Fanfare

There was a massive restructuring that happened after the incident toward the Day of Introduction. Reitz tried to organize the platoons so that they would be more effective but he did not know where to start. First of all, they were not equipped to deal with high ranked magic combatants. So Reitz had to address that.

Ezra found a bit of freedom since the abduction, Aerwyna's overprotectiveness eased up partially because they found all of the spies in Bren and also because Ezra showed his capabilities in the battle with Catalyna. If not for him and Evan she would have most probably died. Lady Blackfyre decided that it was best to give Ezra some independence in the meantime because it would benefit him.

Thus Ezra was left alone to do as he wished and only Evan was allowed inside Ezra's room. The servants gossiped at this, they found it really odd that a Knight would replace the responsibilities of a milk mother. The newly created room of Ezra was a former guest room, it was refurbished to have bookcases and a desk, and as per Ezra's request a place for a quill and ink so that the desk would not be messy. The masons who worked at redecorating the room found it odd to have a babies' room full of books and a custom ink dock to boot this further helped spread the rumours that Ezra was indeed very unique.

Ezra found out that aside from Earth Evan could actually conjure Water as well. His primary element was water which Ezra found bizarre from his conversations with Reitz. Evan told him that most knights use earth magic in battle because it was very practical. He only knew one Earth spell and could not learn [Earth Wall] or [Rock Gauntlet]. His adeptness at Water was only just bellowed viscount level and he could conjure [Flood Cannon] but at his current magic capacity would only allow him to use it twice in battle. It was more efficient to use a low ranked spell such as [Rock Bullet] to disrupt the movements and finish the opponent off with a sword since the agility, speed and power of knights were way beyond normal civilians. This tactic often conserved magical energy which they could use to engage more enemies instead of just using one or two spells then retreat due to fatigue. High ranked spells were only reserved when the situation called for it.

"What about Wind? Who uses wind? I don't think I've seen someone cast a spell that uses Wind? If your primary element is wind you can't use Earth right?" inquired the baby.

"Milord, Fulmen is situated far south of the Imperium, wind mages are located north of Rex Imperium, while Fulmen does have a lot of Nobles all of them are either Hydromancers, Pyromancers and Terramancers," Evan replied.

It was three days since Evan was given to Ezra. Evan was still not accustomed to talking to a baby, in battle adrenaline was high and tolerance for the unexpected was great but now, looking at Ezra, he was even more amazed at this little baby. The questions that this infant would ask him was even beyond what some adults would ask as well. He tried to avoid eye contact as much as possible because once he looked at Ezra speaking his hairs would stand on end thoroughly spooked.

"Why is this?"

"Actually I don't know myself, Milord."

"How 'bout magic crystals and cores do you know anything about them?"

"Well, Milord, as far as I can tell they are mined from certain caves. Actually, the disputes over mines are very grave indeed. Your Father was adamant about his authority over the mines that Rex Imperia awarded him. There were five dukes who were interested in the mines because they were on the borders of their own territory, they proposed a mutual mining contract with Lord Reitz, however, Lord Reitz did not give in to them. Mining cores and crystals are very lucrative you see. I don't know how much the domain actually profits from them but I think that it is quite a sum. This is one of the motives we looked at when we learned that there was an assassination attempt on your father, " Evan said as he was still staring at open space.

Ezra thought this as normal. He had seen guards look all ceremonial and such so he did not mind not being looked at while having a conversation

"Wow, that's good you actually told me something mother does not tell me! Well, you were part of her personal guard so I guess you would know. What about arcanists? I keep on hearing about them but I don't exactly know what they are. "

Evan's face became very red at this statement and did not give a reply. He did not know what to do because he accidentally divulged a secret that Aerwyna was hiding from her son. He was afraid to suffer more lashings, not because of the pain, but because of the humiliation it caused him.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Are you alright? Your skin is turning red. Does this have something to do with magic?" Ezra asked as he saw Evan's face change colour in agitation.

. . .

The castle became lively as the day neared for Ezra's Day of Introduction, workers began cooking day and night and the invitations were sent out to all of Fulmen, all of the lords under Reitz were expected to attend and there was entertainment that was prepared.

A customary invitation was sent to Rex Imperia and the neighbouring princes and dukes this was mandatory but the Rex never attended such events. It was like a formal notice to the Rex that there was a newborn Lord who could possibly inherit the domain. Nothing was static in Rex Imperium if you did not sire a capable son that could actually hold the title then some of the lands would be awarded to those that could thus power struggles between houses were really fierce, the only solace one could actually find is that once a noble, always a noble. Your title as a noble was secure no matter how weak you were.

The Day of Introduction was actually a ritual of acknowledging a possible heir who could retain the seat. It was not done for every son or daughter the Lord had. During the preparation for the event, Reitz and Aerwyna did not spend time with Ezra as much. They were busy trying to gather as many guards as possible from where they could muster in the domain. For now, it seemed that the bandit raids were not a threat anymore and that both Reitz and Ezra were now safe. But they had to keep the number of guards high because of the delegates from the neighbouring domains and as well as Rex's representative. Normally only letters of replies about congratulating them for siring an heir would be sent and there would be no actual representative but since Reitz was an Augmenti, it was expected that Reitz's heir would be enough to attract an envoy from the Rex.

The day finally arrived and the guests came pouring but in the middle of the affair a loud trumpet blast sounded. Everyone's hair stood on end. Suddenly every single soul stood in attention. A large carriage pulled by four colossal steeds, and a procession of soldiers in red followed. The crest and banners of two lions spewing fire and in between them was a huge blaze. This was the crest of house Regaladeus. The twin fires it was called. Dressed in fine plate armour a man stepped out of the carriage. The Rex Imperia had arrived.