Walking through the wide doors of the dining hall, I stopped for a moment in front of the long table.
Lina quietly stepped aside to join the other servants, leaving me to face my family alone.
At the center of the table sat my father, Liandr.
On each side of him were my two mothers.
Farther down the table sat my brothers and my sister.
Father's second wife, Atraxia, always stood out the most.
She was from the Central Continent, and her magic was based on metal, so she chose the Path of the Body. She had dark black hair, perfect facial features, and a figure so elegant that even I - a three-year-old child - noticed her beauty.
In her arms she held a tiny girl - my little sister, Tessilia.
"Greetings, Father," I said, bowing slightly.
"You came, Erin," Liandr replied in his usual neutral tone. "Take your seat."
I didn't go to my place right away. Instead, I approached Atraxia and looked at Tessilia. She blinked, then reached out her small hand toward me.
I offered her my finger. She grabbed it and smiled.
Atraxia let out a soft laugh.
"She likes you, Erin."
Likes me...
In my previous life, I never had younger siblings. Moments like this still felt strange - but in a good way.
I walked to my seat and sat down.
Michael and Richard gave me a small nod.
Agatha puffed her cheeks, clearly unhappy that I didn't greet her first.
Sorry, Agatha... I forgot again.
But she didn't say anything. She simply smiled after a moment.
From the far end of the table, my mother Evelina said:
"Liandr, look how clever our son is. Not at all like other children his age."
Father didn't answer, but the way he glanced at me made it clear he agreed.
He didn't need to say it - he knew I was ahead of my age in thinking.
When dinner was almost over, Father spoke:
"Erin."
I straightened up immediately.
"You will soon turn three. Normally, our family begins training at the age of four. But for you, I will make an exception."
Finally... finally training will begin.
"Yes, Father," I answered as calmly as I could.
Liandr continued:
"Your uncle Kars will arrive on your birthday. You haven't met him yet, but he will be responsible for your training."
"Uncle Kars?" I repeated.
"Yes. One of the strongest in our bloodline."
One of the strongest? Now that is interesting.
One week later
My third birthday finally arrived.
I woke up early, as usual.
First thing I did was try to run away from the maids and read something.
Then I ate breakfast, wandered around the estate, and annoyed anyone I could with questions.
The Arkwil estate was enormous. I could walk for an hour and still find new corners.
The guards didn't stop me, but they wouldn't let me wander too far, so I turned to my second favorite activity:
asking everyone about magic.
That's how I learned that the Path of the Body - the Tessos Path - had eight stages:
1. Noviar
2. Praetorian Aspirant
3. Ordinarius Probator
4. Legion Knight I
5. Legion Knight II
6. Legion Knight III
7. Centurion
8. Paladin
And the Path of Magic had seven:
1. Budding Mage
2. Arcana Apprentice
3. Advanced Mage
4. Adept
5. High Master
6. Archmage
7. Supreme Mage
Each stage increased lifespan.
They said Tessos practitioners lived longer than mages.
While I was questioning another guard, someone suddenly picked me up from behind.
"Hey!" I shouted.
Turning my head, I saw Agatha holding me.
"Little brother, stop torturing the guards with your questions," she said, laughing. "Look at him. He's already nervous."
I glanced at the guard.
He really did look stressed.
"...Fine, Agatha. Let's go."
We spent some time together, and later Lina came to take me back to my room so she could dress me for the evening family gathering.
After she finished, I looked in the mirror - I definitely looked presentable.
And so we headed to the dining hall.
Today, Uncle Kars was supposed to arrive.
And with him... a new chapter of my life was about to begin.