Chapter 3:
Baptism
THIS WORLD WAS NOT AS SAFE AS JAPAN. THE ONLY remedy for disease in this world was the recovery magic provided by the church. Families who were too poor to donate to the church had no alternative treatment options.
The child mortality rate in this world was also high. That was one of the reasons why baptism was a tradition to begin with. The ceremony celebrated and commemorated the child surviving to the age of five and offered prayers to the gods for the child’s continued safe development. After praying, the child would also gain the ability to cast Status.
“Now that I think about it, this would be my first birthday celebration.”
It was customary to celebrate the fifth, tenth, and fifteenth birthday in this world, and children were deemed adults at age fifteen. As he considered the situation of this world, Cain put his hands through the sleeves of his baptismal clothes.
“Master Cain, it’s almost time. Have you finished preparing?” After knocking on the door, Sylvia entered the room.
“Oh, Sylvia. I’m ready,” Cain said.
Cain exited the room alongside Sylvia, who was wearing her usual maid uniform. Garm, Sarah, and Reine were waiting for him outside.
Cain bowed his head and apologized. “Sorry for making you wait, Father.”
Garm smiled and dismissed it with a wave. “It’s fine. You look completely different when dressed up. You really do take after Sarah.”
“You’re so cute, Cain!” Reine said as she nuzzled against him. She had a bit of a brother complex, but she was a kind older sister that took good care of him. She would often look all around the mansion in search of Cain whenever he left his room to practice magic. She had to; Cain didn’t want to be found while practicing.
Cain responded with a genuine smile. “Thank you, elder sister.”
Sebas, the butler, arrived after preparing the carriage.
“Thank you for waiting. The carriage is ready, please get in.”
He opened the door of the carriage and waited beside it. The members of the Silford family entered the carriage with Garm seated the furthest from the door and Sarah seated next to him. Reine and Cain were seated across from them.
“We shall now set off.” At Sebas’s signal, the carriage slowly began to move.
“By the way, I’m supposed to be able to cast Status after my baptism. What does that look like?” Cain asked Reine.
“Oh right, you haven’t seen it before! I’ll show you mine!” Reine said. She then chanted, “Status Open.”
A half-transparent glass-like screen appeared in front of Reine.
“If you chant ‘Status,’ it’s only visible to you. If you chant ‘Status Open,’ you can show other people,” Reine said, showcasing it for Cain.
“That’s amazing, elder sister.”
“Come closer, Cain! Get a good look!”
Cain snuggled up to Reine to get a better angle.
Status
Name: Reine von Silford
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 7
Level: 1
Health: 130/130
Mana: 220/220
Rating: D
Titles: Margrave’s Eldest Daughter, Loves Cain
Magic: Wind Magic Level 1, Water Magic Level 1, Fire Magic Level 1, Everyday Magic
Skills: Social Manners Level 2
Blessings: Blessing of the God of Magic Level 2
“…”
A title that he shouldn’t have seen was there.
“Ah! I forgot to hide my titles! Cain, did you see?” Reine asked with a blush and upturned eyes.
“Reine, you can use three different elements of magic!” Cain exclaimed, pretending he hadn’t seen the title.
“Oh, you didn’t see? Thank goodness,” Reine said with a relieved smile.
“Reine has aptitude in three elemental magics, and her blessing is level two. She might become a palace mage in the future,” Garm added with a smile. His tone made it clear that Reine’s Status was something to be proud of.
“Magic levels and Blessing levels range from level 1 to 5, and the higher the number, the stronger you can become. It’s possible to increase your magic level through training, and your blessing level can also improve through gaining the recognition of the Gods.”
Palace mages had magic levels and blessing levels ranging from 3 to 5, and most individuals with level 5 magic became great individuals that left their name in history.
Cain looked outside the window of the carriage and examined the city. Gracia City had rows of shops and stalls with people coming and going in all directions; it was a lively place.
After jostling around in the carriage for roughly thirty minutes, they arrived at the church. The carriage stopped at the church’s main gate, and the family got out and headed towards the receptionist.
“Garm von Silford Gracia. My son turned five today. We’re here to get him baptized. The priest should have already been informed about our visit,” Garm said to the nun.
“Yes, the priest informed us you would be coming today. Follow me, My Lord.” As the person before her was the ruler of this territory, the nun straightened her posture and offered a deep bow before leading the family into the church. After passing through a hallway, she opened a door and stood beside it. “They are currently preparing the altar. Please wait here while they finish preparations.”
The drawing room Cain and his family were led to was characteristic of a church; it wasn’t luxurious, but it had a calming atmosphere. Garm headed to the seat furthest from the door, and Sarah sat in the seat next to him. Reine and Cain sat in the seats across from them.
The nun prepared several cups of black tea and placed one before each of them.
“We’ll come get you once preparations are complete. Thank you for your patience.”
The nun left the room, leaving only the Silford family inside.
Garm opened his mouth to speak. “The time has arrived, Cain. There’s no need to be nervous. The priest will tell you what to do. After your baptism, we will have a small celebration, just amongst family. We’ll hold your social debut at another date.”
“Hopefully Cain also receives a ton of blessings and magical affinities! It’d be great if you got as many as I did!” Reine said with a smile. She always had a smile on her face when she was around Cain.
“With me as his mother, Cain will definitely have an affinity for magic. Hopefully as much as you do, Reine,” said Sarah.
Cain had heard that Sarah, prior to marrying Garm, was an adventurer. She was a mage that could use both offensive magic and recovery magic and had reached C-rank as an adventurer.
Cain had practiced magic in secret, and based on what he knew, he was capable of using all four basic elements. He likely didn’t have to worry about not having affinities.
Cain sipped his tea as he wondered whether his family would congratulate him if he showed aptitude in the four basic elements. As the family chatted, a knock sounded at the door before a nun entered the room.
“Preparations are complete, please follow me.”