Those peaceful days continued until the day of my Baptism finally arrived.
The warm spring sunshine shone gently on the green leaves, as if blessing this day that was so important to children. The dappled sunlight through the leaves seemed to be pointing the way toward my bright future. I squinted my eyes.
It’s a little too bright, but it’s a lovely morning.
Mother and Father took me by the hand and led me to the church in the capital. I wore a brand-new dress for the occasion, thrilled not to be in my sister’s hand-me-downs for a change.
There were many young children just like me lined up in the church with their parents. They were all smiles, imagining their bright futures. Colorful depictions of the gods and various angels adorned the stained-glass windows, almost like they were giving their blessings to the children who came for their Baptism today. The large, white stone sculpture of the God of Creation at the center of the chapel smiled serenely as it looked down over the excited children waiting in line.
I had to wait for a long time, and I was incredibly anxious.
If I receive Mage for my Occupation, I’ll be able to practice magic a ton with my brother and sister, but this time for real! And then when I grow up, the three of us can work with Father!
That was what I truly believed.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll get Mage too, Daisy,” Father said encouragingly as he squeezed my hand.
“Yes, Father. And then I’ll practice magic a lot so I can help you one day!”
I thought that was the natural thing to expect.
The priest called the children’s names in order from a list. Perhaps it had to do with the ranking of noble families, but since I was the child of a viscount, it was taking forever for him to get to my name. At this rate, I wondered if the commoner children behind me would be called first.
“Daisy von Preslaria.”
The priest finally called my name.
It’s my turn! I just want him to hurry up and say I’m a Mage!
“Yes!” I replied cheerfully and walked up to the altar at the back of the church where the priest stood. I’d dreamed of this moment so many times; my heart was beating wildly in my chest.
“Please place your hand over the crystal,” the priest instructed, gesturing to the magical tool. I did just as he said.
“O gods, please bestow upon Daisy von Preslaria the blessings of her fifth year and grant her an Occupation worthy of her talents and fate.”
A bright light covered my hand.
The word “Alchemist” appeared within the crystal ball.
“Huh?”
After that, I was speechless. I bowed when the priest wrote out my Certificate of Occupation and handed it to me, then I rushed away from the altar.
Wait. Why am I not a Mage?
I left the church alone, utterly confused. All I could do was stare blankly at the word “Alchemist” written on my Certificate of Occupation.
What’s an Alchemist? But more importantly, I’m the child of two Mages. Why am I not a Mage?
Suddenly, a scene flashed in my brain of my entire family calling me useless and kicking me out of the house—it was such a vivid image it was like it had actually happened to me before. But Father and Mother would never do something so cruel. And my brother and sister weren’t mean children who would laugh at me and exclude me either. So why did I suddenly remember it happening, and why couldn’t I stop thinking about it?
I was unable to hold back the fear welling up inside of me, and I broke down sobbing.
Father and Mother came outside and rushed over to me. They hugged me, rubbing my back to comfort me as I cried.
No! That’s a lie! I don’t want my family to throw me away!
I’d never once doubted that I would be a Mage just like my brother and sister, so when I didn’t receive the Occupation I’d dreamed of, it was a complete shock. Not only that, but I was so consumed by the fear that my family would reject me for it that all I could do was cry.