Surprise, Surprise

It’s been a little more than a year in this new place. The neighborhood is nice and lively. Since living here, I haven’t seen monsters or any danger at all. I know soldiers are patrolling at certain hours of the day, but I haven’t seen them. I usually wake up around 5 am. I have done the same since I was in high school on Earth. That’s how I maintained my good grades while also having time for club activities and sports. However, some nights Mom and Dad are so noisy that it's hard to fall asleep. I bet it's nice to be young and married—another chill day in this world.

Every day, I enjoy waking up and opening the windows of my room to take a look at the backyard and deeply breathe the early morning aroma of nature. It gives me peace, and I feel connected to reality. Then I practice magic in my room before anyone notices.

Every time I finish practicing magic, my whole body trembles. I feel out of energy. I’m so hungry right now. I need Mom to feed me; however, every two days or so, I go to the kitchen to find Dad baking bread. He wakes up extra early to bake. We share some fruit, and then he carries me to Mom, and I sleep with her for a bit before she gets up from bed, and we both get ready and prepare breakfast.

Today, Mom is cooking something special for dinner. It is Paulus’s 10th birthday. Eugina told me that in this world, people don’t celebrate their birthday every year except for the 12th, 16th, and 32nd. Any other birthday is usually just a lovely meal with the family. The 12th birthday marks the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, and it is when a teenager chooses their profession. The 16th birthday marks the transition from apprentice to professional. At 32 years old, people are often considered masters in their field. Dad is 28 and Mom is 27 years old. Dad is close to being considered a blacksmith master. Mom has only worked as an adventurer. And in two years, Paulus will go to the academy to become a soldier.

“Paulus, today you are taking Cato with you. You are growing up, and you need to learn responsibilities. Go hang out with your friends and bring your sister back sound and safe.”

“Aah!” Dad and I scream at the same time, furrowing our eyebrows.

“Yes, Mom. I will take care of Cato.”

“Today is your birthday. Come back before dinner. Remember, tomorrow we start your training.”

“Pochocha, don’t you think it's too soon to leave Cato’s at Paul's responsibility?”

“I don’t want to hear any excuses. At 10, I was already working and taking care of my parents.”

“Okay.”

And so we left the house. I have never been outside the house without adult supervision. I guess it’s fine. I might as well see what kind of friends my brother has. I need to take care of him too.

“Where are we going, brother?”

“We are going to play with Sappho and Skolets. They live a few houses down the road. Sappho started training in magic with his parents this year too. We will go to the academy together.”

“Oh. Are you excited to start training tomorrow?”

“Yes, I want to be as strong as Mom.”

“Mom and Dad look pretty strong.”

“Ah, I guess you are too small to understand. Don’t talk about Dad with my friends, okay?”

“Eeeh?” Is it because of the magic affinity? I don’t get it. We walk down the road to a pretty big property. Double our house. They have a guard at the door. And two kids were playing in the front yard. One of them was an accipitridae, and the other was a sapiens slave.

“Paul, welcome! I’m glad you came. I was bored training with Skolets. I need a better rival. Who is this?”

“Hi, Sappho. This is my little sister, Cato. Mom asked me to take care of her for today.”

“I know what you mean. Once I turned 10, I also had new responsibilities. I’m always taking care of Skolets. This good-for-nothing has no magic affinity. I try to keep him in shape.”

I’m in silence. Sappho, the blue accipitridae, is maltreating Skolets, the slave. He is not training; he is just beating the weak. Why is Paulus not saying anything? Mom and Dad would never allow such behavior. Right?

“Skolets, let me take over.”

“Alright, Paul, I’m gonna teach you everything you need to know about magic.”

While Sappho was showing off to Paulus, I came closer to speak with Skolets.

“Hello, my name is Cato. I’m Paulus’ sister.”

“Hi, I’m Skolets. I’m a slave in charge of taking care of the young master.”

“How long have you been here for?”

“I was purchased a few months ago. I was lucky to find a good home where to live.”

I pursed my lips.

“How is getting punched for training lucky?” I grabbed his bruised arm.

“This is nothing compared to living in the slave market. Yeah, I have a few bruises. But I have a bed where to sleep, and food to eat. I’m also learning numbers and how to write. That’s more than enough for someone like me. I know of people who have it worse. But what would you know? You are lucky to have a family. You are privileged and you don’t even know it. Just wait to see if you have magic first.”

“When you say ‘someone like me,’ you mean a slave?” I’m puzzled.

“A slave? No, even a slave can be fine knowing magic. I have no magical affinity. I’m useless. In the market, it was better for the slave dealer to have me dead than to waste space and food on me. But look at me now. The master of the house was kind enough to buy me, not because I'm useful, but because he pitied me. I owe him my life.”

I could not keep the conversation going any longer. Why are people being treated like animals because they have no magic? What will happen to Paulus if training with Mom shows he doesn’t have any magical affinity? What would my parents do to me if I didn't have any magical ability? How did Dad survive in a world like this without magic?

I was depressed the rest of the day. When we got home, we had a nice dinner. When dinner was almost over, Mom announced:

“Oh, I almost forgot. I’m pregnant,” said Mom casually.

“Are you serious!?” said Dad, jumping out of his chair, almost choking on food. “I’m so happy. Thank you, my love. Thank you, deities, for your blessings! Dad was kissing Mom all over, and immediately went to the shrine in the house.

“Okay, okay... stop, Paulus. Cato, do you want to have another brother or a sister?”

“Yes, I know he or she will be very strong!” Paulus was screaming with happiness.

“Princess, what's wrong? Why are you crying?” said Dad, taking me in his arms. “You are still going to be my baby, don’t worry,” said Dad.

Is a lack of magic affinity congenital? I did not notice I was crying, but I’m worried. This world is cruel. I need to protect my family… This moment also reminded me of my family from the old world: my sister and little brother. I was miserable back then, but I loved them. "I'm Happy, Dad. I love you,” I said while hugging Dad as firmly as I could.

“Paulus, you are our firstborn. You will protect the family. Now that you are ten, we will start your training to prepare you for the academy. I will teach you the basics of magic. You will not be a kid anymore, so start behaving like an adult.” Mom said to Paulus.

“Yes, Mom.”