A few days had passed since our first trip outside the palace. For others, it was a short outing. For me, in this small, child-like body, it was surprisingly exhausting.
Since then, I had started to perform all the "basic" spells for the court mages. Well, basic for them. For me, it was just remembering how to breathe. They would show me a spell once, and I could perform it perfectly. I didn't need a teacher; I just needed a command.
*Hmmm.*
I looked at my reflection in the mirror, getting ready for the birthday banquet. My golden-blond hair was neatly combed, and my formal coat, embroidered with silver thread, fit perfectly. I had to admit, even by human standards, I looked better than most boys my age.
Kron walked in, his own coat a different shade of blue. "At least our clothes have different textures," I said. "Or else you would have altered some 'law of tailoring' just to be different."
He ignored my jab. "Come on. Father's calling."
Our father. The King. He was one of the strongest people in this world, a Rank 6 mage despite his royal duties. Power ran in this family, it seemed.
We went downstairs. Even though I lived here, the palace never failed to surprise me. The grand banquet hall was a masterpiece of light and elegance. Soaring arches were draped with silks the color of sunset, and countless enchanted crystals floated near the ceiling, casting a soft, golden glow over everything. It was a scene of beautiful, controlled chaos.
But the most surprising thing was the people. As soon as I entered, they started flocking around me. Why? I had never made a public appearance before. They were smiling, their eyes wide with... delight?
Were they truly happy just because I existed? Was my presence as a prince such a cause for celebration?
Kron grasped my hand and pulled me back from the crowd. "You," he muttered. "Don't tell me you actually thought they were happy *for you*."
"Huh? You saw them too. Maybe they are just very devoted to the kingdom, even respectful of its third prince."
"What were you doing for eons that you're such a peabrain now?"
"Pea what?"
"Never mind. The reason they're clinging to you is because they're bootlicking."
"Boot... licking? They're not licking anything."
"It means they expect something from you without showing their greed."
"Is that how greed is perceived?"
"I'll teach you later. Don't worry."
The banquet began. Our father, the King, stood and made his announcement. "My people! Today, we celebrate the fifth birthday of my sons, Kron and Lucius! May they grow strong and wise, and may their future bring even greater glory to Ardentis!"
As the crowd cheered, a girl entered through the main door.
My eyes were drawn to her immediately. She moved with a quiet grace that stood out even in the crowded hall. Her hair was the soft color of rose petals, flowing freely around her shoulders. But it was her presence I felt most—a calm, deep well of mana that hummed like a tuned instrument. By human standards, she was beautiful. By my divine standards, she was... fascinating.
*Oh, she has a surprisingly good amount of mana,* I thought. *Maybe if I follow her, she'll perform some magic. Who would refuse a prince's request?*
I approached her from behind. "Miss," I said. "Are you a magician?"
She turned, her pale crimson eyes looking down at me. "Who are you?"
I was shocked. She didn't even know whose banquet this was? What kind of girl was she?
She shook off my hand and walked away, saying, "Go play, kid."
*She's only two or three years older than me, and she's calling me a kid?* I sighed. *Well, I guess you shouldn't touch women on the first meeting.*
The banquet continued, but I felt a strange restlessness. I slipped away to the balcony on the second floor. The night air was chilly, but nice.
Then I heard a sound. A scraping noise from the right. I looked over.
There was a girl, climbing the palace wall. Her midnight black hair was tied back roughly, and her eyes, even in the dim light, shone with a fierce, molten gold intensity. She moved with a raw, athletic grace, like a young panther.
*Hmm. Robbing at such a young age? Maybe she's very poor.*
I walked to the corner where she was climbing. "You're quite young to be thieving," I stated.
She froze, nearly losing her grip. "You! Why are you looking? What's that got to do with you?"
"You're climbing *my* house and asking me such things? You're either a fool or just ignorant."
She couldn't get a proper look at my face in the dark. With a frustrated grunt, she jumped down and ran off into the night.
I went back inside, more confused than ever. *Strange. Girls are even harder to understand than the mute creatures of my past lives.*
*Hmm. If I ever go to the academy, I'll have to get better at talking to women.* I thought of the first girl, the one with all the mana. *That girl had good magic potency. Maybe if I have a good topic on magic, she'll be interested.*
I found a pen and paper and started writing. I wrote down the first, simplest basic rune spells and their incantations. To me, they were child's play. But to the mages of this world, these were secrets only those with years of deep understanding could uncover. This paper was, in itself, a precious treasure.
I ran downstairs with the paper in my hand. I saw her—the rose-haired girl—talking with other girls while eating cake.
I took a deep breath, remembering a book on etiquette Kron had forced me to read. *For a first interaction, offer a compliment.*
I approached her. "Hey, young lady." I gave my best attempt at a charming smile. "You're looking quite warm today."
The other girls around her burst into laughter. Seraphine blushed a deep red.
I saw them laughing and thought I had succeeded in making them happy. So, I started laughing too.
"You idiot," Seraphine said, her voice sharp. "Why are you laughing at yourself?"
"Wait, weren't we all having a happy moment?"
"A happy moment? Are you following me?"
"Oh, yes. How did you know?"
"You're even admitting it?" she said, exasperated. "Now, tell me, why are you following me?"
"I heard you're the youngest mage in the royal court. Only thirteen years old."
"I'm just a trainee. I'll be accepted later."
"Later is fine," I said, holding out the paper. "Here. I have a present for you."
She took the scripture and looked at the runes. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She couldn't understand them.
"You're kidding me," she said, her voice cold. "At least make a decent drawing if you're going to play a prank."
"They're runes," I insisted.
"Runes are rare to even imagine. How are you, a child, drawing them?"
I was stuck. I had to lie. "I... I made them after researching."
She looked at me with pure disbelief. "You don't even care about your family's reputation? Trying to flirt with the Head Mage's daughter with lies?"
"I know who you are, but I'm not flirting! These are genuine runes!"
"Stop lying, kid. Your act is over now." She crumpled the pages into a tight ball and threw them to the floor.
I stared at the crumpled paper. A feeling, sharp and hot, tightened in my chest. My vision blurred. *Huh? Why am I... am I crying again? But this... this feels different. Even my mother's scolding doesn't hurt this much.*
Just then, a man bent down and picked up the crumpled rune pages. He smoothed them out, his eyes widening as he read.
"Will you," he said, his voice full of awe, "teach me this?"
It was Moondust Hale, the Head Court Mage. Seraphine's father. A legendary mage was asking a five-year-old to teach him.
My sadness vanished, replaced by a bright, bubbling joy. "Yes! Yes, I will! I will teach you!"
Moondust chuckled, a warm, knowing sound. "Hoho. That girl was annoyed for the first time in her life." He glanced toward where his daughter had stormed off, a thoughtful twinkle in his eye. "Maybe I should play the cupid a bit."