It had been two years since I first learned magic, and in that time, I had managed to master three beginner-level water spells: Water Ball, Water Shield, and Water Arrow. These were the only spells I could use so far, but I was proud of the progress I had made, especially since it had taken me two years to learn them. My father, who was my instructor, had been away on the battlefield for a year and had only just returned this year. With him back, our training had resumed in earnest.
"Will, breakfast is ready! Come down!" my mother called out from the kitchen, her voice echoing through the house.
I was five years old now, and I had my own room on the second floor of our house, right next to my father's study. It was a small, cozy space with a single bed, a wooden desk, and a small bookshelf filled with the few books I owned. The morning sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. I hurried down the creaky wooden stairs, eager to join my parents at the dining table.
As I entered the dining room, the smell of freshly baked bread and roasted boar filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. My father was already seated at the table, his grizzled face softened by a warm smile as he looked up from his plate.
"Good morning, Will," he greeted me, his deep voice carrying the weight of experience and authority.
"Good morning, Father," I replied, taking my seat across from him.
My mother, a kind and gentle woman with soft blonde hair and warm eyes, set a plate of food in front of me before taking her own seat. We shared a simple yet hearty breakfast of bread and boar meat, the latter having been hunted just the day before. The villagers often gathered for communal hunts, especially those men who were former soldiers or currently on leave, like my father. The nearby Corone Forest, a half-day's walk from the village, was rich with wildlife, and boars were a common target during these hunts.
As we ate, there was a knock at the door. My mother began to rise to answer it, but I quickly offered to go instead.
"I'll get it, Mother," I said, already halfway to the door.
When I opened the door, I was met with the sight of a beautiful red-haired woman in her late twenties. Her name was Lyshia, our neighbor and a close friend of my mother's. Her hair cascaded down her back in fiery waves, and her emerald green eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled at me.
"Oh, Will, good morning," she greeted me warmly, her voice as sweet as honey.
"Good morning, Aunt Lyshia. Please, come in," I said, stepping aside to allow her entry.
"You're as respectful as always, Will. I can't imagine where you get it from," she teased with a gentle laugh, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "I brought Chris with me. Could you play with her for a while?"
"Of course," I replied, my face lighting up at the thought.
No sooner had I agreed than a little blonde-haired girl came bounding toward me. Her brown eyes sparkled with excitement, and her cheeks were flushed with the rosy glow of youthful energy.
"Will! Let's play!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
"Yeah!" I replied, smiling back at her.
Chris was the daughter of Aunt Lyshia and Uncle Philip, a tall, kind-hearted man who often joined us for meals when they visited. Chris had inherited her father's blonde hair and brown eyes, which contrasted beautifully with her mother's fiery red locks. Aunt Lyshia visited once a week, always bringing Chris along, and it had become something of a routine for me to entertain her during their visits.
After inviting Aunt Lyshia inside, Chris and I headed to the backyard. It was a modest space, with a small garden that my mother tended to and a few trees that provided shade on hot days. The grass was soft underfoot, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
"Will, will you show me your magic again?" Chris asked eagerly, her eyes wide with anticipation.
"Of course. Here it comes," I said, preparing to cast a spell.
I stood in the center of the yard and closed my eyes, focusing on the flow of mana within me. I could feel the energy coursing through my veins, like a river of power waiting to be unleashed. I raised my hands and began to chant the incantation.
"I call a wall of water here and now. Let the tremendous protection of water be upon the location thou seekest. Water Shield!" I intoned, my voice steady and confident.
As I spoke the final words of the spell, a shimmering wall of water rose from the ground, towering over both of us. It was nearly as tall as my father, and the sunlight reflected off the surface, creating a dazzling display of colors.
"Wow! You're really amazing, Will!" Chris exclaimed, her eyes wide with awe as she clapped her hands in delight.
She always seemed amazed by my magic, no matter how many times I showed her. I couldn't understand why she never grew bored of it, but her enthusiasm always brought a smile to my face.
"Will, will I be able to use magic too?" she asked, her voice filled with hope and a hint of longing.
"Maybe," I replied thoughtfully. "I don't know yet, but we'll find out when we go to the cathedral when we turn seven."
Chris sighed, a pout forming on her lips. "That's such a long time. Why didn't you have to wait?"
Her question caught me off guard, and for a moment, I wasn't sure how to answer. The truth was that my father had unlocked my magical affinity early, but for some reason, I didn't feel like sharing that with her.
"Even if you asked me that, I wouldn't know either," I said, shrugging.
"That's unfair!" Chris pouted more, crossing her arms over her chest and turning her head away from me in frustration.
I chuckled at her sulking, finding it endearing rather than annoying. "I know you can wait two more years, Chris. And in exchange, I'll play with you every time you come here."
"Really?" she asked, her eyes brightening as she looked back at me.
"Yeah, really," I assured her, giving her a reassuring smile.
"If it's just two years, I can wait," she said, nodding resolutely, her pout slowly transforming into a determined expression.
"Yeah, I know you can," I said, smiling at her determination.
After that, we spent the rest of the morning playing tag and hide-and-seek, games we hadn't played in a while. Time seemed to fly by as we ran around the yard, laughing and shouting. Chris was surprisingly fast, and I found myself having to work hard to keep up with her. But no matter how tired we got, the smiles never left our faces.
As we played, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. These moments with Chris were precious, and I cherished every second of them. Despite our young age, there was a bond between us that felt unbreakable, a bond forged through countless hours of play and shared secrets.
Just as we were starting to tire out, my mother's voice rang out from the doorway, calling us back to reality.
"Will! Chris! It's time to eat!" she called, her voice carrying across the yard.
"Okay!" I shouted back, waving to let her know we had heard.
Chris and I exchanged a glance, both of us reluctant to end our fun but knowing we couldn't ignore a summons to the table. We began to make our way back to the house, but before we could reach the door, a familiar voice called out to us from behind.
"Chris, Will," the voice said, deep and kind.
We turned to see Uncle Philip, Chris's father, standing at the edge of the yard. He was a tall man with broad shoulders, his blonde hair slightly tousled from the wind. His brown eyes were warm and gentle, and his smile was the kind that made you feel instantly at ease.
"Papa!" Chris shouted, her face lighting up as she ran towards him.
Uncle Philip crouched down to catch her in a warm embrace, lifting her off the ground as she giggled with delight. It was clear that she adored her father, and the affection between them was heartwarming to see.
"We were just about to have lunch, Uncle Philip," I said, walking over to join them. "Why don't you join us?"
"Thank you, Will. I think I will," Uncle Philip replied, his smile growing warmer as he looked down at his daughter.
With that, we all made our way back to the house. My father was waiting at the door, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched us approach with a faint smile on his lips. He and Uncle Philip exchanged a nod of greeting, a silent acknowledgment of their friendship and shared experiences.
Inside, the table was already set, and the smell of food filled the air, making my mouth water. We all gathered around the table, with Chris and her parents joining us for the meal. The house was filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped, allowing us to savor this simple yet precious moment together.
As we ate, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the people in my life. My family, Chris, and her parents—they were all important to me, and I knew that these were the moments I would cherish forever. There was something special about these gatherings, something that made me feel like I was part of something greater than myself.
After the meal, we all sat together in the living room, talking and sharing stories. Uncle Philip told us about his latest hunting trip, regaling us with tales of the wild boars and the challenges of the hunt. My father listened intently, occasionally offering his own insights and experiences from his time on the battlefield.
Chris sat beside me, her head resting on my shoulder as she listened to the adults talk. She was quiet now, her earlier energy spent from our morning of play. But even in her tired state, she was still full of curiosity, her eyes wide as she took in every word.
As the afternoon wore on, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room. Aunt Lyshia and Uncle Philip eventually decided it was time to head home, and Chris reluctantly got to her feet, giving me a shy smile as she said her goodbyes.
"Will, thank you for playing with me today," she said softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness at the thought of leaving.
"Anytime, Chris. I had fun too," I replied, giving her a reassuring smile.
With that, they left, and the house grew quiet once more. I watched them go, a sense of contentment settling over me as I thought about the day we had shared. It was a simple day, filled with simple pleasures, but it was one that I knew I would remember for a long time to come.