ALL NOVEL Chapter 6: Chapter 6: A Fateful Encounter
Chapter 6: A Fateful Encounter
POV: Alaric
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The city outside the palace walls always seemed like another world to me. From the windows of my room, I could see the lively streets, the colorful market stalls, and the laughter and chatter of people going about their lives. It was nothing like the polished halls of the palace, where everything was measured, careful, and bound by rules. The palace walls, grand as they were, sometimes felt more like a gilded cage. Since the awakening ritual, my days had been filled with endless ceremonies, visits from nobles, and lessons about the weight of my newfound title. Everyone treated me differently now—as if I were more divine than human. I missed the simplicity of playing in the gardens or wandering the halls unnoticed.
Today, I needed an escape.
"Alaric, are you sure this is a good idea?" Lyra, my maid, whispered, her voice wavering with concern.
I grinned up at her, pulling the hood of my cloak tighter around my face. "Don't worry, Lyra. We'll just look around for a bit. No one will even notice us."
Despite her protests, Lyra followed me as I slipped through a side gate, the guards none the wiser. She was always like that—reluctant but loyal, as if she couldn't decide whether to scold me or go along with my plans.
The streets were even more vibrant than I had imagined. The smell of roasted chestnuts mingled with the scent of fresh bread, and merchants called out their wares with booming voices. Lyra stayed close, her grip on my hand firm as she cast nervous glances at the crowd.
We wandered through the market, marveling at the displays of jewelry, fabrics, and trinkets. For the first time, I felt like an ordinary boy, free to explore without the weight of expectations pressing down on me.
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It happened when we turned a corner into a quieter street. I wasn't paying attention, too focused on a street performer juggling flaming torches. Suddenly, I bumped into someone—a tall man in a long, travel-worn cloak.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" I said, looking up.
The man turned to me, his sharp eyes narrowing as they scanned me. He had silver hair streaked with white, a neatly trimmed beard, and a presence that was both commanding and enigmatic.
"It's fine, boy," he said, his voice deep and calm. But then his gaze lingered, and his expression shifted, a spark of curiosity lighting in his eyes. "You… have an unusual aura."
Before I could respond, he knelt slightly, his hand hovering near me as if testing the air. A moment later, his eyes widened, and he let out a low chuckle. "Well, well. What incredible mana for one so young."
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POV: The Grand Sage
The streets of the capital were noisy and bustling, a far cry from the tranquil halls of the Lumina Tower. I had come to this kingdom to see if the rumors were true—to glimpse the so-called "Chosen One" who had been marked by the Creator. But as I wandered through the city, incognito in my traveler's cloak, I hadn't expected to find something even more astonishing.
The boy I bumped into was extraordinary. His mana capacity wasn't just high—it was unprecedented. Even without casting a single spell, the sheer density of his mana made the air around him hum.
"Who are you, child?" I asked, my tone gentler now.
He hesitated, glancing nervously at the maid by his side. She looked equally unsure, her grip tightening on his arm. "I'm just… Alaric," he said after a moment.
"Just Alaric, is it?" I said, smiling faintly. "Well, Alaric, do you know what a gift you possess? That kind of mana is rare. No, more than rare—it's practically unheard of."
He shifted uncomfortably, clearly not used to being the center of such scrutiny. But I couldn't let this opportunity slip away. "Have you started learning magic yet?"
The boy shook his head. "No, I don't know any spells. I'm only five."
I stroked my beard, considering. Most children started basic magical education around the age of seven or eight, but this boy's potential was too vast to leave dormant. "How would you like to learn?"
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POV: Alaric
I blinked, unsure if I had heard him correctly. "Learn magic? From you?"
The man nodded, his expression serious. "I'm a mage—one of the best, if I may say so. And I believe I can help you."
Lyra stepped forward, her face pale. "Sir, with all due respect, Alaric is just a boy. He's not ready—"
"I understand your concern," the man said, cutting her off gently. "But mana like his shouldn't be left untrained. It would be a waste—and potentially dangerous. I won't push him beyond his limits. Just basic lessons, to give him a foundation."
I looked at Lyra, then back at the man. Part of me wanted to refuse, to run back to the palace where things felt safe and familiar. But another part of me—a bigger part—was curious. What was magic really like? Could I actually learn it?
"All right," I said finally. "I'll try."
The man's smile widened, and he extended a hand. "Good. You can call me Master Arven. We'll meet once a week, on the outskirts of the city. There's a clearing by the river—no one will disturb us there."
Lyra looked like she wanted to protest, but I gave her a reassuring nod. "It's fine, Lyra. I'll be careful."
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Over the next few weeks, Master Arven began teaching me the basics of magic. We met in the clearing by the river, far from prying eyes. He started with simple exercises, helping me learn how to sense and control my mana.
At first, it was frustrating. My mana felt wild and uncooperative, like a stream rushing too fast to contain. But Master Arven was patient, guiding me step by step. Slowly, I began to feel it—a faint sense of control, like catching a ball midair.
"You're a quick learner," Master Arven said one day, watching as I managed to form a small orb of light in my hands. "With time, you'll surpass even the greatest mages of this age."
I didn't know if I believed him, but his words filled me with a quiet determination.
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What I didn't know then was that Master Arven wasn't just any mage. He was one of the ten strongest humans in the world, a Grand Sage who had reached the fabled eight circles of magic—a rank most mages could only dream of.
And while he didn't yet know who I was, I had a feeling that meeting him would change my life forever.
(Continue….)