Ch 3

Being a prodigy is a tragedy in itself. Though some clans would say otherwise, in war times? It was infact a sink or swim situation.

There's a 5-year-old in this class of 7-year-olds who stuck out like a sore thumb. Though resources and focus were tilted towards him, there's only much to learn at basic education before he'd need a personal mentor. If his clan had any say on it. Arta would bet he already has a mentor who supplements his education at home. It's a wonder why he's not with the clan kids at the other class.

She'd also bet that if it was not for regulations set on age limits in the battlefield, the little prodigy would be on his merry way to the warfront. Though the truth is, it's set younger every year. Not too many to sustain the battles for power and independence after all.

The prodigy title is also set since he activated his etherun at 5 rather than the stipulated 8 years of age, and even then, not much can be done. It is to note that this age of activating etherun may be the world's way to retain balance since children's etherun pathways are not too developed to sustain use or overuse in the case of child prodigies.

These overdrawn thoughts were brought upon the prodigy himself incessantly poking her at one of her nap-escapism.

There is one benefit of the pre-academy, and that is teachers let you be (Inu be damned) as long as one is not distractive. Again, it's a sink or swim situation, live or die on your own terms. Regulations have been set for your own good, and you decide your own fate, etc. etc.

"Hey, how did you get that much power for a punch?" The child asked me incessantly and unnecessarily curious.

"Chance, dear, just pure chance." Ah, her earlier debacles still come to bite her. Arta shooed away the child as to return to her wondrous nap.

"It doesn't seem like so... It seemed more like a form. " Ohn Serra, the prodigy, asked with a knot forming in between his eyebrows.

Indeed, there were certain stances that allowed you to respond swiftly to deadly strikes and deliver a counterattack. Really, Ohn was debatably attentive to the spar.

"Read on the books at the library, kid. it's an inspiration." Arta lowers her head and proceeds to find her comfortable position. Hopefully, Ohn can scram, and she can continue living a life of retirement.

Ohn was not pleased to be blatantly ignored. However, manners that were hammered by his mother dictated that he doesn't bother those who don't wish to be bothered, especially if they were not close.

Though, it's not a worthless endeavour. The library seems to be worthwhile to visit to gain something. He thought it was just decoration as secrets and valuable information should be carefully guarded or something. If not, it is hidden by other clans.

Looking at the back of this stranger, he wondered how the strength came without the use of etherun. Etherun is a gradient to strengthen the force of strikes and all.

...

Sunlight peaked and ever so slightly graced Arta. She was back at the orphanage awakening slightly later than usual. For a short while, she couldn't tell where she was.

It had been 4 years since she first remembered her memories. It was also her 2nd year at the academy. Her first year being so stellar to slip into the inconspicious.

Walking through the halls, a child ran and bumbed into her legs.

"Oww.." Shin rubbed his own nose that started to redden due to the force of impact.

"Sis! Are you going to the academy? I'll go with you!" Cheerfully, Shin pulled her along to the door. Well, like Ohn, Shin had opened his pathways and succeeded in controlling his etherun. Another prodigy will now enter pre-academy.

"Have you eaten?" She asked before allowing the child to continue to pull her.

"Yes, yes." Shin nodded, and she allowed him to pull her to the door.

Looking at the little hands pulling her, Arta wonders if she indulges children too much. Looking back at her past life, there seems to be a time when she was a teacher for a while. Huh, maybe that's where the indulgence comes from.

...there shouldn't be any problems proceeding forward?

Each year, it seems that there are more buildings built. Aside from the growing orphans, the capital has increased the acceptance rate of refugees. There's also a certain danger to this. But, a village would need people. The capital is growing, but it won't be enough. It needed more capable mages out to the war, people to support its economy.

The thing is, a great mage would sustain the war. 1 strong could defeat a hundred, even thousands of troops. The war has also reached its peak, and death tolls remain high.

Arta thinks that it won't be long before Shin's hands are coated with blood. She also thinks her time could be running out.

She ponders upon a saying that is, monsters are made not born. Indeed, this world just proves this to be true. She wonders when Shin will snap. She might have a vague idea, but she wasn't so sure.

"Shin, remember to be good," she muttered as she viewed the academy's gates that could already be seen from the distance. Still standing tall and majestically, seemingly untouched by the chaos of it all.

"Sis, I'm always good." Shin pouts at what he feels to be an unnecessary reminder. The older girl always had a mysterious feeling that couldn't be explained. He couldn't put a word to it.

Arta glanced at Shin.

Well, there's still time, she thought.

Time for what?