Chapter 15: Chapter 16: Dilemma

6 years into the future, in the grasslands near the town of Doina.

A kid around 5-6 years of age was lying on the grass painted green with pastures. Every horizon was a shade of green. The blades of grass were rustling and contributing towards an earthy smell all over the place.   

He was with a heard of cows who were busy munching on green goodies. Next to the kid there were 4-5 calves lazing around as well.

Then the kid suddenly sat up and muttered aloud, "Alright, time for round 2".

Soon his jet black hair started to flutter due to a gentle breeze of the late evening and his Black irises changed to scarlett red colour.

After a few seconds his irises returned to their original colour of black and a sudden pain dawned upon him.

"ahhh! oww! oww! owww!" Satvik cried while rolling in the grass holding his head. 

'So 3 seconds is my limit' thought Satvik to himself. The pain subsided after a few seconds as well. It was like a warning alarm goes off in his head and then shuts off on its own. 

He has been trying to gain more information about the ability granted to him by his mother.

However, the biggest hurdle regarding his ability was restricted mana quantity. He was still a child, at least his body was still that of a child and it is very difficult to increase mana at this age. 

Human beings generally achieve status and gain the ability to control mana around the age of 12.

 There might be few exceptions who either gain it earlier and in same case in late teens. 

So, after the status is unlocked, the mana quantity and quality also increases after the child turns 12 years old. Before the age of 12, children have very negligible to no mana.

Satvik has been tweaking around his skill but his restricted mana and locked status have never been helpful. 

He has been trying to get control over whatever negligible amount of mana he does have. It has become frustrating to him lately, the limitations of this world in the face of his new abilities. 

Satvik sat up and looked around. The calves were looking at him with pity. 

Was he just imagining the pity in their eyes or was his own pity being reflected back to him. He never understood why these cattle always get attached to him so easily.

 They came to him and one by one started to lick him, feeling sorry for their friend.

Satvik stood up on his feet and blew whistle using his fingers. After listening to his whistle the cows started to form a heard and started marching back to the town. 

Even at such a young age he was totally fine with being in charge of the cows and cattle, he insisted on it. They hardly ever gave him any trouble and he used the time away to work on his abilities. 

Most of the children of the town begin cattle grazing after they turn 8. But in case of Satvik, he already shows more maturity than grown up adults.  

Satvik also followed them to make sure there was no one left behind for the monsters to munch on at the night. Although he hasn't seen any monster yet but he has heard monster's cry during night time from outside the boundary of the town.

He has heard great stories from drunk adventurers from tavern and inns. These were the bedtime stories of people defeating legendary monsters and saving the damsels in distress.

 All children of the towns have grown up listening to these stories. Who are these stories about, nobody knows. 

Satvik had great interest in these legends, although these were highly exaggerated stories but they always had hidden information regarding how to deal with specific monster.

 At least most of the time they were useful and glorified version of truth.

When Satvik reached his house, the night had already dawned upon the world. However, there was not even a single spec of light coming from inside.

His heart started to sank due to fear that something bad might have happened while he was gone. After his not so good start in this world regarding the death of both his parents, he has become quite paranoid regarding such situations.

He carefully opened the door hoping for the best and then entered the house. When he reached the main hall of the house, there was a thunderous roar of people shouting in unison, "Happy Birthday Sati!!"

Satvik was flabbergasted and his soul almost left his body due to the sudden noise. Aisha charged towards Satvik and tightly embraced him and said in gentle tone, "happy birthday." Then she simply kissed his cheeks and forehead before letting go of him and walking away.

Then came his adoptive father who bent on one knee and ruffled his hair and said, "I know you don't like remembering this day, but thanks a lot for never showing it to her and happy birthday kid!"

Dhruv had known for a very long time that Satvik was not an ordinary kid. Somehow Dhruv knew that Satvik was aware of the fact that they are not his birth parents but are adoptive ones.

Satvik just smiled and nodded. He and Dhruv had developed a relationship of friends rather than that of a father and son. Satvik was glad to have Dhruv as confidant in this world in form of his father.

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 He always felt melancholic of this day, but every year has to put up a brave happy face for Aisha. 

Many known faces greeted the birthday boy jubilantly and place became merrier with food and alcohol put on the table.

Satvik was sitting in Aisha's lap while she personally took on herself to feed her child. Satvik happily obliged and ate his stomach's full.

After the guests called it a night and left, Aisha went on and tucked Satvik in his bed for the night.

______________________________________

Aisha returned to her room and lied next to Dhruv on the bed and after staying quite for few moments she finally spoke.

"I can't believe Sati is already 6 years old. Seems like it was yesterday when he came into our lives."

There was a hint of wonder in her voice that may be associated with her realising how easily and fast the years have passed. 

Dhruv nodded and said "well he is a bright one and we are lucky to have him in our family. After his addition in our family it feels like lady luck herself has blessed us."

"I know, after his arrival our financial situation has improved a lot" said Aisha and continued further, "but I don't know why it feels like he's to mature for his age."

"Sometimes it feels like he doesn't even need us or he is aware of the fact that we are not his real parents and it feels he is distant from us." After all it was not only Dhruv who was smart enough to understand this in the family, Aisha had her doubts too. 

Dhruv sighed and said, "There you go again with your mother insecurities. I'm quite sure he loves you as much as you love him. He's just a bit different from other kids."

"I know but sometimes it feels like he is trying to act, like a child of his age should in front of me" said Aisha with sad expression.

"Then it's a good thing isn't it? It shows that he loves you and cares a lot about your feelings" said Dhruv while caressing her cheeks.

After thinking for a while Aisha nodded and rested her head on his husband's chest, while he gently caressed her hairs and they both called it a night.

Both of them had their own sets of concerns regarding Satvik that would take over their mind even in their sleep.

Please revisit chapter 13, I had skipped on one chapter by mistake. Hence, publishing 2 chapters to make up for it. :)  

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