It really has been a quite a long time since the time I first met Luscia. We met almost 2 years ago and everyday has been pretty much the same since then. Right now, I am 6 years old and turning 7 years old soon. Today's date is the 22nd Day of the 8th Month.
My birthday is on the 1st Day of the 9th Month. One year has 15 months and every month has 28 days. That means, in around one week, I will have to attend the Proving test held in Quaran. I will need to say goodbye to everyone I know while I am still here.
But, that is still in one week. It means that I still have enough time to squeeze in a bit more preparation for the Proving that will be happening soon. However, the time I have before leaving might actually be smaller than one week.
I do not how long it will take for me to get to Quaran but, I imagine that I will not be able to get there in just a few days. My estimations say that it might take around 10 days to get to Quaran from here. That is why, I will need to ask for the specific dates of when the Proving actually starts so that I can get there soon.
The reason is because I will need to pass the Proving as fast as I can. I need to pass it so that I can be recognized as the head of the family. If I do that, I might be considered an adult much faster than other people. If I can be considered as such, I will have more freedom to do whatever I want with no interference from other people.
If there is no interference, I will be able to search for the Divine Beasts more freely. Of course, I plan on disguising myself when on my search. But, that is just what I plan on doing in the future. I need to focus on the present so that my plans go ahead without delay.
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A FEW HOURS LATER-
I needed some answers to my questions. That is why, I thought that I should be asking father about when the Proving happens and how many days it will take for me to get to Quaran. I could not ask mother because of her lessons with Luscia so, I chose father.
He is obviously going to be at the knight training area because that is his job. So, I will be going there. By the way, I have finally mastered the use of my shadow tendrils to feel my surroundings. It still tires me out if I continuously make the ends tangible for more than 15 minutes but, it is still significant improvement compared to before when I could only hold it for around 5 minutes at a time.
I spread out my tendrils and walk though the paths I have walked on for many years already. Hey, a weird thought just suddenly popped into my mind. What do the other villagers think every time they see me walking around? I mean, I must look... bizarre to the other villagers because, well, they are looking at a child walking around with black tentacle things coming out of him.
Is this what people call embarrassment? And yes, I have learned about the other emotions that humans experience. I also learned from Miria before she left the village that people who are around her age are called 'teenagers'. I guess teenagers are the human equivalent of juvenile monsters, huh?
Anyway, looks like I have reached the knight training area. I casually open the door and walk through the familiar hallways until I hear the sounds of voices. Yeah, I am here. I walk up the stairs and feel that I am outside now. I then call out if father is there.
"Father, are you there?"
"Oh, Alex, you're here. Are you here to train again?"
"No. I just want you to answer some of my questions."
"Okay. Ask away."
Alright, this is my chance.
"Father, you said that I will be going to the Proving once I am 7 years old. Does that mean we will go there before or after my birthday?"
I ask that question because if we go before, I lose more time. Plus, it isn't against the rules because I will still be turning 7 during the journey to Quaran.
"I knew that you will be asking this sooner or later. We will be going after your birthday. Your mother said that we will celebrate your birthday together as a family one last time before you go."
Ah.
Mother wanted me to stay so that we can be together on my birthday. That is fine because I get more time and I can celebrate my birthday with my parents.
"Next question. How long will the journey to Quaran take and what will be our mode of transportation?"
This is also a crucial question to answer.
"We have not decided how we will get there. We are considering getting there by horse and carriage though. If we travel by horse, it will take around 12 days or so to get to Quaran."
So, my estimations were almost correct. That means that it will certainly take us more than 7 days, even if we hurry and there are no interruptions.
"Last question. What day will the Proving start? Also, tell me how someone can pass it and how long the event is."
"The Proving always starts on the 14th Day of the 9th Month. The entire test usually lasts for 2 or 3 days, with each day having a different test. As you know, children as young as 7 years old can participate in the test. However, there are always a varying amount of children partaking in it so, usually 40% of the children who participate will be able to pass. But, if a child did not pass or was not in that 40%, they will have to wait for 2 years before the Proving is held again. No child has been able to complete the Proving on their first try yet. But, if they keep failing, they will have to keep repeating the process until they do pass. There is a low chance for that to happen, though. They will get help from one of the instructors there and will be trained if they are up to the instructor's standards. I hear that the youngest person to complete the Proving was only 11 years old when he did it. I believe his name was Glaive Kaneduro, the same person who mentored Vice-Captain Lucas."
That was incredibly detailed.
I think I am starting to understand how this thing works. If the child is good enough for an instructor, they will be taught. If not, they have to prepare by themselves. When the test actually happens, only 40% will be able to pass. And no one has been able to pass on their first try. That means this Glaive Kaneduro person did it on their second or third try.
"Thank you for telling me these things, father."
"No worries. You are my son after all."
I thank father for his information and walk back home. I was able to learn everything I will need to know.
If no one was able to complete it on their first try, I will have to become the new record holder. For the sake of the world, right?