Mana Test (1)

It's been 5 years since we came to this dimension, everyday has been really peaceful. Over the years we have completely adapt to this world

"Ray.. Ray wake up...." (Laila)

"..." (Ray)

Opening my eyes, I saw a Laila lying beside me smiling warmly.

"Good morning Ray" (Laila)

"Good morning" (Ray)

Interrupting the warm atmosphere, the door was suddenly opened

"Oh? You've both already woke up?"

"Mom?" (Laila)

Walking toward us, a woman with long blue hair and green eyes greeted us with a smile on her face.

"I know you two are engage but... You two already look like husband and wife" (Sophia)

"Hehe~" (Laila)

"Anyway, what business does the Duchess have with us? " (Ray)

"Oho? It seems that our Prince got embarrassed.... Hehe cute~" (Sophia)

It's seems she just read my head.... This actually hurt my pride a bit since I'm usually confident in maintaining my poker face.

Noticing my mind, Laila quickly spoke in my stood

"So why did Mom came here for?" (Laila)

"Right... Both of you will have your mana and potential measured next week, This will be done infront of many people so please behave, though you two should already understand" (Sophia)

"Basically you want us to be a promotion billboard?" (Ray)

"...I've heard that you already learned about politics but... Are all 5 years old's like this? Anyway you are correct, this event is intended to show off the Empire's future generation strength" (Sophia)

"What will you do if the result isn't as high as expected?" (Ray)

At my question, the corner of her lips rose

"If you two conceal your mana, assassination attempts will be reduced at the cost of our empire reputation. If you reveal your mana, we could have more justification when giving you precious resource in the cost of increase assassination risk." (Sophia)

"..." (Ray)

Hearing this I immediately realize that this was a test planned by my mother, she seems to recognize our abnormal mana which is a lot higher compared to our peers.

Laila spoke through <Telepathy>

-Considering this empire strength, it should have many enemy, if we take the first option we could gain strength more safely, if we take the second option we would gain strength faster but the risk should be considerable, we could also become bait to help the empire (Laila)

-Yeah I know, we could caught them off-guard with [Realization] on emergencies (Ray)

After considering the pros & cons, I decided on the most efficient method. Slowly I spoke

"Before I answered, how did you notice our mana?" (Ray)

"I Just noticed my daughter's but judging from what you say, you seems to also have mana comparable to her" (Sophia)

"..." (Ray)

"I'll take your silence as confirmation" (Sophia)

It seems that I feel for her trap and exposed my self

I completely blundered...

"So what will you choose Prince Rayford Zyavn Aquinox?"

***

Inside a luxurious office, two women were sitting face to face while discussing a certain topic.

"You believe me now right?" (Lina)

"After seeing that I have no choice but to believe you" (Sophia)

Remembering Rayford decision and reasoning made her question common sense. She know that both of them are mature for their age, but this was way too abnormal.

"At first I only thought that they were just very smart for their age, but from time to time I could see this abnormal behavior" (Lina)

"Their head aside, the amount of mana are also absurd, when I sensed Laila's mana, I was quite tempted to make my child the matriarch instead of a Empress" (Sophia)

"I know you would think that, that was why I told you to see my child which were surprisingly more abnormal" (Lina)

"Form the discussion earlier his mana seems to be comparable to my daughter but being able to completely hide it makes it scarier"

"I know right?" (Lina)

"You... your eyes sees something didn't it?" (Sophia)

Lina smiled when thinking about that day...

It was 5 days after the two were born, because of the engagement promise she decided to place them both together in one room for entertainment. Her mind were filled with imaginations of their cute interaction with each other.

Late at night after finishing her work, she was walking towards her child's room when her <trait> suddenly activated, the trait that only activate on important event and guided me was screaming madly to quickly go.

Panicking, she rushed towards her children bedroom.

After entering she saw mana swirling around as if worshiping the two sleeping children, It was then she saw a vision, two person, a man and a woman standing in the middle of a vast grass plane.

Beneath a giant tree made of pure mana, countless stars shone brightly in harmony with the gentle night sky.

With all my strength, I focused my sense on the man and woman standing there.

The man had black hair like the night sky, and the woman with silver hair like the stars. Countless blue light rose from the grass around them, It was like watching countless fireflies dancing in the sky.

"It was undoubtedly the most beautiful sight I've witness in my entire life" (Lina)

"...What did you actually saw?" (Sophia)

"Let's just say that their fate are greatly intertwined with each other... I cant say much, anymore than that will cause backlash, all I could tell you is that everything will be okay" (Lina)

"Fine... Anyway, what do you think of his choice?" (Sophia)

"Hmm... I did think he will take the second option but... I didn't think he would read my plan to such extent. From my point of view, he made the best possible decision for both them and the empire as a whole, by taking the second option he gave opportunities to nib out some rats and make themselves stronger" (Lina)

"Didn't you bait him to choose the first option? Isn't that the reason you told me to emphasize 'assassination attempts'? (Sophia)

"Don't worry about that, Mina and Anna are with them, and those child are already strong enough to protect them self" (Lina)

"But still, are really going to use our child as bait?" (Sophia)

"Their combat ability are estimated to reach <S-> rank. Their total mana are estimated to be <A-> to <A> rank" (Lina)

"..." (Sophia)

"Also, If I didn't see 'that' I would never do this, the children also seems to understood my intention and played along, do you think those child that can see through the disguise of <SS+> combatant would be fooled or get killed by some random assassins?" (Lina)

"I can see why those sly politicians are afraid of you" (Sophia)

"I'll take that as a compliment" (Lina)

With that, the two woman continuously planned the mana testing event.