On the Breakfast Table:
Aunt and Mom briefed me on school and many related things. To summarize, the education system on this continent shares some similarities with that of Earth.
Commoners, at the age of six, start going to Kindergarten Schools where they learn about the world and other basic things like reading and writing. For the next three years, they rigorously train under the guidance of teachers until their Awakening Ceremony.
Nobles' children are tutored by experts in their family.
These Kindergarten schools have high-ranking officials as teachers and are supported directly by the Kingdom.
You can only find out if you're good at magic or have a talent for auras after going through the Awakening. The ratio is magic : aura = 1 : 100.
Next, they enter the Arcane Academy for Mages and Knights, also known as the Awakeners' Academy among common masses. This is where the actual journey as a mage or an aura user begins...
Aunt Merry's daughter, Meyana, is studying in this academy.
In order to graduate from the academy, they must reach 2nd Circle as a Mage or 2nd Level Aura User within 16 years of age. Otherwise, they will be kicked out of the academy.
In other words, most mages will not be able to study further to become an Archmage. Aura users can join the Kingdom's army or any factions.
Archmages are the strongest individuals in a kingdom.
After graduation: Mages enter the Academy of Master Mages (after passing) —⟩ Enters University of Archmages / University of Mage Lords (which is an Independent faction made by the union of three empires).
Aura Users enter Academy of Aura Grandmasters (after passing) —⟩ Enters University of Aura Lords.
Observing the newly acquired 'Mana Vein Formation' grimoire that cost 15 gold coins, I couldn't help but curse the manufacturer mentally. The paper quality didn't match the hefty price, despite its dimensions of 50 cm in length and 40 cm in width.
The long journey back to the village was boring, so Aunt started telling me about Meyana, and I also asked about Arcane Academy and various things.
"Aunt, why are grimoires so expensive, yet the paper is so fragile and rough?" I asked the question which had been bothering me.
"Oh? Papers are thin and fragile, that's just how they are," my aunt explained. "They're the best quality paper found in this kingdom, that's why they're so expensive, along with the magical knowledge inside. A gust of wind is enough to tear them apart, so magic is used to bind the paper particles together. It's just how they are..."
As my aunt delved into explaining the paper's properties as if guiding a child, my thoughts wandered elsewhere.
'What the heck! The papers in this world are so damn bad quality, even though they have magic, they suck with scientific things... Darn it! The worst quality recycled paper on Earth is ten times better than this.'
Merry's next words managed to pull my attention back from my wandering thoughts.
"...Papers are made by Wood Element Archmages with the help of Tier 7 Wood Element plant. That's the reason for their expense. No matter how much paper they make, it's never enough."
"I see..." I realized the reason, as a business idea popped into my head. I tried to remember the process of making paper but couldn't find anything... Those unnecessary memories were vague, as I never needed those on Earth. 'Darn it, God!'
"???" Merry was puzzled, seeing Zeun's sudden lack of interest in her words...
'It's only been around three days, but I've already learned so many new things about this world... I'll get to know more as time passes...' Zeun thought.
Upon arriving at Kroton, my days resumed as usual, with occasional guidance from my Mom and Aunt Merry on matters related to magic.
I'd wake up around 4:30 AM (we didn't have a clock), followed by morning chores and jogging, then Mom's training. After that, we'd have breakfast, take a short rest before attending Aunt's and Mom's classes (since I didn't attend Kindergarten, Mom and Aunt took on the job of teaching me).
I'd take a bath in the noon before having lunch, a habit from Earth that I can't get rid of even after death... funny, right? This was followed by a nap in the afternoon, which seemed very weird from Mom and Aunt's perspective.
Then, from afternoon till dinner at around 8 PM, probably, I'd absorb mana to clear my mana veins, which is generally done after age 10, but some people are different.
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One year later:
"Good, Zeun, yes, just like that..." Aunt cheered as I did a peculiar stance that Mom had newly added to my routine. It was quite similar to Eka Pada Galavasana.
Sweat was trickling down every pore of my body as I was like a flying pigeon...
"Haaaaaa.... phew ... fuuuuuu," I took deep, long breaths as time trickled slowly...
Next, I spent some time talking with my Mom and Aunt. 'It's already been more than a year and a month. Mommy's tummy is fully bulged, but why isn't sister born yet? I know that the human anatomy of people on Earth is different from those here... but it's still odd.'
Sigh.
"What's up, Zeun?" Hearing me, Aunt asked.
"Nothing much, just wondering why my sister isn't born yet!"
"Fu fu fu... so my baby is worrying about his sister even before she's born? Fu fu fu..." Mom replied with a light laugh...
"Worried, huh?" I mumbled as I lost myself in thought. 'When was the last time I was worried about something? Am I really worried about her, or am I worried that I would have a sibling... just like back on Earth?' My younger brother's face flashed before my eyes...
I shook it off my head and went for my mana vein training...
"Merry, don't you think my son is behaving increasingly strangely with each passing day?" Helena asked her best friend, looking at her son's departing back, which seemed a bit lonely...
"Hmm... now that you mentioned it, I did feel something different, though... he's getting more and more diligent each passing day... He... seemed to be insecure about something..." Merry replied with careful consideration.
I sat in a lotus position and started absorbing surrounding mana, doing as Aunt and Mom taught me. It had been a year since I officially began learning and training mana control under Aunt Merry and Mom Helena's tutelage.
Humans in this world used to have mana cores like wild beasts in their hearts, but they don't have mana cores anymore. It's similar to how early humans had an appendix before, but it's not required anymore—a dormant organ.
Since the mana cores vanished from the heart after evolution, there was still a very small depression left in the heart's core. Mages discovered that these dormant organs can absorb surrounding mana faster than any other part of the body before the age of 10 (1st awakening).
After 1st Awakening, mana can be absorbed not only by the heart but also by the skin and other efficient means.
And just like that, another month passed. I was training as usual when I heard Mom's painful cry from the house. I rushed over and saw Aunt supporting Mom's big tummy.
Before I could ask what happened, Aunt shouted, "Zeun, go bring a pot of water!"
Me: "???"
"What are you doing! Go fast!" she screamed... I was very afraid seeing Mom's face distorted with pain. Rushing out, I brought a pot of water as instructed.
Heating the water with fire magic, she ordered, "Go to the village and call the old healer lady. Tell her that I am calling her for an emergency."
Without wasting any more time, I rushed out...
Ten minutes later, I arrived with the village healer, Melinda. "Wait outside, Zeun, and don't come near the house," Melinda ordered as she entered the house.
My heart raced with worry. 'Will Mom be alright? Nothing will happen, right? Yes, what could go wrong... it's only a child's delivery. It's nothing, just a bit—maybe one of the greatest pains a woman suffers in life... No, no, no... she's my mother. Nothing will happen to her... She's the strongest mother of all!'
I consoled myself as I moved in circles around the house. But when I stopped hearing any sound from the house, my heart panicked. Worried, I climbed onto a tree branch to peek inside the room. I saw my Mom screaming as she was pushing the baby down...
My sweaty fists clenched, and my heart ached like never before... An hour later, I saw two little hands covered in blood and mucus moving in the air.
A warm feeling grasped my heart as a smile appeared on my face. The view was unclear, as I was unable to see the faces of the women.
After Melinda left, I went into the house. Aunt was done cleaning, and Mom was sleeping cutely with a little baby in her arms. "Aunt, how are Mom and sister?"
"Oh! So you knew you'd have a sister?"
"Mom told me..."
"I see. Yeah, they're good, but I can't say for how long..."
Thumpthumpthump.
My heart started beating faster with anxiety. I instinctively started imagining the worst... Slapping myself from the daze, I asked with a dried, husky tone, "A-aunt, wh-what happened to..."
But before I could finish, she said, "Don't worry. It's just that a lot of money is needed to heal your Mom from her weakness, and your sister needs your Mom's care... so we can't afford to waste time."
'I can't tell Zeun that his mother's in this condition because she dropped from an Archmage to a 4th circle can I? All the money I and Helena have can only buy an Intermidiate healing portion. that can temporarily establise her health for a year at most. She can be cured but will be stuck at 4th Circle for the rest of her life. It might be a big blow to her and Zeun might fall into darkness if he gets to know this.... I can only do my best'
Aunt ruffled my hair
*sigh*
" I shall buy the necessary portion to heal your mother.... Dear, don't worry.. Just take care of Helena and I shall be back before night falls"
I nodded firmly as my heart calmed down a little.
A N. - Zeun's firm nod and calmed heart, unaware of the true gravity of the situation, create a poignant contrast with the reader's knowledge. He is determined to help, but the full scale of the challenge he faces is far greater than he imagines.
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End of Chapter
Thanks for Reading :-)
elaboration and explanation
Magic Economy: The explanation for the expensive grimoires provides a fascinating insight into the world's economy and resource scarcity. The fact that only Wood Element Archmages (a high rank) can produce the special paper from Tier 7 Wood Element plants makes it a rare and valuable commodity, highlighting a unique intersection of magic and mundane necessities.
Zeun's Earthly Perspective: His internal monologue about the poor paper quality and his immediate thought of a "business idea" (even if he can't recall the details) perfectly showcases his Earth-based, pragmatic, and entrepreneurial mindset. It's a comedic contrast to the fantasy world's magical solutions.
Zeun's Daily Routine: The detailed description of his days in Kroton establishes a rhythm and shows how he's adapting. It combines elements of his old life (jogging, reading) with his new reality (Mom's training, mana absorption). The contrast between his routine habits (noon bath, afternoon nap) and his new guardians' perceptions of them ("very weird") adds a touch of humor and highlights his continued difference.
Accelerated Mana Absorption: The detail that Zeun absorbs mana to clear his mana veins—a process usually done after age 10—underscores his advanced nature as a Self-Awakened. He's already performing a critical magical practice years ahead of schedule, setting the stage for his rapid growth.
Helena's True Power & Sacrifice: The revelation that Helena was an Archmage (the strongest individual in a kingdom) who dropped to a 4th Circle mage due to the birth is monumental. This immediately elevates the stakes and provides context for her prolonged pregnancy, her past strength, and the "special magic" Merry alluded to earlier. It reveals the immense personal cost of Zeun's sister's birth.
Merry's Burden and Deception: Merry's internal monologue shows the heavy burden she carries. She is deliberately concealing the full truth from Zeun to protect him from potential despair ("fall into darkness"), highlighting her deep loyalty and care for both Helena and Zeun. This creates dramatic irony, as the reader knows the truth while Zeun remains unaware.
Financial Desperation: The fact that their combined funds can only afford a temporary healing potion underscores their precarious financial situation, which is now tied directly to Helena's critical health. This gives Zeun a concrete, immediate objective that aligns with his ambition to earn money and conquer his mother.