Published: August 15, 2025
Though it resembled the starbinding ceremony, the grand hall was much larger and filled with far more people. As we walked through its center, curious gazes appraising us followed every step.
The music played by the musicians seemed to urge us to move faster, so I hurried my pace as much as I could, striving not to fall behind Wilfried.
At the center of the stage stood an altar, where the high priest, dressed in ceremonial priestly robes, was waiting. To the left of the stage stood the lord and lady with their Guard Knights and attendants. I noticed Father looking this way alongside Foster Father and Foster Mother, and I gave a small smile in return.
The nobles gathered in the grand hall could be broadly categorized by their attire: the knights’ uniforms like Father’s, the civil official robes worn by Justox, attendants’ prescribed outfits, and the flamboyant clothing typical of aristocrats.
Judging by the fabric quality and decorations of their garments, those near the entrance appeared to be lower-ranking nobles, while approaching the stage meant ascending to higher ranks. Though knights and civil officials tended to group together, there were always elegantly dressed women, children in formal kimono, and noble academy students wearing cloaks like Brother Cornelius, suggesting that families were present as units.
… I wonder if Mother and my brothers are seated near the front?
As I walked on, this thought lingered, and then I spotted Mother and Brother Eckhardt near the center of the front row. Wondering where Lamprecht and Brother Cornelius were, I scanned the room and found the two brothers at the rightmost edge closest to the stage.
On that right side of the stage, where my brothers were, musicians holding Fischpiel lined up, and nearby stood nobles bearing magic tool rings, indicating the presence of those related to the children receiving the baptism ceremony.
Around Rosina, who held a Fischpiel, stood attendants and Guard Knights. Mother and Brother Eckhardt sat among the higher-ranking nobles, rather than with the ceremony participants — likely because I was now the lord’s adopted daughter.
… Where could Richarda and Oswald be?
Since they had led us to the grand hall doors, as chief attendants they should be nearby. Just then, as if entering from another entrance, I spotted them emerging through the crowd and joining the ceremony participants.
We stopped briefly before the stage, and the high priest gave a small wave, signaling us to ascend. Obediently, we stepped onto the stage and lined up side by side.
The baptism ceremony for four children began, including noble children who could not summon their own priests due to distance. Although there were multiple children, the proceedings were nearly identical to my own.
The high priest recited the myth in a clear, resonant voice, then called each child’s name.
“Filine.”
The girl stepped forward—she was the same one who looked troubled when we met in the waiting room. Filine gripped the magic tool rod the high priest offered her. It was the same kind of magic tool I had held during my baptism—designed to absorb mana. When she made it glow, the audience burst into applause.
Apparently, nobles were only recognized as such if they possessed enough mana to make the magic tool shine.
Since mana was measured at birth and again during growth, and repeatedly verified, it was rare for a child not to succeed in this.
Then she pressed the magic tool against a medal, registering her mana. By doing so, she was officially acknowledged as a noble child of Ehrenfest.
“As my daughter, recognized by the gods and all, I present this ring to Filine.”
Her father ascended the stage and placed a ring on her finger to help channel mana.
“May Filine receive the blessing of the goddess of earth, Gedrurihi.”
Under the high priest’s blessing, Filine filled the small mana stone ring with her mana.
“I humbly return the blessing.”
She then returned the blessing to the high priest—a faint, small red light floated over and drifted toward him.