"Hmmm… it looks like your son doesn't have a talent for magic." The court mage sadly handed Faris over to Bergan, who smiled apologetically.
"Aww… well it's okay, he's still going to grow up as strong as his papa and as smart as his mama. Aren't ya little Faris?" He lifted his child up in the air, who giggled.
"Higher dad!" The two laughed a bit. The court mage smiled at the scene, happy that the parents weren't too disappointed. He looked around, most of the other parents, while not outright upset, weren't exactly happy.
Faris's laughter came from two places, first, he genuinely enjoyed being lifted up and down by his dad, the euphoric feeling of flight and the stable hands of his father made him feel safe and strong. Though as for the second reason.
Yeesh, poor fellow, did you know that Ulrod Masonson yelled at him to recheck his son?!
Yeah, Faris replied to Damien, I heard the fifteenth time you told me, in fact, we heard it happen across the town.
Not all the parents took the news that their children could never learn magic well. Court mages were technically minor nobles, and even the lowest of their order tended to make quite a bit of money without having to put in much physical effort. The town's healer made enough from the state that he didn't need to charge for healing, yet could still afford going to the bar every night and covering everyone's tab once a week. Such a well-paying position would put any parent on edge, some adults even trying the test themselves.
"Hahaha, it's a sad thing that we did not discover it today, but he may just be a late bloomer. Let's give it another five years before testing, now, family name?"
Bergan smiled, "Yes, Fadawar-Ser"
"Fadawar… sir?" The mage asked, a little confused.
"No, s-e-r. The Surdan desert tribes often combine the family names of the two who marry, my wife and I chose to follow that tradition. The name comes from my Uncle and family patriarch, though I haven't seen him in years."
"Right…" The mage continued, "Well… anyways, it was nice to meet you, someone will check on your son and on the other villagers' children who we didn't detect magic on in five years."
Faris's parents waived them off before breathing a sigh of relief.
"Well, it looked like they didn't find anything weird. Good job Faris!" Bergan extended one hand, Faris high-fived it, smiling.
Their family together time was interrupted by a knock on the door, as Haya opened the door her smile brightened. "Aina! Jean! It is good to see you!"
She hugged the red-haired woman and brown-haired man, letting them into the house. Faris's smile strained as he looked at them, and he put his head to his father's chest to hide his scowl.
"Hahaha!" Bergan's booming voice reverberated around the room, "Jean, you look as strong as ever, Aina, you look lovely too!"
"We came to say hello, and check on the lucky baby!" Aina winked.
"Ah… about that…" Haya shrugged in mock sorrow, "It looks like he didn't pass."
The couple's shocked gasps were enough for Faris to want to turn to look at their flabbergasted faces, when a pair of green eyes met his, he turned away again.
Great… they're here…
"Wow… I'm so sorry."
"Don't be at all." Bergan smiles, "Our Faris is still a smart boy, he knows so many words and can even do simple math, who knows, he might become a statesman or an official for the kingdom, he's certainly smart enough."
Jean smiled, "True, but he'll probably never reach our daughter's level." He smiled widely.
Bergan was all smiles as he replied, "So, how's the potty training going?"
Jean's smile faltered, which caused Bergan the two ladies to laugh at his expense. "It's not that funny!" He sputtered.
"Well, it is for me, I don't have to change her this week." Aina laughed. Jean finally smiled gracefully, looking to Faris.
"Well, you've got that going for you, chin up, in 5 years they'll check you again, though by then my Venka will be up there too."
Faris kept himself from rolling his eyes as he smiled at the man and his pudgy three-year-old daughter.
Venka, as was the girl's name, smiled back at him with a wicked gleam in her eye. "Play!" She announced.
"What a great idea!" Haya turned to Faris, Play nice alright?"
Faris felt like screaming even as he nodded.
I used to baby sit so we can do this. Damien announced with confidence.
Fifteen minutes into the play session Damien continually screamed in Faris's mind. We can't do this! Abort mission! Run! Get help!
There was little Faris could do, Venka was bigger than him, and therefore stronger, whilst he struggled, she had already dressed him in her doll's clothing and stuck a bonnet on his head.
"Unhand me you fiend! You red-haired troll! Let me go right this instant! I'm warning youuoooooaaah!" He nearly bit his tongue as she spun him around, giggling.
"You're funny!" she laughed.
Well, at least we've got that going for us. Damien muttered.
Venka let him go, and Faris got up, turning around and running for the door.
"Hey!" Venka turned and gave chase, but he was already half way, she was faster than him, but he'd make it to the door.
Yeah… follow me through that door, and I'll drop you down those stairs.
Wait what?! Donovan began, Are you crazy?! That'll hurt her really badly!
No it won't. Faris retorted, his diabolical planning was cut short however. Cut short not by parental control, or his own conscious, but rather, a loose spring board hurtled him to the carpeted ground nearly fast enough to break a baby tooth. Venka was on him like a wolf on downed prey. She straddled him like a deranged cowgirl and unsheathed her weapon, a tube of lipstick.
"No… please, no… anything but that, no!" Faris struggled physically with all his might, but there was no way a 1 year old could beat a 3-year-old in a physical fight.
One might wonder why Faris didn't simply strike at her with his mental prowess, while he wasn't a master, he could probably paralyze over a dozen 3-year-olds with no trouble. The reason was simple, Venka had a magical capacity.
This goddamned… it's like playing with a bomb with a voice activated detonation.
Venka was two years older than Faris, and when she had been checked, she had been discovered with the magical capacity of, in Angela's words, "if 5 powerful human mages mixed with 2 elven mages, then they drank some of my potions."
It was to the point of ludicrousness, a charm was put on her that would keep her from accessing magic, but it could be broken if she became too emotional, because of that, she had to be a bit more pampered to keep her from going overboard, luckily she was tomboyish enough that a scrape or bruise wouldn't get her crying, but the trauma of a mental assault would probably do some major damage to Faris's home and family, not even mentioning he himself who'd be at the epicenter. With solemn tears and thoughts of his family's safety, Faris glared at the dreaded red thing as it approached his face…
And so, for a year, he faced this torture, Venka would make him her plaything twice a week, with the only respite coming from his own self training and Angela's visits. Ironically, Elva, who had been the bane of his existence, ended up becoming his greatest confidant, whilst she no longer heard or felt his pain, she still was giving ways to relieve or remove his pain, and since she could share his joy, she had a greater incentive to comfort him, a win-win he imagined.
"I wanna play!" Faris kept his eyes closed, praying that the red-haired demoness went away. Elva smiled lightly.
"He's sleeping, you don't want to be rude to him, right? You want to grow up to be the perfect proper lady…"
Venka pouted. "Fiine… when will he wake up?"
"Give it some time."
After finally chasing Venka away Faris extended his mind. Thank you.
You are welcome… how did the lipstick feel?
Hey! I thought you couldn't…
I can't feel your discomfort no. But I can feel hers, she's upset she can't dress you up like a little princess again. Elva's mirth was apparent. Faris looked mortified at the revelation.
So, I'm still not safe.
Don't worry, I won't do this to you often. Elva smiled.
Often?! Before he could continue the conversation, Bergan and Haya entered the room, followed by Angela.
Elva immediately frowned as they entered the room. Setting Faris down she began to pack.
"What's going on?" Faris asked, worried.
Angela gave a taut smile, "I'm going to have to separate you from your parents again."
"Wait… why?!" Faris got up.
"Unfortunately, because of your mother's blood."
Faris cocked his head. In confusion. "Mom's blood?" Haya looked terrified and tearful. Bergan clenched his fists. "Mom? Dad?" He asked, growing panicked.
Calm down Faris… you're okay. Damien called out to soothe Faris, which caused him to calm down somewhat.
"Sorry Faris, your mom, has a condition that nearly killed her when she was younger, we didn't think it would affect you, but… it did." Bergan announced.
Haya picked up Faris, "before I turned 7, all my magic fled my body, nearly killing me, if not for my family patriarch, I would have died, but the resources to prevent that from happening aren't here…
"…Where are they grown?" Faris asked, worried.
Angela answered. "Deep in the Spine, cultivated by the Urgals."