Siegfried Fors
The crisp autumn air carried the mingling scents of roasted meats, sweet pastries, and spiced cider, filling the park with warmth despite the cool breeze. Colorful banners swayed in the wind, and the excited chatter of townspeople merged into a festive hum. It was a day of celebration, a day where the entire town had set aside work and worries to rejoice in the Harvest Festival.
At the heart of it all, a grand stage stood in the park's central square, draped in woven garlands of autumn leaves and golden ribbons. Lanterns, infused with soft magical light, hovered above the crowd, casting a warm glow on the eager faces of the townspeople gathered before it.
And yet, as I stood upon the grand stage alongside Grandpa, Granny, and Mother, my hands clenched at my sides. My breath was steady, yet unease settled deep within me, with so many eyes fixed on me.
To think that just yesterday, I was lying in bed, bandaged up.
Annoyingly, thanks to Zayn, I was now up and standing. He had pulled out some high-grade healing potion, one so potent that even Father Kaelen was shocked. According to him, it was filled with holy magic, the kind only cardinals of the church could normally imbue into potions.
When asked where he got it, Zayn had simply shrugged and said, "I have my sources."
I wasn't going to complain. I was just glad I could come.
The festival was in full swing, and everyone looked amazing, not to boast, but especially me.
I was dressed in a white-and-golden long coat, its fabric pristine and embroidered with fine golden patterns resembling intertwining vines, a subtle nod to Aethelhum, the Cosmic Tree. The coat was lined with soft silken fur at the collar, the inside lined with dark blue, and it was fastened at the chest by golden clasps shaped like blooming flowers. Beneath it, I wore a fitted black tunic with silver threading, along with tailored trousers tucked neatly into polished boots of deep brown leather.
Standing beside me, my grandfather, Lord Throvald Fors, radiated a commanding presence. He was draped in a deep crimson coat, lined with fur at the shoulders, embroidered with golden sigils denoting his authority as lord of the territory. His grey hair, neatly combed back, shone under the sunlight, and the sapphire brooch pinned to his chest marked his status with understated elegance.
Next to him stood Granny, Elara Fors, a woman whose sheer presence demanded respect. She wore a regal gown of deep forest green, its bodice fitted with intricate lace, and a silver belt cinched at her waist. A long cloak of black velvet lined with silver embroidery cascaded down her back, the patterns resembling constellations. Though her expression was composed, I could see the pride in her eyes when she glanced my way.
And then, there was Mother, Valka Fors.
Draped in midnight blue robes, embroidered with swirling runes of silver, she looked as if she had stepped out of an ancient legend. A delicate veil of translucent silk framed her face, accentuating her piercing sapphire blue eyes, while her ornate silver choker, inlaid with a small sapphire the same size as her eyes, rested against her collarbone. Unlike Granny, who exuded quiet dignity, Mother's presence was sharp, untamed, a warrior's grace concealed beneath noble garb.
Between the three of them, it was impossible not to feel overshadowed.
Grandfather stepped forward, spreading his arms wide.
"My friends, my family," Grandpa's voice rang out, deep and strong, yet filled with warmth. "Another year has passed, and once again, we gather here in celebration of Aethelhum's blessings. This land has given us much, bountiful harvests, strong bonds, and a future worth protecting. And so, as is our tradition, we offer our gratitude to the Cosmic Tree, that it may continue to watch over us in the days to come!"
A resounding cheer erupted from the crowd, voices rising together in shared celebration.
"Our harvest has been bountiful, our homes are warm, and our town stands strong. But this year, we have another reason to celebrate!" He turned toward me with a smile. "Today, I stand here with my grandson, Siegfried Fors, who has awakened as a mage."
The square fell into stunned silence for a brief second, then, as if the realization struck all at once, the crowd exploded into cheers.
"Young lord! Congratulations!"
"Our young lord has awakened!"
"Amazing! A six-year-old awakened!? That's unheard of."
"He's definitely Lady Valka's son."
I stiffened slightly at the overwhelming response, but the warmth in their voices wasn't something I could ignore. They weren't celebrating because I was the town lord's grandson. They were celebrating because I was one of them.
A hand rested on my shoulder. Mother.
"Hold your head high," she murmured, so softly only I could hear.
Granny took a step forward next. "Now, now, don't overwhelm the boy," she said. "He's still getting used to all the fuss."
Grandpa raised a hand, and the crowd settled again. "Tonight, we celebrate, not just for the festival, but for the future of our town. Now, let the Harvest Festival begin!"
The moment the words left his mouth, fireworks of golden light burst into the sky, courtesy of the local mages. The crowd roared with excitement, and just like that, the festival was in full swing.
I watched as people scattered toward the various stalls and attractions. Laughter filled the air, children ran about waving festival charms, and the scent of sizzling food drifted toward the stage.
As we stepped down from the stage, I barely had time to breathe before a blur of reddish-orange fur streaked through the air.
A soft weight landed around my shoulders, and before I could react, something warm and furry wrapped itself around my neck.
"...You're back," I murmured, reaching up to touch the familiar, silky coat.
Two mischievous golden eyes peered up at me from the fluffy creature curled around me, the fox spirit.
"It's still following you?" Mother asked as she removed her veil.
"Now that you have mana, you should form a contract with it."
I turned to see Zayn walking toward us, dressed in a dark brown coat and pants with a white shirt underneath.
"That doesn't suit you at all," I commented.
"He's right," Mother agreed.
Zayn clicked his tongue. "Oh, shut up. Not everyone is blessed with a face as gorgeous as yours, young lord."
Mother grinned.
"Right." She pulled me closer, her eyes gleaming. "Just look at how great these clothes look! I had a tailor from the capital make them for him," she said happily.
Zayn sighed. "Yeah, yeah." He crossed his arms. "Going back to the topic, you should decide what you're going to do with that spirit."
I look back at my shoulder.
A Spirit.
I had read before, Spirits were sentient mana, beings born within Aethelhum itself. They absorbed non-sentient mana from the atmosphere to grow stronger, and this little one, according to Zayn, was already a high-level spirit.
The reason I awakened out of nowhere in the first place was because I came into contact with this spirit, sentient mana. The spirit reacted strongly to the mana stored within my soul, forcing my awakening.
But spirits rarely interacted with humans. They lived around Aethelhum, unseen and untouchable, unless called upon through a summoning spell. Even then, they only responded to those they deemed worthy.
Yet, this one had sought me out of its own will.
I exhaled, watching as its fluffy tails flicked lazily, its eyes were half-lidded in contentment.
"You're acting like you own this spot," I muttered.
The fox yawned in response, closing its eyes.
I couldn't help but shake my head as I turned back to Zayn.
"I'll think about it later," I said to Zayn.
"Right. Just enjoy today. We'll be going back to training tomorrow," he said, a grin crossing his face.
Before I could reply, Grandpa's voice rang out again, pulling my attention away.
"Let the performances begin!"
"Let's go to the front, you'll be able to see better from there."
Zayn swooped me up, effortlessly placing me on his shoulders. By now, I was used to being treated like a child. And honestly, who could complain about a free ride?
With Mother beside us, we made our way to the front.
A young mage painted vivid illusions in the air, crafting glowing birds that took flight, their feathers shimmering like prisms in the sunlight. Nearby, a group of acrobats wove between bursts of fire and cascading water, their movements seamlessly blending with the elements they controlled.
While I had seen such performances many times in my previous life, this time it's not tricks, but actual magic, and their use of it is amazing. Soon, I will be able to do the same things.
"I'm hungry," Mother suddenly declared. "Let's go see the food stalls in the town plaza."
Zayn glanced up at me. "What do you want to do? I heard the main performance will start when it gets dark."
That gave me time. I nodded. "Let's go with Mother."
Just as we were about to leave, my grandparents appeared.
"Are you heading out?" Grandpa asked.
"We're going to check out the town plaza," Mother answered.
They seemed to consider joining us when suddenly, Silas emerged from the crowd. He leaned in and murmured something to Grandpa in a low voice.
Grandfather nodded before turning to me. "Sieg, enjoy the festival. Your granny and I need to meet with some guests."
But Silas cleared his throat. "Actually, my lord… the guests wish to greet Young Lord Siegfried and Lady Valka."
"Huh? Why me? Who are these guests, anyway?"
Grandfather raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Mother's face immediately dropped. "I don't want to. Go without me."
Granny shot her a sharp look. "Start moving, young lady."
Mother let out a quiet groan, her expression shifting between reluctance and resignation as we made our way out of the park.
Our walk through the festival was a constant stop-and-go affair, mostly because Mother kept halting at every other food stall. Eventually, Grandpa gave up trying to keep pace with us and went ahead to meet our guests.
"Ooh! Honey cakes! Sieg, try this!" Mother said excitedly, already balancing an assortment of skewers in one hand.
"Valka, you're holding four skewers already," Granny sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I can hold more," Mother, utterly unbothered, handed me a warm honey cake before snatching another skewer from the vendor.
Zayn started laughing, watching the quarreling mother and daughter.
Granny shot a look at Zayn, who just shrugged with an amused smirk.
Eventually, as the lively crowd thinned out, we found ourselves in a quieter section of the festival. A group of well-dressed nobles stood in conversation, their presence commanding a different kind of attention compared to the bustling common folk.
I recognized them from the memories of last year's festival.
Lord Borg, a young man in his late twenties, stood with a straight posture, though there was a certain stiffness in his stance, as if he was still adjusting to his role as a lord. His barony was north of ours. Beside him was Lady Borg, her deep blue gown embroidered with silver threads in the shape of frost-covered branches. Her pale blonde hair was pinned up neatly. If I wasn't mistaken, Lady Borg was Granny's niece. Clinging to her side was a small boy; from what I remember, he was barely four years old. His pale blond hair was neatly combed, but his nervous blue eyes darted around, as if unsure whether to hide behind his mother's dress or step forward.
Last but certainly not least was Lord Aland, the Baron of the land south of ours. He appeared to be the same age as Grandpa and possessed a similarly muscular build, though he stood a little shorter. Dressed impeccably in a lighter red noble coat over a crisp white shirt and black trousers, he carried an undeniable air of confidence. Just like Grandpa, he bore a scar, a much larger mark beneath his right eye.
When we arrived, Grandpa was already engaged in conversation with the nobles. At our approach, they turned to us and offered respectful bows.
"Greetings, Lady Valka. Young Lord Siegfried," they said formally.
Mother nodded in reply, as her mouth was full of food.
I blinked.
Their politeness confused me. We were of the same rank, just barons like them, so why did they sound so formal? Especially toward Mother?
Zayn put me down from his shoulder and moved a little back. I guess he did not want to get involved in nobles' conversation.
Granny, however, had her eyes set on the boy half hidden behind Lady Borg's dress. "And is that who I think it is?"
Lady Borg smiled gently and ran her fingers through his hair. "This is James, my son," she introduced. "He's quite shy."
The little boy fidgeted, his pale blue eyes darting between us before he hesitantly peeked up at me.
"…H-hello," he murmured, voice so soft I barely heard it over the distant festival sounds.
I nodded in greeting. "Hello."
His fingers tightened slightly around the fabric of his mother's dress before he quickly ducked his head again.
Mother, crouching slightly, reached out a hand toward him. "You like sweets, James?" she asked with a grin. "I have plenty."
James hesitated but slowly nodded.
"Here," she said, handing him a small honey cake. "Try it."
The boy glanced at his mother for approval. Lady Borg gave a reassuring nod, and after a moment's pause, James took the treat with both hands, nibbling at the edge.
Aland gave a hearty laugh. "Good to see that my lady is a food lover as always."
Mother huffed. "And what's wrong with that?"
Lord Borg, his stance slightly awkward yet determined, shifted the conversation.
"I must admit, Baron Fors, I was quite shocked to hear that Young Lord Siegfried has awakened as a mage." His expression was one of genuine curiosity. "I have never heard of a six-year-old awakening before."
Granny, standing proudly beside me, grinned. "Our Sieg is a genius."
Isn't it thanks to the spirit wrapped around my neck? But Zayn did say I was close to awakening.
I look at my shoulder, the fox was asleep. Around my neck, it looked nothing more than a scarf.
Lord Aland let out a low chuckle, crossing his arms. "A genius indeed. But you're not the only one making history this year."
Grandpa raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Duke Merlinus's daughter also awakened at the beginning of this year. People are already calling her a 'once-in-a-century genius.'"
Beside me, Mother suddenly grew still.
Her head tilted slightly as she repeated the name, almost absentmindedly. "Rowan's daughter… has awakened?"
Rowan?
The way she said the name so casually—Rowan Merlinus, Duke of the south, the Prime Minister of the empire—as if she personally knows him... Or maybe she did. This was yet another reminder that Mother had lived a completely different life before coming back here.
I had heard whispers that my mother used to serve in the capital's military before my birth, but no one ever explained why she left. My best guess? It had something to do with me.
A moment later, Mother's lips curled into a wide grin. "Then that means Sieg is also a once-in-a-century genius!"
I flinched. "Mother—"
Lord Aland laughed again. "Well, there is a difference," he said. "Duke Merlinus's daughter first awakened to mana, but a few months later, she reached the Gamma stage and awakened to her elements. She can use all the basic elements."
As he said, in this world, magic is governed by the evolution of the Soul Crucible. Every person begins at the Alpha Stage, where their Crucible has yet to form, and they are only beginning to unlock their latent potential, lacking any control over mana. Upon reaching the Beta Stage, the Crucible takes shape, allowing the individual to manipulate mana consciously. Advancing to Gamma strengthens the Crucible, awakening elemental affinities ingrained in one's genes and granting control over the elements. As the Crucible continues to evolve, the Delta and Epsilon Stages further refine a person's power, unlocking abilities beyond simple elemental manipulation. Finally, the Zeta Stage represents the pinnacle of the Soul Crucible's evolution, granting abilities so profound that they push the very limits of magical potential.
But still...
I frowned slightly. "All of them?"
Lord Aland nodded. "Yes, Earth, Water, Wind, Fire, and Thunder—she can manipulate all the basic ones."
Mother simply puffed out her chest. "Well, my Sieg will be even better!"
Lord Borg let out a chuckle. "I'd expect nothing less from the son of Lady Valka."
Mother, ever so graceful, responded by stuffing another skewer in her mouth with a triumphant hum.
Granny and I sighed in unison, while the rest of the group shared a small laugh.
With the conversation shifting to more casual topics, Mother, Granny, and Lady Borg moved toward a long wooden table nearby to sit and talk. James followed closely behind them, still clutching his mother's dress.
As I stood there, I caught snippets of their conversation.
"How have you been these days?" Granny asked Lady Borg, her tone warm.
Lady Borg smiled. "Busy, as always. Managing a household and a territory is no small task."
I was about to follow them when I noticed something.
Zayn had disappeared.
I looked around, but he was nowhere to be seen. That guy always ran off whenever things got too formal.
I was thinking of escaping myself, when something shifted around my shoulders.
A small yawn sounded near my ear as the fox spirit lifted its head, blinking sleepily. It stretched lazily before rubbing its soft fur against my cheek, its tails flicking contentedly.
Lord Borg, who had been watching idly, suddenly did a double take. "A magic beast? I thought it was a thick scarf!"
Lord Aland burst into laughter and clapped him on the back. "You're still green, Borg! You should've sensed its mana."
Lord Borg's face turned a bit red as he smiled awkwardly.
I nearly sighed. They think it's a magic beast.
Lord Aland might be more experienced than Lord Borg, but even he didn't recognize that this wasn't an ordinary creature. My gaze flicked to Grandpa, who met my eyes with a knowing smile, his expression clearly saying, "Let it go."
Fine. I wouldn't correct them.
At that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Lord Sieg!"
I turned to see Erina running toward me, her long dark brown hair bouncing with each step.
"Are you alone?" I asked, noticing that she wasn't accompanied by anyone.
"I was with my mother, but I saw you through the crowd, so I came over."
I opened my mouth to tell her that running off like that was irresponsible, but before I could say anything, she grabbed my hand.
"Let's go around the festival together!" she said brightly, her enthusiasm making it hard to refuse.
I hesitated for a moment before glancing over my shoulder at Grandpa. He simply smiled and nodded.
Shifting my gaze toward the wooden table, I found Granny watching me carefully. She, too, nodded in approval.
Then, I noticed James.
He was still clinging to his mother's dress, watching me with uncertain blue eyes.
I walked over to him, Erina following behind me.
"Would you like to come as well?" I asked.
James hesitated, his fingers tightening around the fabric of Lady Borg's dress. His blue eyes darted toward his mother, seeking confirmation.
Lady Borg, ever gentle, gave him an encouraging nod.
After a moment of hesitation, James stepped forward. "I-I'm James…" he introduced himself in a quiet voice.
I nodded. "Nice to meet you, James. I'm Siegfried Fors."
James fidgeted a little before nodding back.
Then I turned back to Erina. "First, let's find your parents. They're probably worried. After that, we can go enjoy the festival."
Erina pouted slightly but agreed. "Fine, fine. But we won't take too long, right?"
I chuckled. "Depends on how mad your mother is."
We set off, the three of us winding through the throng of the festival. Even amidst the cheerful chaos, I felt an unsettling prickle on my neck—the distinct feeling that someone was watching me.