บท 18: Chapter 17: Visiting the Smithy

Growing up was one of the most difficult things that Kiel had ever done. There were way too many restrictions on his tiny body. Many things that he wanted to do, but only a few things that his tiny body actually allowed him to do.

The only things that he could do now was learn basic runes and memorize them, form indicias and be praised for them; also take pleasure in being praised. Agatha would often take him on village tours and swank about him in front of other wifes. It was one of the few things she took pleasure in. Seeing his mother happy, Kiel could only reluctantly let her do as she wished.

Kiel had now memorized all the basic runes. He also never stopped his training. After finding that his 'Tranquil State' increased his memory, learning was an easy thing. But it also became a nightmare for the little kid.

If he didn't show his happiness while being praised, he would be on a torturous adventure of cheek pinching by the beautiful village women, who always thought him to be way too cute, and couldn't keep their hands to themselves after seeing him.

Even Agatha sometimes participated in these events, making him so much embarrassed. He couldn't even slow down his progress, as it would affect his future plans.

When he asked for books, he would be given story and picture books with folklore and other bedtime stories in them. Although he wanted some history books to better understand the world, he just couldn't ask about them. So, he could only extract information from folklores and let them treat himself like a little kid.

Although he didn't get much information from these stories, the one thing he did learn was how powerful mages actually were, and how the world revered them.

There were stories about how mages saved many damsels in distress; how they slayed evil beasts and defeated corrupt kings to save the princess… and lived a happy life etc.

What was actually fascinating for him was the mention of other humanoid races. Kiel was way too excited over this. After all this was the dream of every human from his previous life, and of course him.

Kiel had now turned three. He now had silver hair which covered his cute round head. A pair of beautiful eyes with cyan and turquoise colors intermingling all around the inner pupils, added even more charm to the little boy. A tiny straight edged nose and rosy lips, combined with his pale skin only made him look like a little angel. And two cute little dimples when he smiled melted the hearts of all the ladies of the village.

According to Derek and Agatha, he was now eligible to train and go to the next phase of his life. So they told him about much of the stuff that he was dying to know.

They told him where they lived, in the mountainous ranges of the Virakali Mountains and also many things about his future.

In their Midnight Province, their Ratri village was one of the more backwater places. But still the initial phases of life were the same everywhere. From three to five years kids would train to make their body more durable to reach the threshold to perceive mana. At the age of five, the energy around them which they called mana, would for the very first time be channeled into the body of the child.

At that age, the body of a child would be developed enough to sense mana, and durable enough to withstand the violent energy without being harmed. Channeling mana into one's body was an arduous process and could harm anyone without proper guidance. So, it would only be done in the presence of professionals. This would become the first step on the road to become an expert. At the same time the elemental affinity of everyone towards a particular element would also be tested.

There were five primary elements. Most people could only have one of these elements. But there were secondary elements too. Those who had these elements were regarded as prodigies and directly taken into academies. Someone having more than element was considered even more of a genius.

Kids then would have to remember the very sensation of mana, and try to perceive it again from the surrounding, and then control the sensation. Those who can perceive mana would take the next step into cultivation, i.e. becoming Inceptus mages or simply Inceptors.

When one becomes an Inceptor, one could apply for one of the Mage Academies and study under them. It was considered an honour to study in an academy, as it would not only provide them a platform for showcasing their talents, but also give them further privileges.

But the minimum requirement for applying for most academies would be to become an Inceptor by the age of ten. Some lower class academies even accepted students upto twelve years old. But that was it. Any older and they would be regarded as having no talent for mana, and denied access to anymore academies.

"I mean…. Obviously five years for perceiving mana should be enough. Those with average talent only take three years to master the initial mana perception. And if someone still can't sense anything even after seven years, it should be that they have no talent in this regard." That's what Derek said to him.

Hearing all this information, Kiel got much of his thoughts sorted out. But he still had some doubts.

"Why do we need to be injected with exterior mana? Why can't we perceive it on our own? And why at only five?? Also are there any other energies aside from mana??"

But the answer that he got was, "Kiel, whats gotten into you? Do you have a fever? Why are you taking such things?"

"Mom just answer me!" Kiel replied annoyed.

"Silly child. How would we know these? Things were always like that. And why would we wanna know them! This is just how it has always worked. Well if you want to know more, you can always go to the Provincial Library."

"Papa what is your element affinity then? What about mama??"

"My element is fire. Your Mama's water. And your big sister Hazel is ice. It is a secondary element. So she was regarded as having potential and taken directly into Leonidas Mage Academy."

"Then what about Amber sista and Fawn sista? What are their elements?"

Hearing this question, both Agatha and Derek turned silent. Agatha seemed to be hesitating. But then Derek impatiently said, "They are attributeless... trash"

Kiel wanted to continue more as he was still not satisfied. His inner scientist was always curious about something new. But seeing his parents like that, he knew something was wrong. So he tried to ask something else. Also seeing his sisters called trash, he didn't feel good.

"Dad that means I can join an academy at any time as long as I can become an Inceptor before ten" If he could enter an academy faster, his future journey would be a lot easier.

"How could that be?? The first ten years are basic necessity to learn language and runes and build up one's foundation. Only at ten years would any academy permit your application."

"Alright enough! I've to go to my workshop now. Got a new order for a mace. Have to work hard on it! And remember tomorrow you are going to my workshop! So be sure to be ready "

Kiel didn't ask his parents anymore questions. He simply kept quiet and digested all the new information that he got. And hearing the word library also filled him with more energy.

Seeing him silent, Derek caressed his hairs a little before going out. But Kiel still had shining eyes when he heard the word workshop.

"Mo...mma"

Seeing the shining eyes of her son, Agatha only saw a big headache coming..

"Nope. Go play with your sisters"

"But momma I've not said anything yet!"

"Listen baby… I'm your mother. I know you better than anything. After all… you were the one who didn't even want to come out of me before"

Hearing this, Kiel cheeks turned red with embarrassment.

"Mou… momma you big bully!! You always talk about things like that in front of everyone!!! Do you know how embarrassing is it!!"

"Oh my!! Looks like my little baby is growing up!!"

"MOMMA!!!! I'm not talking to you anymore"

Speaking till here, Kiel got up and ran away. Agatha had a big smile on her face, watching him behave like that.

***

The next day

"Momma… I'm going… Don't be worried about me!!"

"Silly child! Go have a nice day! And be safe!"

"Big sista Amber, big sista Fawn bye.."

Kile waved his hands energetically.

"Little brother come home early. We couldn't play today"

Seeing all the fuss, Derek had to interfere.

"Let's go! We don't have too much time."

Kiel held Derek's hand, as they both slowly walked out of the house, leaving the ladies waving behind.

As they walked on the muddy roads, paddy fields, the crystal clear river banks; looking at the deep blue skies and milky white clouds passing by, Kiel felt something tugging his heart. Remembering about his previous world, it's dusty and polluted terrain; and how he worked hard to change everything on his own, Kiel suddenly felt a bit lost. He wanted to see how it had evolved.

'Will I be able to see my previous world?? The world that I created with my own two hands! '

(A/N:*A slight whisper in somewhere unknown* Yes only if I want. If I feel like you shouldn't… then forget about going there. After all you are just a puppet of mine. Hehehe...)

Derek's smithy was in the town marketplace. It was fifteen minutes away by foot from their home. So they reached there pretty fast. Although a little child may have some problems walking such distances, Kiel had greater stamina and endurance, due to his root chakra awakening. So he didn't feel tired at all.

Arriving at their destination, Kiel looked around to see a busy market place. Kiel recollected it to be the retail market hub for the neighbouring five villages. Here, the five villages mingled and traded with each other.

It was a little crowded in the market. There were many stalls on the roadside; some selling skewers, some candies and other stuffed toys for kids. Many children were frolicking in front of these stalls and greedily longing for the stuff on display. There were also many jade and other pretty looking stones and jewelry on display.

Some beggars were begging alms at the sideway. Patrol guards wearing green striped uniforms would occasionally wander down the streets to check everything. All in all, it was still peaceful.

Seeing all the candies and stuffed toys, Kiel remembered how his sisters loved sweets and the rugged toys they played with at home. Although he didn't like the toys, he would still feel bad for them. There were also many stones his mother liked on display.

This was his first time visiting such a place. So he was a little excited as a child. But after thinking about his family, Kiel made up his mind.

The first goal of his life would be to earn something and bring happiness to his family; maybe even to his father. Although his father was not an evil person, Kiel felt that he was somewhat a little strict with his sisters. So he didn't have any hard feelings for his father. But he was not overly intimate with him too.

Speaking of money, Kiel found out that this word was like the typical fantasy worlds. There was no concept of paper notes. Although there were still banks, metal coins were mostly the medium of exchange here. Some even preferred to trade things with bartering.

The lowest currency system started with copper coins.

100 Copper Coins= 1 Silver Coin

1000 Silver Coins = 1 Gold Coin

10000 Gold Coins = 1 White Gold Coin

There were even gems and other currency, but they were mostly privileged for influential people and mages.

Coins were generally made of their respective materials with standard weightage to avoid duplicacy. Each coin had a full moon having two crescent moons on it's two sides facing the full moon. This was the symbol of their kingdom - the Areneu Kingdom

The average household income here was only 10 silver coin annually. Kiel's family was a little rich, earning 30 silver coins yearly.

As such thoughts ran through his mind, they reached their family smithy. Looking at it closely, Kiel found that it was more like a weapon shop. A one storey big room with many weapons on display. On the outside, it had a bluish colour and had a big nameplate at its top, "The Goodwill Smithy".

"W,ell, we have reached. This is the weapon store. The workshop and the smithy are its back. Let's go inside."

Kiel nodded and they entered inside.

A bell rang at the doorstep as they entered.

"Welcome to Goodwill…., Oh, it's Derek. You are late today. The mace order needs to be completed in three days. It is a big catch this time. So look into it properly. Remmy is inside. If you need anything, inform me."

"Oh! Ok. See you!"

Entering inside, Kiel was totally mesmerized by the different weapons and armours on display. Blades, sabres, swords, halberd, clubs, knives, shields, armours were the most common types on display there. There were many more about which Kiel had no idea about. He had seen many hot weapons. But it was the first time seeing so many medieval age cold weapons. He felt like he had entered some museum. No plastic or carbon materials. Only metal and wood, sometimes even hemp and other similar materials.

Different colours, different materials, different usages and a distinguished aura coming out from most of them, were enough for him to forget speaking.

There were some customers inside the store, but Kiel had all his attention on the display walls. He didn't notice anyone. Only when a sweet voice called his name did he wake up from his reverie.

"My oh my! Look who we have here! Isn't this the small boy whom Agatha can't stop praising."

And then came a round of cheek pinching.

Who appeared in front of him was a beautiful woman in her late twenties, with brown hairs and similar brown eyes. Although she was not as beautiful as Agatha, she had her own charm. A mesmerizing smile, a big rack and a bubble butt; with an aura of independence. This lady in front of him was Awenasa Ambertail. She was one of the co-founders of the smithy and the business partner of Derek.

She managed the store and looked for potential clients, while Derek supplied the orders.

"Mou… don't bully, me, Aunt Ena. I've grown up now. I'm three." Pouting Kiel complained, showing three fingers.

"Ara.. ara"

Kiel knew the lady in fr font of him. She often used to visit their house. And Kiel then would have to suffer the misery of his cheeks being deformed. From what Kiel knew about her, she was a widow and an independent woman. Her husband died while serving in the army early on, and she didn't remarry. She didn't have kids too. But she loved Kiel as her own son.

"Awenasa leave him be. Let's, go, Kiel."

Ena, as Kiel called her, went back to her counter while Kiel entered the inner smithy with Derek.