Chapter 11 — Before the New Stage
---
Kael Grenfort:
Morning.
I'm sitting by the window. As always.
Outside, the world is waking up. The sun has just risen above the horizon — its white rays falling on the roofs of the small town's houses, turning them into gold. The air is clear, cool, mixed with the last breath of spring. Birds singing in the distance — they too are welcoming the new day.
I took a deep breath. The air filled my lungs — clean, light, full of life.
Well... another month has passed.
Time flew by in the blink of an eye. My sister — Cecilia — is one month old now.
Every day after practice, I play with her. Her tiny hands, her soft face, sometimes she smiles at me... Having a little brother or sister is interesting.
But...
Okay, I need to pull myself together a bit.
Yes, my birthday passed, by the way. As always — in the sweet circle of family. They gifted me school uniforms. They were a bit big, but...
Well, it's fine. I'll grow into them by summer. Hehe.
I smiled. Then suddenly thought.
I've been acting foolish. Too childishly.
It was true. I had let myself go — being an ordinary child, playing, laughing, enjoying. But...
I need to get a grip. I need to keep moving forward. I need to think about how I ended up here and what I need to do.
Whatever the case, I came to this world for a reason. I mustn't forget that.
---
Ahhh... the weather is warming up again. April.
Hmmm... what should I do?
I thought. The first thing that came to mind — school.
Well, first of all, I need to find information about school. Which school? And what is taught there?
Probably not difficult to find out. If I ask Mother, she'll tell me.
---
I went downstairs. Washed my face and hands.
"Mother, where is Father?" I asked.
Mother was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
"Yes, he said he had an important meeting. He left in the evening."
"Oh?" I hesitated. "Such important people? A meeting at dawn?"
Mother chuckled.
"No, not at dawn actually. Father left around 1 in the morning. The meeting is in another city — tomorrow. He should be on the road now."
"Which city?" I asked.
"Neighboring town — Gnezd. Next to the town we live in."
I understood. Gnezd — a few hours' journey from here.
"Where's my sister?" I asked.
"She's sleeping. Cried all night, fell asleep toward dawn," Mother said. There were traces of fatigue on her face.
"Are you tired?" I asked worriedly.
Mother patted my head.
"No, I'm fine, Kael. Here, breakfast is ready. Come, let's eat."
"Okay, Mother."
---
We were having breakfast. I thought for a moment, then spoke.
"Mother, I have another question."
"Yes, tell me," Mother said.
"About school."
"Go ahead, I said," Mother laughed.
"Well... what is actually taught at school? I want to know."
Mother wiped her mouth with a napkin and began to speak.
"Alright, alright. Reading, writing — that's first. Survival lessons — how to get out of dangerous situations, how to protect yourself. Basic economics — money, trade, calculations. Well, also — history. And most importantly — sensing mana. In higher grades, beginner spells, of course."
I listened attentively.
"You'll enter through a test. I think you'll pass it easily. And the school isn't here — it's in the barony's central city, Revius."
Revius...
"That school isn't too bad. There are few middle-class families. Mostly children from noble families go there. Yes, importantly..."
Mother paused for a moment and looked at me seriously.
"Don't oppose anyone. Don't stand out. Be as natural as possible. Try to rise up — but slowly, carefully."
I nodded.
"You've already created a core, Kael. If they find out, it could be a problem. So... control yourself. Act as if you created it there. Hide your mana core. That way, you'll move up to higher grades faster and graduate sooner."
I stared at Mother. My eyes lit up with joy.
This is a great plan!
"Thank you, Mother!" I said and hugged her.
She laughed. "Now finish your meal, child."
---
After eating, I decided to walk around the neighborhood a bit.
I was forbidden to go far or leave the town. Well, that was natural — after those incidents. Ewww
But at least I could walk within the town.
---
I went out into the street.
The small town had come alive. Since morning, people had woken up and started their work. The street was full of merchants — each praising their goods, shouting, calling out to passersby.
On one side, a vegetable seller — baskets full of red tomatoes, green cucumbers, yellow apples. Next to him, a baker — the smell of freshly baked bread spreading throughout the street. Warm, delicious, mouth-watering.
On another side, a potter — clay dishes, bowls, plates. They sparkled in the sun, attracting customers. Children ran along the street, chasing each other, laughing. Women carried baskets, shopping. Men gathered in one corner, chatting about something — sometimes raising their voices, sometimes bursting into laughter.
The street was very crowded. People brushed past each other, but no one got offended — everyone was in a hurry, yet at the same time making way for each other, laughing, talking.
I watched this scene. A medieval European vibe — wooden houses, thatched roofs, stone pathways. Various smells mixed in the air — bread, fruits, flowers, and sometimes the smell of horses. In the distance, the sound of a blacksmith's hammer — ding-ding-ding — rhythmic, unceasing.
For a moment, I felt as if I was walking in ancient times. But this — this is my present time. My world.
Beautiful, I thought. Despite everything, it's beautiful.
---
I returned home.
After gathering information, it was time to practice.
I went out to the yard. No one around — Mother inside, sister sleeping, Father away. Just me and nature.
Okay... should I try other spells?
I took out the book. Started reading.
Pages slowly open. Every spell, every formula, every form of mana — I need to learn all of this.
I took a deep breath. Closed my eyes.
Felt my mana core — in my chest, warm and steady.
Today, I'll try something new.
I extended my hand forward. Called upon mana.
---