The room still looked unfamiliar to Elliot, even though he had been there for a day now, even with the memories of the original Elliot.
Elliot sat up slowly, still groggy and tired, looking towards the clock.
6:30 am. Great, Alice will be here soon, I won't get any more rest
Elliott's brain slowly began to kick into action. Trying to process all the information he could that he had read on the day before.
It was just like cramming for an exam the night before. Except that this exam not only decided the fate of him, but also of the billions who believed in the might of the Duchy he controlled.
*knock*knock*
*Creaak*
Through the crack in the door that was slowly widening was Alice, her facial muscles looking more contracted with wrinkles forming on her forehead.
Alice's eyes locked with Elliot's, and all that disappeared like that.
Alice. She's worried. But doesn't want me to notice.
"Morning, Alice," I spoke calmly, hoping to put her at ease.
"Morning, my lord." Alice tried to reply like before, but her tone was more robotic. "Please allow me to help you get ready."
"Of course." Elliot allowed Alice to keep up the act.
If she realised I knew, I think that would make her panic more.
Soon, Elliot was out of his pyjamas and instead was dressed head to toe in Frostbloom formal attire with the family regalia adorning it.
The outfit was said to be woven by mana particles themselves, crafted in reverence to Frostbloom's centuries of dominion over ice. The coat shone a pristine white, whiter than fresh snowfall, its edges tinted in faint gradients of blue that caught the light like thin sheets of frost.
Golden embroidery traced foxes and frost-flower motifs along the cuffs and collar, winding together at the chest to form the Frostbloom sigil. Violet buttons sealed the coat, each one glimmering faintly as if holding starlight within. Beneath, the fabric was layered like overlapping glaciers, concealing everything beneath it like a vault hoarding a thousand years of gold.
The pattern continued down his legs: white and ice-blue weaving together toward boots of polished black leather, laced in gold. Each step felt heavy with history.
"Thank you, Alice."
"It's been a pleasure, my lord."
I don't like that tone; it's like she expects me to die today
Elliot looked into the mirror one last time. His mind steeled with resolve.
I will survive this. The world threw me into a death sentence, but I will come out on top.
Elliot moved towards the door, looking back into the room one last time before letting the door shut.
...
Soon, Elliot was in front of the car waiting outside the door of the manor, ready to take him to the sanctuary.
Inside the car was Alfred, waiting to drive.
"Morning, sir, you look very handsome." Alfred's tone carried sarcasm but also true feelings.
"No need to tease Alfred, let's get this over with," Elliot said while getting into the back seat.
"Sorry, sir, it just brings a tear to my eye to see you so grown up."
"I know."
Elliot sat in silence, just going over things one last time. He wasn't happy because he was underprepared. His brows creased as he got lost in thought.
"Don't worry, sir, we all believe in you," Alfred said, noticing the worried look on Elliot's face.
They really shouldn't, I'm not Elliot. It's very unlikely I will survive this
While Elliot had faith in himself. From what he read, the trial was likely to be challenging. This wasn't baseless confidence; usually, if a sibling had a brother/sister die, their trial was just as hard, if not harder, for some reason.
But this had created some of the strongest Dukes to ever rule the family.
"Huuuh," Elliot took a sharp inhale, causing Alfred to turn around. "Don't say anything, Alfred, I'm fine."
Alfred just shook his head and focused back on the road.
Elliot's body was jolted forward slightly.
They had arrived at the sanctuary.
...
Elliot waited for Alfred to open the door. This was different to his brothers. His brothers were a private affair, not bothered about public opinion. Instead, he thought there was no chance his brother would die.
Why did Elliot's have to be shown to the public?
A simple reason for this was public morale. But the more political reason was that the other Dukes wanted him to fail alive. Then more territory would go to them.
Finally, the door was open, and Elliot took a step out of the car.
"WOOOOOOOO"
Thunderous cheers echoed out across the plaza that he had pulled up in. The streets were lined with citizens waiting to see one man. Elliot Frostbloom. He was their hope. Not only was the public allowed to see him, but it was also being streamed across the world.
Elliot waved back towards the crowd. They had come to see him, placed their hope in him. He had to give them something. Even if it was superficial.
Elliot quickly turned away from the crowd and walked towards the sanctum before him.
It was towering, majestic and divine. A white dome stretched across the sky as if the sky was frozen by god. Ice-blue, violet and gold danced across the surface, creating symmetrical patterns as if the building was crafted by gods themselves.
Inside was a hallway. In this hallway, there was a picture of every duke that had ever passed the trial before him, all lined up waiting for one more to join the ranks of the awakened.
In front of the painting stood the countless nobles who were under his control.
Elliot paid them no heed, like the original Elliot had done.
Come on, keep a straight face. Don't show your nervousness.
Elliot managed to keep the poker face all the way down, occasionally nodding at the nobles as they greeted him.
The doors to the main sanctum hall were adorned with the Frostbloom emblem, once again reminding the surrounding mana who was in control.
As Elliot got closer, his breath turned cold as frost particles started to form from his breath. The ICE mana was getting more and more pure the closer he got.
The doors opened automatically as if they sensed his presence.
In the room were rows of chairs for the nobles and a priest at the end of the room. The priest was just a symbolic piece of the ceremony; they couldn't control the awakening.
Elliot strode through the hall with purpose, the nobles who waited for him in the corridor following behind, slowly dispersing into their seats.
Elliot stood before the priest.
"Greeting's Duke Frostbloom, are you ready.
Elliot just nodded, too nervous to speak.
"Great." The priest motioned for Elliot to sit on the floor in a lotus position.
11:55 am
11:56 am
11:57 am
11:58 am
11:59 am
It was a long 5 minutes of silence as anticipation and tension filled the room.
When the clock struck twelve, a vortex of mana opened up beneath Elliot. Bells were struck, alerting those who weren't paying attention.
The vortex spiralled upwards, forming a tornado of mana particles. They reached the ceiling and then dispersed. Freezing the air of all the nobles as soon as a breath left their mouth.
Soon, Elliot was revealed encased perfectly in Ice. Like a serene statue preserved for thousands of years. But inside, a fight was going on, and they all knew and depended on this fight.