Episode 03
1611 Words
17 yrs later, according to Nashiro's birth.
Nashiro had just celebrated his 17th birthday. The age 17 was marked as the coming of age. It was the age where youngsters get their Aether. Aether was a magical item that enabled them to enhance their magic. It was also suitable to develop potent magic spells.
"Congratulations Nashiro, tommorow you would go to the citadel of magic to receive your Aether" Clarisse hailed him.
"Thanks mum"
"It seems my younger brother has grown up"
A voice was heard from behind. Darna had just returned from her guild job. As Darna has promised her mother and Elle, she had gained a good reputation in the House of Eden, one of the strongest guilds in Haitani.
"Sis D, welcome back" Nashiro said as he threw his arms around her.
"Mum, it's time for us to leave this place"
" I know dear, we'll wait until Nashiro has received his Aether" Clarisse said.
"I wish Aunt Elle was around" Darna said.
"Yeah, haven't seen her after she got married to Borrick" Clarisse added.
"Who's Elle" Nashiro asked.
"Oh, Aunt Elenora, she was our neighbor. She sewed fine linen and she was kind and loving. Mum always left me with her whenever she went to the main market. Eventually she got married and she promised to visit us but that happened only thrice and since then, we haven't seen or heard from her" Darna narrated.
"Maybe, she has many marital problems to take care of" Nashiro said.
"Let's not spoil the moment. We'll keep the celebration low until you receive your Aether after which we'll make a full blast" Darna said
”****************
In Borrick's residence
"Congratulations son, you've gotten your Aether and you're a fire mage just like me" Borrick hailed Kurona
"Thanks Dad, although I wished mum was with us" Kurona said.
"Still it's kinda off you got a scroll for an Aether"
Borrick commented
"Yeah, you're right about that"
"Dad, can someone change it's Aether?" Kurona asked
"Never heard of something lyk that before so I think it's highly impossible" Borrick gave his piece of mind.
"Goodnight Dad" Kurona bade his father
The next morning, Nashiro was up so early.
"So, how'd you feel" Darna asked.
"Nervous" Nashiro replied.
"Don't worry, I felt the same way when I was receiving mine and graciously, I got the Mercury Aether"
"That's unique and classic"
"Well in order to become strong, I needed to
consider all other elements as enemies." Darna explained
"I wonder what kind of element I would have"
"You'll find out when you reach the cathedral.
The Cathedral
The cathedral is the place where mages receive their Aether. There are various cathedrals in Roppongi. It is said that a village should have at least 1 cathedral while the cities and towns in Haitani realm contains about 7 to 10 cathedrals. Every year a particular date is fixed for the collection of Aethers. Different cathedrals have different dates.
The cathedral in Entoni is located in the outskirts of the village. Although the building looks small, it is noted as the most sacred place. Inside the cathedral, a mage priest abodes there. He's the one that helps with the acquisition of Aether.
When Nashiro arrived at the cathedral, the place was filled and teens like him.
"I never knew Entoni had this much people of my age"
As he was about to enter the building, he bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry" the person said. I
"Don't mind" Nashiro replied.
"So sorry, just my clumsy nature" the person added.
""It's okayy"
The duo entered inside the cathedral.
"By the way, my name's is Matthias, Matthias Hildesheimer"
"Mine's Nashiro Enoteca"
"What!! But there's nothing white about you even your skin color is black"
"Oh yes, there is"
"Which is?" Matthias asked
"My heart and my pure soul" Nashiro answered.
"RR-right" Matthias muttered
"What kind of magic do you use" Matthias asked.
"Dunno, guess I'll find out when I receive my Aether"
"Mine's the Lightning magic, When I get my Aether, it'll help improve my magic"
"I heard that Aethers can be any object, maybe wands, amulets, rings, etc. do you know why it's like that" Nashiro asked
"Well I think because people have different aptitude to various items. Some mages are not suited to some Aethers so it doesn't go down with them"
"But the Aether chooses you, what if it's an object you're not used to?" Nashiro asked.
"That's where you have to bear with it and persevere"
The duo continued chatting until the priest if the cathedral emerged. The priest coordinates the smooth running of the Aether collection.
"Young mages, welcome to the cathedral. As of today, your lives begin, you determine what you become in the future. The Aether Collection begins!!" He said as he went to the stage.
"Release!!"
Immedately, the room started glowing and various items started flying around the air to meet their various owners. A gauntlet flew towards the direction where Nashiro and Matthias and fixed itself on Matthias right hand.
"A gauntlet, not bad" Matthias smiled.
While others were receiving, Nashiro stood still 15 minutes gone and nothing came to him.
"We're rounding up now since it seems everyone has gotten"
"Sir, I haven't had any" Nashiro protested.
"Young man, maybe come nex---"
The priest hadn't finished his sentence when a grimoire was seen floating in the air. The grimoire flew straight to the hands on Nashiro.
"No need sir, I've gotten mine"
Nashiro opened the book. The pages of the book were blank.
" But sir, the pages are blank"
"Maybe it has to do with your life experiences, as you progress further" the priest said.
And that concluded the Aether Collection. People were happy with their Aethers while some were not. However, Nashiro wasn't concerned. His Aether seemed special.
"Nashiro, check out my gauntlet"
"Yeah, it suits you" Nashiro praised.
The duo stepped outside the cathedral and continued their discussion.
To Nashiro, this was his first friend at his coming of age.
Matthias lived at the mainland of Entoni that's why they hadn't seen each other in previous times.
"What's your plan after now?" Matthias asked
"I intend to enroll for the Mages Arc Exam so that I can become a fully fledged mage, join a magic guild and begin missions" Nashiro answered.
"Really, then we're on the same page" Matthias said beaming a smile on his face.
"What guilds do you like to join?" Nashiro asked.
"The Black Dragons"
"Wow, that's nic---"
He hadn't finished when they were interrupted by bandits.
"Hey stop there!!" One of the members of the bandits barked.
"Why are you barking like a snoob dog?" Matthias retorted.
"You sure have a big mouth, give us your Aethers and we'll pretend this never happened" the leader spoke.
Apparently these bandits position themselves during the Aether Collection so as to steal Aethers from people because the applicants are Inexperienced.
"I won't allow it" Matthias thundered.
"Taste the magic I've been honing"
"Lightning Magic, Lightning Ball"
Balls of lightning surrounded Matthias as he sends them to the bandits.
"Weak" the leader said as he quenched the lightning.
"My specialty is also lightning kid, that's a more reason why I need your Aether"
"Lightning Magic, Lightning spear"
A spear made out of lightning was created and was sent to Matthias.
As that split moment, Nashiro grimoire opened by itself.
**Magic Analysis, Start
Magic structure, complete
Magic Form, complete!!
"Lightning Magic Lightning spear"
Another lightning spear was created but by who?
Twas Nashiro. Apparently Nashiro's magic is the copy magic.
The second lightning spear cancelled out the previous one.
"Impossible, it can't be!!" The leader was shocked.
"Flame Magic, Fire fist"
Flames engulfed the hand of one of the bandits as he advanced towards Nashiro.
"Flame Magic, Fire fist"
Flames also engulfed the hand of Nashiro as he advanced to counter the attack.
The group was stupefied.
"Taste the power of my arsenal. I used it to destroy a pesky village"
"Lightning Magic, Black Lightning"
This time , the lightning he created was black in colour and it had a deadly aura emanating from it.
"Matthias, I've got a plan, once I counter the magic you use your lighting to shock them. I've already poured water on them when I used the flame fist"
"How d you do that"? Matthias asked, looking surprised
"Immediately I countered his flame fist I threw my water jar towards them" he explained
"No time to waste"
"Alright then"
"Lightning Magic, Black Lightning"
As Nashiro countered it, Matthias swung into action.
"Lightning Magic, Elekiter"
Lightning from the clouds gathered towards the bandits and struck them
"Aahh!!" The bandits shrieked.
Although Nashiro was barely able to counter it, he took some damages.
Nashiro and Mathias did the honor of tying them up
"We're leaving, if anyone comes to your rescue that's your luck" The duo rounded all the Aethers stolen and returned them to the cathedral.
Nashiro opened the first page of the grimoire, on it had the lightning symbol.
He opened the second page, on it had the flame symbol.
And so they left them there.
"Gy, I can't believe your magic is the copy magic, that's awesome" Matthias hailed
Nashiro smiled. He opened the first page of the grimoire and behold, it had a lightning symbol.
"The old man was right, it has to do with my experiences"
"Let's pound it, for our first victory after coming of age" Nashiro said
The duo did fist bump.
"See you at the Mages Arc Exam"
"See ya"
And they bid each other goodbye.
That was the beginning of a long lasting friendship
- Writer
