Adrian sat on the balcony, legs dangling over the edge, staring down at the gardens and the city beyond. The sunlight brushed against his silver hair, warm but not enough to calm the storm of thoughts swirling inside his head. They think I'm small. They think I can't understand. They think that because I'm only six, only a boy, I'm someone they can control, someone they can shape to their will. But I'm Adrian Leonhart. I can think. I can act. I can decide. And I will.
The nobles, the advisors, the whispers in the halls—they all underestimate me. They smile politely, bow to my face, but their eyes are sharp, their words hidden like daggers. They test me, they prod me, they try to see if I will bend. But I won't bend. I won't kneel to expectations that aren't mine. I won't let them dictate who I am. I am not a puppet. I am not a name on a document. I am Adrian Leonhart, and every choice I make will be mine.
I lean forward, resting my chin on my folded arms, letting the wind brush my face. I think of my past life, of everything I learned before I came here. The mistakes I made, the people I lost, the times I failed because I let others control me or because I ignored my own instincts. I will not repeat that. I will remember it all. Every fear, every doubt, every hesitation. They will make me stronger, not weaker.
Magic I have yet to master. Swordsmanship that requires endless practice. Leadership that will challenge my mind and my patience. Knowledge of the kingdom, of its people, of its rules and its dangers. All of these things will be mine to understand, to master, to use as I see fit. Not because someone tells me to, not because the crown demands it, but because I choose to.
I close my eyes for a moment. I imagine walking through the great hall tomorrow, the faces of nobles, advisors, even my own family staring at me. Will they see me for who I am, or only for the crown I wear? I will make them see. I will make them understand that respect is not given for titles alone. It is earned through actions, decisions, and courage. I will prove that I am capable, that I am intelligent, and that I am not just a child.
I open my eyes again, staring at the rooftops in the distance, the city alive with movement below. People moving, working, living their lives. I will meet them. I will meet friends, allies, maybe rivals, maybe enemies. And I will show them I am not a prince who hides behind a title. I am Adrian Leonhart, a person who acts, who decides, who earns recognition by what he does, not by what he is born into.
The wind picks up slightly, tugging at my hair and clothes. I feel a fire in my chest, a determination that is both new and familiar. I've lived other lives. I know what it is to fail, to be powerless, to be ignored. I will never let that happen again. Not here, not now, not ever. This life, this world, it is mine to shape. And I will shape it carefully, deliberately, proudly.
I think about the sword lessons with Howard Rufer, how every strike, every stance, every careful step is not just training but preparation. Preparation for a life that will demand strength, skill, and quick thinking. I think about the magic lessons that await, the mysteries of the spirit beasts that I will encounter, the wisdom I must learn to lead a kingdom not by fear, but by justice. Every lesson, every challenge, every success, every mistake—it will all be mine to claim.
I imagine the people I will meet along the way. Allies who will trust me, friends who will fight by my side, rivals who will push me to be better. I think of the advisors, the teachers, the mentors. I will listen, I will learn, but I will not be bound. I will consider their guidance, but I will make my own decisions. The path of Adrian Leonhart is mine, not theirs. I will not be controlled.
The sun dips lower, casting long shadows across the balcony. I press my small hands into my knees, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders, heavy but not oppressive. I am ready. I am capable. I may be small in body, but my mind, my resolve, my vision—they are strong. I can see the path ahead, not easy, not simple, but mine. Every step, every decision, every action I take will be mine to choose, and I will face the consequences without fear.
I picture myself tomorrow, walking through the halls, meeting those who think they can test me. They will see that I am not a child to be underestimated. They will see that I am aware, that I am thoughtful, that I am prepared. Not because I want to show off, not because I seek glory, but because I will not let anyone define me. I will define myself.
I imagine the kingdom in my mind, the streets, the people, the laughter and the struggle, the life that moves beyond the palace walls. I will not hide behind guards, behind servants, behind the crown. I will step forward, and I will be seen. Not as a prince who inherited power, but as Adrian Leonhart, a person of thought, skill, and courage.
The shadows lengthen, and the first stars begin to appear. I take a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill my lungs. This moment is quiet, but it is powerful. I have decided. I have chosen. I will not follow a path laid out for me. I will create my own path. I will take every opportunity, face every challenge, and claim every victory with my own hands.
I think of my parents, Leon and Celestia, their love and guidance. They have given me everything I could need, but I cannot rely on them to define me. I will honor their care, their lessons, their protection, but I will stand on my own. I will walk forward with my head held high, and I will show them, and everyone else, that Adrian Leonhart is more than a name, more than a crown, more than expectations. I am me.
I imagine the years to come, the training, the lessons, the friendships, the rivals, the adventures. I see the possibilities stretching before me, a vast horizon of choice and challenge. And I feel ready. Not because I know everything, not because I am strong enough, but because I have decided. Because I have chosen my path, and there is no turning back.
I lean back, feeling the warmth of the last sun on my face, the cool breeze brushing past. I smile, small but genuine, because for the first time in a long time, I feel entirely certain. I am Adrian Leonhart. I will not be a puppet. I will not be defined by anyone else. I will learn, I will grow, I will act, and I will walk my path, whatever it may hold.
And in that certainty, I feel freedom. Freedom not of action, but of choice. I am six years old, yes, but I am more than that. I am aware, I am prepared, I am determined. And from this moment, every step I take, every choice I make, every battle I face, will be mine alone.
I will begin today. My path starts today. My name is Adrian Leonhart, and I will make the world see me—not because I wear a crown, not because of my blood, but because of who I am and the choices I make. I will rise. I will grow. I will act. I will be seen.
Yes. I am Adrian. And I will begin my path now.