-Today is finally the day young master!
-Right...
A few months have passed along with my 6th birthday. Of course, I celebrated with my mother, Elise and a few maids with I'm close to.
As for the rest of my family, aside from my sister, didn't even bat an eye.
And now, since I'm 6 years old, I can participate in the awakening ceremony to gain the ability to use mana.
Aside from finding out one's capability to use mana, you can also discover what affinities you have, your sensitivity to mana and how much your body can store. Finally using the data gathered the examiners present can make a prediction on how far you can advance in the ranks of a knight and a mage if one asks.
Naturally a bigger mana pool and a high sensitivity means one can achieve a high rank and the opposite also applies.
For your elemental affinities one usually gets one of the six: Fire, water, wind, earth, light and darkness. Although it's rare one can awake a dual affinity and in even rarer cases a triple affinity. The greatest number of affinities one had awakened was four and there was only one case in the whole kingdom: the founder Romanus Von Argus.
And for awakening all six elements, no one ever did it.
Most of my family has two affinities aside from my mother. Father has earth and fire; my sister Helena has water and wind, and my brother George has fire and wind.
-Hey Elise, why can't we do the ceremony in private? Surely father has the power to make this happen.
- It's tradition for the ruler of the land and its relatives to show their results in front of the citizens and vassals. Other noble children from our territory will also be present.
- Let me guess, so that we can show the others that we are still strong and keep our enemies at bay?
- Precisely, this move also increases the duchy's reputation and shows that it has a bright future, attracting more partners.
I would say it was a smart plan if I wasn't being used as a pawn.
- Alright I'm finished young master.
- Wow you really went all out today!
- Of course! today is a special occasion.
Elise oversaw preparation of my clothes for today's event and didn't spare any efforts. navy blue pants with black shoes, a pure white shirt with a black vest and a sapphire brooch tied to a blue cloth and a blue cloak with an owl, our family's symbol, embroidered on the back.
Ending my appreciation moment I left the room in the direction of the entrance to depart for the ceremony.
-You're late!!! when you will learn to behave like a proper noble!!
Glancing at the source of the annoying voice was my brother, wearing full black clothes and the same blue cloak as mine.
- George.
-Yes father.
-Silence.
*Gulp
My father, displeased with George's attitude, shot a murderous glance shutting him up in an instant.
-Luke you're 5 minutes late. I will let this one slide since it's a special day.
-Thank you, father.
Guess he wasn't happy with my slight delay.
-Luke, you look amazing!!
Seeing the awkward situation my mother broke the ice with a simple compliment. She was wearing a navy blue gown similar to the ones used in the Victorian era with her black hair braided ,further enhancing her beauty.
- Thank you, mother. Elise was the one who choose the clothes.
- I see. I will reward her when we get back.
- She will be happy.
'Elise your efforts paid off!
- You look good.
my sister complimented me in a monotonous voice. She was wearing an all-black gown with a red brooch on the center matching her black hair tied in a bum.
- Thank you, sister!
- Let's not waste more time and go.
Pouring cold water in the mood, father ordered us to leave.
Instead of a carriage, a car was parked outside, it looked like one of the first models to be made back on my previous world.
With the advancement of science and magic a new brand of study was created: magic engineering, combining magic and science the technology advanced at a fast rate.
Steam powered trains with magic enhancements, mechanical golems with magic stones its energy source, airships, and combustion vehicles were all made possible earlier than my previous world thanks to the existence of magic engineering. Of course, being super expensive and limited only a few nobles and the royal family have samples of those inventions.
Getting in the car we all depart to the grand hall.
Passing through the large paved roads of Alamut, the capital of the duchy, people with expensive clothes can be seen waking on the sides, going about their lives.
The capital has a similar structure to old London, being divided in several areas: the common district, workers district, shopping, district, the slums, the mage tower and the high class area.
The common district is the location of the lower-class citizens, primarily made of old houses and buildings of stone with simple aesthetics. It also housed some middle-class families who were a little more well off then most commoners but far from the nobles.
The workers district composed of mainly industrial factories and warehouses a gloomy atmosphere to it, thanks to the smokes coming out the factories exhaust. Some offices were also located in the vicinities, probably to facilitate the management of goods.
Some science labs are also located there for easy access for materials and devices.
The shopping district is filled with shops, restaurants, and other entertainment activities. It was also the center of cultural tendencies, with the dress shops selling the latest trends across the kingdom, the colorful and well-designed building, showcasing its elegant neoclassical architecture and parks dominated the area.
The slums, also known as the dark side of Alamut, is the poorest district of the city with many homeless people, thieves, murderers and gangs. All kinds of illegal deals happen in the slums, it has been rumors that a black market was located there but nothing was confirmed.
There has been attempts of eradicating this area in the past, but its inhabitants would just flock to the other areas, in the end it was decided to be left alone but under strict supervision, since many gangs operated from it.
The noble district were the aristocracy and wealthy merchants reside. Beautifully crafted building, houses, and hotels that showcase a mix of historical and steampunk design, giving off a felling of superiority.
It's also the location of the grand hall, the auction house a, the main government building that manages the city, and a branch of the kingdom's bank.
Lastly the mage tower and its surrounding areas are known for its educational facilities for mages and ordinary citizens, since not everyone can become a knight or a mage, schools and universities were made to educate and integrate them into society.
The highlight is the mage tower, built for the mages to have a safe environment for their magic research and creations. It's the city's most advanced district in terms of technology and quality since our duchy's main troops are composed of mages, they need the best in terms of facilities and tools.
The train station and police station are also locate there.
Arriving at our destination, I'm greeted by a high arched building like a cathedral, with sculptures carved on the pillars, demonstrating Its artistic prestige.
The grand hall also known as a all-purpose venue, is equipped with the necessary facilities to host all kind of events, be orchestras, exhibitions, presentations, actions and so on. Today its being used for the awakening.
-Welcome my lord to the grand hall, please this way everything is ready.
Jacob Frye, the manager of grand hall directed us to our seats.
- Young master Luke, this way please.
After walking for a little bit, I had to go to another room where we would enter the main hall where I had to sit with other nobles, while the families went to the upper seats to watch. Like how the NBA handled its draft nights.
-Good luck my son I will be cheering for you. Remember no matter the result I will always love you.
-Thank you, Mother!
Saying goodbye to my mother we went our separate paths. Father and George said something but I just nodded my head in response and ignored them but it was probably something along the lines of "don't bring shame" or "I have high expectations".
I could care less about them, I already had my fill of orders for one life.