The First Step Beyond

6 years had passed.

At eight years old, I had grown used to life in the citadel. I was a bit skinny, with pale skin that seemed to glow faintly in the icy light of the frost-carved walls. My emerald-green eyes stood out sharply against my fair complexion, framed by long black hair that fell just to my neck, often tangling and refusing to stay in place. By the time I turned four, I had begun exploring Frostfang Citadel, the ancestral home of the Noctis family and its subordinates.

The citadel was an endless maze of beauty, its frost-carved walls glowing faintly with ancient runes. The air seemed alive, humming softly with magic. It was a place of wonder, but it also reminded me just how little I truly understood the world I called home.

Over the years, I had come to know both the relatives and subordinates who filled the citadel. My relatives, including cousins, aunts, and uncles, were ever-present, often judging me with varying degrees of interest or disapproval. Meanwhile, the subordinates kept the citadel running, their presence constant yet quiet, like the pulse of Frostfang, the mana-rich region where the Noctis family resides and rule.

There was an unspoken rule among the noble bloodlines: subordinates were not equals. My cousins reminded me of this often, their superiority as ingrained as the Noctis crest they wore.

"Ali," one cousin had said, falling into step beside me during a quiet walk. "You shouldn't spend so much time around the subordinates. They serve us, yes, but you must remember their place."

She continued, her voice heavy with condescension. "Their blood is not like ours. They may act respectful, but they'll never understand what it means to carry the legacy of Noctis. You shouldn't let yourself get too close. It's unbecoming."

Her words, as always, were predictable and irritating. To me, whether they were my relatives or the subordinates, they were all the same. Just people. The only ones who truly mattered were my parents and my brother, Aron.

Aron, however, had left the citadel two years ago to study at an academy in the central region, leaving me as the sole focus of my mother's attention. His departure made the citadel feel quieter.

Everyone else existed at the edges of my life, amusing at best and forgettable at worst.

Still, that didn't mean I couldn't have fun with them.

For years, I entertained myself by observing and occasionally pestering those around me. I wasn't about to let my lack of a magic affinity stop me from admiring, or more precisely, evaluating everyone else's abilities. After all, I needed something to make the wait for my awakening more bearable.

One memory stood out in particular. I was seven at the time, and my target was an unprepared maid carrying a tray of linens. A Rank II Specialist, if I remembered correctly.

"Show me your magic!" I had said, planting myself in the hallway with my arms spread wide.

The maid froze, blinking at me as if I'd lost my mind. "Young lord, I'm in the middle of work..."

I waved off her protests and grinned. "Come on, just one spell. Something fun. You're a Specialist, aren't you? This should be easy."

With a sigh of resignation, she set the tray down and rolled up her sleeves, clearly accustomed to indulging my nonsense. "Very well," she said, her tone resigned. "But don't complain if it's nothing dramatic."

I crossed my arms, pretending to be a serious critic. "I'm not a complainer. Go ahead. Impress me."

She closed her eyes, summoning her mana with practiced ease. I watched as a faint gust formed at her feet, gathering the dust from the floor into a spiral. The twister grew larger, sharp and controlled, pulling in debris without disturbing the linens on her tray. With careful precision, she guided the whirlwind down the hall and around the corner before raising her hand. The twister dissipated into harmless wisps of air, leaving the corridor spotless.

"There," she said, brushing her hands off. "Useful enough for you, young lord?"

I rubbed my chin dramatically, pretending to think it over. "Hmm, good control. Practical application gets points. But..." I raised an eyebrow, hiding my grin. "A cleaning spell? Really? Where's the fun in that? Add some sparks next time."

Even now, years later, I could still picture the smirk she gave me as she picked up her tray and walked away.

It wasn't flashy magic like the fire and frost my relatives loved to show off, but there was something elegant about it. The way she bent the mana to her will with such natural precision left an impression on me.

Perhaps I would start small like that when my time came. Or maybe I'd skip straight to the big leagues. Either way, I'd be ready when my awakening arrived.

But today was different. My family and I were leaving the citadel. It was finally time for the Frostbond Ceremony, a rite of passage for young members of the Noctis bloodline.

The ceremony was meant to solidify our bond with the mana-rich lands of the Frostfang, binding us to its power and heritage. Through it, we would claim our place as heirs to the frozen north. For some, the overwhelming mana of the Frostspire Glaciers could even trigger their magic awakening. After all, it was one of the three ways to awaken a magic affinity, a Lucky Awakening, where exposure to mana-rich environments could ignite the latent potential within one's soul. To the Noctis family, the Frosbond was more than tradition. It was a symbol of our dominance over these icy lands and the mana that surged through them.

Today wasn't just another day in Frostfang Citadel. It was the day I would finally step beyond its frost-carved walls and into the heart of the Frostspire, where the mana of generations had flowed. For the first time in my life, I would see the land that had shaped my family's legacy.

Even though I hadn't awakened yet, the possibility lingered in the back of my mind, tugging at my thoughts. Would the Frostspire's mana choose me today? Or would I leave the ceremony, still waiting for my time to come?

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts as I adjusted the fastening of the heavy cloak draped over my shoulders. The frostwood door eased open, and my mother stepped inside, her serene presence filling the quiet room. She wore a long, dark cloak trimmed with shimmering silver fur, the Noctis crest embroidered in intricate detail on the clasp at her chest. The fabric flowed behind her, brushing softly against the frost-carved floor.

Her pale features held the same flawless, icy beauty our family was known for, but her emerald eyes softened as they rested on me.

"Son," she said gently, her voice warm despite its regal tone. "Are you ready? You're finally old enough to leave these walls, just like you always wanted."

I hesitated, adjusting the silver clasp of my own ceremonial cloak to busy my hands. The cloak was a deep frost-blue, edged with white fur that shimmered faintly in the light. "I think so mother... I mean, I've been waiting for this for as long as I can remember."

She crossed the room, standing behind me to straighten the folds of my cloak and readjust the way it hung across my back. "This is more than just leaving the citadel, Ali," she said, meeting my eyes in the mirror. "The Frostfang is vast and unforgiving, but it is our legacy. Today, you'll take your first steps into that legacy. No matter what happens, remember you are a Noctis."

I nodded, trying to steady my thoughts. "Do you think it'll happen? That I'll awaken today?"

Her hands paused briefly on my shoulder before she smiled, her expression kind but unreadable. "The Frostspire's mana has a way of choosing when the moment is right. But whatever happens, this day will be yours." She leaned down and pressed a brief kiss on the top of my head. "Now come. Your father is waiting. It's time."

As I followed her through the citadel's frost-carved corridors, my heart pounded. My ceremonial cloak swept softly behind me, the fur-lined edges warming my neck and shoulders as I adjusted it for the hundredth time. Outside, the frost-covered world awaited, vast and untamed. It was the day I would leave the only home I had ever known and stand before the Everlight Obelisks.

Whatever happened, I was ready, because today wasn't just about magic. It was about proving I belonged.