The days passed by gradually, making August aware of his surroundings.
A world, having the possibility of a supernatural phenomenon to take place which people call magic. Magic here was possible due to the presence of 'mana' in the surroundings.
Whether it was an element or a substance since it could not be seen with the naked eye but only be felt, thus was supposed to be having no physical form.
But this didn't stop people from utilising it according to their needs. Using their fixed amount of mana present in them since birth was referred to as, innate mana —they could manipulate the mana in their surroundings to create possible outcomes.
Every human being had the possibility but not everyone had the aptitude and mental capacity to utilise the surroundings though.
———
[ After three years since August was born ]
It was a day of early summer, and the sun was high up in the sky. A raven black haired boy was sitting on the wooden floor besides three open books with his mother around.
It was quite amusing watching a three year old boy staring into the books so attentively like he understands every meaning written behind those words.
August had a liking towards any kind of book. Whether it was magic, ancient tales or spiritual manuscripts. His interest in knowledge, never wavered. Without differentiating between pictured books and the ones with only words he used to stare at all of them with equal interest.
Watching all the things around him with full interest he was nothing if not a good observer. Apart from books though, the young boy used to stare outside from the long glassy window of his room. Observing the lightning falling down from the sky.
Which was kind of his favourite time pass. Watching the trails of occasional lightning moving irregularly without being bound to any rules and regulations was the thing he truly enjoyed to stare at. Not to mention shiny things were always good to look at.
The problem however, was the following thunderclap which always used to come after the beautiful white lightning. The loud noise was nothing more than a matter of fear for the young boy.
The reason, there were many books around him was that lady Sophia used to teach mana manipulation as in the basics of magic to children in the town.
"Honey! Come, Look at our little scholar" his mother said to his father when Valerius entered the room,
"i think he would become a genius mage in the future"
"Oh come on dear" his father said with a teasing expression, "how can you say that? maybe he would become a swordsman"
After having a bittersweet talk about what the future of August will look like in both of their conflicting visions. His father hugged his mother, ending the sour debate,
"Well, It doesn't matter what we think or plan" He said looking at his young boy, "I just want him to be happy and live a normal life." Suddenly a dark expression appeared in his eyes, "He should not have to face the difficulties because of his idiot father. He doesn't deserve that" Valerius let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes in despair.
"Are you calling my genius husband, an idiot?" She wrapped her arms around her husband.
"You did what was best for all. There is no point in burdening yourself with guilt." Making her tone pleasant and supportive, "No matter what happens, we will stay together and go through every difficulty, life might throw at us. You remember our promise, don't you ?"
"until death do us apart" both said in a united voice.
"I am so glad to have you by my side" being confronted, a gleam of hope appeared in his eyes, "thank you for bearing with me all the time."
Said Lord Velarius as his heart felt heavy weighing him down tied to the past with a loose string.
"Ah! What can I possibly do with you?" She replied with a sarcastic retort, "you are such a kid" her voice losing the sarcasm as she buried her face in Valerius's chest, "it was not your fault. Time to let go of the past and think about the future."
"Yeah you're probably right" he replied with a subtle nod, "we came here for a fresh start so let's live happily."
———
About the young boy, both parents were happy to see how dedicated he was towards books. Looking at pictures and even staring at ancient text written on them for too long.
Lord Valerius owned a portion of land on which farmers used to plant crops, supplying food for the whole village. Because both lord and the lady were high grade combat mages —the town remained safe from monster attacks or any external threats.
August himself, was very interested in learning magic. Lucky for him, there were two best teachers at home, be it in basics or in high grade combat magic.
Watching her son take interest in magic Lady Sophia started teaching him basics of magic.
There were two ways to use magic in this world. With spells, incantations and the other, was silent casting.
While the magic was quite easy and effective with the help of a long or short series of perfect set of words, to use it this way, was very time consuming. Not to mention the human errors and other limitations some spells had on them.
Incantation-less magic was something not many mages were able to accomplish in their lives because to use magic this way, one had to stabilize his mind via various forms of meditation to be able to control the flow of innate mana inside their body.
Therefore, it was rather a rare skill in backward villages or in the outskirts of various countries.
In the developed parts or big cities though, being a world-less caster wasn't that rare.
But the practice still took many years of expertise.
———
For August though, the first step was to stabilize the mind with concentration and focus, which was attainable only by meditation. To stabilize once perception of sensing mana was the concept. The young boy was quick to catch on and started meditation regularly.
Apart from these magic lessons, his father started to teach him swordsmen ship and basic combat since it was a world where skills reigned above everything.
All the things were going great for him, but the headaches August was getting since used to return like a ghost from the past to haunt him occasionally. Not to mention they were gradually getting more and more severe.
Well, the time interval between them grew wider consecutively. Sometimes it took days for them to return, then weeks and then it happened to slow down even for some months.
There was a wider time gap so he tried to endure most of them and decided not to mention any of that to his parents so that they won't have to worry about him much. It's not like they could do anything to help him though.
He knew how much they tried, which lengths they had gone that's why it worked just fine for him.
———
During these basic lessons weeks and months flew by. Until now August was able to concentrate and his basics became stronger whether it was magic or combat.
Now, he was able to control the within, with more precision to be able to manipulate the mana in the surroundings.
The boy was quite skilled in combat too. The sword had become like a part of body to him. Well, he was yet to attain fluidity and mastery but it wasn't too much to say that the boy was skilled for his age.
Watching him learn and take all the knowledge to heart at a pretty early age, his parents were surprised as well.
More than that they were proud of their young genius.
———
One day in the afternoon, when the Sun was towering up above the sky. August, who was sleeping soundly in his room encountered a nightmare.
Flames. Fire. Everywhere.
A Village was burning in the distance. Flames reaching higher and higher.
Then his perception shifted. The space around him was changing. The dimensions were rearranged in front of his eyes. In an instant those blurry images of high flames became a distant memory to him.
August found himself surrounded by mountain chains. He was standing on which felt like a grassy valley. A silhouette appeared on a cliff at a distance as though calling out his name.
A feminine voice. She said something. A name perhaps? He did not quite understand the words. Then suddenly whispers made their way to his ears.
"—Augustus?—"
"—Augustus?—"
A cold shiver ran down through his spine. Why? The boy could not comprehend.
Followed by a severe headache, the pain became insufferable.
Unbearable.
He stood up from the ground. Started walking towards the voice. Every step felt heavy. His movements, sluggish. As though he was being tied down by something.
Ignoring the imaginary chains, he continued to move forward.
Step. step. another step.
When the weight became somewhat bearable, he ran towards the distant mountain cliff ...on which he saw someone.
But who exactly?
He wasn't sure.
The pain he felt, was finally slowing down. August felt good. Like a man who just drank water after being drowned by thirst for a long time. The relief was like bliss.
The essence of cold water on his forehead.
'feels good'
What?
When August opened his eyes, he wasn't in his room anymore. Looking at the surroundings he realised maybe he wasn't even at his home.
Feeling a cold sensation on his forehead, he turned his head. August flinched as he saw a girl hardly a year or two older than him sitting beside him.
Her long brown hair falling on her shoulder, occasionally catching the light giving subtle hints
of chestnut. She gently picked up the soft wet cloth on top of his forehead. Drowning the thing on more cold water.
August couldn't help but feel awkward under the curious gaze of her black beads like eyes. While the stranger girl felt rather matured for her age but there were enough child-like emotions behind her actions.
August was confused to the core when he woke up in a strange room, or rather house after sleeping in his own room.
'did I get myself kidnapped?'
No that can't be. Memories of the nightmare came flooding his mind. The mixed emotions brought a nauseating feeling with them. But this time it was, sufferable. Coming back to reality, he cleared his throat,
"W—where am I?"
"Oh! You woke up" A long smile appeared on her face,
"You are at my home."
"Your home?" August frowned deeply, but no matter how much he tried to remember, he never recalled coming here, "but who? Who are you?"
"Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself" she stood up energetically, "My name is Shelly, sadly no nickname. So you can call me just Shelly. Or wait!" Making August almost fall down from the bed, "you are much younger than me, so don't be afraid to call me big sister."
August lied there not quite sure how to respond to this overly enthusiastic ball of energy. So he simply nodded.
In further conversation with Shelly, August came to know that she didn't kidnap him. Or rather it turned out to be him who fell unconscious in front of her house.
Her father recognised August and brought him inside. Since he was burning with a fever Shelly tried her best to bring his temperature down.
This whole ordeal made August uncomfortable. Was he really sleepwalking? Or was it due to that dream he saw? He wasn't quite sure himself. At present, all he could do was to trust this girl who was dead set on making August her little brother and wait for his parents.
According to Shelly, her father was on his way to notify his parents. Also they would've probably noticed his absence and would be looking for him.
Shelly watching the boy drowned in his deep thought process poked his injury once again.
"Ouww" August flinched, less from the pain and more from the sudden act of strange girl, "what you do that for?"
"Oh!" Surprisingly, a hint of shock appeared on her face, clearing her throat she said in a rather serious tone, "sorry, I thought you fell asleep."
"What? Are you dumb?" The words came out as reflexes from his mouth, "how could you even say that? Even my eyes were wide open."
'my god. How dumb a person could be? Is this the limit? Or is she hiding even darker truths'
"Um.. sorry" the girl said apologetically, "I know I am not the type of person to use brain."
'what now? She doesn't use brain. And what's worse she's admitting that before me.'
"Maybe that's why I don't have any friends."
'this is bad'
August cleared his throat awkwardly, "I—Iam sorry. I didn't mean that way. I mean you are not dumb..."
"Oh my!" Surprisingly, Shelly let out a laugh, "you seriously believed that. I was just joking." With an irritatingly smug sneer on her face she waved a hand, "I was just acting or rather practicing my part I'm going to play in a skit next week"
August gritted his teeth in frustration
'this girl'
"I think i should head home now" He stood up hiding the irritation back, "mother would surely be panicking by now."
"Hey! Wait" Shelly held him by the arm from behind, her voice hurried, "I'm sorry if my act angered you. But I was serious about making you my little brother."
"No need" said August trying to free himself from the surprisingly strong grip of this stranger girl, "I am good"
"C'mon now, don't be like that" said the girl as her tone turned somber, "we can at least start with your name"
August scoffed, "why would I tell a stranger my name?"
'what's with this girl? Why is she so dead set on making me her brother?'
"Maybe because this stranger saved you" the girl replied without delay.
'fair enough'
"My name is Augustus" he lingered for a moment then he said with a somewhat hesitant time, "..but you can call me August."
The girl however, stared at him with amusement for a bit, then her smile grew wider, "yeah I know, who you are" she then cleared her throat, "you are teacher's son, I know that" the sarcasm returning to her tone, "for some reason, I wanted you to tell me your name."
'strange, really what's with this girl?'
"Okay then August" she said energetically, "from today onwards, don't shy to rely on your big sister." As though remembered something important, "oh! right you must be hungry. I'm gonna go grab a bite for you"
And just like that, without hearing anything back from August, the young girl left the room.
August was left alone contemplating his thoughts on the stranger who tried her best to act friendly around him. More than required even. But he didn't mind. The girl showed no signs to harbour any Ill intentions towards him.
Granted, her energy wasn't something to be satiated by mere words.
'strange'
He rolled his eyes and as though contrasting against his own thoughts a corner of his mouth curled upwards in a smile.
'I should probably keep my distance from her'
Or that was what he thought before that over excited ball of energy entered in the room with a tray way bigger than herself. On which various dishes were placed which seemed delicious.
'that's right I would keep my distance from her ...from Tomorrow'
———
Spending some time with the strange girl August came very close to losing his sanity. The only thing keeping him from turning into a madman by the mindless banter of the girl was that he began to understand her. He enjoyed the meals given by the girl.
Even choked in surprise when he found out these delicacies were prepared by Shelly herself.
She wasn't that bad after all.
"You know people say the sun isn't even there. It's just a conspiracy and we are living under the protection of an ancient god"
But mindless. She was.
Most of her stories didn't add up or hold any kind of important logic. Some of them were close to reality though. Maybe the force she referred to was the invisible barrier which was only visible to some skilled mages.
August himself wasn't that skilled with handling his mana though. Looking up at the sky all the things he could see, was the empty vast expanse of the clear blue sky. However there were some thread-like golden patterns visible to him under the clouds.
Her stories were lame. Her logic without any logic. But August saw right through her. He wasn't anything if not an observer that is.
To him it felt like she was trying her best for him to see herself as a friend. She was working very hard to come up with engaging stories so that August didn't feel her wild talk as boring stuff. There was a subtle hint of pressure she put on herself during their conversation also.
'what? Is she feeling nervous? That's ironic.'
—————