"Young Master, breakfast is ready.""Young Master, your uniform has been prepared.""Young Master, your hair is messy.""Young Master, please don't run away again—""Young Master—"
"I JUST WOKE UP!" I cried, flopping onto the bed. Even Father, the Grand Duke, didn't get this treatment, but apparently, being the heir made me the most valuable kid in the territory. Five maids bustled around, each announcing something different, making my head spin.
Five voices, one head, absolute chaos. I can't even…
I rolled out of bed, hair sticking up like a hedgehog, and grumbled as I dressed. After a week, I was still not used to this "royal heir treatment." One maid shook her head at me and muttered, "Impossible child…" before running off to prepare the breakfast hall.
Breakfast was as lavish as ever. Mother, Alisa von Ardewyn, sat gracefully at the head of the table, calmly sipping her tea. Father had already left for court business, and the estate hummed with its usual energy.
After a quick bite, Arisa arrived, grinning. "Alright, young master! Sword training first!"
"Wait, wait! Mana practice first!" I protested, barely holding my wooden sword in place. Mina, calm as ever, gave a subtle nod, silently communicating that today's magical lessons would proceed regardless of Arisa's antics.
The courtyard felt alive. Sunlight bounced off the white stone walls, dancing across the cobblestones. Mina stood at the center, observing carefully as I attempted to focus my mana.
"Breathe, Reikotar. Feel the flow, not the form. Let it move naturally," she instructed softly.
Focus. Breathe. Let it flow… like a river, not a cage.
A few days ago, I had watched Mina perform a spell, a 3-circle fire magic called Hellfire. Humans usually needed to input massive amounts of mana for even a small effect. I wondered… could I do better?
I placed my hand over the ground, focusing every ounce of energy. Without forming a proper mana circle, I let my mana flow. Flames erupted—controlled, precise, and far beyond a normal 3-circle mage.
Arisa, who had been nearby, stepped back, eyes wide. "That… that's impossible!"
Mina's calm gaze sharpened. She placed a hand over mine, channeling her mana into me, eyes widening. "Reikotar… this… you have mana equivalent to a 4-circle mage… without forming circles."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Even I… I've never seen this… not in decades," she whispered.
I'm really that strong? And no one even knows… My chest tightened slightly at the thought of keeping it secret. Excitement mingled with tension.
That night, I entered the dream-space where Aurelia waited, green hair flowing like liquid emerald, red dress shimmering.
"I want to learn healing magic," I said firmly.
"Healing magic? You? At this level?"
"I… I saw Mina mention it. I can do it!"
Aurelia tilted her head, eyes sharp. "You overestimate yourself, Reikotar. By god standards, you are weak. Human terms… 4-circle mage… but I don't teach in human terms."
My shoulders slumped. "Then… I can't?"
"You can learn… but only the most basic spell. I will teach you 'Heal.' It is trivial by god standards, but for humans… it is intermediate magic."
I nodded eagerly. "I'll do it!"
"Channel your mana. Focus on the target. Your mind must be calm, your energy balanced. Try now."
I tried. Mana flowed from my chest, reaching the small area she indicated. My hands glowed faintly, warmth spreading… and faltered.
"Ahh! I… I can't make it work!" I gasped.
"Do not worry, Reikotar. You have potential, but you are still learning. Keep practicing. One day, you will succeed."
Later, Aurelia decided it was time for a taste of dark magic—subtle exposure, nothing too dangerous. "Observe and feel the difference between light and dark energy. Mastery is in balance." She floated above, green hair swirling, a teasing glint in her eyes.
Always with the teasing… even a goddess can't resist.
Days passed in a rhythm: swordplay with Arisa, mana training with Mina, dark magic and healing with Aurelia. I explored the estate between lessons—library stacks towering like castles of knowledge, the stables where horses whinnied at my approach, and quiet corridors where maids would occasionally tease or warn me.
"Young Master, careful with your footing!" one called.
I'm seven… I can walk, thank you.
A minor shopping excursion was arranged to the town nearby. I marveled at the bustle, the smells, and the colors. Even small interactions, like choosing fabrics with Arisa or testing the strength of apples in the market, were thrilling.
The world is bigger than Wynmor… so much bigger…
Throughout all this, a faint curiosity lingered. During my brief walks in town or while practicing mana, a fleeting thought about someone important—someone I might encounter one day—haunted me. Perhaps the princess candidate Mina mentioned long ago?
The month's highlight came unexpectedly: showing a senior Wynmor mage a fireball I had been practicing under Aurelia, the mana overflowed. The spell exploded into a massive dragon-shaped flame before dissipating safely.
Mina's eyes widened. "You… you just did what even 4-circle mages struggle to do."
Guess I really have a knack for this.
Arisa rolled her eyes, laughing. "Impossible! Who even taught you that?"
No one. Just me.
And so life continued: swordplay, mana training, dark magic exposure, healing magic attempts, occasional estate explorations, shopping excursions, teasing, and laughter. The world had no idea what I was capable of.
And soon… someone very important will notice, whether they like it or not.
I was Reikotar von Ardewyn. Powerful beyond human limits, training with gods, and only beginning to scratch the surface of my true potential.
Tommorow I am planing to Go outside!!