My Fifth Birthday

Winter had come again, and with it came the biting cold winds and snow that engulfed the whole village. Despite the harsh weather, my family managed to finish all our winter preparations in time. We had stocked up on firewood and enough food to last us through the season.

Myra had been kind enough to lend me one of her tablets so that I could continue practicing my reading skills even when I was stuck at home.

I spent hours poring over the letters and words, my mind struggling to comprehend the intricate web of language that was slowly revealing itself to me.

As the days passed by, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement building up within me. It was almost my birthday, and I was about to turn five in this world.

It was a significant milestone because most children died from diseases that ravaged our land before they turned five.

I knew that my sister Helga had fallen sick last year, and my mother had been so worried that she had even gone to the temple to pray for her recovery. But luckily, Helga had pulled through, and all was well.

I couldn't help but wonder why I had never fallen ill. Perhaps it had something to do with my magic?

As my birthday drew closer, I found myself growing more and more excited. I wondered what surprises awaited me on this special day, and whether my family had planned anything special for me.

But most of all, I felt a sense of pride and gratitude for having made it this far in a world that was so unforgiving and harsh. For me, turning five was not just a milestone but a victory over all the challenges and obstacles that lay in my path.

My mother had outdone herself with the grand feast she had prepared for me on my birthday. The tantalizing aromas of roasted meat, fresh bread, and rich, savory stews wafted through the air, making my mouth water.

Both my parents, Rolf, Helga, and I sat around the large wooden table, sharing laughter and stories as we indulged in the delicious food that my mother had prepared.

As the festivities began to wind down, my parents presented me with a precious gift—a whole copper mark. It was a tradition in our village to give money when a child turned five as a gift of fortune.

The coin was meant to be kept with me at all times and not spent until I started my apprenticeship. It was believed that the coin would bring me good luck in my job, and I should use it only for something important.

I felt a twinge of guilt as I looked at the shiny copper coin in my hand. It seemed like spare change for me, especially since I had a whole bunch of silver hidden away under my bed. For just one silver penny, I could get up to ten copper marks.

But I knew better than to let my true feelings show. I made an effort to act grateful, knowing that this was still a significant amount of money for my parents.

I slipped the copper mark into the small leather pouch that hung around my neck, feeling its weight against my chest. It was a tangible reminder of the responsibility and expectations that came with growing up in our village.

I knew that I had to take my future seriously, that I had to work hard and make something of myself. The coin was just the beginning—a small token of the hopes and dreams that my parents had for me. It was up to me to make those dreams a reality.

As I lay in bed that night, the weight of the copper coin around my neck made me think about my future. My ultimate goal was to pursue magic, but the reality of my situation was sobering.

As a poor villager from a frontier village, there was no way any school in the kingdom would take me in as a student. And even if I were to wait and see what my parents had in store for me, it was highly unlikely that they would choose anything outside of my class.

In this kingdom, there was a system of classes, and people tended to stick to their assigned roles. My father was a craftsman, which was considered a step above being a simple farmer, but it still meant that my possibilities were quite limited. I would only be able to pursue a craftsman's job.

From what I had gathered so far, the only way for a commoner to make it far was either to serve in the army or become a powerful beast hunter, but both options were incredibly dangerous, and my parents would never allow me to try.

There was always the option of running away from home, but that would mean losing whatever little background I had along with my name. I would have to start from the ground up as an orphan, which was even worse than being a poor farmer.

That was why nobody ever did it and instead accepted their lot in life.

Besides, I wasn't a big fan of danger and death, which ruled out both the army and beast hunting as options. I sighed and closed my eyes, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the choices ahead of me.

It seemed like the world was closing in on me like I was trapped in a small, suffocating bubble. But then, something within me stirred—a small spark of hope and determination.

I refused to accept a life of mediocrity or to simply settle for whatever fate had in store for me. I was determined to break free of the constraints of my birth and find a way to pursue my dreams, no matter the cost.

I wasn't sure how I was going to do it yet, but I knew that I would find a way. I would make my own luck and carve out my own destiny, even if it meant going against everything that society had taught me. The copper coin around my neck felt like a symbol of that determination, a talisman of hope that I would carry with me always.

I kept coming back to what Isadora said to me: that I have great talent.

Maybe I could try to be a herbalist; at first, I just saw it as a way to make some extra money, but if I could make it to the city, my options would greatly expand. It would be a long shot since being a herbalist is quite a prestigious occupation reserved for wealthy city dwellers.

But if I could somehow convince Isadora to take me as an apprentice, it would be much better than whatever future would await me here.

"Alright, I've decided I will strive to be a herbalist!"

I will need to gather as many herbs as I can and show Isadora my talent, convincing her that I have what it takes to be her apprentice. It wouldn't be easy, but I'm determined to make it happen.

As the winter dragged on, I spent my days planning for the future. I couldn't wait for the first signs of spring to appear, signaling the start of my quest. It will be a monumental task to convince my parents to let me go to the city, but I have to try. I'm tired of living this mediocre life, and I was ready to take a risk to pursue my passion.

Finally, the first signs of spring appeared outside my window. The snow began to melt, revealing the fresh greenery beneath. The air was filled with the scent of new life, and I felt my heart swell with anticipation. It was time to show Isadora what I was made of. My future is within reach, and I am ready to seize it with both hands.