the era of calamities

At what age can society say a child is truly an adult?

Is it the moment, one fine evening, when someone whispers in your ear that your actions reflect a certain maturity? Or is it when we’re forced to spread our wings and fly on our own?

These questions had long ceased to be debated—ever since the arrival of Ether a thousand years ago. From then on, one was considered an adult the moment the first symptoms of etheric overload appeared, which usually occurred at the onset of adolescence.

As long as your life wasn’t tied to the daily dose of serum, you were still seen, by all, as a child.

So, such a bold declaration only drew laughter from the audience—everyone except Sirius. His strained mind worked on a way to respond without hurting the feelings of the two children who looked up to him with admiration. Even he didn’t know how his sister had managed to earn it.

Thankfully, he was still unaware whether it was out of pity or something more twisted on Iris’s part that she finally decided to intervene.

She turned around, gently stroking Bell’s hair. The gesture steadied the girl’s heartbeat and drew both her and Brad’s attention—Brad was sweating from the rush of adrenaline it had taken to confess his aspiration.

Only once she was sure she had their full attention did Iris finally speak:

"Bell, don’t you think you’re a little too young?"

"I’m not! I’m already thirteen," she muttered, her head buried in Iris’s chest.

Iris could only smile and gently tap her on the forehead.

"Then wait three more years before you try making that kind of confession again."