The building's exterior of green and inside the hotel dim lights cast elusive shadows across the walls creating a silent ambience. The benches under the dim glow seemed to retain the chill, a testament to the very few visitors who visited this quiet corner of the city. Situated on the outskirts, the hotel remained largely overlooked by those drawn to the capital.

Upon stepping into the hotel both found themselves enshrouded in dimness, lit by the gentle glow of distant lights. As they sat at the empty table, memories came flooding back for Aldric. The very same building stood before him, unchanged over the years. The ambiance of the room felt quite familiar.

Ethan's gaze wandered, taking in the surroundings. Amidst the handful of diners scattered throughout the room, his attention was drawn to a solitary figure sitting in a corner. Enveloped in darkness, the silhouette was shrouded by a black hoodie. The table the figure occupied bore traces of numerous meals, along with empty bowls stacked on top of each other. Even now, as he continued to watch, the person carried on with the meal.

Ethan's gaze, which was fixed on the solitary figure, came to an abrupt halt when the elderly lady approached their table.

"What would you like to order?" the elderly woman inquired, her voice carrying a tinge of weariness.

Aldric took the lead, responding with his order, "We'll have two plates of Hearthside Roast Chicken and Sunflower Honey Biscuits for dessert, and some cider juice."

The elderly woman, her features etched with years of experience, jotted down the order before retreating to the kitchen.

As time passed and hunger grew, an hour slipped away without a meal. Restlessness stirred within Ethan, a mixture of frustration and hunger intertwining. He mused that perhaps the prolonged wait might be attributed to a continuous stream of orders flowing from the hooded individual's table.

Amidst the clinks of utensils, the elderly woman emerged from the kitchen. She carried plates adorned with food, its enticing scents drifting through the air. Aldric's expression lit up with excitement as the meal finally arrived.

"Here's your order for Hearthside roast chicken, sunflower honey biscuits, and cider juice." The elderly lady announced warmly, her hands deftly arranging the dishes on the table.

"Thank you." Ethan and Aldric exchanged appreciative glances, their smiles conveying their gratitude.

Without hesitation, both dug into their meal, the crispy skin yielding a satisfying crunch with every bite. Between mouthfuls of food, Aldirc managed to utter, "Ah, this is the taste I remember, just as I had years ago."

The corners of his mouth curled into a contented smile as he continued to savor the flavors that brought a rush of memories from his past.

Ethan and Aldric savored their meal, and in the midst of their dining, the person in the hoodie finished their own and stood up. This figure headed towards the counter before unexpectedly gesturing in Ethan and Aldric's direction.

Without hesitation, the person departed swiftly, catching Aldric's attention. Just as the person was about to exit, the fabric of the hoodie was pulled closer around the face. In that fleeting moment, Ethan, still seated, caught a glimpse of the white hair as it briefly peeked out.

"Hey wait," Aldirc called out in an attempt to halt departure, a question about the unpaid bill for the consumed food lingering.

However, the individual paid no heed to Aldric's call, departing without uttering a single word. Intrigued, Aldric dashed after the mysterious figure, hoping to stop the person. Yet, as swiftly as this enigmatic presence had appeared, the person vanished from sight the instant they stepped outside the hotel.

Aldric, with a mix of disappointment and intrigue in his expression, took a seat at the desk. He continued munching on his food as he spoke, "How peculiar... the person just vanished from sight." He glanced at Ethan with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Maybe a high-ranking mage, but it doesn't make sense for someone to leave without paying and burden us with the bill."

Ethan, who had caught a mere glimpse and a few specks of white hair, remained silent. From the window, he had witnessed the figure's swift disappearance, leaving him just as puzzled.

When the time came to settle the bill, Aldric found himself facing a cost of one gold coin for all the food the mysterious person had consumed, along with whatever Ethan and Aldric had eaten. The expense was considerably high for Aldric, given his modest monthly salary of 2 gold and 10 silver coins.

He sat there, contemplating his options. Leaving without paying wasn't even a consideration, especially considering the restaurant owner—an elderly lady who would undoubtedly be troubled by such an act. The very idea of causing her distress clashed with Aldric's fundamental character.

After paying the amount, Aldric faced his losses with a determined stance instead of yielding to them. He recognized the need to manage his finances astutely for his stay in the capital, the impending awakening ceremony, and the academy fees.

The weight of the situation bore on Aldric's mind but he had no other choice than to let go of things.

He then turned to Ethan with a contemplative expression on his face. "Shall we go to the inn, or perhaps explore the streets?" he proposed.

Ethan's agreement was swift, his eyes alight with curiosity. The bustling cityscape unfolded before them as they embarked on their stroll, revealing the capital's sheer vastness, which defied quick exploration. Amid this realization, they chose to remain within the vicinity of the inn.

Ethan, a stranger to the capital's grandeur, found himself immersed in the stark contrasts. Having grown up in a secluded village that existed largely in obscurity, where houses were cobbled together from red bricks, coconut branches, and tiles, the capital's richness was like a big surprise for him.

The buildings were full of bright colors and interesting roofs. The streets under his feet were made of neat tiles, very different from the muddy paths in his village. This difference was clear as they strolled through the streets.

---✧---✧---

In the stillness of midnight, a gentle touch from his father stirred Ethan from his deep slumber. Aldric's voice, a soft murmur in the dark, urged Ethan, "Wake up."

Ethan's drowsy mind gradually roused as he rubbed his eyes and mumbled, "What's going on, Dad?"

"Go get fresh and dress up," Aldric instructed.

As directed, Ethan followed the instructions, and soon they left the inn. Walking the streets in the middle of the night felt strange to him, and unable to contain himself, Ethan finally spoke."

"Dad, where are we going at this hour?" he questioned. "We've got a big day ahead," he added, sensing the quiet anticipation in his father's actions.

"We are going towards the fountain" Aldirc replied, as he continued walking.

The familiar fountain greeted them as they arrived. From his pocket, Aldric withdrew a silver coin and placed it in Ethan's hand. "Hold this," he said.

With furrowed brows, Ethan studied the coin, unsure of its purpose. Aldric's next words shed light on the mystery. "Approach the fountain, release the coin into the water, close your eyes, and offer a prayer."

Following his father's guidance, Ethan closed his eyes and immersed himself in the ritual. This tradition, reserved for the stroke of one's twelfth birthday, was believed to beckon a promising future. Aldric observed this practice, as his own father had done for him, and now he passed it on to his son, a link in a timeless chain.

"Happy Birthday, my dear son." Aldric's words finally broke the silence.

Then Aldric pulled out a gift of a delicate silver chain crowned by a four-leaf clover pendant. "This pendant was selected by your mother for your twelfth birthday," Aldric added, and then in a gesture of guidance and protection, offered him a blade, a token of growing responsibility. "And here's a gift from me as well."

Holding the chain in his hand, Ethan felt his emotions rise, gratitude pooling in his eyes. He softly murmured, "Thank you, Dad" as he clasped it around his neck. Then held the blade in his hand.

Completing the ritual, Aldirc acknowledged the midnight hour. Sensing Ethan's drowsiness, he gently advised, "We can go back now and you can sleep."

Ethan upheld these cherished traditions—a reflection of the fulfilling life he had discovered in a world where his parents' love enveloped him. This world offered what he had never experienced in his previous life: a life rich with care and affection.

For Ethan, each moment held significance. In his prayers, he vowed to ensure his parents' well-being and lead a life of honor, driven by the memory of his past transgressions.

---✧---✧---

Early in the morning, around seven o'clock, both set off for the temple, where Ethan's awakening ceremony would unfold. Although he had become accustomed to the constant tingling sensations in his chest that signified the formation of the nexus within him, the once-familiar feeling had gradually dissipated over time. Nevertheless, a persistent warmth remained in his chest, an indicator of the ongoing changes within his body.

As they reached the temple, it stood as a grand building adorned with numerous white pillars. The white pillars that adorned the temple's exterior bore intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures that seemed to come alive in the morning light. Each pillar bore intricate carvings depicting divine beasts ranging from dragons and phoenixes to griffins, garudas, and turtles, each figure a symbol of ancient legends and timeless power.

Upon entering the temple, the play of light and shadow danced on the marble floor, creating a mosaic of patterns. The air was scented with the fragrance of incense. At the entrance, two pillars stood tall, bearing the carvings of the sun and the moon, and both were adorned with images of people engaged in prayer.

After walking inside, Ethan's gaze was drawn to a few individuals who occupied the sacred space. Positioned at desks, the first person he noticed was surrounded by multiple books and sheets of paper.

He was a log keeper, meticulously recording the progress and experiences of the children undergoing the awakening ritual. Clad in a white silk garment, he held an ink pen and a bottle of ink, and his notepad featured pages with holes to secure them within a record book.

Adjacent to the Log Keeper, the High Priest stood in deep conversation with the Healer, their voices hushed as they discussed something.

In the periphery, a group of acolytes moved gracefully as they arranged ceremonial artifacts, while others tended to the ever-burning incense, filling the temple with its fragrant tendrils. With no other visitors present in the temple at this moment, an aura of stillness and reverence prevailed.

As Aldric approached the logkeeper's desk, he inquired, "I have come here today for my son Ethan's awakening."

The silence that had enveloped the temple was broken by Aldric's voice. All eyes turned to him briefly before returning to their own affairs.

The log keeper's gaze shifted toward Ethan, his expression attentive as he inquired, "Very well, could you kindly provide me with your full name and the place you have traveled from?"

"Ethan Evercrest, from Serenwood village," Ethan replied.

Noting down "Ethan Evercrest" in his ledger, the log keeper proceeded to ask, "What type of awakening would you like for your child?"

His question stemmed from the fact that there were two distinct categories of awakening. These categories involve the utilization of medicinal herbs and the intervention of a healer with divine abilities.

With predetermined fees, two options were available: basic awakening and standard awakening. The fees varied significantly between the two, given the higher quality of medicinal herbs used in the standard awakening, despite their greater expense.