Chapter 3: Getting used to this brand new world

A couple of years had passed, and I was now at the ripe old age of six—a simple child roaming the halls of the manor.

I still had no real goal as of yet.

All I could do was wait to grow up, since magic capacity could only be awakened and tested once a person reached the age of thirteen.

It also seemed that my hopes of obtaining some kind of system were completely shattered.

Once I had learned to speak a few words, I tried every phrase I could think of whenever I was alone. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"System."

"Status."

"Summon."

Anything that sounded remotely possible.

Anyone looking at me from the outside would probably have thought I was insane.

During that time, I also learned more about the Aldric family.

My father and mother were both skilled C-rank mages, which raised my hopes considerably.

Even if I possessed no absurdly overpowered talent, there was still a high chance I would become an adept C-rank mage myself, as genetics played a significant role in determining one’s mana capacity.

I also had an older brother named Alex, who was around fourteen years old.

He too had been gifted with a C-rank mana capacity.

However, I rarely saw him. Since he was the next heir of the family, he spent most of his time accompanying my father at the border.

Although I was often bored and usually left to my own devices, my mother occasionally taught me basic magic theory whenever she had free time.

She would also sometimes show off her own magic for my entertainment.

Using wind magic, she would gently lift me into the air while watching me with a warm maternal smile as I laughed excitedly.

"Wow, Leon, you’re always so excited whenever you see my magic," she said with a soft chuckle.

"I’m sure you’re going to become an amazing mage someday. Maybe you’ll even surpass all of us."

My eyes gleamed as I looked up at her.

————

A while later, the two of us sat together in the dining hall for dinner.

The long wooden table felt far too large for someone my size, and my legs swung back and forth beneath the chair as servants quietly placed dishes across the table.

Just as my mother began cutting a piece of meat for me, the large doors to the dining hall suddenly opened.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the room.

My father entered first, still dressed in his dark military coat, with Alex following closely behind him. Dust and dirt clung to both of them, making it obvious they had only just returned from the border.

"Ashton. Alex," my mother greeted calmly.

"Mother," Alex replied with a respectful nod before taking his seat beside me.

My father let out a tired sigh as he sat at the head of the table.

Despite his exhaustion, there was a serious expression on his face that immediately caught everyone’s attention.

"The Duke of the Nightbane family will be visiting the territory soon," he announced.

The room fell silent.

Even I froze for a moment upon hearing the name.

The Nightbane family.

One of the most powerful noble houses in the entire Kingdom of Valenor.

At their head stood Duke Rosthwall Nightbane, an A-rank mage known throughout the kingdom as the Black Wolf of Valenor.

Even nations feared provoking him.

My mother’s expression stiffened slightly.

"The Duke himself?" she asked.

"Why would someone of his status come to a remote territory like ours?"

Father’s face darkened.

"There have been increased movements near the northern border. Several villages under Nightbane authority were attacked by unknown forces last month."

Alex crossed his arms.

"They believe another conflict may be starting," he said grimly.

Father nodded slowly.

"The Duke intends to personally inspect the bordering territories... including ours."

As the conversation continued, my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Nightbane.

A name I knew far too well.

Then this visit would also bring someone else.

Lilith Nightbane.