THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA

RECOVERY

7th December 1099

The sound of a spoon clinking against a plate resonated throughout the Adekunle family's home as Mandla, his face bandaged, sat down in the dining room to enjoy a steaming hot bowl of Vasari soup, a popular dish from the post-corrosion era.

The room exuded a comical atmosphere, with Mandla's face completely wrapped in bandages except for his eyes and mouth, making his slow eating process quite amusing.

The dining room boasted a pristine white ambience from the table and chairs to the walls and even the vase at the centre adorned with a vibrant flower. Surrounding the table were six chairs, and Mandla settled into one, dressed in a blue robe featuring intricate white embroidery. He carefully sipped the thick brown soup, which contained numerous small green chunks.

By his side lay Chum, positioned on his stomach with closed eyes, appearing quite lethargic. When Mandla emerged from his second coma, one of his immediate concerns was Chum's well-being. He had feared that Chum might have perished in the explosion, but fortunately, he had survived with minor injuries, thanks to the protective scales covering his body.

Observing Chum's physique intently, Mandla marvelled at the resilience of his companion. Chum responded by narrowing his eyes and tilting his head, eliciting a wide smile from Mandla, who winced slightly before leaning down to affectionately pat Chum's head.

The Vasari soup consisted primarily of mashed kashes and Flives. The post-corrosion era had brought about mutations in various surviving elements, resulting in significant changes to the human diet. As a consequence, new names had been assigned to the foods and ingredients that endured, accompanied by the creation of novel dishes like Vasari soup.

A kashe resembled a spiky ball, with its spikes peeled off to reveal a soft interior that could be utilized in numerous culinary preparations. It could be consumed separately after boiling or as an accompaniment to other dishes. Experts speculated that kashe had likely mutated from potatoes in the pre-corrosion era.

On the other hand, Flives were incredibly elastic plants that possessed a meat-like texture when eaten. The exact origin of Flives remained uncertain, as some mutations left no traces of their previous form.

Over two weeks had passed since the explosion, during which Mandla had been in a coma for eight days. Upon awakening, he discovered that he had missed the federation exam, which deeply wounded him. Nevertheless, he managed to maintain composure, burying his emotions and focusing on the present.

The sound of footsteps intruded upon Mandla's thoughts, signalling someone's arrival in the dining room. He turned his head slightly and spotted Seid entering with an air of pomposity and arrogance. Seid was adorned in an exquisite long blue robe, intricately designed with black embroidery, and his hair meticulously plaited and trimmed—a clear display of his finest attire.

Seid paraded around the dining room, deliberately seeking attention, akin to a proud peacock flaunting its colourful feathers. Despite Seid's intentions, Mandla refused to grant him the satisfaction of being stared at and instead directed his attention solely to his meal.

Seid had successfully taken the exam and passed—an outcome that Mandla had anticipated, regardless of any contrary remarks he might have made. Seid had evidently come to revel in his triumph.

Failing to achieve his desired effect, Seid finally spoke, "You have a nice meal there," accompanied by a soft chuckle. He continued, "I've heard there are even better meals at the Federation Academy. It's a pity you won't get to experience them."

Suppressing the intense anger brewing within him, Mandla managed to utter, "What do you want, Seid?" He concluded with an audible sigh.

Seid replied, "Nothing," offering a slight smile before approaching Mandla. However, after noticing Chum lying on the ground beside him, Seid reconsidered his actions.

"Just wanted to remind you of the disparity between us," he stated before retracting his steps, about to leave the dining room.

"Live the remainder of your life here in peace, brother, and forget about being a warrior. Don't worry, I will provide for your needs as long as you live," Seid remarked, relishing a sense of triumph. With that, he departed, unwilling to waste any more words on Mandla. They were simply not on the same level.

As Seid exited the dining room on that note, Mandla fell into silence, fixating his gaze on his meal for a brief moment before resuming his eating.

Seid had left the house to pursue further training at the academy, aspiring to become a warrior. The thought of Seid's journey filled Mandla not with anger at his brother's success but with frustration over the injustice he faced due to his defective sacred bone. The repeated failures to rectify it only deepened his distress.

However, in a subsequent reflection, Mandla recognized the potential solace he could find within the confines of the house—a respite he desperately needed to chart his next course of action.

To deny his anger towards Seid's achievement would be disingenuous since the academy served as the training ground for humanity's warriors. Acceptance into the academy symbolized a promising future and an increased likelihood of becoming an immensely powerful warrior, aided by the resources and teachings available there.

Mandla dismissed Seid's words, a skill he had honed from an early age. After years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child with his mother, his father had married Divia Sevester, who subsequently bore him three children. Seid, being the second born, and Gwen, the third born.

Mandla and Seid shared the same birth date, making them quasi-twins from different mothers. It was a regrettable circumstance that they never got along, for reasons unknown to Mandla, although he suspected Divia played a role. Despite the smiles she always offered him, Mandla remained vigilant, sensing the peculiar gazes she cast his way.

Fortunately, due to his father's love, Seid had never been able to completely overpower Mandla, except through his words.

Mandla savoured his meal slowly, meticulously chewing the flives' chunks as he contemplated how to restart his experiment. "What a bothersome situation," he sighed.

"But what went wrong with the experiment?" Mandla wondered, recognizing it as an issue he needed to address before embarking on a fresh attempt.

"According to my calculations, everything was perfect. I meticulously measured and meticulously executed every detail, right?" He shook his head slightly before resuming his meal. Gazing at Chum, who ate from a bowl on the floor, Mandla thought to himself, "At least I still have you," accompanied by a heartfelt smile.

Chum held a special place in Mandla's heart, transcending the boundaries of a mere pet. He was family—a cherished companion. Mandla's father had brought Chum home when he was only five years old, intending to provide him with company during his recovery.

Due to his condition, Mandla rarely ventured beyond the confines of their home, aside from occasional hospital visits. Unable to participate in the usual training activities like other children, Mandla found solace in Chum's constant presence.

It was fortunate that Mandla's father had made an exception to allow Chum inside the house occasionally, providing him with companionship during the challenging stages of his recovery.

Mandla, still hesitant to venture outdoors due to his bandaged face, appreciated his father's understanding of the significance Chum held in his life. Although Chum wasn't required to undergo a thorough bathing before entering the house, his presence was welcomed.

Interrupting Mandla's thoughts, Aria's melodious voice broke the silence as she entered the dining room. Her eyes fell upon Mandla's partially consumed bowl of soup, prompting a slight frown to form on her face.

"Would you require anything else, young master Mandla?" Aria inquired, her tone reflecting concern.

"No, Aria, thank you. I'm quite content," Mandla responded, eliciting an irked reaction from her. "You must consume more to expedite your recovery," she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration.

"I assure you, Aria, I will be fine," Mandla reassured her, accompanied by a soft chuckle. Her annoyance was evident, and Aria proceeded to gather his dishes and make her way towards the kitchen.

Mandla, rising from his seat, proceeded to ascend the staircase, with Chum faithfully trailing behind him.