Kaidën was two years old now, and he could hardly comprehend how much he'd grown.He was now at the age where he could he could get baptized. It felt like only yesterday he had been squashed into his crib, trying to make sense of the chaotic, unfamiliar world around him.
But he had adapted well. He'd picked up the language, slowly but surely, and now could speak a little for himself. His parents were proud of him and had already begun teaching him the history and moral compass of their world.
He had recently learned to walk, and that small but profound milestone had changed everything. He could explore now—see the world from a new perspective—and every little thing astonished him.
That day, Kaidën discovered something about his family he'd never expected. They weren't an ordinary family—they were the Dukes of Valtorin. His father was a powerful and respected man, and his lineage came with wealth and influence.
More astonishing was the truth about his mother. Princess Sofia—his mother—was the last and only sister of the reigning king of the Everwood kingdom, king Edward That revelation left him stunned.
He had been reincarnated into royalty. Maybe not the highest royalty, but certainly noble blood flowed through his veins.
But what inspired him most was his father's story. Duke Arin was once a commoner, a man who rose to greatness through sheer will and relentless effort. He had achieved the impossible—earning power, respect, and even the hand of a princess. Kaidën idolized him. He wanted to become like that—no, better than that—one day.
As he sat quietly, waiting to be baptized in the capital city's cathedral, Kaidën was a mix of emotions: excited, curious, nervous. The world still felt new and overwhelming, but he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Being with his parents brought him comfort. Their presence was a warm reminder that he was loved and cherished, no matter what came.
As the day of the baptism drew near, Kaidën grew increasingly restless. He had learned so much about the kingdom's customs, and he couldn't wait to experience the sacred ritual that would reveal his magical affinity.
****
The cathedral was massive and breathtaking, towering like a stone mountain toward the heavens. Its intricately carved walls and vibrant stained-glass windows bathed the floor in kaleidoscopic rainbows. Kaidën could feel a strange, pulsating energy inside—an aura of anticipation and sacred power.
His parents, Duke Arin and Princess Sofia, stood beside him with nervous excitement etched into their expressions. They had told him that the baptism would unlock his latent magical abilities, an age-old tradition of their kingdom.
They were greeted at the altar by Lord Ravenswood and his son. Lord Ravenswood's smile was tight, his voice coated in fake respect.
"Ah, Duke Arin, Princess Sofia. An honor to witness your son's baptism," Lord Ravenswood said smoothly. "I'm sure he'll be a… fine addition to the noble houses of our kingdom."
Kaidën sensed the mockery beneath his words, though his parents seemed not to notice. After a brief exchange, Lord Ravenswood and his son walked away, casting disdainful looks behind them.
****
The ritual began.
Lord Ravenswood's son was baptized first. When the priest poured the holy water over his head, a vivid red light erupted, signaling a strong fire affinity. The crowd gasped in awe.
"A prodigy!" someone murmured. "A true fire mage!"
The boy proudly proclaimed he would become the greatest of all time. His arrogance was surprising, even to Kaidën.
Then came Kaidën's turn.
As the priest poured the holy water on his head, Kaidën felt a strange flicker ignite within him. But instead of a vibrant color, a pale, colorless glow surrounded him.
The crowd's reaction was immediate—shocked gasps, followed by hushed whispers of pity. Lord Ravenswood's laughter echoed through the hallowed space, filled with open scorn.
"How sweet," he sneered. "It seems the Duke's son has inherited his… failures."
Duke Arin's face darkened. Princess Sofia's eyes filled with unshed tears. Kaidën stood there, confused and humiliated, unsure what he had done wrong.
The priest, expression unchanged, addressed the crowd. "Colorless mana is a rare and unstable phenomenon. It has not been seen in over twelve centuries."
Kaidën began to wonder if he was broken—flawed in the eyes of the nobles.
As they left the cathedral, Lord Ravenswood's laughter echoed in Kaidën's mind, a cruel melody of ridicule. He felt like a disappointment.
Yet, as he gazed at the faint, colorless glow still surrounding him, a different emotion stirred—curiosity. That strange mana felt oddly familiar. What was it, really?
On the way back, his parents were silent. His father's usual stoic expression had shifted to concern, and his mother struggled not to cry.
Kaidën felt as though he had let them down. But that glowing mana—lifeless to others—ignited a flicker of determination inside him. He would rise above this, no matter what it took.
Their family manor sprawled endlessly, yet it felt quiet and heavy upon their return. Kaidën could feel the disappointment weighing on them, not just for him, but for the dreams they had for him.
They had hoped he would inherit his mother's fierce fire magic—or any clear magical potential. Instead, he was marked by the rarest and most misunderstood kind of mana: colorless, unpredictable, and widely considered a curse.
Kaidën sat quietly, already bracing himself for the mockery he knew would come. But deep inside, he vowed to shatter every expectation.
There was still a glimmer in his parents' eyes—hope. They hadn't given up on him, and neither would he.
He steeled himself for the long journey ahead. The taunts of "weakling" and "worthless" would come. But he would fight, and he would grow stronger.
He had emerged from the cathedral no longer just a noble's son—he bore the burden of his fate. He was Kaidën Valtorin, son of Duke Arin and Princess Sofia. He would not be a prisoner to weakness.
And deep in his soul, another voice rang out, fierce and defiant:
Lee Jung-ho—the former Minister of Finance of South Korea—is not weak.
To be continued...