Ragna wasn't startled or nervous by his cousin discovering the truth about him. Instead, he appraised her, acknowledging her while curious how she had come to such a conclusion. He wasn't afraid she would share his secret as it wasn't a big deal. His Mother knew and he was sure that his Stepfather was aware. Freya's blue eyes scanned Ragna, her Internal senses alerting her to how calm Ragna was. She had assumed he would be scared or angry at her for knowing something about him without his permission. But he wasn't. This threw her off for a second. Freya didn't know Ragna, not in the same way she knew her siblings or cousins. Ragna was a stranger even though he was family. But through this spending time together in this library, she believed she was beginning to figure him out.

"What makes you say that," Ragna asked.

"Your Psychic energy," Freya said. "I sensed it when you scanned me rudely without my permission last night." Ragna chuckled, putting out a small grin. He had unconsciously scanned his cousin to see how she was different from the rest of them. He had forgotten that she could sense his Internal presence when he laid it upon her. "And I sensed it again just now as you were reading. Your concentration is astounding for a non- awakened. it could only mean one thing." Yes, just like his Mother and Aksel who figured the truth just from his Psychic energy, Freya had done the same. Ragna sighed knowing that his Psychic energy was only the way it was due to how strong and potent his soul was. His spiritual power was beyond anything in this mortal world as far as he knew which influenced his mind. it was a shame it couldn't do the same to his body.

"Does that scare you that I remember my past," Ragna said. Every living being in this new world order was a Reincarnator in a certain kind of way as their souls were recycled back into a new life with the Afterlife gone. Reincarnators were just the ones who held on to those old memories of their past life. So Ragna being a Reincarnator wasn't a big deal as there had been others before him.

"No," Freya said. "Though it must be an interesting situation for you."

'Not really," Ragna said. He was done with reading the Heimskringla and returned it to the shelf. He and Freya left the history section, walking around the floor. He turned to his cousin curious to know something.

"You can just ask," She said feeling his curiosity.

"Can I see your Rune," He asked. Freya smiled as she rolled up the right-hand sleeve of her green dress. Her right arm was branded with a runic script pattern that started from her wrist and went up her arm. Ragna saw the intricate pattern of the runic script interlock with various other ones, each of the runes bearing something akin to power.

"This is my first Rune, an Elemental rune," Freya said. "All Volva are born with a Rune which allows us to form our core," Interesting. So the Volur are the only ones born with the gods' blessings while the rest of us have to be given the blessing if we want to awaken.

"What kind of Rune is it," Ragna asked. His knowledge of runes came from his former world and the Runic system was different from this world.

"It's a Storm elemental rune," Freya said.

"Your Mom told me about your interest in knowledge," Ragna said. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed the paper to Freya.

"What's this,' Freya said as she unfolded it. They had reached the Section of the library containing texts that relate to the Arcane art.

"It's my theories regarding Magic," Ragna said. "I would like your opinion regarding it." Freya's eyes shot up upon reading the notes Ragna had written down. There were various symbols and words that Freya had a hard time figuring out how he knew to write all this down. She was so caught off guard that she was rooted to the floor. Ragna couldn't help but grin and returned to check out the collections of books in this section.

****

Ragna spent the rest of the day reading various books in the library regarding the way Magic worked in this world. Freya had disappeared, gone to who knows where, but Ragna didn't seem that bothered by it. He knew she was going to be so occupied by the knowledge he had imparted to her so he was left alone in the library. Ragna sighed as he got out of the washroom in his room. Night had arrived and Ragna had left the library with mixed feelings. He didn't know how to feel as he had discovered something very vital. In this world, Magic was something that not everyone could use. Only those born with a Rune like Freya, could perform Magic. It wasn't always like this. This phenomenon happened after the disappearance of the World's Essence. Without the Ambient Essence in the world, Magic was gone which included awakened power. Ragna went up before his mirror as he dressed up for tonight. The servants had laid out his dress for him, a dark blue tunic with golden runic embroidery along the sleeves with dark grey trousers tightened by a black belt with a hammer symbol on the buckle. His golden hair had been braided by the servants giving him a typical Norse Aristocratic appearance. After dressing up, Ragna left his room to the living room where he found his Mother and Aksel waiting for him.

"Oh! Ragna, my baby boy." Bestla said. "You look so handsome, doesn't he Aksel,"

"Yes. After tonight, you'll no longer be a boy, Ragna," Aksel said clasping Ragna on his shoulder. "But a man. And do you know what a man does, Ragna,"

"Protect his family," Ragna said. In his former life, Ragna had been raised to protect the interests of his family. The Family was what mattered above all, even the various individuals that were in it. It was a cold life where Ragna lacked the warmth of a parent or even a parental figure. In this current life, Bestla had raised him to care for his family and strive to protect it. But there was a difference between the two. His Mother and Aksel taught him that protecting the family was more than just its interest but the individuals who make up the family. it wasn't just about its honor or its interest though those were also important. But the bond that is formed within each of them. Ragna had seen that his Mother and Aksel were not the only ones who felt that way. Though he was still getting to know his extended family, he could feel that they were of the same mind as his Mother.

"Yes, protect the family," Aksel said. "You're going to be a big brother soon. Rolf is going to be looking towards you," Aksel put his hands on Bestla's stomach, caressing it.

"Rolf," Ragna said. "Isn't that.."

"We decided to name him after the Conqueror's ancestor," Bestla said.

"And how do you know it's a he? I could be having a sister, you know," Ragna said.

"I just do," Bestla smiled. The family then left the apartment and went to the outside to the courtyard where the celebration was going on. Night had arrived, the sun gone replaced by a crescent-shaped moon, the purple night sky clear of clouds, revealing the shining stars embedded in the sky. In the middle of the courtyard was the largest bonfire Ragna had ever seen, a circle of stone filled with runes placed around it. People were dancing, and singing, and music was playing all around them. Every important person in the capital had come for the coming-of-age ceremony, and everyone who desired to be a Viking was here for the moment. As Ragna and his parents came into view, the nobles in their fine and exquisite dress all stopped talking and started watching Bestla and her family. They were whispering, shocked to see the third princess who hadn't been seen in a long time. Prince Harbard was among a group of nobles, speaking and listening to them as it was his duty as a Prince. When he saw his sister and her family, he left the nobles and approached them. Observing everything from on top of his throne which was located on a podium that had been put together in front of the bonfire, was King Sigurd. He had a cup of wine and drank from it as his eyes focused on his Grandson. King Sigurd was bewildered by his grandson. He had seen the note Ragna had passed off to Freya and he had been caught off guard by the level of knowledge the boy seemed to possess. King Sigurd was not a sorcerer but he had some experience with the Arcane art, and seeing that his grandson happened to have knowledge that surpassed his, King Sigurd didn't know how to feel. He thought of the future of his family, remembering the words of the Ancient one who had foretold the destiny of his children. The old hag had foretold that his children and their children would do great things worthy of the Lothbrok name. And while Harbard and Ingrid had done great things in the past two centuries, he had always had high hopes for his third child. Bestla had inherited the strongest aspect of the Lothbrok bloodline, a potential that rivaled or surpassed his own. But that was still something within the realm of what a Lothbrok should be capable of. But now seeing her son, he couldn't help but feel that she had given birth to a potential monster. While his grandfather was worried about him, Ragna was walking around the courtyard, ignoring the looks and stares that he was getting. He went further from the bonfire approaching a circle of flowers when he found who he was looking for. He stopped when he saw Torvi and Anders, only they weren't alone. They were surrounded by a group of Nobles who seemed to be bothering them.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"I still haven't gotten my apology, yet," A pompous boy with brown braided hair snarled at Torvi while the rest of his group snickered.

"We already apologized for the mistake," Torvi said. "It was an accident-"

"An accident..An accident. Do you know who-"

"Torvi! Anders! There you are," Ragna said, cutting the Noble off. Torvi and Anders's eyes widened in delight upon seeing the Prince. They had been searching for him when Anders had bumped into the asshole noble and spilled his drink on his fine tunic dress. The Noble, Torvald Bjornson, snarled when Ragna interrupted him. His goons all turned and glared at Ragna.

"Who are you to interfere when I'm speaking-"

"You should watch your tone when you speak to the Prince," Torvi said. This time she felt not one ounce of guilt or fault for being rude to the Noble who had been making things difficult for them.

"Prince...Prince...You dare insult the royal family with garbage lies," Torvald said. Ragna sighed as he looked this Noble up and down. He was a big fella, bigger than Ragna with huge muscles. Ragna reckoned he could pull out a tree with just his bare hands without Essence. That was how sturdy his body was.

"What's going on here," A voice said from behind Ragna. He turned around to see his cousin, Helga. She was dressed in a dark blue dress with the same embroidery patterned on her sleeves as Ragna's. Her golden hair was braided down below her shoulders. She looked fierce and beautiful, walking so confidently towards them. Her blue eyes landed on Torvald who flinched.

"Um...Um..Princess.. this bumpkin just insulted the Royal family by spewing lies that this commoner was one of you.."

"I'll be careful insulting my cousin in front of me, Bjornson," Helga said. Her tone was so cold and freezing that Torvald and his group froze on the spit.

"Forgive me...I didn't know this was Prince Ragna..." Torvald stuttered. Ragna couldn't help but laugh upon seeing the big fellow being scared of his cousin.

"It's all good," Ragna said. "I also hope you can accept my friends' apologies also," Torvald turned to face Torvi and Anders and gave a nod to them

"I accept your apology. We'll be on our way," Torvald said. He and his group quickly left, Helga's cold eyes on their back as they ran into the crowds. She turned back to Ragna, a smile on her face, the cold expression gone like it was never there.

"So Cousin, are you going to introduce me to your friends," Helga said.

"Princess, it is an honor to meet you," Anders said with a blush. "My name is Anders Guthrum, and this is Torvi Saelgild," Anders and Torvi gave a curtsy bow to Helga who waved her arms at them politely.

"You don't have to do that," Helga said. "Any friend of Ragna's is a friend of mine." Torvi and Anders couldn't help but smile. Helga, Ragna's cousin was so different from Ragna, it was hard to think they were related. "Besides, it will be fun getting to hear how Ragna was growing up,"

"You could just ask me," Ragna said.

"Ragna was the best among our years when it came to everything," Torvi said.

"Everything," Helga said. "Even combat?"

"Of course. I know they say Prince Hvisterk has the most talent, but I genuinely believe that Prince Ragna is the most talented," Anders said.

"I didn't figure you as a warrior type," Helga said to Ragna. "The way my mother spoke of you and your interest, I assume you wanted to be a Scholar and work in the Academy," Ragna could see how she thought of him in that regard. The Viking Academy was the only educational institution in this continent where the remainder of their training to be a Viking and kill Rune walkers was conducted and it was a place where every Viking from the five kingdoms attended. Ragna couldn't wait to go there and see what knowledge they had to offer.

"I have no interest in working as a Scholar or instructor in the Academy," Ragna said.

"Hmm! You should have joined Hvisterk and me in training this morning," Helga said.

"Your sister had something to show me," Ragna said.

"Speaking of my sister, what in Odin's name did you do to her," Helga said.

"What do you mean," Ragna asked.

"Freya hasn't left her room since she returned later in the evening," Helga said. They had reached the middle of the courtyard where there were more people in the crowds.

"Ha! I see she's still engrossed in the gift I gave her," Ragna said. Helga was about to respond but stopped when everyone had gone still, their attention caught by the King who had risen from his throne. King Sigurd raised his hand and the music stopped, followed by the singing.

"Tonight marks the end of summer and the beginning of a new season. As we all know, we have gathered here not only to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, we are here to welcome and honor our children who have reached the prime age for Ascendency." King Sigurd said. "Now is the time for the boys and girls to become Men and women of the Viking. Let them follow in the footsteps of their ancestors, walking the path of cultivation and reaching greater heights than their forbearers ever reached. Tonight is the beginning of their new life, a life in which they strive to honor and protect the Frodi peace that we have enjoyed and benefited from for seven hundred years. Let us honor the sacrifice and bravery that these young ones are about to embark on. Skol"

"Skol," Everyone in the crowd said.

"Boys and girls, those who are here for the coming of age, step forward," King Sigurd said. Everyone who wasn't there to awaken stepped backward while those there for the Awakening stepped forward in front of the podium. Ragna was in the front of the crowd, Helga by his side while Torvi and Anders were behind him.

"You all are brave for choosing a path that is filled with hardship and pain," King Sigurd said. "Not many of you might be able to awaken, but those who do will no longer be seen as ordinary and beholden to the laws of man. For you are on the path so many have killed and fought for. The only thing that matters after today is strength and power. And how you use it to protect that which is precious to you." King Sigurd looked around the boys and girls, his eyes landing on his grandchildren as they were to be the leaders that would lead these generations of Awakened. "Now, may the spirit of the land honor us with her presence." And like that, Ragna felt a tremor within the earth itself. A vibration flowed through the ground around the courtyard, and then from the ground, green vines began sprouting out. The vines folded and molded together into a humanoid shape, taking the appearance of a green-skinned woman dressed in a leaf-like dress Her hair was made of entangled vines, her figure shaped like an hourglass. She was extremely inhumanely beautiful but Ragna wasn't thrown off by it. She looks like a Dryad. Of course, there wasn't a Dryad in this world, at least the name, but Ragna recognized her as what one might call a Landvaettir, the guardian spirit of the land itself.