Runes and Exploration Beyond the Manor

Ethan's POV:

The sun was shining brightly as Lydia and Sir Rodrick finally took me on a long-anticipated tour of the manor. Lydia, carrying me in her arms, had a warm smile on her face, and Sir Rodrick, walking beside us, seemed equally eager to show me around. My little heart pounded with excitement—I was going to see everything beyond my nursery walls!

Our first stop was the servant quarters. As Lydia carried me down the corridor, several maids greeted me with polite bows and curtsies. I responded the only way I knew how—by smiling as wide as I could. Their faces lit up in return, and I felt a warm glow inside me.

One maid, with soft brown eyes and a gentle smile, leaned in closer. "Hello, young master," she said softly. "It's lovely to meet you."

I beamed back at her, and her smile grew even brighter. Lydia's hold on me tightened slightly, a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

From there, we headed to the kitchen. My nose twitched at the rich, enticing smells filling the air—roasting meat, fresh bread, and something sweet I couldn't quite place. The kitchen was bustling with activity. I watched as a burly man, whom Lydia introduced as Gideon the cook, supervised everything with a stern but attentive eye.

"Morning, young master," Gideon said, his voice gruff but kind. He had a deep, rumbly voice that matched his solid frame. "Hope you're enjoying the food."

I nodded eagerly, my eyes wide as I took in the scene. The kitchen was unlike anything I'd seen before. Instead of traditional stoves, there was a massive stone slab covered in glowing symbols. Pots and pans were placed on top of it, and they seemed to heat up magically.

"Wow," I breathed, staring at the glowing slab. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen The food I was having was just milk, sometimes fruit mix, sometimes yogurt, and cheeses, but the smell the kitchen was giving me—I was just waiting to have the real taste of food. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to try real food!

The runes on the slab looked similar to the ones I'd noticed on Sir Rodrick's clothing and even on my own little outfit. Seeing them up close confirmed my suspicion—they were runes, just like in my family name, Runeblade. They must be a special magic or technology that made everything work so smoothly.

Gideon must have noticed my fascination because he chuckled. "Curious about the runes, eh? They help keep the kitchen running without fire. Much safer and cleaner."

I blinked up at him, my mind buzzing with excitement. Runes were part of everyday life here, woven into the very fabric of our home. My attention was so captivated that I almost forgot to smile back at Gideon, which I quickly remedied.

After the kitchen, Lydia and Sir Rodrick guided me through the rest of the manor. Each room was more impressive than the last. The Grand Entrance Hall had shiny floors that reflected the light from a huge, sparkling chandelier. I tilted my head back, trying to take it all in, dazzled by the bright lights and rich decorations.

We peeked into the Formal Dining Room, which had a long table and lots of fancy chairs. It looked like a place for important dinners and celebrations. The Family Dining Room was cozier, with big windows letting in lots of sunshine.

We also saw the Reception and Sitting Rooms, filled with soft sofas and big chairs that looked perfect for sinking into with a good book. I imagined people sitting there, chatting and laughing. The manor had ten bedrooms, including a master bedroom for my father, and my own nursery. Each room was grand and beautifully decorated, making me feel like I was living in a storybook.

But the most exciting part was the Library. My eyes widened as I saw the shelves packed with books, reaching all the way up to the ceiling. The room smelled wonderful, like old pages and polished wood. I felt a thrill of excitement at the thought of all the stories and knowledge waiting to be discovered. Books had always been a window to other worlds, and I couldn't wait to explore them.

But before I could delve into the library, Lydia carried me away toward the grand doors leading outside. I wiggled in her arms, barely able to contain my excitement.

I was also happy that Lydia wasn't treating me like a baby who wouldn't understand anything. She explained everything diligently, and over these months, she had realized that I grasped what she said. I noticed how her explanations became more detailed, like she was talking to someone much older.

Sir Rodrick's opinion of me was changing too. At first, when Lydia explained things, he thought I wouldn't get much. But as I started asking questions in my childish way, his view shifted. He began to look at me with a sort of intrigued respect. It was a relief that the people around me seemed to genuinely care. I could see it in their faces—their warmth and kindness weren't just for show.

But a tiny part of me hoped that it wasn't just my imagination. Was this real? Were they truly looking out for me, or was it all just a facade? I clung to the belief that their care was genuine. For now, I wanted to trust in the good I saw in them.

As the grand doors swung open and we stepped outside, the first thing I noticed was how the manor was surrounded by flowers of a unique kind that I had never seen before. They formed a vibrant ring around the manor, their petals shimmering in the sunlight with colors that seemed almost magical. Some flowers had a delicate, iridescent sheen, while others glowed faintly with a soft, inner light.

Their arrangement wasn't random; it felt deliberate, as if each flower was placed with care to create a harmonious blend of colors and shapes. The sight was so mesmerizing that I almost forgot to breathe. Each bloom seemed to pulse gently, alive with some unseen energy. The air was thick with their sweet fragrance, making me feel like I had stepped into a fairytale garden.

Just after we went past the doors, there was a path leading us outside the circle of flowers. The path was lined with smooth stones, each one engraved with intricate runes that glowed softly, like the ones inside the manor.

As we continued along the rune-engraved path, my eyes were drawn to the intricate patterns glowing softly under our feet. Each step felt like walking on a magical trail, the runes whispering secrets I couldn't quite understand yet. I noticed how the path seemed to lead us through a shimmering veil of light. As we crossed through it, I felt a slight tingling sensation, like stepping into another world.

Curious, I tried to activate my Mana Sense to see what lay beyond the veil. But to my surprise, it was like something was blocking my senses, a protective barrier that kept prying eyes at bay. I could only guess it was a security measure, perhaps to keep the manor hidden and safe from any potential threats.

As we followed the path, I noticed the walls encircling the manor coming into view. They were tall and sturdy, with surfaces covered in even more elaborate runes. The walls gleamed under the sunlight, the engravings shimmering as if alive with energy. It was clear that these runes weren't just for show; they formed a formidable barrier, another layer of protection for our home.

There was a considerable distance between the manor and these walls, with the path in between paved with smooth, marble stones. Each stone bore intricate rune carvings, continuing the magical trail that led us forward. It was like the entire landscape was woven with enchantments, creating a safe haven for those within.

We eventually reached a large, imposing gate set into the wall. Two guards stood on either side, their posture alert yet relaxed. Their uniforms were adorned with runic symbols, similar to those I had seen on Sir Rodrick's attire. They spotted us approaching and greeted us with respectful nods.

As we moved beyond the gates, my eyes widened in wonder. Ahead of us lay a small village, bustling with activity. It was a charming sight, with neat rows of cottages and shops lining the streets. The air was filled with the sounds of daily life—people talking, children laughing, and the occasional clatter of tools.

In the center of this bustling area stood a magnificent fountain, its waters sparkling as they cascaded down into a large stone basin. The fountain seemed to be a gathering point, with people stopping by to chat and fill their water jugs. The square around the fountain was surrounded by impressive buildings and shops, their façades adorned with intricate carvings and more runic designs.

I noticed a large building at the far end of the square, its doors wide open as people streamed in and out. It looked important, perhaps a central hub for the city center. The building had an air of importance, with people coming and going, their faces set with determination or bright with conversation.

We walked through the square, and I tried to take everything in. The people in the city center greeted us warmly, their smiles genuine and friendly. There were vendors selling goods at stalls, shopkeepers attending to customers, and craftsmen working diligently in their workshops.

Lydia pointed out the large building across the square, explaining that it was the Enchanting Hall. My curiosity piqued immediately. I wanted to go inside and see it up close. The thought of witnessing enchantments and magical artifacts made my heart race with excitement.

"Lydia we go inside?" I asked, eyes wide with anticipation.

Lydia shook her head gently, a smile playing on her lips. "Not today, young master. We're just here to see the square. The Enchanting Hall is a special place, and you'll visit it when you're a bit older."

I pouted a little but nodded, trying to be patient. While we stood there, I noticed something strange. Despite the bustling activity around us, it was as if people didn't see us at all. No one approached or even glanced in our direction. It felt odd, like we were invisible.

Curious, I decided to use my Mana Sense to investigate. At first, I found nothing unusual. The air was thick with the ambient mana of the city, mingling with the magic from the fountain and the runes on the buildings. But as I probed deeper, I noticed a subtle barrier enveloping us, shimmering faintly with magical energy.

The source of this barrier seemed to be Sir Rodrick. The mana emanating from him formed an invisible shield that kept us hidden from the view of the townsfolk. Intrigued, I tried to understand how it worked, focusing my senses on the weave of the barrier.

Suddenly, Sir Rodrick's head snapped towards me, his eyes wide in shock. "Young master," he said, his voice a mix of surprise and caution, "can you sense it?"

His reaction startled me, and I felt a rush of panic. Had I done something wrong? I didn't know how to respond, so I quickly tried to divert his attention.

"Lydia, look!" I said, pointing to the fountain, trying to sound excited. "The water is sparkling!"

Lydia glanced at the fountain, then back at me with a puzzled smile. Sir Rodrick, however, didn't seem entirely convinced by my distraction. His gaze lingered on me, and I could feel his curiosity mingling with concern. Had I given away too much? I wondered if my newfound ability to sense mana had caused suspicion.

After some time, we started heading back toward the manor. As we walked, I couldn't help but ask, "Why can't go more building?" I pointed toward the large structure Lydia had mentioned earlier.

Lydia smiled gently and said, "It's not safe, young master. You can visit when you're a bit older."

Her words made sense, but I still felt a twinge of disappointment. Despite my advanced mind, my body was still very much that of a one-year-old, and I had to remember that I was just beginning to explore this new world.

As we retraced our steps, my thoughts kept drifting back to Sir Rodrick. His reaction when he noticed my probing with Mana Sense had been startling. How strong was he that he could sense my skill so easily? The idea of how much more powerful he might be than I realized was both intriguing and intimidating.

To be on the safe side, I decided to use my hidden skill, Conceal. With a mental command, I activated it, masking my status to appear as though I was just a level 1 child with zero skills. I felt a subtle shift, like a veil settling over me, hiding the truth of my abilities from anyone who might be curious.

Satisfied with my precaution, I allowed myself to relax a bit. Today had been a lot for my young mind to process. Seeing the manor, the village-like city center, and sensing the protective magic surrounding us—it was all overwhelming but exciting. I had so much to learn and so many places to explore. For now, though, it was time to return to the safety of the manor and reflect on everything I had seen.

After Lydia tucked me in for the night, I felt drained from the day's adventures. As I lay in bed, a thought crossed my mind: Where was my birthday cake? Why had no one wished me a happy birthday?

Well, different world, different traditions, I mused, trying to comfort myself. With these thoughts, I went to sleep.