Time has flown by, and in just a month, Astor and I will be six years old. It's hard to believe. Astor has been studying a little more, but his mischievous nature hasn't faded one bit. Just last year, our mother introduced us to her enormous cat, which is easily twice the size of any cat I've ever seen, even in my past life on Earth. We'd never encountered it before because, apparently, it never left our parents' room. Whenever we visited, it was roaming around outside, evading us.
But the day my mother wanted to show it to us, it stayed inside, as if understanding her unspoken command. The first time Astor saw it, he immediately grabbed it and started squeezing it like a plush toy. And now, it's become a daily routine—Astor chases that poor cat around the mansion, laughing and running as the cat tries to escape his grip. The caretakers can barely keep up with him, let alone the cat.
In the meantime, I've learned quite a bit more about magic, especially about affinities, grades, and essence—the very source of magic in Zephyros. Essence is this invisible, raw energy that's everywhere, in every living thing and the environment. It's like the life force that powers everything, not just magic but martial arts, alchemy, and who knows what else. It's so deeply connected to the world, influencing the physical and spiritual realms.
Everyone is born with something called an Essence Pool, which is how much essence you can control. It grows as you develop your magic or martial abilities. People are also born with different magical grades, which measure how strong their potential is. It ranges from E to S, with S being incredibly rare and signifying immense power. Those with higher grades like A or S can harness more essence, cast stronger spells, and grow faster in their magical abilities. But for people with lower grades like C or E, the scope of their magic is limited, and their growth is slower.
Affinities are another key part of this world's magic, determining the elements or forces you can control. Common ones like Fire, Water, Earth, and Air shape basic magic, while rarer ones like Lightning, Metal, and Nature offer more specialized abilities. Then, there are the truly uncommon affinities—like Celestial or Shadow—which allow people to manipulate cosmic forces, darkness, or even dimensional spaces. Most people are born with one or more affinities, which shape how they connect to Zephyros' magical energies.
I find it fascinating, but my mother has forbidden me from reading more on the subject. She hasn't explained why, but I suppose it's because we're nearing the Awakening Ceremony. At this ceremony, noble children like us, who have just turned six, will have their magical potential revealed for the first time.
Mother told me that in our kingdom, the five provinces—Silvershadow, Goldenleaf, Ironclad, Starlight, and Stormwatch—along with the royal family of Eldoria, will host a massive ceremony at the royal castle. All the noble children who have turned six will take part in it, and our affinities, essence pools, and grades will be awakened.
There's an excitement building within me. Soon, we'll know our destinies. Soon, we'll step into the world of magic fully, and the future will unfold with all its mysteries.
Astor's POV
As my birthday approaches, I can hardly contain my excitement. In just a month, Nyx and I will be six years old! I feel like I'm bursting with energy, running around the mansion, laughing, and causing all sorts of mischief. I love to chase our enormous cat, the one Mother showed us last year. It's so fluffy and soft, and whenever I catch it—well, let's be honest, I don't really catch it. It usually outsmarts me and escapes, but that just makes it more fun! I can spend hours darting after it, trying to sneak up and grab it before it slinks away, its eyes glinting with that knowing look, as if it enjoys the chase just as much as I do.
Nyx, on the other hand, is much more serious. He's always reading those complicated books in the library with Ian. Sometimes I sneak in to see what he's up to, and it seems like he's learning a lot. I wish I understood everything like he does, but the magic stuff goes over my head. He talks about this thing called essence and affinities, but all I really want to do is have fun! Magic sounds cool, and I know we're supposed to find out what kind we have during the Awakening Ceremony, but it seems so far away, and I can't focus on that when there's so much to play with right now.
Despite my playful nature, I've started to feel a little more responsible lately. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, or maybe it's just that I don't want to disappoint our mother. I see how she looks at Nyx and me, her eyes full of hope and love, and I want to make her proud. I've been trying to help around the house more—picking up toys, cleaning up after myself, and even helping the caretakers with small tasks. Sometimes I help them when they're preparing meals, and I get to sneak a taste of the food they're making. It's delicious!
Yet, even with my little attempts at responsibility, I can't resist teasing Nyx. He's so serious about everything! I love to poke fun at him whenever I can, especially when he gets lost in those thick books. "What are you reading now, Nyx? More boring stuff about magic?" I'll call out, trying to distract him from his serious studies. He always rolls his eyes at me, but I can see a small smile tugging at his lips. Deep down, I think he enjoys our playful banter as much as I do.
But no matter how much I tease him, I can't deny that I'm excited about the Awakening Ceremony. I've overheard Mother and Father talking about it—how it's a big deal for all the noble families in our kingdom. They say that when we turn six, we'll finally learn what kind of magic we have, what affinities we're born with, and what our potential might be. It feels like a rite of passage, and I want to show everyone just how much I can do!
As the days draw closer, I can't help but daydream about the ceremony. I picture myself standing in the grand hall of the royal castle, surrounded by all the other children. The air would be buzzing with excitement, and I would be wearing something special—maybe a new outfit that makes me look even more regal than I usually do. I imagine the moment when our powers are revealed, a burst of light and energy surrounding me, making me feel invincible.
Sometimes I wonder if Nyx and I will have the same affinities. He's so serious and focused; maybe he'll have a special affinity that makes him powerful. I want to be strong too! I want to be able to protect my family and do amazing things! I'm not sure what affinity I want—maybe Fire or Lightning, something fierce and exciting.
"Hey, Nyx!" I call out one day, feeling especially playful. "What if I end up with the best magic ever and I can shoot fireballs from my hands? What will you do then?" I see him pause, glancing over from his book, a slight frown on his face. I can't help but laugh, imagining him trying to focus on his reading while I'm out here being all heroic.
"Maybe I'll just have to read about how to put out your flames!" he replies, and I burst into laughter. It feels good to joke around, to take a break from the seriousness that seems to loom over us with the upcoming ceremony.
As I continue to play and make mischief, I can't shake the feeling of anticipation. This is a big moment for both of us, and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Whether I end up with an affinity that's powerful or just plain silly, I know that with Nyx by my side, it's going to be an adventure!