Two years had passed since Cedric's encounter with the dragon, and he had blossomed into a gracious and noble young ruler. Walking through the town that his family ruled over, Cedric's presence commanded respect and admiration. Accompanying him was his newly appointed female attendant, Lyla, a loyal companion with short red hair flowing in the wind, adding to her striking beauty and grace.
As they strolled through the streets, Cedric greeted the townspeople with genuine warmth and grace, engaging in conversations and showing a genuine interest in their lives. The villagers were taken aback by his kindness, often remarking among themselves about how someone with such immense power could possess such a gentle nature.
"He is truly remarkable," whispered one villager to another, their eyes filled with admiration. "To wield magic of that magnitude and yet be so humble and kind, it's as if he is playing the part of a boy for some hidden reason."
Their whispers grew louder as Cedric walked away, leaving the villagers in awe of the young ruler who had captured their hearts. "Did you hear the rumors?" said one villager to another, unable to contain their excitement. "What rumor?" the other villager asked, their curiosity piqued. "That Lord Cedric is actually a god playing the part of a child here for some greater purpose." The whispers erupted into a chorus of speculation and wonder.
Meanwhile, Cedric engaged in conversation with his attendant, Lyla. Her red hair danced in the breeze as they walked, and she listened attentively to Cedric's words. "Are you nervous about the debut of the next generation, my lord?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
The debut of the next generation was a momentous event where young nobles showcased their magical prowess and progress to the esteemed Magic Council and noble houses. Unaware of his reputation or the limitations of his own magic, Cedric replied nonchalantly, his voice filled with confidence, "Yeah, I'm going to show them the spark spell I learned."
A vivid flashback ensued, transporting Cedric back to his training sessions with Megna. The sun glimmered through the leaves of the trees as they practiced in a secluded clearing. "Listen here, Merlin, I'm going to show you a spell that will knock your socks off!" Megna had exclaimed with joy, her voice filled with excitement.
Cedric corrected her with a smile. "I'm Cedric, not Merlin."
Megna flew around excitedly, her energy infectious. "This spell I learned while playing is super cool! It's called spark. It can temporarily stop an opponent in their tracks!"
Cedric nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Sure, I'll try."
However, Cedric's attempts had been met with little success. Each time he tried to invoke the spark spell, only a flicker of electricity appeared, leaving him frustrated. The incantation, "Those who dance in the clouds, answer my call and bind to my foes," seemed to elude his memory, adding to his training challenges.
Returning to the present, Cedric's attendant, Lyla, found her imagination running wild upon hearing that Cedric planned to display the spark spell at the debut. Her thoughts swirled with vivid images of Cedric effortlessly binding the entire crowd, showcasing his incomparable magical brilliance. A bead of sweat ran down her forehead as she contemplated the unimaginable power Cedric possessed. "If he is a god, then he is a kind god to his followers and ruthless to those who would doubt his Divine power," she mused to herself, bowing in reverence and devotion.
Cedric merely acknowledged her with a polite "Thank you" and continued on his way, seemingly oblivious to her thoughts. As they arrived back at their castle, they witnessed Cedric's father, Lord Montclair, engaged in conversation with an old mage—a master wise man seeking Lord Montclair's insight on an ancient scroll locked within an enchanted box.
"Master Tergin, I can't seem to understand the writing of this text. The runes are intricate and weave around each other like a pit of snakes," Lord Montclair expressed his frustration.
The old mage, Master Tergin, nodded his head in agreement, his long white beard swaying gently. "I hate to say it, but this has left everyone at the Sages Guild dumbfounded. It's a shame that we, the gathering of the wisest and most learned scholars, are stumped by this ancient script."
Lord Montclair sighed heavily, his brows furrowing in deep thought. "Could we try some sort of small explosive magic to destroy the runes?" he suggested, grasping at any solution that could unravel the mystery.
Master Tergin shook his head softly, his voice tinged with wisdom. "No can do, my lord. All of our research points to this sealed box containing ancient scrolls that date back to three thousand years ago. We can't risk damaging them."
The two men stood there, their minds entangled in confusion, unsure of how to proceed. Cedric, who had been lost in his own thoughts, stared at the box with a newfound curiosity. Picking it up, he was mesmerized by the glowing runes etched on its surface. However, his focus shifted when he noticed a small spider crawling on the box. Fearful of spiders, he turned the box around and instinctively used it to crush the arachnid, the sound of impact echoing in the room.
Master Tergin's eyes widened in shock, his voice trembling with disbelief. "What are you doing, boy?"
To the astonishment of the room, the box popped open, revealing its contents. Disgusted by the encounter, Cedric left the room to wash his hands, unaware of the magnitude of his action.
The sight of the box opening left Cedric's father and Master Tergin in awe, their voices filled with astonishment and disbelief. Master Tergin jumped to outlandish conclusions, his eyes filled with wonder. "That boy had effortlessly deciphered the riddle of the box—a riddle that had baffled the wisest of scholars and sages. He must have smashed the box down in anger at our stupidity!" Shattered in the disappointment of their own ignorance.
Overwhelmed with pride, Lord Montclair's eyes filled with tears, his voice quivering with emotion. "My son is wise beyond his years!" The two men engaged in wild speculation, their imaginations running rampant, fueled by the legend of Cedric's inexplicable brilliance.
Meanwhile, Cedric washed his hands in the peaceful solitude of the garden, the cool water soothing his skin. Uttering a single word, "Gross."
He couldn't help but shake off the remnants of the spider encounter. Oblivious to the growing legends and rumors surrounding him, he remained focused on the simple joys and frustrations of daily life, unaware of the profound impact his actions and reputation were having on the world around him.