Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 1 (Part 1)

A guest arrived in front of the house. My parents ran out with bright faces.

I faintly heard the sound of a horse’s neigh. For some reason, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that this was an unwelcome guest.

‘I hope my name isn’t called.’

I anxiously stared at the door, silently wishing. At that moment, my mother’s voice rang out loudly.

“Rodin! Rodin! Come out.”

I hoped not to be called, but my name was called. I wanted to cover my ears, but it would have been a meaningless struggle.

“I’m coming.”

I answered softly and opened the door.

In front of the door, people who looked like merchants were talking to my father beside a carriage. My mother grabbed my hand and pulled me forward.

“This is the child.”

“It has to be certain. We don’t need a whining brat.”

“Of course. This is the most mature child in our village.”

Hearing the conversation, Rodin hung his head low.

I hoped it wasn’t, but my guess was right. This was the place where I was being sold.

‘Haa.’

A month ago, my ten-year-old brother was sold, and ten days ago, my sister was sold. And today was the day I was being sold.

I thought I might be sold someday, but I didn’t expect it to be today.

“Hmm, the child is too young. Are you sure they’re mature?”

“Yes, our child has hardly cried since they were young. Only cried when necessary. It’s amazing.”

“Well, we’ll see after we talk.”

From the conversation between my father and the merchant, I realized why I was being sold early. Being too mature was the problem.

‘Should I start acting childish now?’

I had that thought for a moment but quickly dismissed it.

It was a meaningless act. Even if I did that now, nothing would change much.

“What is your name?”

“Rodin.”

“How old are you?”

“I’ll be five next month.”

I watched the merchant’s face as I answered. I hoped he might change his mind because I was too young.

But the merchant’s face remained calm. No, it was sharp. His eyes looked like they were trying to pierce through me, making my spine tingle.

“Do you know what’s going on now?”

“It seems like I’m being sold.”

“That’s right. I came from the capital to buy you. How do you feel?”

The merchant crossed his arms after asking the question. The veins faintly visible on his forearms looked quite intimidating.

“I don’t feel good. I just think it’s my turn now.”

“It seems you’re not the first.”

“It was a drought last year.”

Rodin’s voice held no emotion as he answered.

Last year, the crops in this area completely failed. While the eastern region had a bumper crop, only this village had no rain.

A poor harvest followed by a harsh winter.

Because of that, from the beginning of this winter, the amount of food was drastically reduced. And before the real winter even started, my second brother and sister were sold.

“You’re observing the situation well. Do you think you wouldn’t be sold if it wasn’t for the drought?”

“Probably. But I would have been sold eventually.”

The merchant smiled broadly at Rodin’s answer. Then he turned to Rodin’s parents with a bright face.

“Good. Stand with your arms out for a moment.”

“Yes.”

Rodin did as the merchant instructed and stood with his arms out. The cold winter wind swept over him. It felt like the chill was piercing to the top of his head.

The merchant took out a blue square object from his pocket. He held it out towards Rodin and muttered something quietly.

The sound was too faint to hear, but I could see a faint light appear and disappear from the square object.

“Fortunately, you have talent.”

“What kind of talent?”

It seemed that the square object was a device to recognize talent. But I didn’t know what kind of talent it was referring to.

Talent for cleaning? Talent for speaking well? Or perhaps a talent for being smart?

There are many jobs in the world, and there must be a variety of talents to match them.

“You’ll find out later. I like you. Very mature. You’re a bit young, but I’ll buy you.”

“Really?”

“How much?”

When the merchant expressed his intention to buy willingly, Rodin’s parents smiled brightly. They looked like people who had found great treasure.

“Maion, make the payment.”

“Yes, boss.”

The merchant stepped back as if he didn’t want to talk anymore. A man who appeared to be his subordinate came forward and took Rodin’s parents aside.

“Is your name Rodin?”

“Yes, it’s Rodin. I don’t have a last name.”

“Let’s go.”

The merchant grabbed Rodin’s wrist.

Rodin turned his head to look at his father and mother. I saw my oldest brother peeking over the fence.

‘This is it.’

It was time to leave the place where I had spent almost five years. I was very attached to this place, but strangely, I didn’t feel much regret.

“Let’s go.”

Rodin answered cheerfully.

The merchant looked at Rodin for a moment, then led him to the carriage.

The merchant opened the door of a large wooden box tied behind the horse. The inside was quite spacious, and no one was inside.

Rodin hesitated and looked at the merchant. The merchant motioned for him to go in.

“Get in.”

“Yes.”

Rodin went inside. The merchant closed the door and locked it.

“Hmm.”

Rodin looked around inside and tilted his head.

The interior was quite spacious. It was large enough to lie down and stretch my hands up.

Moreover, there were thick blankets and pillows to ward off the cold, and cushions to sit and rest on.

‘This is strange.’

If they bought me with money, I would be a slave, but this space was too good for a slave. Except for being confined, it was more comfortable than home.

‘I’m not an ordinary slave.’

I remembered that the merchant was looking for a mature child. He also mentioned having talent. It was clear that they didn’t buy me just for simple labor.

About 20 minutes later, the carriage started moving. Feeling the carriage shake, Rodin closed his eyes.

After about three hours, the upper part of the box opened. Two loaves of bread, water, and soup to dip the bread in were provided.

“Eat.”

“Thank you.”

Even before I finished thanking him, the opened part closed again.

With sunlight filtering through the cracks in the wood as my companion, I chewed on the bread. It was so soft that I didn’t even need the soup.

‘Delicious.’

I dipped the bread into the soup and took it out. When I put it in my mouth, the taste of some kind of meat filled my mouth.

‘Ah! I’m happy.’

Hyung_Otaku2

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