Chapter 2: Adjusting to a New World

I'm two years old now, and I can hardly believe how far I've come. It feels like just yesterday I was lying in that crib, struggling to make sense of this strange new world.

But I've adjusted quickly. I've learned to understand the language, bit by bit, and I can even speak a few words now. My parents are proud of me, and they've been teaching me all about the history and ethics of this world.

I've also recently gained the ability to walk, which has been a game-changer. I can explore the world around me, and I'm fascinated by everything I see.

Today, I learned something new about my family. We're not just any ordinary family - we're the Dukes of Valtorin. My father is a powerful man, and our family holds a significant amount of wealth and influence.

I also discovered that my mother's name is Princess Sofia, and she's the sister of the current king. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that - I'm a member of the royal family by marriage!

But what really impressed me was my father's story. He was a commoner, a merchant who rose to power through hard work and determination. He even married a royal family member - my mother!

I feel a sense of pride knowing that my father achieved so much on his own. He's a true inspiration, and I hope to follow in his footsteps one day.

As I prepare for my baptism at the cathedral in the capital, I feel a sense of excitement and wonder. I'm still learning about this world, but I'm eager to see what the future holds.

And as I look at my parents, I know that I'm loved and supported, no matter what challenges I may face.

As the day of my baptism approached, I could feel the excitement building up inside me. I had learned so much about the customs and traditions of this world, and I was eager to experience this important ritual.

The cathedral in the capital was a grand, imposing structure that seemed to touch the sky. Its stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and its stained glass windows filtered the sunlight, casting colorful patterns on the floor.

As we entered the grand cathedral, I could feel a strange, pulsating energy emanating from the air. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, and I sensed that this was a special place where one's magical abilities were awakened after baptism.

My parents, Duke Arin and Princess Sofia, walked beside me, their faces filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. They had explained to me that this ceremony was a crucial milestone in our kingdom's tradition, and that it would reveal my innate magical abilities.

We were greeted by Lord Ravenswood and his son, who were already waiting at the altar. Lord Ravenswood's smile seemed forced, and his voice lacked sincerity as he congratulated my parents on my upcoming baptism.

"Ah, Duke Arin, Princess Sofia, it's an honor to witness your son's baptism," Lord Ravenswood said, his tone dripping with false respect. "I'm sure he'll make a fine addition to our kingdom's noble families."

I sensed a hint of mockery behind his words, but my parents seemed to ignore it. We exchanged brief pleasantries before Lord Ravenswood and his son took their leave, their eyes gleaming with an air of superiority.

The ceremony began, and Lord Ravenswood's son was baptized first. As the priest poured the holy water over his head, a brilliant, sharp red glow erupted, signaling his affinity for fire magic. The crowd gasped in awe, and whispers of admiration spread throughout the cathedral.

"Ah, a true prodigy!" someone exclaimed. "That's the mark of a powerful fire mage!"

Lord Ravenswood's son boasted about his exceptional abilities, claiming he would become the strongest in history. The audience was captivated by his confidence, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of intimidation.

Then, it was my turn. As the priest poured the holy water over my head, I felt a strange sensation, like a spark igniting within me. But instead of a vibrant color, a dull, colorless glow appeared.

The crowd's reaction was starkly different from what I had just witnessed. Gasps of disappointment and whispers of pity filled the air. Lord Ravenswood's laughter echoed through the cathedral, his arrogance on full display.

"Ah, how... quaint," Lord Ravenswood sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "It seems the Duke's son has inherited his... limitations."

My father's face fell, and my mother's eyes welled up with tears. I felt a surge of confusion and embarrassment, unsure of what was happening.

The priest's expression was somber as he explained, "The colorless mana is a rare and... unpredictable phenomenon. It's been 12 centuries since we've seen a mana like this."

I felt like I was somehow broken, that I didn't measure up to the expectations of our kingdom's noble families.

As we left the cathedral, Lord Ravenswood's mocking laughter still lingered in my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had somehow failed, that I was unworthy.

But as I glanced at the colorless glow still surrounding me, I felt a spark of curiosity. What did this strange, colorless mana mean? And why did I feel an inexplicable sense of connection to it?

As we walked away from the cathedral, I could sense my parents' disappointment and worry. My father's usual strong demeanor was replaced by a look of concern, while my mother's eyes were red from holding back tears.

I felt a pang of sadness, knowing that I had somehow let them down. But as I looked at the colorless mana still surrounding me, I felt a spark of determination. I was going to prove myself, no matter what.

We returned to our family's territory, a grand estate that seemed to stretch on forever. The journey was quiet, with my parents lost in their own thoughts.

As we arrived at the estate, I could sense the weight of my parents' expectations. They had hoped that I would inherit my mother's powerful fire magic, or at least display some semblance of magical prowess.

But instead, I had been revealed to have the weakest mana in the kingdom. The colorless mana was a rare and unpredictable phenomenon, and many saw it as a curse rather than a blessing.

I felt like I was walking around with a target on my back, waiting for others to mock me or belittle me. But I was determined to prove them wrong.

As I looked up at my parents, I saw the faintest glimmer of hope in their eyes. They believed in me, even if no one else did.

And with that thought, I steeled myself for the challenges ahead. I would prove myself, no matter what it took.

But little did I know, my journey was only just beginning. The whispers of "useless mana" and "weakling" would follow me for years to come, and I would have to fight tooth and nail to prove my worth.

And as I walked away from the cathedral, I felt the weight of my destiny settling upon me. I was Kaidën, the son of Duke Arin and Princess Sofia, and I would not be defined by my weaknesses.