Back in the new world, within the grand yet comforting chambers of the Valefort estate, a newborn Aelric lay cradled in his mother's arms. The elegant room, adorned with intricate silver and blue décor, held an air of nobility, yet warmth lingered in its atmosphere. Velvet drapes fluttered gently in the breeze wafting through tall arched balcony doors, filling the room with the fresh scent of blooming windroses from the courtyard below. The soft rustle of fabric and the crackle of the fireplace added a quiet rhythm to the room's tranquility.
Seraphina Valefort, seated against a pile of high-backed cushions on her canopied bed, gently rocked her son. Her soft platinum blonde hair, loose for once, spilled over her shoulders like silk, and her emerald eyes shimmered with quiet joy. A soft lullaby escaped her lips one her mother once sang to her—and the melody danced lightly in the air, brushing against the candlelit walls like a comforting breeze.
Then she paused.
Her fingers lightly stroked Aelric's downy head. Her expression shifted into something more curious.
"…His hair," she whispered, her voice barely above the crackle of the fireplace. "It's black."
She stared at it, gently fluffing the tiny tuft between her fingers. The rich black stood in stark contrast to her own pale strands.
Just then, the large doors opened with a soft creak. Lucian Valefort stepped inside tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a dark robe trimmed with silver embroidery. His presence was commanding without being overbearing. Piercing silver eyes scanned the room, and his shoulder-length hair gleamed like polished steel under the lamplight.
Behind him, the rhythmic patter of smaller footsteps followed.
"Mom! Is that my baby brother?" chirped a high-pitched voice.
A flash of violet darted into the room. Akane Valefort, age four, dashed forward, her brilliant blue eyes wide with excitement. Her long violet hair swayed with each eager step. Two maids followed quickly behind, clearly trying to keep up but allowing the moment to play out.
Seraphina gave her a soft smile. "Yes, darling. But he's still very tiny. Be gentle."
Lucian approached the bed slowly, his eyes falling on Aelric. He didn't speak for a long moment. Then his brow creased slightly, and his jaw tightened.
"…His magic pool," he muttered. "It's overflowing."
Seraphina looked up in alarm and extended her magical senses cautiously.
A beat passed.
Her breath caught. "This…" she whispered. "Lucian, I've never felt a magic pool like this. It's not just large it's refined. But how?"
Lucian didn't respond immediately. His silver gaze remained locked on the child.
"Not even our strongest ancestors had this at birth," he finally said. "This isn't natural accumulation. It's as if… he brought it from somewhere else."
"Or something chose him," Seraphina murmured.
Akane, tiptoeing at the bedside, tugged at her mother's sleeve. "That means he's going to be really strong, right? Like Papa?"
She turned to Lucian, eyes gleaming. "Can I hold him, please?"
Seraphina blinked, smiling softly. "Come here, sweetheart."
Akane clambered up onto the bed and sat beside her mother, her small arms outstretched and quivering with anticipation. Carefully, Seraphina placed the bundled infant into her daughter's lap.
Akane looked down at him with wide, awestruck eyes. "He's so soft," she whispered. "And warm. Like a bun fresh out the oven."
Seraphina laughed softly. "A noble comparison."
Lucian chuckled faintly, a rare sound. He moved to stand beside them, his arms crossed as he watched his two children interact. Then he narrowed his eyes again.
"…That hair," he commented, gesturing to Aelric's dark locks. "It doesn't come from either of us."
Seraphina nodded. "I was just thinking the same. It's as dark as midnight."
Lucian gave a small nod. "My mother had hair like that. Deep black. I took after my father, but it seems Aelric took after her."
Seraphina's expression softened. "Then he carries a piece of her with him."
Lucian smirked faintly. "Hopefully not her temper."
Akane giggled, still gently swaying side to side with her brother in her arms. "He's going to be my best friend! I'll teach him everything."
Aelric stirred then, blinking slowly. His vivid emerald eyes opened again this time locking on to the faces hovering above him.
His mother. His father. His sister.
"So, these are my new family," he thought, his mind far too calm and focused for an infant. "No burdens. No regrets. Just… peace. Let's see how long that lasts."
Then silently, inwardly: "Ultimate Guide, activate Analysis Copy."
The response was immediate.
A pulse surged through him. His eyes shimmered, their emerald depths shifting into something unearthly. A cosmic pattern spiraled into being—concentric rings of starlight and celestial glyphs, like galaxies had been etched into his soul.
Lucian stepped forward. "His eyes—"
Seraphina gasped softly. "Magic is surging. That's not natural."
Akane blinked, then squealed in delight. "His eyes turned all sparkly!"
Only Aelric could see the system interface materializing before him:
[Status Analysis Active]
Father: Lucian Valefort
• Race: Human
• Supreme Ability: Abyss Sovereign
• Ultimate Abilities: Void Shackles, Gravitational Collapse, Abyssal Dominion, Temporal Rift
• Unique Abilities: Telekinesis, Mana Severance, Thunder Lord's Wrath, Dimensional Severance, Stormcaller
• Summon: Umbra, the Nether Drake
Mother: Seraphina Valefort
• Race: Human
• Ultimate Abilities: Astral Chains, Healing Embrace, Divine Restoration, Ethereal Chains
• Unique Abilities: Lunar Affinity, Empathic Resonance, Zephyr's Grace, Celestial Purge, Gale Mastery
• Regular Abilities: Enhanced Sensory Perception, Aerial Levitation
• Summon: Sylphara, Guardian of the Wind
Sister: Akane Valefort
• Race: Human
• Unique Abilities: Cryokinesis, Wind Manipulation, Glacial Chains
• Regular Abilities: Mana Manipulation, Enhanced Agility
• Elemental Affinity: Ice & Wind
Aelric's mind analyzed swiftly. "Father's Supreme Ability is locked for now. But the others—"
[Copying complete,] Ultimate Guide announced. [Abilities successfully acquired. Would you like me to modify them for optimized use?]
"Absolutely."
The light faded. His eyes returned to normal.
Lucian and Seraphina both exchanged a glance. "It stopped," Lucian said.
"What was that?" Seraphina murmured.
"An awakened ability," Lucian said flatly. "But it's too early. Far too early."
Akane, still rocking him gently, tilted her head. "Do it again! That was so cool!"
Aelric ignored her giggles, instead reaching inward again. "By the way, calling you 'Ultimate Guide' is awkward. Let's go with 'Partner' for now."
[Acknowledged. Temporary designation accepted: Partner.]
Lucian stared at his son for a long moment. "He's not just gifted. He's… different."
"Do you think it's a blessing?" Seraphina asked.
Lucian didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained on the child, thoughtful. "Time will tell."
There was a knock at the chamber door—soft, respectful. One of the senior staff stepped halfway inside, bowing.
"Lord Lucian, Lady Seraphina, shall I inform the estate's record keeper that the young heir has been named?"
Lucian looked to his wife. Seraphina nodded gently.
"We have decided," she said, brushing a finger along Aelric's brow. "His name is Aelric."
Lucian echoed it aloud. "Aelric Valefort."
Akane clapped with delight. "Aelric! That's perfect!"
And in that moment, Aelric paused internally.
"…The same name," he thought. "Of all the possibilities in this new world… I still ended up as Aelric." A soft pulse of amusement flickered within him. "Guess some names were meant to echo across lives."
He didn't know if it was irony, fate, or something more but the familiarity of it brought a strange comfort.
Seraphina leaned against Lucian's side, her head resting on his shoulder. "He's going to change everything, isn't he?"
Lucian's voice was low. "He already has."
Akane leaned forward and rested her forehead gently against her baby brother's. "Don't worry. I'll protect you until you're big enough to protect me."
Aelric blinked slowly, the faintest flicker of warmth settling in his small chest.
For the first time, he felt something he hadn't truly known in his previous life.
Belonging.
This was his second chance.
And this time… he would carve his own path.