It has been about five years after the duel between Leon and his eldest brother, Brandon. And since his friend Daniella moved across the empire.
Leon and Sophie are now 12 years old and will to be enrolling in the Military Academy soon. As for them, they have grown up quite well.
Sophie had gotten much taller and her silver white-Ish hair had gotten longer. And with that growth, she'd gotten taller, and had gotten popular; through she kept to herself. Just like her older siblings, she'd got popular recently.
Leon, on the other hand. Nothing much had changed about him. He has gotten taller, of course, but he got introverted since he spent so much time in the library reading complicated books for a child his age. Some say he took after his mother who also loves to read books, but the only thing that separates them is the type of book they read.
Today is a busy day for the entire Blaze family.
They were eating breakfast in their luxurious dining room, eating the food prepared by the maids. Two of Leon's older siblings returned to the Military Academy, while Brandon stayed back because he had graduated and returned to the family domain in preparation to take over after his father, Sylvester.
Sophie was moving her food around her plate, glancing at her food, pouting. She let out a sigh, her hand still moving the food around her plate. Leon noticed his twin sister's behavior-- the way she moved her hand, her refusal to eat. His thoughts began to wonder the possibilities. Was it because one of her closest friends had moved away?
"Uhhh.... Are you doing alright, Sophie?" Leon asked in confusion. Because he had never seen Sophie so depressed like that. "You don't seem to be in a good mood."
Sophie always had a smile on her cute face, a smile so sincere that Leon or anyone could feel good hanging around her. So seeing how depressed she was made everyone feel concerned about her well-being.
'She doesn't seem to be herself... Maybe something is up.' (Leon)
Leon could feel something was up with Sophie's behavior, but he could tell that something was up with her. Maybe because they're twins or something. If he were to guess, he'd say that this has to do with the events that happened five years ago.
Sophie heaved a heavy sigh before she began to speak, the expression on her face could tell how she felt at that moment.
"I miss spending time with my best friend, Daniella... I wish that she didn't leave. Not like I hate spending time with you or anything, it's ...." Sophie replied in a soft depressing voice.
'So that's why she's so depressed! To be honest, I missed her too, although I barely knew her... I didn't get to spend enough time with her to feel any deep emotions, but I can how that may affect someone like Sophie who knew her personally.' (Leon)
"Don't worry, Sophie soon you'll have the chance to reunite with her once we successfully enroll in the Military Academy," Leon said, as he tried to comfort her.
Sophie hugged her twin brother Leon and began sobbing quietly in his arms. To Leon, it went on for what felt like hours, but it had only been a few seconds. After she had finished, she resumed eating her breakfast as if nothing had happen.
"Yes, just keep going! Once you successfully enroll into the Military Academy, we will have a celebration," Sylvester said to both Leon and Sophie, his voice cutting through the air. "Oh, and one more thing before I forget, today I will take you guys to view your status. So please don't forget."
"Huh.... Status?"
"We'll get ready for it, father."
Both Leon and Sophie had different reactions to what their father had said: with Sophie being surprised, and Leon having a mutual reaction. To him, his time studying didn't go to waste.
"What?! Can I go, please?" Brandon asked excitedly.
"No. You have to stay home and babysit Emily." Sarah reminded Brandon about his tasks.
"Awww!"
After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways and on the other hand, Leon and Sophie went to prepare for the trip ahead.... Now Leon and Sophie are in different rooms. Due to puberty and bodily changes.
The maids dressed up Leon and Sophie for the upcoming trip with their father. Sometime later, Leon and Sophie were gathered downstairs in the Blaze family mansion, ready to head out.
'Uhhh.... I am super nervous about what will happen. It's my day! But I hope everything will end great.' (Leon)
Leon's body trembled as he fought to steady his nerves. The sun beat down overhead as they waited in their family's compound, the air thick with anticipation. Glancing at Sophie, he noticed her unease—her fingers twisting together, her breaths shallow. Without a word, he reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
'This is unbelievable! I can't even imagine how strong I would be. Please wait for me, Daniella!' (Sophie)
A few minutes later, their father came to greet them. At that moment a black Mercedes Benz S-class drove up and stopped right in front of Leon's face.
Although he saw a car once in this world he couldn't get the thoughts of a traditional Isekai world transport system out of his mind. But he had to accept it as a part of his life.
A butler came and opened the door and Sylvester hopped in the car and gestured the twins into the car and they drove off.
They drive out of the city and arrive at an old castle, on the outskirts of the city. They drove into the castle compound and stopped in front of the castle door. Observing the ruined castle sent a shiver down Leon's spine.
"Ready, Leon, and Sophie?.... Let's go!" Sylvester said as he opened the car door and they hopped out of the car and entered the old castle, that should be in ruins.
'Huh?... This castle is so spooky! I am scared.' (Leon)
*Drip*
*Drip*
*Drip*
The hallway stretched before them, dark and suffocating, its walls choked with creeping vines that slithered up the stone and burst through cracks in the floor. The air hung heavy with the drip… drip… of water falling from the ceiling—unnatural, since no rain had fallen outside. Shadows clung to every corner, twisting the passage into something alive, something watching. The only certainty was the overwhelming dread that seeped from the very walls.
"Hmm... This place was in a much decent way. How did it change?" Sylvester said in a reminiscing way, while he held tightly on his children's arms. "I gave them enough funds to keep this place running."
They came upon a door at the end of the hallway. Sylvester pushed open the door and they entered the room.
Unlike the rest of the castle, the room was more livelier than the rest of the castle. It was more intact and tidy. At the end of the room was a table with chairs around it, and sitting in one of the chairs was a very beautiful woman with long Golden hair and green eyes, like Emerald. She wore an oversized coat, which covered her normal clothes and rather huge breasts. She gazed,at them as they advanced to the table, her expression unreadable.
Leon was looking at the beauty sitting at the table, for he had not seen a beautiful girl like her.
'Wow, she's so cute!' (Leon)
Sophie quickly turned Leon's head from the beauty sitting at the table. Leon and Sophie sat down at the table, alongside their father.
"So how may I help you, Sylvester?" The beauty said energetically.
"Cut the crap, Ava. I want you to help my youngest children to appraise their status." Sylvester responded to the beauty's question coldly.
The beauty smiled and shrugged. "It's been so long since we chatted. Anyway, they will be enrolling in the Military Academy, right?" Ava asked.
"Yes. I want to enroll them in the academy." Sylvester nodded to Ava's question.
"Well, you guys are one day late for the Status Viewing Test," Ava said. "Everybody had already participated in the Test at the Grand Tower. I apologize, I can't assist you."
"Please help me appraise the status of my children!" Sylvester pleaded with Ava to help hiShe sighed because she hadn't seen him in such a pitiful state before.
She reached her hands beneath the table took out a crystal ball, and placed it on the table in front of them.
"Place your hands on the crystal ball and state your full name, for this to work," Ava explained.
This is an important ancient ritual in this world called "The Status Viewing Test". It's like a coming-of-age Ceremony, for young boys and girls who want to pursue a career in the Military or adventuring. It has been since the olden days, probably since the foundation of the Holy Light Empire. Every year children who turn 12 are taken to a Grand Tower and churches throughout the empire to access their magical potential.
This ritual is much required by the nobility.
Sophie slowly placed her hands on the crystal ball and stated her name.
"My name is Sophie Marian von Blaze."
After she stated her name a bright light engulfed her body and the entire room, and her white-ish silver hair glowed brightly. Everyone in the room had a surprise look on their faces.
"Huh?.. Is that..."
"This is brilliant."
Sophie's Status.
Name: Sophie Marian von Blaze.
Age: 12.
Title: Holy Saint, mage.
Magic Affinity: Fire, ice, wind.
Lv 1.
Xp 0.
"Come on, Leon. You're up! "
Leon nervously placed his hands on the crystal ball and stated his name.
"I am Leon Alexander von Blaze."
'I hope that I receive an average skill...' (Leon)
A bright light engulfed his body, and he began to glow like crazy. But it wasn't as intense as Sophie's.
'Huh?!' (Leon)
Leon's Status.
Name: Leon Alexander von Blaze/Haruto Suzuki.
Age: 12.
Title: hero\savior, swordsman.
Only up to his title was showing up on the crystal ball, Leon couldn't use magic. He was the only Blaze family member to not be able to use magic. That was a big letdown for Sylvester.
"Huh? This couldn't be... My son has no affinity for magic..." Sylvester muttered to himself in disappointment.
'So that means that I can't use magic. At least I won't be used as a political tool to the family, let someone else do that.' (Leon)
"Sorry dude, I'm sorry about your situation... I wish you well." Ava said wishing her friend good luck.
"It's OK. I still love my son. He's still a Blaze..." Sylvester said to Ava.
"Good luck convincing society about that!" She said jokingly. Sylvester heaved a heavy sigh at what Ava had said.
They said goodbye to Ava and left the castle and returned to the mansion. After returning to the mansion, they explained everything to their mother and elder brother. And even about the fact that Leon can't use magic.
They took in everything well and decided to accept Leon as he was. Leon and Sophie went to play with their friends in the garden, while their parents and the maids prepare Leon and Sophie's military Academy uniforms.
'This is it, Daniella. Wait for me, I'm coming!' (Sophie)
Sophie couldn't help but smile at the fact that she was close to reunite with her childhood best friend. To her, everything was in order for her to attend the Military Academy.
'This is it, now my new life begins! I'll train myself to become a great swordsman and live a quiet life.' (Leon)
Leon thought as he sat down on the balcony and stared into the sunset, alongside his twin sister and elder brother. That night, a celebration was held for the twins to celebrate that they were going to attend the Military Academy, and their results in The Status Viewing Test.
.....
Hopefully, this new start could be a good new life.