The Birthday

It was now a few days before Dayn's 6th birthday, and for the past few years, all had been quiet in their small village in the Northwestern common lands. Now that Dayn was tall enough, he was able to look into the only mirror that they had in their house.

Taking a look at himself from all sorts of angles he thought that he was pretty good-looking, at least for a 5-year-old. Dayn had his father's black hair, and his mother's hazel eyes, a semi-masculine nose, with black eyebrows to match his hair. He also had normal-looking lips, with a small birthmark below his right eye. His hair was also now at a medium length that looked messy, but still good.

On Eyr they celebrated birthdays every 6 years. Dayn had never experienced a birthday before and did not know what to ask for, so he only asked his Father for a spear that he could use, not even bothering his Mother with a request. The winter that they had so far this year was not very harsh, with minimal snowfall and cold, so Marcus had not had to close the smithy, meaning that he was able to make Dayn's spear.

A few days later and it was Dayn's birthday, where he was awoken by his parents relatively early, and as he walked into the kitchen he was surprised to find that Anne was there as well. It seemed that she would also be attending the celebration.

"Come and sit Dayn, I've made you your favorite, a breakfast sandwich.", Helen said.

Dayn pulled out the chair at the table and sat down at his spot, looking at the other three people who were now also sitting.

"Let's eat.", said Helen before they all dug in.

After finishing eating his parents called him into the living room to open presents.

On the floor in the living room there lied three different presents, when wrapped crudely and shaped like a semi-long rod, and the other two wrapped neatly in a box shape, one small, and one medium-sized. From the medium box leaked a tiny bit of mana, but Dayn couldn't sense it through the wrapping paper. As he looked down he couldn't help laughing at his father's attempt at wrapping what was presumably the spear, but he quickly stifled it as to not seem rude.

"Go ahead and open this one first.", said his mother, handing him one of the neatly wrapped boxes.

"Thanks, mom.", he said before starting to unwrap it.

Inside of the box looked to be a small pendant with a silver chain attached to it. The pendant's design was quite beautiful as it was simple, being a simple triangle with a deep purple color.

"That necklace originally belonged to your grandfather, and when he passed he gave it to me, and now I am giving it to you.", she said.

Quickly at the end, she also added, "Please wear it at all times okay?".

Dayn nodded his head and said, "Thank you, I love it." A sudden feeling began to rise in his chest.

After putting on the pendant he then turned to his Fathers present. As he picked it up, he noticed that it felt strangely light.

He then began to unwrap it revealing underneath a silver lustrous metal that had faint clear lines elegantly running through it. At the top of the spear, there was a wicked-looking blade that curved to the end. As Dayn held the weapon in his hands he noticed that it was perfectly balanced, and when we grabbed onto the base of the spear he felt as if his hands would never slip off.

"Wow.", was all he could say before looking at his Dad gratefully.

"Use it well kiddo.", he said, "While I don't know why you wanted a spear of all things, I think that it fits you well."

He then explained further, "The spear you're holding is made of Alchamite, a rare metal that I just so happened to have lying around."

Helen shot him a glare, but he pretended to not notice.

"Alchamite is also known for being able to handle mana exceptionally, while also being incredibly durable, there are only a few others metals I think that can match it."

"I also enchanted a bit of runes here and there on the spear, so it will actually grow with you as you grow in size.", he said.

Dayn breaking away from his amazement looked over at his Dad with teary eyes.

He had never received anything this nice before, and could not help but be overjoyed.

"Thank you.", he said quietly while wiping the few tears away from his face.

Dayn lay the spear down next to him, before turning to look at the last present. He began to unwrap it and as he did he noticed the mana leaking out from the box. In his excitement he quickly took the top of the box off, revealing a book underneath. Dayn looked down at the cover, reading it out loud.

"Light orb."

This was followed by an awkward silence, while both parents looked at Anne in confusion.

"Anne, we told you that we weren't going to involve him in magic until he was 7.", Helen said angrily.

Marcus looked on in bemusement but didn't say anything.

"It's fine Helen, besides I think the boy can sense Mana already.", she said in a soothing tone.

Helen looked at Dayn in confusion, her anger easing a bit.

"What do you mean I can sense mana?", asked Dayn defensively.

"Dayn are you able to sense a sort of energy coming from certain objects?", asked Helen.

"Yes."

After a short silence, Helen then continued.

"Then that book you are holding can you sense that energy?"

"Yes, I can, but just faintly."

"Amazing,", said Anne, "to think that he would awaken naturally before 7."

Marcus could be seen smiling in the corner wanting to rush over and hug his son for being so talented, but he did not want to face the fury of his wife so he stayed put until she calmed down.

"Then how long have you been able to sense this energy then Dayn?", asked Helen in a demanding tone.

"I've been able to sense for a few years.", said Dayn.

"Helen you've birthed a genius.", said Anne.

Dayn wondered how they would react if they found out that not only had he been able to sense mana from his birth, but he could also see mana as well.