Discussion

Later that day, after everyone had returned to the village and washed up. Alex, his father, and his mother had dinner before heading for the village head's house. Alex's father also happened to return that same evening, he was one of the people who had gone to sell last year's harvest products in the next city and to buy some things that the villagers might need.

He was so ecstatic about the news when he returned that he began dancing all around the place like someone who just won the lottery. Alex was confused as to why his father was so happy but his mother prevented the man from spilling anything to his son. They all headed to the house of the village head together.

The house of the village head was located on the eastern part of the village and was the forest that was half a mile away, the whole space in between was well leveled with no trees or tall grass on it so they would be able to notice quickly if a beast was approaching; the field was on the other side, opposite this region.

The trio found themselves in a wooden house that was not much different than the other houses in the village, the only difference was that it was quiet compared to other houses since the village head lived alone.

Vee and the storyteller were already waiting for them with the village head by the time the family of three arrived, they quickly found themselves a seat after greeting the three elderly people who had been waiting for them.

"Oh, Marcos returned today? Just on time, saves the stress of repeating the discussion" The village head nodded at Alex's father whose name happened to be Marcos.

The man only smiled in return, he was glad he returned early to witness the miracle before it became old.

"I presume we already know why we are all here, aside Alex" the village head started speaking moments after.

"Old Vee here, is also a mage apprentice rank mage, just like myself. Although he is not combat-oriented, his knowledge would still be useful for us. The same goes for Bretrato, although he is an ordinary person, not being a mage doesn't mean he is any less knowledgeable than we are, if not more. He has traveled more and has witnessed different things and can be seen as the newcomer in this village as we all have all been here longer than him" The village head looked at their faces for a while before turning to look at Alex who was staring at him in confusion.

"Alex, do you know why you are also here? No, you do not. Well, allow me to do the honors. You have officially stepped into the seedling rank and will be able to awaken any moment from now" the village head said to Alex after a short pause.

Alex stared at him with a blank expression on his face, he was finding it difficult to understand what the village head had just said despite his words being quite simple, his brain was refusing to process it. It was only after his mother repeated the words "Alex you are going to become a mage" and his father showing signs of excitement did he finally understood what they were saying.

What happened earlier today, was not that he was going to turn into a monster or something bad was about to happen to him. It was simply a sign that he was now qualified to be a mage. After all, only those who showed signs had a hundred percent chance of awakening an element.

'I am going to be a mage!'

'I can awaken an element'

'I will be able to use magic and help everyone!'

Those words appeared in Alex's mind in bold texts, the words were so vivid that Alex felt that he could hear them slowly turning from a whisper to a shout in his head.

"I can use magic! I can awaken! Mom, Dad, I am going to be a mage!!" Alex suddenly jumped up from his seat and started shouting in extreme excitement as he jumped around his parents.

Alex's parents also had happy faces and their hearts were overflowing with happiness but they managed to control themselves unlike Alex who was literally running around while screaming, he would have even rushed out to inform everyone in the village about the news if not for his parents holding him down and telling him to calm down.

"It's alright. It is normal for a kid his age to be overjoyed after learning of such great news" the village head said to the couple with a smile on his face, he did not mind Alex's display because he had done something similar years ago after becoming a seedling.

Alex finally managed to calm down with the help of his parents and so they continued the discussion.

"I believe I don't need to say the element as you all already know what element he has from what happened earlier" the village head said and everyone nodded, even Alex already knew this answer after being told he was now able to be a mage.

Alex had shown signs of awakening the rare ice element!

"Then what do we do about it then? Do we purchase an awakening stone ourselves or take him to an awakening shop to awaken?" The village head asked.

Awakening stones are what mages use to awaken their elements so they can finally become mage apprentice rank mages, an awakening shop is a place where people pay to test their children for having chances of awakening.

"Purchasing an awakening stone would be a better option but awakening stones are too expensive, who knows how long it will take for the whole Village to be able to make enough for one?" The old storyteller voiced out.

"True but we can't really plan on taking Alex to an awakening shop, right? Those people are very shabby even if their methods are cheaper and with Alex having a rare element, they might try to do something to try and keep Alex for themselves" the village head said with a contemplating expression on his face.

"But we can all go with him and prevent them from doing anything or we can just wait and save up enough" Marcos, Alex's father said.

"But that will take years if we want to buy one ourselves" His Mom added.

The conversation kept on going as they debated on how to help Alex awaken. Alex only watched quietly from the sideline, he did not understand what they were saying about awakening Stones and awakening shop as all those were new words to him but he could tell that the adults were currently in a heated discussion and it would be best not to disturb.

He was not the only one who was staying quiet during the discussion, Vee was also silently watching from his seat and had yet to say a word until the village head finally asked him his opinion.