10:32 AM
Golden Fields Region, Verdant Haven
Réel Residence
"Are you ready, Aubert?"
"Yes, Papa!"
Maurice grinned. He then raised his hands upward.
"ekanS esoR," he muttered, conjuring a five-foot snake adorned with delicate rose petals.
The serpent slithered forward with a menacing hiss, its presence commanding attention.
Aubert, though initially apprehensive, squared his shoulders and focused.
With determination, he extended his arms and muttered, "tsalB eriF-F," unleashing a fierce blast of fire toward the Rose Snake.
The flames roared and crackled, creating a wall of heat and light. Aubert hoped the snake would be burned to ashes, but he was wrong.
"Evade it!" Maurice instructed.
The snake obeyed, and with a nimble leap, it dodged the fire and landed on the other side. It then resumed its advance, moving faster and more aggressively.
Aubert felt a surge of adrenaline. He knew he had to act quickly, or the snake would reach him.
Summoning his resolve, he cast another spell.
"s-sevinK retaW!" he cried, sending sharp water knives hurtling toward the approaching serpent.
The water knives were like thin jets of water, but with razor-sharp edges. They sliced through the air, aiming for the snake's body.
"Dodge it again!" Maurice commanded.
The snake once again dodged the water knives, weaving and twisting its body. It was as if it could sense the danger and avoid it. It was now very close to Aubert.
Aubert felt his heart pounding as the snake reached him. He tried to back away, but he tripped over a rock and fell to the ground.
"Help me, Papa!" he cried.
Maurice smiled and said, "Don't worry, Aubert. This is part of the training. You have to face your fears and use your magic wisely. Remember, the snake is harmless. It's made of rose petals."
Aubert looked at the snake, which was coiling around his legs. He saw the red and pink petals that formed their scales, but he also felt its cold and slimy skin. He shivered and whimpered.
"Papa, please! I don't like this!"
Maurice shook his head and said, "You can do this, Aubert. You have to learn to control your emotions and focus on your spells. Think of something that can help you get out of this situation. Use your imagination and creativity."
Aubert closed his eyes and tried to calm down. He thought of his favorite book, which was about a brave knight who fought against a monster.
He remembered how the knight used his sword and shield to defend himself and attack the beast. He wished he had a sword and shield too.
He opened his eyes and said, "drowS thgiL!"
A bright light flashed from his hand, and a sword made of pure energy appeared in his grip. He swung it at the snake, cutting through its body. The petals fell to the ground, and the snake vanished.
Aubert gasped and smiled. He felt a surge of confidence and joy. He had done it. He defeated the snake.
He looked at his father, who was clapping and cheering.
"Bravo, Aubert! Bravo! You did it! You are a true magician!"
Aubert ran to his father and hugged him.
"Thank you, Papa! Thank you for teaching me!"
Maurice hugged him back and said, "You're welcome, Aubert. You're welcome. I'm so proud of you."
As they hugged, Maurice felt a mix of emotions. He was proud of his son, but he also sensed his fear and insecurity. He knew Aubert was being too emotional, but he couldn't blame him. He was still a kid, after all. He had a lot to learn and experience.
Maurice stroked his son's hair and whispered words of encouragement. He wanted him to be strong and confident, but he also wanted him to be kind and compassionate. He wanted him to be a good magician, but he also wanted him to be a good person.
He remembered his father, who had taught him magic when he was Aubert's age. He had been strict and demanding, but he had also been loving and supportive.
He had pushed him to his limits, but he had also praised him for his efforts. He had been his mentor, but he had also been his friend.
Maurice hoped he could be the same for Aubert. He hoped he could guide him and inspire him. He hoped he could make him happy and proud.
Bzzt!
Maurice's Commlink vibrated, he gently disengaged from the warm embrace of the hug, his attention diverted to the incoming call.
With careful movements, he retrieved his Commlink from his pocket and glanced at the screen, noting Charlotte's name flashing on the display.
"Charlotte, how can I help you?"
"Maurice, where are you? I've been waiting here for an hour now."
Maurice's eyes widened as he realized the passage of time. Glancing at his watch, he confirmed it was indeed 10:35 AM.
"I apologize, Charlotte, we'll be getting there now."
"Good, don't make me wait," Charlotte's tone was firm as she ended the call, leaving Maurice with a sigh of acknowledgment.
Aubert, who had been listening intently to the conversation, couldn't resist the urge to inquire. "Papa, who was that?"
Maurice turned his gaze to Aubert and smiled. "A friend of mine, Aubert."
Sensing Aubert's eagerness to know more, Maurice scooped him up in his arms with practiced ease, cradling him securely against his chest.
"Papa, where are we going?" Aubert asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.
Maurice's smile widened as he looked down at his son. "To continue your training."
***
10:32 AM
Greenwood Region, Verdant Haven
Deep within the lush forest of the Greenwood Region, Charlotte Rochefort stood tall and graceful, her ebony locks cascading like midnight silk around her shoulders. Her pink eyes shimmered with determination as she faced the Door-sized Blue Stargate before her.
Beside her, a C-ranked magician meticulously performed intricate seal spells on the Stargate, his movements fluid yet precise.
"Where could he be?"
Charlotte's voice, though soft, carried an edge of impatience as she scanned the tranquil surroundings.
Suddenly, a ripple of energy pulsed through the air, and a vibrant red portal materialized beside the blue Stargate with a faint hum of arcane power.
The C-Ranked Magician's eyes widened in astonishment. "A new Stargate?!"
Despite the unexpected development, Charlotte remained composed, her demeanor unwavering. She recognized the crimson portal, knowing its significance.
As if on cue, Maurice emerged from the portal, his presence commanding yet gentle, with Aubert cradled securely in his arms.
"Bonjour, I'm sorry for being late," Maurice said as he gently put Aubert down.
Charlotte nodded. "Bonjour, Maurice, I'm glad you finally arrived."
Charlotte's gaze then drifted to Aubert, who timidly hid behind Maurice's legs, his curiosity tinged with a hint of apprehension.
Maurice noticed Aubert's hesitation and gently urged him forward with a reassuring smile.
"Come on, Aubert, it's okay. Charlotte is a friend."
Aubert, encouraged by Maurice's gentle encouragement, slowly emerged from his hiding spot behind Maurice's legs.
With cautious steps, he approached Charlotte, his small hand outstretched in a tentative gesture of greeting.
"H-Hello, I'm Aubert. Nice to meet you."
Charlotte, recognizing Aubert's nervousness, knelt to his level, her expression softening.
"Hello, Aubert. I'm Charlotte Rochefort," she replied in a gentle, reassuring tone, her pink eyes meeting his with warmth and understanding.
As Aubert began to relax in Charlotte's presence, Maurice surveyed their surroundings, his attention drawn to the Blue Stargate.
Nearby, the C-ranked magician continued his intricate work, his focus unwavering.
Acknowledging the magician with a nod of respect, Maurice turned back to Aubert, his voice gentle yet firm.
"Aubert, it's time to continue your training. Come here."
Aubert, intrigued by Maurice's call, cautiously approached, his curiosity evident in his bright eyes.
As Aubert stood beside him, Maurice gestured toward the Stargate.
"Do you know what that is, Aubert?"
Aubert's gaze fixed on the majestic portal. "A star portal?"
Maurice chuckled softly. "Close, but it's a Stargate."
"A Stargate?"
Maurice nodded. "A Stargate is a magical portal that leads to mysterious realms filled with magical creatures and treasures."
Aubert's eyes widened with wonder. "Ohh!"
"And that's where you're going to be training next!" Maurice announced with enthusiasm.
"Yay!" Aubert exclaimed, his excitement infectious.
The sudden declaration left both the C-ranked magician and Charlotte astonished. Aubert, at his tender age, embarking on training through an E-ranked Stargate seemed overly ambitious.
'Isn't Maurice being a bit too extreme for Aubert's training?' Charlotte pondered silently.
Feeling a mixture of concern and disbelief, Charlotte approached Maurice.
"Maurice, can we talk for a bit?"
Maurice raised an eyebrow in response to Charlotte's urgency. "Uhh…sure?"
With a reassuring glance back at Aubert, Maurice led Charlotte away to a secluded spot where they could speak without interruption.
"So, what is it, Charlotte?"
"Maurice, what are you thinking?!"
Maurice furrowed his brow, genuinely puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Why are you insisting on sending Aubert through that E-ranked Stargate for training?"
Maurice sighed, his expression thoughtful. "I understand your concern, Charlotte, but hear me out. Aubert is more capable than you think."
Charlotte shook her head. "Maurice, he's only a child! Even a seasoned magician would hesitate to attempt training at that level."
Maurice met her gaze with unwavering confidence. "I know it seems ambitious, but Aubert has shown remarkable potential. He's more than ready for this challenge."
Charlotte studied Maurice's face, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. Yet, all she found was a steadfast belief in Aubert's abilities.
"Maurice, I hope you know what you're doing," Charlotte said, her voice softening with concern.
Maurice placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Trust me, Charlotte. Aubert will surprise us all."
Charlotte sighed. "Fine, but why do you want him to do this aside from magic training?"
Maurice paused, considering his words carefully before responding. "Simple, I want Aubert to practice independence and to become more confident in himself."
He glanced back at Aubert, who was watching them with wide eyes and continued, "Facing challenges like this at a young age will help him develop resilience and self-assurance. It's about more than just magic; it's about preparing him for whatever the future may hold."
Charlotte nodded slowly, understanding Maurice's perspective even if she still harbored reservations about the risks involved.
She knew Maurice had Aubert's best interests at heart, but the thought of such a young child facing such daunting tasks made her uneasy.
Maurice started walking away but halted mid-step as if struck by a sudden realization.
"Oh, by the way," he interjected, turning back to face Charlotte. "My father also made me do this when I was at Aubert's age, and my grandfather made my father do this at Aubert's age as well. This is the tradition of the Réel family for generations."
His voice carried a weight of tradition and familial expectation, underscoring the significance of the ritual for Aubert. It was more than just a training exercise; it was a legacy passed down through the ages, a rite of passage woven into the fabric of their family history.
Charlotte nodded, her expression softening as she grasped the depth of Maurice's words. She realized that what she saw as a daunting challenge was, for Maurice, a time-honored tradition steeped in heritage and pride.