A full year had passed since Zeph was born, and with it came tremendous growth, both physically and magically. Over the months, Zeph had honed his abilities with his mana core, training tirelessly under the quiet guidance of Lucian and ROSE. His progress was nothing short of remarkable.
The once dark-red core in his body had slowly transformed into a bright, vibrant red, a sign of his growing strength. The brighter the core became, the easier it was for him to manipulate the mana particles around him. His movements became fluid, his body felt stronger and healthier after each training session, and his control over the particles improved steadily.
Zeph had discovered early on that the blue-colored mana particles represented water. In his most exciting breakthrough, he managed to create a small water orb using only those particles.
He recalled the moment vividly—how the mana particles seemed to flow toward his hands as if following an invisible thread, forming a swirling orb of water. But, as with many things, his control over the orb was not perfect. The exertion had been too much for his tiny body, and just as he marveled at his success, the water orb collapsed. It spilled all over his cloth diapers, soaking him through.
The incident had been especially embarrassing for Zeph. Elara, who had come to check on him, mistakenly thought he had wet himself and swiftly changed him. Her tender scolding, though well-meaning, had added to his sense of humiliation.
After all, Lucian's old mind was trapped in a baby's body, and not being able to control his bodily functions was an indignity he had yet to accept.
While Zeph trained, Lucian and ROSE were busy with their own plans. They communicated with Zeph only occasionally, mostly to guide him through complex magical concepts or help him understand the deeper workings of mana.
However, their prolonged absences left Zeph feeling increasingly isolated. Without Lucian's constant presence and without the ability to speak to those around him—Elara, his mother, or anyone else—he had begun to feel bored. The days had settled into a repetitive cycle, broken only by the weekly prayers his mother took him to at the Temple of Light.
It was during these prayers that Zeph learned more about the gods and mythical creatures of the world. His mother, Selena, spoke often of the gods, especially the God of Light, who was said to provide light to all living beings. The world outside his nursery, as he learned from her stories, was a place of wonders—populated by great mythical beasts, revered gods, and ancient forces.
The God of Light, in particular, was the most revered deity in the empire, worshipped for the life-giving light he bestowed upon the world. The idea of these gods intrigued Zeph, though he had yet to understand the extent of their influence on the world.
One day, amidst the monotony of his routine, something unexpected happened. A minister from the main palace arrived to speak with his mother, Selena. Zeph was lying in his cradle, eyes half-closed, when he overheard the discussion. The minister spoke in a reverent tone, explaining the reason for his visit.
"The Emperor has ordered preparations for Prince Zeph's first-year celebration," the minister announced, his voice echoing slightly in the chamber. "The first year of a child's life is a significant milestone. It is the time when the child is introduced not only to the elements but also to the nobles and the people they will one day rule."
Zeph, though just an infant in form, felt a flicker of curiosity. This "first-year celebration" was something entirely new to him. His mother's stories had never mentioned such a thing before.
The minister continued, explaining how this event would be a grand occasion, a lavish party where nobles and vassal kings who had sworn allegiance to the Eternis family would come to pay their respects.
The thought of being placed on display like a prince in a storybook was uncomfortable to Zeph. He had never seen the world beyond his nursery or the palace gardens. The idea of meeting the nobles whom he needed to control one day sparked an interest, but at the same time, he understood that this event would be no ordinary gathering.
It would be a carefully orchestrated ceremony with eyes on him from every corner. The thought of having to put on a facade of innocence and play the part of the perfect baby weighed heavily on his mind.
Selena, excited by the news, immediately began making preparations. Zeph watched from his cradle as the palace buzzed with activity over the next week.
Servants rushed back and forth, carrying fine fabrics, decorations, and gifts. The hall where the celebration would take place was transformed into a place of unimaginable beauty.