Back in the new world, inside the spacious and cozy rooms of the Valefort estate, a newborn Aelric rested in his mother's arms. The fancy room had silver and blue decorations everywhere. It felt noble but still warm somehow. Velvet curtains moved a bit in the wind coming through the big arched doors to the balcony. That brought in the sweet smell of windroses blooming down in the courtyard. The quiet sound of cloth rustling and the fire popping in the hearth made everything peaceful.
Seraphina Valefort sat back against a bunch of thick pillows on her big bed with the canopy. She rocked her son gently. Her light blonde hair hung loose for a change. It fell over her shoulders smooth as silk. Her green eyes glowed with a calm happiness. She started singing a soft lullaby. It was one her own mother had sung to her long ago. The tune floated softly around the room. It touched the walls lit by candles like a gentle wind.
She stopped for a moment.
Her fingers brushed over Aelric's soft head hair. Her face changed to something more wondering.
"His hair," she said in a whisper. Her voice was just above the sound of the fire. "It's midnight black."
She looked at it closely. She fluffed the little bit of fuzz between her fingers. That deep black color stood out so much against her own light hair.
Right then, the heavy doors opened with a quiet creak. Lucian Valefort came in. He was tall and wide at the shoulders. He wore a dark robe with silver trim. His look was strong but not too much. His sharp silver eyes looked over the room. His hair to his shoulders shone like metal under the lamp light.
Smaller steps came pattering behind him.
"Mom. Is that my baby brother?" said a young voice full of energy.
A streak of purple rushed into the room. It was Akane Valefort. She was four years old. She ran right up with her bright blue eyes big and excited. Her long violet hair swung back and forth as she moved. Two maids hurried after her. They tried to catch up but let her have the moment.
Seraphina smiled at her softly. "Yes, darling. He's still so small though. Be careful with him."
Lucian walked over to the bed at a slow pace. His eyes went to Aelric. He stayed quiet for quite a while. Then his forehead wrinkled a little. His jaw got tight.
"His magic pool," he said under his breath. "It's overflowing."
Seraphina glanced up quickly. She felt out with her magic senses in a careful way.
A moment went by.
She held her breath. "This," she whispered. "Lucian, I have never sensed a magic pool quite like it. It's not only huge. It's pure somehow. But why?"
Lucian took his time to answer. His silver eyes stayed fixed on the baby.
"Even our most powerful family members from the past didn't have this when they were born," he said at last. "This isn't from normal buildup. It's like he carried it here from another place."
"Or maybe something picked him out," Seraphina said quietly.
Akane stood on her toes by the bed. She pulled at her mother's sleeve. "That means he'll be super strong, right. Like Papa."
She looked over at Lucian. Her eyes sparkled. "Can I hold him, please."
Seraphina blinked and smiled gently. "Come here, sweetheart."
Akane climbed up on the bed. She sat next to her mother. Her little arms reached out shaking a bit with excitement. Seraphina handed the wrapped up baby over with care.
Akane stared down at him. Her eyes were wide and full of wonder. "He's so soft," she whispered. "And warm. Like a fresh bun from the oven."
Seraphina let out a soft laugh. "Thats a fine way to put it for a noble."
Lucian gave a small chuckle. It was not something he did often. He stepped closer to stand by them. His arms folded as he watched his kids. Then he squinted his eyes once more.
"That hair," he pointed out. He nodded at Aelric's dark strands. "It doesn't match either of ours."
Seraphina agreed with a nod. "I noticed that too. Its black as the night sky."
Lucian nodded back slightly. "My mother had hair just like it. Real deep black. I got my looks from my father. But it looks like Aelric got hers."
Seraphina's face grew softer. "So he has a part of her in him now."
Lucian gave a small smile. "I hope he didn't get her quick temper too."
Akane laughed and rocked back and forth gently. She held her brother close. "He's gonna be my best friend. I'll show him all kinds of things."
Aelric moved a little then. He opened his eyes slowly. Those bright green eyes focused on the faces looking down at him.
His mother. His father. His sister.
"So these are my new family," he thought to himself. His mind stayed too steady and clear for a baby. "No heavy loads. No old mistakes. Just calm for now. Wonder how long it will stay that way."
Then inside his head he said quietly, "Ultimate Guide, start the Analysis Copy."
It happened right away.
A wave rushed through his body. His eyes glowed. The green in them turned otherworldly. Patterns from the stars swirled into view. Rings of light and sky symbols formed. It was like whole galaxies got carved right into him.
Lucian moved closer. "His eyes."
Seraphina let out a small gasp. "Magic is flowing strong. Thats not normal at all."
Akane blinked a few times. Then she squealed happily. "His eyes got all sparkly."
Only Aelric saw the system screen appear in front of him.
"Status Analysis Active."
Father: Lucian Valefort
• Race: Human
• Supreme Ability: Abyss Sovereign
• Ultimate Abilities: Void Shackles, Gravitational Collapse, Abyssal Dominion, Temporal Rift
• Unique Abilities: Telekinesis, Mana Severance, Thunder Lord's Wrath, Dimensional Severance, Stormcaller
• Summon: Umbra, the Nether Drake
Mother: Seraphina Valefort
• Race: Human
• Ultimate Abilities: Astral Chains, Healing Embrace, Divine Restoration, Ethereal Chains
• Unique Abilities: Lunar Affinity, Empathic Resonance, Zephyr's Grace, Celestial Purge, Gale Mastery
• Regular Abilities: Enhanced Sensory Perception, Aerial Levitation
• Summon: Sylphara, Guardian of the Wind
Sister: Akane Valefort
• Race: Human
• Unique Abilities: Cryokinesis, Wind Manipulation, Glacial Chains
• Regular Abilities: Mana Manipulation, Enhanced Agility
• Elemental Affinity: Ice & Wind
Aelric's thoughts worked fast. "Fathers Supreme Ability is blocked for now. Since I can't copy that yet. But the rest."
"Copying complete", the Ultimate Guide said. "Abilities are yours now. Want me to tweak them for better use."
"Absolutely."
The glow died down. His eyes went back to normal.
Lucian and Seraphina looked at each other. "It's over," Lucian said.
"What happened there," Seraphina said softly.
"An ability waking up," Lucian replied in a flat tone. "But it's way too soon. Much too soon."
Akane kept rocking him easy. She tilted her head. "Do it again. That was really cool."
Aelric paid no attention to her laughs. He turned his thoughts inside once more. "By the way, Ultimate Guide sounds clunky. Let's call you Partner for now."
"Acknowledged. Temporary name accepted, Partner."
Lucian looked at his son for a good long time. "He's not only gifted. He's something else entirely."
"Do you figure it's a good sign," Seraphina said.
Lucian paused before answering. His eyes stayed on the baby. He looked deep in thought. "Well find out in time."
Someone knocked on the door to the chamber. It was light and polite. A senior servant came in partway. He bowed low.
"Lord Lucian, Lady Seraphina. Should I tell the estates record keeper the young heirs name is set."
Lucian turned to his wife. Seraphina nodded softly.
"Weve chosen," she said. She ran a finger over Aelric's forehead. "His name is Aelric."
Lucian said it out loud too. "Aelric Valefort."
Akane clapped her hands. She beamed. "Aelric. That fits just right."
Right then, Aelric stopped inside his own mind.
"The same name," he thought. "Out of all the chances in this new world. I still got to be Aelric." A bit of humor stirred in him quietly. "Some names just carry over from one life to another I guess."
He wasn't sure if it was just chance or destiny or what. But the familiar ring of it felt oddly nice.
Seraphina leaned into Lucians side. She put her head on his shoulder. "He's going to shake things up, isn't he."
Lucian's voice stayed low. "He already did that."
Akane bent forward. She touched her forehead to her baby brothers gently. "Dont worry. I'll keep you safe till you can keep me safe."
Aelric blinked slow. A tiny bit of warmth filled his little chest.
For the first time, he sensed something from his old life he had never really had.
A sense of fitting in.
This was his fresh start.
And this round. He would make his own way.