A deep, resonant sound echoed across the land, reminiscent of waves crashing against the shore. Yet within the Phoenix estate, no one seemed alarmed. From the guards to the maids, life continued as usual, as if the anomaly outside was of no concern to them.
Perched atop the grandest peak overlooking Searing Flame City, the estate stood as the heart of the Phoenix Clan—one of humanity's seven great clans. Their wealth and influence stretched far beyond what most could comprehend. The city below, however, was not as fortunate. The phenomenon caused by Ryker's birth had not gone unnoticed.
Unlike the estate, protected by powerful wards, the city was left vulnerable to the mana cyclones. The influx of raw energy surged through the streets, causing widespread panic. For the Excitatus—those awakened to mana—it was a blessing, their bodies naturally absorbing and refining the excess power. But for ordinary humans, those who had never unlocked their potential, it was lethal.
When mana first awakened on Earth two thousand years ago, many perished due to mana contamination. Their bodies, unable to process the raw energy, withered away. Even now, despite humanity's advancements, the risk remained. Only one in ten thousand could awaken a mana core and survive the overload. The rest… simply couldn't endure it.
Searing Flame City fell into chaos. People ran, screamed, and wept, believing an attack was upon them. Hysteria took over as families clung to one another, unsure if they would survive the night.
The Excitatus guards and law enforcement immediately took to the streets to restore order. Those informed knew that the heir of the Phoenix Clan was due to be born today. They suspected that the phenomenon was connected to this event and knew that the powerful individuals within the clan would handle it—and they were not wrong.
Back at the Phoenix estate, Aiden stood still, unmoved by the turmoil below. His father, Blaze, watched from a balcony beside him, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"I think I know what to give my grandson as his first gift," Blaze mused, amusement gleaming in his eyes.
With a flick of his finger, he tapped the air. The motion was subtle, almost lazy, but the effects were anything but minor. Instantly, the swirling mana cyclone compressed, shrinking from miles wide to a mere fifty meters. Another wave of his hand, and the storm was siphoned into a crystalline bottle that materialized in his grasp.
Sealing the bottle inside a beautifully carved box, Blaze smirked and slipped it into his spatial ring. "That should do it. A fine little treasure for the boy."
Returning to the chamber where Aiden, Zelda, Amara, and Lila fawned over the newborn, Blaze cleared his throat dramatically. "You're all crowding him too much. As his noble grandfather, I must save him from you lot."
Just as he made to lift the child from Lila's arms, Zelda's piercing gaze froze him in place. "Blaze, if you so much as take one step with my grandson, I will personally make sure you spend the next year sleeping in the courtyard."
Blaze immediately halted. With an awkward chuckle, he swiftly returned the baby to Lila and took a step back. He looked towards Aiden and realized the boy was looking at him with a mixture of amusement and mockery. Blaze gritted his teeth, wanting to smack the living daylights out of that pompous brat, but knew he couldn't do that with Zelda present. He huffed to show his unwillingness and handed the baby to Zelda. She nodded in satisfaction, a smile lighting up her face
Amara, ever the voice of reason, sighed. "Enough. Lila needs rest. Out, all of you."
Zelda hesitated but eventually relented, leading the others out. Once the room was empty save for Lila and her mother, Amara gently brushed back her daughter's damp hair. "Rest, my dear. You did well."
Zelda carried the baby to the prepared room, where she laid him in his cot. She sang a few lullabies, and before long, he was asleep. She then assigned several maids to ensure little Ryker was taken care of at all times and instructed them to call her should he wake up from his slumber. She exited the room, looking forward to when the child would awake
Meanwhile, in the depths of Searing Flame City, the ripples of Ryker's birth had not gone unnoticed. Hidden eyes had watched the phenomenon unfold, and whispers had already begun to spread.
The world had just felt the tremors of a prodigy's arrival. And not everyone would welcome it.