**Naming Ceremony Part 2**

**Tarious' POV**

Starlia's magic was raging strong, trying to break through the barrier. But to my shock, the barrier held like an impenetrable fortress. It was like watching a massive thunderstorm be held in a simple glass jar. Looking up at Mother, her characteristically cold expression was back on her face. Then my eyes darted back to Starlia, whose magic was still going strong. A shiver of excitement suddenly went down my spine. "Monsters, they are both monsters," I thought. "Starlia was just five years old and yet her magic was able to erase spirits just by coming in contact with them... but Mother..." I began to get even more excited. "Mother was unbelievably strong. She was able to contain Starlia's magic with just a snap of her fingers." I looked down at my body, my muscles feeling unusually weak. I clenched my fist. "Maybe one day I can be strong like them."

...CRACK...

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted. I looked up and saw something strange, to say the least. It was Starlia. Her magic was breaking? Her previously overwhelming magic was slowly cracking and blowing away in the wind. It was like a caterpillar's cocoon slowly breaking away, making way for something better. My mouth hung agape. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. With one final CRACK, Starlia finally emerged from her magical cocoon.

She was levitating off the floor, her body covered in a faint emerald green aura. Her beautiful aqua blue hair flowed freely in the air, unrestrained. Her expression was uncharacteristically cold for a five-year-old, her aqua blue eyes Sparkled with condescension for the people staring at her with expressions of awe and fear; it was as if she was looking at ants she considered beneath her. That all changed when her eyes landed on me. It was like an explosion went off in her head. Her previous colder-than-ice expression morphed into a dazzling smile that could melt the hearts of even the most battle-hardened soldier. Her eyes, that were just moments ago filled with condescension, now radiated happiness and warmth. She was about to dash towards me when she frowned, as if finally noticing something—the barrier.

Her expression was tinged with confusion until a glimmer of realization flashed in her eyes. She looked up at Mother as if knowing what Starlia wanted to ask. Mother snapped her fingers, and the barrier disappeared. With nothing blocking her target (me) in sight, she was like a predator hunting its prey. She shot towards me like a heat-seeking missile, tracks of green visible behind her as she approached. The remaining spirits darted away from her, all scared of her now after witnessing their kin be wiped out by her.

"Here she com—" Before I could even finish my sentence, her hands wrapped tightly around me. At this point, I was sure she was on a mission to see how tight she could squeeze me. "Oni-chan! I missed you so much!"

I patted her head. "What do you mean? You miss me? We literally just talked a few hours ago." A sad expression formed on her face. Her eyes were beginning to water. "So you don't miss me? Were you hoping to get rid of me?" Her face was completely downcast. A stranger would think she was actually sad, but I knew better. This kid was a natural-born manipulator. She was simply teasing me. Despite knowing this, I couldn't resist her. She was just too damn cute, and she knew it. I pinched her cheeks. "Hey, stop with the acting, you damn brat!"

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And like magic, the sad expression, along with the tears, disappeared from her face, replaced by a pained one. It honestly amazed me how she could change her expressions so fast. "Oni-chan is an abuser! Instead of comforting me, you're abusing me~ This is why you will never get a girlfriend!"

I pulled on her cheeks harder. "OWW! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! IT HURTS! PLEASE STOP!"

A triumphant smile formed on my face. "You did good." I patted her head. An arrogant smile formed on Starlia's lips, her eyes flashing with pride. "Did you expect anything less? It's me after all. A genius."

A genuine smile couldn't help but come to my face as I looked at her. I suddenly frowned. I'm no expert, but even I knew that Starlia was releasing unreal levels of power during her awakening. Even for an elf, she is only five. Her body must be affected. I took a closer look into her eyes and couldn't help but notice the mental exhaustion. A normal person wouldn't notice, but I could see it behind her arrogant smile. Hidden behind her usually vibrant aqua blue eyes was mental exhaustion. "Are you—"

My question was suddenly interrupted by Mother's booming voice. "Now it is time for my son Tarious' awakening."

Before I could even react, I was suddenly surrounded by sparks of green light, and in an instant, I stood before the World Tree. It was even more imposing up close. The ancient tree stood massive and powerful, and I could feel its energy even better than before. Pure, holy, and sacred, it felt like a place of worship. Stepping out of my reverence, I looked back at Starlia with worry. To my surprise, a maid was already beside her, healing her. She smiled and waved, and I sighed in relief. Now that I knew she was alright, I turned back to the World Tree, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.

I touched the tree, and a green light enveloped my hand, warmth spreading through my body. Then, a melodious female voice spoke directly into my mind, laced with curiosity, "Well, well, aren't you the interesting one?"

A shiver went down my spine. "Who are you?" My voice was icy.

"Your hands are all over my body, and yet you ask who I am~" her voice came out in a sultry whisper.

"You're the World Tree?" My voice was filled with confusion.

"Nimrathor," she corrected.

Confused, I asked, "What are you talking about?"

Her voice, like a smooth melody, explained, "Nimrathor Elendilion Ancalagon Vanyarion Aegnorion Taralion Imladris Eärendur Fëanorion Estelion Nevada". I think that would be a fitting true name for you, don't you think? Considering all you have experienced."

For the first time since my rebirth, I felt true fear. My past life, the secret I held close, was so easily revealed. "How?"

"How do I know about your past life? It's not like you have much mental defenses. All I did was check your memories." Her amusement was clear.

I felt it again—powerlessness. The same crippling weakness I felt when Zarious sent me here. "Calm down, I won't tell anyone your little secret," she reassured, amusement replaced by a hint of something else, "not like you're the only reincarnator here."

My world was spinning. So much was happening in a single day. "Don't disappoint me now, Nimrathor," she continued, green sparks swirling around me. "Oh, and I left you a little gift." With that, I was back beside Starlia, feeling a familiar warmth as she wrapped her arms around me.

"Alright, everyone," Mother began, but was interrupted by a new voice. "Pathetic!" it boomed. "Compared to Princess Starlia, Tarious' awakening is pathetic. I bet he doesn't even have a true name!"

Starlia's body tensed with anger. "I'll be right back," she said, her voice sickly sweet. I looked at her innocent smile as she floated into the air, her eyes locking with the elf who spoke—a generic RPG hero type with blonde hair, green eyes, he was the type of guy who thought he was the main character. Before he could react, his mouth was frozen shut with ice, confusion etched on his face.

To my shock, Mother appeared before us. "It seems you ants haven't learned your place," she said coldly.