The morning that would change the lives of everyone in the empire was dry and cloudy. The sun was bright in the sky and all witnessed a sight that only happened once every 5-10 years. For the commoners they would participate in the Valrahn festival and watch as the empire grew stronger. There was no street that was empty, no stall that was not selling wares and food. People filled the capital to every corner and gaurds stood silently on roofs and in darkness to protect the peace and happiness of the vibrant capital. Every street was filled with flags of the royal family, a blue eyed pale horse with a gold halo of light and 4 swords surrounding it. It was 756 years after the founding of the Valrahn empire. The founding families and those that joined them after years of war and conquest were all in the capital to witness the next generation of mages.
Each noble family was sat in a large assembly hall. 4 large round tables were sat below a large stair case. Each a symbol of the dukedoms and smaller round tables sat further behind them, for each family. At the top of the stair case a row of chairs sat watching over them. The Emperor, The empress and his three children.
This generation had not only the three heirs of the royal family. The crown prince Dyson and the two crown princesses Terra and Corei but also each child from the four dukedoms. However even with such royalty every noble and the emperor himself had eyes on one family. Vi Terande. 'The' Baron family. So disgraced and shamed they were rarely even spoken of unless at the butt of a joke. From founding dukedom to wine makers no better than merchants who bought their way into nobility.
It wasn't because they were so pitiful or the nobility was looking for laughs, that they paid such a painful attention to them; but their son.
Alexander Vi Terande. Genius among every generation. Knowledge of swords, math and magic and even etiquette outstripping professors and mage schools. Absorbing advanced reasoning and knowledge before the age of Ten. Almost a god among men. Every school begged for his future enrollment and almost every house had sent word of engagement proposals. Even the emperor had made nice with the family again in hopes of this very day.
Alexander and his family sat patiently in the back. The nobles tables were placed geographically. The four dukes sat closest to the Royal family and would be the first to test their magic. The other families that were subsiderary and the few children that were attending would go later. That would mean Alexander and his family would be last. After several demotions for not producing even a 5th circle mage they had been pushed out to the outskirts. To a land that could only grow grapes and olives. They made enough money to keep their family a float and defend against the occasional savage or monster, but the empire had put them in a place to rot.
The voices of the assembly continue on until a wave of a single hand.
"Thank you all. I know the trip must have been long for some and longer for others, but this is a momentous occasion." Emperor Ceasar Di Valrahn slowly stands up and through a cold fake smile he warmly greets his assembly. Alexander could see through that cold face. He had seen so many smiles in his short life. So many teachers with unwanted expectations and so many old men trying to use his genius for their advantage..Some of the children here were younger than him some a year or two older. That was the luck of being born after the Empire's children. A late showing. Some trained in secret if they had the funds. That was not a luxury the Vi terande family had.
Ceasar Di Valrahn's royal suit is decorated in a military fashion with specks of gold and blue, symbols of the powerful magic the royal family wields. Ceasar Valrahn had golden eyes and blue flecks, a symbol of his strong attunement to his magic, and something that shows his worth as a mage. 7th circle and beyond, and rarely to the most genuis of mages. It was said that Ceasar had golden eyes from birth. His children were no exception, each with golden or blue flecks in their natural brown eyes.
"My three beautiful children, and many of our nobles have brought the next generation that will strengthen our glorious empire." Emperor Di Valrahn looks at his three children with as fake of a smile as the one he put on for the nobles. The oldest of the three Dyson sits up proud but Corei and Terra shift from the unexpected attention. The Emperor sits down and motions to his wife. Emperess of Valrahn and of beauty; Aphrodite Di Valrahn. Her golden hair is tightly braided and decorated in jewels but like her husband she stands regally and coldy. Her vibrant blue eyes showed her power as a mage. Alexander couldn't help but admire her beauty. Something about her cold appearance allured him.
"Now we have all eaten and the test should quickly commence. Arthur, please begin." She motions for one of the royal mages to step forward to a small stand with 4 clear orbs on the table. Arthur wore a black robe and hood. His face was largely unseen outside of his deep green eyes glowing under neath. "He will call each child up in order. I expect only one parent to bring them up if you so insist."
Arthur began with the royal children of course. First Dyson, then Corei and then Terra. The nobles applauded and congradulated the great succession, each awakening two elements, the two elements of the royal family. Alexander could tell they had already done this, they would never risk an embarrasement such as the royal family not having the elements of their ancestors. Water and Light.
The Dukedoms were next. 4 children for the four families. They also had two elements, except for one. A warrior family that had clawed it's way up over generations protecting the western border. From the North- Racheal Vi Erva and the elements of fire and earth and their power of melten rock. From the East - Silas Vi Argon with the elements of wind and water and their power of storms. From the South- Tori Vi Drago with the elements of night and earth and their power of shadows.
Finally the house of the West, Experts of earth and their secret over metal. Viola de Treatis.
The Noble families one after another awoke to their powers. Toasts were made to the royal family after each awakening. With every flash of light that filled the room, a growing anticipation filled their minds and Alexander's mother and Father grew anxious.
"It'll be okay son. I believe in you." His mother Violet Vi Terande fixes Alexander's hair and suit quickly and reassures him. Although he isn't all that worried. Magic or not he will make his family's name known again.
"Finally, Alexander Vi Terande." Whatever noise hummed in the room quickly became quiet. Alexander looked at all their faces. The faces he got so used to were now placed in every single one of them. Faces of expectation and calculation. Even the eyes of the Emperor.
"Go my son. Whatever happens." His father, Torres Vi Terande, urges him forward. Alone. He stops his wife from going with him. He must stand apart like the duke's children and the royal family. Not like other snotty nobles. He must stand strong and powerful.
Alexander's steps are confident and poised. He doesn't bow his head until reaching Arthur and the table of orbs. He bows lightly to the emperor and the royal family, but doesn't remove his eyes from Ceasar or Aphrodite. They draw him in, their power and the cold in them. It reminds him of how he looked at his teachers. As if they were beneath him, as if they couldn't even hold a conversation with them. He knew only the academy could match him but even with the money of a Vi Terande they couldn't aquire mages or academics of those levels.
"Now child. Place your hands on the array below the orbs and they will show you your magic." Arthur pointed at the array.
Alexander reaches out his hands and place them on the array. He can feel static under his skin, following small pathways to his heart. Every inch fills him with a pulsing energy and in seconds the orbs begin to light a vibrant purple energy and then quickly fades away. An energy that draws shocks from the crowd but quickly dissipates . From all his books Alexander has never read of this. He looks to Arthur and his face and green eyes falter. Shock. He looks to the Emperor his cold face shaking in dissapointment. The empress doesn't bother to move. The other children begin to snicker and so does the noble families.
Failure.
Arthur moves to the Emperor in a blur of gushing wind and whispers into his ears. "It seems the child has awakened magic, your Majesty. One i've never seen."
The Emperor waves his hand in disgust and the Empress stands up. "It seems that draws the ceremony to a close. A party will be held for our successful new generation. Please attend with our future generation." Alexander looks into their eyes again and now only see disgust and dismissal. He walks silently to his parents. With sorrow in their eyes. Too much pity and sadness for his ten year old heart to truly comprehend but his mind is clear.
A mind he wished he didn't have in this moment. I will not be a failure.
"Let's go, Father, Mother."