Every new morning felt like a fresh page in my life. I'd rush down to the kitchen to find my mother, and now, I helped her set the plates and get ready to cook. After a quick meal, my father would head off to work, leaving me alone for a few minutes.
"Go on and play, dear," Mom would say with a gentle smile. "I'll be fine, my boy."
"Okay, Mom," I'd reply, my face worried, "but I want to see Vivian and practice my mana control."
Packing my bag, I started my walk toward the training field. This time, though, I took a different route, veering off toward the Elven home. I wasn't sure why, but I felt an undeniable pull to see her.
When I got to her house, I tried to peek through a window, but I couldn't spot her. My heart felt a strange new pang, something beyond the usual worries that had been plaguing me lately. I shook it off and continued to the practice field. The field looked the same as always, but then I noticed something new: Vivian was sitting alone under a tree. Even more surprising, he wasn't asleep. He was usually napping by now.
"Hey, mate, what happened?" I asked, walking over to him. "Why aren't you sleeping, Viv?"
He looked up at me, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Rudra, you came!" he said, pulling me into a hug. "It's been so boring without you."
"So you missed me, huh?" I said with a laugh.
"Yes," he replied.
We spent the next little while playing sword fights with wooden sticks. I won four consecutive times, and when we finally took a break, I picked up my guitar. I'd left it by the tree before we started playing. I plucked one note, then another, and another. After a few minutes of playing, I glanced over and saw Vivian had finally fallen asleep, and the cattle were grazing peacefully nearby. It was a surprising sight, but I pushed it from my mind.
I moved to a clear spot and pulled out my mana core, preparing to practice my wind manipulation. It was difficult, but I was determined to get it right. I focused my energy and formed a wind ball, aiming it at a nearby rock.
Just as I was about to release it, a voice from behind me said, "Hello."
The sudden sound startled me, and I lost my focus. The wind ball went wild, veering away from the rock and slamming into a tree with a loud boom. All the leaves instantly fell to the ground.
My face went from angry to a simple, normal look as I turned around. My anger vanished, and I was completely lost in her green eyes.
"Don't look at me like that," she said, her face turning red.
I snapped out of my daze. "Sorry, sorry," I stammered.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her pointed ears twitching up and down, which made me blush.
Oh, what am I thinking? I ignored my flustered thoughts and answered her question.
"This is called mana," I explained. "My attribute is wind mana manipulation. I can form a point of mana and create a large wind ball. My aunt taught me how to do it."
She nodded. "So you're a mage, then?"
"No!" I said quickly. "I can use a sword, too! I want to be an adventurer like my dad and uncles."
"I see," she said, lifting her hand for a handshake. "I thought you were just a noisy kid who was ignorant. But after hearing about you from the villagers and seeing you for myself, I can tell they were right. You're extraordinary."
She shook my hand firmly. "My name is Ribi."