The Grand Hall of Aurelis was filled with the rich scent of polished oak and melting wax, mingling with a hint of ozone, creating a majestic, electric atmosphere.
High above, stained-glass windows cast fractured light across the marble floor. At the centre of the room, the Awakening Crystal stood. This massive, jagged spire of translucent blue stone rested on a pedestal of engraved silver.
Around the perimeter of the hall, the kingdom's nobility watched with bated breath. Silks rustled. Jewels caught the afternoon light. This was the most important day of the year for the highborn families of Valtheria.
An elderly court mage stood beside the crystal, his robes sweeping the floor. He raised a gnarled hand.
"Step forward, Lord Kaelen of House Vance," the court mage called out.
A young noble, no older than sixteen, stepped up to the pedestal. He looked terrified. He placed his trembling hands flat against the cold surface of the blue stone.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, a sudden, violent spark snapped in the air. The crystal flashed a blinding, aggressive crimson. Heat washed over the first few rows of spectators, carrying the distinct smell of burning ash.
"Fire Magic!" the court mage announced, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling. "A high aptitude for Combat!"
The hall erupted in applause. The young noble's chest puffed out, his terror instantly replaced by fierce pride. His family, standing in the front row, cheered the loudest.
Combat magic. It was the undisputed king of the magical hierarchy.
In a world filled with border fights, monster attacks, and land disputes, a noble who can cast fireballs or summon lightning is an important military resource. Abilities like wind magic, earth-shaking spells, and ice blades are the skills that earn medals, land, and fame.
Another teenager stepped forward. A blinding flash of purple light erupted—lightning magic. The crowd responded with thunderous applause.
The pattern was clear. The louder the explosion, the higher the prestige.
Prince Lucian Valtherion stood quietly near the front of the dais, his hands clasped behind his back.
He didn't clap or cheer; he simply watched the crystal.
As the nobles admired the dazzling bursts of light, Lucian's attention was fixed on the base of the stone. He observed how the light flowed from the teenager's hands into the silver pedestal before flaring upward.
Lucian was sixteen years old today, but in a quiet, secret corner of his mind, he felt much older. He vividly remembered a past life—a world of steel and glass, filled with intricate engineering and hushed offices. He remembered dying in that life.
When he opened his eyes in this world sixteen years ago, he was shocked. However, over time, he adapted to his surroundings. He was the sole prince of the Kingdom of Valtheria. It was a good life. The air was cleaner, the food was organic, and he had a family that genuinely cared about him.
More importantly, this world had magic.
Lucian shifted his weight against the marble pillar and tried to ignore the number of eyes occasionally drifting toward him.
Being the kingdom's only prince meant people watched him constantly.
Not just the nobles.
His family, too.
Earlier that morning, his mother had adjusted his ceremonial collar three separate times. His father had given him a long speech about royal dignity.
And all three of his sisters had insisted on accompanying him to the ceremony.
Apparently, none of them trusted him to survive it alone.
"Still staring at that crystal?" a voice came from behind him.
Lucian didn't even need to turn around. Princess Aurelia Valtherion stepped beside him, her arms folded loosely as she watched the ceremony floor below. Even in formal settings, she carried herself like she was standing on a battlefield.
"You've been looking at that thing for ten minutes," she said.
Lucian shrugged slightly. "I was just watching how it works."
Aurelia glanced sideways at him. "Are you nervous?"
Lucian paused for a moment before answering. "…A little."
Her expression softened for just a second. "That's normal," she said quietly. "Half the court looked like they were about to faint during their own awakening."
She nodded toward the crystal. "You'll be fine."
Lucian looked at her. "Very reassuring."
Aurelia smirked faintly. "You're the only brother we've got. Of course you'll be fine."
"Well," a calm voice joined them, "technically, that isn't how probability works."
Princess Celestine stepped beside them, her diplomatic robes flowing neatly as she leaned lightly against the balcony railing. She studied Lucian for a moment with a small smile. "Relax," she said. "Even if you awaken something embarrassing, you're still the crown prince."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "That's comforting."
Celestine's smile widened slightly. "And we'll still claim you as family."
Aurelia snorted. "Barely."
A quiet laugh sounded behind them. Princess Lyriana approached, her violet mage robes faintly shimmering with enchantments. Her attention immediately drifted toward the glowing crystal.
"Oh, this is exciting," she said.
Aurelia glanced at her. "It's an awakening ceremony, Lyriana. You've seen dozens."
"Yes, but this one is Lucian's." Lyriana turned toward him, studying him with the curiosity of someone observing an interesting magical experiment. "I've been waiting years to see what kind of magic you'd awaken," she said.
Lucian folded his arms. "I feel like I'm being studied."
"You are."
"That's reassuring."
Lyriana tilted her head thoughtfully. "Have you noticed your mana yet?"
Lucian blinked. "My what?"
Lyriana frowned slightly. "Huh."
Celestine chuckled softly. "I believe our dear brother may not be as magically aware as you expected."
Aurelia reached over and flicked Lucian lightly on the forehead.
Lucian recoiled. "Hey!"
"That was for overthinking your own awakening ceremony."
Lucian rubbed his forehead. "You just assaulted the crown prince."
"You're my little brother."
"That doesn't sound like a legal exemption."
"It is in this family."
"Prince Lucian Valtherion." The court mage's voice echoed through the hall.
The conversation stopped immediately. All three sisters turned toward the ceremony floor and then looked back at him.
Aurelia gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. "Go on."
Celestine smiled faintly. "Try not to cause a diplomatic crisis."
Lyriana's eyes sparkled with excitement. "And please don't break the crystal."
Lucian sighed. "…You're all very supportive."
Lucian chuckled, looking at his three fiercely capable sisters. "I'll be happy as long as it's practical," he said mildly. "Whatever it is, I just want to put it to good use."
On the royal balcony, King Alaric sat on his throne. He caught Lucian's eye and offered a calm, measured nod. Beside him, Queen Seraphina smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling with affectionate perception. They were waiting for him; it was time.
Lucian stepped away from the pillar.
The hushed conversations throughout the hall diminished as he approached the centre platform. Numerous eyes tracked his movements across the marble floor.
Being the only prince had its disadvantages.
The awakening crystal sat on a carved stone pedestal at the centre of the hall. Up close, it was even larger than Lucian had anticipated, nearly the size of a human head. A pale blue light floated gently through its interior, resembling glowing mist.
The court mage stood beside it, his hands folded within his sleeves.
"Your Highness," the old man said respectfully, stepping aside. "Whenever you are ready."
Lucian nodded slightly.
Behind him, he could feel the attention of the entire court.
Nobles watched with quiet curiosity.
Some looked hopeful.
Others looked sceptical.
Lucian fought the urge to look back at the balcony where his sisters stood. No pressure, he thought.
He stopped in front of the crystal.
For a moment, he simply studied it.
Up close, the glow within the crystal shifted slowly, responding to the presence of mana around it. The surface appeared smooth, almost like glass, but faint lines coursed through it like veins beneath stone.
Lucian exhaled quietly.
"Just touch it," the court mage reminded him gently.
"Right."
Lucian lifted his hand.
For a brief moment, he hesitated.
Sixteen years in this world… and everything about his future would be decided in the next few seconds.
He placed his hand against the crystal.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then the crystal flared with soft silver light.
The glow spread slowly through the interior of the stone.
The court mage leaned forward slightly, examining the reaction.
His expression shifted.
"Production Magic."
The announcement echoed across the hall.
A ripple of whispers spread through the gathered nobles.
"Production magic?"
"For the prince?"
"How strange…"
Lucian slowly removed his hand from the crystal.
The reaction around the room was… not exactly enthusiastic.
Production magic was useful, certainly.
Craftsmen used it.
Builders used it.
Farmers sometimes used it.
But it wasn't the kind of affinity people expected from the future ruler of a kingdom.
Lucian glanced briefly toward the balcony.
His sisters were watching closely.
The court mage continued studying the crystal.
Then he frowned.
"…One moment."
The crystal was still glowing.
In fact, the light inside it seemed to be growing brighter.
The old mage leaned closer, clearly confused.
He placed his hand against the pedestal, checking the readings engraved along its base.
Then he looked up suddenly.
"Your Majesty."
King Alaric leaned forward from the royal dais.
"Yes?"
The court mage hesitated for a moment.
Then he spoke slowly.
"The prince's mana capacity is… unusually high."
A murmur swept across the hall.
Several nobles stood up slightly from their seats.
Lucian looked back at the crystal.
The glow inside it had become almost dazzling.
Production magic.
But a massive mana pool.
That combination felt… strange.
He tilted his head slightly.
Well, he thought.
At least it sounds interesting.
End of Chapter 1