Today was my sixth birthday yet I was more excited for my magic test rather than my actual birthday. I have been slowly integrating my normal speech into talking with my parents and finally was able to ask to do magic training.
A few months ago
Avery: Please teach me magic!
Mother: Oh dear! You are so silly. You need to take a magic test first. Once you do then magic lessons can come.
Avery: Ok! Ok! Ok!
Back in the present
I opened the door to see my mother standing in front. Her beautiful smile gleaming down on me. While she looked excited I could tell she hadn't slept last night due to her eyebags that had sprung onto her face. I also couldn't sleep. I was way too excited.
Mother: You ready Avery? I can take you in before breakfast if you would like.
Avery: Yes! Yes please.
I got dressed and we headed down the hill towards the town. Unlike most magic tests that are held in local guildhalls or official buildings our is held in…. a shabby tent. It sat lonesome to the side of the town with several rips and grime stained into the dark grape shaded purple cloth. It was easily spottable from anywhere and looked extremely out of place.
We crossed through town passing the well and through a small alley. Arriving at the tent I looked upon it. The obvious stitching had become more apparent and it was obvious that this tent was worn out past the point of throwing it out.
My mothers excitement cooled off as we entered the tent. It was pitch black with only small lights from the holes in the tent offering up light. A chipped table sat in the middle with a dim candle resting atop as well as a deck of cards. A figure sat opposite us, their hood concealing their appearance. They silently started shuffling the deck in front of them. Their hands were as pale as the moon and ladylike.
Mother: Avery, this kind instructor will shuffle the deck, you will pick a random card from the deck and whatever is displayed upon the card is what your mana type is.
Avery: Um ok!
The figure began to violently shuffle the deck, cards were sent flying before being quickly snatched up and mixed in with the other cards. Before snapping the cards flat onto the table. The way these specific cards work is that they are all blank but can absorb mana well and read it before displaying an image representing the type of mana.
I slowly drifted my hand towards the cards, sweat oozing off my hand like crazy as my hand scanned the deck. No matter what card I pick it's all the same yet I'm terrified. What card should I pick? My hand snatched a card randomly before placing it upside down on the table.
I drew the very last card but still I wasn't ready to see it just yet. Turning towards my mother I let out a small smile before flipping it over slowly. Instantly the card began to rapidly flash through a bunch of different elements. This was weird, from what I read it just instantly gave a picture or didn't react if you got nothing so why is it going wild?
The card kept flashing before disintegrating on the table. I turned to my mother as she looked back confused on what was going on. I looked over at the dealer as they sat calmly before standing up. As they did their sleeve slipped a bit revealing a small symbol of a rope tied into a noose similar to the ones used in taking lives surrounded by a circular design.
Hooded Person: We need to redo the test.
Mother: Alright…
The figure's voice was feminine oddly, I don't know why that was weird but it felt offputting. Maybe it was her voice? Also what do you mean redo the test? It probably is due to this shitty setup. I mean what do they expect?
The hooded woman sat back down and began shuffling the deck once again and slammed the cards down, a small smile evidently shown under the hood. I drew the bottom card again placing it down facing upwards. The hooded woman snatched the card before I could see.
Mother: Excuse me? What are you doing?
Hooded Woman: I'm stopping it from exploding.
Mother: Um alright.
Hooded Woman: Liquid, you are a Liquid type mage.
Mother: Liquid? Avery do you hear that? You're a mage!
Avery: Yes! Mage!
Hooded Woman: Congratulations, do keep the celebrations else where, I have a business to run.
I glanced behind to see another family with a small brown haired boy waiting patiently. I stood up and quietly left, the boy eyeing me. Upon arriving home my mother quickly made her way to prepare a giant feast.
Father: I heard you're a mage son! I knew you would be one! My son is a mage! I'm so proud of you.
Avery: Thank you Father!
Father: No worries, let's all enjoy a wonderful meal!
I sat idly in the kitchen, my mother cooking up a meal as my father stood up. He smirked at me yet it still felt kind of forced before heading out the door in the kitchen, snatching up his sword as he left. I silently followed as he made his way out to the middle of the field. I hid behind a wall, watching curiously.
Father: My son, a mage. I'm so proud of him now. He's already shown signs of greatness. Just like his aunt, Maria. I wish she were alive to see him now, they look so similar to those two.
Geez, this level of flattery is nice, he just loves to feed my ego. But I really do enjoy this, it's nice to see someone show pride in me, it's a new feeling. Nobody was ever proud of me back in my old world. All they did was look down on me or feel shameful that I was connected to them. I truly am so grateful I have parents like this. Thank you.