Fishing & Fire?

"What was that," Alaric said touching his upper back and looking for the image of the dragon,

"Anyway, now I have a new task to learn how to use this mana, I don't even know where to begin." Alaric looked towards the ceiling with a determined gaze.

'The night is still young, there's plenty of time to try something new,' Alaric said and looked around his small room, his eyes stopping at a small pile of wooden logs that were used for his fireplace.

Alaric picked up a few pieces and brought them into his bedroom, he stacked the wood together and made a small fire in his fireplace. The fire was slowly starting to grow, and the warmth was spreading throughout the room

. "Let's see what I can do," Alaric said, looking at the flames with curiosity. He slowly moved his right hand towards the fire and tried to touch it. The flames burned his fingers, causing him to pull his hand away.

"Ow," he cried. 'That hurt, but there's no harm done,' he thought, looking at his burned finger. Alaric was determined to find a way to use his mana.

He took a deep breath and focused his attention on the flames. He tried to gather the energy around him and direct it towards the fire.

'Please, please, please, work,' Alaric said under his breath, as he felt a small amount of mana leave his body The Dragon tattoo on his back started glowing a dim blue light protruding out of his back.

The wood on the fireplace glowed red and then the flames slowly started turning a blue color. The blue flame burned hotter, and Alaric could feel the heat radiating from it.

"YES, YES, I DID IT," Alaric said with joy jumping off his feet.

"But how,"

"Did I just do that?"

"I was so close, so fucking close to being a mage, a damn blue-flame mage."

"Wait," "I'm 5, and I was able to make a flame turn blue,"

"That's insane,"

"I wonder if there's a way for me to cast actual magic," Alaric was getting ahead of himself.

"Anyway, I can't do that yet, so for now, I have to practice manipulating mana and seeing what other things I can do,"

"But, how am I supposed to practice," "I need a goal," "What about," Alaric stopped his train of thought, looking towards his bedroom door.

"What about using mana, and controlling my body's movements," Alaric said looking at the pile of wood once more. He focused his mind and tried to gather the mana in his body, the Dragon tattoo started glowing. Alaric grabbed a small wooden log and placed it on top of the pile of wood, and stepped away.

"This should be easy," Alaric said as he tried to focus his mind.

"If I'm going to try something new, then I need to make sure it's perfect," He closed his eyes and tried to visualize his goal.

"I'm going to make the wood fall, and it's not going to take me a thousand attempts, and 3 years of my life, for it to happen," Alaric said.

"It's going to happen now," Alaric opened his eyes and a red glow could be seen surrounding his body, the tattoo on his back glowed a brighter blue the Dragon's wings slowly moved and the flames were moving rapidly.

'Focus, Focus, Focus, Focus, FOCUS!' Alaric chanted in his head and suddenly a small burst of wind escaped his body knocking down a few pieces of wood on the floor,

"WHAT THE HELL," Alaric said falling on the ground his legs were weak. "Did I do it, no, I don't think so,"

"I can't believe it,"

"This was the last attempt I was planning to try,"

'Maybe I'm just too young to do something like that, after all, I'm only 5' Alaric sighed and walked towards the small pile of wood.

'Well, this isn't so bad, at least I know how to manipulate mana somewhat,'

"But, if that's the case, then I wonder what other things I can do with mana, and why is it the color red,"

"Does that mean it's a fire or is it some type of air manipulation," "I'll just have to try and find out," Alaric smiled.

'I have a whole year before the war of succession starts, I'll make the most out of it.' "Now then,"

"Tomorrow I'll go visit my Grandpa, and ask him if I can join him as an apprentice on his boat,"

"He should have some books that I can read,"

'For now, I'll just have to rely on my knowledge from Earth, and learn about Plantenos more,' "And hopefully," Alaric said. "One day I'll be able to fly and use magic,"

"The sky is the limit," Alaric said laughing.

The next morning Alaric's parents woke him up, and the small family sat around the table for breakfast.

"Did you sleep well, son?" Gerrard asked.

"I slept fine, Father," Alaric replied.

"I have good news," Sela said.

"I was talking to your grandpa yesterday, and he said that he'll take you on as an apprentice."

"Really?" Alaric asked.

"That's great, I'll go visit him today,"

"He's probably at the wharf, just go ask the dock master, and they'll show you where he is,"

"Thank you, mother, father,"

"I can't wait," Alaric got up and headed outside, his eyes were shining.

"He's finally growing up," Sela said.

"Yes," Gerrard replied. "He's going to be a fine sailor."

Alaric's eyes were shining as he headed towards the wharf.

"I can't wait," he said, picking up his pace.

'I can't believe it, I'll get to go on the boat, and learn about the sea and the creatures in it,"

"I wonder what's it like, and how different it is from the sea back on earth,"

'Maybe I'll even get to learn some magic,"

"No, I'm sure there's a reason I'm not learning it," Alaric's mood deflated slightly.

'Well, no point in thinking about it now,'

'There's only one way to find out, and that's to go and see my grandfather,"

"I can't wait," Alaric's enthusiasm could not be contained, and he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. Soon enough, he arrived at the docks. He found the dock master and asked for directions.

"Hey kid, you looking for your grandfather," The man said.

"Yes," Alaric replied. "

Alright then, follow me," The man led him towards the pier where the ships were moored.

"Here you go," "My grandfather's boat is the one at the end,"

"Thank you, mister,"

"Don't mention it,"

"Go on then, go see your grandfather,"

"Right," Alaric walked towards the end of the pier, where his grandfather's boat was docked. As he approached, he saw his grandfather sitting on a crate, polishing his fishing net.

"Grandfather!" Alaric called out, waving at the old man.

"Alaric?" "I didn't expect you so early,"

"

Your mother told me she'd send you here, come, come, we've got lots to do,"

"First things first," "Have you had breakfast?"

"Yes, I ate already, but thank you for asking,"

"Good, that's good,"

"Come on, let's get to work,"

"I can't wait, I'll do my best,"

"That's my boy,"

"You're going to make a great sailor, And maybe one day, a fisherman,"

"I hope so," Alaric followed his grandfather onto the boat, and they began their work.

The old man showed Alaric the ropes, and how to navigate a boat. He taught him how to tie knots, and how to hoist the sails. Alaric soaked in every word, his eyes wide with wonder. He couldn't believe how much his grandfather knew, and he was eager to learn everything he could. The two worked side by side, and Alaric's grandfather was pleased with the boy's effort.

"You're a hard worker, lad,"