A Plan Unfolds

When Van and his mother returned home, the warmth of their cozy cottage immediately enveloped them. The comforting smell of freshly baked bread mingled with the scent of simmering stew, making Van's stomach rumble in anticipation. He kicked off his shoes at the door and made a beeline for the dining table, where his father, Aric, was already seated, flipping through a few documents from work.

Van took a deep breath, trying to steady the thoughts racing in his mind. *This is my chance to talk to Dad about school,* he thought, knowing that his father would understand his frustrations.

"Dad, I have something to say," Van began, his voice steady but laced with the seriousness of his intent.

Aric looked up from his papers, his eyes meeting Van's with a calm understanding. "I know, son. Let's talk outside," Aric replied, his tone gentle. It was clear that he had been expecting this conversation. 

They both stepped out into the cool evening air, the sky painted with hues of pink and orange as the sun dipped below the horizon. The garden outside their home was quiet, the only sounds being the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of birds settling in for the night. Aric found a comfortable spot on a stone bench and patted the space beside him, inviting Van to sit.

"Son," Aric began, his voice thoughtful, "I know I told you that we would train together before you turned seven, and before I had to leave for the Aether Guard." He paused, his gaze turning serious as he continued. "But then there was this sudden change in the education policy of Aetheria, lowering the school entry age from seven to five. It wasn't something we could control, and there's not much we can do about it."

Van looked down at his hands, his frustration evident. He had hoped for more time to train, more time to grow before being thrust into the structured confines of school. But it seemed that life had other plans for him. "I understand, Dad," Van said, his voice tinged with resignation. "It looks like there's really nothing I can do. I'll just have to endure it for a year."

Aric placed a reassuring hand on Van's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We can still practice every weekend," he offered with a warm smile, trying to lift his son's spirits. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Van. Your mother's always telling people how smart you are. She's so proud of you."

Van's heart swelled with a mixture of pride and guilt. His mother's pride was something he cherished, but he had been keeping a significant secret from her. "Dad… Mom still doesn't know about my Aether Core," Van said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aric nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I know, son. Since she doesn't have an Aether Core herself, she can't feel the changes in you. But you're right—someone like your teacher might notice it eventually."

Van's mind raced as he considered the implications. If his teacher noticed his Aether Core, it was only a matter of time before his mother found out from someone else. The thought of her discovering his secret from someone other than him filled him with dread.

"To prevent your mother from being shocked if she hears about your Aether Core from others, I've been thinking… How about we surprise her with the news on her birthday, which is in three days?" Aric suggested, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Van's face lit up at the idea. "I agree with your plan, Dad!" he said eagerly. The thought of turning the revelation into a joyous surprise instead of a potential source of conflict was a huge relief.

"Good," Aric replied, pleased with Van's enthusiasm. "Tomorrow, I'll be the one to pick you up from school. Afterward, we can go shopping and find a nice gift for your mother to go along with the surprise."

"Alright, Dad," Van agreed, his mind already racing with ideas for what they could get her.

Just then, Seraphina's voice called out from the kitchen, breaking their conversation. "Van, Aric, let's eat!" she called, her tone filled with warmth and affection.

The two of them stood up and made their way back inside, where the table was already set with bowls of steaming stew, fresh bread, and a salad of crisp greens and vegetables from their garden. Seraphina greeted them with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling as she noticed the easy camaraderie between father and son.

"Dinner smells wonderful, Seraphina," Aric said, pulling out a chair for her before taking his own seat.

"Thank you, dear," Seraphina replied, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush at the compliment. She turned to Van with a warm smile. "How was your first day at school, Van? Did you make any new friends?"

Van hesitated, his mind briefly flashing back to the classroom and the introductions. "It was… interesting," he replied, choosing his words carefully. He didn't want to worry his mother with his reluctance about school, not when they had such an important surprise planned for her.

Seraphina's smile softened as she served them both, ladling generous portions of stew into their bowls. "I'm sure you did just fine, Van. You're such a bright boy."

Aric took a sip of his tea, glancing at Van with a knowing look. "Van and I were just talking about how he's going to have a lot on his plate this year," he said, subtly steering the conversation.

"Oh?" Seraphina asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yes," Aric continued, his tone light but meaningful. "But he's ready for it, aren't you, Van?"

Van nodded, grateful for his father's support. "I am, Mom. I know this year will be challenging, but I'll do my best."

Seraphina beamed at him, her eyes filled with pride. "That's the spirit, my love. And remember, you can always come to us if you need help with anything."

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, touching on lighter topics like the garden, plans for the upcoming week, and stories from Aric's work. But all the while, Van's mind was buzzing with excitement about the surprise they were planning for Seraphina's birthday.

When dinner was finished, and the dishes were cleared away, the family settled into their usual evening routine. Van spent some time reading a book, though his mind was already wandering to the training he would do over the weekend and the gift they would find for his mother.

As the evening drew to a close, Van's earlier frustrations had melted away, replaced by a deep sense of contentment. He knew the coming year would be difficult, but with his father's guidance and his mother's unwavering support, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

And as he lay in bed that night, the comforting sounds of the house settling around him, Van couldn't help but smile at the thought of surprising his mother. It was moments like these that made this new life worth living—moments of love, warmth, and the simple joy of being part of a family.

As he drifted off to sleep, Van's thoughts were filled with plans for the days ahead, his heart light and hopeful.