“Do you understand?”

  The children nodded together. Their faces were serious, could hardly hide their excitement as they waited for the awakening ceremony to start.

  Adam’s long explanation isn’t really needed. Catherine had already told the children everything important, and she did it patiently and clearly.

  About a year earlier, Grace and Grey started begging their beloved mother to teach them magic. They had watched her light candles with a snap of her fingers and use wind magic to catch them when they fell. Cassia would often hide in their shadows to sneak away. Naturally, the twins were eager to awaken their own powers.

  Adam kept talking, not noticing if anyone was really listening.

  “In accordance with the Resolution on Universal Development adopted by the Senate a thousand years ago, magical cores are classified from E to S, and in rare cases even SS. Their rank depends on throughput capacity, while their type depends on affinity with magical elements.

  “For example, I have an S-rank magical core with an affinity for the element of light.?

  “This does not mean I cannot use the magic of other elements, but my mastery of light magic is virtually unmatched, while the magic of other elements is limited to basic spells. If I attempt to use a complex water or wind spell, my core will become overloaded.”

  After his long speech, Adam looks to the children’s faces, ready to explain more. But the twins aren’t interested in theory or details. Their eyes shine with impatience as they ask together:

  “And what about Mom’s?”

  This question had been on their minds for a long time. They didn’t care at all about Adam’s core. Growing up with Catherine and Cassia, anything not about these two women was quickly forgotten.

  No matter how many times the twins asked, their mother always replied, “Very strong.” Whatever that meant. Catherine wasn’t hiding anything; she just didn’t want her children expect too much. Of course, her vague answers only made them more curious.

  Now Adam was willing to talk, the twins weren’t about to miss their chance.

  The hapless father clears his throat awkwardly: “Your mother is an exception. She possesses a core of a special type — a Colorless Adaptive Core with SS-rank throughput capacity.

  “The more she uses the magic of a particular element, the better her control becomes. Theoretically, she can wield any existing magic at the highest level. From elemental magic to specialized magic such as shadow or crystal magic.”

  Adam glanced awkwardly at his third wife. He still couldn’t believe how talented she was. Catherine’s abilities were so incredible, they almost seemed scary.

  The children’s eyes light up. They looked at their mother with open admiration and a touch of awe. To them, Mom was the strongest.

  “Fufufu, well? What did I tell you, you little rascals?” Catherine says proudly, puffing out her chest. “But remember, the rank of your magical core does not determine your future. It can be improved through rare resources or relentless effort.

  “For example, your Uncle Aurelius awakened an earth-element magical core of B-rank, but through tireless training and the search for rare resources, he developed it to A-rank+, nearly reaching the S level.”

  “I see./Umu,” the children replyed obediently. Sparks of anticipation shine in their eyes.

  “And what about Cassi? What kind of core does she have?” Grace asked curiously.

  Catherine stroked daughter’s head.

  “My dear, Cassia is not human. She is a beastman from the cat tribe. Her body is structured differently. She lacks a core, but she has an innate affinity for shadows, allowing her to hide within them. You don’t need to go into the details. Just know that beastmen develop differently. You can study this topic properly when you’re older…”

  “That concludes our little lecture,” Adam interjected, clapping his hands. “We need to go. The priests have already prepared the ceremony. We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

  “Alright./Umu.”

  Adam took Grace by the hand and led her toward the exit. Grey, smiling, held tightly to his mother’s neck. He clearly didn’t want to walk by himself.

  They left the estate, passing the library, the slave quarters, and the coliseum on their way to the Ceremony Hall.

  Ahead stood a grand circular acropolis with white marble columns. Statues of the Province of Light’s departed heroes lined the massive slab connecting the pillars. There was no roof, so sunlight poured in and filled the space with a solemn, reverent mood.

  In the center, on a raised platform, stood the altar. It was large and austere, shaped like a cut-off pyramid. The top was wide enough for five people to stand on it.

  The ceremonial hall and altar were placed here for a reason. This spot held the strongest flows of light energy in the province, maybe even in the whole Empire.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  The Ceremony Hall wasn’t just for awakening magical cores. Its main purpose was for rituals, offerings, and prayers to the province’s patron deity, whose statue stood above the altar.

  Apollo, called “the Radiant” and “the Shining,” was the God of Light and the arts. His statue was so beautiful that men felt humbled, and any woman would feel a warm stirring beneath her tunic.

  At that moment, all the nobles of the prefecture had gathered around the altar.

  Present were members of the Starlight family, including the other children and concubines, the centurions Claudius and Aurelius, three cardinals, and representatives of noble houses, as well as numerous temple attendants.

  The men wore neat, pure white togas with wide sleeves.

  The women wore light robes. The soft fabric hugged their hips and waists. At first, they looked modest, but a closer look showed that every detail was meant to attract attention.

  Their dresses had deep cuts at the chest that barely hid their curves. High slits in the skirts showed glimpses of smooth thighs, golden garters, or bare feet in sandals.

  Grey had never been in a place like this before.

  Anyone watching for him would see his eyes wandering toward the matrons. His gaze was more like a hungry wolf’s than a child’s. He didn’t know why he looked that way, and he didn’t question it.

  Grey’s mouth felt dry. He wished he could have some milk.

  He looked at his mother, and all those odd thoughts disappeared.

  Catherine looked beautiful as always. She wore a simple white dress, much more modest than the others. Her natural grace made her seem almost otherworldly. She never tried to stand out, but everyone noticed her anyway.

  Meanwhile, her husband shook hands with the most important patricians. They greeted each other the Roman way, clasping wrists. It was an ancient tradition meant to show that no hidden weapons lurked up their sleeves.

  With this gesture, they silently told each other, “See? I have no weapons. We are friends.”

  At the same time, the crowd started talking about the two children. It was the first time in three years they had been seen in public.

  “Merciful Light, it’s Her Majesty Catherine! They say she’s the most beautiful woman in the world! I never believed such nonsense before, but today I see I was wrong.”

  “I’m still more drawn to the sacred grace of the holy daughter of Eve.”

  “Look at Princess Grace! She’s so sweet! Like a miniature version of her mother.”

  “Only our governor is worthy of possessing such priceless treasures of beauty.”

  “Look at the third heir. Why does he have black hair? The king’s is light, and the queen’s is silver-white. I’ve heard Catherine and Adam have been at odds lately. Ahahahah. What an amusing story…”

  “Look, son! That is the governor’s daughter; her name is Grace. No matter what, you must make a good impression on her. If we can form a bond with the Starlight family, our family will gain countless advantages. You won’t lose out either. I’m sure she will grow up very beautiful.”

  “Yes, Father.”

  With everyone watching on Grace, and she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t hear what people were whispering, but she felt afraid. She felt like a small bird leaving its safe nest and landing in a dangerous place.

  Children shouldn’t be underestimated. They might not read a room like adults, but their instincts help them sense what people around them are feeling, especially when those feelings aren’t hidden.

  Her father was busy talking and didn’t notice how uneasy Grace felt. She shifted from foot to foot, holding his hand tightly, hoping he would see her discomfort.

  Catherine, on the other hand, noticed right away. She ignored the crowd and cared only about her children. Seeing Grace’s nerves, she quickly went to her side.

  “Don’t worry, my dear. There’s no need to fear attention. If people are talking about you, it means you are exceptional,” Catherine whispered gently, stroking her daughter’s hair. “Come now… be brave. Show everyone why you deserve to be called the most beautiful princess of the Alaz Continent. Mama will always protect and support you.”

  With her mother’s gentle touch and soft words, Grace calmed down. Her eyes sparkled, and she stopped trembling.

  “Umu,” she nodded, showing she was okay.

  Grey wasn’t standing still either. He put his arms around his sister’s shoulders and gave a mischievous grin that promised just a little trouble.

  “Little old sister, let’s make a bet,” he whispered in her ear.

  “A bet? What kind of bet?” Grace asked in a small voice.

  Grey rubbed his hands together. “I bet my magical core will be stronger than yours.”

  Grace tapped his chest with her small fist. “Silly brother. We’re twins. Everything should be the same for us.”

  “Who knows?” the boy replied with a sly grin, looking like a little fox. “I’m sure I’m more talented. Then you’ll have to call me your elder brother.”

  The girl punched him a few more times and started stomping her feet.

  “Silly brother! I’m the older one, that’s a fact. You can only lose. I’m not playing with you. That’s childish!” She snorted and turned her head away.

  Catherine watched their argument and decided to step in before her children made a scene in public.

  “My dears, just because you were born on the same day doesn’t mean your cores will be the same. Usually, twins have the same core type but different throughput capacity. Sometimes, twins are even born with different elements that can make each other stronger.”

  “Those are pretty enviable abilities, aren’t they? Fufufu... Just imagine, you could make your brother stronger, and he could do the same for you.”

  Catherine still kept the rainbow phenomenon caused by the twins a secret.

  She had many reasons for this.

  First, she didn’t want them to become arrogant. Catherine believed that talent without hard work was just talent. Only constant training could make someone truly strong.

  Second, the phenomenon was interrupted by an eclipse. She worried it might have changed Grey’s abilities, but no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure out what had happened.

  In the end, she decided to postpone the matter until the awakening ceremony and plans to act as the situation dictates.

  Catherine grew up outside the Roman Empire and didn’t understand their prejudices against users of dark magic. Her maid used shadow magic, but she was always kind and gentle.

  Catherine knew for certain that heavy phenomena couldn’t determine a person’s character; only their hard work could.

  For example, when a gifted child was born in the werewolf tribe, the full moon would light up the sky as if celebrating. Elf children could make flowers bloom around them, no matter the season.

  She had even heard that seven years ago, when an elven princess was born, the legendary Yggdrasil Tree of Life swayed for three days and nights to welcome her.

  Phenomena could happen in many ways. The world was mysterious, and no one could know all its secrets.

  She wouldn’t be upset if fate changed her son’s element. The kind of power didn’t matter—what mattered was how it was used. If her child was rejected in the Province of Light for something so small, she would rather move somewhere else.

  With her skills, there was nowhere she couldn’t go.

  Lost in her thoughts, Catherine didn’t notices as the twins settle their argument.

  “All right. A bet. The loser has to do whatever the winner says for a whole day!” Grace said, still annoyed by her brother.

  “Deal!” Grey agreed.