Dusk was approaching as the daylight started to fade away in Boisson. The village started to look empty as only a few people can be seen loitering about. He continues walking until he approaches the villages only bakery.
The bakery has a descent look with probably the only building that uses brick for walls in Boisson. A handful of moss can be visibly seen etched among the walls. On the left side of the wooden door was a sign with texts that almost seems to fade away due to time "T & A Bakery".
He wiped his feet outside and push the wooden door as it made a large creak.
As he entered inside, he can feel the heat of the furnace. Not hot or cold but a comfortable warmth with a pleasant aroma of freshly baked bread wavering in the air.
Behind the counter was a woman looking to be in her 40s wearing a green wimple with a grey apron overlapping her kirtle.
"Welcome to T & A bakery, oh it's you Carlos".
"Evening to you Mrs. Aveline" The old man smile as he greeted her while slowly shutting the door behind him. "Always a pleasure to meet you"
"Ahh, evening to you too Carlos" Aveline chirped in a cheery voice "Come to buy the usual?"
"Yes" The old man smiled as he slowly approaches the counter before looking around. "Marcus and Ted hasn't return yet?"
"Yes" Mrs. Aveline seem a bit down when answering, "It's been a week since they left to get supplies in Fraise"
"Well one thing for sure is they are safe" The old man tries to cheer her up, "After all the routes are the safest in the entire Sun Kingdom".
With a faint smile, Aveline replied, "I guess you're right, its just I miss my son". Before her eyes lit up again "How about Kiyan and Lumiere? Did you sign them up to join"?
The old man makes an exasperated sigh, "Well I wasn't but you know those two, they won't stop bickering if I refused".
"That sounds just like them" Mrs. Aveline giggled "The village will be quiet if they are gone, I'd really miss them".
"That is right" The old man sounded depressed before returning to his usual self, "Well, old uns like us have to watch the little ones grow."
Aveline giggle a bit before speaking again. "I do wish Ted could join but you know" Aveline eyes again has a hint of a melancholic look "Marcus would rather he became a trader like him"
"There is no harm in being one" Carlos trying to lightened her mood "And the chances of him being in danger is lower and besides, he will also help others despite being a trader, your son is a kind person after all".
"I guess I have that to be grateful about" Aveline seems to be cheered up "A perk he got from his father" She seem dreamy when mentioning this as she places her hands on her cheeks.
The old man chuckled "If only they can be kids forever" The hold man reaches for his breast pocket as he took out 4 copper coins "I'll take the Marion special"
In Fahrune, the currency varies in each of the Empires. As for the Sun empire, they use coins (copper, Silver and Gold) to initiate transaction. A normal commoners wage is about 14 copper coins and coins is hard to get especially if one lives in far out in the boonies.
With the old man mentioning of the Marion snaps Mrs. Aveline back from her dreamy state as she accepted the copper coins and disappeared behind the counter for a while before returning with a bag in her hand. The bag contains about 4 loaves with the scent of freshly baked dough that will make anyone's mouth watery with just a whiff.
She placed the bag on the counter "Here are your Marion special, with a bonus" Aveline seem to be chirping while saying this.
"Mrs. Aveline, this too much, one is enough" The old man raises both of his hand try to reject her good offer.
"It's on the house"
"But"
"Ah ah ah, No Buts Carlos" Mrs. Aveline folded her arms waving her index finger to show that her decision was final "Think of it as a motivation booster for Kiyan and Lumiere". She then smiled gracefully "And also for cheering me up".
The old man looks like he was about to say something but stopped and gently bow "Thank you very much Mrs. Aveline" He then took the bag in his arm.
"Oh enough with the pleasantries" Aveline smile as she was waving her hand to dismiss the talk "Pass my regards to Kiyan and Lumiere".
"I will" The old man gave a gentle smile before exiting the bakery. "Say hi to Marcus for me if he arrives."
"I will Carlos" Aveline waved him goodbye as he shuts the door behind him.
After he walked a several distance from the bakery, he can feel a pang of sorrow sprouted in his chest as he was thinking of the possibilities that if Lumiere and Kiyan were to pass, he may not see them for a very long time.
"Well it's for the best" The old man shook his head "But I feel like they are not ready"
He stopped and look up to the stars that is starting to become visible. "If only she was here"
He can see his humble cottage ahead of him. As he was approaching, all his emotion and turmoil immediately vanish and replaced with annoyance as he can hear two people bickering with no sign of it stopping soon.
"What part of me saying we are having soup don't you understand" He can hear Lumiere nagging at Kiyan "Why on earth would you grill the warthog".
"Because someone I know is to clean to cut the vegetables" Kiyan barked back. "And since I gutted it, I get to choose how to cook it"
"On seconds thoughts I wish they would leave as soon as possible" The old man face transforms into a scowl before putting his hand on his forehead as he headed right in, reprimanding them and lecturing them about the importance of silence.
~
Inside the registration hut, Clayton and Adrian had finished compiling every necessary paperwork and documentation.
"Phew finally" Adrian let out a huge sigh of relief before slouching into the chair he was sitting at. "Who would've thought this village will have 22 applicants"
"Got me by surprise" Clayton added "Even dondovel only has 14 and it is much bigger there"
"Well talk about me being surprised" Adrian wipe his brow "I wonder if the children here are already in the star squire stage"
"Would make our whole life easier if they could".
Star squire is the first stage for those who can absorb the stellar essence in that exists in the environment and several people do this unconsciously as stellar essence is found everywhere but to manipulate it to the user's will is another story.
"Yeah, don't really want to explain stuff like that tomorrow" Clayton furrow his brow before standing "Let's forget this stuff and go get something to drink"
Adrian eye sparkled "Now that is something I'm looking forward to". He then shut closes the folder he was holding and stretches "Please tell me they have the citric rum, oh how I kill for that right now".
Clayton then turn to the other 2 official who both seem to have hit their limits. One was wearing a monocle on his right eye and the other had a thick side burn with an intimidating look. "Care to join Anselm and Cedric?"
Cedric remove his monocle and rubbing his eye, "Oh I'm definitely comin'." Cedric sounded exhausted "I swear, they don't let us rest". You can hear the heavy accent in his voice.
Clayton then turns to Anselm, "Anselm?"
"It's okay, the three of you can go ahead" Anselm voice was slow but definitely not melodic "I'll call it an early night tonight."
"You sure?" Adrian trying to get him to join.
Anselm smiled "Yes." He then pack his stuff and left the hut first.
"One of this days, I swear I'll make him drunk till he can't walk" Adrian declared as the three watches him leaving the hut.
"Good luck with that" Cedric putting back his monocle, "I've been with him for 7 years and I never seen him out except if it is an official function or party" He then stretches, "Come on, lets not dally much longer and get the hell out of this hell hole"
Clayton chuckled before turning to the knights on duty "Under no circumstances should you permit anyone to enter lest they have the royal seal or one of the four of us".
The soldier saluted "Understood sir" He then thump his right breast with his fist twice "For the sun".
Clayton did the same "For the sun".
As they walked out of the tent, they can see the star glowing brightly above them.
"This place is quite peacefully" Clayton mentioned as he basked under the stars.
"Indeed" Adrian nodded in agreement "If only the entire Fahrune can be this peaceful" Adrian with letting out a little smile but you can see the hint of sadness in his eyes.
"The only peace I can see is a mead in my belly" Cedric smack them at their backside "Let us go".
The three left then disappeared in the village tavern.
~
In the cottage, three people were finishing their meal. Kiyan looking very satisfied.
"Man that Marion was good" Kiyan patting his belly and wiping his lips.
"Gramps did you spent 16 copper just for all of this?" Lumiere ask with concern as she know they weren't financially well off.
The old man shook his head "No, Mrs. Aveline gave it as a gift" He gather all the dirty dish together.
"Aunty Aveline did" Kiyan's eye was sparkling "I'll definitely repay her when I become the next Gillard" Kiyan's determination can be seen.
"In what lifetime are you talking about" Lumiere rolled her eyes "Its okay to dream but at some point you must wake up and face reality".
"One day I will become the hero of Fahrune" Kiyan clenches his fist "I'll prove it by passing the test tomorrow".
"A hero huh" The old man whispered to himself.
"Hmmm that might be possible" Lumiere stared at Kiyan before smiling "Considering you are my brother and my flesh and blood, hehe I guess it is possible".
Upon hearing Lumiere's reply, Kiyan stared out to the darkness outside the window as he mind caught in a daze as he was thinking deeply about something.
"Gramps if we manage to enter the academy" Kiyan voice starts to trail of "You think our parents might return".
Lumiere who was always trying snapping back most of the immediately cast a sad expression on her face. She opens her mouth, wanting to say something but chose to remain silence while casting her gaze to the floor and her mind seem to trail off a bit. She too wanted answers.
The old man's body had gotten stiff upon hearing Kiyan's question but he maintains his demeanor as both hasn't realize the changes. "I already told you." The old man ruffles Kiyan's hair, "Now is not time to know the answers".
"I know but" His voice seems to have a lump of rock in his throat.
"Patience, As I promise you before, I will tell you everything about your parents when both of you are 18." The old man then ruffles his and lumiere's hair
"I sometimes forget that they are still kids". He sighs inwardly and feeling a pang of sadness.
Kiyan wasn't satisfied with his response and has a lot of unanswered question but knows he won't get any answers so he just drops the matter.
Lumiere who was silent the entire ordeal was mumbling something inaudibly to herself before standing, "I'm going to bed".
"Me too." Kiyan added, "Goodnight gramps".
"Goodnight Kiyan and Lumiere" The old man replied as he watches them leave for bed.
~
The cottage was deadly silent accompanied with the singing crickets and the darkness covering the entirety of Boisson.
Sleeping soundly, Kiyan and Lumiere heavy breathing can be heard as they lay comfortably in their bed. Standing before them was the old man. He raises both of his hand and began to chant incoherent words.
Markings and runes emerges on Kiyan and Lumiere's face and arms, illuminating with a soft glow of light before dimming out slowly as the Marking slowly fade away into nothingness.
Kiyan seem to be mumbling something before turning around laughing as Lumiere face looking graceful even when sleeping.
"I don't know how much longer the seal would last" The old man withdraw his arms.
He slowly made his way outside to avoid waking them up. He can feel the gentle breeze of the wind blowing pass him while he took out a piece of the Marion bread and slowly nibble on it as he watches the moon emitting a gentle aura whilst he savor the tranquility.