A Mother's Surprise

Van woke up early, the first light of dawn barely filtering through the small window of his room. His body still ached slightly from the previous day's training, but he welcomed the familiar sensation. Today, he was eager to head into the woods again, determined to push himself further and continue honing his skills.

As he dressed quietly, he remembered the conversation he had with his father the night before. Aric had told him that he wouldn't be able to train today because he had to take care of some paperwork for the Aether Guard.

"It's alright, Van," his father had said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I trust you to train on your own, but remember—only push yourself according to your body's limits. You're still growing, so don't overdo it. Follow the routines we've practiced and focus on precision rather than strength."

Van nodded to himself, recalling his father's words. *I'll stick to the plan, Dad,* he thought, his resolve firm. He might be training alone today, but he was determined to do it right.

"Good morning, Mom," Van greeted as he entered the kitchen, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the air.

"You're up early," Seraphina replied with a warm smile as she prepared breakfast. "Are you planning to head out and play today?"

Van hesitated for a moment, his mind still on his planned training session. "Yes, Mom, I was going to play," he said, though he knew that wasn't the full truth.

Seraphina shook her head with a knowing smile. "Not today, Van. You're not going out to play this morning."

Van looked at her curiously. "What do you mean, Mom?"

"First, eat your breakfast," Seraphina instructed, setting a plate of food in front of him. "After that, you'll take a bath. Then we'll be going somewhere special."

"Where are we going?" Van asked as he began eating, intrigued by the sudden change in routine.

Seraphina gave him a playful smile. "You'll find out soon enough."

Van ate his breakfast quickly, curiosity gnawing at him. As soon as he finished, he went to take a bath, wondering what his mother had planned for the day. When he emerged from the bathroom, clean and refreshed, he was surprised to see Seraphina holding out a neatly folded outfit.

"Here, wear this," she said, handing him the clothes.

Van unfolded the outfit and stared at it in disbelief. It was a school uniform, designed for young children attending daycare or early education. The uniform consisted of a neatly pressed white shirt with short sleeves, a pair of dark blue shorts, and a matching blue vest with the insignia of the Willowdale school embroidered on the chest. The outfit was completed with a pair of knee-high socks and polished black shoes.

*What the… Am I going to school?* Van thought, his mind racing. *But I don't need to go to school. I already know everything they could teach me…*

"What are you waiting for, Van? Put it on," Seraphina urged gently, noticing his hesitation.

Van sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn't argue with his mother. "Alright, Mom," he said, resigned to his fate. He quickly dressed in the uniform, feeling slightly uncomfortable in the new clothes. The fabric was stiff, and the polished shoes felt foreign on his feet after days of running barefoot or in simple sandals.

"Are you finished?" Seraphina asked as she came to check on him. Van nodded, and she smiled approvingly. "You look very handsome, Van. Now, let's get going."

Together, they left the house and started walking towards the Willowdale school. As they made their way through the village, Seraphina led Van into a small store to buy some last-minute supplies—pencils, notebooks, and other essentials. The shop was bustling with other parents and children preparing for the start of the school year.

As they browsed the shelves, Van noticed other children around his age, each of them holding onto their parents' hands or picking out supplies. They were excited, chattering animatedly about the upcoming school day. Van, however, felt a sense of unease. He wasn't used to being around so many other kids, especially in a setting like this.

While they were selecting some notebooks, Seraphina spotted another mother she recognized and struck up a conversation. The woman had a young boy by her side, who was nervously holding onto her skirt.

"Is your son starting school today as well?" Seraphina asked, holding Van's hand gently in hers.

"Yes," the other mother replied with a warm smile. "He's been looking forward to it for weeks. And yours?"

"Yes, this is my son, Van," Seraphina said, nudging him forward slightly. "Van, why don't you introduce yourself?"

Van stepped forward and introduced himself politely. "Hello, my name is Van Gen, son of Aric Gen and Seraphina Gen." He did his best to sound friendly, but his mind was still preoccupied with the idea of going to school.

The other mother's eyes widened slightly as she took in Van's appearance. He was taller than most boys his age, with a lean, muscular build that hinted at his rigorous training. His face, however, still bore the youthful innocence of a five-year-old, with bright eyes and a friendly, albeit reluctant, smile.

*He's so tall for his age,* the woman thought, surprised by Van's stature. *But his face… he still looks like a child.* She noticed how her own son seemed to shrink back slightly, avoiding Van's gaze.

"Hello," Van said, looking down at the boy beside the woman. The boy glanced up at Van briefly, then quickly looked away, his shyness apparent.

Before they could continue the conversation, the bell at the school rang, signaling that the entrance ceremony would be starting soon.

"Oh, it's starting! We should hurry," the other mother said, looking at her son with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"Yes, we'd better go," Seraphina agreed. She quickly paid for the supplies, and they made their way to the school with Van trailing behind her, his mind still swirling with thoughts.

As they walked through the gates of the Willowdale school, Van found himself staring at the large building ahead. It was a simple structure, made of sturdy wood and stone, with tall windows that let in plenty of natural light. The schoolyard was filled with children running around, laughing and playing as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

Van stood there, taking in the scene, his emotions a mix of apprehension and reluctance. *I hate this,* he thought, his gaze fixed on the building. He didn't want to be here, surrounded by other children, learning things he already knew. But as much as he disliked the idea, he knew he had to go through with it—for his parents' sake.

Seraphina noticed his hesitation and squeezed his hand gently. "You'll be fine, Van," she said softly. "This is a new experience for you, but I know you'll do great."

Van nodded, trying to push down the frustration bubbling inside him. "Alright, Mom," he replied, forcing a small smile.

Together, they walked towards the entrance, ready to face whatever the day would bring.