While everyone else was eagerly envisioning the brilliant future that awaited William, he was drowning in confusion. The high expectations others had for him only deepened his unease.
"Sera, have any of my innate talents awakened?" William asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and worry. It seemed like the only explanation for the strange things happening.
[No, none of your talents have awakened,] Sera replied calmly.
William's confusion only grew. "Then where did this power come from?" he wondered aloud, more puzzled than ever.
[I'm not sure,] Sera admitted, a hint of concern creeping into her usually composed tone. [But I did sense something foreign entering you.]
A chill ran down William's spine. The idea of something unknown invading his body filled him with dread. "Damn it," he muttered, panic setting in. "Is there really someone out there who can give talents to others? What if I'm just a target of some powerful figure?" The thought of being manipulated by an unseen force made his heart race.
[Why are you so afraid? Isn't it a good thing that you've gained new abilities?] Sera asked, trying to bring some reason to his spiraling thoughts.
"It could be," William replied, "but what if some damaged soul has entered me? What if this power isn't really mine, but theirs? What if I'm just a vessel being used for someone else's agenda?" His voice shook as he voiced his fears, the thought settling like a lead weight in his mind.
Sera was silent for a moment, the gravity of William's concerns hanging in the air. Usually quick to dismiss his worries, she found herself hesitating.
[...You're overthinking this,] she finally said, though her usual confidence was lacking.
"Sure," William muttered sarcastically. "Like when I got those cursed rings that nearly killed me." The memory of that ordeal was still vivid, fueling his growing paranoia.
[I'll check your body,] Sera offered, her concern now mirroring his as she prepared to investigate further. Though she tried to stay composed, William's anxiety was beginning to affect her as well.
As William returned to his seat under the warm and congratulatory gazes of everyone around him, he sat down, trying to appear calm.
The First Minister continued overseeing the awakening of others' talents, but William's mind was elsewhere. His anxiety began to intensify, the uncertainty gnawing at him.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sera reappeared.
[There's nothing wrong with your body,] she reassured him.
William finally sighed in relief upon hearing Sera's reassurance. Feeling more at ease, he settled back into his seat and calmly watched the others as their talents awakened.
[By the way, we would have been able to link with that kid if he hadn't thrown a tantrum,] Sera suddenly remarked.
"Was he a hero or a villain?" William asked, curious about the boy's alignment.
[How would I know? He hasn't done anything yet to distinguish himself as good or bad,] Sera replied. William nodded, turning his attention back to the awakening of talents.
Many different talents were revealed—some lackluster, like the kid who could only glow, and others more impressive, like the child who burst into flames. One boy even summoned a massive wolf crackling with white lightning. The sight of the enormous creature caused the boy to faint, but the wolf simply sat beside him, gazing at him with curious blue eyes.
William watched the scene unfold and then glanced at the wolf, a thought crossing his mind. "I want that wolf," he mumbled to himself.
Suddenly, from the shadows, a figure emerged—a beautiful woman with silver hair and silvery-grey eyes. She bowed to William before stepping onto the stage. Approaching the unconscious boy, she picked him up effortlessly. The wolf growled at her, but a single look from the woman sent the creature whimpering like a puppy.
The boy's parents, watching from the stands, suddenly called out, "Please forgive our child! He didn't mean to—" Before his mother could finish, the maid raised her hand, silencing her.
"Prince William has taken a liking to the wolf, so this child is now recruited to serve Prince William," she announced, causing the boy's parents to cry even more, this time with tears of joy.
While other commoner parents watched their children with hopeful eyes, praying they might awaken a talent that would catch the attention of a Royal and lead to their child being recruited, the nobles had their own discussions.
"The wolf is beautiful. I think William likes animals," James observed.
"Hmm, perhaps we should arrange for the capture of a beautiful and fluffy magical beast like that wolf as a present for his Awakening Day," William's mother suggested. James nodded in agreement, tapping his finger on the armrest in a specific pattern.
A man stationed discreetly behind them nodded, bowing slightly before vanishing from sight. His mission: to capture a beautiful beast for Prince William.
As William watched the maid declare his wish, his lips twitched in surprise. "I was just thinking to myself," he thought.
[Yes, but now that you're a noble, all your words carry weight. Be mindful of what you say and what you don't from now on,] Sera advised. William nodded in understanding as the maid gently placed the unconscious boy behind his seat.
Meanwhile, a few guards approached the boy's commoner parents, offering them a position as gardeners in William's personal palace garden. This arrangement was made to allow the boy, who had summoned the wolf, to remain close to his parents while he was still young.
Both of his parents gratefully accepted the job and were then sent to a place where they would receive training in gardening.
Soon, the awakening ceremony came to an end. William chose no more children, but his mother selected a cute-looking girl for him.
Her talent was called "Wings of the Archangel," an Emperor-grade healing ability. With such a rare and powerful talent, she was given a seat among Prince William's entourage.
She trotted over to William with a cute smile and bowed before taking a seat behind him. William nodded in acknowledgment.
[Already starting to build your harem?] Sera teased, causing William's face to turn bright red.
"Shut up, I'm only three!" William retorted, his embarrassment making Sera chuckle.