It has been an eventful journey— learning swordplay from Father and magic from Mother. Both have taught me some clever tricks to support myself in combat, or feeling, yes, that too was something important Father brought up many, many…. many times.

Sadly enough, the two of them both admitted while there was still more, I could learn and gain, the progress was steadily decreasing. I wasn’t as fast or as skillful as Father, nor as clever in the arts of magic, but lately, the learning had slowed to a crawl.

Now, let’s talk about my adorable little sister, Claire, who for most of my training became my biggest fan. She’d sit on the stairs, clapping wildly every time I did something spectacular, from cutting grass with a wooden sword to magical bubbles drifting into the skies.

There were also moments I thought it’d be best to spend some time with her too— playing hide and seek, chasing butterflies around the garden, or just causing commotions in the family home. It was rather a weird thought, and it couldn’t be my mind playing tricks on me but…

Every time my own core grew more refined, and my magic began maturing, the ability to sense others’ cores became more clearly.

Even hers.

It wasn’t anything special, but as far as my knowledge knew, for a human to grow their core, it doesn’t begin until the age of five, and for being nearly two years old… there was a flicker— small— but like a candle caught in a breeze.

I grabbed her little cheeks making a pout face with my hands.
“Listen here, there can’t be two geniuses in this household, understand? I want my sister to be adorable and avoid getting into dangers.”

Her expression was that of a laughing baby underneath those pressing cheeks. She might not have understood what I said exactly, but seriously she’s adorable.

Anytime she watched Father or Mother perform magic, she would imitate it, but with no core awakened. Her tiny hands would flail around with a furrowed brow, like a baby desperately mimic what she couldn’t understand.

The sun began to dup lower in the sky. I scooped her up and carried her back toward the house, her drowsiness melting against my chest, or was it saliva?

Inside, both Mom and Dad were in the kitchen— seated, whispering, their faces a bit too tense for my liking. Father, easing up on the tense expression upon noticing me, gestured for me to come.

I placed Claire down on the living room floor and brought some toys for her before heading to my parents.

The two glared with serious expressions. It was a bit nerve wracking, but I sat down, waiting for one of them to speak.

Mother was the first to break the silence. “Your father and I were discussing about you.” She stopped briefly, glancing at father, who insistently nodded. “We think it’s important that you be a part of this decision. About where you want to go from here.”

“Is this about my training?” I asked, unsure about where this was leading.

“Yes,” Father replied. “Your mother and I think you need a proper mentor. Someone who can do a lot better than what we’ve given you.”

His expression turned sour mentioning the word ‘mentor’. It must be rough having someone else other than himself to train his son. I’d feel sour too if I was in his shoes.

“We’ve taught you just about everything that we’ve learned,” Mother added. “But… even we have limits and a mentor with a different approach may just help you grow in ways we can’t offer.”

I nodded slowly, digesting the information and weight of their words as it was setting in. It wasn’t necessarily being forced upon to get a mentor, but a choice.

“How would we go about finding me a mentor?” I asked. “We’re not exactly near a kingdom.”

They both hesitated. My question might’ve sounded a tad bit grown up, but whatever.

“You do have a point, Ash.” Mother murmured, fingers tapping her knee.

Father sighed. “We do have a transmission scroll, though it’s rather costly to use, but even then…”

His voice trailed off.

Magic transmission? It was never brought up in the books I read, but that sounded rather expensive on how Father implied it.

They don’t know I already have a mentor, even though it was completely one-sided on the agreement. Still, the idea of meeting someone new— someone who isn’t a walking nightmare, does sound rather nice.

The two of them continued to go on and on about mentors and who would be a perfect fit for me— blah, blah blah.

I nodded along, grateful for their support, and a bit guilty for keeping secrets.

To my actual surprise, there were a handful of people who responded to the request.

Thus… began this horrendous mentor parade.

Shortly after, we were visited by a, erm, well mannered mercenary who for the most of the discussions between my family and him, were badge of honor for killing ghouls with a… you are kidding me? Spoon. He lasted one afternoon.

Next came a wizard from the northern coast who claimed to have studied in the arts of primeval magic under a “Archmage.” The next thirty minutes were wonderfully well spent, attempting to summon fire, only for him to sneeze out a cloud of glitter. Mom gracefully gave him a sandwich for the road.

This ended up being my life for the following few weeks, of nut jobs and whackos coming, and I thought there would at least be someone decent, but they all were just… weird.

That’s the best way to describe these folks.

My fifth birthday had come and gone already, and with that… my patience as well.

My family and I were all in the living room that afternoon— Claire curled up beside me, Mom humming while sorting dried herbs, and Father sweeping the dust off the floor with a broom. I’d say everything became a bit comfortable when no new mentors came by.

Suddenly, a knock came from at the door.

I groaned
Another one? Seriously?

Mother took action immediately and was there for quite some time. My senses for hearing weren’t sharp, but it sounded something worthwhile to listen to.

Without listening closely, a cold sweat broke across my skin, rising before reason could catch up. My stomach began to twist, and turn and the gushing pain felt so intense.

It was a faithful reminder that I… we… were just bugs in this world. Not knowing our place and almost as if the world would forget about the Astreas. Just like that encounter…

She’s… here.

“Please, come this way. We’re really excited to have you here.” Mother said, raising her voice in enthusiasm. This wasn’t her usual demeanor around people who tried being my mentor. With how long the search had dragged on, I guess she was clinging to hope.

I knew already. The woman who stepped through this doorway needed no introduction.

Teressa.

The looming subtle pressure surrounding her blanketed the room the moment she entered, as it was directly focused on suffocating me. Her sharp blue gaze cut through the air and landed on me.

“To think you were not just a merchant, but an adventurer too!?” Mother hastily tidied up the living quarter and prepped up some drinks for our guest.

“Everyone has their own trade secret,” Teressa said casually.

Teressa sat down across from me, her eyes drifted lazily over the room, and settled on Claire.

Just for a second.

“You’ll have to tell me your little secret, just how did you end up with two gifted children under one roof?

Mother chucked, frantically waving her hand around as if she pretended to not know where to look. “Goodness me, you flatter too much!”

She kept moving around, stepping into the kitchen to prepare some drinks and snacks. This was the first time I saw her act up around someone. Usually, she keeps a calm demeanor and leads, but it’s different this time.

“As you might have heard from my wife, we’ve had a lot of offers, but it never turned out great.” Father said, taking a sip of his tea.

Both of them looked nervous, almost hoping for something good to come of this. Looking back at Teressa, her reaction hinted a slight smirk.

“I understand your concerns,” she said calmly. “Here is my identification, I hope this helps.”

She reached into her dark coat, trimmed with silver and dusted from travelling. A small silver chain bearing a ring was on it. It was obsidian in color, etched with a white dragon coiled around a rising sun.

Teressa detached the ring and placed it gently onto the table. “I hope this is enough proof to ease your concerns.”

The ring shimmered faintly with a heatless glow, almost humming. The size and shape looked simple, nothing complex, but it felt as if the emblem radiated authority.

Both my parents stiffened the moment they saw it. A horror-like expression of an unknown territory lurked on their faces. I knew Teressa was powerful, but what does this ring represent?

Father leaned first, mother slowly followed, almost afraid to blink. Their hands hovered, as if they were unsure whether to touch it or bow.

“Could you be…” my father whispered, “one of the Thirteen Crowns?

“I’m not much for formalities, but yes, I am Teressa Van Viviana. I’m one of the members.”

My parents froze, then dropped into a heavy deep bow, foreheads nearly scraping the floor. Sweat glistened on their brows with their hands trembling in fear. This sudden action made my chest tighten.

“Please, no need for that,” Teressa said gently, waving her elegant hand to raise them up.

“With your permission, I’d like to take in your son as my student.” Teressa said, always with a  soft spoken demeanor, gentle, but firm.

My parents exchanged a look before slowly bowing again— this time not out of fear, but sheer respect.

“A-Ash, are you okay with this?” Mother asked, her eyes slowly shifted to me with visible concern and unease.

I glanced over my shoulder, taking in all the worried faces, even my clumsy little sister, pouting at the thought her big brother would be taken.

If they only knew what happened two years back.

“I want to become stronger.” I said, with clear focus and confidence.

“While it is convenient to be trained near home, I have made a home nearby from here. It’s a few kilometers away from here, but I made it to ensure the best results prosper.” Teressa said, sipping at her drink.

That night, while the house finally began quieting down from all the commotion, Mother pulled me aside to show me a small, wrapped bundle. Inside was a scarf, snow-white, with a silver thread stitched along the edges.

“For luck,” she whispered, wrapping it gently around my neck. “And to keep you from freezing your butt off.”

I smiled, not knowing the feeling that boiled within me. It made me happy enough that something so simple could leave me feeling so warm inside.

The following day arrived with the sun slightly gazing over the field. It was time to go and start a new journey.

Grabbing my belongings or anything that my little body could carry before heading out, I was stopped by Father who placed his hand on my shoulder, and lowered himself to meet my eyes.

“No matter how far you go, just remember, you’re our pride and joy.”

I nodded, trying not to weep from saying goodbye. Both Mother and Claire were coming to say their goodbye, tears coming down. It was a lot to take in, especially since this was something new for me.

It was difficult to look back. Even hearing my sister call my name out, wanting to join me. I made myself wave back once more and looked onwards. Teressa was waiting at the foothill.

“Ready for hell?” She said nonchalantly.

“You bet.”