The Naming Ceremony was a tradition that had existed since the founding of House Luminon.
Most of the great houses of the empire had similar rituals, though none carried the same weight as this one.
It was not merely a ceremony where children received their names.
It was also where their worth was measured.
Talent determined many things within noble society.
How many resources would be invested in them.
Which families would seek alliances.
And which individuals were worth watching… or fearing.
For that reason, the ceremony was both a celebration and a silent judgment placed upon every child present.
The atmosphere inside the hall had subtly changed after the arrival of the Great Duke.
His mere presence seemed to press upon the entire chamber.
I could hear quiet whispers behind me.
"I can't believe House Luminon allowed interference from the Holy Temple."
"Yes… I never thought they would permit a high-ranking Pope to attend a naming ceremony."
Their voices were low, but the unease was clear.
Suddenly, the host of the ceremony stepped forward.
"Attention everyone."
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"All young members of House Luminon gathered here today should understand the significance of this ceremony."
"This ritual will determine the potential of your future."
"The rules are simple. Each young lord and lady will approach the relic one by one and place their hand upon it."
He gestured toward the pedestal in the center of the hall.
"Once your hand rests upon the relic, focus your mind. The relic will measure how many attributes your body can hold and the number of mana circles you may develop in the future."
"Afterward, His Grace, the Great Duke, will bestow your name."
Though this was my first time witnessing such a ceremony, the concept itself was not unfamiliar.
In my previous life, I had read enough stories to recognize what this kind of relic was meant to do.
The relic placed before us was called the Axiom of Revelation.
It had been brought here by the Pope himself.
The man in white robes sat calmly among the high-ranking members of House Luminon in the front row.
Even from a distance, the symbol of the Holy Temple embroidered on his garments was unmistakable.
Since my arrival, I could feel many gazes directed toward me.
Curious.
Judging.
Expectant.
"The young master of Hallen County from the Luminon branch family may step forward."
A boy approached the pedestal.
He placed his hand upon the relic.
The crystal atop the Axiom glowed faintly in blue colour.
One star appeared.
The host spoke.
"One attribute. Potential to reach the Third to fourth Circle."
The Great Duke spoke shortly afterward.
"From this day forward, you shall be known as Lukas Luminon."
The boy bowed deeply before stepping back.
The relic revealed a mage's potential through its light—pale white for the First and Second Circles, blue for the Third and Fourth, golden for the Fifth and Sixth, crimson for the Seventh, and the rare violet for the Eighth and Ninth—while the stars within the glow represented how many mana attributes one could wield, though not which attributes they would possess, the most common being fire, wind, water, earth, and lightning.
Next came a young lady from another branch.
When she touched the relic, a bright golden light emerged.
Three stars shone clearly upon the surface.
A low murmur spread through the hall.
The host announced the result.
"Three attributes. Potential to reach the Sixth Circle."
Even the nobles seemed slightly impressed.
The Great Duke declared her name.
"You shall be known as Axia Luminon."
A boy standing beside me leaned closer with a confident smile.
"Not bad for a distant branch family," he said arrogantly.
He looked at me up and down.
"You're from the main family, right?"
"Even though I come from a branch family, my father and grandfather both serve directly in the main hall."
He folded his arms proudly.
"So why don't we get along from now on?"
I glanced at him briefly.
"This is my first time attending such a gathering," I replied calmly.
"So I would appreciate the acquaintance."
He grinned.
"Good. Watch closely then."
"It's my turn next."
"You'll see just how impressive someone from a proper branch can be."
He stepped forward confidently.
When his hand touched the relic—
A bright crimson light erupted.
Four stars shone upon the surface.
Gasps could be heard across the hall.
"As expected from the high-ranking branch family."
"A prodigy…"
The host announced loudly.
"Four attributes. Potential to reach the Seventh Circle."
The Great Duke spoke without hesitation.
"You shall be known as Alex Luminon."
Alex straightened proudly.
"I will devote my life to the glory of House Luminon!"
The nobles responded with approving murmurs.
"For the honor of House Luminon."
He returned with a satisfied expression.
"See?" he said quietly to me.
"That's the difference between us and the lesser branches."
Soon after, the host called the next name.
"The young master of the main family may step forward."
So it was my turn.
Though I had prepared myself, the countless gazes directed at me still felt heavy.
I stepped toward the pedestal.
"Place your hand upon the relic," the host instructed.
I did.
I focused my mind as instructed.
…
Nothing happened.
I glanced toward the host.
He frowned slightly.
"Please try once more."
I placed my hand upon the relic again.
Still nothing.
Whispers began spreading throughout the hall.
"What's happening?"
"Did the relic fail?"
"Silence."
An elder from House Luminon stood up sharply.
The hall immediately quieted.
After a brief exchange among the officials, the Pope himself approached the pedestal.
He examined the Axiom of Revelation carefully.
The crystal remained unchanged.
"My lord," the Pope said respectfully after a moment.
"There appears to be nothing wrong with the relic."
Then he turned toward me.
"May I see your hand, young master?"
I offered it.
He held it gently for a moment.
His gaze lingered on me longer than expected.
Then he released it.
"My apologies," he said.
"I cannot find any fault with either the relic… or the young master."
The Great Duke gave a quiet order.
"Bring the House Stone."
Servants quickly replaced the relic with another device — a polished magic stone belonging to House Luminon itself.
"Place your hand once more," the host instructed.
I did.
This time the stone shone golden light brightly.
Two stars appeared.
"Two attributes," the host declared.
"Potential to reach the Sixth Circle."
A wave of quiet relief passed through the hall.
Some nobles even smiled.
The tension had broken.
The Great Duke looked at me from his throne.
His gaze was calm.
Cold.
As though the result held no particular importance to him.
Then he spoke.
"From this day forward… you shall be known as Sion Luminon."
The ceremony soon concluded.
I left the hall shortly afterward.
Though the ritual had ended…
In truth, something new had only just begun.
Later that evening.
The Pope walked slowly through the quiet gardens of the estate.
His brows were slightly furrowed.
"How is this possible…" he murmured.
"For someone to be unmeasurable by the Axiom of Revelation, a divine relic…"
"And yet…"
He raised his hand slowly.
A faint, invisible panel appeared before his eyes.
The Luminary Accord.
A sacred authority granted only to those chosen by the gods.
Through it, one could observe the hidden status of individuals.
Even truths unknown to the person themselves.
But when he examined the boy earlier…
Everything had seemed normal.
Except for one thing.
"Divine Recognition Point… zero."
He exhaled slowly.
"That should be impossible."
Even newborn infants possessed a small positive value.
Through faith and righteous deeds, the number could increase throughout one's life.
Demonic creatures possessed negative values.
But never…
Zero.
"I must not act rashly."
He turned toward the shadows.
"Sister Lumi."
A woman appeared quietly behind him.
"As you wish, Blessed One."
"From this moment onward," the Pope said calmly,
"observe every movement of Sion Luminon."
"And report directly to me."
The woman bowed slightly.
"It shall be done."
She vanished as suddenly as she appeared.
The Pope remained alone in the garden.
"So… what exactly are you hiding, House Luminon?"
"Are you protecting something…"
"…or planning something far greater?"
He looked toward the distant palace.
"A storm may soon arrive."