Night fell slowly over the territory of the Rodieck family.
The sky stretched vast and deep—dark, filled with stars that flickered like eyes watching from afar. The night wind blew gently, carrying the scent of earth and a faint trace of magic.
Yet beneath that calm…
The main residence of the Rodieck family was never truly silent.
Today was different.
There was something in the air. Something unseen, yet strong enough to change everything. The servants moved faster, their steps hurried yet controlled. Their voices were lower, as if afraid of disturbing something not yet formed. At every corner of the corridors, knights stood on guard, their hands never far from the hilts of their swords.
Their eyes were sharp. Alert.
As if waiting for a threat that had yet to appear.
In the main hall—
The elders of the family gathered in a circle.
Their voices were low, filled with deliberation, discussing the same thing.
"Awakening."
A single word.
Yet heavy enough to determine the fate of an entire generation.
I stood by the window of my room. Silent. Watching outside.
The vast courtyard below was illuminated by floating magic lamps. A soft blue light blanketed the garden, pathways, and the training grounds.
Tomorrow…
That place would not be empty.
Children from both the main family and the branches would gather.
All would be judged.
Including me.
"Are you nervous?"
The voice came from behind me. Soft, yet clear.
I slowly turned.
My mother stood there.
Her hair was long, black like the night. Her face was gentle and graceful, yet her eyes were sharp, filled with intelligence and something deeper. Her gaze pierced through, as if she could see beyond the surface.
I looked at her for a few seconds.
Then slowly shook my head.
"…no."
My answer was short. But honest.
She smiled faintly.
"Good."
Her steps were calm as she approached. Every movement was composed, controlled, as if nothing in this world could shake her. Her hand lifted, gently brushing my head.
Warm.
But behind that warmth… there was something else.
I raised my gaze and looked into her eyes.
And there… I saw it.
Expectation.
Not an ordinary one.
A heavy expectation. A demanding one.
As if she wanted something from me. Something even I didn't fully understand yet.
"No matter what the result is tomorrow…"
She paused briefly.
"…you are still our child."
I fell silent.
Those words sounded warm. They should have been comforting.
But in this world—I knew the truth wasn't that simple.
I didn't respond.
Because I understood.
Everyone understood.
The result of the awakening determined everything. Status. Power. Influence. Future.
In the world of nobles, strength is not a choice.
It is an obligation.
And in a family like Rodieck—
Failure is not something that can be accepted.
My mother smiled once more, softer this time. More… human.
She withdrew her hand.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
I nodded.
She turned and walked away. The door opened, then closed softly.
And I… was alone again.
Silence filled the room.
I stood still for a moment, listening to the sound of my own heartbeat. Then slowly, I walked to the center of the room and sat down.
Taking a deep breath.
Closing my eyes.
And as the outside world faded—
I felt it again.
Aura.
Flowing gently within my body, like calm water. Yet beneath that calm… lay immense and profound power.
Mana rotated.
Again and again. Without end.
I slowly raised my hand. Opening my palm.
Focus.
Just a little… I loosened control.
Whoosh—
The air around me trembled. Almost invisible, yet real. The magic lamps in the corner flickered. Shadows on the walls shifted.
I immediately stopped.
Everything returned to stillness.
Silence.
As if nothing had ever happened.
But my breathing grew heavier.
"…too dangerous."
I stared at my hand.
Small. Weak.
Yet the power within it… was far from normal.
If someone saw it…
If someone noticed…
I clenched my fist.
Everything could end.
I lowered my head.
And the memory came again.
A shattered world. A cracked sky. The earth split apart. Fire and destruction everywhere.
And in the midst of it—
Two figures stood facing each other.
One held a sword. His aura was sharp, as if it could cut the world itself.
The other was wrapped in magic. Circles upon circles rotated around him.
A power beyond comprehension.
"…Sword God…"
I whispered softly.
"…Circle 10…"
Those two words felt heavy. As if they carried a meaning far beyond my understanding.
Was it real?
Or just a dream?
I didn't know.
But one thing was certain—
The power within me was not something a child my age should possess.
I opened my eyes. Slowly stood up.
My steps brought me before the mirror.
A small child stared back.
Thin body. Innocent face.
Nothing special.
But behind it—
Something was hidden.
Waiting.
I raised my hand, touching the surface of the mirror.
Cold. Real.
"…I will not be weak."
My voice was soft, yet firm.
Outside, the night wind grew stronger. Clouds began to cover the stars. As if the world itself was holding its breath.
Tomorrow—
Everything begins.
The awakening. The judgment. The beginning of a path with no return.
I closed my eyes once more.
But this time… I didn't hold back.
I let everything flow.
Aura. Mana. Power.
All pulsing.
Alive.
"…I will change it."
Not just my life.
But the entire continent of Alteria.
The night grew deeper.
And when dawn finally breaks—
This world… will never be the same again.