Thirteen years passed, and Kyle grew into a quiet, withdrawn squire in the poor, dusty barony of Landergrey. While Cedric, the baron's true son burned brightly with all the confidence in the world, Kyle preferred silence, corners, and shadows. He wasn't jealous; he simply never saw any reason to expect greatness from himself.
Then Cedric awakened his mana. And not just mana The Divine Attribute.
A miracle for a low barony.
Cedric's pride skyrocketed. His popularity exploded and Kyle? Kyle's bullying got worse.
The baron announced a grand banquet, and nobles from all across the kingdom came to witness the rising star. Even the powerful Duke and Duchess of House Oriana arrived an honor so huge that nearby regions practically trembled.
Inside the glittering hall, everyone orbited around Cedric.
Kyle stayed where he belonged in the shadows.
His sword skills were passable. His mana was nonexistent. His presence was forgettable.
Except to Lady Cynthia. She always saw him.
She slipped away from the crowd to check on him.
"Don't look so down, Kyle. You'll find your own path soon," she said warmly.
Kyle smiled faintly. "Please don't worry about me, Lady Cynthia. I'm truly fine."
Cedric watched from afar, irritated as always when his mother showed Kyle more affection than him.
Soon Cynthia was pulled away by another noblewoman, and Kyle faded back into the background. Cedric continued being showered with praise gifts, opportunities, even marriage offers. Kyle quietly decided he'd slip out of the hall. Until a gentle voice called to him.
"Oh? And who might you be, young man?"
Kyle turned, The Duchess, Tessia Oriana, stood before him.
Calm. Elegant. Curious.
Kyle introduced himself… and for one heartbeat, she froze.
in recognition just… something about his face, his expression, the quietness around him it tugged at some long-buried memory she couldn't place.
"Forgive me," she said with a soft laugh. "You startled me. You're quite a handsome one, aren't you?"
Kyle flushed red on the spot, completely unused to attention, especially from someone like her.
Across the room, Duke Oriana glanced toward his wife his eyes drifted to Kyle and his expression shifted for only a split second. In recognition.
An odd feeling. A déjà vu he couldn't explain.
Baron Landergrey quickly approached, worried he'd offended the duke somehow.
But the duke simply murmured, "No… nothing. I must be tired."
His eyes lingered on Kyle a moment longer calm, unreadable and Deep down he felt something drawing him towards that ordinary boy.