Chapter 25: Barrett's Progress
As the sun cast its warm glow over the rolling hills of Brizia, Barrett, now almost six years old, stood in the courtyard of his family's estate. He had spent the past five years undergoing repetitive mana training, diligently building up his strength and honing his magical abilities as well as observing the world around him. With each passing day, he felt a greater command over the basic elements, his control becoming more refined.
Yet, Barrett's young mind buzzed with anticipation. Turning six meant that he would finally be granted access to the deeper knowledge and teachings of magic. It was a milestone he had eagerly awaited, knowing that it would unlock new realms of possibilities and broaden his understanding of the mystical arts.
But the past five years hadn't been particularly eventful for Barrett. His father, Prince Cedric, was away more often than usual, assuming the role of commander after being granted permission by the king for a standing army. The responsibility of safeguarding the borders had claimed much of his father's time and attention.
During this time, Barrett delved deeper into the intricacies of his world and the kingdom he called home. Brizia, though the smallest nation on the continent of Fensia, held remarkable wealth due to its thriving trade with the eastern lands. The bustling port city of Hicavalia, governed by Barrett's grandfather, Lord Tyrus Haval, served as the hub of this flourishing commerce.
He noticed also that the world had 387 days making up each year and though the calendar differed from that of Earth's the seasons remained the same. The year began with the chilly embrace of winter, where frost painted the landscape and the air carried a crisp bite. Delicate snowflakes drifted from the sky, creating a serene blanket that transformed the hills, valleys, and plains into fields of snow.
Gradually, the grip of winter loosened its hold, giving way to the tender blossoms of spring, awaking nature from its slumber, redecorating the atmosphere, and ridding it of the wretched snow. Spring then transitioned to summer after which, the gentle breeze of autumn grazed the land.
Each season came with its fair share of blessings and hardships, as poverty ran rampant throughout the world, as it does in any world, it is often said that one cannot be rich without the poor to keep them richer and it turns out that saying holds true.
Barrett considered himself fortunate to be born into such a prosperous and influential family, a stroke of luck that contrasted with his unremarkable past life, with his inherited silver hair, oval-shaped face, and piercing silver eyes, Barrett possessed a devastatingly handsome appearance that captivated those who laid eyes upon him. It was a gift from his mother, Anastasia, whose lineage bestowed upon him an otherworldly allure.
As he stood in the courtyard situated on his wing of the residence, the summer breeze tousled his silver locks as awaited the inevitable "surprise" that was prepared for him.
"Your grace" mouthed a maid,
Barrett looked over at the origin of the call and with his eyes fixed on the maid, he replied "Are they ready"
"Yes, Your Grace"
"Finally, would you care to lead the way, Rose"
"Certainly, Your Grace"
**Barrett's POV**
My maid Rose glided gracefully, leading the way to my supposed "surprise party". Though I had known about it for weeks, I couldn't undermine my mother's efforts in preparing everything.
I had been born on the 14th day in the 6th month in the Empirical Calendar, a period in which the season often contradicted itself, sometimes giving us lengthy violent showers of rain and other times giving us days where the sun roasted the ground.
After a leisurely 15-minute walk, we reached the grand palace ballroom. The sound of shuffling footsteps echoed on the polished wooden floor as everyone took their positions, hidden from sight.
As my maid and I approached the entrance, two guards stood, giving us a subtle nod. The doors swung open, revealing a scene bathed in soft, dimmed lights and mysterious figures lurking in the shadows. And then, after a brief moment of anticipation that stretched just a tad too long...
"Surprise!"
My mother burst forward, her face beaming with joy, believing she had genuinely caught me off guard. I played along, matching her enthusiasm, not wanting to dampen her spirits.
As the room erupted in cheerful applause and laughter, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of greetings and well wishes. It was tiring, navigating through the sea of smiling faces, and exchanging pleasantries with relatives, friends, and acquaintances alike.
I greeted my siblings, their mothers by their side, with warm hugs and polite smiles. Lady Genevieve, elegant as ever, embraced me with grace, her eyes sparkling with genuine affection. Lady Isabella, with her gentle touch, tousled my hair playfully and whispered a sweet birthday wish in my ear.
But then, there was Victoria. As I approached her, a wave of unease washed over me. Her cold gaze met mine briefly, her lips curling into an obligatory smile that failed to reach her eyes. It was an awkward interaction, filled with unspoken tension. I couldn't help but wonder why she seemed to harbor such disdain for me.
I dismissed the trivial thought, refusing to let it linger in my mind. There was something far more significant awaiting me on this special day—the long-awaited opportunity to learn magic. The kingdom's rule prohibiting magic practice for anyone below the age of six had felt like an unnecessary hindrance. Nonetheless, I had spent these past six years honing my mana control and crafting spells in preparation for this momentous occasion. Still, there was much I needed to discover about the magic common sense of this world, the boundaries, and the limitations that governed its use. Today, that would change.
As the final chords of the birthday festivities faded away, the new day dawned, carrying with it the weight of anticipation. I leaped out of bed, my heart racing with excitement, and urged my maid to hasten in readying me. Every second felt like an eternity as I impatiently threw on my clothes, eager to embark on my quest for knowledge.
Once I was presentable, I bolted out of my room, a blur as I raced through the corridors of the palace. My feet carried me swiftly toward the grand library. My previous requests to read books about magic had been met with exasperated sighs from the librarian, who had grown tired of my incessant nagging. But today, I had a feeling that things would be different.
As I burst into the library, my eyes scanned the towering shelves, searching for the librarian. Spotting her, I approached her with an eager smile, hoping that my determination would finally sway her.
The librarian, an unassuming woman in her late thirties, exuded a quiet grace as she diligently attended to her tasks. With chestnut hair neatly tied back, and glasses perched on her nose, she navigated the library with purpose. Polite and hardworking, she ensured the shelves were organized and the collection well-maintained. Behind her unremarkable appearance, she held a wealth of knowledge, serving as a guide and guardian of the library.
"Good morning," I greeted her, my voice filled with a blend of excitement and reverence. "I'm here to learn about magic. Are there any books you can recommend?"
The librarian peered at me, a mix of surprise and curiosity evident in her eyes. With a nod, she turned and disappeared into the labyrinth, leaving me to wait impatiently.
Minutes later, she returned, carrying a stack of books carefully balanced in her arms. She placed them on a nearby table, their worn spines and weathered pages signified their age. The librarian smiled, her weariness momentarily replaced by a spark of genuine interest.
"These should be a good starting point for you," she said, her voice filled with a newfound warmth. "They cover the basics of being a mage and will provide you with a foundation to build upon. Take your time, absorb the knowledge, and remember to handle them with care."
Gratitude welled up within me as I thanked her profusely before placing myself around the table and getting started on my reading.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone