The dining hall was aglow with warm candlelight, casting a golden ambiance over the walls and rustic wooden table. The smell of roasted meat and simmering stew wafted from the table all over the room. The usual silver light of the moon was absent tonight and even the stars seemed to be gloomy too.

  Of course none of that celestial gloom had anything to do with the family of four eating at the table. It isn't everyday that meat gets to be available in such abundance after all.

  Around the table sat three people — four if you count the little boy standing on one of the chairs and eating like his life depended on it. There were five chairs but one was empty. There was a woman who seemed to be in her forties gently sharing the meat that was bigger than even the plate. Seating across them were the twins who had extremely similar looks but very different expressions right then. While the girl had a thoughtful expression, the boy had put on a bleak expression as he grimaced quite terribly.

  'ugh!‘

  ”why does Rene have to cook today of all days?”

  Virgil had never been especially picky whenever it comes to food. But this? This is just blatant test of patience at this point. How does she even manage to make stew taste bland even with meat?

  “Even little Lefsy could've done it better.“

  His mother dropped a piece in his plate and went on to continue cutting the remaining meat. Of course no matter how bland, meat was still meat; so he picked it and threw it into his mouth immediately. Okay. This one was actually good, but the stew. Jeez.

  His mother stood up, carrying the rest of the meat and left to put it away somewhere in the cellar which was actually small enough to be called a mini-cellar.

  ”Don't take it too far, Vee, who knows how you would've done if it was you?“

  His mother had interjected at the right moment. It seemed Rene's face had taken on an extra shade of red and her eyes were getting watery. She nudged her a little as she walked away and gave the little boy a defeated look. Lefsy was unusually quiet and motivated to eat tonight.

  ”Don't mind him, Rene. Just look at how Lefsy's enjoying your stew. Virgil just wants to spite you.”

  'Oh. No wonder. How's he even enjoying that?'

  Rene seemed to finally have recovered from her state of near-cry and built up enough courage to respond in kind. Although her hand was still kind of fidgeting under the table.

  “Thanks mom. Virgil has never been to the kitchen before and he doesn't even know anything about cooking. I bet he doesn't even know what a heath is. Yes. You're talk is a product of ignorance. Don't worry, I'll forgive you, 'Vee'.”

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  “You know Rene, sometimes I just can't help but wonder if you're really my sister. How are we even twins? You were about to cry from just that?” Virgil chuckled.

  “Truly, I also wonder how my twin can be so annoying sometimes. You had better change if not you're going to be expelled within three days. I'll see what you'll do then.”

  “Virgil, what's expelled?” the little boy, Lefsy suddenly chimed in.

  “Eh I thought you were strangely quiet tonight. What's up with you”

  “I don't want Virgil to go away.” he said, almost sobbing.

  At this point Virgil had almost begun imagining his mother's eyes tearing up too. But nah. Mom doesn't cry right? Why does it feel like everyone wants to cry tonight even though we should be happy?

  About a decade ago, one of the most prestigious schools in the whole world had sent ripples throughout the educational sector with a completely unexpected announcement. They had adopted something called a scholarship programme where they'll set up some tests and those that can perform well will get the opportunity to study in their school without paying any of the fees that were associated with schooling. Although it sounded too good to be true, after all these years no one dared to doubt them still.

  So this year, Virgil decided to try his luck when he heard the Ashwood scholarship forms were going to be released the next month. He had usually followed his father and had been hunting since he was a kid. After his father died about two years ago he had to become an apprentice under a leather worker in their town. His mother once told him that leather sold higher than just the corpse of a dead animal, so he decided learn how to make it. His sister had long graduated from being a tailoring apprentice and was now working under her former teacher. That left mother and Lefsy to deal with the farmland behind the house so they were actually living well. They had even upgraded parts of their house to stone. They even had to build a cellar and there might even be enough to buy and house a slave although it wasn't necessary; maybe just to show they were well off. That meant that him leaving for the Ashwood Trivium Academy won't be causing any hardships. Except maybe little Lefsy getting bored? Nah he has his own playmates.

  “Look little Lefsy, it's n…”

  “I'm not little. I'm eight!”

  “Yh. Right. Then why are you so sho…nevermind. As I was saying. It's not as if I'm never coming back. Alright look, when I come back I'll bring a gift for you…and another for you to give Winsy. Maybe you might get a kiss. What do you say?”

  As Lefsy's face was slowly brightening and taking on a shade of red, Rene suddenly began coughing at the side as if she had choked on soup. It was at that moment that their mother shouted from the kitchen:

  “That's it Virgil, you're done for the night. Go to sleep so you can arrive at the station early before dawn tomorrow. Uh Rene dear, could you come help me out here?”

  Rene and Virgil stood up at the same time to go but Rene first turned to Virgil and hugged him.

  “Goodnight vee. Don't forget to leave my birthday gift before you go. I might not wake up early enough to see you off so, safe journey.”

  Virgil twisted his mouth, then scratched his head and nodded twice. By the time his sister released him, he had an awkward smile on his face.

  “Yh birthday. Of course. How can I forget my own birthday? I'll definitely leave something. Thanks for the pendant by the way.”

  Rene shook her head and added before turning to leave. “I'll miss you Virgil.“

  Watching her leave, Virgil realized he's going to miss them all. Really. So he went to Lefsy and hugged him too while telling him he's not going to stay away for a long time. Thinking of he's mother, he decided he'll hug her too. But tomorrow not now. He really needs to wake up early tomorrow.

  Reaching the bedroom, he immediately fell on the bed and thought of how master Bonomo, his leatherwork teacher, is going to react. Apart from his family, he hadn't told anyone about the scholarship at all. He had not even expected it to work, only harboring some hopes. He wouldn't want to brag about something like that. When he saw his name among the list of names that were successfully admitted, he nearly fainted due to pure joy. Of course the excitement had cooled off since then and he'd just been expectantly looking forward to how a wealthy place would look like and how much better their life would become after he graduates from the Ashwood.

  'I'll tell mom to roast a giant chunk of the hare tomorrow for Rene. Of course I don't think it's value is anywhere close to this pendant but I don't think I have anything else either. If that place is so rich then maybe I can get one of those stuff that women seem to always go crazy over. I'm sure she'll like that one '

  With those thoughts Virgil fell asleep a

  nd drifted into the most vivid dream he'd ever had in his life.

  ***