The Garden Of?
Chapter nine:
Goals:
The evening air in Tern was cool and carried the lingering freshness of the day's rain. Tiny droplets clung to the leaves and roof tiles, catching the fading sunlight and turning the village into a glittering mosaic of gold and silver. The streets were alive with the quiet rhythm of everyday life—village children finishing their chores, merchants closing up their stalls, and the occasional bark of a dog echoing in the distance. Yet amid this ordinary backdrop, something extraordinary was about to happen.
Leif stood near the training yard, his Aethersteel sword sheathed at his side, the faint hum of spirits around him like a warm, familiar pulse. Fourteen years of life had shaped him into someone who could strike with precision that few could match at his age, and yet he carried a secret even his parents did not fully know. Every swing, every controlled movement, was stronger than he let on. The spirits bent subtly to his will, the Aethersteel responding to the slightest thought. He had kept this mastery hidden, not out of fear, but because he understood that timing mattered. Tonight, however, everything would change.
Rufius, his four-year-old brother, raced around the yard chasing a small wooden cart. His black hair shone slightly wet from the morning rain, and his striking blue eyes mirrored Leif's own, wide with energy and curiosity. The pale skin and delicate features he inherited from their father made him look fragile, yet the energy radiating from him suggested otherwise. Every step he took seemed to vibrate with potential. Ferexia had long ago noticed that Rufius carried an innate connection to Spirit Flow, far beyond what most children could sense at that age. Leif's chest swelled with a protective pride as he watched him, knowing that while the boy seemed playful and mischievous, there was power waiting to be unlocked in him.
"Mom, dad," Leif began, drawing the attention of both his parents. The quiet hum of the village seemed to fade as he spoke. "I want to go to the Royal Academy."
Ferexia blinked, her hands instinctively rising to cover her mouth in surprise. "The Royal Academy?" Her voice was soft, tinged with worry and awe. "Leif… that is a dangerous path. Are you certain?"
Leif nodded firmly. "I am certain. I've trained all my life, and I am ready. I know there is more for me to learn, and I want to become stronger, not just for myself, but to protect those I care about." He looked down at Rufius, who had stopped playing and was staring up at him with wide eyes, a mixture of admiration and fear. "Little brother, you must promise me something. You must train, grow stronger every day, and when I return, we will meet at the Academy. We'll fight together."
Rufius's lips trembled. "I… I don't want you to go, Lei!" He ran forward, throwing his arms around Leif's waist.
Leif knelt, hugging him back. "I know, rufi. I'll miss you too. But you will grow strong here. And when I return, we'll be together again. I promise."
Airen, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward, his tall frame casting a long shadow over the yard. "Leif," he said, voice steady but heavy with emotion, "I have seen your growth. Your control over Aether and spirits is more than impressive. You've kept some things hidden, I see that now, and I am proud. The Royal Academy will be unlike anything you've faced, but I know you are ready."
Ferexia stepped closer, her hand resting gently on Leif's shoulder. "Remember," she said, her voice soft, "even when you're far away, our love surrounds you. You are never truly alone. Trust in your strength, but trust in yourself too."
Leif bowed deeply, first to his parents, then to Rufius. "I will return stronger," he said softly. "And rufius, you must train hard. Get stronger every day. I'll see you at the Academy. Promise me you'll be ready."
Rufius sniffled but nodded vigorously. "I'll train! I'll get strong! I'll meet you there!"
The villagers had gathered, sensing the importance of the moment. Children peeked from behind fences, elders leaned on their walking sticks, and merchants paused their work. All eyes were on the boy who had grown among them, now about to leave for a world far larger than Tern. Mothers whispered to one another, and old men murmured blessings, knowing that this boy carried not only his own dreams but the hopes of those who had watched him grow.
Leif's gaze swept over them, taking in the familiar streets, the warm cottages, and the faces of the people who had nurtured him. He felt a pang of sorrow, but beneath it was the thrill of what awaited him. He had trained in secret beyond what anyone knew—his control over Aethersteel was precise beyond their understanding, and the spirits that danced around him obeyed his will instinctively. He had held back in front of Airen and Ferexia, showing only what was necessary, and now the truth of his strength was a quiet power that he carried silently into the next stage of his life.
Rufius, unable to stay still, darted around again, tripping over a small stone and tumbling forward. Leif caught him instinctively, guiding him upright. "Careful, rufius," he said, smiling. Rufius grinned, rubbing his knee. "I'm fine! I'm strong! Strong like you, Lei!"
Airen chuckled softly, though there was a shadow behind his eyes. "He has your heart, Leif. Just as you have his mother's mind. But strength is more than heart and mind. It is discipline, control, and knowing one's limits. Remember this, my son."
Ferexia smiled, though tears glimmered in her eyes. "And courage. Your courage is already remarkable. Do not lose it, no matter where you go."
The preparations for Leif's departure were simple but filled with emotion. Villagers brought food and small gifts, some practical, some symbolic—a charm for protection, a small carved figure of a spirit to guide him, a ribbon with the village colors. Children tugged at his cloak, asking for a final sparring match, while elders offered blessings and advice. Every small gesture weighed on Leif's heart, reminding him that leaving was not just about him—it affected everyone who loved him, and everyone he had come to care for deeply.
Rufius's energy fluctuated wildly between excitement and sadness. He kept trying to sneak small pranks—throwing a handful of grass at Leif, tying a rope around the sword's hilt—but each time he looked into his brother's calm blue eyes, his antics softened into quiet attention. He wanted to show strength, to prove he could handle life without Leif for a while, but the reality of his brother leaving weighed heavily.
Finally, the time came to depart. Leif mounted the horse, feeling the familiar hum of spirits and Aetherflow around him. He glanced back at Rufius, whose small fists were clenched tightly, tears streaking his pale face. "Train hard," Leif whispered. "Become strong. I'll see you at the Academy. I promise."
Rufius shouted back, his voice breaking slightly, "I'll get strong! I'll meet you there! Don't forget me, Lei!"
"I'll never forget," Leif called, a confident smile spreading across his face. "I promise!"
Airen handed him his sword one last time, gripping the hilt alongside Leif's hands. "Your journey begins now. Remember all we've taught you. But trust yourself. You are ready."
Ferexia pressed her hands to his shoulders, her voice soft and warm. "And know this, wherever you go, our love is with you. No distance can take that away."
The horse started moving slowly, then picked up pace, carrying him through the village streets. The faint glow of lanterns, the whispers of villagers, and the soft hum of evening creatures surrounded him. He felt the weight of responsibility, excitement, and anticipation all at once. He had trained in secret, mastered abilities beyond what anyone had seen, and now he was stepping into a world that would truly test him.
Rufius ran alongside the fence for as long as he could, shouting encouragement, tears streaking down his cheeks. "Train hard, Lei! Meet me there! I'll be amazing, you'll see!"
Leif's eyes softened. "I know you will, little brother. I promise. Be strong, and we will meet again."
As the horse carried him further from Tern, the village slowly receded into the distance. The smell of wet earth, the faint murmur of villagers, and the warm glow of lanterns fading into night filled him with a bittersweet mix of nostalgia and excitement. He allowed himself one final look back at the village—the home that had raised him, the family that had loved him, the brother he had promised to meet again—and then focused on the road ahead.
Tonight marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Leif's fifteenth year had begun, and with it, a new journey awaited—a path that would test his mastery, his courage, and his heart. Yet in the quiet pulse of Aether and the gentle hum of spirits around him, he felt ready. He had learned patience, discipline, love, and responsibility. And above all, he carried with him the unbreakable bond of family, the promise of reunion, and the quiet knowledge of his own hidden power.
Rufius's voice rang out one last time, carried by the night breeze: "Get strong, Lei! I'll meet you there!"
Leif smiled, gripping his sword lightly. "I'll be waiting, little brother. I promise."
The journey had begun, and the world beyond Tern awaited, vast, unpredictable, and filled with challenges that would shape him into the warrior—and the person—he was destined to become.