The one thing that I learned in my short time since arriving in this world. Mana is the key resource in this world. Mana is everything. Every organism. Everything. Is mana. The Magical City of Kubridge and all the Magicial cities are made of Mana.
When mages turn the ripe age of 5 they must be selected in the Chalice of Paths to either be one of two mages.
"Spellcaster Mages" use magic. They either apply the magic to themselves or to a target(s).
Spellcasters can fall into many subcategories. There are multiple affinities. Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Thunder, Light, Darkness, Chaos, and the list goes on.
"Weapon Enhancer Mages" These mages use their Mana to enhance the weapons they use. All mages can use little magic such as healing and such. "Armor Enhance" is an ability that a Weapon Enhancer should know as well as a level-up for them. There is also "Dyad Mage" a rare mage who can both be a Spellcaster and Weapon Enhancer Mage.
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I learned new things about my new life as well. I currently am the sole heir to the Marina family. The Marina Family strings from a long line dating all the way back to the creation of this world. We aren't royalty but we are in the upper echelon of the society of this work. I mean we have butlers and maids in our household the Marina name must have some value.
My father Marko Marina is a skilled weapon enhancer mage he imbued his magic into a scythe. That can generate powerful blasts to blow away his opponents. My mother Lila Marina is a spellcaster mage who specializes in water creation magic.
Marko if not tending to me would be training in the courtyard. Placed in the back of the mansion surrounding what used to be a beautiful flower garden. Holds the courtyard and training grounds for Marko and eventually me.
Cutting and slashing through all the dummies and hitting markers with Vincent by his side. Lila would make me watch from the second-floor balcony overlooking all this. But I would say most of the time something gets-
SMASH
"OH," my mother gasps.
Marko with a look of guilt and Vincent looks down with a palm to his face.
A giant hole appears where the kitchen is.
"Marko! What have you done to the kitchen!" Lila yells.
"It's fine honey" Marko responds back waving his hands and gesturing a thumbs up.
"Fear not Lady Lila the maids shall get to it!" Vincent reassures Lila.
CLAP CLAP
Two maids arrive on the scene.
RESTRUCTURE MAGIC
I watched on as the group of maids worked together as they rebuilt the hole and Kitchen. It's one of the first times I've seen magic getting used here besides my mother who would use her magic to generate water cold or boiling out of air.
Marko again smiles at Lila.
"Hmph" Lila gives a pout and walks away "Geez he can be so clumsy sometimes" speaking to herself.
That is a true statement. Remember when I said there was a beautiful field of flowers in the courtyard? Well, Marko practiced a new move that scorched half the flowers. Mother was not happy about that.
Marko gets summoned from time to time going on missions. It turns out Marko is a part of this elite group of mages called "The Federation." A group of strong mages that get sent out.
"Off to a mission I go," Marko says with a smile on his face. He was kissing Lila goodbye.
"Please take care, dear," Lila said accompanied by a warm embrace of the two. Of course including me in the middle.
"We wish for your safe return Sir Marko" Vincent speaks bowing with a gentlemanly gesture.
"Thank you Vincent and I wish you the best. Watch over Valerus for me. "
I saw the way Marko treats Vincent it's not in some other media where the butler is treated as a servant or lower. Here both treat each other with the same respect.
I watched as Marko headed off disappearing from my sight.
Throughout the early years of my life, I spent observing how the household runs and its inhabitants.
Of course, there is me, Marko, Lila, and Vincent. However, there are also a dozen maids. The main maid is Elise Vincent's wife. Women with long black hair that is tied up, bangs that cover her forehead, and the usual maid outfit. Their last names were Agnello.
I mostly spent time with my mother, Vincent, and Elise as they cared and watched over me. Crawling all over the household. Seeing all the maids, being scolded by Elise and Vincent. At the same time watching Eriko grow as well.
I wondered if she was a fellow reincarnate as well. No who am I kidding it's just a thought that slips in my mind once in a while.
One afternoon Marko was lucky enough to see me take my first steps.
"Dear, shouldn't you be on with your mission?"
"And miss my child's first steps of course not. Valerus is our pride and joy." Markos and Lilas's faces both light up as he says those words.
"Young master Valerus would do fine. He's progressing fast."
"He is right dear," Lila thinks to herself putting her hands into a thinking motion.
"I wonder what type of mage he will be?" Marko thinks as well. "Well no matter what he will be a great one."
"Alright I'll be back," Marko says as he gets teleports away.
ZIP
As I grew older he would tell me all about his missions. His team, the fierce enemies he faced, the leader of The Federation, and The Overlords of this world. From what I learned the Federation has Captains number 1-10. Marko is the Captain of Squad 10. I didn't really realize that until he told me and pointed out the pin on his attire that had the Roman numeral 10.
The one thing that piqued my interest when he would tell me these stories was the Overlords. From my knowledge, as their names suggest they are above all the mages in this world. The strongest mages in this world hold godly power at their disposal. The full power of one of the Seven can change the whole world. There are Seven Overlords.
Overlord of Weapons
Overlord of Curses
Overlord of Time
Overlord of Death
Overlord of Understanding
Overlord of Illusion
Overlord of Love
He also said he fought alongside one of the Overlords when he first started in The Federation. The Overlord of Weapons. "It was a spectacle I watched as all our enemies get demolished by a one-man crew. I witnessed him use weapons I had seen but used in a different way and weapons I had never seen before. The way he used the scythe that battle inspired me to hone my crafts in mine" Marko said proudly.
He sounded so excited I wish to meet them one day. "Hey Father can I meet them one day?" I asked. "Oh Valerus meeting one of them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They are all scattered across the world."
"So it's pretty rare to see one like a tree growing on another tree," I thought to myself.
Hearing him talk about The Overlord made me wonder something. "Father, why isn't there an Overlord of Magic?"
Marko took a minute to respond "Good question you see in the beginning there were these twelve-"
Creek
"Dear I think it's time for Valerus to head to bed," Lila says as she peaks through the door.
"Aughg" I express loudly.
Marko pats my head "Don't worry I'll save that story for another time. Goodnight son"
They both wish me good night.
"What was he about to say a twelve star- Ah it's fine I'll head to sleep."
Sooner than I realized I was at the age of five, the time drew closer. I finally started to see my features. I have blonde hair like my mom but it's shaped like my father's, while I have my father's eye color I have my mother's eyes. Am like a combination of both. Well, I should be cause am their kid.
Every day it seemed like a routine. Get up, get my clothes ready, greet the maids, head over the the dining hall, and sit and eat with Father, Mother, Vincent, Elise, and Eriko. We all eat together like one big family. The maids take shifts to eat breakfast after we have eaten. The first 6 eat first then the 2nd half after. Marko is a fair man and treats everyone with respect maid or not.
I then head over to my studies and prepare for the Chalice of Paths.
Eriko and I have gone over training to prepare to be one of the two mages. My preferred weapon was a sword but I also practiced and trained with my father with a scythe. On the other hand, Eriko's choice of weapon was a rapier. It was the weapon I often saw Vincent carrying. After a few hours of training, we both would learn simple healing spells that are a default skill for all mages.
Both me and Eriko then get to play in the yard of course being supervised by my mother and Vincent or Elise sometimes both. Father is either training or gone on a mission.
Me and Eriko lay in the flower fields as we both laughed and smiled. Eriko now has long black hair a respectful girl, with bangs, and a cute face. She reminded me of someone back in my previous life but that is something I want to leave behind.
Her soft and delicate voice speaks. "Vale are you scared for the Chalice of Powers"
"No am sure we'll both be fine. It's not something to be worried about." Am gesturing with a thumbs up and smile.
"But-"
"It's going to be cool. It's just going to tell us what we're going to enlist in at the academy that's all" I told her.
"You're right Val thank you," Eriko says with a smile of relief.
The time came arrived we arrived at the church in Kubridge. Father and Mother by my side. Vincent and Elise by Eriko's side. With the church bell at the top, a stained glass painting in the back over the church, with many rows of benches.
As we drew closer to the Stained Glass Painting I realized it was very vibrant with multiple colors, red, green, blue, black, purple, white, yellow, basically all the primary colors. For what it depicted I couldn't really tell it looks to be the creation of this world with 12 stars. Constelations I thought to myself. As I was about to examine it more a Pastor emerged dressed in all all-white.
We both walk up to the podium as the pastor presents us with a golden chalice. The chalice appears to be filled with water. But I can sense that it's partially filled with mana.
The pastor speaks "Welcome Marina Family and Agnello Family. This is the time to see what kind of future holds for the heir of the Marina family. It is that time."
My heart starts to race a little bit. This is a little nerve-racking. Am I sweating? Why should I be nervous? I am efficient in both currently. Is it because of the excitement and anticipation of what kind of mage will be or is it something else?
"Young mages step forward as the Chalice shall reveal your Paths. Blue for Spellcaster and Red for Weapon Enhancer or Purple for Dyad. Now who shall step first? "
Still nervous I look over at Eriko who looks calm and ready.
"I will," Eriko says with conviction and confidence."
"Very well Ms Agnello." the priest says.
Using a needle Eriko poked her pointer finger as she let a drop of blood in the Chalice of Paths.
The Chalice begins to change color as it lights up the room with Red and blue.
"Ah here it comes," The pastor says.
Everyone waits in anticipation.
A pause.
The Chalice glows a Purple Hue.
"Ah yes, a birth of a new Dya-"
Suddenly I watched as the Chalice began to shine bright blinding everyone in its vancity.
"Can it be?" I heard Vincent's voice as the bright light subsided.
"Wha- What is this" Eriko says in confusion as she looks at her left hand.
"You have been bestowed a great power the birth of another Twelve Star Mage" the pastor speaks in amazement.
"The 6th star. The maiden. Virgo" the pastor says with a shocked and excited voice,
I was shocked I never heard of a Twelve Star Mage up until now. Marko and Lila were as shocked as me. Both Vincent and Elise were overjoyed. Both my parents were supportive. Looking at the Glass painting more I saw the symbol that was on Eriko's hand on the Painting.
"Twelve Star. This is what Marko was about to talk to me about. Then that means Eriko will be connected to the Overlord of Magic?"
"My word Eriko Excellent" Elise says clapping with tears.
"Good job," Vincent says.
"Wow you cool now," I said aloud.
"Haha thanks, Val. You'll get something too"
"Pastor, did you just say another was chosen today?" Marko asked respectfully.
"Yes from the Agnes family, he was bestowed the 5th star Leo. Two bear witness to two let alone one today is amazing. " the pastor says.
"Now it is your turn, Valerus Marina. Step forward" The pastor says.
After hearing all this the pressure is on me. I have to be one of those. I am the heir. Am the son of Marko Marina a member of "The Federation" I have to get at least Dyad please?"
"Dont worry son. We will be proud of you no matter what" Marko says.
"We love Valerus," Lila says.
I feel a bit better now after hearing these supportive words from my parents.
I gulp down as I begin to feel more anxious about my path. I drop my blood. The Chalice spins. "Purple Purple" I kept saying to myself. The anticipation is killing me it feels like an eternity.
Everyone looks on in shock.
My heart drops.
I cannot believe what am seeing.
The Chalice of Paths
Didn't change color.
"Eh."
This is where my "unremarkable" journey begins.