A month had passed since my tutor's execution. Neither my family nor his spoke a single word about it. Just as quickly as he died, a new tutor took his place.
The day of my fifth birthday arrived.
A gala is being held in my honor, a celebration marking the age when I could finally begin sword practice. The next event on this scale wouldn't come until I turned twelve, the year in which I could partake in the mana ceremony.
In my last life, I never awakened a mana core. I expect it to be different this time. It's rare for nobility to lack mana entirely, especially someone born to parents as gifted as mine.
I might worry more about failing to awaken a core this time, if not for my father or House Ascelyn, valuing swordsmanship above all else. Even if I were to awaken the strongest mana attribute, with a deep well of potential, it would serve only to sharpen my sword. Nothing more.
"Young lord, are you not going to enjoy the party?"
Still, I'd prefer to awaken with at least a basic attribute this time.
I glance down from the bannister to the first floor. The nobles gathered below don't look particularly powerful or especially wealthy. I wonder how many of them have mana cores at all.
"Lost in thought, young lord?"
A tap on my shoulder pulls me back. I straighten and turn to face the speaker.
It's Serlo Granmier, head of House Granmier, a noble line built on wealth rather than Martial prowess. The wealthiest man at the party, though far from the most influential.
"Yes, Lord Serlo?" I replied.
He let out a hearty laugh.
"I've been trying to get your attention for some time now."
"Apologies. I was... distracted."
He gave me a sideways glance, his smile lingering.
"You're not a very talkative child, are you?"
I shook my head.
"I just don't like large crowds."
"I see," Serlo said, "well, I can't say I enjoy them much either, but we nobles have to keep up appearances. You'll get used to it."
He gave my shoulder a gentle pat.
I flinched slightly at his touch, but he didn't seem to notice.
For as long as I've known Serlo, he's seemed genuine.
The first time we met was at my first birthday, a smaller gathering with only a handful of select nobles. I didn't speak to him then, of course, but he stood out, never posturing like the others.
Since then, I've seen him at nearly every family celebration, especially my brothers' birthdays. Clearly, he's a regular presence, a family friend. I don't know the exact nature of his relationship with my father, but it must be a good one.
Serlo spoke again, his smile still plastered on his face.
"You've always been rather shy, young lord. Or maybe you've just acted like an old man, even as a mere infant. You always had that look, the one that says you'd rather be anywhere but here when people approach."
He glanced toward a round-faced boy with short brown hair, laughing and shouting with a group of other noble children.
"I was going to bring my son, who's your age, over here. But…" Serlo's voice dropped to a whisper, a conspiratorial grin on his face. "I don't think you'd like him very much. He's too loud."
I almost let out a small laugh, but caught myself.
"However, I did bring my daughter, Anne."
A small head peeked shyly from behind her father's leg at the mention of her name. Round-faced like her father and brother, she was already fitting into the family mold.
I sighed internally. I'd much rather not talk to anyone, let alone a child.
Serlo must have sensed my hesitation. "I know your father told you to socialize, so think of her as camouflage from your father. Anne's shy too, so she probably won't say much."
Gently, he nudged Anne forward.
She resisted a bit but eventually gave in, standing near me awkwardly waiting.
"Ok, I'm going to go socialize some more. Anne, you be nice to Lior."
Serlo gave me a quick nod. "Have a good time, Lior. I'll see you again in a bit."
He straightened his suit and disappeared into the crowd.
Anne and I sat in silence for a while. There wasn't much to say. I was four times her age, but trapped in this small body. The conversations we could have were limited, to say the least. I was about to resign myself to the awkward quiet when Anne finally spoke.
"Do you not like parties either?"
"Yeah," I replied.
"I like the food, though," she said
"The cake is my favorite."
We stood in silence a while longer. I fidgeted, then reached into my pocket and pulled out the gold button, the same one from that day. I've been carrying it ever since. It didn't bring me comfort.
It reminded me of how dangerous my father is.
I stared at it for a moment, then began to slip it back into my pocket.
But before I could, Anne spoke.
"You have something?"
I turned slightly. She was staring at my hand.
"In your pocket," she said. "What is it?"
I didn't answer.
She reached into her own dress and pulled something small out, round and grey.
"I have a rock," she said. "I found it in your yard."
She held it up next to my hand as if comparing them.
"Did you also find it in your yard?"
"No, my father gave me it."
"That's weird… My dad would never give me a button as a birthday present."
I couldn't help laughing at the absurdity of the moment
"Don't worry, it's not a birthday present, it's.. It's just for my clothes."
"Oh, good, do you wanna trade?"