Alice Pov

  *Four months.*

  Four months since I'd been reborn into this world, and I was *still* trapped in this helpless, infant body.

  I could move my arms and legs now—an improvement over the blob phase—but that was about it. Walking? Forget it. Talking? Only babbling. Even sitting up required help from the maids.

  *Being a baby is the worst.*

  I lay in my crib, staring at the enchanted mobile spinning lazily above me. Tiny crystal birds circled in an endless loop, chiming softly. Magic was everywhere in this world—woven into the furniture, the walls, even the *toys.*

  And yet, I was powerless.

  The thought twisted in my chest, sharp and frustrating.

  "Oh, you're awake, my dear Elena!"

  My mother's voice was warm as sunlight. She swept into the room, blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, and scooped me up with practiced ease.

  I couldn't help but relax slightly in her arms. Duchess Seraphina had a presence that made you feel *safe*—like nothing in the world could harm you as long as she was near.

  "Let's get you ready, shall we?" she murmured, carrying me toward the washbasin.

  Clara, one of the head maids, appeared with a basin of warm water and fresh linens. As she and my mother began the morning routine—washing, dressing, fussing over every detail—I caught fragments of their conversation.

  "My lady," Clara said quietly, adjusting the embroidered gown they were putting me in. "The preparations are nearly complete. The cathedral sent word too arrive in the morning."

  Mother's expression brightened. "Is that so? Good. Everything must be perfect. Tomorrow is very special for our dear Elena, after all."

  I perked up—or tried to. My baby body just sort of... wiggled.

  *Special? What's happening tomorrow?*

  Nobody had explained anything to me. Not that they could—I was a *baby.* But still. It would've been nice to know.

  ---

  After I was cleaned and dressed in what felt like the fanciest outfit I'd ever worn, Mother carried me downstairs to the main hall.

  The hall was vast—high vaulted ceilings, marble floors, banners bearing the Reinhart crest (a crimson dragon coiled around a sword). Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, painting the stone in shades of gold and azure.

  And seated on the throne at the far end, surrounded by advisors, was my father.

  Duke Ash Reinhart.

  Even from across the room, his presence was *heavy.* He didn't need to raise his voice to command attention. People simply... listened when he spoke.

  "Your Grace," one of the advisors said, holding a sealed letter. "We've received word from the capital. His Majesty and the Queen send their regrets—they won't be able to attend Lady Elena's ceremony."

  Father's expression didn't change, but I saw the slight tightening around his eyes.

  "The other dukes as well, I assume?" he asked.

  "Yes, Your Grace. The increase in monster activity near the borders has everyone occupied. Additionally, the diplomatic talks with the Elven Conclave are... delicate. Trust-building takes time, and presence is required."

  Father leaned back slightly, fingers steepled beneath his chin.

  "I don't blame them," he said evenly. "The timing is unfortunate, but understandable. The monster surges are worse than initial reports suggested. And the world remains divided—humans, elves, dwarves, beast folk. We've been at odds for centuries. Building trust now, when we need it most, won't be easy."

  *Elves? Dwarves? Beast folk?*

  My infant mind struggled to process it, but excitement bubbled up anyway.

  *This really is a fantasy world. Multiple races. Magic. Monsters.*

  *It's like something out of a novel.*

  Another advisor cleared his throat. "Your Grace, there is one other matter. His Majesty's third child—the newborn prince—his ceremony was held three months ago."

  A heavy pause.

  "It was... unfortunate."

  Father's gaze sharpened. "The boy has low mana?"

  "Negligible, Your Grace. Compared to his elder siblings—the First Prince and Princess, both blessed with exceptional talent—the Third Prince is..." The advisor hesitated. "...a disappointment, by court standards."

  My chest tightened.

  *A child. Dismissed as a disappointment because of something he can't control.*

  Father's expression darkened. "Magic is everything in this world. A prince without it..." He shook his head. "The King will likely send the boy to the outer estates. Keep him away from the capital. For appearances."

  "Indeed, Your Grace. A difficult life awaits him."

  Father's jaw tightened, but he said nothing more.

  I stared at him, trying to read his expression.

  *Does he agree with that? Or does he think it's wrong?*

  I couldn't tell.

  Mother, still holding me, and took a seat beside Father's throne. He glanced at her, then at me, and some of the tension in his face eased.

  "Tomorrow, then," he said quietly.

  Mother smiled. "Tomorrow."

  I looked between them, confused.

  *What is happening tomorrow?*

  As if sensing my frustration, Mother looked down at me—and laughed softly.

  "Oh, you're wondering what we're talking about, aren't you?"

  *Yes! Finally!*

  She shifted me in her arms, meeting my gaze with warm, knowing eyes.

  "Tomorrow, Elena, we'll officially register your name at the cathedral. And you'll discover what kind of magic you have."

  My heart—tiny as it was—*leapt.*

  *Magic.*

  *I'll find out what magic I have.*

  *Tomorrow.*

  ---

  That night, I couldn't sleep.

  I lay in my crib, staring at the ceiling, thoughts racing.

  *Magic. What kind will I have?*

  I'd seen the maids use it—small spells for cleaning, heating water, lighting candles. I'd watched my father's aura when he entered a room, the way even hardened knights straightened in his presence. I'd felt my mother's warmth, literally—her hands always glowed faintly when she held me, a soothing heat that chased away nightmares.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  *What will mine be?*

  I thought back to my old life. Back to Leon.

  "I want to save people."

  He'd said it so many times. With that earnest, stubborn look on his face.

  And I'd always teased him for it.

  But now, lying here in this strange new world...

  *I get it, Leon.*

  *I want that too.*

  *I want a dream as well*

  I clenched my tiny fists.

  *Tomorrow. I'll find out if that's even possible.*

  ---

  Morning came quickly.

  The castle was a flurry of activity—maids rushing through halls, guards in ceremonial armour lining the corridors, carriages being prepared in the courtyard.

  Clara dressed me in white and gold—a gown so elaborate I felt like a doll. My mother wore deep crimson, elegant and regal. My father, in formal black suit.

  "Ready, Elena?" Mother asked, smiling as she lifted me.

  *No. But let's do this anyway.*

  We descended the grand staircase and stepped outside.

  And I forgot how to breathe.

  ---

  *The castle crowned the mountain's peak like a jewel of stone and glass.*

  White spires pierced the clouds, their surfaces gleaming in the morning sun. Below, a waterfall tumbled from the cliffs in a silver ribbon, its roar faint but constant, feeding the river that wound through the city below.

  And the city—

  *Oh.*

  It spread across the valley in a patchwork of warm red roofs and cobbled streets. Even from here, I could hear it—laughter, music, the distant clatter of market stalls. The scent of fresh bread drifted up on the breeze, mingling with flowers and woodsmoke.

  Beyond the city, golden fields stretched to the horizon, swaying gently beneath a soft blue sky.

  *It's beautiful.*

  *I've never seen anything like this.*

  My mother noticed my wide-eyed stare and laughed softly.

  "This is your home, Elena. Our people. Our land."

  I couldn't look away.

  *This is real. This world is REAL.*

  ---

  The carriage ride through the city was overwhelming.

  People lined the streets, waving and cheering as we passed. Children ran alongside the carriage, laughing. Vendors paused their work to bow. Soldiers saluted.

  "Duke Ash! Lady Seraphina!"

  "Blessings on the young lady!"

  "Long live House Reinhart!"

  My father nodded to them, expression calm but eyes warm. He wasn't just respected—he was *loved.*

  *He really does care for them,* I realized.

  *This isn't just duty to him. These are his people.*

  The cathedral loomed ahead—massive, ancient, its stone walls carved with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the sunlight.

  And the crowd outside was *enormous.*

  Nobles in fine silks. Merchants in their best clothes. Common folk pressed together, craning for a view.

  *All of this... for a baby's naming ceremony?*

  Mother leaned close and whispered, "You're the Duke's firstborn, Elena. This is important."

  ---

  Inside the cathedral, the air was cool and heavy with incense.

  Stained glass windows cast colored light across the stone floor. Rows of pews were filled with dignitaries, nobles, ministers—all watching as we approached the altar.

  And at the center, suspended in midair above a golden pedestal, floated a crystal.

  It pulsed softly with inner light, like a heartbeat.

  The High Priest stepped forward—an elderly man in white robes, his expression serene.

  "Duke Ash. Duchess Seraphina. You honor us with your presence."

  Father bowed slightly. Mother curtsied, still holding me.

  "We are honored to present our daughter," Father said formally.

  The priest smiled and gestured to the crystal.

  "Then let us begin."

  I noticed movement to the side—a mage standing near a strange device, hands glowing with magic. The air above him shimmered, and suddenly an image appeared, floating like a projection screen.

  *What the—*

  The image showed... us. The ceremony. In real-time.

  *He's broadcasting this?!*

  And not just here. I saw smaller images within the projection—other locations. A throne room. A war council. Noble estates.

  *They're watching from all over the kingdom.*

  My stomach flipped.

  *No pressure, Elena.*

  ---

  "Lady Elena Reinhart," the priest intoned, his voice echoing through the cathedral. "Step forward."

  Mother carried me toward the crystal, Father walking beside us.

  The crowd fell silent.

  Even the air seemed to still.

  "Place your hand upon the Mana Stone," the priest instructed gently.

  Mother shifted me, guiding my tiny hand toward the floating crystal.

  My fingers brushed its surface—

  *And the world turned GOLD.*

  ---

  Light erupted from the crystal—brilliant, blinding, *warm.*

  It poured outward in waves, washing over the cathedral in radiant gold. I felt it surge through me, not painful but *overwhelming,* like every cell in my body was suddenly awake and *singing.*

  Gasps echoed through the hall.

  The crystal itself glowed brighter, and numbers began to form in the air above it, burning in golden light:

  MANA CAPACITY: 935 / 1000

  Silence.

  Complete, stunned silence.

  What's does that number even mean-

  And then—

  "OVER NINE HUNDRED?!"

  "Impossible—"

  "A prodigy!"

  The hall *erupted.*

  Nobles shot to their feet. Commoners outside roared with joy. Even the priests looked shocked.

  Mother's whispered too father "I told you she was special. You don't believe me" she said in low serious tone giving side eye at father i guess these two never change.

  Father's hand rested on my head, firm and grounding. His expression was unreadable, but I saw something flicker in his eyes.

  Pride.

  The priest raised his hands, and the crowd slowly quieted.

  "Elena Ash Reinhart," he said, voice ringing with authority. "By the grace of the gods, you have been blessed with *Light Magic*—and mana reserves that rival the greatest mages of our age."

  He placed a hand over his heart and bowed.

  "I pray for a bright future ahead of you. May your light leave behind a great legacy."

  More cheers. More applause.

  But then—

  A voice cut through the noise.

  Deep. Commanding. Echoing from the broadcast projection.

  "Incredible, Reinhart."

  Everyone froze.

  The projection shifted, focusing on a throne room—a man seated I couldn't see him properly.

  *The King.*

  "Well done, Duke Ash. I look forward to meeting young Elena " His gaze—even through the projection—was piercing. "Take good care of her. Until we meet again."

  Father bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am honored."

  The King's image faded.

  And the celebration resumed, louder than before.

  ---

  We stepped outside into chaos.

  Fireworks exploded overhead, painting the sky in gold and crimson. The crowd roared. Music played. People danced in the streets.

  Mother held me up, facing the city spread below us.

  "See, Elena?" she said softly. "This is kingdom of heart. These are our people".

  I stared out at the sea of faces.

  At the families laughing together. The children running with sparklers. The elderly couple holding hands, watching the fireworks.

  *Our people.*

  Something shifted inside me.

  When I'd first arrived in this world, my only goal had been to find Leon. To survive. To figure out what happened.

  But now...

  *I want more than that.*

  *I want to protect this.*

  *I want to be someone they can rely on.*

  *Someone who brings hope.*

  I looked up at the sky, at the fireworks blooming like flowers of light.

  *Please,* I prayed to whatever gods were listening. *Give me the strength to protect them.*

  *Give me the courage to become someone worthy of this light.*

  *And please... keep Leon safe, wherever he is. *

  The fireworks crackled.

  The crowd cheered.

  And for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt something other than fear or confusion.

  I felt *purpose.*