The room was grand, almost overwhelming in its opulence, like something out of a fairy tale or a royal palace from an age long past. As I lay there, staring up at the intricately painted ceiling, I heard a voice from somewhere in the distance. "Sir, madam, it's a boy, and he is so cute." The words echoed in my ears, but they didn't make sense at first. I blinked, trying to piece together what was happening.
Before I could fully process the situation, I heard footsteps approaching. A man, probably in his thirties, strode toward me with an air of authority. He had a strong presence, his eyes sharp and commanding. Without hesitation, he scooped me into his arms, his voice warm but firm as he said, "My son is adorable. He will be a great mage like his father."
I froze. His son? I wanted to ask what was happening, but no words came out. My voice was tiny, nonexistent. I couldn't speak. Before I could even begin to process this, another voice chimed in—soft, gentle, and full of love. "Enough of that," the voice said. "Hand him over to me."
The man—my father, I realized—reluctantly passed me to the woman who had spoken. She was beautiful, with long black hair that cascaded down her shoulders and striking blue eyes that seemed to hold the warmth of the sun. She cradled me gently, her gaze filled with an indescribable tenderness. "He's perfect," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "What should we name him?"
After a moment of contemplation, they decided on the name Rave. My mother smiled, clearly pleased with the choice, and placed me back in the cradle. I lay there, my mind racing. Who are these people? Why do they think I'm their son? And why do I feel so… small? The realization hit me like a tidal wave: I had been reincarnated. But into what? A world of kings and warriors? A world where magic existed? The questions swirled in my mind, but I had no way to voice them. I was helpless, trapped in the body of an infant.
Days turned into weeks, and I began to piece together the world I had been reborn into. This was the kingdom of Drodia, a land ruled by four powerful families: Gallant, Ischyros, Sapien, and Fidelis. My father, the man who had held me that first day, was the head of the Gallant family. That made me part of one of the most influential families in the kingdom. "Not bad", I thought, though I couldn't help but feel a pang of unease. Power came with responsibility, and I wasn't sure I would be ready for that in the future.
The most exciting discovery, though, was that magic was real here. The families maintained their dominance not just through political manoeuvring but through their mastery of magic. I couldn't wait to learn more about it. The idea of wielding power, of bending the elements to my will, filled me with a sense of anticipation I hadn't felt in… well, ever.
A month passed, and I found myself growing frustrated. I didn't have a "system" like the protagonists in the novels I used to read. No convenient interface, no cheat codes, and no shortcuts. Just me, my tiny body, and a world full of unknowns. I spent hours in my room, trying to sense the mana that supposedly flowed through everything. It was exhausting, and I made little progress. But I refused to give up. If I was going to survive in this world, I needed to become stronger—stronger than anyone else.
By the time my fifth birthday arrived, I had made some progress. I could conjure a small fireball, though I kept it a secret. If anyone found out, they'd probably label me a prodigy, and I wasn't ready for that kind of attention. My father, however, had other plans. He organized a grand banquet to celebrate my birthday, inviting the king, the other family heads, and their children. It was a lavish affair, and I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed as I entered the hall.
The room was breathtaking, filled with light and colour. I had never seen anything like it, not even in my past life. My father introduced me to the guests, his voice booming with pride. "This is my son, Rave. He is five this year. I hope you all enjoy the banquet."
As the evening progressed, I found myself surrounded by the children of the other families. Lucia, the princess, approached me with an air of arrogance that made me want to roll my eyes. "I'm Lucia," she said, her tone haughty. "You better talk to me respectfully." I thanked her politely, but I couldn't help feeling annoyed. Great, a spoiled princess. Just what I needed.
Eren, the son of the Sapien family, was a welcome reprieve. He was friendly and easygoing, and I felt a sense of relief as we chatted. Evelyn from the Fidelis family, on the other hand, was cold and distant, while the girl from the Ischyros family—blonde hair, red eyes, and a sharp tongue—made it clear she had no interest in getting along with me. Fine by me, I thought. I didn't need her approval.
The highlight of the evening came when an old man entered the hall, and the room seemed to hold its breath. His long, flowing white beard and the aura of power radiating from him commanded instant respect, as though the very air bent to his will. My father, with a tone of reverence, introduced him as the head mage of the kingdom—a ninth-circle magician and one of the most formidable individuals in all of Drodia. My heart raced at the mere sight of him, a living legend standing before me.
As the banquet drew to a close, the hall emptied, leaving only the King, the mage, and three other family heads in attendance. The atmosphere grew tense, charged with anticipation. Then, the mage turned his gaze toward me, his eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and something deeper, almost like he could see into the very core of my being. My stomach fluttered with a mix of excitement and nervousness as he approached.
"Let's see what type of magic you're compatible with," he said, his voice calm yet brimming with authority. He gently took my hand and placed it on a glowing orb that pulsed with an otherworldly light. My breath hitched as I felt a strange warmth spread through my fingers, and I couldn't help but wonder—what secrets would this moment reveal? The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the orb, the mage, and the weight of destiny hanging in the air.
Suddenly, the orb lit up, cycling through six dazzling colours: red, green, yellow, blue, white, and black. Each hue shimmered brighter than the last, casting a kaleidoscope of light across the room. The air grew thick with tension, and an eerie silence fell over everyone present. Even the mage, a man who had surely witnessed countless wonders, seemed utterly stunned. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he appeared at a loss for words.
"This… this is unprecedented," he murmured, his voice trembling with a mix of awe and disbelief. "Compatibility with all six types of magic… I've never seen anything like it." His words hung in the air, heavy with significance. My heart pounded in my chest, a whirlwind of emotions crashing over me—pride, fear, wonder, and a dawning realization that my life was about to change forever. The room felt electric as if the very fabric of fate had shifted, and I stood at the centre of it all, unsure of what this revelation would mean for me.
My father's pride was palpable, but I noticed the king's expression darken for a brief moment before he forced a smile. The mage's words echoed in my mind: prodigy, genius, unprecedented. But with that power came danger. My father pulled me aside later, his voice serious. "You must hide your abilities, Rave. Never let anyone know you're compatible with more than three types of magic. The world isn't ready for someone like you."
I nodded, understanding the weight of his words. But as I lay in bed that night, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to become far more complicated than I had ever imagined. And then, as if on cue, a voice broke the silence in my room. "I've been waiting for you these five years."
I sat up, my heart racing. Standing before me was… something. Something I couldn't quite explain. And just like that, my journey truly began.