2nd Arkenis, 1353.

A new year had dawned upon the world, and the Zenith Empire celebrated it grandly.

People visited churches, spent time with their families, and welcomed the new year with festivities.

Caelum was no exception. He too celebrated the occasion with his father, Hannah, Uncle Roger, and several important figures of the county.

Initially, Caelum had suspected that such a celebration would attract trouble.

A terrorist group or followers of evil god might attempt an attack and create chaos.

Maybe even some desperate villain making his move during the new year.

But it seemed even they celebrated the new year.

Or perhaps the adults of the county were simply too powerful for anyone to dare attack them.

Caelum had secretly hoped for an opportunity to show off by saving someone, but unfortunately, nothing of that sort happened.

Today, however, was a special day.

Today was the first day he would go to school or rather a boarding school.

Caelum’s expression darkened as he looked at the pile of luggage being loaded into the carriage.

’The adults of this world are too hardcore,’ he thought.

"Young master, the preparations are done," Old Ben said as he stepped out of the carriage.

Seriously, who sends a seven-year-old to a boarding school?

Even if it was the most elite institution in the empire, a place that trained the future leaders of the nation, it still felt excessive.

Yes, there were many holidays throughout the year, but that did not change the fact that the school expected children to begin their lives in hard mode from an early age.

Fortunately, there was an option to graduate early, which eased Caelum’s frustration slightly.

"Caelum, this will be your first time in a place filled with many people. Make new friends, okay?" Hannah said as she hugged him.

Caelum’s expression darkened even more.

He suddenly realized that aside from Anastasia and a knight named Jack who was forced to do his odd jobs after being blackmailed, he had no friends at all.

And although Annum County appeared small, it was actually enormous.

"And brat, don’t cause trouble. Keep your powers in check," Roger added.

"You might look meek and weak, but I know you’re secretly at the Expert level."

That comment poured fuel directly onto Caelum’s already burning mood.

Also, his expression froze.

"Your uncle is right," Seth said calmly as Roger made a strange expression.

"And don’t kill anyone unnecessarily, you remember what I’ve taught you over the years, right?"

Meanwhile, Hans, Roger’s right-hand man, gently separated Hannah from Caelum.

"Then I will go," Caelum declared as he climbed into the carriage.

"And I will definitely graduate from this school within two years!"

The carriage itself was luxurious and pulled by a pair of elegant horses.

"Have a nice time, my son."

"Definitely make friends." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"And don’t make me come to your school," Roger added dryly.

"This old man wishes you well, young master," Hans said warmly.

Old Ben took hold of the reins and guided the traditional noble carriage forward.

And so, Caelum departed.

For the second time in his life, and for the first time in the real sense, he stepped out into the wider world.

***

It took nearly ten long minutes just to exit the Count’s Grand Palace.

The estate itself was enormous.

It had been built on a small mountain, or rather, the mountain had been literally cut and reshaped to construct the Count’s residence.

After descending the winding road from the estate, the City of Annum finally came into Caelum’s view.

Well-paved roads stretched across the city, with separate paths for pedestrians. Tall buildings constructed with magic engineering stood alongside smaller villa houses, creating a unique fusion of fantasy and technology.

In many ways, it was a remarkable city.

It was currently 9:30 in the morning, and strangely enough, this world followed a time system almost identical to Earth’s, except that there were thirteen months in a year instead of twelve.

Caelum looked outside the carriage window as vehicles passed by.

Some were public transport, while others were privately owned.

The public ones resembled long buses with open roofs, where a driver controlled the vehicle using a simple handle at the front.

Private vehicles, on the other hand, looked similar to vintage cars, and there were even two-seater scooters moving along the streets.

He also noticed that the road itself was divided into two lanes.

One lane was reserved for traditional carriages, while the other was meant for vehicles powered by magic engineering.

As they traveled, Caelum observed something else.

People looked at their carriage with noticeable respect, and even some luxurious carriages belonging to wealthy families moved aside to make way for them.

"Old Ben am I secretly famous or something?" Caelum asked.

Old Ben heard him clearly and chuckled.

"Obviously not," he replied.

"Young master, you are still young and do not yet understand the true reputation of our House. Not to mention... the carriage you are riding in belongs to the Count himself."

"What?! Father’s carriage?" Caelum muttered in shock.

’No wonder it looks even more luxurious than Uncle’s,’ he thought.

He settled back and for the rest of the journey, returned every respectful nod from the road with a measured one of his own.

Exactly the way his father would have done it.

He was seven. He had a reputation to maintain.

And after traveling for more than twenty minutes at a fairly high speed, they arrived at their destination.

It was a Vortex Point.

People had gathered around the area, whispering among themselves.

"Isn’t that the Count’s carriage?"

"Oh my god! Is the Count coming here?"

"No, I think the Count’s secret son is finally going to school. Didn’t you see the special vortex prepared for today? Even the state representative is here."

"Now that you mention it..."

Caelum stepped down from the carriage while Old Ben stored it inside his space ring.

Just then, a familiar figure approached him.

"Little Caelum, you are here?"