3 Chapter 3 (1/2)

I sat at the table being stared down by my parents. It was a novel feeling, I hadn't felt this way in ages. They were very seriously looking at me. I had told them of the incident naturally. At first they were very worried and Violetta checked all over me for signs of injury. I had a few bruises from that punch but I was fine apart from that. It was nice that she was such a caring mother, I could have ended up in a much worst home I thought.

Very seriously, Father asked me:

”Do you...want to practice magic Wilfred?”

I thought long and hard about it. It would certainly be an advantage. I'm really curious about how magic works. It would also help me accomplish my goal of making things better. My curiosity was piqued as well. Perhaps I could become some kind of battle mage, on the frontlines again. The itch for serving hadn't gone away with reincarnation it seemed. I still felt more at ease in a structured setting with squads, clear distinction on ranks and chain of command.

”Yes. I think it'd be for the best.”

My parents looked at each other and sighed in relief.

”Well, that's a good thing because if they found out you're a mage and that we hid it, we'd be in trouble. Leganon is really small compared to the other kingdoms so they enforce conscription of mages. It's not as bad as it seems though. You get free schooling and must serve 4 years afterwards in the mage corps. You're then free to do whatever it is you want but in times of war or monster invasions, you have to go and help. Are you fine with that dear?”

”Yes but, what about you? Who's going to help dad in the shop and take over?”

My sister Emma then spoke up. She was a bit older than me at 10 years old.

”Well, when weren't sure you were going to make it, I started to work with dad. I wouldn't mind doing it.”

Well, looks like everything is going to be fine. I would have to go get tested, to make sure I was a proper mage before they accepted me. I checked my status again to see if anything was different.

Wilfred Lamarche [Lv. 2]

Health: 35/35

Mana: 5990/5990

Str: 3

Con: 5

Agi: 3

Dex: 3

Int: 45

Wil: 40

Wis: 52

Lck:???

Skills & Spells: [a.n.a.lyze], [Wind Aura], [Construct Artifact]

Wow, it actually changed. I guess it counted that bully as a fight. Sadly, there aren't any tooltips that explain what all the stats do exactly and what skills are. They should have more information at the academy I thought.

The next morning was fraught with emotion. I bid my farewells to mom and sister, the embrace lasted longer than I felt comfortable with. I had grown closer to them in the last 2 years but they were more friends than family to me.

Dad and I set out on foot. The academy was within the city and they wanted to make sure nothing would happen like last time.

It was a bit of an awkward walk. I was technically leaving home at 8 years old, what can a father say to his son then?

”You know Wilfred, I always expected great things from you. But I just want you to know, even if this doesn't work out, I'm proud of you son and I love you.”

”Thanks dad. It should be fine though. ”

We soon reached the academy after our discussion, walking in silence for most of the trip. The academy is on the outskirts of the city, connected but not. The main campus and buildings of the academy were situated on the northern side of the city, enveloping the city walls into their construction. Another part of the academy are the fields, situated just outside the walls but a safe distance from the city due to the volatile nature of the experiments and combat practice.

They had reached the entrance or what they thought was the entrance. A large stone wall with steel fencing surrounded a rather long part of this city block. In the middle stood tall gates, guarded by two impeccably dressed guards in immaculate silver armor. They bore the academy's sigil on their armor, a griffin crossed by a staff.

As Wilfred and Henry approached, the guards moved to stand in their way.

”What is your business here?”

Henry nervously rubbed his hands, meekly answering the two towering giants.

”Uhm-well it's my son. He's started to use magic and we've come to register him.”

The lead guard looked down upon Wilfred, his eyebrows lifting.

”I very much doubt that but very well, behave yourselves. Once past the gate, head straight in along the path. At the end of the path you'll come upon a large staircase, go on up and enter then first room to the right is the headmaster.”

They both bowed and profusely thanked the guard, hastily making their way onward before they changed their minds.