Chapter 4: Dream

Chapter 4: Dream

Today was the Red Moon Festival. The round moon seemed to press down from the sky towards the ground. The moonlit ground looked like it was covered with a layer of silver frost, but if one looked up at the moon and stared a little longer, they would notice the moon faintly showed a trace of dark red. For the Northlands, the Red Moon Festival was just a time marker for the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, nothing to pay special attention to.

Bran, who was usually full of energy, felt a deep drowsiness today. So, after getting through dinner, under his parents’ helpless gazes, he went back to his room early to rest.

When the moon hung outside his window, Bran, deep in sleep, seemed disturbed by the moonlight. He slowly opened his eyes and stared at the moon outside the window. The black cat Huahua, who was curled up at the head of the bed, had also, at some point, crouched next to Bran’s head, looking up with him. Only when the moon slid west and Bran’s face was hidden in darkness did the boy and the cat fall asleep again, as if nothing had happened.

In the morning, Bran woke up very early. As he tidied up, he said to Huahua, who was on the bed arching her back, sticking her bottom up, and stretching: “Last night I dreamed we were watching the moon together…” Interacting with the black cat Huahua, Bran began his new day.

…

Bran stood by the window, somewhat listless. For nearly a month now, Bran had dreamed every night that he and the black cat Huahua were watching the moon together. This was not right. It seemed like a hint, but a hint about what? Thinking this, Bran reached out and flicked the ear of the black cat crouching on the windowsill. He muttered to himself: “They say black cats are spiritual. Why don’t you show some of that spirituality, stupid cat.”

“Let’s go, stupid cat.” Bran called out and turned to walk outside. He thought maybe he could find an answer from the Scholar. The black cat on the windowsill jumped directly onto his shoulder, causing Bran to stagger a step. He complained casually: “Remember, you are already a little man, and I am still in my childhood. Okay, even though I am a man at heart too, you can’t always ride on top of the master.” By now, the black cat’s body length was close to 70 centimeters. It showed its flexibility almost shamelessly, hanging on Bran like a dead snake, its four legs draped down over Bran’s two shoulders. It was less like it was perched on Bran’s shoulder and more like it was pressing Bran down. For Bran, this was really a tiring thing.

The Castle’s Scholar was an old man named Sean. He had served the Castle for many years and was also Bran’s first teacher. More than a year of study had made Sean grow fond of this student. Although quiet, the boy had a very high talent for learning. In just half a year, the child could already read and write independently. After that, this child would read extensively every day, then take notes, organize, and ask questions. Sometimes, facing Bran’s strange questions, Sean often felt unable to cope. He had praised Bran in front of the Duke and his wife more than once and suggested that the Duke raise Bran to become a Scholar, to enter the holy land of scholars—the City of Wisdom—upon reaching adulthood.

Sean lived in the small resting room inside the Castle’s library on the second floor. The resting room was not big, about ten square meters, with just a bed and a table. Most of the time, Sean would sit and write at the huge square table by the library entrance. According to Sean, he was recording everything about the Northlands that he could record.

Sean put down his pen and turned to look at Bran, who was waiting quietly beside him. He asked softly: “What is it, my child?”

Bran told him about his recent dreams and troubles. Sean couldn’t help but laugh: “Perhaps you are about to Awaken as a Wizard.”

“A Wizard!?” Bran repeated in surprise.

“Yes, a Wizard.” Sean said with some emotion. “A group of lucky ones with magical abilities, a power gifted by the Deity. Don’t worry. The Awakening of power comes with various different omens and Dreams. Some people dream of a drop of water, a snowflake, a mountain. Every Awakened ability is unique, but most will repeat a certain Dream for a period before Awakening.”

“Awakening only happens to children who are not yet adults.” Sean paused and continued. “Some abilities are very useful, some might never know their exact purpose in a lifetime.”

“How do I know if I have Awakened?” Bran asked.

“Your body will tell you. Just like you can feel your hand, your foot. At least, that’s how it’s recorded in the books.” Saying this, Sean stood up and motioned for Bran to follow. Finally, Sean pulled a thick book from the innermost shelf of the library and slapped it into Bran’s arms. “You can read this Book of Mana first.”