**Vrendo Country**
**Sapire City**
Nearly six years had passed since Celestine adopted Von, and she was filled with joy, a feeling that had been absent for so long. Her emotions, long locked away after the loss of her husband and son, slowly returned when Von entered her life. Von was a lively and cheerful child, the only young one in the mansion, and he often spent his days playing with the mansion guards, who had become his closest companions.
~~
Under the watchful eye of their butler, Michael, Von began learning various combat skills—martial arts, spellcasting, and swordplay. However, Celestine had not allowed him to begin his cultivation training yet. A child's body could not form a "Mana Core" until they turned six years old.
The Awakening Ceremony, which took place when a child turned three, was the moment when their Mana Core could form. For humans, the Mana Core was only possible once they reached the age of six. For other races like elves, beastmen, and dwarves, their Mana Core would form at the age of ten. Dragons and demons, however, were born with their Mana Core already awakened. Vampires, on the other hand, only awakened their Mana Core after forming a bond with a partner or spouse.
For most cultivators, only one Mana Core would form during the Awakening Ceremony. The Mana Core was divided into two types: the "Mana Hearth" and the "Mana Brain." Most cultivators would only awaken one of these cores. However, some individuals with powerful bloodlines could awaken both Mana Cores, granting them extraordinary abilities.
[The information about cultivation will continue in the following chapters.]
"Lord Von, please be careful! Don't run down the stairs!" Alice called out, her maid outfit swishing as she hurried after Von, who was excitedly racing down the steps.
"I'm fine, Aunt Alice! I've grown up, and today's the Awakening Ceremony to form my Mana Core!" Von exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
He stood tall in his black suit and polished shoes. His hair was dark as night, and his eyes gleamed with a golden hue. Though he was only 1.2 meter tall, his eyes sparkled with excitement—today marked the day when he would begin his cultivation journey. After today, he would be able to cultivate his mana and use magic. Yes, magic! For Von, this was the moment he had been eagerly waiting for.
**Outside the Mansion**
A carriage adorned with the symbol of three crossed swords on either side stood outside the mansion, a sign of its owner's powerful heritage. Inside, a woman with blood-red hair sat elegantly in a crimson dress, her black high heels catching the light. This was none other than Celestine Fray.
Celestine, whose presence commanded respect and authority, had always been a figure of strength. As the adoptive mother of Von, she was preparing herself for the significant event ahead: Von's Awakening Ceremony. The ceremony would mark the next step in his journey to becoming a powerful cultivator.
Michael, the loyal butler, stood patiently by the side of the carriage, awaiting the arrival of Young Lord Von so they could depart for his Awakening Ceremony. Over the years, Michael had grown fond of Von. Despite being just a servant, Michael treated the boy with utmost respect and discipline during their lessons on fighting techniques. In return, Von had always been polite and respectful, something Michael deeply appreciated.
When Michael saw Von running excitedly toward the carriage, a smile tugged at his lips. Bowing slightly, he opened the carriage door and said with his usual composed demeanor, "Young Lord Von, if you please."
Von grinned brightly at the gesture, hopping into the carriage with uncontainable energy. "Thank you, Uncle Michael!" he said with genuine gratitude.
Michael nodded, his smile lingering as he carefully closed the door behind Von. He then mounted his horse with practiced ease, followed by Alice and Roan, who also climbed onto their horses. Both Alice and Roan were elite cultivators at the Emperor Rank. However, since they were traveling to the capital city of Vrendo Country, Cypote City, they suppressed their cultivation to the Master Rank to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Michael, too, suppressed his Deity Rank cultivation to the level of Grandmaster Rank. As for Celestine, who was already seated inside the carriage, there was no need for her to conceal her power. A cultivator of her level didn't need to worry about ordinary perceptions. Only one being in the entire realm could fathom the extent of her strength: the God of this realm.
Inside the carriage, Celestine observed her son with a soft smile. Watching Von dash toward her with such excitement made her heart swell with pride. It had been three years since she adopted him, and in that time, he had become her greatest source of joy.
"Mother!" Von called out as he jumped into her arms, wrapping himself around her like a little koala.
Celestine chuckled and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Look at this adorable child of mine, so thrilled for his Awakening Ceremony," she teased while gently pinching his cheek.
"Ouch! That stings, Mom!" Von exclaimed, holding his cheeks with both hands as he pouted.
Celestine burst into laughter, her joy filling the carriage. "You're too cute, Von," she said, planting a kiss on his forehead. Then, turning serious for a moment, she called out, "Michael, let's go."
"Yes, ma'am," Michael replied as the carriage began to move, the sound of wheels crunching softly against the gravel.
As the journey began, Von lay his head on his mother's lap, his earlier excitement dimming slightly. Celestine noticed the subtle shift and began stroking his hair to calm him.
"Von," she said gently, her voice filled with love and assurance, "remember what I told you. No matter the result of the Awakening Ceremony, Mama will always be proud of you. Even if you awaken only one core or one element of mana, you will still be my greatest treasure."
Von looked up at her, his golden eyes betraying a mix of excitement and nervousness. The weight of the ceremony, with its expectations and uncertainties, was starting to weigh on his young heart.
"Yes, Mother," he replied softly, his small smile revealing his determination despite his nerves.
Celestine continued to stroke his hair, her eyes full of warmth and confidence. She knew this was only the first step in a long journey for Von. No matter what the future held, she would stand by his side, her love and strength unwavering.
And so, the carriage continued its journey toward the grand capital of Cypote City.
~~~
After six long hours of travel, Von and his group finally arrived at the gates of the bustling Capital City, Cypote. From the front of the carriage, a massive city gate loomed, adorned with an intricate dragon emblem—a symbol that the city's lord belonged to the legendary dragon race.
The scene beyond the gates was lively and chaotic, with a long line of travelers waiting to enter. Various races mingled together, including dragons, demi-humans, elves, dwarves, and humans. Each had their own reasons for coming to the capital: merchants hoping to trade their wares, potion-makers and alchemists seeking rare ingredients, and a multitude of participants and spectators drawn by the grand Awakening Ceremony. The event was particularly significant this year, as one of those undergoing their awakening was a prince of Vrendo Country.
As Von's carriage approached the gate, guards moved to halt their passage. One of them, a gruff-looking man, stepped forward to check the incoming travelers. His eyes lingered on the carriage with suspicion as he barked out,
"State the name and clan of the one inside the carriage! What is your purpose for entering the city?"
Michael, riding a horse on the left side of the carriage, frowned at the guard's rude tone. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could respond, Roan, who rode on the right side, beat him to it.
"The one inside the carriage is my master, from the Frey Clan," Roan said calmly, her voice laced with subtle authority. "We come from the western region of Sapire City, and we have an official letter of recommendation from the Lord of Sapire City, permitting the heir of Clan Frey to participate in the Awakening Ceremony."
Her words were accompanied by a polite smile, though her tone left little room for argument.
The guard's frown deepened. He had assumed this was a carriage of commoners, given the seemingly small escort—only three individuals, two of whom appeared to be servants. Inwardly, the guard cursed his miscalculation; he had hoped to extort some bribes. However, the mention of a letter from the Sapire City Lord and the noble Frey Clan left him no choice.
With an annoyed grunt, the guard stepped aside, snorting disdainfully as he said, "Fine. You may enter."
"Thank you," Roan replied sweetly, her smile unwavering. She watched the guard with a knowing glint in her eyes. She understood his type all too well and knew there would be consequences later for his insolence.
As the carriage rolled past the gates and into the sprawling capital city, Von peeked out of the window, his golden eyes wide with awe at the grand sights awaiting him.