum pried open the pantry to grab a loaf of bread and an apple. He was never a fan of food embedded with mana. Servin hobbled into the kitchen feeling a bit dreary, but awoken by all the noise Caerum was making in his panic.

"Caerum are you alright? You're making a huge rackus," asked his father.

"I-I" Caerum fumbled with his words as he was putting on his coat. "I, uh. Fulrian, might turn up any minute now!" answered Caerum.

"Calm down! Caerum, we need to talk." said Servin as he pulled out a wooden chair from under the table, settling himself into it.

He gestured for his panicked son to sit.

Following his father's advice, he forced himself into a calm state, pulling a chair to ease himself into. He fiddled with his thumbs still anxious awaiting the untimely arrival of Fulrian.

"Yesterday, I might have uh, made a mistake." Caerum said reflecting on the dinner. "It must've been a pretty bad one to get you in such a panicked state" Servin probed.

"Y-yeah, Fulrian has been forcing me to train for the silver wolf trial." replied Caerum.

Servin laughed and said, "Haha, Fulrian is a handful alright, but she has a point though. Becoming a silver would indeed be a great benefit for you."

He scanned Caerum's body as he said that. This might have been the only viable way for a magicless person like Caerum to live in this country.

"Now, I've got to tell you something. You've probably been wondering about this for a while."

Servin tone suddenly became serious, he felt irritation in recalling those memories. Caerum felt uneasy as his father was emitting an ominous aura.

"Your mother was a rare mage, specifically an Aqua mage. She was a free spirit, freely and unburdened." Servin locked his eyes with Caerum. "You've inherited her traits. Her flowing blue hair, her Azure blue eyes." a small smile formed on his lips as he recalled her beauty, but it soon vanished. "But, after you were born she left us. She didn't want to be burdened by any kind of responsibility. Abandoning us for her selfish dreams." Servin clenched his fists, "I fell into despair, I was just a construction mage. I didn't have the capacity to take care of a child," A pang of regret hit him, his eyes couldn't hide his emotions. "Because of her I…" He gulped the repressed memories and emotions down. "It's my fault that you're like this, I am worst father anyone could ask for."

Caerum remained quiet, unknowingly he had backed a few centimeters from his father. His father was usually a kind, caring and friendly parent. Seeing him elude in such an aggressive presence, he couldn't help but have fear grip his heart. Servin didn't continue talking, he didn't want to say anything more.

An awkward silence ensued as they shuffled uneasily for a few minutes. The Stew that Caerum left cooking started brothing up and spluttering. Having completely forgotten about the stew Caerum lurched towards the pot of stew. Shutting off the Ignis Podium and moved the pot to a cooler place. Servin stood up from his seat, it was around time he should be getting to work. He snuck one more look at his son. Things could of been worse for Caerum, but at least he had Fulrain. As long as she is beside him he will be fine. Thinking of this, Servin grabbed his coat and made a silent escape. Leaving only Caerum remaining in the room.

Having averted the disaster, Caerum turned only to find an empty room. His father left without saying a word. Now alone he nestled himself onto the table, quietly sipping his soup. It wasn't too often that he would be able to experience a lonesome, quiet and leisurely time like this. Ever since the graduation, everything was going too fast for him to keep up. He justed wanted to spend more of his time in leisure. Finishing up his meal, Caerum made his way to his room. Completely forgetting about the training he promised Fulrian that he was so stressed about. Caerum grabbed a book atop of his bedside table, 'Thundering Will' it read on the cover. The book told the story of Nivla, a powerful lighting mage that perished during the Frigid Desolations. He didn't have many things that he could do due to his lack of magic, strength and courage. So he liked to read books, he admired the legends depicted in them. When he read, it felt like he was alongside those legends. He didn't feel shackled by his inherit weaknesses. It was his escapist fantasy. But this peace wasn't to last, "Hey! Caerum! Come out! It's time for trainin." Fulrian without a moment of hesitation invited herself in. Totally forgetting that she was gonna take him, Caerum dropped his book. His worries resurfacing.