In the duchy of the Alestra family, everyone was nervous, awaiting the arrival of the newest member. Duke Aron Alestra paced back and forth in front of the closed door, anxiously waiting for news from the physician.
A little girl, nearly three years old, with black hair and red eyes like Aron, rushed toward him, looking cute and excited.
"Father! When is my little brother coming?" the girl asked as she began jumping up and down with excitement.
"Very soon, Aria. Just wait a little longer. He could arrive at any moment," Aron replied, lifting Aria into his arms and patting her on the head gently.
Aria beamed brightly at her father's touch. Just as both father and daughter were trying to contain their excitement and nerves, the door to the physician's room opened.
A woman in a white robe with white hair stepped out. She was Liana, a famous and highly trusted physician in the Kingdom of Roan. The Duke had personally traveled to the royal capital to invite her when he learned of his wife's condition.
Duke Aron stared anxiously at the door, but seeing Liana smile at him, he relaxed, knowing that his wife and child were safe. He quickly rushed into the room, holding little Aria, who was just as eager.
Inside, they saw a beautiful woman lying on the bed, pale and tired, yet smiling as she gazed at the baby in her arms.
Aron gently set Aria down as he walked over to the bed. "Are you alright, Alena?" he asked, standing by his beloved wife's side, who hadn't even noticed him come in.
Alena finally saw Aron and Aria beside her. She smiled and handed the baby over to Aron.
"Look, husband. He has the same hair color as me," she said, pointing to the white strands of hair on the baby's head, her excitement evident.
"Yes, and his features resemble yours too. He'll grow up to be a handsome young man," Aron said with a proud smile.
"Of course, he is my son after all," Alena said, puffing up her chest with pride.
Aron glanced at little Aria, who was pouting. He chuckled and knelt down, meeting her eyes.
"Aria, this is your little brother."
Aria looked at the baby boy with white hair and striking blue eyes. She started to poke his soft cheek gently.
Aron and Alena tensed, worried the baby might cry, but they were both surprised when the baby smiled at Aria, grabbing her finger.
"Husband, is that...?" Alena started.
"Yes, wife. Our son appears to be special. Come to think of it, I haven't heard him cry once since I saw him."
"He cried when he was first born, but stopped the moment he saw my face. I was worried and asked Liana, but she assured me that he's perfectly fine."
"Well, I suppose it's a good thing," Aron said, looking at the baby, who was still smiling as he played with Aria.
"Yes, it is. Our child is special and smart!" Alena said, her pride growing.
Aron leaned over to kiss his wife, then a thought crossed his mind. "Speaking of which, do you have a name in mind for him?"
"Of course! Unlike you, I've already thought of one."
"Oh? What is it?" Aron asked, curious.
"Ryan. His name will be Ryan Alestra," Alena said as she gazed fondly at the baby playing with Aria.
"Ryan... It's a wonderful name. As expected of my wife," Aron said with a smile.
"As long as you know that, it's fine," Alena teased.
Little Aria smiled brightly at the baby. "Ryan! You'll be called Ryan from now on. Do you like it?"
The baby, who had been playing with her finger, suddenly stopped and looked at Aria with a bright smile.
"I'll take that as a yes!" Aria squealed, jumping with joy.
Aron gently lifted Ryan from Aria's side and sat next to Alena. They both started playing with the baby when, suddenly, Ryan's eyes began glowing a bright blue. Strange golden symbols started to appear on the back of his hand.
Aron and Alena stared in shock.
"Husband, go call the physician!" Alena exclaimed in a panic.
Aron hurried outside and brought Liana back. She used her mana to examine Ryan but found nothing unusual.
"I think you should summon a priest. His body is perfectly healthy, but this might be related to divine magic—or a curse," Liana suggested after a while.
Aron immediately summoned the head butler and instructed him to invite the high priest from the nearest church as soon as possible.
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Meanwhile, in the depths of a dark forest...
A beautiful woman with purple hair and violet eyes stood silently, gazing at the empty space before her. (The time has finally come...) a voice echoed in her mind. The woman was one of the greatest mages on the entire continent of Syria, and her name was Malice.
She had come to the dark forest a year ago. This mysterious place, full of magical creatures and secrets, was ideal for someone like her. A few months back, she had started hearing a strange voice inside her head. At first, she was scared, but when the voice began teaching her about the nature of mana and dark magic, her excitement grew beyond control.
Now, Malice stared intently at the empty space where the voice had led her.
(I left my inheritance here a few hundred years ago. The time has come for my preparations to be revealed.)
"What time? Who are you?" Malice asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
(Heehee... Don't worry about such things. You'll find wonders beyond your wildest imagination.)
Suddenly, the mana in the forest began to gather in the empty space. The weather shifted, and the entire forest trembled as a massive mana storm raged.
The ground where Malice had been staring started to crack open, releasing a torrent of mana that split the earth and shot into the sky, forming a brilliant red pillar.
(It is awakening. Use the magic I taught you.)
Malice raised her hand toward the red pillar of mana and began chanting. The huge pillar rapidly shrank and condensed, causing the space around it to tremble. Finally, it morphed into a gate, tearing through the very fabric of reality.
Malice stood in awe, her eyes wide. "What kind of sorcery is this? How can someone control space?"
(Heehee... Just step inside. You're still just a frog at the bottom of a well.)
Ignoring the insult, Malice rushed toward the entrance, only to be sucked inside the space crack.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in the ruins of an ancient palace. Glowing golden runes lined the pillars and walls, casting a soft light around her. Malice reached out to touch one of the runes, and suddenly, she felt a rush of enlightenment.
"Hahahaha!" she laughed maniacally, her excitement overflowing as she gazed at the runes. "It's all mine! All this knowledge is mine! I'll become the strongest in the world!"
(Don't get too ahead of yourself. It will take years to master the knowledge from a single rune. The enlightenment you felt was due to a rare phenomenon.)
"Please! Tell me what caused it!" Malice pleaded.
(Heehee... You'll find out in time—maybe in a few years. Consider it a test from me.)
Malice calmed herself as the strange voice began to fade.
(I'll leave now. My task is complete. You can reopen the space crack using the same method, and it won't cause as much commotion as before.)
"Wait! I have more questions!" Malice yelled, but the voice was already gone.
"Ugh, damn it!" she cursed, trying to rein in her frustration.
'Something significant happened today that caused this revelation and my enlightenment,' she thought. 'If I can find the source...'
Her violet eyes glowed as a wicked grin spread across her face.
'Whatever you are—person, object, or something else—I will find you one day. Until then, enjoy your freedom.'
"Hahahahaha!" Malice's laughter echoed through the dark ruins as she closed the portal.
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