Alden jolted awake when he heard his room's door open and saw someone enter with his half open eyes. He then heard a sweet voice, that he heard everyday first thing in the morning.
"Very good morning, Young Master". A brown eyed and matching brown haired maid chirped.
"Mm..." Alden rubbed his eyes and looked at a window, it was still curtained but sunlight still leaked from it. "Good morning Sera..."
The brown haired maid, Sera, walked towards the window and removed the curtains as sunlight brightened up the room, Alden covered his eyes with his hand as his vision suddenly got very bright. Then he got off the bed and stood in front of a body length mirror as he yawned. Sera quickly walked infront of him and started undressing him, starting from unbuttoning his shirt. While taking off Alden's trousers, she said "Young Master, Lord Gunther returned from Hesta last night"
Alden felt himself awaken completely as the maid mentioned his father's return. "I see..."
After getting undressed completely, he and Sera walked into the bathroom. On the sink, a solid bluish-golden colored orb was placed in a transparent glass container. Alden walked to the sink, opened the container, took the orb and put it in his mouth. Then in a huge 5×5 meters bath tub, Sera quietly and efficiently bathed Alden. After drying himself, Alden spit the solid orb in his mouth, now having lost it's bluish-golden luster, in a bin that was placed beside the sink.
"This mouth cleanser wasn't a usual wholeberry flavored one. Why?" At the red eyed boy's question, the brown haired maid slightly bowed and apologized "Apologies, Young Master, we were out of those. But they will be restocked by tonight."
Alden didn't question Sera further as she swiftly yet skillfully clothed him in a red-black suit, matching his eyes and hair colored, that was tailored specifically for him. After she was done, Sera went off to do other of her daily tasks. And Alden walked towards the dining hall for breakfast. 'I wonder if father will be in the dining hall right now...' he thought.
As he walked towards the dining hall, a servant saw him at the entrance and opened the door for him. Inside, he didn't see his father, but only his elder half sister Jesica. Jesica was eldest daughter oh his step mother Bella and 4th child of Gunther.
Alden greeted her "Good morning" as took a seat on the 12-chair dining table. "Likewise" Jessica replied dryly. Servants quickly brought breakfast and placed it in front of Alden. "Where is everyone?" He asked
Jessica yet again gave a dry reply "Father already had his breakfast. As soon as he returned last night, he gave a mission to Jake, Carl, John and Amber, I don't know the details but they were sent to red-wood forest. My mother and your mother went to Cromwell Duchy for some reason. Don't know about Isabell"
"Is that so" Alden said and added 'Why does she always talks like this? It's always so awkward when the 2 of us are alone... I should quickly finish breakfast and leave...' in his heart.
Jake was eldest son of Bella and 2nd child of Gunther, John was second son and 5th child of Gunther, Amber was second daughter of Victoria and 6th child of Gunther. And Alden was 2nd son of Victoria and 7th child of Gunther.
Jessica and Alden didn't speak any further as Alden focused on finishing his breakfast as quickly as possible. After doing so, he hurriedly left the dining hall. After that he attended his manners and etiquette class. Then he had lunch in dining hall, alone.
After lunch, Alden walked towards the lecture hall, unwillingly so, where he would learn mathematics from Mr. Harry Lane. After entering the hall, to Alden's pleasant surprise, he found a woman standing in front of the black board instead of Mr. Harry Lane, he probably wouldn't have to study mathematics today. She was middle aged woman with mild wrinkles, wearing a long black robe with white flame like patters.
"Good afternoon, Young Lord" she greated with a small smile. "Ah..." Alden wasn't sure if he should first enquire who she was but decided not to, "Yes, good afternoon".
The black robed lady hummed and said "I am Serena Terne, a royal magic instructor and evaluater. Under the instructions of Lord Gunther, I am to give you a basic class about mana and magic introduction to you. After that, your mana affinity and grade will be evaluated under the watch of your father. Understood?"
'Magic?! I get to learn magic? And mana evaluation too? Great!' He nodded his head enthusiastically and sat on the first bench, right in front of instructor Serena Terne. He sat up straight, ready to give his utmost attention, a serious expression on his face.
"Alrigth, let's begin. You know nothing about mana, correct?" Seeing that the red eyed boy shook his head, she continued "Mana is the most basic and important energy that everything in existence contains, living or non living, however minuscule, it exists in them. It is in the water we drink, the food we eat, the land we walk on, the air we breath, the insects, flowers, trees we see, even the bench you are sitting on right has some mana in it. It is omnipresent, yet remains undetectable to most. Any question?"
Alden couldn't contain his excitement as he asked "How do we use this mana?" To that, instructor Serena replied, "You will be taught that later, after your evaluation"
Alden slumped his shoulders in disappointment, ignoring that, Serena Terne continued "There are many types of mana affinities, but the most basic and common ones are Fire, Water, Ligthing, Wind, Earth, Holy and Dark" She stopped talking, letting her words sink in boy's mind.
After a few seconds, he asked "What are other types? Is it possible to have multiple affinities?" To which Serena monotonously replied, "Ice, Poison, Gravity, Blood, Illusion, Lava, Undead, Plant, Desire, Distortion and more. And yes one can have multiple affinities. Anything else you wish to ask?"
After some thoughts, he asked, "What affinities do you have, instructor Serena?"
Serena frowned and said in a strict tone "Young Lord Alden, it is disrespectful and rude to ask that question to anyone you are not close to. As it directly reveals someone's weaknesses and strengths, it is a very private and personal thing to ask. Do you understand?"
Alden was suddenly taken aback and didn't know what to say. He hung his head down and apologized "I'm sorry... I didn't know it was so rude of me to ask that... I'll keep it in mind..."
Sensing the child's sincerity, she said "It's alright. But remember to not commit this mistake in future, ok?"
"Yes" Alden nodded. Sitting up straight again to pay attention to the instructor's further words.
"I will continue then. Next is grading of affinities, there are 4 grades for every affinity. Quarter Affinity, Half Affinity, Quarter and Half Affinity, and Complete Affinity at top. These grades represent the potential one possess. Whether someone can reach their full potential or not, it depends on their hardwork and talent"
Ignoring that the Alden was about to ask something, she continued "For example, you can have Half Affinity for Fire element. But if you do not have much talent or you don't work hard enough, then you'll only be as good as someone with Quarter grade Affinity for Fire element, but had worked hard enough"
Although Alden didn't completely understand what she said, but nodded nonetheless, "Understood" he said.
"Alright, that's all I had to say. Now let's go and do your evaluation." She then walked out of the hall, Alden quietly followed behind her. To Alden, this familiar corridor of the castle seemed longer than ever, out of anticipations.
After who knows how long, Alden and Serena arrived before a hall. She pushed opem the doors and briefly walked inside. After following her inside, the first thing that Alden noticed was a tall, over 6 feet tall man standing beside a window. He had deep crimson red eyes and short ash-grey hairs with a similar colored thich yet pleasant to eye beard. He was dressed in a white shirt, black tie, grey vest, grey blazer, grey paints and a pair of black leather shoes.
This man was none other than Alden's father, 1 of the 6 Dukes of great Grandell Empire and one of the most powerful man in the Empire, Saint Gunther Ashfeild. He was exuding an aura of immense authority and power, making anyone near him weak in knee, as they would involuntarily want to kneel infront of him. Gunther retrieved his gaze from the window and looked at his youngest child, Alden, with a stern expression.