Eryndel Hills, Human kingdom Solvaris
Year 639 After the Great Pandemic
In a small village full of joy, there lived a family with three children. Each of the children helped out on the farm. They took care of tasks like looking after the chickens, cleaning the house, and sometimes, the boys even went hunting. But there was also the youngest child, Sebastian. From the moment he was born, he had a curious nature, always observing everything around him.
And that's exactly what he was doing now—watching intently—until his mother called out, "Sebastian, food is ready!"
"I'm coming, Mom!" Sebastian replied. Slowly, he made his way back to the house where his family was waiting to have dinner together.
"Where have you been, young man?" his mother asked.
"I was observing a wild dog near the farm," Sebastian answered.
"Sebas! How many times have I told you that's dangerous?" his mother scolded.
"But, Mom, it's so interesting how it uses all its senses to hunt in the wild. One day, I want to have a familiar, and when the time comes, I need to understand how all kinds of animals live—their habits, what they eat, when they eat..." Sebastian rambled on, until his mother playfully tapped him on the head.
"Young man, you need to listen to your mom!" she said.
"Yes, Mom, but what else can I do? All the other kids don't like me," he muttered.
Just then, his father, Jeff, walked in with the fresh milk they would drink. He paused, noticing his youngest son getting a gentle scolding from his lovely, though somewhat crazy, wife.
"Lis, aren't you pampering him too much?" Jeff teased.
"Jeff! Just wait—I'll punish you too!" Lis responded, making Jeff pull a mock scared face. The kids laughed so hard they nearly cried, and even Lis and Jeff couldn't help but join in the laughter.
Once things calmed down, Jeff turned to his oldest son, Matt. "So, son, are you ready for your Awakening Ceremony?"
"Yes, Dad," Matt answered.
That day, every child in the village who turned 16 would undergo a test. By drinking a mana potion, they would awaken their dormant core. The examiner explained that those who had a core could enroll at the academy. If a core was awakened, a glowing aura would surround them.
The testing began, and several young people awakened their cores... except Matt. Only one out of ten people could awaken their core. The family comforted him, but it didn't stop Matt from making a decision that evening.
"I may not become a Summoner, but I can still become a Swordmaster," Matt said resolutely.
"Then so be it. Whatever you choose to do, remember that you'll always be welcome here at home," Jeff said, his voice filled with love. Lis, teary-eyed, nodded in agreement.
The next morning, Matt set off on his journey to become a Swordmaster. The family of five became a little smaller—now only Jeff, Lis, Lea, and I their youngest son, Sebastian, remained.