Leo's sixth birthday marked not just another year of his young life, but also the deepening of his inner journey. He was fully aware now of who he had once been—Lucian, a king with responsibilities vast as the oceans. Yet, here in Elden's Reach, he was Leo, a blacksmith's son, living a life far removed from the power struggles and burdens of his previous existence. This dual identity shaped his thoughts and actions, giving him a unique perspective that was both a gift and a challenge.
As autumn crept over the village, coloring the leaves with bursts of orange and red, Leo found himself helping his father in the workshop more frequently. The rhythmic clanging of the hammer on the anvil was meditative, allowing his mind to wander through the corridors of his past life and consider his approaching future.
"Leo, always make sure the metal is heated just right before you strike," John instructed, his voice firm yet patient. "Timing and precision—they're crucial."
Leo nodded, applying the lesson not just to blacksmithing but to life itself. Timing and precision. When will it be the right time to reveal who I really am? he wondered silently.
One chilly evening, as Leo sat by the fireplace, he broached a topic that had been on his mind for years, careful not to reveal too much.
"Father, do you believe that everyone has something special about them? Something hidden that maybe they themselves don't know?" Leo asked, watching the flames dance and flicker.
John looked at him thoughtfully, pausing before answering. "Yes, I do. Everyone has potential, sometimes hidden deep within. It's like a vein of ore in the rock—you might not see it until you really look or until the right moment comes along to bring it out."
Leo mulled over his father's words. His own hidden potential, his weapon, remained elusive, its conditions unknown. He yearned to understand what would trigger its appearance, what moment would finally reveal the full extent of his capabilities.
With each passing day, Leo became more involved in village life, often seen helping not just at the forge but also with other village duties. His easy manner and willingness to assist made him well-liked among the villagers. Yet, beneath his helpful demeanor, Leo was preparing, training both physically and mentally for the day he would receive his class designation at age ten.
This preparation also involved studying the books his mother brought from the market, tales of heroes and histories of lands near and far. Each story, each account, was a lesson Leo absorbed, using them to piece together the world beyond his village, a world he knew he would soon have to navigate.
On the eve of his seventh birthday, Leo lay in bed, unable to sleep. The stars outside his window seemed to beckon, whispering of the wider world and the roles he might play within it. Tomorrow, he would be another year older, another step closer to the ceremony that would determine his class.
"Whatever happens, I'll face it," Leo whispered to the night, a quiet determination settling in his heart. "I'll use my past to shape my future, and I'll do it on my terms."
As sleep finally claimed him, Leo dreamt of vast kingdoms and grand battles, but also of peaceful days in the forge and laughter-filled afternoons in the village. In his dreams, he was both Lucian and Leo—past and present woven together, hinting at a future where he could be true to both.