The scenery outside is breathtaking, with a gentle breeze flowing through the window. We are currently passing through a bustling city, predominantly occupied by elves, but I can also spot other races—some familiar from my past life and others entirely new to me.
The city's charm is accentuated by the backdrop of clear skies, which have played a significant role in shaping its numerous buildings. Surprisingly, there are even skyscrapers that contribute to the city's captivating appeal. However, amidst these modern structures, the presence of abundant trees and well-paved roads adds a touch of nature.
Initially, it struck me as peculiar that elves would have houses and buildings like these, considering their profound love for nature. But witnessing the abundance of trees, plants, and wildlife around has dispelled my misconceptions. Nevertheless, this is unlike any elves I have encountered before.
"Alex, you're awake, huh?" I hear a voice, prompting me to turn my head.
"Yes, Mom," I reply, nodding slightly. I am currently sitting on my mom's lap, resting my head against her... well, you know, breasts.
"You've missed quite a lot. I was about to tell you more about Ironica, but you dozed off before I could even begin," Mom says while gently caressing my legs.
"Eh?" I let out a surprised voice, giving Mom an innocent look. My frail body betrays me. There might have been a solution, but due to my confinement and close monitoring, I don't have much control. From what my sisters have told me, there's something called awakening. Arya mentioned awakening an element when she turned ten.
"No need to feel bad, Alex. You fell asleep because you're healthy," Mom reassures me, ruffling my hair.
Sigh... my hair never seems to find peace.
"Mom, why isn't our castle built like this?" I inquire.
"Hmm, that's a perceptive question. The castle has been around for thousands of years. It was built and inhabited by the royal family of the first king, who founded Ironica. It has become a legacy that each ruler must acknowledge and pass on to the next generation. The castle is always repaired and maintained in the best possible condition. However, the interior is quite advanced. Furthermore, several province leaders are responsible for overseeing these cities and towns, but the Queen's orders hold absolute authority."
The city we are currently in is called Whalemaw, and we are about to meet its leader, Duke Lars Dixon. He is a skilled mage specializing in dark magic," Mom explains.
Upon hearing Mom's words, my ears perk up, and a glimmer of excitement shines in my eyes.
"Mom, I thought everyone used magic. But I've read about cases where some exceptionally powerful individuals possess something called affinity. Is there any difference between the two?" I inquire curiously.
"A mage performs magic using spells. The level of spells they can use is determined by the amount of mana they possess. However, a mage doesn't possess any affinity. Affinity refers to any element or quirk. It's an ability that non-magical individuals can awaken, allowing them to control and utilize it like an extension of themselves, as long as they awaken. We refer to these individuals as The Awakened. For example, there are swordsmen with abilities we call quirks. These abilities are fueled by the same mana that powers magic. You'll learn more about it in due time," Mom explains, ruffling my hair affectionately.
This world's power system appears somewhat convoluted. It bears similarities to the power system in my past life but is fundamentally different. This world's power system seems to be categorized into mages, individuals gifted with magic or possessing affinity for magic, and The Awakened, individuals without magic but with awakened abilities.
"Mom, which category do Arya and Anya belong to?" I ask innocently.
"Arya will soon awaken her abilities as she approaches ten years of age. As for Anya, she possesses the gift of magic. She can even cast a few basic spells, but I have forbidden her from using magic without my supervision," Mom explains.
Ah, that explains Anya's fascination with magic. She's always talking about it. Arya, on the other hand, seems more inclined towards studying.
"And what about me, Mom?" I inquire, blinking my eyes a few times.
Mom simply smiles at me, her expression hinting at a revelation to come.
"I've been expecting this question. You'll find out soon enough."
Suddenly, I notice that the carriage slows down and eventually comes to a halt in front of an immense building, heavily guarded by soldiers.
"Your Majesty, we have arrived at Duke Lars's mansion," a voice announces. It's Adrian's voice.
Now, we find ourselves inside the grand building. Numerous butlers and maids move about with precision and organization. The guards here bow deeply to my mom as soon as they catch sight of her, not daring to raise their heads. It's as if they are in the presence of a deity. I understand the respect—they remind me of how my army and citizens used to revere me in my past life as king. Some even went so far as to worship me like a god, though I never sought such adulation.
At present, a bald butler leads us down an incredibly wide hallway. Observing the bald butler's head and Adrian's baldness is quite amusing, as the light reflects off their heads like mirrors.
Hehehe... let's have a little fun with them.
"Mom, why do Uncle Adrian and this man have mirror heads?" I ask, wearing an innocent expression and giving them a puppy-eyed look.
Upon hearing my question, both Adrian and the butler flush with embarrassment.
"Fufufu, someone's feeling mischievous, aren't they? It's not called mirror heads, darling. It's called being bald. They weren't blessed by the god of hair," Mom responds, playfully grinning.
Adrian and the butler can only grit their teeth in silence. After all, the Queen's words are absolute.
"Hoho, Your Majesty. You should have summoned me instead of making the journey down here. An unexpected visit like this must not be heard of by the other leaders," a worried voice interjects.
Looking up, I see an elderly male elf making his way towards us. He wears a black robe and a pointy hat. Though he doesn't appear very old or possess many wrinkles, his lengthy white goatee catches my attention. However, that's not the pressing matter right now. It's the aura emanating from him that grabs my focus. Even in my feeble state, I can sense a somewhat menacing aura...
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