My sunshine

birthday 2

Today is my 2nd birthday—officially two years old! Since early morning, the house has been a whirlwind of activity. My parents, their friends, and even some kind neighbors have been busy preparing food, baking the cake, and setting everything up for my big day. Here I am, perched in this oversized adult chair, watching them rush about with purpose. They woke me up at 7, dressed me up, and placed me here like a prized jewel on display, meant to inspire envy—giggle. Bobo, my faithful companion, is sitting on my lap with his adorable green bowtie, looking absolutely charming.

In this moment, I feel like a little villain plotting to take over the world, all while they steal glances my way, secretly delighting in my tiny smiles and gestures.

They're really pulling out all the stops for this celebration. In this world, every child has four significant birthdays: the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 18th. Today marks my 2nd birthday, known as "the eye-opener" or "the dream awakens." It's a ceremony where the child is placed in a room filled with various objects—wands, swords, brushes, jewelry, and more—and they pick whatever catches their eye. The idea is that this choice hints at the path the child might follow in the future, giving the parents a glimpse of what to prepare for.

Honestly, I think it's a bit silly. How can anyone expect a 2-year-old to fully understand the significance of their choice or have the determination to pursue that path? It's said that about 70% of kids end up choosing something entirely different as they grow older. But despite this, the tradition persists—whether for fun, out of curiosity, or simply because some people love any excuse to celebrate. My family, unsurprisingly, falls into that last category.

The 5th birthday is called "the power awakens," a significant ceremony held at the temple. Unfortunately, there's no temple in our village, as it's too close to the forbidden forest. The constant danger makes it impractical to station priests here or build and maintain a temple. Even the nobles and soldiers agreed it wasn't worth the cost, especially since our town is mainly inhabited by commoners. With the nearest inhabited area over 200 kilometers away, the idea of building a temple here was dismissed from the start.

So, when a child turns five, they must travel a great distance for the awakening ceremony. But knowing the inconvenience they've caused, the temple sends someone to fetch the child and their parents for the ceremony. It feels like a tremendous waste of money and effort, but tradition is tradition, and who am I to question it?

In this world, everyone has a unique power that awakens at the age of five. From swordsmen to mages, even cooking and farming are considered powers. During the ceremony, ancestors choose the most suitable power for each child, supposedly shaping their future. However, not all powers align perfectly with one's life choices. Take, for example, the bakery owner next to the adventurer's guild. Though his power is that of a swordsman, he chose a more peaceful path and became a baker. And let me tell you, his muffins are out of this world.

The 8th birthday marks the beginning of the "academy ceremony," a pivotal moment for every child. This is when they go in a  journey to the capital to take an entrance exam for the prestigious academy. It's said to be the best place for securing a prosperous future, but the road to get there is anything but easy.

First, the exam itself is notoriously difficult, designed to sift through only the most exceptional talents. Second, the academy is primarily tailored for nobles and the wealthy. Even if a child from a poor background miraculously passes the exam, they face a host of challenges—from discrimination to the sheer cost of living in the capital. Scholarships and noble sponsorships are rare lifelines, but they come with their own set of struggles. Life at the academy is harsh, especially for those from rural areas who manage to get admitted. It's an unforgiving environment where only the strongest wills survive. Despite the daunting challenges, attending the academy is still seen as the best path to a successful future.