157 Richards Past 1 (1/2)

”Hey! Wake up! We can't be late today the mages are coming!” Richard was wakened up by a black-haired boy.

”Just five more minutes” Richard turned back and tried to fall asleep again. The boy, however, did not let him do so. He kept on poking Richard.

”Fine! They are just some stupid mages anyway. What's the use of watching them choose someone to take away?” Richard got up from the haystack he was sleeping on.

”Don't say that! They are the only way we can leave this godforsaken town! If one them picks you as his errand boy and takes you to his tower we won't have to stay here”

”Yeah right! I heard they were gouging their servants' eyes if they made the tiniest mistake. There is no way in hell I will become their servant” Richard said as the black-haired boy dragged him to the town square.

”So, you want to stay in this little town all your life?”

”Yeah, what's wrong with that? We can just be farmers, marry a girl and have a family. My father said there is nothing good about leaving the town. There is war, bandits, witches, demons and all the bad other stuff out there”

While Richard was listing all the bad stuff he heard from his father, they had finally arrived at the town square. There was a crowd gathered in the sidelines of the road waiting for the esteemed mage to arrive. It was rare for mages to leave the comforts of their towers and go outside to have a look in the rest of the world. They heard from the mayor that the wizard coming here to pick an errand boy for his tower. His last one had passed out due to old age. Their lives would be so much better if they could be picked by him. You would get to live with a real mage!

Richard and his friend eventually made their way to the front row. They were kids, so it was easy for them to squeeze through the adults.

Eventually, they saw a carriage, it wasn't pulled by horses but it was still abe to move on its own. That must be magic! When the carriage stopped the townsfolk were holding their breaths out of sheer excitement.

An old man in grey robes and a long white beard got out of the carriage slowly. He looked at the backward townsfolk with clear contempt in his eyes. It was as if they weren't even worthy to hold the hem of his clothes. However, his eyes stopped wandering when it arrived at Richard's direction. His eyes became as big as saucers.

”This is the largest amount of prana my eyes have ever gazed upon. You, boy! What's your name?” Mage asked as he was making his way towards him.

”Richard, sir!” he answered nervously. He didn't know what prana was but it seemed like a bad thing.

”Not you! The other one. The one with the black hair”

”Me? Leon, sir!” The black-haired boy answered just as nervous as Richard.

”Good, good name. You have the aura of a lion, king of all beasts. You are destined to do great things in the future just like your name. How old are you?”

”Eleven, sir.”