LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 4: Chapter 4: The Awakening Ritual
Chapter 4: The Awakening Ritual
Avalon Calendar, Year 103, Month of Bloom, Fifteenth Day
The royal palace of Arcadia bustled with anticipation as the day of Prince Alaric's awakening ritual arrived. Throughout the kingdom of Norte, the awakening of a royal child was a moment of immense significance. For Alaric, now five years old, it was more than just a test of his magical potential—it was the first step toward his destiny. The grand hall of the sacred chamber had been prepared meticulously for the event. Magical runes and intricate circles were drawn across the marble floor with shimmering golden ink, their patterns radiating an otherworldly glow. At the center of the chamber lay the largest circle, surrounded by four smaller sub-circles, each marked with the symbols of the basic elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. Candles flickered around the edges of the room, their flames steady despite the lack of breeze. Wizards clad in ceremonial robes stood at each cardinal point, their staffs brimming with mana as they prepared to channel their energy. The air was thick with anticipation, humming with the latent power of the ritual. King Eamon and Queen Celeste stood at the edge of the chamber, their expressions composed but their eyes betraying their anxiety. Beside them were Cedric, now ten, and little Elira, who clung to her mother's gown, her golden curls framing her wide eyes. Alaric stood in the center of the main circle, his small frame dwarfed by the grandeur of the room. His crimson eyes were steady, his young face serious beyond his years. Dressed in a simple white tunic, he looked more like an ordinary child than a prince—but the weight of the moment rested heavily on his small shoulders. "Are you ready, my son?" King Eamon asked, his deep voice cutting through the stillness. Alaric nodded firmly. "I'm ready, Father." Celeste stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Whatever happens, know that we are proud of you."
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The Royal head wizard raised his staff, and the room fell silent. "Let the awakening begin," he intoned, his voice reverberating like a distant thunderclap. The Royal wizards surrounding the circle began chanting in unison, their voices weaving an intricate melody that resonated with the mana in the air. The golden ink on the floor pulsed with light, the runes coming alive as the ritual reached its peak. Alaric felt a strange warmth envelop him, a sensation both comforting and overwhelming. The air seemed to vibrate around him, and he closed his eyes, allowing the energy to flow through him. The main circle was the first to react. A brilliant golden light erupted from the center, illuminating the chamber with a radiance so intense that it felt like the sun itself had descended into the room. Gasps echoed from the onlookers as the light grew, expanding far beyond the confines of the circle. "What is this?" Cedric whispered, shielding his eyes from the brilliance. "It's… impossible," one of the wizards murmured, his voice tinged with awe. The golden light continued to grow, its purity unmatched by anything the wizards had ever seen. It wasn't just light—it was alive, pulsating with a divine energy that filled the room with an overwhelming sense of peace and love. The entire chamber seemed to glow, as if the very walls had been blessed by the gods. The sub-circles lit up next, each glowing with intense hues of blue, red, green, and brown. The lights surged upward, intertwining with the golden radiance, creating a dazzling display of elemental harmony. The Royal head wizard staggered back, his staff trembling in his hands. "The holy light," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "The light of the gods…" The enormity of the event began to dawn on the gathered crowd. The golden light, the rarest and most revered manifestation, was said to signify the favor of the gods. It was a light of purity, love, and divine blessing, and its appearance marked the child as one in a billion—a being destined for greatness.
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As the light began to subside, Alaric opened his eyes, unaware of the awe-struck faces around him. He felt different—stronger, lighter, as if a hidden part of him had awakened. King Eamon was the first to speak, his voice thick with emotion. "Alaric… my son… the gods have blessed you." Celeste rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Alaric as tears streamed down her cheeks. "You are loved by the heavens, my little phoenix," she whispered. Cedric stepped closer, his usual teasing demeanor replaced with genuine admiration. "That was incredible, Alaric. You're going to be the strongest of us all." Even little Elira, who didn't fully understand the significance of what had happened, clapped her hands in delight. "Pretty lights!" she exclaimed, giggling. ---The Royal head wizard approached the royal family, his face pale but resolute. "Your Majesties," he said, bowing deeply, "this is a moment of divine significance. Prince Alaric's light was not only the holy light but also of an unprecedented size and purity. He possesses the blessings of the gods themselves." "What does this mean for his future?" Eamon asked, his voice steady despite the enormity of the revelation. The wizard hesitated before answering. "It means he is destined for greatness—but also that his path will not be an easy one. The gods' favor often comes with trials beyond imagination. He will bear the weight of this world's hopes and Prince should go to the Church as soon as possible to identify which blessings did he received from this ritual." Eamon placed a protective hand on Alaric's shoulder, his crimson eyes blazing with resolve. "Then we will prepare him. Whatever trials lie ahead, he will not face them alone."
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As the royal family left the chamber, the palace staff whispered among themselves, their voices a mix of reverence and disbelief. Word of the event spread quickly, and by nightfall, all of Norte knew of the prince's extraordinary awakening. That evening, Alaric sat by the window of his room, gazing at the stars. The golden light from the ritual still lingered in his mind, a warmth that refused to fade. He didn't fully understand what had happened, but he knew that his life would never be the same. His father's words echoed in his ears: You are loved by the gods. As he drifted off to sleep.
POV: Alaric
Avalon Calendar, Year 103, Month of Bloom, Fifteenth Day
The air felt heavy today—different. I could sense it as soon as I woke up. Everyone seemed to be looking at me with a strange mix of expectation and nervousness. Even Mother had hugged me longer than usual this morning, her soft blue hair brushing against my face as she whispered, "Today is a special day, my little phoenix." I wasn't sure why it was special. All I knew was that today, I'd step into the strange circle in the sacred chamber, the one Father and the wizards had been talking about for weeks. They called it the Awakening Ritual, and it was supposed to reveal my magic. Magic. Just the word made my chest feel warm. I walked through the grand halls of the palace, holding tightly to Mother's hand as she led me to the chamber. The palace always felt huge to me, but today it felt even bigger. My footsteps echoed against the marble floors, and the golden tapestries on the walls seemed to shimmer more brightly than usual. "Alaric," Mother said gently, looking down at me with her soft smile, "are you nervous?" I thought about it for a moment. "A little," I admitted. "What if… what if I don't have magic?" She knelt down in front of me, placing her hands on my shoulders. "Oh, my love," she said, her voice as warm as the hearth in winter. "Every Thorne has magic. Yours will come, just as surely as the sun rises." Her words helped a little, but I couldn't shake the tightness in my chest.
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The sacred chamber was enormous. The ceiling stretched high above, its surface painted with stars that looked so real I thought I might fall into the sky if I stared too long. In the center of the room was the circle they'd told me about, glowing faintly gold even before the ritual began. Four smaller circles surrounded it, each with a different symbol: a flame for fire, a wave for water, a swirl for wind, and a mountain for earth. Father was already there, standing tall in his dark cloak. His crimson eyes, so much like mine, met my gaze, and he gave me a nod that made me feel a little braver. Cedric stood beside him, looking excited as always. Elira clung to Mother's gown, her golden curls bouncing as she peeked around her. "Come here, Alaric," Father said, his voice deep but kind. I stepped forward, my small feet feeling heavy against the marble floor. The wizards in the room—all dressed in flowing robes—watched me with eyes that seemed to glow. Their presence felt… strange, like they weren't entirely part of this world. "Stand in the center," the head wizard instructed, pointing to the glowing circle. His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that made my legs feel shaky. I stepped into the circle, and as soon as I crossed its edge, the air changed. It felt thicker, warmer, almost alive. My heart pounded in my chest, and I clenched my fists to stop my hands from trembling. The wizard raised his staff, and the room fell silent. I could feel every eye on me. Even the air seemed to hold its breath.
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"Let the awakening begin," the wizard intoned. A low hum filled the room, growing louder and deeper until it felt like the walls themselves were vibrating. The symbols on the floor began to glow, first faintly and then brighter and brighter. I felt a strange warmth start at my feet and climb up through my body, like a river of sunlight flowing inside me. At first, I was scared. The warmth grew hotter, and my heart raced faster. But then… something shifted. The heat turned soft, almost like a hug, and I felt a strange sense of peace. The circle beneath me erupted in light. Golden light. It surged upward in a column so bright it made my eyes water. I heard gasps from around the room, but I couldn't look away from the light—it was everywhere, filling the chamber, wrapping around me like a cocoon. I felt something deep inside me awaken. It was like a door had opened, and behind it was a vast ocean of… something. It wasn't just power. It felt alive, warm, and gentle, but also immense and unending. The golden light grew even brighter, spilling out of the chamber and through the tall windows. I could hear the gasps turn into murmurs, and I caught glimpses of Father and Mother shielding their eyes. And then the smaller circles lit up. First the blue one, then red, green, and brown. Each one shot beams of light into the air, intertwining with the golden column around me. The lights danced together like threads in a tapestry, and for a moment, I felt like I could reach out and touch them.
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When the light finally began to fade, I opened my eyes. The room was silent again, but it felt different. It was as if the very air was holding its breath, waiting for something. Father was the first to speak. His voice was soft, almost reverent. "Alaric… do you feel it?" I looked at him, confused. "Feel what?" He stepped forward, kneeling so we were eye level. His crimson eyes shone with something I couldn't quite understand. "The gods have blessed you, my son. That golden light—it's holy light. It's their love, their power, flowing through you." I blinked at him, trying to make sense of his words. "Does that mean… I have magic?" He smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You have more than magic, Alaric. You are loved by the gods themselves." Mother rushed to me then, wrapping me in her arms. I could feel her trembling, and when she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes. "My little phoenix," she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You are extraordinary."
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I didn't fully understand what had happened, but as we left the chamber, I noticed the way everyone looked at me. The wizards bowed deeply as I passed, their eyes filled with something like awe. Cedric clapped me on the back, grinning from ear to ear. "You're amazing, Alaric! Did you see all that light? You lit up the whole palace!" Even Elira, who didn't quite understand what had happened, giggled and tugged at my sleeve. "Pretty lights! Do it again, Alaric!" That night, as I sat by my window, staring at the stars, I felt… different. The warmth from the ritual still lingered inside me, like a tiny flame that refused to go out. I didn't know what the gods had planned for me or why they had chosen me, but I knew one thing: I wasn't just Alaric of House Thorne anymore. I was something more. And one day, I would figure out what that meant. (Continue...)