After a year's worth of time, Alex had finally woken up. The news soon spread across the castle. As soon as Lilia heard of this she rushed to her brother's room. Alex was lying on the bed. Rays of morning sun flooded the room from the opened windows. The sweet yet ripe breeze of autumn carried the joy of the land. When Lilia entered Alex's room he could see tears in his sister's eyes. She ran to him and hugged him. Holding her brother in her embrace she began crying like an infant. A few minutes passed like that. When she finally regained herself her sobbing face had an ear-to-ear smile. The siblings engaged in a long conversation mixed with different emotions, affection, and facts.
An hour later family healer came and checked Alex. He informed that Alex was physically complete fine but a little bit exhausted due to being in comma for a prolonged time. Later the baron visited his youngest son and asked about his health. Shallie visited with a plastered smile on her face. Although Alex could guess, she was the one who broke the news of Alex's mother's death to him and described in detail how the rescue party found her mother's remains. Shallie's oldest son Grey Greystone visited his younger brother as a form of curtsy that evening. Grey was now 19 years old. His intermediate awakener training second semester was over this year. There was a 1-month vacation from the academies before the start of the next semester, so all the brothers were at home. Grey mocked Alex for how weak and pathetic he is. That he is a disgrace to the family and the typical stuff that goes along. The other brothers didn't bother to visit.
Slowly but steadily Alex Greystone recovered. Lilia was always by his side during this time. She fed him, took care of him, and did all she could to cheer him up. Alex learned that one year has already passed since that incident and slowly but steadily started to recuperate. Thus 2 more months went by. Alex came to understand the anomalies between his previous self and current self. At first, it was hard for him to accept everything, but with time both the existence became one. The main difference between Alex of then and now was the experience of a youth who changed the world. And thus his worldview changed. The child named Alex Greystone was no longer a child. This sudden change in his behaviors was clearly noticed by Lilia. She took it as the post-trauma after everything that happened.
Alex was trying to accept his new life. What else could he do? Rather Alex started to learn about this new world as much as he could, from Lilia, the servants, and the maids. But as common peasants the knowledge the servants could provide is the bare minimum. Shallie had become a wall between him and his father. He was no longer allowed to meet his father without any reason. Alex tried to please Shallie. He understood the jealousy and worries that Shallie's eyes carried and also her biggest fear of her sons being deprived of the property. In the end, life became somewhat extra boring for Alex. The little exercises he did in order to improve his health became his means of entertainment. He would wake up every morning and do exercises and jogging around the courtyard and the same routine continued in the afternoon. At noon he slept after lunch and at night the same routine continued. After A few days, he even started meditation in hope of awakening.
As he learned from the servants, the world was full of mana, an almighty source of power that gods bestowed upon mortals. People who could control this mana were awakeners. There were different types of awakeners, warriors, knights, mages, healers, summoners, paladins, and many more. Some used mana to strengthen their body or weapons, gain inhuman abilities, others used mana to cast spells. How? They don't know. But they have seen people do these miracles. Alex's Eldest and third eldest brother were knight-type awakeners, the class that focused on weapons, while the second eldest brother was a mage. Potential people could awaken through a ceremony. But not everyone could do so. Apart from that, they had to a good amount of fees to participate in this ceremony. If your parents were awakeners you had a high chance of succeeding. Nobel bloodlines and households were good examples of this. They were most likely much stronger awakeners thanks to their inheritance. However, there were exceptions. Alex's fourth brother failed to awaken. Most people took this test at the age of 12. It was considered the ideal time to receive god's blessing. The schooling of children however started at the age of 14. And it was very expensive to afford. Thus most people were illiterate in society.
One day finally Alex was summoned by his father. The servant informed that Gaden had something serious to tell Alex and so to visit as immediately as possible and took Alex to his father's office. When finally Alex sat in front of his father on the comfy cushioned chair, his father spoke.
"Alex, you know that you are 11 now and next year will turn into 12."
Alex replied with a nod affirmatively as his father continued, "You might not know that at the age of 12 many children are taken to test if they were awakeners. However, after discussing with your elder mother I have decided that you will not participate like your sister. I told you this today so you might be mentally prepared."
Alex was dumbstruck. He never expected this, especially from his father and the only word that he uttered is "why?"
To his son's questioning, Gaden was actually somewhat angered. He shouted, "You dare show such audacity in front of me. Shallie was right that you had no manners of a noble. I will not allow you to disgrace our family name like your fourth brother. If you don't have any other thing to say you may leave."
Alex was silent, but he was no idiot. He understood that the noble life he dreamt will never realize like this. This was hell. A real hell trapping him. This was his reality. He had to escape this. He was Ethen. He can't lose like this.
Alex Calmed himself and asked his father with the utmost politeness, "Father, with due respect, I sincerely beg your pardon for my unsightly behavior. I only seek the rudimentary knowledge to read and write. Nothing else. If father could grant this humble wish of this unsightly being, this minor existence will be ever grateful."
This time Gadon was the one to be shocked. He never ever expected this from an eleven years old child. After a few moments of silence, he half-heartedly said, "With our economic condition we cannot afford to send you to an academy even if it's general studies. I have to pay for your other four brothers. However, I will ask our treasurer to manage some time and teach you some basics."
"In that case, I would like to request to start as early as possible. Your earnest feedback will be greatly solicited."
With this, Alex requested leave and returned to his room. Gaden kept sitting on his chair, somewhat dejected. Shallie had convinced him that due to Alex's mother belonging to a humble background it was impossible for Alex to awaken. A guilty conscience made his mood gloomy. He knew very well how he neglected Alex after his mother's death. However, he didn't want to admit that and put the whole blame on their economic circumstances.