Bell slowly looked away from the fading glow of the Awakening Crystal.
His newly awakened sand still drifted lazily around his shoes, illuminated by the golden lights of the enormous ceremonial hall.
A few grains hovered near his fingertips.
Others quietly settled across the polished stone floor.
The nobles were still whispering.
Some sounded curious.
Others sounded unimpressed.
But Bell barely cared anymore.
His attention had shifted somewhere else entirely.
Toward his father.
And the king.
King Warren Ashcroft stood beside Viktor Sirocco with an unusually knowing smile on his face.
Bell narrowed his golden eyes.
Wait.
Second announcement…
Then the memory struck him.
Two nights ago.
Dinner.
His father calmly saying:
You will be engaged to Princess Madelyn Ashcroft.
Bell's eyebrow twitched.
Oh.
Right.
That announcement.
King Warren stepped forward.
His heavy crimson cape shifted behind him.
Then he raised one hand.
"Everyone!"
His deep voice carried easily throughout the enormous hall.
Conversation immediately began dying down.
Nobles turned.
Knights straightened.
Servants stopped moving.
The representatives of Ravelle's major noble families redirected their attention toward the king.
Warren waited until the hall became silent.
Then his royal-blue eyes moved across the gathered crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, honored nobles, knights, mages, friends, and representatives of Ravelle…"
He smiled.
"We have another important announcement to make tonight."
Almost immediately—
Whispers began again.
"Another announcement?"
"What else could there possibly be?"
"Was the awakening not the central event?"
"Perhaps it concerns House Sirocco."
"Could it be a military appointment?"
"An alliance?"
Bell looked toward the gathered crowd.
Among them stood representatives from four of Ravelle's other most prestigious noble houses.
Together with House Sirocco, they formed what many called the Five Great Houses of Ravelle.
HOUSE HAWTHORNE
HOUSE MERRICK
HOUSE BRADFORD
HOUSE WINSLOW
Their leaders stood in small groups near the front.
Lord Hawthorne, a tall nobleman with silver-trimmed clothing, leaned slightly toward Lord Merrick.
"What do you suppose this concerns?"
Lord Merrick narrowed his eyes.
"With both the king and Duke Sirocco standing together?"
He looked toward Bell.
"Something political."
Lady Bradford quietly lifted her wineglass.
"Obviously."
Lord Winslow folded his arms.
"The question is what kind."
Another noble nearby whispered:
"Perhaps House Sirocco is receiving additional territory."
"No. The king wouldn't announce that here."
"Then perhaps a military alliance."
"A royal appointment?"
"Maybe the youngest Sirocco child is being placed under royal patronage."
Bell listened to them.
Nope.
They're about to announce that five-year-old me apparently already has a future wife.
Terra appeared beside him.
She leaned down slightly.
"You know what this is about, don't you?"
Bell glanced toward her.
"Unfortunately."
Terra smiled.
"Unfortunately?"
Bell whispered:
"I haven't even learned multiplication in this world and apparently I'm already engaged."
Terra covered her mouth.
Serenity heard him.
"That is irrelevant."
Bell looked toward her.
"You're nine. You're not allowed to say marriage is irrelevant."
Serenity calmly replied:
"I did not say marriage is irrelevant. I said multiplication is irrelevant to engagement arrangements."
Bell stared.
Alexander leaned closer.
"She's technically right."
Bell slowly looked toward him.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
Alexander grinned.
"Absolutely."
Danny folded his arms.
"Stop complaining. Being engaged to a princess is an honor."
Bell glanced toward him.
"You want to switch?"
Danny immediately answered:
"No."
Bell gave him a flat look.
"Thought so."
Lucas quietly added:
"You were informed already."
Bell sighed.
"Being informed and hearing it announced in front of half the kingdom are two different things."
Terra giggled.
Alexander whispered:
"Wait until everyone starts calling you Prince Bell."
Bell's head snapped toward him.
"Do not start that."
Alexander's grin widened.
"Prince Bell."
"Alexander."
"Future Prince Bell."
Bell reached toward the sand near his feet.
Alexander immediately took one step backward.
"I was joking."
Bell smiled sweetly.
"Good."
At the front of the hall, Warren continued.
"Duke Viktor Sirocco and I have spent many years serving Ravelle together."
Viktor stepped forward beside him.
He nodded.
Warren continued:
"We have disagreed."
Marabella quietly whispered:
"Frequently."
Regonald nodded.
"Very frequently."
Warren seemed to hear them.
His mouth twitched.
"We have argued."
Viktor sighed.
Warren continued:
"And occasionally, Viktor has even admitted that I was correct."
Viktor immediately looked toward him.
"That has happened perhaps twice."
Several guests laughed.
Warren grinned.
"I count three."
"You counted one incident twice."
"It was an important incident."
Viktor shook his head.
Bell watched them.
These two really are old friends.
Warren's expression gradually became more serious.
"But on one matter, we have always agreed."
The hall quieted.
"The stability and future of Ravelle must extend beyond any single generation."
Warren looked briefly toward Viktor.
Viktor gave another firm nod.
"Our families have fought together."
Viktor spoke now.
"Served together."
Warren added:
"And protected this kingdom together."
The nobles listened carefully.
Warren smiled.
"And tonight, we have decided that one day…"
His eyes moved toward Bell.
Then toward Madelyn.
"…our families will become one."
Bell's internal voice immediately groaned.
Here it comes.
Three of his siblings leaned closer.
Alexander whispered:
"Good luck."
Terra whispered:
"Be nice."
Danny added quietly:
"Do not embarrass us."
Bell looked at him.
"You're the least helpful person here."
Danny shrugged.
King Warren raised his voice.
"Tonight, with the agreement of House Ashcroft and House Sirocco, we formally announce the future engagement between…"
Bell already knew.
But somehow hearing the pause still made his stomach tighten.
Warren extended one hand.
"Bell Sirocco…"
Hundreds of eyes turned toward him.
Bell's golden eyes widened slightly.
Warren extended his other hand toward the princess.
"…and Princess Madelyn Ashcroft!"
The hall exploded.
Applause.
Cheers.
Whispers.
Gasps.
Several nobles raised their glasses.
"Wonderful!"
"A royal engagement!"
"House Sirocco and the royal family!"
"That will change Ravelle's political balance considerably."
"A union between House Ashcroft and House Sirocco…"
"An extraordinary alliance."
"Both bloodlines will become even more closely connected."
Members of the Great Houses exchanged glances.
Lord Hawthorne rubbed his chin.
"So that's the announcement."
Lady Bradford smiled faintly.
"A clever arrangement."
Lord Merrick's eyes shifted toward Viktor.
"House Sirocco's standing was already immense."
Lord Winslow replied:
"And now it will be directly connected to the crown."
Another noble whispered:
"The youngest Sirocco marrying the First Princess…"
"It could strengthen royal influence throughout the western territories."
"Assuming the engagement survives until adulthood."
"Both families clearly intend it to."
Bell stood quietly.
His face remained surprisingly calm.
Inside his mind—
So it's official.
Two days ago I died as Max Carter.
Then I woke up as Bell Sirocco.
Then I discovered magic.
Then I became a Sand Mage.
And now I've officially been announced as the future husband of a princess.
Bell blinked.
This world has absolutely no concept of pacing.
Suddenly, a large hand landed on his shoulder.
Bell looked up.
King Warren stood beside him.
The king laughed warmly.
"Well, young Bell."
Bell looked at him cautiously.
Warren squeezed his shoulder lightly.
"Welcome to the family."
Bell stared.
"You say that like I have a choice."
There was a brief silence.
Then Warren laughed loudly.
"Ha!"
Caroline covered a smile.
Viktor closed his eyes for a moment.
"Bell."
Bell immediately straightened.
"Respectfully, Father."
Warren waved a hand.
"Leave him be."
He looked down at Bell.
"Truthfully, I look forward to seeing what kind of man you become."
Bell's expression softened slightly.
Warren continued:
"You have already surprised half this hall tonight."
His eyes flickered toward the remaining grains of sand.
"I suspect this will not be the last time."
Bell smiled.
"I'll try not to disappoint."
Warren raised an eyebrow.
"No."
Bell blinked.
Warren's expression became firm.
"Do not live trying to avoid disappointing everyone."
Bell listened carefully.
"Become someone you yourself can respect."
For a moment, Bell said nothing.
Then he nodded.
"I understand."
Queen Caroline approached next.
Her warm emerald eyes looked down at him.
"And from me…"
Bell turned.
Caroline smiled.
"Take care of Madelyn."
Bell nodded.
"I will."
Caroline's expression became playful.
"And make sure she doesn't bully you too much."
From across the room—
"Mother!"
Caroline laughed.
Bell looked toward Madelyn.
The little princess was bright red.
Bell chuckled.
"I'll try."
Jonah approached next.
The crown prince folded his arms.
"I suppose this means you'll be around the palace more often eventually."
Bell looked up.
"Probably."
Jonah nodded.
"Good."
Bell raised an eyebrow.
"Good?"
"When you're older, spar with me."
Bell stared.
"That is your first concern?"
Jonah answered seriously:
"Yes."
Bell laughed.
"Fine."
He extended a hand.
"When we're older."
Jonah looked at it.
Then shook it.
"Agreed."
Alexander immediately yelled from behind Bell:
"I want in!"
Jonah glanced over.
"You challenge everyone."
"Because someday I'm going to win."
Danny scoffed.
"Someday."
Alexander glared.
Bell sighed.
Yep.
Definitely going to be an interesting family.
His siblings surrounded him next.
Terra hugged Bell gently.
"My little brother is going to marry a princess."
Bell groaned.
"Not for years."
Terra smiled.
"I know."
Serenity nodded calmly.
"It is politically advantageous."
Bell stared.
"Thank you, Serenity. Very romantic."
Serenity blinked.
"I was not attempting to be romantic."
Lucas spoke next.
"The engagement could provide access to the royal library."
Bell immediately paused.
"…Okay."
Lucas looked at him.
Bell's golden eyes suddenly sharpened with interest.
"The royal library?"
Lucas nodded.
"It contains historical magical records unavailable to most noble houses."
Bell slowly smiled.
"Maybe this engagement has benefits."
Terra shook her head.
"Bell."
"What?"
Alexander slapped Bell lightly on the shoulder.
"You're going to be related to royalty."
Bell looked at him.
"You were laughing at me ten minutes ago."
"I can laugh and congratulate you simultaneously."
Danny stepped forward last.
He looked Bell directly in the eyes.
"If you're really going to marry into the royal family someday…"
Bell waited.
Danny's expression became serious.
"Become strong."
Bell's smile faded.
Danny continued:
"Strong enough that nobody can say House Sirocco sent someone weak to stand beside Ravelle's princess."
Bell stared at him.
There it was again.
Danny's obsession with strength.
The family's reputation.
Prestige.
Power.
But this time, Bell understood something else beneath it.
Danny cared.
Even if he was terrible at expressing it.
Bell smiled slightly.
"I plan to."
Danny nodded once.
"Good."
Bell's grandparents approached.
Marabella immediately hugged him.
"My little Bell."
Bell laughed.
"Grandmother."
She squeezed him.
"My precious grandson is already engaged."
"I'm still five."
"That makes it adorable."
Regonald stood beside them.
His golden-brown eyes regarded Bell quietly.
When Marabella finally released him, Regonald rested one hand on Bell's head.
"Make your family proud."
Bell nodded.
"I'll try."
Regonald's gaze sharpened.
"And when you are older…"
Bell looked up.
"Always protect your future wife."
Bell glanced toward Madelyn.
Then back toward his grandfather.
He nodded.
"I will."
Marabella smiled.
"And remember."
Bell turned toward her.
"Protection goes both ways."
Bell blinked.
She looked toward Madelyn.
"A good marriage is not one person guarding another."
Her expression softened.
"It is two people standing beside each other."
Bell considered that.
Then nodded.
"I'll remember."
Natalie approached her son.
Her blue eyes were already emotional.
Bell immediately noticed.
"Mother…"
Natalie knelt.
She gently fixed his jacket collar even though it did not need fixing.
"My little Bell."
Bell smiled awkwardly.
"Please don't cry."
"I am not crying."
"You look like you're about to."
"I am a mother. I am allowed."
Bell laughed.
Natalie placed a hand against his cheek.
"One day, you will be grown."
Bell listened.
"You will have responsibilities beyond this house."
Her gaze briefly shifted toward Madelyn.
"And if that day truly comes…"
She looked back at Bell.
"Protect your future queen."
Bell's golden eyes widened slightly.
Future queen.
He had not really thought that far ahead.
Natalie continued:
"But remember what your grandmother said."
Bell nodded.
"I will."
Natalie smiled.
"Good."
Bell gently hugged her.
"I promise."
Across from him stood little Princess Madelyn Ashcroft.
She remained beside Caroline.
Her cheeks were noticeably red.
Very red.
Bell noticed several nobles nearby whispering:
"The future bride."
"The future husband."
"What a lovely pair."
Madelyn squeezed the sides of her dress.
Bell stared at her.
Madelyn stared back.
Neither five-year-old moved.
Neither spoke.
Several adults watched with far too much interest.
Bell thought:
This is awkward.
Madelyn looked like she was thinking exactly the same thing.
Finally—
She stepped forward.
One small step.
Then another.
She puffed out her cheeks slightly.
Straightened her back.
Lifted her chin.
And attempted to look like the dignified princess her tutors had trained her to be.
Then she pointed directly at Bell.
"So…"
Bell blinked.
Madelyn swallowed.
"You're going to be my husband when we're grown-ups?"
Bell opened his mouth.
Before he could answer—
Madelyn's face turned even redder.
"D-Don't misunderstand!"
Bell blinked again.
"I didn't say anything."
"I know!"
She immediately lowered her pointing finger.
"My father said we're not getting married now."
Bell nodded.
"That's good."
Madelyn frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Bell's brain scrambled.
"I mean…"
He glanced toward the adults.
Caroline was clearly trying not to laugh.
Warren was openly entertained.
Viktor's expression remained serious.
Natalie looked absolutely delighted.
Bell returned his attention toward Madelyn.
"I mean we're children."
Madelyn immediately nodded.
"Exactly."
She looked relieved.
Then she folded her hands properly.
"But…"
Bell waited.
"If you're going to be my fiancé…"
She looked directly at him.
"…then you have to be nice to me."
Bell tilted his head.
"Okay."
Madelyn became increasingly serious.
"And you can't make me cry."
Bell nodded slowly.
"Seems reasonable."
"And if someone is mean to me…"
Her sapphire eyes narrowed.
"You're supposed to help me."
Bell looked at the five-year-old princess delivering marriage conditions like a royal treaty.
"Okay."
Madelyn paused.
Then suddenly realized something.
Her eyes widened.
"But…"
She quickly added:
"I'll help you too!"
Several nearby adults smiled.
Caroline's expression softened.
Natalie placed one hand over her heart.
Bell looked at Madelyn.
Madelyn nervously rubbed her fingers together.
Her eyes wandered toward the sand still lingering around Bell.
Specifically—
Toward the remains of his tiny sand dragon.
Her posture relaxed slightly.
"Also…"
Bell raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?"
Madelyn pointed.
"Can you make me one of those?"
Bell followed her finger.
"A sand dragon?"
Madelyn nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes!"
Then—
She remembered where she was.
Her excited expression disappeared.
Her back straightened.
She clasped her hands.
"I-I mean…"
She cleared her throat.
"Yes, please."
Bell stared for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Sure."
Madelyn's eyes immediately brightened.
"Really?"
"Really."
She moved closer.
Then leaned toward Bell.
Her voice dropped into a whisper so only he could hear.
"Then…"
Bell listened.
"I think having you as my fiancé might be okay."
Bell stared at her.
"Just because I can make sand dragons?"
Madelyn nodded immediately.
"Yes."
Bell waited.
Madelyn's expression remained completely serious.
"Sand dragons are important."
Bell stared at her for several seconds.
Then—
He laughed.
Not politely.
Not nervously.
Actually laughed.
Madelyn's cheeks puffed.
"Why are you laughing?"
Bell shook his head.
"No reason."
"There is a reason."
Bell grinned.
"You're funny."
"I am not funny."
"That makes it funnier."
"Bell!"
Bell laughed again.
And strangely enough—
His earlier anxiety about the engagement disappeared.
Maybe this isn't so bad.
Madelyn was strange.
Bossy.
Proud.
Easily embarrassed.
And apparently considered sand dragons an essential requirement for marriage.
Bell could work with that.
Neither of them truly understood what marriage would mean years in the future.
Neither understood the political weight adults placed upon their engagement.
To them, tonight—
It was simply the beginning of something much smaller.
Something much more genuine.
A friendship.
Several hours passed.
The ceremony slowly came to an end.
Nobles departed in carriages.
The royal family eventually returned toward the castle.
House Hawthorne left.
House Merrick departed.
House Bradford's carriage disappeared down the road.
House Winslow followed.
Servants began clearing tables.
Musicians packed their instruments.
Magical lights throughout the grand hall dimmed.
And eventually—
Bell returned to his bedroom.
He changed into comfortable nightclothes.
Heather had already prepared his bed.
But Bell was nowhere near tired.
He sat on top of the blankets with his legs crossed.
The room was silent.
Moonlight entered through the window.
Bell looked at his hands.
"Okay…"
He remembered countless fantasy stories from Earth.
Reincarnation.
Magic.
Levels.
Classes.
Stats.
Skills.
He had already seen magical messages during his awakening.
So—
Maybe…
Bell took a breath.
"Let's see if this works."
He raised one hand dramatically.
"Open Status System."
Nothing happened.
Bell stared.
"…Seriously?"
He tried again.
"Status."
TING!
A golden light appeared.
Bell nearly fell backward.
"Whoa!"
A transparent golden screen materialized in front of him.
Letters began appearing.
Bell's golden eyes widened.
"No way."
He leaned closer.
" STATUS "
NAME: Bell Sirocco
AGE: 5
RACE: Human / Reincarnated Soul
LEVEL: 1
CLASS:Sand Mage
TITLES
Reincarnated One
Otherworlder Soul
Youngest Son of House Sirocco
Child of the Five Great Houses
Awakened Sand Mage
The One Who Remembers Another World
ATTRIBUTES
HP: 65 / 65
MP: 320 / 320
STRENGTH: 5
AGILITY: 7
ENDURANCE: 6
INTELLIGENCE: 34
LUCK: 27
Bell stared.
Then stared harder.
"…Five strength?"
He looked at his tiny arm.
"Okay. Fair."
His eyes moved downward.
"Intelligence thirty-four."
A slow smile appeared.
"Now we're talking."
Then he noticed his MP.
"Three hundred twenty."
Bell rubbed his chin.
"I have absolutely no idea if that's high."
He continued reading.
" NORMAL SKILLS "
LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION — MAX
Allows Bell to naturally understand, speak, read, and write the primary language of his new world.
Because Bell reincarnated directly into this world instead of being summoned into an adult body, the skill naturally integrated itself into his development.
Bell blinked.
"So that's why language never felt strange."
He nodded slowly.
"Makes sense."
APPRAISAL — LV.1
Allows Bell to inspect basic information regarding:
People
Monsters
Plants
Materials
Weapons
Magic Items
At Level 1, Appraisal only reveals simple information.
Bell's eyes immediately brightened.
"Appraisal!"
His fantasy-otaku instincts screamed.
"That one's useful."
RAPID LEARNING — LV.1
Slightly accelerates Bell's ability to understand new magical theories, combat techniques, languages, and practical skills.
Bell's previous-life mentality synergizes strongly with this skill.
Bell smiled.
"That explains why everything feels easier to process."
MEDITATION — LV.1
Allows Bell to calm his mind and gradually improve mana recovery while resting.
DANGER SENSE — LV.1
Allows Bell to instinctively feel when immediate danger is approaching.
At Level 1, Bell cannot determine exactly what the danger is.
MANA RECOVERY — LV.1
Slightly increases Bell's natural MP recovery while resting.
Bell nodded.
"Basic, but definitely useful."
Then he reached the next section.
" ABILITY SKILLS "
SAND AFFINITY — LV.1
Bell possesses a natural affinity with Sand-element mana.
This makes Sand Magic:
Easier to learn.
Cheaper to cast.
Easier to control.
More responsive to Bell's mana.
At higher levels, this affinity may expand toward:
Dust.
Grit.
Sediment.
Crushed Stone.
Minerals.
Certain Forms of Glass.
Bell froze.
His eyes slowly widened.
"…Glass."
A grin appeared.
"I knew it."
He kept reading.
SAND SENSE — LV.1
Allows Bell to detect weak disturbances through sand currently under his control.
If something steps upon his controlled sand, Bell can sense the disturbance.
Current effective range is extremely small.
Bell's expression sharpened.
"So basically…"
He imagined a battlefield covered in sand.
"Detection."
His grin widened.
"That can become dangerous."
SAND MANIPULATION — LV.1
Allows Bell to freely move and shape nearby loose sand using mana.
Bell nodded.
"That's what I was doing earlier."
MANA SENSE — LV.1
Allows Bell to faintly detect nearby concentrations of mana.
Bell cannot properly identify individuals or spells yet.
TERRAIN AWARENESS — LV.1
Bell instinctively notices details about the immediate ground surrounding him.
This includes:
Uneven terrain.
Footprints.
Loose soil.
Cracks.
Subtle changes beneath his feet.
At its current level, this is not magical radar.
Bell rubbed his chin.
"Still useful."
PARALLEL THOUGHT — LV.1
Allows Bell to maintain a simple secondary train of thought while performing another action.
At its current level, Bell can potentially control sand while simultaneously observing something else.
Higher levels drastically improve multitasking.
Bell's eyes widened.
"Oh."
He smiled slowly.
"Oh, that's going to be very useful."
SPATIAL AWARENESS — LV.1
Bell possesses enhanced awareness of the immediate space around himself.
This helps him understand:
Where objects are positioned.
How much room surrounds him.
Where attacks could travel.
Where obstacles are located.
Current range is extremely limited.
Bell leaned back.
"Okay."
He stared at the list.
"My ability skills are actually kind of ridiculous when combined."
He could already imagine it.
Sand Sense.
Terrain Awareness.
Spatial Awareness.
Parallel Thought.
Sand Manipulation.
Together—
Battlefield control.
Bell's smile grew.
Then he reached the magic section.
" SAND MAGIC "
SAND CREATION — LV.1
Creates ordinary sand from Bell's mana.
Current quantity:
Approximately one large handful.
Bell stared.
"…That's it?"
He reread the description.
One handful.
Bell slowly looked toward the ceiling.
"No wonder Sand Mages get mocked."
Creating enough sand for a serious battle would burn through his mana almost immediately.
Then—
Bell paused.
His eyes narrowed.
He looked around the room.
"Wait."
His mind began working.
"I don't have to create sand."
A grin slowly appeared.
"I can carry it."
Bell sat forward.
"Bags."
"Containers."
"Pouches."
"Hidden pockets."
"Storage items someday."
"If I bring my own sand, I save MP."
His smile widened.
"That is ridiculously obvious."
But perhaps other Sand Mages were expected to constantly create their own material.
Bell had another advantage.
Twenty-four years of Earth experience.
Resource management.
Preparation.
Planning.
SAND BULLET — LV.1
Compresses sand into a small projectile and launches it forward.
Current power:
Comparable to a hard-thrown stone.
Bell grinned.
"Finally."
"A real attack."
SAND BIND — LV.1
Wraps controlled sand around a target's feet to restrict movement.
SAND STEP — LV.1
Manipulates loose sand beneath Bell's feet to slightly assist movement.
SAND WALL — LV.1
Raises a short wall of compacted sand for defense.
Bell stared at the four skills.
Offense.
Restraint.
Movement.
Defense.
"Not bad."
Then—
His eyes dropped toward the final section.
Bell became serious.
" UNIQUE SKILL "
GRAIN SOVEREIGNTY
A unique authority granting Bell extraordinary dominion over individual grains and granular substances.
Unlike ordinary Sand Manipulation, which treats sand primarily as a unified mass, Grain Sovereignty allows Bell to instinctively recognize and eventually command sand at the level of its individual particles.
Bell stopped breathing for half a second.
He reread it.
Then again.
"Individual particles…"
Bell's eyes narrowed.
"That sounds…"
He slowly smiled.
"…way more powerful than normal Sand Magic."
There was no listed level.
No detailed limitations.
No explanation of how far it could eventually develop.
Bell touched the screen.
Nothing.
He tried mentally focusing on the skill.
Still nothing.
"Okay."
He leaned backward.
"Mystery unique skill."
"Very classic isekai."
The status screen displayed two final sections.
WEAPONS
None
ITEMS
None Registered
Bell stared.
"That part is depressing."
He waved his hand.
The status screen disappeared.
The room became quiet again.
Bell looked around.
Then toward one corner near a decorative indoor plant.
There was sand.
Not much.
But enough.
Bell opened his hand.
"Let's try this properly."
His golden eyes focused.
"Sand Manipulation."
Something inside his chest moved.
Mana.
Bell could feel it this time.
A tiny portion flowed down his arm.
The grains near the planter trembled.
Shhhhh…
Bell's eyes widened.
They began moving.
Slowly.
Several grains crawled across the floor.
Then more.
A small stream of sand slipped from beneath the decorative stones surrounding the plant.
Bell grinned.
"Yes."
He curled one finger.
The sand changed direction.
He raised his palm.
The grains lifted.
They hovered above the ground.
Bell laughed quietly.
"This is awesome."
He rotated his wrist.
The sand spun.
First slowly.
Then slightly faster.
A tiny ring formed.
Bell concentrated.
"Sphere."
The grains gathered.
They became a rough ball.
Bell moved his fingers.
The sphere stretched.
Flattened.
Turned into a small disk.
"Interesting."
Bell narrowed his eyes.
He imagined a knife.
The sand stretched into a crude blade.
It immediately collapsed.
Bell blinked.
"Okay."
He tried again.
This time—
Shorter.
Wider.
Simpler.
The grains gathered into something resembling a tiny dagger.
Bell smiled.
"There."
He released concentration.
Pffft.
It collapsed.
Bell rubbed his chin.
"So complexity matters."
He gathered it again.
A square.
Easy.
A triangle.
Easy.
A ring.
Slightly harder.
Then he tried forming several objects simultaneously.
Three tiny spheres appeared.
One immediately fell apart.
Bell's eyebrows rose.
"Parallel Thought?"
He activated the skill instinctively.
His mind felt strange.
Like opening a second small window inside his thoughts.
He concentrated on two sand balls separately.
One rotated clockwise.
The other rotated counterclockwise.
Bell's eyes widened.
"No way."
He laughed.
"This is going to be fun."
A knock suddenly came from the door.
Knock. Knock.
Bell remained focused on the sand.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Heather stepped inside.
"Young Master Bell, I—"
She stopped.
Her gray-blue eyes widened.
Several small sand shapes were floating around Bell.
A sphere.
A ring.
A crude miniature tower.
And something that might have been another dragon.
Heather stared.
Bell noticed her expression.
"Oh."
He smiled.
"Hey, Heather."
Heather slowly closed the door behind herself.
"Young Master…"
Her eyes moved toward the floating sand.
"What exactly are you doing?"
Bell looked toward the shapes.
"Practicing."
Heather blinked.
"You awakened your magic only several hours ago."
"That's why I'm practicing."
"You are five."
Bell tilted his head.
"And?"
Heather stared at him.
Bell smiled innocently.
Heather sighed.
"You truly intend to make my job difficult."
Bell laughed.
"Probably."
Heather stepped closer.
Her eyes followed one tiny ball moving around Bell's hand.
"You can already control it with that much precision?"
Bell looked toward it.
"Sort of."
The sphere wobbled.
"Not perfectly."
He moved two fingers.
The sphere split into two smaller clumps.
Heather's eyebrows rose.
Bell continued:
"My curiosity took over."
"That does not surprise me."
Bell laughed.
He guided the grains around his arm.
Heather watched carefully.
"Young Master Bell…"
Bell looked at her.
"I heard what several nobles said tonight."
Bell's expression remained calm.
Heather's voice softened.
"They called your magic weak."
Bell looked at the sand.
"Yeah."
"Does that bother you?"
Bell considered it.
Then shook his head.
"Not really."
Heather looked surprised.
Bell continued:
"They're judging it based on what they already know."
His golden eyes followed the grains.
"I've had this power for one night."
He closed his fist.
The sand gathered.
"I don't even know what it can do yet."
Heather smiled slightly.
Bell raised his hand.
"But I know one thing."
"What is that?"
His expression became determined.
"I'll show everybody that Sand Magic isn't weak."
Heather listened.
Bell stood from the bed.
The golden grains swirled gently around his hand.
"And someday…"
His voice remained quiet.
But confident.
"I'll bring the Sirocco name to new heights using the exact magic everyone thinks isn't good enough."
Heather's eyes softened.
"You sound very confident."
Bell smiled.
"I have to be."
Heather gave a small bow of her head.
"Then I believe you."
Bell blinked.
Heather smiled.
"I look forward to seeing what kind of mage you become, Young Master Bell."
Bell's smile widened.
"Thanks."
Then he remembered something.
"Actually…"
He pointed one finger toward the wall.
Heather immediately became suspicious.
"Young master?"
Bell shaped his hand like a small imaginary gun.
His thumb rose.
Index finger pointed forward.
Heather's eyes widened.
"Wait—"
Bell focused mana into the sand.
"Sand Bullet."
The grains compressed.
FWIP!
A compact clump of sand launched from his fingertip.
It crossed the room—
THUD.
And struck the stone wall.
A tiny puff of dust appeared.
Bell stared.
Heather stared.
Silence.
Bell slowly lowered his hand.
"…That was less impressive than I imagined."
Heather walked toward the wall.
There was barely a mark.
She looked back.
"You shot the wall."
Bell scratched his cheek.
"For science?"
Heather narrowed her eyes.
"Young Master Bell."
Bell immediately smiled.
"Practice makes perfect."
Heather sighed.
"One day that phrase is going to make me very nervous."
Bell laughed.
"At least it worked."
Heather inspected the tiny mark.
"For a spell you awakened tonight, yes."
Bell nodded.
"Exactly."
He looked down at his hands.
"Level one."
Heather tilted her head.
"Level?"
Bell froze.
"…Figure of speech."
Heather stared at him suspiciously.
Bell changed the subject immediately.
"Anyway! I need your help."
Heather blinked.
Then returned to her usual composed posture.
"What do you require?"
Bell climbed back onto the bed.
"I need sand."
Heather stared.
"Sand?"
"Different kinds."
Bell began counting on his fingers.
"Fine sand."
"Coarse sand."
"River sand."
"Beach sand if we have any."
"Dark sand."
"White sand."
"Sand with lots of minerals."
"Anything unusual."
Heather stared.
"You wish for me to gather sand."
"Yes."
"For your magical practice."
"Yes."
Heather looked toward the expensive carpet.
Bell followed her gaze.
"Oh."
He immediately understood.
"I'll practice somewhere else."
Heather nodded firmly.
"That would be appreciated."
Bell laughed.
"Seriously, though."
His expression became focused again.
"I need to know whether different sands respond differently."
Heather listened.
"Some might be heavier."
"Some might compact better."
"Some might contain different minerals."
"Some might work better for certain techniques."
Bell's eyes became increasingly excited.
"And if I can learn the properties of each type…"
Heather smiled faintly.
"You intend to teach yourself."
Bell nodded.
"As much as I can."
"You are five."
"You've mentioned that."
"Because you keep forgetting."
Bell laughed.
Heather thought quietly.
Then nodded.
"Very well."
Bell's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"I can ask the gardeners, merchants, stable workers, and estate craftsmen."
Heather began thinking aloud.
"The Sirocco estate has decorative sand used for gardens."
Bell nodded eagerly.
"Good."
"Construction workers may have several varieties."
"Even better."
"And merchants traveling between Ravelle's territories may have samples from different regions."
Bell's golden eyes brightened.
"Perfect."
Heather looked at him.
"I cannot promise anything exotic immediately."
Bell shook his head.
"Anything helps."
Heather smiled.
"Then I will help as much as I can."
Bell smiled back.
"Thank you, Heather."
She bowed.
"No problem, Young Master Bell."
Heather turned toward the door.
Before leaving, she looked back.
"Bell?"
He blinked.
She rarely dropped the formal title.
"Yes?"
Heather smiled.
"Congratulations."
Bell's expression softened.
"Thanks."
Heather quietly left.
The door closed.
Bell sat alone.
The moonlight continued shining through the window.
He looked toward the small pile of sand remaining near his bed.
Five years old.
Level one.
Sand Mage.
Unique Skill:
Grain Sovereignty.
A princess for a future fiancée.
A powerful noble family.
An entire fantasy world beyond the mansion walls.
Dungeons.
Monsters.
Kingdoms.
Adventurers.
Magic.
Bell lifted his hand.
A few grains of sand floated toward his palm.
His golden eyes reflected their movement.
A smile slowly crossed his face.
"This is where it starts."
The sand circled his fingers.
"My second life."
His aura flickered faintly.
"My magic."
His smile became wider.
"My future."
Bell stared through the window toward the enormous world waiting beyond House Sirocco.
"Time for my new adventure as a Sand Mage to start."
TO BE CONTINUED