Three months had passed since I had been left at Aunt Helena and Uncle Bertram's estate. During that time, I had grown accustomed to the daily rhythms of country life. I helped with chores, explored the fields and forests, and spent time with my cousins. Yet, the sting of being sent away because of my lack of magic had not faded.
One afternoon, as I was sitting under the oak tree that had become my refuge, Aunt Helena approached me with a letter in hand. Her expression was unreadable as she handed it to me.
"It's from your brother, Aiden," she said softly, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before walking away.
I tore open the envelope, my heart pounding with a mix of hope and dread. Aiden's familiar handwriting filled the page:
Dear Aric,
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to let you know that our parents have decided you'll be staying at Aunt Helena and Uncle Bertram's for a while longer. They believe it's for the best, given the current circumstances. I'll come to visit you as soon as I can. Stay strong, little brother.
With love, Aiden
As I read and re-read the letter, my initial hope turned to bitterness and then to a blinding rage. They were keeping me here, away from home, away from everything I knew, because they didn't know what to do with me. They thought they were protecting me, but all I felt was abandonment.
I crumpled the letter in my fist and threw it to the ground. "Why?" I shouted to the empty fields. "Why do they treat me like this? Just because I'm different? Because I don't fit into their perfect little boxes?"
My anger grew, a storm of frustration and helplessness that I couldn't contain. I kicked at the dirt, punched the trunk of the oak tree, and screamed out my fury until my throat was raw. "It's not fair! It's not fair that they get to decide my fate! What about my destiny? What about my life?"
As I raged against the injustice of it all, a strange sensation washed over me. A tingling warmth spread through my body, different from anything I had felt before. Suddenly, a translucent screen appeared before my eyes, filled with words and symbols I didn't recognize.
System Activation Complete. Welcome, Aric Altair.
I stared at the screen, my breath catching in my throat. "What... what is this?" I muttered, my anger momentarily forgotten.
You have been chosen to wield a unique power. Your journey begins now.
The words on the screen shifted, displaying a series of options and information:
Name: Aric AltairAge: 5Magic Affinity: Eclipsian Mage (Unawakened)Abilities: LockedQuests: Initiation Quest Available
My heart raced as I tried to process what was happening. A system? Like the ones in the stories I had read about adventurers and heroes? Could this be real?
I reached out to touch the screen, and it responded to my thoughts, bringing up more details about the initiation quest:
Quest: Embrace the Unknown
Objective: Unlock your first Eclipsian ability.Reward: Ability Awakening, System Guide.
A surge of determination replaced my earlier rage. This was my chance. My chance to prove that I was more than just a misfit, more than what everyone thought I was. I had a destiny, and this system was the key to unlocking it.
I took a deep breath, focusing on the quest. "Alright, let's do this."
As the sun set over the countryside, casting long shadows across the fields, I felt a new sense of purpose take root within me. The journey ahead was uncertain, but I was ready to embrace it. My story was just beginning, and I was determined to write it on my own terms.