Chapter 10 Part 1

(narrator) I've decided to skip the last 8 years of time and waited until our Christopher turned 13. So, the date is the 21st of November 261. Heddwyn has gathered the three kids inside the fixed training hall and... holy shit! These three little tots are turning into quite the lookers.

Let's start with Heather. Age 15 and she has seriously grown into her looks. She has dainty figure, long luxurious blond hair always tied in a bun, and she has picture perfect facial features. She is wearing a vibrant green loose knee-length peasant dress and high leather boots, a leather bodice style corset and a vest with belt satchels filled with plant seeds and leather wrist bracers. She seems proud, confident and strong.

Next is Haider. Also age 15, he's quite the striking young man. His figure slim. His hair is medium length and stylised in spikes, complementing and extenuating its natural white colour. His scar is still very prominent in his features; however, his looks have blended itself into no more than a difference in skin colour. His right eye, nose and the middle top lip being a textured red by the scar, rather than his natural tanned white. He is wearing an opened button shirt with a loose-fitting knee-length pair of trousers with open-toed leather sole sandals, leather straps locked with a buckle tie around his calves to secure them.

Now time for Haider's accessories. He is wearing a medium-sized wizard's staff at his waist, holstered to him using an extra long belt that rises over his shoulder. Also tied around his waist is a blue pattered sash and a rope, for some reason. He is wearing two necklaces, one firmly fixed around his throat and one loosely drooping with three gold coins tied to it. And now for his most pointless accessories. Small leather belts around his wrists.

And finally, we have Christopher. He's 13 now, as we already know, and he's also a rather handsome young man. His figure is like his brother Haider, his muscles slightly less defined. His hair styled to be brushed up and out of his face with signs that he had dyed his hair, a dark blue colour fade from the end, turning brown halfway. Christopher has grown into a severely simplistic outfit. He wears a grey baggy t-shirt with three buttons at the top, black trousers, leather boots. The only unique thing he wears is a galaxy blue sleeved robe and hood, extending from his neck down to his ankles.

(narrator) what the fuck, man? I don't like the change. Turn back into little sprouts again!

The three kids stand before Heddwyn, their clothes being their final project before Heddwyn's announcement to them. "you three look fantastic, especially you, Haider. You really went the extra mile to make a statement. You could easily become a tailor with that kind of fashion sense." Heddwyn says.

Haider smiles with confidence. "you said my magic requires me to be creative, so I said why not take that to my style too." Haider spins on the spot, showing off his entire outfit.

"I'd say we all look extremely unique, but Haider took it one step further. this dress took me so long to make. Finding green fabric in town was a nightmare." Heather says.

"I just didn't care, not knowing my attribute and affinity made it hard for me." Christopher says.

"yeah, about that Christopher. I know your attribute. Ive known since I adopted you. We kept it a secret." Heddwyn says, getting cut off by Christopher.

"to keep me safe, yeah I know. I've been lying about not knowing what it is." Christopher says.

"excuse me?" Heddwyn says.

"you seriously thought I wouldn't know what it is by now. Ive known for around a year now. The horror of watching you getting hurt by me as a kid was enough proof as it stands." Christopher says.

"you remember that, huh?" Heddwyn says.

"I've remembered everything since I was six months old, dad!" Christopher yells.

"ok, now they you know. Do you understand why we kept it a secret?" Heddwyn asks.

"of course I do. The emperor takes control of every spatial mage born in Stocaea, and it doesn't matter how either. Hostages, torture, slave trading, hypnosis. You kept it a secret until you decided that I would be old and strong enough to defend myself, right?" Christopher replies.

"exactly right. Have you been practicing your abilities?" Heddwyn asks again.

"why aren't you mad at me?" Christopher asks.

"you finding out beforehand has always been a valid possibility my cub. Now, have you been practicing your abilities? Yes or no." Heddwyn asks again.

"yeah, why wouldn't I?" Christopher answers.

"show me a simple spatial mana attack spell." Heddwyn says.

"you want me to hit you with a mana drain spell?" Christopher asks.

"I want you to try." Heddwyn pulls out his short staff and gets ready with a stance.

"alright, if you say so." Christopher says.

"don't hold back on me boy!" Heddwyn teases.

"it'll be your funeral." Christopher readies himself for a fight, knowing full well that his father isn't simply going to dodge, and have it be over. He grabs his long wizard's staff, hidden in his robe, and points it towards Heddwyn.

"you were hiding your staff in your robe? How sneaky." Haider says, backing away from the area. Heather follows her twin.

Christopher focuses himself on his spell. Three rune circles materialise around the end of his staff. The front circle is the largest, containing 20 runes, the middle having a third of that and the last having only 5 runes. The circles are a dark blue. "fire!" Christopher yells.

"wait, what does he mean fire? There's nothing there." Heather says.

Heddwyn responds a second later and dodges seemingly nothing, now running backwards for some reason.

"impressive cub! You can control it already. It's not perfect, though." Heddwyn throws a single copper coin in front of him, and a loud explosion was heard. "don't think I didn't see that one too." Heddwyn spins round and throws another, another explosion can be heard.

"ugh, you're so annoying with mage sight dad. It gives you such an advantage!" Christopher whines.

"what are they talking about? I didn't see anything." Heather says.

"have you not been keeping your training up with mage sight? You're the only one other than me that can do it right now Heather. Pour more mana into it for now. Then you can see his attacks." Heddwyn says.

Heddwyn starts weaving a spell. It consists of 60 runes, split between five circles, taking on a sparkling purple glow. Christopher prepares the strongest counter spell he can think of casting advanced counter, consisting of 40 runes and 3 circles taking on a vibrant green.

"how is bro casting that level of magic? We've only learned basic defence, right sis?" Haider asks.

"Bro has been doing his own studying, plus he is way smarter so he could definitely learn magic faster than us." Heather answered.

Heddwyn yells, "time lock!" Christopher instantly cast his counter spell, dispelling most of Heddwyn's spell. "I can take a breather for a second." Heddwyn says.

"is brother frozen?" Haider asks.

"yes he is. But thanks to his counter, it's only for about ten seconds." Heddwyn replies.

Heddwyn grabs a kunai from his bag and runs at Christopher. Just as the time lock spell disappears, Heddwyn aims the kunai at Christopher's throat, winning the battle. "well done Christopher. you surprised me."

Panting, Christopher just grunts and walks away. As he puts his staff back into his robe, he speaks. "I don't understand how you're not at least out of breath."

"look my cub, you've only been studying magic for a year. Ive been doing this for 40 years. My father started me at 6 years old, remember?" Heddwyn says.

"yeah I get it. I just thought I would do better than that is all." Christopher mopes.

"now that's over with. I can tell you all. Come, sit." Heddwyn says.

The family gathers on the floor in a circle. Heddwyn pulls out three pieces of paper and lays them on the floor.

"what is this?" Christopher asks.

"oh, nothing really. Just application forms for you to go to the capital to study magic in a college. Now you don't have to-." Heddwyn says. He felt like he only blinked, but all three papers were signed by all three. "well, that was simple. You guys sure?" Heddwyn says.

"you trained us, right?" Haider says.

"it's only right to continue to study." Heather says.

"we will only be wasting your efforts otherwise." Christopher says.

They all smile at Heddwyn, and an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment washes over him. That is followed up by happy tears. "I'm going to miss you, my cubs!" Heddwyn says.

The whole family hug and Heddwyn makes them promise that they will write regular updates to him. "when you get to the capital, go directly to An Inn called Karthein. There will be a group there to care for you there. I have already paid the owner. They know who you are, so just say your name." Heddwyn says.

"heh, how long have you been planning dad?" Christopher asks.

"not me. Engilram set this up, when he went to the capital before Hilda passed." Heddwyn says.

"oh yeah. I remember. He came back with a potion and gave it to brother, right?" Heather says.

"that's exactly right. Now, get packed. You leave in the morning. Take these forms with you." Heddwyn says.

All three kids say. "we love you dad."

(narrator) shit, I got to remember. They aren't kids anymore. This world sees kids mature to leave the nest at 15.

"I love you too, cubs." Heddwyn says.

"is it ok if I put my room in my dimension?" Christopher asks.

"you can take all the furniture and décor but not the entire room. But do you mind if you did the same with your brother and sister? Just until you guys can afford your own home together." Heddwyn replied.

"yeah I can do that. Thanks dad!" Christopher says.