Rein finished his rigorous workout in the castle's training courtyard, sweat glistening on his brow as he stretched his arms. His routine had grown more intense lately; his focus was not only on physical strength but sharpening his discipline and endurance.
As he was about to head back to his chambers, two familiar figures approached him. Prince Leopold, the fourth prince and Rein's intellectual rival, moved with an air of calm, his sharp eyes analyzing every detail around him.
Beside him was Prince Victor, the fifth prince, who walked a step behind, his reserved demeanor making him almost blend into the background.
Rein glanced at them, his curiosity piqued.
"Need something, brothers?" he asked, his tone casual but watchful.
Leopold, hands clasped behind his back, regarded Rein with a faint smirk. "Word around the castle is that you solved Sultan Sahira's infamous math problem."
Rein shrugged.
"I did. It wasn't that difficult." Leopold raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Interesting. That problem stumped even the brightest minds of the royal academy."
Victor, standing quietly beside Leopold, finally spoke, his voice soft but sincere. "I think it's amazing, Rein. Not many could do what you did."
Leopold's smirk grew wider, a glimmer of competition in his eyes.
"Amazing? Or lucky? Let's see if it wasn't just a fluke. How about a contest of intelligence?"
Rein raised an eyebrow at Leopold's challenge but couldn't help the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, brother, what kind of contest are we talking about?"
Leopold's eyes gleamed as he began to pace. "A series of tests. One on mathematics, one on logic, one on magical theory, and the last—a practical challenge involving alchemical knowledge."
Victor, standing off to the side, hesitated. "That seems… a bit excessive. Can't you just keep it simple?"
Leopold shook his head. "The measure of intelligence lies in adaptability and breadth of knowledge. Rein's solved one problem, but let's see how he fares across disciplines."
"Fine," Rein said, rolling his shoulders. "Let's do it. What's the first challenge?"
MathematicsThe three brothers moved to the library, where Leopold presented a series of problems. Complex equations sprawled across the parchment, some dealing with abstract theories Rein had never seen before.
Rein, unfazed, dove into the equations with sharp focus. His pen danced across the parchment as he derived solutions with precision.
Leopold kept a watchful eye, his expression tightening as Rein breezed through the first few problems. When the results were compared, Leopold frowned. "Impressive," he admitted. "You solved them faster than I expected. But let's see how you handle the next one."
Logic for the logic test, Leopold prepared riddles and puzzles, ranging from visual patterns to abstract reasoning.
"Imagine you are in a room with two doors," Leopold began, "one leads to safety, and the other to certain death. Each door has a guard. One always tells the truth, and the other always lies. You can ask one question. What do you ask to determine the safe door?"
Rein didn't even blink. "I'd ask either guard, 'If I asked the other guard which door leads to safety, what would they say?' Then, I'd go through the opposite door."
Victor's jaw dropped.
"How did you know that so fast?"Rein shrugged. "I've read similar riddles before."Leopold gritted his teeth but nodded in approval.
Magical TheoryThe magical theory portion tested their understanding of spell mechanics, mana flow, and ancient magical scripts. Leopold quizzed Rein on the fundamentals of spell creation and manipulation.
"What's the primary cause of spell decay in long-term enchantments?" Leopold asked.
"Mana destabilization due to external interference or the absence of a consistent mana source," Rein replied instantly. Leopold paused, then nodded. "Correct."
The questions grew harder, but Rein continued to answer with confidence. By the end of the round, Leopold was visibly irritated.
Alchemy PracticalThe final test involved crafting a simple alchemical potion. Leopold chose an intermediate recipe, thinking it would trip up Rein. The task required precise measurements and timing, as well as an understanding of alchemical reactions.
Rein followed the recipe methodically, recalling the steps from books he'd read in his free time. By the end, his potion was not only complete but more refined than Leopold's.
Victor clapped softly. "I think it's clear who won."
Rein smiled at his reserved brother before turning to Leopold. "Don't feel bad. You're still really good at this stuff."
Leopold crossed his arms, his pride bruised but intact. "You're better than I expected, but I'm not done improving. One day, I'll surpass you."
Crest DiscussionsAs the competition ended, Rein turned to his brothers, his curiosity piqued.
"What are your crests, by the way?" Leopold straightened up, his competitive nature fading into a rare moment of pride. "My crest is Alchemy. It gives me an innate understanding of chemical and magical reactions, allowing me to create potions and enchantments far beyond what most can achieve." He paused, his eyes gleaming. "I've decided to follow the path of the Archmage. Combining magic and alchemy is the ultimate goal."
Victor, quiet as always, hesitated before speaking. "Mine is Shadow Magic. It lets me manipulate darkness, bending it to my will. It's subtle, but effective. I'll also pursue the Archmage path."
Rein nodded, fascinated. "How does the process of getting a crest work? I'll be turning eight next year, so I need to know what to expect."
Leopold's expression softened slightly as he began to explain.
"To receive your crest, you'll go to the temple. The process takes place in a sacred chamber called the Hall of Revelation. It's a dark, circular room illuminated by a single magical orb at its center.
You'll sit there, alone, meditating for hours as the orb reads your essence." "The orb?" Rein asked, intrigued.
"It's a divine artifact," Leopold said. "It scans your potential and manifests your crest if you have one. But not everyone receives a crest. If you don't have one by your twelfth birthday, you'll be considered a 'Nullborn.'"
"Nullborn?" Rein tilted his head. Victor answered softly. "It's what they call people without crests. It's not the end of the world, but…"
"It makes life harder," Leopold interjected. "Nullborn individuals grow at a much slower pace.
They have to rely on sheer hard work and talent to keep up with those who have crests. The process is grueling."
"Why does it happen?" Rein asked. "Mostly because of money," Leopold admitted, his voice tinged with disdain. "The church requires a hefty donation for the ceremony. If a family can't afford it, the child doesn't get their chance. Some Nullborns may have had the potential for a crest but never got to find out. Of course, that's not an issue for us. We're royalty."
Rein's expression grew thoughtful. "That doesn't seem fair."
"It's not," Victor said quietly. "But it's the way of the world."
Leopold clapped a hand on Rein's shoulder, smirking. "You don't have to worry about that, though. With your talent, I'm sure you'll get a crest."
Rein nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "I'll make sure of it. I'll make sure I'm ready." Victor smiled faintly.
"We believe in you, little brother."
For the first time, Rein felt a sense of camaraderie with his elder brothers, a bond strengthened by their shared challenges and aspirations. Though they each walked different paths, they all carried the weight of their royal lineage. Rein was determined not only to keep up but to surpass them all.