POV: Jimmy Welton
The chamber remained silent long after the magic faded.
Broken fragments of the shattered platform lay scattered across the floor, but no one moved to clean them. The air still felt tense, heavy with unspoken fear.
I rested quietly in my mother's arms, my eyes half-closed.
But I was listening.
The elderly priest— the same man who had announced my birth—finally broke the silence.
"My Lord Duke," he said carefully, "what has been revealed today must be treated with the utmost caution."
The two court mages nodded in agreement.
"Pure Mana Aptitude is not a blessing that can be announced freely," one of them added. "If word spreads, the consequences will be… unpredictable."
Duchess Elinora tightened her hold on me.
"Are you saying our son is in danger?" she asked, her voice trembling.
The priest hesitated.
"Yes, my Lady."
Duke Halfthōr Welton stood still, his expression cold and unreadable.
"Explain," he ordered.
The priest took a slow breath.
"Those with Pure Mana Aptitude are not bound by elements. They can reshape magic itself. Kingdoms desire such power. The church fears it. And darker forces…"
He paused.
"…seek to control or eliminate it."
The Duke's eyes sharpened.
"So if this becomes public," he said calmly, "my son will become a target."
"Yes," the priest replied. "Immediately."
Silence fell again.
I could feel my mother's heartbeat through her chest—fast and uneven.
So that's how it is, I thought.
Even power invites danger.
Then—
The Duke turned.
"Today's result will not leave this room."
Everyone froze.
The mages stared at him in shock.
"My Lord?" one asked.
The Duke's voice was firm.
"We will report that my son possesses single-element water affinity, above average but not exceptional."
The priest's eyes widened.
"That would be… falsifying church records."
"I am aware," the Duke said coldly. "House Welton will bear the responsibility."
He stepped closer to my mother and placed a hand gently on my head.
"My son will grow in secret," he continued. "No announcements. No further tests. No unnecessary attention."
Duchess Elinora looked up at him.
"And if the church questions this?" she asked.
The Duke's gaze hardened.
"Then they will question me."
The room fell completely silent.
The elderly priest lowered his head.
"…Very well," he said softly. "I will alter the record myself. The truth of Jimmy Welton's aptitude will be sealed."
The mages followed suit, bowing deeply.
"We swear silence," they said in unison.
Soon, everyone left.
The chamber returned to stillness.
Only my parents and I remained.
My mother gently brushed her fingers across my cheek, her eyes filled with worry.
"Halfthōr," she whispered, "are we doing the right thing?"
The Duke looked down at me.
For a moment, his stern expression softened.
"I will not let the world decide my son's fate," he said quietly. "Not until he is strong enough to choose it himself."
I met his gaze.
Though my body was that of a baby, my mind understood perfectly.
So this is my shield, I thought.
My father.
I closed my eyes.
Very well.
I'll grow quietly.
And when the time comes…
I won't need protection anymore.
End of Chapter 4