Caera, born with Vritra blood, faces the dilemma of whether her lineage is a curse or a blessing in the continent of Alacrya, where the Vritra Clan of the Basilisk race rules with an iron grip. In a society where lineage and strength determine one's...
It's been six years since the day Senna entrusted Caera to me. A lot has changed in these years. I stand on the balcony once more, gazing out at the familiar view of my garden, where Caera practices her sword forms with a focus that belies her age. Somehow, she has taken a great liking to swords, a passion that seems to grow stronger with each passing day.
Caera's sixth birthday passed by just days ago, marking a significant milestone. She is now of age for the bestowal ceremony, where she will receive her first rune and awaken her mana core. It's a rite of passage that every child in Alacrya undergoes, a moment that defines the beginning of their journey into the world of mana and power.
As I watch her practice, the rhythmic swish of her blade slicing through the air, I can't help but feel a mix of pride and apprehension. She's grown so much...
"Scythe Seris, the rune instillers have arrived," Cylrit, my retainer, says as he bows his head respectfully.
"I see. Inform them I will be there soon and get the documents from my office regarding Caera," I reply, keeping my voice firm despite the swirl of emotions within me.
"Of course, Scythe Seris." He bows once more before leaving to carry out my instructions.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself for what's to come. "Caera! The instillers are here, come to the hall room," I call out to her.
Caera stops her practice, looking up at me with a mix of excitement and curiosity in her ruby-red eyes. "I am coming, mama!" She sheaths her sword and runs toward the house, her enthusiasm palpable.
"This girl...." I muttered and made my way to the Hall below. Even though I've told Caera countless times not to call me 'Mama,' especially given the secrecy surrounding her existence, I can't deny the warmth it brings me. It's a term of affection that goes beyond the duties I've taken on; it's a connection that's grown deeper with each passing year.
As much as I try to keep up the pretense of being irritated by it, the truth is, I cherish it. This bond between us isn't just one of responsibility-it's something far more precious.
I arrived at the hall, watching as a man dressed in complete black and two hooded figures in gray behind him made the setup. The one with the Black rob grabbed an obsidian staff with a small gem that was embedded at the top that glimmered in the colors of elemental attributes.
"L-Lady Nezera?" the Instiller immediately bowed his head as the other two also followed.
"Continue," I said, my voice icy. The two hooded figures moved swiftly, arranging the ceremonial tools and preparing the space for what was about to come. The man with the obsidian staff approached, holding the artifact.
Caera entered the hall, her steps light but purposeful. She glanced at me, her ruby-red eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and determination. For a moment, our eyes locked, and I gave her a small, reassuring nod. This was her moment, one she had been anticipating for so long.
The instiller gestured for Caera to stand in the center of the room. As she took her place, the room fell into a hush, the only sound being the faint hum of mana gathering in the air.
He began the ritual, chanting in an ancient language, his voice rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence. The gem atop the staff began to glow brighter, casting flickering shadows across the room. I watched intently as the energy gathered, knowing that this would be the first step in Caera's journey into a world that was both wondrous and dangerous.
The installer walked around Caera and placed the tip of his staff just below the back of her neck, the gem light glowed brighter and brighter blinding our eyes. As the gem's light dimmed, revealing the room once more, I immediately turned my attention to Caera. Blood trickled down the back of her neck, staining her shirt, but she stood tall, her small form trembling slightly from the ordeal. Her ruby-red eyes were wide, glistening with unshed tears, but she held them back, refusing to cry out in pain.
"C-Caera of blood unnamed has been adorned with the Fire and Wind Emblem of a Striker!" The instiller's voice echoed in the room, shaky and tinged with disbelief.
"T-this is unprecedented! I have never seen anyone get Emblem at this age," one of the gray-hooded instillers exclaimed, his voice filled with shock.
"You can leave now. Cylrit will provide you with the documents regarding Caera." I said, my voice commanding. All three of them immediately gathered their belonging and scurried away.
I watched them go, my mind racing with the implications of what had just happened. Caera had been adorned with the Emblem of a Striker with two different elements at an age when most children were lucky to receive even a mark, and fewer still ever received a crest.
The gravity of this moment weighed heavily on me, knowing that this unprecedented event would inevitably draw attention—attention that could endanger Caera and the carefully constructed life I have built for her. But there was also a flicker of pride, one I couldn't suppress. Caera had shown extraordinary potential, a strength that surpassed even my expectations.
I walked over to her, kneeling down to be at her level. Gently, I placed a hand on her shoulder, feeling the tension in her small frame. "You did well, Caera," I said softly, letting a rare note of warmth slip into my voice. "I'm proud of you."
She nodded, the tears that had been threatening to spill over finally breaking free. "Did I... do good, Mama?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
I pulled her into a gentle embrace, ignoring the blood on her shirt as I held her close. "Yes, Caera. You did more than good. You did something extraordinary."
~~
A/N: Short chapter, I know. But I couldn't think of adding something to this chapter and it was kind of rushed.
So, here is some explanation: The first rune that is received is not any kind of spell but rather it activates the mana core and reveals the basic elements of the user. These elements are used to only reinforce the weapon and body, they can't be used for casting spells. Also, It is entirely possible to awaken a different type of Rune, for example, an ice-based Crest can be the next rune she receives at the next bestowal. As for the rest of the magic system, I do have the basic idea, so it will be revealed in time.
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