Birds were chirping loudly around the forest, the sun was high in the sky illuminating the dark street. The refreshing green of the trees made one feel at ease.
Under the shade, a lesson was on going.
"Magic power has 3 main state."
"The first is called the ethereal state, more commonly called magic particles."
Bright cyan particles appeared in the shade, lighting up the place.
"It's the manifestation of your magic power. However it can't do anything in this state."
"The second is the physical state. We call this process 'materialization'. By combining magic particles together and leaving it be without adding more, it'll automatically transform into this state."
The magic particles around the shade gathered together in small group. They slowly changed to be more physical, their appearance easer to see. They formed 2 pair of wings, flying around like a butterfly.
"The third state is called pure magic state, or coating. By continuously adding power in the materialization process, the magic power will 'dissolve' its own physical state and instead inhabit a different physical object."
Another group of particles appeared, clumping together in the teacher's right arm. Soon, the arm glowed cyan before the light went out entirely, a thin layer of 'cyan aura' wrapped in her arm.
"Pure magic state is the most powerful, able to exhibit the maximum power of each trait characteristics."
She waved her right arm around before slamming it at the nearby tree. The arm that should have stop at the tree pass through it without resistance. Afterwards, she moved her arm back and wave it around again, demonstrating how it's still normal.
The kids were shocked.
"Tada. Now does anyone have a question for me?"
"Me! Me!"
"Alright Beko, ask away."
"When I awaken my soul, can I do the same like you?"
Nasha laughed lightly at the girl question, one that was full of curiosity. With a soft voice, she answered.
"Well, I don't think it's possible for your trait."
"But that's not fair!" Beko said, pouting.
"It is how things are."
"If there's nothing more you all can go and play while I prepare your lunch."
The kids cheered and went away in their own group. There was a single boy left in the place.
"Well Ken?"
I look at Nasha. I wanted to say I'm tired, really tired. However it wasn't why I'm here.
"Mother, when will brother Hans arrive again?"
A small frown appeared on Nasha face when the name was mentioned but she answered truthfully nevertheless.
"About... next week?"
"Thanks mom."
I hurried away from her to hide my feeling of impatience.
Swiftly navigating my way through the forest, I arrive before a young boy. Tok greeted me with a small smile.
"Like usual?"
"Yeah."
Without needing another word, the boy quickly move to their position. I was hanging from a tree and Tok look at me from below. I raise my thumb up indicating I'm ready. Blue particles appeared under, forming platforms. Then, I released my hand.
Plop.
Several thin platforms were around my feet, each looks like they were going to break at any time. Yet despite their fragile appearance, I can firmly step on it. Below me, Tok seems to be having a hard time keeping them up.
Swish. Plop.
I jump back and forth between the platforms while paying close attention to Tok state below. Truthfully it was hard for me as well. Jumping between uneven platforms in the sky without any railing is not that easy for a child.
After Tok cross his fingers into an x, I jumped back on the tree. The platform quickly went away like it was never there.
"How.. huff... was it?"
"Good work. It's 40 seconds longer than before."
"Gr... eat huff.."
Tok sat down the nearby tree, exhausted. I followed him and sat at the opposite tree.
We took a moment of rest in the now quiet forest.
"So?"
"So what?"
"You seem like you have something to say. I'm all ears you know."
"Eh... I'm fine."
Tok look at me suspiciously, his head that was resting on the hand tilt slightly.
"Next week it's my birthday."
"Ah?"
I couldn't follow the conversation. Tok continued while pointing at himself.
"I'll be an adult by then. So you can rely on me all you want."
Look at his serious face, I couldn't help but laugh. He didn't seem too bothered and spread his hand wide toward the sky.
"I'm serious. If you're troubled, come to me. As an adult, I have to take responsibility for my family."
Even if it's a child words, I couldn't help but feel better. Perhaps this 12 years old child is more mature than myself. I didn't know what's like to be mature anyway...
"Ken..."
A strange voice called out to me. No, call isn't the right word. Like an echo from the past, the voice repeated.
"Ken..."
"I have given you this much, you'll have to pay as much back..."
"That's what family is for isn't it..."
"If we don't help each other then what use is family anyway..."
The voice was haunting like a ghost. The familiar words, the familiar tone. A voice that makes me a repulsion towards. It echo back to me like a curse.
"Ugh..."
"Ken?!"
Tok ran up to me, holding me tight.
"Ken are you oka..."
BRRRRR.
Before Tok could finish his sentence, the ground shakes intensely. Soon, a loud sound followed.
BOOM!
It was the sound of destruction.