The news of my awakening came as a shock to the household. Edwin, the loyal butler, had immediately informed my parents after realizing that I had reached Stage 0 at the tender age of three—something unheard of, even in the noble circles of the Avalon Empire.
Father, with his cold and imposing demeanor, didn’t express much outward emotion, but there was a flicker of surprise in his sharp gaze as he studied me during dinner that evening.
"To awaken so young is rare," he remarked, his deep voice calm but commanding. "Perhaps you will surpass even your sister someday."
I met his gaze without flinching, my tone cold and composed. "I don’t see the point in comparing myself to anyone."
His eyes narrowed briefly before he gave a slight nod, as though recognizing something familiar in my words.
Mother placed a gentle hand on mine, her smile warm and reassuring. "It’s alright, Aren. You’re still young. There’s no need to rush."
Claire, who was seven at the time, leaned closer, her shining black hair swaying as she teased, "Don’t let this go to your head, Aren. Remember, I awakened at four, so you’ve got a lot to live up to!"
Her tone was playful, but I could sense the unspoken pressure in her words. Smiling faintly, I responded with indifference, "We’ll see."
Over the next few weeks, I made a conscious effort to act incapable of handling mana beyond the basics of Stage 0. Whenever Father or the household staff suggested training, I would stumble through the simplest exercises, making it clear that I wasn’t ready.
___
The Empires of Arcadia
Arcadia is divided into seven powerful empires, each with unique characteristics. Among them:
Avalon Empire: A human kingdom known for its advancements in magic and swordsmanship, where noble families wield immense influence.
Eldralis Dominion: The land of elves and dwarves, marked by ancient forests and fortified mountain cities.
Malakar Dominion: The harsh domain of demons, known for their brutal strength and dark magic.
Dracwyn Sovereignty: A mystical empire home to fairies and dragons, filled with enchantment.
Elysian Empire: A holy human empire ruled by divine teachings and faith.
Zyveran Confederacy: A wild land governed by beastfolk tribes, where strength determines leadership.
Nytheria Expanse: A mysterious and forgotten realm shrouded in ancient secrets.
---
"In the vast expanse of the human and holy empires, balance was maintained by six supreme figures—three Supreme Aura users and three Transcendent Mana wielders. They were the guardians of stability, unmatched in strength and feared by all.
Among these legendary figures was my father, Alaric Wolfhart, a man who stood at the pinnacle of aura mastery. His presence alone was enough to command reverence and silence even the boldest of challengers.
Yet there was a shadow lingering in the tales—a mysterious figure who had achieved the impossible: reaching Stage 6 in both aura and mana. He had vanished years ago, but rumors claimed that if he ever returned, he could take on three of the supreme figures simultaneously and still emerge victorious.
As for Claire, by this time in three years, she had advanced to Stage 2 of Aura, a feat that filled the household with pride."
___
[ Three Year Later ]
The three years that followed were a time of quiet observation and bonding. Though I avoided rigorous training, I spent my days building stronger relationships with my family.
Father, ever stoic and consumed by his responsibilities, would occasionally surprise me with a subtle nod of approval or a firm pat on the shoulder. He rarely showed affection, but I could sense his pride in small gestures.
Mother, on the other hand, showered me with warmth and love. She would read me stories before bed, her soft voice painting vivid pictures of Arcadia’s history and legends.
Claire, despite her natural talent and busy schedule, often found time to play with me. Her teasing and encouragement created a sibling bond that I hadn’t expected to cherish so much.
____
When I turned six and Claire 10, it was time for Claire to leave for the prestigious academy in the capital of the Avalon Empire. She was brimming with excitement, her usual confidence shining brighter than ever.
"You’ll join me at the academy someday, won’t you?" she asked as she prepared for her journey, her tone half-command, half-hopeful.
I smirked lightly. "Maybe. If I feel like it."
"Don’t ‘maybe’ me," she said, ruffling my hair as usual. "You’ll see—it’ll be the best decision of your life."
The grand carriage, adorned with the Wolfhart family crest, departed with Claire and her entourage, leaving the estate quieter than before.
But the peace was short-lived.
Late evening, as I wandered the halls, I overheard a hushed conversation between my parents in Father’s study.
"She’s been kidnapped," Father said, his voice laced with quiet fury.
Mother gasped, her voice trembling. "How could this happen? She had guards with her—"
"They were overpowered," Father interrupted. "But she’s alive. I’ve already dispatched men to bring her back."
"Alaric, she’s just a child..." Mother’s voice broke, the worry evident.
I froze outside the door, the words echoing in my mind.
To be continued....
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