As Aether stood near his father, the air in the hall felt thick with the scent of expensive incense and roasted meats. He could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on him, but it was his mother's voice that finally broke through the noise.
She leaned in close. Her expression remained composed—the practiced mask of a noble—but her voice hummed with a suppressed, vibrant excitement that reminded Aether of a warm morning breeze.
"My son," she whispered, her eyes gleaming. "You have achieved a legendary awakening today.
Since you have awakened both a Mana Heart and a Core, your potential is limitless." She paused, glancing toward another woman standing nearby with a graceful smile. "How about it? Your second mother and I would be honored to teach you the ways of magic personally."
Before Aether could process the offer, Eirla's voice joined in, light and teasing. "Yes, Aether. You should know that both of your mothers are 9-Circle Mages. You won't find better tutors in the entire kingdom."
Aether opened his mouth to reply, but his elder brother stepped forward first. He didn't say much—he never did—but he placed a heavy hand on Aether's shoulder. "Good," he said simply, the word carrying a rare, genuine warmth. Following his lead, Aether's other sisters and his younger brother crowded around, offering their hurried and excited congratulations.
At The Royal Banquet
The moment of family intimacy was brief. With a signal from the attendants, the Royal Family began their procession into the grand dining hall. They moved with a slow, practiced elegance, heading toward the main head table that overlooked the rest of the room.
Once they were seated, King Aldric rose, his presence commanding absolute silence. He raised a golden chalice, his voice booming across the stone arches.
"Let the banquet begin!"
The hall erupted into a controlled chaos of clinking silverware and hushed conversations. Every noble in attendance seemed to have the same goal: to congratulate the Duke's children on their successful awakening. Aether watched as his siblings were swept up in the tide of political pleasantries and flattery.
After some time, the initial rush subsided. The twelve childrens of the Dukes began to gather in their own circles, whispering amongst themselves about their new powers and the future of their houses.
Aether, however, found himself drifting toward the corner of the long table. He sat quietly, his plate mostly untouched. While the others celebrated, he was lost in thought, his mind racing. He felt the new rhythm of the Mana Heart beating against his ribs and the cold, steady pulse of the Core deep within him. He was pondering the sheer weight of what had happened today—and the expectations that were now resting on his shoulders.
The noise of the banquet faded into a dull hum as he stared into the flickering flame of a nearby candle. He was so deep in his own world that he didn't notice someone approaching.
Just then, a sharp, unfamiliar voice broke his silence.
"I hope you're not planning on hiding in this corner forever, Second Prince."
The voice belonged to Cassius Draven, the heir of the Draven Duke family. He stepped into Aether's line of sight, his presence radiating an unmistakable chill. He carried a cold aura that seemed to lower the temperature of the air around him, a stark contrast to the warmth of the banquet hall.
"I hope you will participate in the Kingdom Tournament next year," Cassius said, his eyes locking onto Aether's with a piercing intensity.
Before Aether could offer a retort, Cassius turned on his heel, his cloak swirling behind him. He didn't wait for an answer; he left with the same icy indifference he had arrived with. As he walked away, the other members of the Draven family followed suit, offering stiff, formal congratulations to the other nobles before departing.
Aether watched him go, his mind flashing back to memories of his previous life. He recalled the significance of the event Cassius had mentioned. The Kingdom Tournament was held only once every five years—a prestigious stage where the strongest young talents proved their worth.
In Aether's previous life, Cassius Draven hadn't just been a participant; he had been the Champion.
Aether leaned back, his fingers drumming against the mahogany table. The weight of his legendary awakening felt heavier now. The "Champion" had just laid down a challenge, and the clock for the tournament had already begun to tick.
One year. He had exactly one year to bridge the gap between a newly awakened prince and the boy who was destined to rule the arena.
Other dukes children also congratulate and talk about variour things.