"Isn't it too early? The boy is only seven." Theodore asked with a visible frown of concern on his face.
"Time is playing against us. I can't wait any longer." The symbols changed before turning soft and being carried by the wind.
"What are you muttering alone, old Theo? Don't tell me you went crazy," Alina jokingly asked as she gazed at the kind elder.
"I'm still as crazy as I was seven years ago. How are you doing, young miss?" he said with a smile.
"I'm great, thanks to you!" She answered, tilting her head in gratitude before turning to Julius, "Help your grandpa reach the carriage."
With a nod, he held Theodore's arm and walked to the plaza's center, listening to the two adults discussing and laughing about mundane things.
Then, he focused on the nine excited kids waiting with their parents and the stern knights, checking their identification before allowing them to board the carriages adorned with the barony's coat of arms.
He marvelled at the carriage's elegant decorations as he remembered each year, every seven-year-old child had to attend this ceremony. There, they would have their potential tested, a job recommended and receive a name from the territory's lord.
This long-lasting tradition filled the commoners with pride and honor while subtly creating a mighty and unreachable image of their lords, allowing them to exert influence over them without being questioned. Well, that was what his big brother told him.
"Big bro, are you sure we are not looking for trouble with your idea?" Julius murmured discreetly, careful not to be heard as doubts gnawed at his childish heart.
"If you follow the script, no... Just don't mess up." A voice filled with confidence answered.
"I'm afraid to fail and disappoint you," Julius said, tears welling in his eyes as stress gradually clutched his heart.
However, only silence answered his panic.
******
After a one-hour journey, the procession of carriages stopped.
Ten children, including him, jumped out, running curiously to the big manor under their parents' admonishing glares.
They hurriedly followed the kids and grabbed them by the hand as they did their utmost to appear dignified and respectful in this noble place.
After all, the Riverwood barony was well known for its river's fishes and products coming from the forest, making it one of the most prosperous baronies in the country.
As their gazes lingered on the beautiful garden, a middle-aged knight Alina vaguely remembered approached them and opened his mouth.
"Welcome to the Riverwood manor. I'm Sir Max, and I'll guide you through the ceremony," he said, smiling warmly before gesturing towards the entrance, "Please follow me to the great hall."
In response, parents and children followed through the manor in stunned silence, admiring the luxurious decorations, paintings, golden chandeliers and crystal vases. Everything seemed too extravagant in their eyes, yet they couldn't help but dream of possessing such items.
Soon, they reached a hall covered by magnificent tapestries, but what caught Julius' attention was the man sitting on an intricately carved wooden throne.
Under the crowd's curious glances, he stood up and ceremoniously said. "I welcome you for this naming ceremony. I'm lord Lucius Riverwood, ruler of this land."
Everyone looked at the man in awe. For most of the parents, it was the first time they saw him as they were named by his father during their youth.
His sharp black eyes pierced the crowd and landed on the children, causing them to shudder before he smiled warmly at them and said, "Line up in front of me. I'll test your potential and recommend a corresponding job. Then, I'll give each of you a fitting name."
Reassured by his smile, the children quickly ran to queue in front of the throne, their hands trembling in excitement as they observed the man's long black hair undulate in the wind with each of his movements.
As Julius walked to join the queue, wishing to observe the lord from up close, a voice compelled him to halt his steps.
"Join it last." It said seriously.
Listening, he placed himself last and observed curiously as the first kid walked to the lord.
"Clutch this crystal tightly for ten seconds," Lucius said with a gentle smile, handing a beautiful transparent stone to the first kid.
With a nod, the kid obeyed, too overwhelmed by the charisma exuded by Lucius to speak.
After ten seconds, he handed the unchanged crystal back, his eyes glowing with anticipation as the lord opened his mouth.
"I name you Paul. I see great potential in your hands and recommend you become a baker," He said before calling the next kid.
As more children passed, Julius noticed the crystal never produced a reaction and wondered what it was used for when his turn finally came.
Carried by his hesitant steps, he approached the lord, stress menacing to devour him.
As the lord handed him the crystal and peered into his eyes, he declared with confidence, "I name you Bernard,"
"PFFFFFFFT." The voice couldn't help but roar in mocking laughter as it said, "What a great name! Should I call you Bernard from now on? It would be so epic if you married a woman named Bianca HAHAHAHA."
Blushing until he turned red like a tomato, he lowered his eyes in shame, momentarily forgetting his panic.
Behind, his mother looked at him with a disappointed expression. She had nothing against that name but felt it lacked something compared to Julius.
In the meantime, Theodore did his best not to burst out in laughter, finding the situation humorous.
Next, Lucius asked for the crystal. However, before he could hand it, a pair of ethereal hands covered his for a second. Then, he opened it and revealed the crystal, causing Lucius' eyes to widen.
With bated breath, he counted sixteen light blue strands in the transparent stone before they slowly faded.
Excitement covering his features, he declared authoritatively, "The ceremony is over. Sir Max, escort our guests out. Boy, stay behind with your parents."
Once everyone left but Julius, Theodore and Alina, he gazed at them and said, "Bernard shows great magical potential. The crystal revealed that his mana reserve, and potency almost reached the second-tier standard."
However, his words met a wall as everyone gazed at him in confusion.
"I'm sorry, My Lord, but we don't understand much. What do you mean by tier two?" Alina asked, a bit overwhelmed by the revelation.
"Our world has many paths to power, but the acknowledged number one, and by far, is the mage's path. Its power system is subdivided into nine levels of mastery we call tiers." He patiently explained before enumerating the nine tiers.
Tier 1: Novice
Tier 2: Acolyte
Tier 3: Apprentice
Tier 4: Mage or Sorcerer
Tier 5: Adept
Tier 6: Arcanist
Tier 7: Archmage
Tier 8: Magus
Tier 9: Supreme Sorcerer
As he ended, Alina widened her eyes and covered her mouth in shock. Why didn't she know her son was so amazing? However, her eyes almost bulged when she saw Julius walking between them.
"Excuse me, my lord. Could you please allow me to show you something?" Julius immediately said after the lord mentioned the tiers, not giving him a chance to continue his explanations.
Without waiting to receive permission, he took a weird-looking posture. Then, he extended his right arm and index finger towards the wall with a grin.
"Bang." He said in a low voice, trying to sound cool before a small ball made of mana appeared, travelled and finally collided with the wall, leaving a small hole in it.