Saldia called out to Teclos in the morning. "Breakfast!"

Teclos’ eyes snapped open.

Today was the day that would change his life.

No more boring day-to-day routine, always staying in the small town, either training or learning. Sure, sometimes he would hang out with Ralph and Gillard, but without Talmir accompanying him, he would never have been allowed to leave the village on his own. He even had to bribe the guard just to go out and pick flowers for Saldia.

A rush of excitement surged through his chest. After these three days, he would finally be allowed to explore more of the world.

He threw the blanket aside, dressed quickly, and ran a hand through his hair before stepping out of his room.

His parents were already seated.

"Morning," he said, unable to suppress the brightness in his voice as he sat down.

Talmir glanced at him over his cup.

Smiling warmly, Saldia placed a plate in front of her son. "It’s not every day someone steps into adulthood, but do be careful not to let it go to your head and give it your all."

Teclos chuckled. "Don’t worry, it’ll be easy for me."

Talmir snorted lightly. "What a very arrogant fourteen-year-old."

As they ate together, the conversation was light. Saldia asked if he’d slept well. Talmir reminded him not to rush through the written tests and to properly pay attention. Teclos reassured them both that he was prepared enough.

The whole village had three days off for the ceremony. Shops were closed. Even most hunters stayed in town. There were exceptions, of course—livestock still needed tending, and someone always had to stand watch—but those were few.

This tradition had begun after Chief Brahm took leadership.

The previous chief had been corrupt and distant, hoarding influence and favor. Festivals like these were rare, and gatherings even rarer.

Brahm had changed that.

He believed that the youth should at least get a chance to survive in this cruel world.

And because of that, for three days, Kolma belonged to its youth.

Once Talmir and Saldia finished eating, they changed into their better clothes—nothing extravagant, but well-kept and presentable. Talmir wore a darker tunic trimmed with silver-thread embroidery along the collar. Saldia had braided her hair neatly and wore a pale blue dress that subtly matched her affinity.

Teclos stepped outside first and held the door open for them.

Summer air greeted him—warm and alive, carrying the scent of flowers.

Kolma was no longer the quiet village it had once been.

Dirt roads still ran between the homes, but they were wider now. Instead of simple timber huts, there now stood houses with stone foundations and wooden tops, some even reinforced with clay tiles near the center.

A few buildings had grown taller, boasting partial second floors that overlooked the streets.

Wooden fences marked clear property lines, with small gardens thriving behind them. Drying racks for herbs and strips of salted meat stood beside nearly every home, swaying gently in the breeze. The market square had expanded as well—its stalls were bigger, permanent, and offered more choices.

There were still no paved streets, no grand walls or towers.

But Kolma had grown bit by bit every year.

People filled the streets.

Families walked together toward the village center, children running ahead before being called back by laughing parents. Hunters who normally carried stern expressions wore relaxed smiles and chatted among themselves.

Even the older folk had stepped outside early, leaning on canes or resting on benches to watch the younger generation gather.

A quiet hum of anticipation hung in the air.

Teclos walked between his parents, hands clasped behind his head, chatting about everyday stuff.

They continued walking, passing neighbors who greeted them warmly. The conversation drifted toward the past.

"It wasn’t like this before," Talmir said quietly. "When I came of age, it was a small village. How time flies..."

"It means that we are moving in the right direction," Saldia added.

They fell silent for a moment.

Teclos glanced at them. "Was it really that different for you?"

"Yes," Saldia said gently. "But that’s a good thing."

They slowed down slightly as they approached the town square because of the crowd.

Just before they reached it, familiar voices called out.

"Teclos!"

Ralph jogged toward them, dressed cleaner than usual, his hair tied back properly for once, and just behind him were his parents.

Gillard approached from the other side with his mother; his father seemed to be absent, no doubt at the forge hammering despite the celebration.

The adults greeted each other first.

"Talmir," Ralph’s father said with a nod. "When are you planning to pick up your boots?"

"After the ceremony," Talmir replied. "I’ve been too busy lately."

Saldia exchanged polite conversation with Gillard’s mother—health updates, small talk, light laughter. The customary greetings.

Meanwhile, the three boys grew competitive again.

"You ready to lose?" Gillard asked casually.

Teclos scoffed. "Lose? To you?"

Ralph folded his arms. "Hah! Both of you have no chance against me."

"Yeah, yeah," Teclos said dryly. "We’ll see about that."

Gillard smirked.

"What are you smiling about, Gillard? Huh? I bet your score on the written test will be zero," quipped Ralph.

"Shut up before I stomp you in the physical test," replied Gillard.

They continued forward while bickering, and the square came into full view. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

It was packed.

Nearly the entire village had gathered. People stood shoulder to shoulder around the square, some even sat on crates or low stone borders. Children had been lifted onto shoulders for a better view.

At the center stood ten elders in a half-circle formation, their robes simple but dignified. Their presence was restrained yet overflowing with power. Beside them stood Chief Brahm—broad-shouldered, stern, and dressed for the occasion.

They were waiting for the final stragglers.

The murmur of conversation slowly faded as more people arrived.

Then, after several minutes, Brahm stepped forward onto a raised wooden platform built specifically for the ceremony. It wasn’t ornate—just sturdy, reinforced wood—but it elevated him above the crowd.

The square grew quiet.

Chief Brahm stood tall upon the wooden platform, hands clasped behind his back. His presence alone was enough to silence the murmurs.

He scanned the gathered villagers slowly, with sharp yet warm eyes.

When he spoke, his voice carried through the whole town square.

"People of Kolma."

The square fell fully silent.

"Today, we gather not merely for tradition. Not merely for celebration. We gather because we have successfully brought another generation to stand at the gates of adulthood."

He turned slightly, gesturing toward the youths assembled near the front.

"For fourteen years, you have grown under our roofs, eaten from our harvests, trained in our fields, studied in our homes. You have stumbled and argued with us along the way."

The crowd listened to his speech without even a cough.

"And now," he continued, "you are finally ready to take the first step into your new lives."

His expression hardened slightly.

"The coming-of-age ceremony is a festival for us old folk, but for you it is a test and proof of your diligence and life."

A pause.

"For three days, you will be tested—your strengths, your weaknesses, your knowledge. The paths you can take will become clearer at the end of those days."

He raised his left hand, his index finger extended, counting deliberately.

"The first day will test your minds. Your knowledge of the monsters that prowl beyond our borders. Your understanding of trade and numbers. Your grasp of herbs. Your awareness of nobles and the dangers of missteps in their presence.

And your knowledge of the kingdom that shields us—and sometimes demands from us. After all, a fool is the most dangerous person to be around and the one that dies first."

Then he raised his middle finger.

"The second day will test your bodies. Without mana. You will rely only on the strength you have built with your sweat and tears. After all, a healthy body is a basic need to survive in this world."

A few hunters nodded approvingly.

And the final raised finger.

"And on the third day, the Stone of Truth will measure your mana itself—your circles, their stability, and your affinity. It will examine your mana veins—to see if they are healthy. After all, mana is everywhere, and you must learn how to adapt and live with yours."

His voice softened slightly.

"Lastly, the elders will guide you. Don’t worry, we will not force you to choose a certain path. But we will offer counsel based on what we see during the tests. The decision is yours to make."

He paused and took a deep breath.

"When I was your age," he said slowly, "we had a harder time growing up."

A few older villagers exchanged knowing looks.

"The villages out here were not safe, and more than a few got erased from history. There were no tests to prepare us. One day, we were children. The next, we had to be adults, and we had no choice in that matter... some didn’t even make it that far."

His jaw tightened faintly.

"We had to give our lives and endure those hardships. Bleeding."

The square grew quiet.

"I do not regret the life I’ve lived. It made me strong. But I will not pretend it was kind."

He looked at the youths again, warmth in his eyes.

"You deserve a better life than we had, at least a better starting point."

His voice, still deep and steady, carried compassion and care for the youths.

"This world beyond Kolma is not gentle. It will not care about your dreams or your struggles. It will test you far more harshly than we ever could."

He inhaled slowly.

Everyone listened to his speech.

"My dream," Brahm said after a moment, "is simple."

He looked almost embarrassed admitting it.

"I want to build a safe home for all of you, while also giving those who crave freedom a fighting chance."

A murmur moved gently through the crowd.

"A chance to prosper. A chance to bloom in whatever soil suits you best. Hunter, trader, crafter, scholar—whatever path you choose."

His voice grew quieter, but it carried stronger emotion and passion than before.

"I want you to build our future together with me. Build lives that are happier than ours were and kinder than ours were."

His throat tightened, so he cleared it once.

"And maybe... maybe if we do this right, the next generation after you will have it even better."

A faint sheen appeared in his eyes. He blinked quickly, pretending it was the sunlight.

From somewhere in the crowd, a child’s voice piped up loudly—

"Look! Grandpa Brahm is crying again!"

Laughter burst across the square.

Brahm stiffened immediately. "I am not—" He coughed. "It’s dust."

A few villagers wiped their own eyes from his speech and clapped softly.

Brahm straightened his back, regaining his composure.

"Khm... A-anyways..."

He adjusted his stance.

"Young men and women of Kolma—step forward with courage. Show us who you are. Show the world how strong and resilient you are!"

He raised his hand high.

"Let the coming-of-age ceremony begin!"

For a heartbeat, there was silence—

Then the entire square erupted.

Hundreds of voices roared with pride and joy. Cheers rose into the summer sky, echoing against the timber walls and fluttering banners.

Kolma was alive.

The cheers had not yet fully settled when Chief Brahm raised his hand once more.

Gradually, the square quieted again.

He turned to address the wider crowd.

"Those not of age—children, parents, grandparents—remain here in the square. Today is yours as well. There will be music. There will be food, so celebrate and dance to your hearts’ content."

Drums, lutes, and fiddles began playing as soon as he finished speaking.

Warm laughter rolled through the villagers.

"As for you," he said, his eyes settling on the gathered youths, "step forward."

Nearly sixty of them did.

Teclos felt his mother squeeze his hand once before letting go. Talmir gave him a firm nod.

The heavy doors of the guild hall were pulled open.

He stepped forward, confident and excited.

Inside, the main chamber had been transformed.

Long wooden tables and benches filled the center of the vast hall in neat rows. Sunlight filtered through high windows, illuminating polished wood and drifting dust motes. The space felt larger than usual.

The elders were already seated—ten of them—positioned along the edges and corners of the hall. From where they sat, every table in the center was visible. Hunters stood near the back wall, arms crossed, silent and watchful.

The youths were guided to sit in the middle rows only, clustered where they could be seen from every angle. It felt less like a village ceremony and more like an academy examination—orderly and intimidating.

Brahm stepped forward once they were seated.

"You will have three hours," he announced. "No speaking. No standing without permission. No mana of any kind."

His gaze swept the hall.

"If you are caught cheating or if you don’t know how to read, you fail this portion entirely."

The warning was stern.

"This is not a race," he continued. "Read carefully and think clearly before you answer."

Then he stepped aside.

His wife, Elira, rose from her seat.

In her arms was a tall stack of parchment bundles, each tied neatly with cord. She began distributing them down the rows.

When one landed before Teclos, he felt his confidence dip for the briefest moment.

The stack of parchment was thick.

Beside him, Ralph stared at his own bundle and muttered under his breath, "...That’s a damn whole book."

Gillard was so nervous he froze.

The three exchanged brief glances—a nod.

Good luck.

Elira returned to the front.

"You may untie the cord," she said. "Do not turn the page until instructed."

The hall fell into complete silence.

Elira lifted a small brass bell.

"When it rings, you may begin."

She explained a few more rules, then rang the bell—a clear and sharp sound escaped from it.

"Begin."

Pages flipped in unison.

And the first test began.