The morning sky above Rosenfeld Estate was covered by thick silver clouds.
Snow fell gently from the heavens.
The entire estate appeared wrapped in a sacred silence.
Servants moved quietly.
Knights stood straighter than usual.
Even administrators spoke in lower voices.
Everyone understood the significance of today.
Tonight—
The heir of House Rosenfeld would awaken his constellation.
A ceremony that happened only once in a person's lifetime.
A moment capable of shaping an entire future.
And because the person involved was no ordinary noble—
The entire estate had become unusually busy.
At the main entrance of the estate—
Twelve carriages gradually emerged from the snowy road.
Each carriage carried unique symbols.
Different banners.
Different colors.
Different emblems.
Yet all represented one thing.
The Twelve Temples.
The Twelve Divine Faiths.
The spiritual pillars of the continent.
The sight alone caused nearby servants to lower their heads respectfully.
Even veteran knights straightened their backs.
Because such a gathering was exceedingly rare.
Most nobles would be fortunate enough to receive one priest.
Important nobles might receive two.
Only the greatest powers on the continent could summon all twelve.
And House Rosenfeld was among them.
The massive estate gates slowly opened.
One by one—
The twelve carriages rolled inside.
Snow crunched beneath their wheels.
The horses exhaled white mist into the cold air.
Eventually the procession reached the central courtyard.
Then stopped.
Carriage doors opened.
One after another.
Figures emerged.
Seven priests.
Five priestesses.
Each representing one of the Twelve Divine Paths.
Some wore white ceremonial robes decorated with golden stars.
Others wore silver cloaks embroidered with celestial patterns.
One priest carried a crystal staff.
Another carried a holy tome chained to his waist.
A priestess possessed silver hair reaching her knees.
Another had eyes that seemed to glow faintly beneath her veil.
Each possessed an unusual presence.
Not overwhelming.
But undeniably different.
These were not ordinary clergy.
They were representatives of the highest temples on the continent.
Attendants followed behind them.
Young priests.
Temple maidens.
Acolytes.
Assistants.
Dozens of them.
All accompanying their superiors.
As the guests arrived—
The doors of the main estate opened.
A familiar figure emerged.
Duke Aktaris von Rosenfeld.
The Slaughter Dragon.
Ruler of the North.
The moment the priests saw him—
Several subtly narrowed their eyes.
Not from hostility.
But from instinct.
Because Duke Aktaris possessed a presence that could not be ignored.
Even among powerful individuals.
The Duke calmly descended the stairs.
His dark cloak fluttered behind him.
Snow landed upon his broad shoulders and immediately melted.
The priests greeted him respectfully.
The Duke responded with equal courtesy.
After brief formalities—
Everyone entered the estate.
Inside—
The Hall of Dragons awaited.
Towering pillars decorated with dragon carvings stretched toward the ceiling.
Golden chandeliers illuminated the vast chamber.
Ancient banners hung proudly between the pillars.
And beneath those banners—
A young man stood waiting.
Kel Rosenfeld.
The moment the priests entered—
Their gazes naturally shifted toward him.
And for a brief second—
The hall became strangely quiet.
Because what they saw differed greatly from expectations.
For years—
Rumors had spread across the continent.
The cursed heir.
The dying child.
The unfortunate firstborn of House Rosenfeld.
The boy abandoned by fate.
Yet the young man standing before them looked nothing like those rumors.
He stood calmly beside his father.
Tall.
Straight-backed.
Composed.
His silver hair reflected the light like flowing moonlight.
His features carried a refined elegance rarely seen among warriors.
Yet there was strength hidden beneath that refinement.
A quiet confidence.
An invisible authority.
His silver-blue eyes remained calm.
Too calm.
The gaze of someone who observed more than he revealed.
Several priests exchanged brief looks.
"This is the cursed heir?"
The thought naturally appeared in their minds.
Because the person before them looked more like a prince from ancient legends than someone who had once been near death.
Even some of the priestesses became slightly surprised.
Not because of his appearance alone.
But because of the contrast.
The difference between rumor and reality.
Then Duke Aktaris spoke.
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"This is my eldest son."
His gaze shifted toward Kel.
"Kel Rosenfeld."
The priests nodded.
The Duke continued.
"He is fifteen years old."
A brief pause.
"And tonight he will undergo constellation awakening."
The gathered clergy observed Kel more carefully.
One elderly priest stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Another narrowed his eyes.
A priestess quietly studied his aura.
A few seemed curious.
Others seemed intrigued.
Inside his mind—
Sairen spoke.
"They're evaluating you."
Kel remained calm.
"Naturally."
"And?"
"They are trying to determine whether I deserve twelve priests."
The Guardian laughed softly.
"Do you?"
Kel's answer came instantly.
"No."
A pause.
Then—
"Father does."
Sairen laughed loudly.
Nearby—
Several attendants stood behind the priests and priestesses.
Most were young.
Some noble-born.
Some common-born.
All devoted to their respective temples.
And unlike their superiors—
They were considerably less disciplined.
Whispers gradually began spreading among them.
A young temple maiden blinked repeatedly.
Then whispered to her companion.
"That's Kel Rosenfeld?"
Another attendant nodded.
Still staring.
"I thought he was supposed to be sickly."
A third quietly spoke.
"He doesn't look sick at all."
The first attendant lowered her voice.
"He looks more handsome than half the nobles in the capital."
The second immediately agreed.
"No."
She shook her head.
"More than half."
Nearby—
Another group of attendants had already begun whispering.
"Look at his eyes."
"They're beautiful."
"His posture too."
"Do you think he is engaged?"
"Stop talking nonsense."
"You stop talking nonsense."
One priestess silently overheard the conversation.
A vein subtly appeared on her forehead.
The younger women immediately became quiet.
For approximately three seconds.
Then the whispering resumed.
Kel naturally heard everything.
His hearing had long surpassed ordinary limits.
Inside his mind—
Sairen immediately started laughing.
"They're talking about you."
"I noticed."
"One just called you handsome."
"I heard."
"Three of them did."
"I heard that too."
The Guardian laughed harder.
"You're becoming popular."
Kel simply ignored her.
Meanwhile—
Several priests had begun discussing the upcoming awakening ceremony.
The atmosphere gradually became serious once more.
One elderly priest stepped forward.
His white beard reached almost to his chest.
Ancient wisdom shone within his eyes.
He looked toward Kel.
Then slowly spoke.
"Have you prepared yourself?"
Kel met his gaze.
"Yes."
The priest nodded.
Satisfied.
Another priestess stepped forward.
Her silver robes shimmered beneath the hall's golden light.
"Do you know what constellation you desire?"
A simple question.
Yet one many young nobles struggled to answer.
Kel thought briefly.
Then replied.
"I do not."
Several priests looked surprised.
Most noble heirs spent years obsessing over specific constellations.
Dreaming about them.
Praying for them.
Seeking them.
Yet Kel appeared completely unconcerned.
The priestess tilted her head.
"Why?"
Kel's answer came calmly.
"The stars already know the answer."
Silence.
Several priests exchanged glances.
Even Duke Aktaris looked toward his son.
Kel continued.
"My preference changes nothing."
"The constellation that answers will answer."
"And the one that doesn't..."
"...never belonged to me in the first place."
The hall became quiet.
Not because the answer was profound.
But because it sounded strangely mature.
Too mature.
The response resembled something an experienced scholar might say.
Not a fifteen-year-old noble.
Inside his mind—
Sairen chuckled.
"You sound old."
"I know."
"Very old."
"I know."
The Guardian laughed again.
Outside—
The snow continued falling.
The day slowly progressed.
Preparations began.
Sacred tools were brought inside.
Ceremonial formations were inspected.
The priests discussed arrangements.
The attendants organized supplies.
And as the sun gradually began its descent toward the western horizon—
Everyone in Rosenfeld Estate felt anticipation growing.
Because tonight—
The stars would answer.
And somewhere deep within their hearts—
Even the Twelve Priests had begun wondering.
When the heavens finally looked upon Kel Rosenfeld...
What exactly would they see?