The instant Bell Sirocco stepped through the enormous ceremonial doors, he understood one thing.
There were far more people here than he had expected.
The grand awakening hall of House Sirocco had been transformed completely for the evening.
Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the high vaulted ceiling, illuminating the entire chamber in warm golden light. Blue-and-silver banners displaying the crest of House Sirocco hung between tall marble pillars. Magical lanterns floated several feet above the floor, drifting lazily through the air like glowing fireflies.
At the center of the far end of the hall stood an elevated ceremonial platform.
And sitting upon that platform was the reason everyone had gathered here tonight.
The Awakening Crystal.
It was enormous.
Nearly twice Bell's current height.
The crystal was perfectly transparent, yet faint streams of rainbow-colored mana flowed endlessly through its interior.
Silver runes had been carved into the circular stone platform beneath it.
They pulsed faintly.
Waiting.
Bell's golden eyes remained on the crystal for several seconds.
So that's it.
That's the thing that's going to tell me what kind of magic I have.
His heart beat faster.
But before Bell could stare for too long, the crowd surrounding him reminded him that the crystal was not the only thing waiting tonight.
Dozens upon dozens of people turned toward him.
Nobles.
Knights.
Court magicians.
Military officers.
Merchants.
Academy representatives.
Adventurers.
Foreign dignitaries.
Members of branch families.
Bell had never seen so many expensive outfits gathered in one place.
Some guests carried glasses of wine.
Others stood in small groups whispering among themselves.
And now almost every one of them was staring directly at him.
Bell continued walking.
Immediately, whispers began spreading throughout the hall.
"So that is the youngest Sirocco child."
"He certainly inherited the family's appearance."
"Look at those eyes."
"Golden eyes…"
"Very unusual."
"His hair is rather striking as well."
"The white highlights suit him."
"A handsome young boy."
"He will probably become extremely popular when he is older."
Bell's eyebrow twitched.
I'm five.
Another noble whispered:
"What affinity do you think he will awaken?"
"Wind would be the obvious possibility."
"His father is the Storm Sovereign."
"Perhaps Water, like Lady Natalie."
"Fire would be impressive."
"Lightning would be excellent."
"He comes from an absurd bloodline. Surely it will be something powerful."
"House Sirocco has produced too many exceptional mages for the youngest child to be ordinary."
Bell kept walking.
His expression remained calm.
Inside his head was another matter entirely.
Okay.
So this is apparently a public sporting event now.
He passed another group.
"I heard the royal family is attending."
"For the youngest son's awakening?"
"House Sirocco is one of Ravelle's greatest noble houses. Of course they would."
"There are rumors the royal family and House Sirocco intend to strengthen their relationship further."
Bell heard that one.
His golden eyes shifted sideways.
Yeah.
About that.
His father's announcement from breakfast immediately returned to his mind.
You will be engaged to Princess Madelyn Ashcroft.
Bell nearly sighed.
Still can't believe that happened.
A woman nearby whispered:
"I wonder if the child is nervous."
Bell thought:
Extremely.
Another answered:
"He does not look nervous."
Bell resisted looking at her.
Years of pretending everything was fine while drowning in office work apparently trained me for noble society.
He finally spotted the people he was looking for.
His family stood together near one side of the ceremonial platform.
Bell immediately changed direction.
Viktor noticed him first.
Bell approached his parents and stopped in front of them.
He gave a small respectful bow.
"Mother. Father."
Viktor nodded.
"Bell."
Natalie's sapphire-blue eyes immediately softened.
Her face brightened.
"My goodness."
Bell looked at her.
Natalie smiled warmly.
"You look very handsome tonight, my son."
Bell's cheeks warmed slightly.
"Thank you, Mother."
Terra immediately joined in.
"Mother is right."
She bent slightly to inspect him.
"The new hairstyle suits you wonderfully."
Serenity calmly nodded.
"It is presentable."
Alexander stared at her.
"Presentable?"
Serenity looked at him.
"Yes."
"That's the nicest thing you've said all evening."
"I complimented the flower arrangements."
Alexander stared blankly.
"That proves my point."
Bell laughed quietly.
Danny folded his arms.
"At least you look like a proper Sirocco tonight."
Bell raised an eyebrow.
"Was I not one yesterday?"
Danny paused.
"That isn't what I meant."
Lucas calmly added:
"I believe Danny means your clothing appropriately represents the dignity of the family."
Bell looked toward Lucas.
"Thank you for translating Danny."
Alexander burst out laughing.
Danny glared at both of them.
"Very funny."
Terra smiled.
"Everyone is simply excited for you."
Bell glanced toward the enormous awakening crystal.
"Yeah."
His fingers curled slightly.
"I noticed."
Standing beside the family were Bell's grandparents.
Regonald Sirocco slowly examined Bell from head to toe.
His sharp golden-brown eyes lingered on Bell's hair.
Then his formal clothing.
Then his posture.
Regonald gave one approving nod.
"You clean up well."
Bell smiled.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
Marabella was much less restrained.
She walked around Bell once.
"Oh, look at you!"
Bell blinked.
"Grandmother…"
"The hair is adorable."
"Grandmother."
"And the jacket!"
Bell sighed.
Marabella placed one hand against her cheek.
"My youngest grandson is going to cause trouble when he grows older."
Regonald calmly replied:
"He already causes trouble."
Bell looked offended.
"I've barely done anything."
Regonald raised an eyebrow.
"Yet."
Bell stared at him.
Marabella laughed.
Then she placed a gentle hand on Bell's shoulder.
Her playful expression softened.
"Are you nervous?"
Bell looked back toward the crystal.
He considered pretending otherwise.
But there was no reason.
"A little."
Marabella smiled.
"That is perfectly all right."
Regonald nodded.
"Nervousness means you understand the importance of what is about to happen."
Bell looked at him.
Regonald continued:
"Do not let everyone else's expectations decide what you think of your own magic."
Bell paused.
That sounded strangely specific.
Before he could ask what his grandfather meant, a loud ceremonial voice suddenly echoed throughout the hall.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"
Conversation stopped almost instantly.
Bell looked toward the entrance.
The announcer stood near the doors.
He raised one hand.
"THE ROYAL FAMILY OF THE KINGDOM OF RAVELLE HAS ARRIVED!"
The atmosphere changed.
Nobles quickly straightened their posture.
Glasses were lowered.
Conversations stopped.
Even some of the more relaxed adventurers stood straighter.
The enormous doors opened.
Bell watched carefully.
The first person to enter was unmistakably a king.
KING WARREN ASHCROFT — THE CROWN OF RAVELLE
Warren Ashcroft was tall and broad-shouldered, with the powerful build of someone who had once spent considerably more time training and fighting than sitting inside council chambers.
His hair was rich dark brown, neatly brushed away from his face, though faint streaks of gray had started appearing around his temples.
His eyes were a deep royal blue.
Sharp.
Observant.
Commanding.
He possessed a strong jaw, straight nose, thick eyebrows, and a carefully maintained beard running along his jawline.
Tonight, Warren wore a deep navy ceremonial coat with golden embroidery running along the collar and sleeves.
A clean white undershirt rested beneath it.
Dark trousers.
Polished black boots.
A heavy crimson royal cape.
And upon his head sat a golden crown centered around a brilliant blue gemstone.
Bell stared.
Okay.
That is absolutely a king.
Warren had the exact appearance Bell's old fantasy-otaku brain expected from royalty.
Powerful.
Dignified.
Commanding.
Yet somehow, Bell could immediately tell there was more beneath the formal appearance.
Warren's eyes moved constantly.
Not nervously.
Strategically.
He noticed which nobles bowed fastest.
Which whispered.
Which smiled sincerely.
Which merely pretended.
Bell understood immediately.
He isn't just walking into the room.
He's reading it.
Beside him entered his wife.
QUEEN CAROLINE ASHCROFT — THE ROYAL ROSE
Queen Caroline carried herself completely differently.
Where Warren's presence commanded attention, Caroline's invited comfort.
She had long chestnut-brown hair with subtle golden highlights, styled elegantly with curled strands framing her face.
Her eyes were warm emerald green.
Her skin was fair.
Her features refined and graceful.
She wore an ivory-and-rose ceremonial gown decorated with delicate golden embroidery.
A thin golden crown rested upon her head.
Small emerald earrings matched her eyes.
Bell immediately noticed something.
Caroline's attention was not focused entirely on the room.
Her gaze repeatedly shifted toward her children.
Checking them.
Watching them.
Making sure they were all right.
Definitely a mother before a queen when it comes to them.
Behind them walked the royal children.
The oldest was a boy around nine.
PRINCE JONAH ASHCROFT — THE ROYAL SWORD HEIR
Jonah already resembled his father.
Dark brown hair.
Sharp blue eyes.
A naturally serious expression.
His small but athletic frame showed obvious signs of regular sword training.
He wore a dark blue formal tunic with gold trim, white trousers, black boots, and a small royal mantle.
A ceremonial short sword hung at his side.
Bell noticed Jonah's hand occasionally drifting toward the weapon.
He really wants to draw that thing.
Jonah caught Bell looking at it.
Bell immediately looked elsewhere.
And then—
Bell noticed her.
A little girl walking beside the royal couple.
Around his age.
Five.
PRINCESS MADELYN ASHCROFT — FIRST PRINCESS OF RAVELLE
Bell's fiancée.
Even thinking those words still felt ridiculous.
Madelyn had long golden-blonde hair reaching below her shoulders.
Part of it had been tied behind her head with a small royal-blue ribbon.
The rest flowed freely down her back.
Her sapphire-blue eyes were bright and curious.
Her fair cheeks carried a natural rosy color.
She wore a beautiful child-sized royal dress in white, blue, and gold.
Short puffed sleeves.
A blue ribbon around her waist.
Small golden embroidery.
White stockings.
Blue formal shoes.
A tiny silver-and-blue tiara sat on her head.
Bell watched her reach up and adjust it.
Then again.
Three steps later—
She adjusted it again.
Bell almost smiled.
She's worried it's going to fall.
Madelyn quickly lowered her hand and resumed walking as though nothing had happened.
The entire hall bowed.
"YOUR MAJESTIES!"
Bell bowed as well.
While lowered, he glanced upward slightly.
So that's the royal family.
Two days ago, he had been Max Carter.
An exhausted twenty-four-year-old office worker on Earth.
Now he was Bell Sirocco.
A five-year-old noble.
Standing at his magical awakening ceremony.
Watching the ruling family of an actual fantasy kingdom walk toward him.
And one of their daughters was apparently already his fiancée.
Bell thought:
My life has gone completely insane.
The king moved through the hall.
Bell could feel something coming from him.
An aura.
Not necessarily magical.
Authority.
Experience.
Command.
People naturally gave Warren space without being ordered.
Bell's instincts told him that Warren was the type of man capable of smiling warmly during dinner and ordering an army to war an hour later if necessary.
Queen Caroline's presence felt completely different.
Warm.
Gentle.
But not weak.
Bell noticed several nobles attempting to catch her attention.
She greeted them graciously without ever losing track of what was happening around her.
She's sharp too.
Whispers spread through the guests.
"The king himself…"
"Queen Caroline as well."
"The crown prince."
"And Princess Madelyn."
"The relationship between House Ashcroft and House Sirocco must be extremely strong."
"I heard King Warren and Duke Viktor have known each other for decades."
The royal family approached House Sirocco.
Warren's commanding expression changed almost immediately when he saw Viktor.
A broad smile appeared.
"Viktor!"
Bell blinked.
There goes the king.
Warren approached his father like an old friend rather than a ruler greeting one of his highest nobles.
"It's been too long."
Viktor nodded respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
Warren sighed.
"We're doing this already?"
Viktor raised an eyebrow.
"We are in public."
"I know where we are."
"You are the king."
"And you are still annoyingly formal."
Marabella whispered:
"They've been having this argument for years."
Bell looked at her.
"Really?"
"Years."
Warren laughed.
"How are you, old friend?"
Viktor's expression softened slightly.
"Well."
He glanced toward Bell.
"And honored that you accepted our invitation."
Warren waved one hand dismissively.
"Of course I came."
His voice boomed loudly enough that several nearby nobles heard him.
"If a friend asks you to attend something important for his family, you attend."
Viktor nodded.
"I appreciate it."
Warren then looked toward Natalie.
Natalie bowed gracefully.
"Your Majesty."
"Lady Natalie."
Caroline stepped forward with a warm smile.
"It is wonderful seeing you again."
Natalie smiled back.
"And you, Your Majesty. I am glad you came to see Bell's awakening."
"I would not miss it."
Caroline's eyes briefly moved toward Bell.
There was immediate curiosity there.
Then Warren noticed the two elderly figures standing nearby.
His eyebrows rose.
"Regonald?"
Regonald smiled faintly.
"It has been some time, Warren."
Warren stepped forward.
"Far too long."
Marabella smiled sweetly.
"And apparently I am invisible now."
Warren immediately looked toward her.
"Lady Marabella."
"Better."
Caroline laughed softly and approached her.
"It is wonderful to see both of you again."
Marabella took Caroline's hands.
"Look at you. Still somehow making royal life look effortless."
Caroline shook her head.
"Oh, it is absolutely not effortless."
Regonald looked toward Warren.
"I hear border negotiations have been troublesome."
Warren sighed.
"You retired. You aren't supposed to ask me about politics anymore."
"I retired from office."
Regonald's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Not from being curious."
Warren laughed.
Bell watched the interaction quietly.
They really do know each other.
Not polite acquaintance.
Not political familiarity.
These people had history.
Nearby, Bell's siblings greeted Jonah.
Danny gave a respectful nod.
"Prince Jonah."
Jonah returned it.
"Danny."
Alexander grinned.
"Still practicing swordsmanship?"
Jonah glanced toward him.
"Every day."
Alexander's grin widened.
"I bet I can beat you in a race."
Jonah stared.
"We were discussing swords."
"I'm discussing racing now."
Serenity sighed.
"Please ignore him."
Jonah said:
"I usually do."
Alexander looked betrayed.
Bell nearly laughed.
Clearly, the two families knew each other far better than he did.
Then Warren's eyes finally settled directly on Bell.
The king's expression became amused.
"And this must be the young man everyone came to see."
Bell immediately felt several nearby guests return their attention to him.
Great.
Viktor looked down.
"Bell."
Bell straightened.
He knew that tone.
That was Viktor's:
Behave properly because important people are watching voice.
Viktor gestured toward Warren.
"Come here."
Bell stepped forward.
Viktor placed one hand lightly against his upper back.
"Bell, this is His Majesty, King Warren Ashcroft, ruler of Ravelle."
Bell looked up at the king.
Then bowed exactly as his tutors had taught him.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
Warren raised an eyebrow.
He looked at Viktor.
"You've been drilling etiquette into him already?"
Viktor answered immediately.
"Of course."
Bell thought:
Unfortunately.
Warren looked back down.
His formal expression softened.
"You may simply call me King Warren for today, Bell."
Bell blinked.
Warren continued:
"Your father and I have been friends longer than you've been alive several times over."
Bell paused.
Technically…
With twenty-four years of memories from Earth—
That sentence was not entirely accurate.
Bell wisely decided not to explain reincarnation to the king during their first conversation.
"Yes, King Warren."
Warren smiled.
"Good."
Viktor gestured toward Caroline.
"This is Her Majesty, Queen Caroline Ashcroft."
Bell turned and bowed again.
"It is nice to meet you, Your Majesty."
Caroline smiled warmly.
Then, surprisingly, she lowered herself slightly so Bell would not have to crane his neck as far upward.
"And it is very nice to finally meet you, Bell."
Bell caught one word immediately.
Finally.
His golden eyes briefly shifted toward Viktor.
Caroline noticed.
Her smile became faintly amused.
"Your father has spoken about you before."
Bell looked directly at Viktor.
"Good things?"
Natalie immediately covered her mouth.
Warren released a short laugh.
Caroline carefully considered her answer.
"Mostly."
Bell narrowed his eyes at his father.
Viktor completely ignored him.
Caroline's eyes sparkled with amusement.
Interesting.
She had expected a shy noble child.
Instead, Bell's expression carried a strange mixture of childish curiosity and an unusual awareness.
He watches everything.
Viktor moved onward.
"Bell, this is Crown Prince Jonah Ashcroft."
Jonah stepped forward.
The two boys studied each other.
Jonah was four years older and significantly taller.
Bell bowed slightly.
"Prince Jonah."
Jonah gave a small formal nod.
"Bell Sirocco."
A short silence followed.
Jonah looked past Bell toward the awakening crystal.
"You're awakening today?"
Bell followed his gaze.
"That's the idea."
Jonah looked back.
"Are you nervous?"
Bell considered pretending he wasn't.
Then shrugged.
"A little."
Jonah nodded seriously.
"Good."
Bell blinked.
"Good?"
Jonah folded his arms.
"Father says anyone who isn't nervous before something important either isn't paying attention or doesn't understand what they're doing."
Bell slowly turned his head toward Warren.
Warren nodded proudly.
Bell looked back at Jonah.
"Your father says a lot of things, doesn't he?"
Silence.
Jonah stared at Bell.
Warren suddenly burst out laughing.
Caroline hid her smile behind one hand.
Natalie did the same.
Even Viktor's eyebrow twitched.
Jonah tried very hard to remain completely serious.
But the corner of his mouth moved.
"He does."
That was Bell's first real conversation with Ravelle's future king.
Then Viktor finally turned toward the youngest royal child.
The little girl who had been watching Bell for almost the entire conversation.
Madelyn immediately straightened.
Her hands folded properly in front of her.
Her chin lifted slightly.
Bell could practically see all the etiquette lessons running through her head.
Stand straight.
Smile politely.
Don't embarrass the crown.
Don't touch the tiara.
Her hand twitched toward the tiara.
She stopped herself.
Bell almost smiled.
Viktor's expression became subtly different.
More formal.
Bell knew exactly why.
Right.
The engagement.
Viktor gestured toward her.
"And finally, Princess Madelyn Ashcroft, First Princess of Ravelle."
Madelyn stepped forward.
Bell looked at her.
Madelyn looked back.
Silence.
Bell waited.
Madelyn waited.
Warren looked between them.
Caroline already appeared entertained.
Viktor cleared his throat.
Bell remembered himself.
"Princess Madelyn."
Madelyn gave a careful little curtsy.
"Bell Sirocco."
Another silence followed.
Her sapphire eyes moved toward the awakening crystal.
Then back toward Bell.
Then toward the crystal again.
Bell could practically see a question fighting to escape.
Finally, she lost the battle.
"What magic are you going to get?"
Bell stared at her.
"I don't know."
Madelyn frowned.
"None?"
"No."
Bell pointed toward the crystal.
"I mean I don't know yet. That's why I'm supposed to touch that."
Madelyn's cheeks puffed slightly.
"I know that."
Bell tilted his head.
"Then why did you ask me?"
Madelyn's eyes widened.
Her cheeks immediately turned pink.
Warren covered his mouth with one hand.
Caroline looked away to hide her laughter.
Jonah suddenly became extremely interested in the ceiling.
Then he whispered just loudly enough for his sister to hear:
"That's actually a reasonable question."
Madelyn spun toward him.
"Jonah!"
Bell tried not to laugh.
He failed.
Madelyn immediately noticed.
"Don't laugh!"
Bell straightened his face.
"I'm not."
"You are!"
"I was smiling."
"That's the same thing!"
"Not technically."
Madelyn looked ready to argue.
Viktor sighed.
"Bell."
Bell immediately straightened.
"Yes, Father."
Warren finally laughed openly.
"Leave him alone, Viktor. The boy hasn't even awakened yet and he's already surviving royal interrogation."
Madelyn crossed her arms.
"I wasn't interrogating him!"
Jonah replied:
"You asked him a question he couldn't possibly know the answer to."
"I wanted him to guess!"
Bell blinked.
"Oh."
Madelyn looked back at him.
"Yes. Oh."
Bell finally understood.
She was not asking what affinity he knew he had.
She wanted to know what he hoped to get.
He looked toward the awakening crystal.
Around him stood members of House Sirocco possessing incredible abilities.
Viktor controlled Wind.
Natalie wielded Water.
Danny possessed Fire.
Alexander commanded Lightning.
Lucas wielded Earth.
Terra possessed Plant Magic.
Serenity had both Water and Ice.
His grandparents possessed multiple elements.
His extended family had Wood, Lava, and Shadow.
Bell considered it.
"Maybe Wind."
Madelyn immediately shook her head.
"Your father already has Wind."
Bell looked at her.
"That's usually how families work."
Madelyn frowned.
"Then Fire."
Bell glanced toward Danny.
"Taken."
Danny looked offended.
"Fire isn't taken."
Bell ignored him.
Madelyn continued:
"Lightning."
Bell pointed slightly toward Alexander.
"Taken."
Alexander grinned.
"Correct."
"Earth."
Bell looked toward Lucas.
"Also taken."
Lucas calmly nodded.
Madelyn became increasingly frustrated.
"Water!"
"My mother."
"Ice!"
"Serenity."
"Plant!"
"Terra."
Madelyn placed both hands on her hips.
"Then something different!"
Bell stopped.
Something different.
For some reason, those two words remained in his mind.
He looked toward the enormous crystal.
A faint smile appeared.
"Sure."
Madelyn blinked.
"Sure what?"
Bell looked back at her.
"Something different sounds good."
Madelyn immediately smiled proudly.
"Exactly."
As though she had personally solved the mystery of Bell's magical future.
Warren leaned toward Viktor.
"She has decided his affinity for him."
Viktor answered dryly:
"Apparently."
Caroline gave Natalie a knowing smile.
"They seem to be getting along."
Natalie smiled.
"So it seems."
Bell heard every word.
He looked slowly toward the adults.
Yes, yes.
I know what you're all thinking.
The engagement.
Madelyn, apparently completely unaware of his internal suffering, continued examining him.
Bell wondered whether anyone had explained the engagement to her yet.
Judging from the way Caroline kept watching her daughter—
Probably.
Whether Madelyn actually understood what engagement meant at five years old was another question entirely.
But that announcement would come later.
For now—
There was the awakening.
There was the crystal.
There was magic.
There was the moment Bell had been waiting for since learning he had been reincarnated.
Before the engagement was formally presented before Ravelle's nobility…
Before anyone discovered what Bell's elemental affinity would be…
Before nobles formed opinions about whether his ability was powerful, strange, disappointing, or extraordinary…
There was simply Bell.
A five-year-old boy standing beneath the lights of House Sirocco's grand ceremonial hall.
A reincarnated twenty-four-year-old fantasy otaku carrying the memories of another life.
A child without an awakened element.
Without a magical class.
Without any understanding of what destiny this world had prepared for him.
Bell looked toward the Awakening Crystal.
The enormous transparent structure reflected his small figure.
Black hair.
White bangs.
Warm caramel skin.
Golden eyes.
Formal noble clothing.
He flexed his fingers quietly.
King Warren noticed.
The king stepped closer.
"Ready, young Bell?"
Bell stared at the crystal.
His heartbeat accelerated.
Thump.
He breathed in.
Thump.
He remembered Earth.
His office.
His laptop.
The storm.
His death.
Thump.
Then he remembered waking in this mansion.
Magic.
His family.
His second chance.
Bell slowly smiled.
"As ready as I'm going to be."
Viktor stepped behind his son.
For once, his stern expression softened slightly.
He placed one firm hand on Bell's shoulder.
"Then it is time."
The atmosphere throughout the hall immediately changed.
A servant rang a silver ceremonial bell.
DING.
All conversations stopped.
DING.
The nobles began moving.
DING.
Guests stepped aside.
A long pathway opened from Bell directly toward the Awakening Crystal.
At its end stood the ceremonial mage responsible for activating it.
Bell looked down the pathway.
Hundreds of people watched him.
His siblings.
His parents.
His grandparents.
His extended family.
Nobles.
Knights.
Magicians.
The king.
The queen.
Jonah.
And Madelyn.
Bell could feel every eye in the room.
But strangely—
His nervousness began disappearing.
One step.
Bell started walking.
His polished shoes touched the marble floor.
Another step.
The whispers stopped.
Another.
The Awakening Crystal grew larger.
Bell's golden eyes remained fixed upon it.
What will it be?
Wind?
Fire?
Lightning?
Earth?
Metal?
Gravity?
Crystal?
Some completely unknown element?
He had spent countless hours during his previous life watching anime, reading fantasy novels, playing RPGs, and imagining what kind of ability he would choose if he ever entered another world.
Now he didn't have to imagine.
He was about to find out.
Bell reached the platform.
He slowly walked up the small staircase.
The Awakening Crystal stood directly before him.
Up close, it was even more magnificent.
Tiny particles of light moved inside it like stars suspended within glass.
Red.
Blue.
Green.
Gold.
Silver.
Purple.
Brown.
White.
Countless colors appeared and vanished through its transparent interior.
Bell lifted one hand.
Then stopped just before touching it.
For one final second, he looked at his reflection.
He could see Max Carter.
Not physically.
But somewhere deep inside those golden eyes.
The tired office worker who once dreamed of escaping into a fantasy world.
And he could see Bell Sirocco.
The child whose future had not yet begun.
Bell quietly whispered:
"I am ready."
His fingers moved closer to the crystal.
"What comes next…"
The glow inside the crystal intensified.
Bell's golden eyes narrowed with determination.
"…and what my new life will become…"
His hand moved toward its surface.
TO BE CONTINUED