The sun shines brightly through a window, and birds chirp peacefully. A loud thump was heard from inside a room, disrupting the calming image
Lin had been trying all morning to transform Yukiko again, but something was missing. Sweat beads were stuck to his forehead and he panted with exhaustion.
He was supposed to get lessons on magic from his parents today, but they had things to do first.
Normally Alvar would have to help, but he's been getting special treatment after his reappearance.
Lin laid on the floor in defeat, wondering what he got wrong.
Sighing in defeat, he decided to give up for now and try again later. However as soon as he got up he was reminded of Yukiko and the warmth from her wooden figure.
"Yukiko stayed with me all that time, I shouldn't give up on her just yet." Then he began again, straining to get that feeling he had last time when the magic flowed through him. The cool flow that rushes through his veins and out through his skin. It was such a refreshing feeling, and despite the fact he had only managed to use it once it felt natural, it felt right.
Closing his eyes for more focus, he sat in a relaxed position with one leg over the other and Yukikou close to his heart. Timing his breaths, slowly breathing in his nose and out through his teeth.
A small wisp of a feeling emerged from within him, and he tried to grasp it, pulling it out of his chest and into the world.
A loud BANG interrupted his focus, and the wisp of magic dissipated.
"SH!T!" Lin exclaimed. He looked up annoyed to see that the source of the sound was his mother.
"Oh-" While he was scrambling for an apology, his mother just sighed and waved him outside.
As they were walking to the fields, his mother began talking to him.
"T' properly use magic you need to have a healthy body. If yer weak and frail, your energy will be depleted a lot faster than someone like me." She lifted up her arm and flexed it, showing off her strength.
"Of course I can't use much magic, but that's cause I'm just not suited for it."
She lowered her arm and ruffled Lin's long hair, making a quick mess of it.
"Since your father is still busy, I'll teach ya the basics of endurance." She grinned and a shiver crawled up Lins spine.
"How will we do that?"
"You'll see."
-
Lin's mother stood tall, and seemed like an unmoving force of nature compared to the crumbling Lin at her feet.
They had been doing various workouts and 'trials of endurance' as his mother liked to put it, for the past 3 hours.
"I'm so tired…" Lin managed to say this between gasps for air, and he looked up clearly begging with his eyes to stop.
"This is all the commitment you have for learning magic? I'm not sure if you're ready for it." She replied with a thin smile.
Sighing and lifting himself up, Lin pushed himself off the ground and dusted off his clothes.
"You've done good today." Her smile softened, and her strong stance accompanied by a breathtaking sunset behind her made her look like she stepped straight out of painting.
The only thing in Lin's heart was pure admiration.
She pulled him in for a side-hug and started walking back home.
"Ya think your father managed to catch something for dinner?"
"I hope so."
-
Since the "trials of endurance" tended to take longer than expected, they came up with a schedule. Every two days Lion would practice magic with his father, and any day in between he would have training with his mother.
Of course he was encouraged to practice both magic and training in his free time, but he's gotten busier since he began getting chores again.
During his magic lessons with his father, he learned that channeling magic into basic spells can take anywhere from 5 months to a year's worth of learning. Of course there were special cases, but because humans aren't born with mana circulating in their bodies like some other species.
While his father explained this, his eyes paid kept glancing at Lin. He seemed to be looking at something near or on him, but Lin couldnt tell what it was.
Magic, as it was in this world, seemed to respond to strong emotion and/or dedication. As people get used to using it, it becomes easier to access. Despite the mildly long learning period, many commoners could use it because they were raised with magic in the household. It's almost like learning a second language.
Lin attributed his skills in the forest to luck, and Alvars hard work. However, what he didnt know was that his creation was beyond the normal beginners skill. Most common magic revolved around manipulating something that exists, like moving wind to dry clothes.
Lin stayed mostly oblivious to this, just because he didnt think to bring up what happened in the forest to his father.
One other important thing he learned from his lessons, was the past of his mother and father.
He recalled with Alvars memories that they had been adventurers, but not much else. Just because he inherited all of his memories, he didn't suddenly have amazing photographic memory, he still forgot stuff.
To his delight, he got to to hear stories from their times as adventurers. They were apparently in the same group with some other close friends. HIs mother had been the shield, and carried a long broadsword half the size of her. She would attack monsters first with feirce strength, and at the same time block most attacks towards the others.
His father on the other hand, handled recovery and strengthening magic, as well as some staff skills. His main job was to help the other members, and if he needed to fight off anythng independently he could easily do so with a long metal staff.
Their group had six members, and with their bonds, coordination, and strength they were a part of many important battles in this kingdom. Whether it was with other species, races, monsters, or humans their group stayed mostly triumphant.
Of course, all good things must come to an end. One of the six group members left first to pursue a rewarding career within the royal guards. Then his parents were the next to go, leaving soon after so that they could settle down and live a quiet life.
The rest of the group struggled with managing their previous workload and went their own ways.
Occasionally everyone will meet up, since they are all best friends, but distance, age, and responsibilities have made it hard to keep in contact.
Now all that is left are some medals, stories, and memories.