—Kael Drakewill's Point of View—
The Path is a pretty complicated topic, especially after everything that happened since the day of the evaluation, that particular dream.
I try not to think about it, but it's hard; though lately I've managed to ignore it by keeping busy with other things.
One of those things is training with Dad. Like he said, he wouldn't go easy on me, and he didn't. I didn't realize the power or just the presence someone with a bond has; it's truly monstrous. The first time my father used his bond, it felt like gravity literally increased. I dropped to my knees, senses on high alert.
It was a rough first experience, honestly.
Dad thought it was funny, of course.
Now that I can speak more smoothly, I've been trying to learn how to read, but it's really hard. The letters, characters, and numbers are things I'd never seen before, obviously, but the worst part is that they don't look like any language from my past life.
Not any I remember.
Lately, when we go shopping or out for a walk, passing by shops or places, I always ask my parents what the signs say or mean. They tell me, and sometimes they explain what kind of store it is or what they sell, though that's not much help.
I've started recognizing some symbols as certain letters; still, people's handwriting varies a lot. Not to be rude, but couldn't they write better?
I was thinking about asking my parents to get me some books or take me somewhere I could find them, like a library.
At home, there are a few, but they're mostly about cooking recipes, how to raise a baby, and a couple of stories.
Hmm...
I scratched my head.
I've decided: at tomorrow's training, I'll ask Dad for a book, or a few if possible.
——
It was about eleven in the morning. We had breakfast early, so training started early too. Dad was teaching me how to gather and store the ethereal energy that exists in the world. This energy serves as fuel to use the power of your bond.
But doesn't that contradict what Master Aleph said? He mentioned that some people can't form a bond because they don't have enough energy to sustain it, but if you can gather it so easily from, say, the environment, why can't they?
Maybe it goes beyond just being able to or not.
And that's why I need those books. Information; it seems like it'll be essential, at least for me. I'll have to wait until training is over.
———
—Dad, can I ask you something?
—Sure, go ahead.
—Could you get me some books? You know, for reading and stuff.
—Hmm? Books?
—Yeah, no problem.
That was quick.
—Thanks, Dad!
—You don't have to thank me. I was planning to teach you to read and write when you were older anyway; that was my plan, hehe.
—Thanks, Dad. Oh, sorry, thanks... I mean... well, you know.
—Haha, now that I think about it, how about we go to the merchant's center right now? We need to buy some things for food and, while we're there, maybe find some good books.
—Sure, Dad!
———
The merchant's center.
It's a market, no, more like a mall. A big place with different shops and stores, two floors divided by purpose: the first floor for daily life stuff like food, hygiene, clothes, etc. The second floor is for everything related to bonds, information, jobs, weapons, and so on.
Sometimes I've seen that they sell different kinds of animals: tigers, exotic birds, among others.
Now that I think about it, is that even legal?
Well, it doesn't matter right now; we're here for some books.
But first, food—you can't study well on an empty stomach.
———
After buying everything we needed for the house, we headed to the second floor. It was my first time here, since the previous times we visited, I stayed with Mom while Dad went alone, so I was a little excited.
When we arrived, I was surprised; I think I literally had my mouth open. There were so many people, more than on the first floor. All these people were different, but also the same at the same time. They were all bond bearers, all warriors, or so I think. There were tall people, short people, fair-skinned, dark-skinned. Wherever you looked, it was different.
How many powerful people are here right now? I wonder how strong Dad is compared to them.
No, that's wrong; I shouldn't compare anyone to anyone, especially my father, like I said.
We're all equal.
As we moved through the floor, lots of people greeted my dad and thanked him for various things. He seems pretty popular, hehe.
Wait, does that mean he's popular with women too?
I hope Dad doesn't fall for the sweet words of any woman other than Mom.
Don't get near him, indecent women!
I said in my head while making an intimidating face.
—This is it.
Looks like we've arrived where Dad wanted to take me. It was a pretty big, run-down building. How the heck did they fit a building this big inside another?
Inside, the place smelled like an old closet and dampness, but despite that, there were lots of people. I didn't think it'd be this crowded judging by the outside.
Dad pointed at a desk in the middle of the place; it looked like a hospital reception or something.
As we walked there, I could hear what seemed like a dozen people making announcements. Some caught my attention more than others, like a woman asking for two bond bearers: one with water affinity and another with strength class.
Strength class? Is that like the categories?
I was about to ask Dad when we reached the reception.
—Good afternoon, Elías!
—Oh, Albert! What brings you here this time?
—Looking for another job? I have a few that might suit you.
—No, thanks. I just came to buy food and some things for my son.
—He came with you?
—Of course!
Dad picked me up since, sadly, the desk was just a bit taller than me.
—This is Kael. Say hi to Elías.
—Hello, nice to meet you.
I replied politely.
—Wow, kid, good thing you look more like your mother than this dumb guy here. Haha.
—Oh, shut up! I'm very smart, you know that!
—Of course, hehe. Anyway, changing the subject, you said you came for some things for this kid. What do you need, huh? Tell me.
—Books, that's it. Something you have so I can learn to read and write.
—Sure, let me check. I think there were some in the warehouse.
The man called Elías seems like a good person; he also gets along well with Dad, from what I see. Maybe they're old friends.
Something I didn't expect was seeing him standing. He'd been sitting all this time, but when he stood up, he looked like a giant. Easily over two meters tall. I've never seen anyone so tall in my life, well, lives.
—What do you think, Kael? Elías.
—He seems like a good guy. Is he your friend?
—Hehe, you noticed? Yeah, we've known each other since we were kids, about your age or so. Our parents were friends, so we played together all the time until he moved away. We were twelve when that happened, if I remember right, because of his parents' work.
—I see.
—I didn't see him again until a couple years ago right here. He'd been coming here for jobs and other things, but one day Eli mentioned that the reception at the bond bearers' building had a new employee who was a giant and pretty handsome. I was worried about his height and looks stealing your mother away, so I just went to say hi.
Maybe you just wanted to intimidate him, right?
—When I got there and saw him, I didn't recognize him. I introduced myself like normal and all, but he didn't seem to care.
—Later I asked about him. I told him I'd been in town a while and liked to meet everyone, and since he was new, well, you know. Even though he looked annoyed, he told me some things. The first thing he mentioned was his name, obviously, and that's when it clicked.
—Elías Stormfade. I was just stunned. He noticed because he asked if something was wrong. Guess I stared at him for a moment.
—Then I said my name again, this time with my last name since I hadn't the first time. I remember that when he heard it, he fell off his chair, hahaha. We were both surprised. So much time without seeing each other and meeting here of all places. I'd say it was a coincidence or maybe something planned, who knows, but I'm glad to have seen him again; he's a great friend.
Seems like Dad really respects Elías.
—Here they are.
Elías dropped a pile of books.
—Thanks a lot, Elías. See you later.
—Don't forget to return them this time, alright?
—Yeah, yeah.
—Goodbye, Mr. Elías.
—Bye, Kael.
We left the shop, and my dad was reading the titles of some books.
—Let's see... How to Learn Writing, Basic Level; Reading, Basic Level. There's also an encyclopedia of animals. I've never read one of these; maybe I'll take a look later.
Finally, I have a reliable source of information! Get ready, everyone, the great Kael is finally spreading his wings!