Silk banners fluttered from the mansion windows.
Golden plates clinked as nobles arrived.
Floral incense drifted through the halls.
> So this is what a naming ceremony looks like…
Somewhere in the center of it all, I stood — barely two years old, barely calm — wondering how I ended up in the middle of a fantasy noble parade.
In this world, a child isn't given a name at birth.
Not in noble families.
Instead, it's earned — through tradition, ritual, and status.
And today…
Was my turn.
---
Twenty noble families from across the Ariana Kingdom filled the estate grounds.
Scribes, knights, sorcerers — all dressed like someone had dumped gold on royalty.
Maids moved like wind through the crowd.
And I?
I stood there, staring at the mountain of people who had come to witness one thing:
> Me.
---
My father, Julius Montelo, looked like someone carved him from marble and gave him authority for fun.
Black hair slicked back. Piercing blue eyes.
He was only 28, but carried himself like a general from legend.
My mother, Lily Montelo, was no less divine.
With soft blue hair and eyes to match, her smile could silence an army.
Though her marriage was arranged for politics… the warmth in her voice told me it had become more than that.
And standing beside them—gripping my hand tightly—was my sister, Iris Montelo.
Four years old. Regal and terrifying.
The enforcer of my baby crimes.
> She's scary when mad.
Which is 90% of the time.
---
As nobles settled in the grand hall, I spotted a girl in a maid's uniform watching me from behind a curtain — Alicia, my age, the daughter of the head maid.
We'd bonded over secret snacks and near escapes.
She gave me a thumbs-up.
I nodded back.
We were in this together.
---
And then it began.
Milk and water were poured over my head by dozens of nobles.
I stood still like a statue while my soaked baby robe clung to me like regret.
Each family whispered blessings — words I half-understood.
I counted 12 nobles before I gave up.
There were 20 in total.
By the end, I was cold, wet, and craving escape.
> I'm just a baby, guys. Please.
---
Finally, my parents stepped forward.
Julius placed his hand on my shoulder. Lily gently brushed my hair aside.
Together, they spoke.
> "From this day forward… you shall be known as—
William.
William Montelo."
---
The crowd applauded.
My heart?
It thumped once.
Not from shock.
But from something warmer.
> That's me now… William.
A name I'll live up to.
A name I'll make proud.
---
The rest of the evening blurred.
Feasting. Laughter. Mountains of gifts — books, magic trinkets, clothes, enchanted wooden swords.
By the time I was back in my room, dressed in dry noblewear and buried under a cloak, I barely remembered my own name.
> I slept like a king.
Like a reborn soldier finally at peace… for now.
---
📚 Days Later…
I cracked open one of the books gifted to me.
The pages whispered secrets.
> Magic.
Elemental control.
Mana reserves.
Spell channels.
Everyone in this world had mana. Even commoners could light candles or summon breeze.
But true power? That belonged to the nobles.
---
This world was Earth, too. But unlike my old world, this one was 80% land, 20% water.
Populated by humans… and others.
> Elves.
Dwarves.
Demons.
Beastmen.
Even goblins.
A real fantasy world.
With a magic academy.
With swords. With history. With soul.
> And this time, I'd be ready for it.
---
🕯️ Time Skip – Age: 5
I could run now. Write. Think. Command.
The real me was starting to show.
And I wanted one thing more than anything:
> Magic.
My parents always said "when you're older."
Guess what?
I'm older now.
Today, they told me something that made my whole world light up:
> "Your personal teacher will arrive tomorrow."
Swordsmanship. Magic. Combat.
And not just for me.
Even Alicia would be trained.
Not as a maid — but as my protector.
---
> This is it.
This is where it begins.
The soldier is ready to become a mage.
---