I had spent some of my time trying to read the booklet but it wasn’t much use. The book was in no language close to what I knew or had access to reading from the library, then again a five-year-old doesn’t have access to a lot of stuff.

  Most of my time before higher schooling consisted of chores, watching my parents train, or doing what I could to help my local neighborhood.

  I had begged my mother to teach me some spells so I could help my neighborhood but she told me no, if I gave them too much healing, water, or anything it could place my parents in trouble.

  The reason I was given was that magic shouldn’t be used so casually, for simple tasks, especially for the poor or needy.

  Why?

  It made little difference to me, I mean after all we were fairly well off so our neighbors were about the same, therefore they all had their own healing/doctors and mages to help themselves.

  I was walking around the house helping my mother one day when my father said we didn’t have food for dinner.

  The two couldn’t decide on anything they wanted so my mother simply decided that she and I head to the market and grab some stuff for all three of us.

  As we were walking into the city to our market I noticed a girl around my age at the market as well.

  She was small, a little timid, but held her head high. She looked smart and brave, but honest and caring.

  “Mom, can I go make a friend?” I blurted out.

  Without even looking at me she just nodded.

  I went to walk up to her but a man around my parents age called her to go to him, she had walked away before I could say a word. I was sad but went back to find my mom.

  When I found her she was talking to some noble. Oh how could I tell he was a noble? Who would willingly dress like that.

  Anyway I noticed a frail young boy also around my age standing right next to him. If he was big enough to flaunt an ego he certainly would’ve. I didn’t bother introducing myself, I knew his name already and didn’t care if he knew mine.

  Jerek Erenheart. Son of Philip Erenheart. A high noble family — top five in the Empire

  The brat wouldn’t even look me in the eye.

  They exchanged goodbyes and my mother grabbed the last item we needed and we checked out.

  “Well dear, who is your new friend?” My mother asked endearingly.

  I frowned. “Oh, she was called away before I could ask for her name.”

  My mother frowned as she placed the last item off the counter and into her bag, while giving the correct amount of coin to the vendor.

  “Sorry dear, you’ll make a friend soon.” She expressed as we began walking out of the market.

  When we first got out on the street I noticed her again. I was going to go up and say hi but I felt I had to build up the courage this time.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Fortunately for me, my mother is amazing.

  “Eric!” She exclaimed towards the man from the market.

  The man had the young girl's hand, and he turned his head to see my mother and a bright smile flew across his face.

  The two hurried to see each other as if they were childhood best friends reuniting.

  The two talked and I didn’t care to listen cause I was awestruck by the girl. I could feel my face growing a little warm but I didn’t pay mind to it.

  “Hello miss, my name is Cade Grimmholt. What is your name?”

  She was shy but slowly approached me. “H-hi there, nice to meet you. Im Mariel— Mariel LeVee.”

  Oh right. I'm an idiot. I technically did meet her when I was one or maybe younger. Her parents are old friends of my parents.

  My mother and father took the officer's life, and Mariel’s parents took the adventurer's life. Similar but with one or two major differences.

  Those differences lie in the chain of command. The soldiers have the highest jurisdiction in any city, suburb, or farm. Anywhere else is considered off-limits for anyone who isn’t accompanied by an adventurer.

  The reason is because they have to study the anatomy of monsters within dungeons, rough terrains, etc.

  I zoned back into the conversation with my mom and Eric.

  “–Oh I was just getting back from a dungeon raid, the guild had us collecting some A rank crystals–”

  Boom. The guild. The guild was welcoming for everyone to come regardless of age, the bar was in a separate room so even kids could wander into the guild to get a taste of how adventure life was.

  I looked at my mom. “Mother–”

  She looked at me with disappointment. “I was just telling Eric how good your manners were. Then you interrupt the conversation like that?”

  I put my head down. “I'm sorry mother.”

  “It’s quite alright dear. What do you need?”

  My head rose high again. “Can me and Mariel go look at the guild while you and Mr. Eric talk?”

  She looked at Eric and he shrugged with a smile. “Sure dear, be back here in fifteen minutes.”

  I nodded and looked at Mariel. She looked shy but happy to explore.

  The guild was just a few streets away, loud as always.

  I loved the guild. I came here every so often but I loved hearing stories from adventurers, or seeing their armor and weapons after their battles.

  I showed Mariel around the place but given that her parents were adventurers she already knew most of what was there. Time was up and we began walking back when we heard some ruckus in an alley nearby.

  My heart pounded heavier, like distant drums calling out to me. I didn’t understand it — only that something inside me wanted to move.

  I looked at Mariel and her eyes were set on the alley too. She looked back at me and nodded.

  We got closer and found some adventurers trying to teach a noble a lesson. Not just any noble, Jerek.

  The kid still had an insufferable ego, but he was just a kid — probably scared too. Regardless of nobility who wants to mess with people WILLING to go out and fight monsters.

  Nobles weren’t supposed to be touched. But adventurers played by different rules

  They had torn some of his clothes, messed up his hair and gave him a little bruise on his eye. I hated how nobles paraded themselves around but even then — I couldn’t watch.

  “Hey.”

  The two adventurers looked at me. “Ah whatever man, I don’t care enough about this shit to beat up some kids. Let’s grab a drink.”

  The two walked away letting Jerek slump to the ground and he began wiping tears away.

  Cade and Mariel rushed over to look at him. Jerek turned his face and forced himself to look strong, even when he was so small.

  Cade knelt to one knee. “Look Jerek, my name is Cade. We won’t bother you we just–”

  “Shut up.”

  That jerk cut me off.

  “Why did you show up and they left? What could you have done differently than I do?”

  “Nevermind that, you're hurt.” Mariel chimed in

  She began whispering a healing spell.

  I was stunned. My parents told me to be super careful and I shouldn’t even learn any magic yet, but she’s chanting right next to the guild?

  She finished chanting and a warm greenish goldish light flowed from the palm of her hand to Jerek, helping heal the injuries.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off Mariel. “Woah. I'm impressed but aren’t you worried the empire will punish you?”

  She put a finger to her mouth to shush me. “Yes, but if they find out. I just want to use this power to help, even if it’s not much.”

  That moved me.

  I snapped back to reality and offered to help Jerek stand up but he refused and stayed sitting on the ground.

  “Look, just please get home before–”

  “Please.”

  He interrupted again, but this time with something nice to say?

  “Please don’t go yet.”

  I glanced at Mariel and our gaze met — we nodded, then back to Jerek.

  “I am far too weak to remain alone. I need friends. I’m the first son of a noble family, I have no siblings nor friends. Plus I'm weak. You’ll both be my friends right?”

  I was shocked again. Back to back surprises from Mariel and Jerek.

  Mariel opened her mouth to talk but I beat her to it. “Of course. We would gladly be your friend Jerek.”

  His face lit up and he jumped to his feet. “Wonderful! Meet me near the guild around noon tomorrow?”

  I nodded, and when I looked at Mariel she nodded as well.

  “It’s settled then. I look forward to seeing you both there tomorrow.”

  He walked away and I brought Mariel back to Eric and my mother.

  We went our separate ways for the evening, but little did I know our paths would forever be permanently intertwined.