Joy

“Dad, please, I’m sorry! I love you, Dad.” I just couldn't stop crying. Why does it never work for me? Why can’t I make the people I love proud? How many times have I failed my family back in the old world? And now, the most loving human being I have ever met is crying over my shortcomings.

“Babe, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I’m the one who should say sorry. Cato, this world is cruel. I was born with almost no affinity to magic. I come from a family of recognized blacksmiths, and it was unimaginable for me not to have magic affinity. Because of that, I brought shame to my family. I couldn’t realize my dream of becoming a soldier, and it took me years of hard work to learn to be a blacksmith. It’s hard, and it will always be hard for someone who doesn’t have magic affinity. However, my greatest worry was my family because I don’t want any of my children to go through what I went through.

I was worried about Paulus. I was concerned about you, and I’m afraid of Camillus not having a magical affinity. But, having Paulus, my firstborn, with high magic affinity like his Mom, joining the Academy, and now you, a prodigy who started using magic at such a young age, I can’t contain the tears of gratefulness to the gods. Oh, how have they shown mercy on me! First, marrying a strong magician. Then, I built my shop and had children with great magic affinity. You cannot make me prouder as a father, Cato. I love you so much. I love all my children so much.”

Dad was crying again. However, those are not tears of regret. I have never seen those before. My Dad is proud of me. I finally did it. After almost forty years, I have accomplished something to make my Dad proud.

“I love you, Dad,” I said, holding him tight.

“Okay, let’s wrap things up. We are going home early; we need to tell Mom. I will leave a note at the entrance and let one of the elders of the guild know that I’m leaving early today. I can leave everything that is done to them, including the prices and names of the customers.

Dad was excited all the way home, talking about the future and how I should start training to be a soldier. I felt like a little girl again, proud of her father.

“Maybe we should get some slaves to help Mom at home and me at work too… Anto! Guess what! Anto, my love!” said Dad with bright and teary eyes.

“Wait, that’s right… Mom is not here yet.”

“But she is supposed to get here today, so why don’t we prepare food and talk over dinner, Dad?”

“Let’s do that. I’m going to go pick up Camillus at Eugina’s house. Be right back.”

…

“Oof… finally home. I’m tired. Paul must be closing the store now. But what I’m hearing?” I hear Dad and Cato talking inside.

“Hello? Didn’t you go to work? What’s going on? Did you two make dinner? I see how proud you are of Mom. I know I’m pretty cool.”

“Hello, honey”

“Hello, Mom.”

They both kissed me. And looked at me weirdly, covering their nose.

“What? I was on an expedition for three days.”

“Anto, go take a bath. We are waiting for you to eat. Go quick.”

“Hey, come on. Where is the love? Let me kiss Camillus first.”

“No, go bathe, you reek of death animal. Then you will have Camillus all to yourself.”

“Okay, be right back.”

…

“We need to talk,” said Dad, looking at Mom seriously as soon as she was back at the dinner table.

“Okay, can we eat while talking? I’m starving. Did something happen? Is everyone okay?”

“More than okay,” said Dad. “Guess what?” Dad could not hold himself any longer, and Mom was starting to get annoyed.

“What?” said Mom in her cool stance, crossing her arms, looking Dad in the eyes.

“Cato can use magic! She already awakened her magic! Isn’t that fantastic!?” said Dad, hoping to see Mom jumping on one leg.

“Okay, nice. Well done, baby,” said Mom with food in her mouth.

“Why are you not surprised?” said Dad.

“You wanna know why? This kid bothered me to read her basic magic book when she was a toddler! I told you before that’s not normal! She would take care of Paulus and start crying if he was getting in trouble! She eats like a savage! My milk wasn’t enough when she was a baby! Of course, I knew something was up! Every time I taught Paulus the basics, she was like a hawk, watching what I was doing! I have known something was not right for years!” Said Mom. Now she was looking at me. “Am I right?” she asked me.

“Yes, Mom,” I said, looking down. She reads me like a book. I can’t lie to her. Why did she never tell me anything? Of course, she would notice.

“Oh! That’s right. That was the reason you told me to teach you how to read the book.” Dad was even more amazed now. Mom was blushing.

“…Maybe… do you know the basics of magic that I taught Paulus?” she asked me.

“Yes, Mom,” I said.

“Show me.” Said Mom while walking outside. “Dad, take care of Camillus for a moment.”

I have seen Mom practice many times with Paulus. She started by teaching him the principles of magic. Then, she taught him to meditate and conceal his magic in the center of the body. After that, she taught him to let the magic go out of his body and hold it. Finally, to concentrate magic in different parts of his body as an armor for defense. Typically, teenagers will learn all about magic at the academy, but it is always good to have the basics well learned. Mom would make Paulus practice one hour a day every single day, and he would go practice on his own in the afternoon.

“Conceal your magic,” said Mom with her most serious face.

I close my eyes and imagine all my magic in the center of my body until it is completely hidden.

“Open your magic slowly, don’t run out of magic.”

I slowly open my eyes and imagine letting my magic go outside of my body.

“Cover your stomach with magic in guard position. I’m going to hit you,” said Mom.

“Anto, please, she's just a kid, go easy on her,” Dad screams from the door.

“Mom! Go for it!” I said while concentrating magic in my stomach.

“Ready? Here I go.”

“Aaah!” I cried. Mom’s punch hit me like a truck. I have never felt anything like this. It scared the f*** out of me. What I was not expecting was that the punch would send me flying three yards, losing my balance. I had to cover my back with magic to avoid any injuries, or so I thought, but Dad was already behind me to catch my body. Nonetheless, we still slide through the ground.

“Paul, I'm going easy on her. She can use magic to cover herself.” Mom said, hurrying to check on us.

“I’m okay, I’m okay,” said Dad, picking me and himself up from the ground.

His clothes were all scratched from the ground.

“Her magic was perfect. You don’t need to cover for her.” Said Mom.

“I'm all right. I’m a Dad, what do you want me to do? I can’t tell how good her magic is. If I have to protect my daughter, I do it.” Said Dad.

It probably wasn’t just his back; his abs and chest were perhaps red, too. He didn’t use any magic to protect himself. He just cuddled me as soft as he could, so I won’t get hurt.

“Dad, I'm sorry. I should have held my position better.” I said to Dad while hugging him

“Ah. Don’t worry, princess. I did not know you had it under control.” Said Dad kissing my forehead.

“Well, well, well,” said Mom with a big smile on her face. “Now I’m excited! Come here, Cato! Hug your Mom!” She had a big smile on her face. She can be terrifying sometimes, but then she goes into Mom mode. Still looking cool though.

“Are you proud of me, Mommy?” I could not hold the words in my chest. I need to hear it just like Dad told me back at the shop. There is a space in my heart longing for words of affirmation and love.

“I’m very proud of you, my baby,” said Mom, hugging me tight between her warm arms.

I couldn’t hold back the tears in my eyes. Twice in a day! I’m too emotional.

“Thank you, Mom! I will do my best!” I cry.

“Yes, baby,”

“However, you are not old enough to practice magic. So don’t tell anyone, we will keep magic practice to a minimum, and train your stamina with Dad.”

“Yes, master!”

Mom and Dad kept talking over dinner, and I could hear them from upstairs. They are excited about the future and what their children will do in the years to come. I couldn’t keep my eyes open. It was such a joyful day. I felt like I had used up all my energy.