Chapter 2: Adjusting to a New World

I'm two year old now, and I can hardly understand how much bigger I am. It feels like it was just the other day that I was squashed into this crib, trying to wrap my head around this crazy new world.

But I've adapted well enough. I've learned the language, step by step, and I can speak a little for myself now. My parents are proud of me, and they've been teaching me all this world's history and morals.

I have also learned to walk recently, and it changed my life. I can see the world, and I am surprised at everything.

I found out something about my family today and knew nothing about it. We're not your ordinary family at all - we're the Dukes of Valtorin. My father is a very powerful man, and my family is wealthy and powerful.

I also discovered that my mother was born Princess Sofia and that she is a king's daughter, the last and only female child of the king.

I am still in shock about that one - I am reincarnated into royalty!

Maybe not royalty royalty, but still Royalty!!!

The biggest secret I discovered was about my dad's past. He was a commoner, a businessman who had reached such heights after sheer willpower and determination. He even married a princess - my mom!

I am so glad to know that my father did all this by himself. He is my hero, and anything to become like him one day.

Here waiting to be baptized in the capital city's cathedral, I am excited and surprised. I am still learning this world, but I am ready to learn what the future has in store for me.

And to be able to see my parents, I am convinced that I am loved and taken care of no matter what happens to me.

When the baptism day drew near, I was restless. I had learned so much about the rituals and traditions of this world, and I was anxious to be a part of this grand ritual.

The capital city's cathedral was a high, magnificent building that appeared to reach the clouds. It was made of stone walls adorned with complex patterns and stained glass windows that cast a filter on the sunbeams, creating kaleidoscopic rainbows on the floor.

When we entered the enormous cathedral, I felt an eerie, pulsating energy around me. There was anticipation in the air, and I felt that it was a sacred place where a person's magic was unleashed as soon as the person was baptized.

My father, Duke Arin, and mother, Princess Sofia, were also there, their faces half nervous and half excited. They had informed me that this ritual was a part of our kingdom's tradition and would unlock my own secret magical abilities.

We were greeted at the altar by son and Lord Ravenswood, who had been waiting. Lord Ravenswood's smile was tense, and his congratulations to my parents on my baptism were forced.

"Ah, Duke Arin, Princess Sofia, it is an honor to be in your presence at your son's baptism," said Lord Ravenswood, his voice thick with feigned respect. "I am sure he will be an excellent addition to the noble houses of our kingdom.".

I caught a hint of sarcasm in his voice, but my parents didn't catch it. We chatted politely as Lord Ravenswood and his son departed, their eyes burning with superiority.

****

The ritual commenced, and Lord Ravenswood's son was christened first. As the priest poured holy water on his head, there was a vivid, burning red flash, which indicated his natural fire magic aptitude. Everyone was shocked, and they gasped in wonder, as words of gratitude rippled through the cathedral.

"A real prodigy!" someone uttered. "That is evidence of a strong fire mage!"

Lord Ravenswood's son declared that he was the best and would be the best of all time. He surprised us all with his attitude, and I was surprised to some degree.

Then came my turn. When the priest poured holy water on my head, I felt the same weird sensation, like a spark was ignited within me. There was not a light color, but a pale, colorless glow.

The reaction of the crowd was the reverse of mine. There were horrified gasps of breath and sympathetic soft murmurs. Lord Ravenswood's scornful laughter rang through the cathedral, his bare pride exposed to everyone's view.

"Ahhh, how sweet," Lord Ravenswood sneered, his voice thick with contempt. "It would seem the Duke's son has inherited his. failures."

My father's face fell, and my mother's eyes welled up with tears. I was confused and embarrassed and did not know what was happening.

The priest's face remained unchanged as he went on to say, "The colorless mana is a rare and unstable occurrence. We have not encountered a mana like this one in 12 centuries."

I used to believe I was imperfect, that I was disappointing the nobles of our kingdom's expectations.

As we left the cathedral, Lord Ravenswood's derisive laughter rang in my head. I couldn't help but feel a sense of failure, a sense of worthlessness.

But gazing upon that colorless light still present about me, I couldn't help but be shocked with that feeling of wonder. What was this colorless mana? And why did I experience that queer, unknown sense of familiarity with it?

As we were departing the cathedral with my dad, I sensed the disappointment and worry of my parents. My dad's solemn face then turned into a worried one, and my mom's eyes were red-rimmed from an effort not to cry.

I was attacked with disappointment at realizing I'd let them down in some way. But on seeing the lifeless mana that still clung to me, I had an outburst of determination. I was going to get past this, come hell or high water.

We travelled back to our family manor, a giant piece of property that just never seemed to end. The trip was quiet, my parents each lost in thought.

By the time I reached the estate, I could feel my parents' anticipation. All of them had wished that I would inherit the ferocious fire magic of their mother, or at least something of magical potential.

But, to my bad luck, I ended up having the lowest of mana levels in the whole kingdom. Mana of no color simply translated to it being unpredictable and an occasional occurrence, and to everyone in the world was a curse and not a blessing.

I sat at the middle of the pieces, just waiting for people to mock and ridicule me. But I was ready to break them all.

If I looked into my parents' eyes, there was only a spark of hope that shone in their eyes. They believed in me, though nobody else would.

And I knew this, I prepared myself for what was ahead. I was going to succeed, whatever it was.

But I did not know, my journey had just started. "Weakling" and "worthless mana" taunts would plague me in the future, and I would fight tooth and nail to become somebody.

And once I had emerged from the cathedral, I bore the burden of my destiny upon my shoulders. I am Kaidën Valtorin, the son of Duke Arin Valtorin, and Princess Sofia's son, and I would not be a prisoner to my weakness.Lee Jung-ho the former South Korea's minister of finance, is not weak!

To be continued....