Finishing Mana Core Creation (And Being Surrounded By People. Yippee. (This Is Also Sarcastic)

 "Looks like he is on the last part of Mana Core creation." Alfon exclaimed, telling Rowan and Grace, who perked uo hearing it.

 Cross nodded as he took the time to advise the other students.

 "Now, watch closely and take note. This is when the final part of crystallization will occur so you need to pay attention. Make sure your entire Mana Sphere fully crystallize as that is when it become a Mana Core." Cross told the students, though he hope the boy hear it and take note.

-x-

 'He is trying to help me.' Ardent, already beyond a 1st Circle Mage thought. He could tell the advise was both for the other students and for him. Not that he really needed it but it is nice and he will be grateful if he truly created his Mana Core right now.

 Ardent followed the instruction, though in truth he merely uncovered his hidden Mana Core. Slowly, his Mana Core made it appearance, replacing the swirling Mana Sphere.

 When he finished, Ardent opened his eyes and let out a sigh, repeating the same thing he did when he created his Mana Core, to pretend like he was elated.

 Sure enough, the two 2nd Circle Mage bought it as they put a Barrier around him. "Don't get to close unless you are a Mage or his family member." Catlin's father said. His Magic teacher let his parents in, as his mother hugged him.

 "Oh, my son is going to become a Mage. No, you already a Mage." she said, slight sobbing in her tone.

 His father had a wry smile as he patted his head, "I'm happy for you son. Maybe the life of a Mage suit you better." Ardent nodded, as his little sister decided to crash unto him, burrying her face into his chest.

 "Let's get back home." as the family of four about to return home, his teacher intercepted them, "Ardent, tomorrow get ready for a little talk about magic. I will make sure to guide you into become a 1st Circle Mage." 

 Ardent nodded, though his mind is a different story, '1st Circle Mage, I'm already beyond that.'

 As they were about to go return home, another person get in front of the family. 

 "Mister Rowan, Miss Grace, I will like to talk to you for a few second." Catlin's father said. His parents exchanged glances and agreed to the sudden request, letting him hold Runa.

 His little sister giggled, playing with her hands while the adult talk. When they finished, Ardent could see they have a complicated expression on their face.

 'Oh, looks like it's a marriage talk.' Ardent could guess the content of the talk, as there were no reason other than making an engagement or anything of sort for one of the strongest Mages of the village to talk to his parents.

 "Let's go back home Ardent. Rest first before thinking what you will do in the future." his father said as they walked back home. 

 However, it seem the journey back home will not be so simple as some of the villagers and his fellow students try to crowd him. Try as their attempt did not succeed with the village's Mages acting as a barricade.

 Something that caused both his parents to have a cramp look on their face, discomfort from being escorted by Mages like a big shot.

-x-

 When they return home, his mother put Runa into her bed, the little girl tired after following her parents to find her older brother.

 The three then sat down, looking at one another. His father decided to begin the talk, "Ardent, I'm going to ask you once. Is being a Mage is something you truly want?" 

 "Yes Father." Ardent's swift reply tell Rowan all he need. If he even falter a bit, he would have try to get his son to not become a Mage, even if it will likely backfire on him.

 "I wish I can help you more Ardent, but I don't really know anything about Mages or magic." Rowan exclaimed with a sigh.

 Ardent was not surprised. From what he heard, his family have always been a farming family for generations, not producing even a single guard or so he heard.

 Though, it seem such thing will change with him becoming a Mage. After he manage to become a 1st Circle Mage, Ardent had talked to Catlin of what Mages actually do. He learned from her that Mages are the strongest defenders of the village.

 With their magic, they can rip through a group of bandits and a pack of rampaging wild beasts easily, ensuring the safety of the village. While being a soldier for the village did not sound enticing, as it did not conform to the image he had about Mages being adventurers, he accepted it regardless. 

 Though, he wonder of how strong the Mages from the larger towns and cities, or nations. After all, while the village lack in term of knowledge of outside, it did not mean it is fully cutoff. 

 There still traders and merchants going through their village to buy and sell stuff, ranging from exotic ingredients to trinkets and toys. He wondered if he can get them to tell him more of the distant land.

 'Does this world have species like elves beastmen, or dwarves? Does ancient empire like the Roman Empire still exist or did it crumble? So many possibilities, so many new stuff to learn off. I can't wait to be able to explore the world one day.'

-x-

 In the middle of the night, the Mages of the village gathered for a meeting, regarding the child they just saw earlier.

 "So, you going to marry your daughter with that child?" Alfon asked Cross, who nodded.

 "She seem to like him, and I could tell interested with him, even before he form his Mana Core. In fact, they are close and always play with one another." Cross told the older man, as he regal the tale of his only daughter with the boy.