Ace stumbles with Leon in the hallway. The boy took the decision to look for the master guild on his own, yet not even a minute went by. Fleter saw the changed kid in front of him, he really stood out that's what the man had thought.
The golden eyes stared down at his little legs and said.
"Mr. Leon, could I possibly learn magic?" the tiny orbs sparkled like sunshine and glaced over to Leon's blue eyes. The man knelt to get to the child's seize.
" Well, buddy, we must check if energy resides in your body" Leon could see hope in Ace before proceeding.
" Follow me"
He goes ahead and takes the eight-year-old into a further room. It occurs in an ample space surrounded by candles marked with odd runes. All of them lightened with blue fire, still, the only thing that attracted the attention was in the middle of the room. A crystal as clear as water floated in the air, and from the bottom of this crystal there was a drawn strange pentagram.
Ace gasped at the site before him. Nothing could contrast the view in front, not even the videogames that he played throughout his life. His heart is beating fast which led to his enthusiasm for the knowledge of learning the type of magic he will manage to use. Leon observed the boy with dark brown hair and golden eyes stepping closer to the crystal.
The man is aware that the boy had to turn 10 years old to be able to wield his powers, but he was of age to identify what kind of power he was conveyed in his inner body. Most aristocrats had the privilege and money to get this process much early than common people. Ace is lucky to even be able to make the procedure.
The Merchant Guild had its own room for exclusive magic testing for there members. Leon is making an exception for the little kid. In his eyes, it was customary to be interested in this topic. He brushed it off and continued to go near the gem.
"Ace be careful, go ahead and touch the crystal with your hand" Hearing his new name was weird, but he was trying to get used to it before raising suspicion.
He raised his tiny hand and put it on top of the mineral. The crystal that was transparent minutes before quickly began to glow between colors. Leon whistled by witnessing the vibrant colors. A warm light green and orange, Ace didn't know the meaning of these pigments. Nevertheless, the man's eyes were wide open.
This was unexpected. Then, Leon started to talk.
"You are full of surprises" he paused for a second. "The first color contains two abilities, one of them is really rare than the other one"
The boy paid close attention to the blue-haired man.
"The green color showed connected abilities, but they were scarce to see, you have nature as one of the four main regular powers. Also, you possess healing, which can be categorized as a legendary tier force. " Leon sighed, that would be troublesome if incorrect people knew about it. This power could change many things and greed may rise in wrong humankind.
"Kid you have to promise not to use this ability outside" The guild master was worried, but he knew that Ace is a good child. The youngster moved his head to the side without awareness of the meaning.
Immediately, he promised. He understands he could trust the man. " Do not worry Mr.Leon! When I unlock this ability I will refrain from using it outdoors" The boy smiled to diminish the concern. The smile was transmitted to the man immediately. The innocent response was refreshing to hear.
"The last color which is orange is hereditary from your parents or biological family" responded Leon, "It is actually not much of magical energy, it's called shape-shifting. In you resides a special spirit form" Shape-shifters are not normally seen around Rowan. The boy must have inherited the spirit animal from his family. Most shifters have already the ability to transform into their other insider. At the moment, Ace was bothered by the shifter thing mentioned before.
Could he possibly control his anatomy by transforming into another being?
Indeed, this sounded so amusing. Just the idea of running in paws was funny to the little boy, and with eagerness, he asked.
"Is shape-shifting can be awakened later on like normal magic or its different?" Ace visualized himself with fluffy ears on top of his head. He touched his hair carefully. "You said that this ability is distinct".
Leon lightly laughs at Ace's actions.
"Indeed, we can say that this capacity affects the inner strength instead of graving energy from the world" replies. "Shifting must be a thing you can use since you were born, quite rare if you aren't able to transform".
Dumfounded, the boy those not know if it was good or bad news. A whispered 'huh' came from his mouth.
"Not every shape-shifter comes from the same species or subspecies, but transformations would essentially stay the same from all of them" proceeded the explanation. " On the other hand, we do have some shifters in our guild that can teach you about it" Leon smiled.
"Yes, please! I want to learn!" hastily responded. Not many kids liked studying, not even at his age. They all preferred to play outside or go with their neighborhood friends to the beach of Lupa. Leon had encountered little brats or troublemakers in his life, and he started to fancy the child with a pair of golden eyes.
"Great, I will get you a good teacher for this week" finalized.
After that, a new person entered the room. A girl with long brown hair appeared before them. She was wearing casual medieval clothes, anything but modern. Her green orbs observed both the man and the boy. Her steps were heard taping by the wooden floors.
"Welcome Jude" greeted Leon.
"Guild Master, I hope I didn't interrupt an important discussion" smiled Jude, and she greeted Ace. "How are you, Ace?" she looks at him.
"I'm good Ms. Jude"
"Sweetheart just call me Jude" She gave him a big bright smile. " This dummy head forgot to introduce formally to you!" pointed out the guild master, who clearly showed indignation.
"Hey! Back then we were just taking priority on Ace! Don't be childish Jude!" The new recently developed situation crazily made Leon protest.
"Oh don't get me started Leon" Jude threatens. The little one wanted to interrupt the menacing fight when suddenly a fourth person enters the testing room.
"Adults verbally attacking each other in front of a kid... disappointing" A man wearing white attire and to his side was a gorgeous-looking sword. His hair was white with icy blue eyes. Aside from that he really carried a clean appearance and a peaceful atmosphere.
"Lord Hain" addressed Leon.
"Just at the right moment, Ace this is Nicolas Hain he is the one responsible to bring you to safety" Jude already planned for a long time to introduce Hain to Ace before the departure of the knight.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Sr. Hain and thank you for saving me" Ace knew something had happened to the original boy. He felt that he was stealing the body, and he didn't enjoy it at all. He thought that it is probably the plan of a god. Also, he did not receive any authentic memories of the little boy's past which was upsetting.
To someone so incredible as Nicolas it must have been a bother to rescue him, yet only Hain ensured that the boy was alright and brought him to the merchant guild. The knight has some friends and connections that would help Ace to recuperate, as well as grow healthy in this place.
'He deserves better' Hain thought.
Kids deserved better treatment and greater life quality. The principles of Hain were to protect and care for all lives, despite the hierarchy in the world and the mistreatment imposed by the ideology of his own emperor. That is why he declined the offer, he preferred to stay humble for the rest of his existence. Stay true to his-self.
The man in white most of the time had a serious look, however, his eyes can never lie. He scans Ace before responding to the youngster.
"Now I can go without worrying about you" he sighs.
"Will I be able to meet you again?" Ace questioned the knight.
"If fate crosses our paths, may god be in more pleasing conditions" By then, he wished that the next meeting would be peaceful without war and the boy before him have grown into a stunning lad.
Ace can tell that the person in front was a hero. He worried like no other. An unknown person wouldn't do what he does to the people. Ace was an original college student, initially, his path in life was not bright he had no idea what he wanted to do, but now he was sure. The brown-haired kid desired to be like Nicolas, someone so powerful and cared so dearly for the people.
Taking the risk.
"Sr.Hain I want to be just like you!" shouted Ace, while he was in this world to partake would bring good and changes unknown to him.
"In a few years, I hope to see you in the Silva Temple Ace" Nicolas Hain for the first time smiled. Leon and Jude looked at each other with surprised expressions, and both of them stayed quiet for a bit. Ace's facial expression illuminated.
"Quite an invitation to join the Temple" Leon responded "Not everyone can join, but if it is Nicolas that won't be a problem"
"I would train hard and master my abilities," said Ace.
"Then I would be the first to leave, I must prepare for tomorrow morning" The knight had left the testing room. Jude moved closer to Ace and caressed the brown-haired head.
"So Ace you must have got pretty good cool skills" commented Jude.
"mhm" nodded Ace "Leon said that I got three abilities"
"Well we must work hard if you plan on going to the knight route," Leon remarked. "Plus, Jude and I will help you achieve your dream" Ace chuckled, he felt these people really cared for him even though he met them a few hours ago.
In a further place, far from Lupa City and more distant than the Rowan Empire. In Asteria, the biggest main city is called Ravenna, the Imperial Palace is located in that capital. The Imperial grounds are as beautiful and magnificent as books describe. All royal blood resides in this spot and of course, an eleven-year-old boy classified as handsome for his age lives as the heir. His Highness at a young age worked at the militia as a combat planner.
Over and above, the awakening of his power immensely changed his right to the throne. The Emperor views him now as a good successor, but before everything he was nobody. He was born as the seventh prince out of twelve siblings in the empire. His Highness is recognized as a cold person, he was not open with people only with his mother the second wife of the Emperor, and his little sister the third princess.
After all, he was irregular and powerful. He had many eyes on his back, and enemies that wanted his death.
"Your Highness, are you really going to do it?" questioned his butler.
"Don't question my decisions, these would be for the greater good of the empire" the darkest black hair danced through the wind.
"His Majesty won't accept this"
"and that's why we won't going to tell them" retorted the boy.
The butler sighed with the contra attack of his master.
"They are going to notice that you are gone, your highness"
"I know" responded simply.
"And for this, I am going to be beheaded" cried, the butler could feel death near.
His Highness felt happy to do this journey, but for some reason, his heart beat faster than usual.