Ranav awoke on the morning of his fourth birthday to a bustling house. His family had been talking about this day for weeks, and today it had finally come; he was old enough to begin his apprenticeship with Nanima, the renowned healer and mage of their village. His parents fussed over him with pride, filling his head with advice and rules as they prepared for his journey. Though he'd been calm about this day for a long time, their nervous energy began to touch his mind. He barely touched his breakfast, eager to escape the whirlwind of instructions and excitement.
Finally, he took a deep breath and set out for Nanima's house, walking briskly through the quiet village. The late winter morning was still cold, the early light casting a soft glow on the rooftops as smoke curled from their chimneys. As he approached Nanima's house, a sense of calm washed over him. It was a short walk, yet his family had acted as though he were setting off on an epic journey.
He found Nanima waiting for him on a wooden bench outside her home. Despite her advanced age, she was as sharp as ever, her hunched figure wrapped in a fine woolen shawl, her gray eyes watching him with the intensity of a hawk. Ranav approached, giving her a deep bow, his hands clasped in respect.
"Hello, Nanima. How are you? Sorry I'm late."
Nanima's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Hello to you, little imp. Growing fast, aren't you?" She eyed his height with approval. Ranav nodded, suppressing a smile. "Yes, I am. Can I ask you a question? I've thought about it for a long time."
Nanima chuckled. "As long as it's not about my age, be my guest."
"Nana, are you a strong mage?" he asked, curiosity plain on his face. Her reputation fascinated him; he'd heard stories of her power but hadn't dared ask until now.
Nanima's expression softened with nostalgia. "Yes, I am. When I was young, I was accepted into the Red Mayura Academy with a scholarship, one of the most prestigious magical academies in the kingdom. I graduated without much trouble." She straightened slightly, her face brightening with pride.
"Then how did you end up being a healer here?" Ranav wondered. People said Nanima was one of the strongest mages in the area, a force that kept not only Dhela, but surrounding villages safe from bandits and beasts alike. It puzzled him why someone with her abilities would settle in a small village rather than pursue a grander life in the capital.
Nanima's gaze turned solemn. "You see, Ranav, there are commoners, nobles, and mages in this world. A strong mage can hold a position equal to a noble, depending on their power. I was powerful, a genius even. But I was young, foolish. I made some poor choices and ended up without anyone to support me. I had two options: live free as a healer or serve under a powerful noble, where my talents would have been used for their gain. You can see what I chose."
Her answer left a heaviness in the air, one that settled uneasily in Ranav's chest. For a moment, the grand dream of becoming a mage seemed daunting, as if there were an unseen cost hidden in the pursuit of power. Sensing his mood, Nanima patted him on the shoulder, bringing him back from his musings.
"Let's not spoil our first day with old stories," she said, her usual spark returning. "Come inside. We'll begin the right way."
They entered her home, which was larger than Ranav had thought from the outside. A settee lounge with a small tea table sat in the center, a pot of steaming tea ready on top. Nanima gestured for him to sit opposite her, and he immediately understood. His mother had lectured him on the tea ceremony, a formal start to the master-apprentice relationship.
Ranav poured a cup of tea for Nanima and gently set it in front of her. She took a sip, and he watched her carefully, feeling the weight of tradition settling over him. With a satisfied nod, she placed the cup down and drew a red envelope from her bag, handing it to him. Ranav took it with thanks, placing it safely in his backpack.
He then rose and presented her with a small box wrapped in cloth, a gift his mother had prepared for the occasion. Nanima accepted it, placing her hand on her chest in a gesture of respect as she spoke in a firm, clear voice. "From this day onward, I, Naria Agarwal, accept Ranav Limbekai as my direct disciple. I shall impart my knowledge and life lessons to him unconditionally. May the gods bear witness and bless our bond until death."
Ranav stepped forward, placing his own hand on his chest as he echoed her words with reverence. "From today onward, I, Ranav Limbekai, accept Nanima… Naria Agarwal, as my Master. I shall obey her commands and receive her teachings without question. May the gods bear witness and bless our bond until death." Then he went in front of Nanima, sat down, touched her feet, and stood before her.
With that, the ceremony was complete, and Ranav felt a thrill of excitement. He had stepped into a new world, bound now to the woman everyone respected as a guardian and healer.
Nanima looked him over, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Something's on your mind, isn't it? Go ahead."
Ranav hesitated, a little embarrassed. "Your name is Naria… but everyone calls you Nanima. Why?"
Nanima laughed, her eyes wrinkling with warmth. "Ah, well, when I was young, everyone used my given name. But as the years went by, I helped bring so many children into this world that they started to call me 'Mama.' And eventually, those children had children of their own, and they began calling me 'Nanima.'" She ruffled his hair affectionately. "Now, you can explore this house. At least for the next two years, this will be your second home. You can go anywhere except my bedroom—that's off-limits. And don't move anything in the study; you're free to read there, but put each book back in its place."
Ranav nodded enthusiastically, already looking around the large study room with curiosity. His gaze lingered on the bookshelves filled with books, and his hands itched to start reading.
"Start with the history books," Nanima suggested. "Write down any questions, and I'll answer them later. I have to visit a patient now, but I'll be back soon."
As she closed the door behind her, Ranav stood alone in her house. The vast silence settled around him, but instead of feeling small, he felt powerful, as though he'd stepped into a story much larger than himself. With a sense of purpose, he walked over to the bookshelf and ran his fingers along the spines, feeling the worn leather of each cover. He pulled out a small, well-built history book, History of the Mayura Kingdom, and began flipping through its pages eagerly.