Hajime was excited and couldn't sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about the big day, it was his twelfth birthday and it was time for his mana test. He felt like a weeb knowing he was going to start on his magical journey.
He didn't want to become a hero or save the world. He was simply fascinated with the possibilities of magic. He had spent hours reading books and talking to his moms about magic.
'Finally, I'll get to use magic.'
"Hajime, are you awake?"
Hajime heard his mother Sophia's voice outside his bedroom door.
'Mom sounds anxious.'
"Yes, I'm up."
Sophia opened the door.
"Happy Birthday, Honey."
Sophia's face was solemn. She was holding a cup of coffee.
"Good Morning, Mom. Why does it look like you didn't get a single wink of sleep?"
"I couldn't. I couldn't sleep last night," confessed Sophia.
Sophia sighed.
"I couldn't stop thinking about..."
"About what?" Hajime asked as he climbed out of bed.
"About the test."
"Why are you worried about the test? I'm not."
"I'm not worried about the test. I'm worried about what the results will show."
"What do you mean?"
"If you turn out to have zero mana..."
"Mom, you've got nothing to worry about. I'm positive I'll be able to use magic."
Sophia sighed, "Maybe. Maybe not." she muttered.
Hajime frowned, "What are you talking about? Of course, I'll be able to use magic." insisted Hajime, trying to ease Sophia's worries.
"I hope you're right."
"Is something wrong with you? What are you trying to say?"
"Just remember, everything depends on your results. No matter how special and awesome you think you are. If you end up being a null or a dud. You won't amount to anything. So do your best and you'll always have me. Okay?"
Hajime winced, "Wow, are you trying to make me feel depressed. That's one way to ruin the mood."
"I'm not trying to ruin the mood, I'm just being realistic."
"Alright fine, if I'm a no-good loser, then I guess I'll just have to rely on you and mom."
Sophia smiled, "Yes, you can always depend on me. So don't look so sad. Your fate has yet to be decided."
Hajime could tell that something was bothering Sophia. He wanted to ask what was wrong. But he sensed that she wasn't in the mood for questions. So he let it go.
"Daddy has mana." muttered Sakura underneath the bed.
"I see you've gotten along with Sakura," Sophia acknowledged, peeking under his bed.
Hajime spent most of his time with Sakura. The girl seemed to cling to Hajime and was always around him.
"Daddy and Sakura will have a lot of babies," the little girl chirped sleepily.
"Babies?"
"Uh-huh," nodded Sakura.
"And how exactly are you going to do that?"
"We're going to have a lot of sex!"
"Sakura! Stop saying those things! Oh god." yelled Hajime, embarrassed.
Sophia burst out laughing, nearly spilling her coffee.
"Hahaha, only 4 years old and she already has a dirty mind. I raised a monster. But Sakura it's dangerous for humans and floraliths to mate."
"Come on guys, can we not have this conversation right now? It's too early in the morning."
"Okay, fine."
After breakfast, Hajime headed to Sophia's study room where he was going to get examined. Sophia had transformed her study room into a makeshift laboratory. Countless books and lab equipment were laying around.
Hajime felt uneasy every time he entered the makeshift lab. He remembered the traumatic experience he went through with Aurora. He never wanted to go through something like that again.
Sakura ran through the open doors and immediately jumped into the big wooden chair.
"Sakura, why are you sitting there?" Hajime asked.
"So I can see everything better."
"It's fine, it won't take long." said Sophia as she grabbed a flower pot.
The flower pot had a unique plant inside. The stalk of the plant was wrapped in dark brown vines while the leaves were green and bumpy. At the top was a white flower with a blue center.
"I don't like that thing," Sakura whimpered.
"It's just a Faeryglen. It will change color depending on your mana." Sophia explained.
Sophia gently placed the plant in Hajime's lap.
"Okay Hajime, place your hands over the plant and concentrate."
"Concentrate? I don't understand."
"Close your eyes, focus on the energy flowing through you, and allow it to seep out of your body. Picture a flow of water, a stream, or a river."
Hajime closed his eyes.
He imagined a stream of water. It was crystal clear, sparkling.
"Slowly breathe, in and out."
Hajime inhaled and exhaled, taking in the air.
"Good," whispered Sophia.
Hajime couldn't see it but the Faeryglen was slowly turning purple. It was a very light color, and it was hard to notice, but Sophia was staring intently at the flower.
"Feel the magic coursing through you. Feel the warm energy filling every inch of your being."
Hajime could feel something inside him. Something new. It was faint and weak. But it was there.
"Imagine the energy pouring out of your hands and into the Faeryglen."
Hajime concentrated harder and the Faeryglen brightened. The color slowly changed to a deeper shade.
"That's good enough, Honey."
"Are we done?"
"Yep," said Sophia, her tone was sad and low.
Hajime opened his eyes and looked around the room. He was amazed by the sight before him. His hands were glowing with a faint shimmer, the aura around his body was a pale blue.
"I'm...I'm actually..."
"Beautiful," cooed Sakura, leaning closer to his face.
"Sakura, what the heck!"
"Oops,"
Hajime wasn't that mad, but he was surprised to see Sakura licking his cheek. He could feel a slight tingle as the sensation traveled down his spine.
"Stop that, it tickles." Hajime whined.
"Hehe." laughed Sakura.
"This is a milestone, Honey. Congratulations, you're officially a Floral Attuner." said Sophia trying to smile.
"So that means I can go to Rosevale and bond with a floralith?"
Sakura's smile disappeared and her mood darkened.
"Daddy already has Sakura."
"Ahem, yes that's correct."
"Mom, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"I'm okay," Sophia assured.
"Okay, if you say so."
Sophia's eyes trailed to the sword that was hanging on the wall. It was a broadsword, the blade was made of black steel. It had a curved edge and a sharp point. The grip was wrapped in dark brown leather.
Sophia's gaze lingered on the blade for a minute before returning her attention to Hajime.
"You still have to wait six years before you can attend Rosevale. It's a school that teaches students how to become mana users."
"I know mom. It's the most prestigious academy in the empire."
"In the meantime, I'll start giving you homework."
"What? I thought we were going to train every afternoon like we used to?"
"Change of plans."
"Why?" Hajime asked suspiciously.
"Because, I have lots of tests to grade and I have to do some research for Rosevale. Just wait patiently, you'll be in the academy before you know it."
"Mom, are you lying?"
"Why would you think that? All teachers have mountains of paperwork. Trust me I hate it, but I have to."
Hajime wasn't satisfied with Sophia's answer.
"Something seems off about you. Are you hiding something from me?"
"No. There's nothing to hide. Now stop being so paranoid."
"I can't help it, I've been traumatized by my other mother."
"Umu." Sakura nodded.
"Okay, Hajime the test is over, and I have to get back to work. You're free to go."