The Calm Before The Storm Part I
"It's so boring" said while yawning. The young man with vibrant black hair and sapphire like eyes was looking outside the window. Staring at the village streets. Just after he yawned loudly he heard the door behind him slam open 'BANG!'.
"Leandrei, what do you think you're doing lazing around? Quick get up and help me dry the clothes". Unwillingly, Leandrei Feindor complied with his mother while she left as quick as she came in.
Slowly Leandrei got up and proceeded to live his room.
Just after Leandrei left his room he came across his father Leo closing the front door to the house. Leo was 5"11 with a muscular body and something which could barely qualify as a beard. He had Leandrei's vibrant black hair, slicked back and wore what seemed to be peasant medieval clothes. He had dark drown eyes which some would see as black and had a towel around neck which he used to wipe off the sweat from his forehead.
"Oh Leandrei, are you about help Terza dry the clothes?". He walked to the right of the fireplace whilst carrying sticks in his arms and slowly placed them down.
"Unfortunately yes, if I don't help she will scold me and maybe even give me less food for dinner".He sighed and reminisced about the days where he was just a child, he didn't have to do any of these annoying chores. But now he was about to come of age at the age of 15.
In the continent of Bordas when boys and girls turn fifteen they will need to get appraised for their aptitude in magic. If you have a high aptitude , you will be enrolled in an academy and train to become a powerful mage.
Powerful mages are in huge demand because the tensions between the three rulers of Bordas are continuously growing. The Vermalan Empire where Leandrei lives is constantly having skirmishes on the borders of Zyron Empire which is in the east and Xilian Republic which is in the south. Mages are in high demand as there might be a potential war and they will be valuable assets.
Leandrei resides in the Farrell village which is in the north of Vermalan Empire and is close to the Northern Forest, which spans across the north of Bordas continent infested with rogue beasts and priceless herbs. Normal people and even mages tend to stay away due to its supposed danger.
However nothing has happened to Farrell village ever since it was founded a 100 years ago, so the residents consider it a relatively safe space.
After Leandrei got to his backyard he saw his mother again. She had long dull yellow hair with sapphire eyes, she had decent figure and a smooth skin which a commoner like her shouldn't possess. She could definitely be considered above average but not much more.
As soon as she noticed him she said, "Took you so long".
Leandrei went ahead and began helping her. While drying the clothes Terza look at Leandrei and said "It's almost your birthday huh? Just 3 more days and you will turn fifteen and would have to leave for Darrio to get appraised".
Darrio was the closest town to Farrell village. Once every year a mage would be sent to Darrio and appraise the new adults. This process was called the Appraisal ceremony, it would decide the course of life one will take in the future as the ones with low aptitude would continue living in the village. While the ones with high aptitude will enjoy riches and fame.
"I hope you have a high aptitude". She paused for a second and then said "I mean it's all about luck as magic talent isn't only dependent on bloodline. Even some nobles have bad aptitude for magic. If it wasn't't for this we commoners would have no hope. It would be like once a commoner always a commoner". Her eyes glistened with hope.
Leandro didn't reply for a while and thought to himself 'Magic huh? It's worthless to me, I don't mind living a calm village life I have been. Although it's boring from time to time it isn't all that bad. We are far away from the borders so if war does start we won't get involved meaning it's quite safe here' Leandrei thought himself.
"I guess you are right".