Rio gave a small nod in acknowledgment and stepped away from the altar. His subtle footsteps echoed weakly across the marble floor of the cathedral as he walked back toward his family.
The moment he reached them, he noticed their expressions.
His mother looked stunned as if she was trying to process what had just happened. Allen stood nearby, proud yet slightly confused, glancing between Rio and the stone tablet. His father, however, maintained a composed posture but even he could not completely hide the flicker of surprise in his eyes. There was also pride there.
A quiet, unmistakable pride.
Receiving a blessing itself was already considered fortunate. But Appraisal was an extremely rare and valuable blessing, especially for someone born into nobility.
Rio calmly stood beside Allen again, maintaining the composed demeanor expected of a noble child.
Inside his mind, however, his thoughts were anything but calm.
Appraisal And Void Sense, two completely different abilities. One granted by the gods while the other… something else entirely.
Rio subtly clenched his small hands.
Just what exactly happened to me when I reincarnated?
After a brief exchange of polite words with Pope George, my parents finally composed themselves. Though their expressions had settled, the earlier shock hadn't completely faded.
Soon after, we took our leave. The Pope had his duties, leading prayers for the believers of this world's goddess, so our departure was quiet and respectful.
As we stepped outside, the atmosphere changed instantly.
The cathedral garden welcomed us with a gentle embrace of nature. Birds chirped softly among the trees, their melodies weaving through the air like a calm symphony. Despite being in the heart of the capital, the place retained an untouched elegance, almost sacred. For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
Then, the sound of wheels rolling over stone broke the calm. Our carriage arrived, stopping neatly in front of us.
The driver, Hans, a man with softly tanned skin, black hair, and dark brown eyes gave a respectful nod toward Father.
We boarded the carriage one by one.
As soon as we settled inside, Father, Merlin spoke, his tone steady yet carrying a hint of satisfaction.
"We will be staying in the capital for today," he announced. "We leave tomorrow morning."
Allen's eyes lit up immediately at the idea. As for Rio, He quietly leaned back against the cushioned seat. Outwardly calm but
Inwardly restless.
His thoughts drifted back to the moment at the altar. The shattered words, the gold and black swirl. That wasn't normal…
His fingers subtly tightened over his lap.
For the first time since arriving in this world,
Rio felt that whatever he carried within him was far from ordinary.
Rio leaned back slightly, letting the rhythm of the carriage steady his thoughts. That moment in the cathedral replayed vividly in his mind.
The golden light, the black hue, the way they intertwined before shattering the words. His gaze lowered, thoughtful.
The golden energy… it feels exactly like the one flowing inside me right now…
It was warm, stable, moving through him like a second circulatory system.
So that must be the blessing… Appraisal.
Then his thoughts shifted.
…Then the black energy… that has to be Void Sense.
Unlike the golden flow, the black presence was subtle… almost nonexistent. It didn't "flow" the same way. It lingered quiet and formless.
His brows furrowed slightly.
But why did they react like that?
He recalled the exact moment. He had been thinking about both at the same time, comparing them, understanding them and then…They collided.
Did my awareness trigger something?
A quiet realization began forming.
These two energies… they're fundamentally different. One is structured… granted… something that belongs to this world. The other…
He paused. Even thinking about Void Sense felt strange.
…the other doesn't feel like it belongs anywhere.
There was no warmth. No origin he could trace.
If I tried to use both at once…
His fingers tightened slightly.
They interfered with each other unnaturally. Like two concepts that were never meant to coexist in the same vessel.
Rio exhaled softly.
I need to be careful for now.
He made a silent decision.
I shouldn't use them together… at least not until I understand them fully.
His gaze shifted toward the carriage window, watching the capital pass by. But behind those calm eyes. His mind had already begun analyzing something far deeper.
I leaned against the carriage window, gazing out. The morning sun was stronger than before, yet its warmth felt gentle, softening the edges of the city. Light spilled across the streets, glinting off cobblestones and rooftops. People moved about in their own worlds, unaware of the two small boys riding through in a carriage, much as they had been when we first arrived in the capital.
After a while, the carriage slowly turned to the right. Rows of carefully planted trees lined the road, their leaves swaying gently in the morning breeze. The street felt dignified, almost solemn. Fewer people walked here, and those who did were dressed in luxurious attire, some wearing high-frocked gowns reminiscent of the one Mother had purchased just last week.
Seems Mother always keeps up with the trends.
I thought with a small smile.
I glanced at her. She noticed me staring and returned a small, knowing smile.
"What is it, dear?" she asked softly.
"Nothing, Mother," I replied, keeping my voice light. "Why… are there so few people on this street?"
I already knew the answer, but I wanted to keep up the curious act of a child.
"Haha… that's because not just anyone can enter this district," Mother replied with a soft chuckle. "This is where the nobles and wealthy elites reside. The people you see here are mostly from those circles."
Allen immediately leaned closer to the window, his curiosity taking over as he admired the scenery outside.
Grand mansions stretched along the road, each surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens. The neatly planted trees lining the street only enhanced the elegance of the entire district.
Just as I thought… this is where the wealthy live.
The world of nobility and wealth was entirely different from that of commoners and the poor.
Their status stood high, along with their pride. And more often than not, that pride came with distance. Only a handful showed genuine consideration for others. Mother is one of them.
For a while, we simply enjoyed the passing scenery.
Rows of grand mansions and elegant villas stretched endlessly along the street. Well-dressed nobles strolled through their gardens, while servants busied themselves with their duties, moving swiftly yet gracefully.
Everything felt alive in its own refined way.
As a curious child, I found myself drawn into it all. Even as someone born into nobility, this world still felt new, fascinating to both me and Allen.
After some time, the carriage finally slowed.
We had arrived.
Before us stood a mansion unlike the others.
It was larger, more imposing, yet carried an air of refined elegance rather than excess. Its towering columns, intricately designed, seemed to bear not just weight, but artistry itself. Every detail, from its structure to its decoration, felt deliberate.It wasn't just a place. It was a masterpiece. As if it had been built with the sole purpose of being admired.
I stepped out of the carriage, my eyes immediately drawn to the mansion before me.
For a moment, I could only stare in awe.
Beside me, Allen stood frozen, his face filled with stunned disbelief. This was nothing like the place we had been living in until now. This was beauty in its purest form. Every detail seemed carefully crafted, every piece shaped with intention.
It's… incredible,...
I thought quietly.
Soon, the front doors opened, and a middle-aged man with grey hair stepped out, dressed in a refined butler's uniform. He approached Father and bowed respectfully.
"Welcome, my lord. Everything has been prepared for your arrival."
"Very well, Johnathan," Father replied calmly, acknowledging him. It seemed this butler was responsible for maintaining Father's residence here in the capital.
Johnathan stepped aside and gestured for us to enter.
As we walked in, we were stunned. Allen's eyes widened even further, his gaze darting from one corner to another in disbelief. What lay inside was far beyond what we had seen outside.
It wasn't just a mansion. It felt like art given form. A grand chandelier hung above, illuminating the interior with a soft, radiant glow. The walls were adorned with marble and sapphire, intricately carved into elegant patterns. The floors gleamed with polished marble, outlined with delicate gold designs.
An aquarium stretched along one side, filled with vibrant, exotic fish that moved through the water. The staircase curved upward, its railing decorated with finely crafted lion heads in gold, so detailed they almost seemed alive. Even the chandeliers shimmered like suspended jewels.
Maintaining a place like this must be no joke…
I thought, quietly impressed.
Father watched our reactions and let out a small chuckle, pride evident in his voice.
Mother joined him, her soft laughter echoing gently.
Meanwhile, Allen and I stood there, completely captivated by the grandeur of it all.