Aurelius sat silently, absorbing the words his father had just spoken. His family name was Valerius, a name known across the empire, evoking images of strength, fire, and loyalty. As he learned more, he realized that his family's reputation rested on their rare ability to summon creatures with exceptional growth potential. Though rare beasts were common among the House of Valerius, only a select few in their history had managed to bond with legendary creatures.
The Valerius family crest hung prominently on the walls and was etched into the columns of their grand hall. It was a fierce flame with a claw mark slashing through it, symbolizing the power and control Valerius summoners held over their beasts. It was an unmistakable mark of the family's pride and their elemental fire affinity.
As the firstborn of this noble house, Aurelius carried the weight of his family's legacy. He could sense it in the way his parents looked at him, in the careful words they chose. It was clear that expectations ran high.
Aurelius's father, Marcus Valerius, commanded respect in every sense. Tall and imposing, with an intensity that seemed to mirror his fire affinity, Marcus was a man who exemplified strength and control. His beast, an Infernal Panther with fur as dark as night and a fiery mane, prowled silently at his side. The panther was rarely seen, as Marcus often willed it within himself, using a sigil that burned brightly on his upper arm whenever he summoned or dismissed it. The sigil, a flame-like mark unique to Marcus and his panther, allowed him to channel their shared fire affinity, enhancing his power and control.
Aurelius's mother, Livia Valerius, was just as striking. She came from another noble house known for wind affinity, making her pairing with an Aether Serpent a powerful complement to her husband's fire. Livia's sigil, a flame mixed with faint, airy tendrils, appeared on her wrist whenever she summoned the serpent. Through the sigil, she could call forth her beast instantly, pulling it within herself or releasing it with effortless precision.
Both of his parents wielded their sigils with mastery, using them as conduits to access their beasts' abilities in battle and to communicate with their creatures seamlessly. They expected the same dedication and control from Aurelius when his time came to summon his own beast.
The House of Valerius was not limited to Aurelius's immediate family. His uncle Gaius Valerius was a formidable figure who had once served in the empire's elite guard. Gaius's Flame Hound, Ignis, was a beast of fierce loyalty and strength, reflecting his uncle's dedication to the family. Gaius's sigil was a mark of flame on his shoulder, allowing him to summon Ignis into battle or withdraw it as needed.
Aurelius also had several cousins, the most prominent of whom was Lucius Valerius, a young summoner known for his competitive nature. Though a few years older, Lucius had already shown signs of ambition that hinted at a future rivalry. Among the Valerius family, the strength and potential of one's beast were points of pride, and Aurelius could sense that Lucius would likely be both a challenge and a benchmark.
At the head of the family were Tiberius and Octavia Valerius, Aurelius's grandparents and the pillars of the Valerius house. Both had legendary beasts in their youth, and though they no longer summoned their creatures, they commanded immense respect within the family and beyond. Their presence was a constant reminder of the family's legacy and the high standards expected of each Valerius.
The Valerius estate was built in a distinctly Roman style, with towering pillars, wide courtyards, and elaborate mosaics decorating every hall. Scenes of legendary battles and mythical creatures were etched into the floors and walls, illustrating the family's proud heritage. Nobles dressed in traditional robes and armor marked with the family crest, a flame with a claw mark, signifying the power and control inherent in the Valerius bloodline.
Respect for hierarchy was woven into every aspect of Valerius life. Summoners who bore sigils held a revered status, and disrespecting another's sigil or bonded beast was considered a grave offense. Aurelius understood that a sigil was more than a symbol—it was a personal bond between a summoner and their beast, reflecting years of trust, discipline, and dedication.
Though everyone in noble society could summon a beast, it was customary to leave them outside when visiting homes other than one's own. Only trusted family members or close allies were permitted to bring their beasts indoors, and even then, summoners were expected to will their creatures inside and outside their bodies as needed using their sigils.
Beasts were expected to be calm and disciplined when interacting in public, a reflection of their summoner's control. A powerful, well-trained beast was a mark of honor, and the strength of one's bond was seen as an extension of their family's reputation.
After meeting his family members and observing the strength of their sigils and their beasts, Aurelius felt a mix of pride and pressure. He began to understand the significance of his position within the Valerius house. His family's name carried weight, and with it came the responsibility to summon a creature worthy of their legacy.
Determined to meet his family's standards, he resolved to train himself with discipline. He would build his stamina, strengthen his fire affinity, and prepare himself for the summoning ceremony that would come in six years. The thought of one day bearing a sigil of his own—a symbol of his bond with a beast that would reflect his ambitions—filled him with a fierce drive.
His curiosity about legendary beasts grew as he listened to his family's stories. The idea of summoning a rare or even legendary creature captivated him, and he made a silent vow to do everything in his power to achieve it. He wanted a sigil that would stand out, a beast that would make his family proud and cement his place in the legacy of the Valerius name.
For the first time since his rebirth, Aurelius felt fully rooted in his purpose. He wasn't just a bystander in this life; he was a Valerius, with a future to claim and a legacy to uphold.