[Heartbeat sound]
– Awakening –
-: Oh, you're awake, Razin. Come on, breakfast is ready. Join us in the living room.
Razin: Alright, I'm coming.
Razin got up, washed his face, and did his usual morning routine before heading to the table to eat with his parents.
While they were eating, his father spoke:
Father: Razin, your mother and I have decided—it's time for you to start school. You're six years old now. I think this is the right moment to begin your education.
Razin: …Dad?
Father: I know what you're thinking, Razin. But trust me, you need school. Not just to learn techniques—I already know you have a great potential —but to start making connections. You're six and still don't have a single friend.
Razin: I'm okay with it, but… how far is the school? Will I be away from you? I don't want to leave you and Mom.
Mother: (tearing up) I don't want you to leave me either, Razin… I'm really sorry. But your education is so important right now. We can't let you give it up. In this world, your worth is built through learning. And of course, I want my son to reach the top. I believe in you.
Razin: (tearing up, hugs his mother) I don't want to leave you, Mom...
Father: (smiles) Don't worry, Razin. I promise we'll visit at least once a month. But don't worry—you're not going just yet. You'll spend a bit more time with us first. I've got a few things to take care of before you leave.
(Thinking to himself)
I never told him… why he's always been alone. Why he has no friends. It's all my fault. I need to make it right.
---
[The night before]
Mother: Oravien, we need to talk about something.
Father: What is it?
Mother: I think it's time for Razin to start school.
Father: Don't ask for something unrealistic, Aelitra. You of all people know our situation! I know he should be learning, but… we can't afford it. (painfully) It's just not realistic for us right now.
Mother: (angrily) You're the reason we were exiled and cast out of the main Alithear family—and now you want to be the reason our son stays uneducated? Razin has the potential and we both know it! Why won't you do something to help him succeed?!
Father: (shocked and sorrowful) But… we don't have the money, Alietra! How can we pay for his schooling?
Mother: The answer is simple—why don't you get a job?! We're barely surviving off what little savings we have left, and it's almost gone. We need a new source of income. Get out and work! Don't be a burden on this household!
Father: But… we're exiled. If anyone in the city sees me, they'll never accept me.
Mother: Then forge a new identity. Pretend to be someone else—someone with no connection to the Aelithars. Do small jobs to start.
Father: That's… a good idea. But it'll take time. So let's not tell Razin just yet. We should save up some money first.
Mother: But what if he brings it up first? What if he's been waiting for us to say something, and we're just holding him back? It's fine. We'll tell him tomorrow—but say it'll happen later.
Father: Alright…
Mother: Save this home, and save your son, Oravien.
Father: (deeply ashamed) …
---
[Back to the present]
Razin: Okay, Dad. I agree. I'll enjoy my time here as much as I can before I go. (pauses, curious) What's the name of the school? Is it a cool name? Where is it?
Father: (smiles) It's in the nearest city… (hesitates) The city of Moraief. You'll attend Moraief Academy, Razin. And you'll become the strongest student there. I believe in you. Don't let me down.
Razin: Hmm… that's kind of a boring name. But it's fine. I hope it'll be fun. (they all smile)
---
[Three hours later]
Razin sat outside the house, bored with nothing to do. He had a strange little hobby—counting all the animals in the area. It was the only fun thing to do outside. He sat by the front door.
His father came out, fully dressed and ready for something, wearing his hat.
Razin: (amazed) Whoa! That outfit looks so cool, Dad!
Father: (laughs) Of course it does. Your dad has great taste, after all.
Razin: Yeah yeah, sure… (smiles)
The father walked to leave the house, but Razin stopped him:
Razin: Dad… since I'll be going to school soon, can you show me what I'll be able to learn there? What kind of things do they teach?
Father: (smiles) Of course, Razin.
The air grew still, and the breeze slowed.
Oravin closed his eyes and focused. Razin watched intently.
Oravien stretched out his hand and focused… suddenly, a large rock floated above his palm.
Razin: Whoa!! That's amazing, Dad! Look at that!
Then—suddenly—he fired the rock at a tree with incredible speed.
Father: See? You'll learn things like this at school. And if you stay focused in your studies—you'll become even better than this.
Razin: That's so cool! I'm really excited! I want to go now!
Father: Not yet… your time will come. Later. Now… goodbye, Razin.
Razin: Goodbye, Dad. You're amazing!
Oravien was actually leaving to search for work in the city—to pay for his son's education.
After his father left, Razin began trying to imitate what he saw.
He stretched out his hand and focused, trying to make a rock float—but he didn't know how, nor did he understand how it worked.
Razin: (disappointed) Meh… it's not working… I guess I'm not amazing like Dad…
But now I'm really excited… to start learning.