Laughter echoed through the Kaiser Mansion and the sound of harps could be heard in the ballroom.
It was a day of celebration for it was about to be Jack's sixth birthday.
Not just his birthday, but an important event for every child.
--
In this world, talent determines everything. Being born into a wealthy family like that Kaiser's guaranteed a high talent for magical and martial arts.
The Kaiser family is the strongest noble family in Elysium. Jack is one of four children. The youngest, but also the first male heir to Alaric and Genevieve Kaiser.
Their children are named Octivia, Annabelle, Celeste, and Jack.
The Kaiser family is known for its dual or triple affinities. And even some magic swordsman through its lines.
The key to harnessing this power is talent. Talent and affinities are measured by an ancient ritual called the Sacred Communion.
It's a ritual every child goes through at the age of 6.
Through the ritual, one's talent could be measured from Rank F to rank SSS. Each Rank gave the prospective of reaching a certain rank through training, determination, and blessings.
The Sacred Communion was special, one would go to a holy site, and commune with the gods to determine who they are and what they will become.
A god would answer based on your beliefs, and bestow a blessing if deemed worthy.
If one was worthy a blessing would be tantamount to be considered a chosen one.
Chosen ones are destined for greatness. And are taken in by the kingdom if they are from lowly birth.
If from a duke, marquess, count, viscount, or baron, they would be given provisions to enhance their training because they would become key figures in a kingdom's future.
--
"Mother" Annabelle asked. "Tonight's the ceremony, do you think Jack will be as strong as father?"
A voice cut into the conversation, "of course he will." Celeste said. "Every first born son of the Kaiser family has had a dual affinity with dark magic."
"Girls, settle down. Whatever he is, I'm sure he'll do just fine." Genevieve said.
Octivia put her book down, "Dual Casting Magic."
"He's a curious boy who does what he's asked and is obsessed with books."
"He'll pick it up rather quickly I say. Whether he has a triple affinity like father is undetermined." She continued.
--
Jack was an avid reader of history books. From the age of 3 he was able to read and write and was considered advanced for his age.
Alaric even betrothed Jack to his good friend Cassius Sunblade's daughter. She was five years old as well.
Today was the day when the nobles would travel to the holy site at night and the Sacred Communion would begin.
--
Just as the ladies were beginning to guess what Jack would have, a loud noise came from the front gates.
Bang!!
The front doors were kicked off the hinges and slammed into the wall.
When the Ladies went to see what caused the commotion, they saw Jack.
All eyes focused on Jack and the knife still lodged into his back.
Bloody and bleeding as his father put him on the floor.
"Get me the healer's now!" Alaric called out.
Genevieve yelled in horror. "No, not my baby!!" Followed by whimpering and crying.
Two healers came running down a hallway with bread still in their mouth.
"Heal," the priest said. "Heal." "Heal." "High Heal!"
"My love what happened? You're hurt."
"I'm fine. Just make sure he gets healed. I was ambushed by some mercenaries in the forest.
One of them had concealment magic, and stabbed Jack in the back. I lost it and destroyed a huge portion of the forest.
The villagers will be upset that I destroyed good hunting grounds."
Send the guards out to the forest, I need to figure out who sent them.
Yes sir. Guards answered him quickly, as they rushed out into the forest to retrieve the bodies.
By the time the guards reached the forest where the destruction had taken place.
There were piles of blood and weapons, but no bodies were anywhere to be seen in sight.
--
'Is this it? I lived a pathetic life, died from a truck, all to be stabbed in the back as a child.'
Well I can say I didn't see this coming at all.
Jack opened his eyes but they were heavy. He noticed he was in his room.
With his whole family around his bed, along with servants, healers, and guards.
His arms and legs felt heavy and he tried to sit up.
He coughed up some blood and fell back into his bed.
'Oh, this really hurts. Let's not do that again. I was stabbed, it was not a dream.'
"Jack! Baby! Lay down and try not to move, you were badly injured." Lady Genevieve said.
'But the ceremony mother, it's tonight we have to go.'
Octivia pushed her small fingers onto Jack's head.
"Don't be stupid, you're injured. You can just take it another time. No one would object anyways."
'Where is my father?'
"He's outside. He's very angry right now at himself. It's not even the afternoon yet and the whole sky is dark." Anabelle cut in.
'This is supposed to be my day. I'm supposed to learn what I will become today.'
'Whether I will chuck fireballs or strike lighting bolts in the dungeons'
"You'll have plenty of time for that later, just rest." Celeste said.
Jack looked around and even though everyone was concerned, he could tell something was wrong.
The servants and healers looked worried.
His sisters gossiped to each other and his mother just continued to cry.
Something was clearly wrong and Jack didn't understand what.
'My head feels heavy.' Jack said as the room began to spin recklessly.
In the next moment Jack passed out. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, his arms rolled off the bed and screaming could be heard.
To Jack the world had just spun so fast he had to close his eyes. To everyone else it looked like the first born son was dying.
--
Jack opened his eyes and saw how dark his room was. Lit by a few candles in the room.
He tried to sit up and almost collapsed because it was so difficult.
He stared at his hands, then his legs, then touched his chest and face.
'What is going on? I'm not on earth. So why are my arms and legs so long??
Jack got up and stumbled to the ground.
'Ah, this is harder than I thought it would be to walk. I guess this is what happens when you get stabbed.'
Jack reached a mirror and saw himself. He was drastically older.
'Wait how old am I??!!'
Jack was puzzled. One day he was a small child hunting with his father.
Next he was six feet tall, with weak limbs and health.
The door creaked as a servant came in with some water and what looked like soup of some kind.
She dropped everything and shrieked. "Ah! Young master, you're awake!" I must get your parents at once.
'Wait, how old am I?'
"Young Master, it's your sixteenth birthday tomorrow."
'I've been asleep for 10 years! I thought I took a nap!'