Callum woke up with a long, satisfied yawn. His contentment from a good night’s rest a declaration to the world. Today was the day, today he would become a man. His life was about to change irreversibly.

  His frantic energy quickly fought through his hazy and crusty eyes, he energetically made his bed and started his stretching routine.

  His overused tendons had tightened slightly when he was asleep, making the morning ritual a bit harder than usual. It mattered not; those quiet moments in the morning gave him apt time to reflect and plan for the upcoming day. The lightness and dexterity his muscles enjoyed was just a bonus.

  Especially today he had a lot to think about, without a doubt the day would prove to be eventful.

  The ceremony is due in a few hours... I should wash up and prepare beforehand; mother would have my hide if I forgot. And I must wear those “ceremonial” robes... He sighed. Why can’t they just let me go dressed normally.

  Despite his grumbling, Callum planned for the upcoming ceremony with a smile. Only snorting at the thought on how he would look during it.

  The custom was to wear clothes made from the skin of a desired animal; the one you wanted to become your totem. For example, Callum’s ceremonial robes were made from wolves’ skin. Buying the wolf pelts was the easy part. Sewing them together and making something slightly presentable turned out to be more difficult.

  He had been taking pointers for months now, remaking his tunic and pants over and over. It was finally done, he finished it last week. It was laying on his cupboard, awaiting the moment he would finally use it.

  As much effort as it took, he felt pure, deep satisfaction at having done it. There was just something magical at doing something all by himself, with no help.

  Most households didn’t go to the extreme his did. They just bought the required clothes from the market, but he had to lead by example. At least his parents said so.

  He grazed the course tunic fondly while he was walking out of his room to eat some breakfast. The polished stone walls in the corridor were as cold and overbearing as usual. Callum's father said that it built character whenever the boy complained about it. He just got cold feet.

  Breakfast was different today, his mother and father usually ate together with him. Now though they were gone; off to oversee the ceremony preparations. His smile wavered slightly at seeing their empty chairs.

  It was custom in his house to eat together; his parents were very busy all the time. Over time mealtime became the moment when they could connect and talk. Oh well, one day doesn't change anything.

  With that his smile back on, nothing would ruin this day. It wasn't his parent's fault they were so crucial to the tribes. Duty waited for no man or woman after all.

  Even though he told himself everything was fine, he still ate his oatmeal faster than usual, not caring about the uncomfortable pieces of wheat and fruit that stuck to the roof of his mouth.

  In a blink he was out of the house, spare clothes in hand, and heading towards the nearby lake. The big stone mansion belonging to the tribe Elders and their families was located close to the center of the city; far away from the designated bathing space. Of course, they could’ve installed enchanted baths in the house, but no “that didn’t build character” or so his dad said. As such, he was stuck walking every time he wanted to bathe.

  “Good morning Callum, what a beautiful day, don't you think? Perfect for today's ceremony.” An older lady setting up her baked goods talked at him, smiling with warmth.

  “Good morning miss Eleanor, it surely looks like today will be great, I was just going to prepare, it would be an especially good day if you could give me one of those divine smelling buns I see on your cart.” Callum smiled innocently, trying his best to get the delicious looking sweet free of charge. It didn't work. Even worse, it backfired spectacularly.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “Callum you spoiled brat, trying to bankrupt an older lady like me, shame on you! Did your parents not teach you manners!” She quickly wiped the gleeful smirk on his face. Her hands raised threating, her smile gone- Twisted into outrage.

  He didn't mean to insult her; it was just an innocent joke. His shoulders slumped apologetically, his foot boring a hole in the ground. He was not sure what to do now.

  "S-sorry I didn't mean to…" He begun apologizing

  A steaming, hot bun fell into his arms. Startling him so much, he almost dropped it.

  “You should've seen the look on your face dummy, it was priceless.” The lady grinned mischievously.

  With a bit more seriousness she added: “Take the bun, it is your special day after all, just make sure you are a bit more careful. Some could take your joking as an order; you wouldn’t want to extort someone, right?” Callum of course agreed, bobbing his head up and down rapidly. She smiled at winked at him. Walking off, pulling the small cart behind her. Mumbling something about leveling her acting skill leveling up.

  Callum shrugged and proceeded to put the bun in his mouth. Maybe she was right; he needed to put a hold on his attitude. Kindness could be mistaken for ulterior motives, and this was not the kind of person he wanted to be.

  Still, it worked; that bun was delicious. The slightly sour fruit jab mixed in with the soft, expertly folded warm dough, making the ultimate pastry. She sure is good at her job.

  On the way, he was greeted by other people. Some just to say hello, others stopping him for a longer conversation. No matter the person, it could be said that all were happy to see him, or at least not unpleased. He could be annoying; he knew that. But he took pride in himself at having a good reputation around town.

  He was known as someone that always responded with a smile, engaging in conversations without hesitation, not afraid to joke and uplift morale when needed.

  The area around the lake was empty, probably due to the early hours and preparations going on everywhere else- Discounting the various birds chirping and small bugs running here or there. He was happy due to that; it made the simple action of washing a time when he could connect to nature.

  He stripped and plunged into the crystal-clear water of the lake. “So cold... But it has that kick, yeah... so good. A warm, steamy bathtub surely would be worse.”

  Through clenched teeth he babbled whatever, trying to convince himself to enjoy the cold water traveling around his body. The bath was rapid fast, a shocker really, as shocking as the water. He snorted at his bad sense of humor. Whenever he said a pun like that, his mother looked with pity in her eyes at him, wondering what had gone wrong in raising him.

  No matter, he was finally ready for the rest of his day. Until the ceremony he could do whatever he wanted, just... what should he do?

  Callum decided, then proceeded back to the city. With a spring in his step, he made short work of the distance to the city’s library. He would have prefered to train his combat skills, but he had already washed, and there was no way he would get in that freezing water again. Better he take it east today anyway, training would just make him more worked up.

  Studying came hard. The anticipation of the ritual didn't mix well with the focus demanding tome. It wasn't that he found the topic boring, the book covered by dried leather and crumbling parchment contained knowledge on the many regions of Epision and its creatures.

  Usually, Callum would stare at a book like that until it hid no secrets from him but today, he just- couldn't… His gaze slid every time he tried to focus. “This is useless!” With a hint of frustration, he stood up from the table. The heavy wooden chair slid on the floor with a high-pitched squeal, causing a ruckus.

  The librarian on duty just gave him a death glare, as if he had done something wrong. the gall on that man, I’m innocent. Still, he knew to pick his battles and just apologized quietly and left the establishment.

  Sneaking through the tight streets of Kylos, Callum dodged the many carts and draft animals. Today sure seemed busy. Everyone seemed to have something worth doing today, something that made them tick like a time bomb. Best he avoid people till the celebration.

  After bumping into a young woman who was carrying a stack of neatly folded dresses, getting yelled at by said women and helping her clean every single dirty dress he finally arrived at his next destination.

  The park stood empty today; only a small group of druids were left practicing their magic in the lush, plentiful and lively space.

  It was a feat of magical ability to have transported a piece of the Backwoods, along with the animals withing right in the middle of the city. The park was filled with many shrubs and grasses; it was a scene straight out of an idyllic fever dream. It was also his favorite spot to relax.

  “Welcome brother, what are you in need of? A figure cloaked in a green hood jumped out of nowhere startling Callum. “Oh! man you surely startled me, I just came here to meditate, Ehm… brother?"

  The figure who Callum could see now was a bald middle aged man nodded appreciatively.

  “The understanding of yourself is a noble goal. In that case, brother I won't disturb you further. Best of luck in your endeavors.

  Just as suddenly he arrived, he was gone. Callum could finally relax.

  He sat on soft moss and leaned against the hard, scratchy bark of the Pinewood tree. His slightly hitched breathing caused by nerves began slowing down; the wildlife chirped, and in that moment, Callum found peace. He found his connection to nature.

  Temporarily free from the expectations of other people weighing on him, he began thinking, pondering the abnormal societal structure of his people- The Primal Humans.