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Chapter 265 Chapter 62.1 - Initiation

"Astron…Come here….."

It was a natural day for me. Hearing my father\'s words from outside, I slowly made my way out of my room.

TOK! TOK!

"Oh, you are finally awake, you brat."

As I stepped down the stairs, I saw Mother washing the dishes left from yesterday. She threw a small side look at me, her brows furrowed. Well, she was kind of right; I had overslept. But what can I do?

The book was addicting, and I couldn\'t stop reading it until midnight.

PUFF! PUFF

The cooker was making puffing sounds from the side. I guess we are going to eat something good today.

"Good morning, mother."

I greeted Mother with a smile.

"….Sigh…."

Mother sighed as her brows returned to their normal shape immediately. I knew that whenever she was angry at me if she wasn\'t that mad, she would just calm down with my smile. I guess she was weak to that, but at the same time, I needed to pay attention so that she wouldn\'t get too used to my smile too much.

"Just go away; your father is waiting for you outside."

I couldn\'t help but feel a sense of inward happiness as I observed my mother\'s sigh turning into a softer expression. It seemed like my smile worked out once again.

"Thanks, Mother. I\'ll be quick," I said, trying not to push my luck with her mood.

\'I wonder what those cities mentioned in the book look like.\'

I asked myself. It was a question that I could never answer, but I could also never stop pondering about it.

Something inside me was always asking me that question; it was never satisfied. But I also knew that thinking about these wouldn\'t bring me any answers at all.

Leaving the house, I stepped into the crisp morning air, feeling a sense of anticipation for the day ahead. As I approached the front yard, I saw my father waiting for me with his usual warm smile. However, the sight of the axe in his hand hinted at the day\'s task.

\'No…..\'

I wanted to protest, but I didn\'t. After all, knowing that she was doing her best, I needed to do my own part, too.

"Morning, Dad," I greeted, trying to match his cheerful demeanor.

"Morning, Astron! Ready for some hard work today?" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

I nodded, knowing that our family\'s tradition of gathering woods for the upcoming winter was about to begin. It was a task that brought us together and ensured we were well-prepared for the colder months ahead.

"Today, we\'re going to get some sturdy ones. Winter\'s coming, and we need to be ready," he explained, his hand gripping the axe firmly.

As we ventured into the nearby woods, the crisp air filled with the scent of pine, I couldn\'t help but feel a little bit guilty. After all, even though we led a simple yet fulfilling life, I was never satisfied with that.

Throughout the day, I did my best to assist my father in gathering logs for the upcoming winter. The rhythmic sound of the axe echoed through the woods, blending with the natural symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves.

Although the task was physically demanding, I couldn\'t help but appreciate the bonding time with my father.

However, it became evident that my body was not as robust as my father\'s.

"Haaaah…..Haaah….."

After a short while, I found myself becoming breathless and fatigued. Despite my efforts to keep up, I struggled to match the stamina required for such labor.

\'Again….\'

This was a crucial weakness of mine. Something I had hated from the bottom of my heart. Whenever something that required physical movement appeared, I would always struggle with it.

I guess that is why the kids from the village don\'t want to play with me. I can\'t blame them, though. Who would want to play with someone who can\'t even run for 10 seconds?

My father noticed my exhaustion and flashed me a reassuring smile. "Easy there, Astron! Don\'t worry, we\'re not in a rush," he said, chuckling a bit. "Take a breather, and we\'ll continue at your pace."

He always smiled at me in times like these, trying to encourage me. After noticing that I wasn\'t playing with other kids, he came to me and started bringing me to such tasks. He said it was our family\'s tradition for the youngsters to learn how old ones lived early.

But, yet, inwardly, I knew. There was no such tradition because such a tradition didn\'t make sense at all. After all, what kind of child would start these labors at such an age?

Other kids are always playing as well. So, I knew. Father was trying to help me so that I wouldn\'t feel lonely. Maybe that is why he is smiling like that right now and doesn\'t like staying with me either. Despite his smiles and encouragement, I sensed that he, too, wished I could be more like the others.

As I caught my breath, my mind wandered.

\'If I was a little bit like her….\'

Remembering how she effortlessly captivated everyone with her talents, and her radiant smile made her a beloved figure among the villagers. I couldn\'t help but entertain the thought of how different my life would be if I had her skills.

\'No, no, no….\'

But then, I immediately regretted my thoughts. What I was thinking incredibly felt disgusting to me. After all, I knew it wasn\'t easy for her, too, and how many countless sleepless nights she had spent on her own so that she could meet the expectations of others.

My father, noticing something was wrong with me, asked, "Is something wrong, Astron?"

I hesitated, torn between expressing my frustrations and maintaining the fa?ade of contentment. But, knowing that telling would never change anything, I decided to stay silent.

"It\'s nothing, Dad. Just need a bit more rest," I replied, offering a half-hearted smile.

He studied me for a moment as if trying to read beyond the surface. "Alright, take your time. We\'re in no hurry, and I appreciate your help today."

With those words, he resumed his task, allowing me a moment of solitude.

"Haaah…"

I took a deep breath, appreciating the support my father offered, even if he couldn\'t fully comprehend the internal struggles I faced.

"Come on, Astron."

My lungs hurt a little, and I felt like my arms were already screaming for me to stop. However, one day or another, this task will fall to me. Some of the uncles in the villages are already on their deathbeds, and their children are doing their labor for them. If I can\'t do it, who will when my father also becomes like them?

\'Don\'t think about such grim things, stupid Astron.\'

I scolded myself internally. Instead, I focused on the present moment, on the shared labor that connected me to my family, on the support my father offered, and on the determination to overcome my physical limitations.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor. With each swing of the axe, I found a sense of purpose and resilience.

My father, sensing my silent struggles, continued to work alongside me, offering both guidance and unspoken support.

As we gathered the last logs and made our way back home, I couldn\'t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

******

"Oh....Astron!"

Upon returning home, I met with one of the reasons for my internal struggles as well as the reason why I always tried my best.

She stood there with her white hair cascading towards her waist, her shiny green eyes looking at mine.

Her face held an ethereal beauty that never failed to captivate those around her. High cheekbones accentuated her delicate features, and a pair of eyes, the color of lush forests, reflected wisdom beyond her years.

Despite the challenges she faced as the village\'s future shaman, her expression remained serene and determined.

She wore her usual shaman outfit, adorned with intricate patterns and symbols representing her connection to the spiritual realm. The vibrant colors seemed to complement the natural beauty that surrounded her.

As the chosen successor to our village\'s spiritual responsibilities, her attire reflected not only tradition but also a commitment to the role she would one day undertake.

It was evident that she had just returned from her duties. The faint scent of herbs and the markings of ritualistic powders on her hands were telltale signs, as well as her clothes.

My sister had a unique talent for communing with the spirits as well as her magic, a gift that set her apart in our small community.

SWOOSH!

She rushed to me and hugged me instantly, her gentle arms holding strength that I could never fight, nor would I ever try to.

"Welcome back," I also greeted her with a genuine smile, momentarily forgetting the physical strain from the day\'s labor.

"I missed you, Astron," she whispered, her voice carrying a warmth that melted away any lingering fatigue. Her embrace tightened, and for a moment, it felt like the struggles of the day vanished.

"It\'s only been three days," I teased, gently teasing her as I pulled back slightly to look into her eyes.

"Three days too long," she pouted, a playful glint in her eyes. "I couldn\'t help but think about you. Did you miss me?"

Her sulking expression was both adorable and endearing. I chuckled, unable to resist the charm she exuded. "Of course, I missed you. The house feels empty without your presence."

Well, it certainly did. At least, when she was around, I didn\'t need to feel like I wasn\'t able to do anything. Just being on her side seemed enough in those times.

Different from others, I never got her from the feeling that she disliked whenever I stammered. If there were one thing I was proud of myself, then it would be my eyes, though they were useless most of the time.

And never once in her presence, I thought I wasn\'t needed.

Her mood lifted at my response, and she beamed at me. "That\'s more like it. Now, tell me about your day. I heard from Mother that you went to the woods. Did you manage to impress Dad with your wood-gathering skills? Also, she said you stayed late once again and overslept. How many times do I need to tell you? If you want to grow strong, you need to sleep early and wake up earlier."

Her playful nagging never failed to bring warmth to my heart. "You know me. Always chasing the moon when everyone else is asleep," I replied with a smile of my own.

"Dad is there too, you know?" came our dad\'s voice at that moment.

"Ah….." Realizing that she had been ignoring Father all the time, she immediately jolted back. "Dad…"

Father chuckled, patting her head affectionately. "It\'s alright. You were excited to hear about Astron\'s day."

"How was your stay at the shaman\'s home, my princess?" Father asked, his eyes filled with pride and curiosity."

She beamed, her eyes sparkling. "It was amazing, Dad! I\'ve learned to harness the moon\'s power more effectively. The shaman said I have a unique connection with the celestial energy."

Listening to their conversation, I couldn\'t help but notice the genuine happiness in Father\'s eyes as he listened to her accomplishments.

It was different from the encouraging smiles he gave me during our wood gathering. His pride in my sister\'s magical abilities was evident, and I couldn\'t deny a pang of disgusting envy.

"Moon….."

As I looked at the moon shining in the dark sky, I couldn\'t help but think it was a little cruel that the moon left me like this, different from others.

"Come on, let\'s eat, Astron."

But then again, none of those feelings mattered at all.