(971 AO)

Winter. Cold and dark, sometimes scary and gloomy. Less food to go around, But more things to do outside, places to go, and things to celebrate. One of these things to celebrate is my birthday. For the last 11 years, I wouldn’t get an elaborate feast or a new sword. But this year, this year is different. My, and my brother’s 12th birthday; on a kid's 12th birthday they are appraised for their magical affinities, then get to choose which school they go to (most anyway). They have 2 options: they can either go to the capital for a more diverse skill set of teaching, covering all 4 elements. Or, they can go to their respective elements set. If you have ice shards, water shards, or both, you would go to the moon faction’s school, or the Capital’s. If you had Fire shards, Earth shards, or both, you would go to the sun faction’s school, or the Capital’s. If you had 4 kinds of shards you could pick which school to go to, but it’s recommended to go to the capital to study.

It’s the morning of our birthday and I could only feel excitement flowing through my body, finally getting appraised for my magic and being able to help people with the research I’ve done. The doctor that I was reading papers from had two Ice magic shards. It's rare to get two of the same shards, and I’m not sure if I could pull off what he did with only one.

“Yeg! Come down. it’s time for your appraisal!” My mom seemed overly excited for an event like this, but I was equally as excited so I couldn’t complain.

“Coming, Mom!”

Before I could even open my door I could hear my entire family gasp, I ran downstairs as soon as possible, stumbling over my pants that were halfway up.

“Oh my Lord.” My dad never says that, even though he is the most disrespectful person I know; He never dares to say the Lord's name in vai- 

“WHAT” As soon as I got downstairs, that’s all I could say. My brother had 4 Ice Crystal Shards in his appraisal Orb. But not only that, he had another shard. A fifth one in the center of the other 4, an unseen symbol: A lightning bolt.

My brother's face lit up, “Lets see you get That Yeguru.”

I was already angry and now he says my full name. “I thought I told you not to say my full name Kairen.”

Looking away he says, “No, I’m not gonna.” He was… Talking.. to himself, not to me, not in response. Just to.. Himself.

I decided to say something about it. “Kai what are you talking about right now? We are 12 years old, I think we are a little grown up for imaginary friends…”

“SHUT UP BOOKWORM. I’m not listening to a peasant like you.”

“Oh shut up, I’m just going to do my appraisal now, and you can make fun of me after.”

I put my hand on the shining glass orb, hoping I could get at least two Ice shards. The orb started to glow even more violently, growing and growing until it stopped, with 3 shards left behind. Two Water, and 1 Ice.

“No, I- I. Maybe I can still do it, Maybe.. I can still help people?” I took my hand off the orb and slowly backed up, disappointed, but filled with determination. But my brother still had something to say:

He gave his annoying little smirk again, a smile I can’t get out of my head, no matter how hard I try, “Look. at. that. Disappointing Yegu only got 3 shards,” While pacing back and forth.

“Oh shut up Kai.” Clicking my tongue.

“yeah shut up.” With Kai, again not talking to me; but instead talking to himself.

Then, my mom started talking. “Ok boys, Time to pick which school you want to go to. But, Kai, I recommend you go to the capital, I’ll pay for everything, don't worry. You should learn as much as possible about this new power of yours, and.. Yegu…” Looking at me, disgusted. “I don’t care where you go, as long as it’s not here.”

I started fiddling with my thumbs. “What? Mom, wha- what are you talking about?” I was nervous, scared even. She’s never talked like this before.

She raised her eyebrows. “You’re 12, which means you go to school, By. Your. Self. I don’t need to take care of you anymore, but.. I will take care of my little prodigy Kai,” Grinning while turning to him.

My dad had to go to the capital after my brother's appraisal, so he couldn't stop what happened next.

My mom continued, “Get your bags packed; you leave in the morning.” While tapping her foot impatiently.

I was so angry I decided to leave early, packing clothes, a couple hundred Velgon, and my books on Ice magic. I went downstairs to see my brother eating our cake without me.

“Oh! Brother you’re leaving early.” He smiled. “I just thought Since I got a brand new power, you’d wait for the Ice Queen, who you are so very fond of, to arrive.”

I frowned. “Kai, I couldn’t care less, she doesn’t even notice me anyway. Why would I care?” Turning away to the door my mother yells:

“You better not come back, you disappointment of a son!” 

I opened the door to see an envelope on the staircase, next to a book. The note was signed: Fornoff (which is my dad). I picked up the letter, and the book, then started walking away from our 2 story house, knowing I’d never be welcomed there again. “Bang” The door was slammed shut, but I could have sworn there was nobody there to close it, I shrugged it off as the wind. I then opened the letter, Inside it was in his hand writing, squiggly, barely eligible:

“To The Birthday Boys”