"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." — Bobby Unser

  I sat cross-legged in the peaceful garden, the afternoon sunlight casting a warm glow over the flowers and the neatly trimmed hedges. My focus, however, was not on the serenity around me, but on the complex pages of a spellbook spread out before me. Three months had passed since I had reincarnated into this world, and I was steadily making progress with my magic studies.

  With the language lessons and swordsmanship training behind me, I now had the freedom to dive deep into the intricacies of fire magic—my chosen element. The garden was the perfect place for it, with the open sky above, the quiet, and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Fire magic was more volatile than most, but the cool breeze kept it grounded, allowing me to practice without fear of causing a blaze.

  I had already tackled the basics, so today, I was studying more advanced techniques. As I chanted softly under my breath, sparks began to dance on my fingers, and a small flame flickered to life, casting its orange glow on the surrounding foliage. Each attempt, each controlled ignition, brought me closer to perfecting my control over the element.

  My mind drifted to the Blessings Ceremony that was set to take place in five days. It was a significant event for anyone born in this world—a rite of passage that would determine your magical abilities and your connection to the world's system. My preparation for it had been meticulous. I had already studied intermediate magic thoroughly, and I’d come to realize something that could change everything: I could create my own magic.

  This discovery had been a game-changer. Magic here didn’t just have predefined spells—there was the possibility of invention, a blank slate to craft abilities tailored to one’s needs. I could potentially replicate some of the technologies from my previous life—guns, electricity, and even vehicles. The possibilities were overwhelming, but for now, I focused on refining the core elements of the magic I knew. I could make progress at my own pace, but the Blessings Ceremony was fast approaching, and there was a lot I still didn’t know.

  I snapped the book shut and took a moment to gaze at the garden, allowing my thoughts to settle. The world outside the pages of my book was beautiful, vibrant with life, but it was also full of unknowns. A slight rustle from the bench across from me brought me back to the present.

  Alexia, my younger sister, sat sipping tea, her delicate fingers holding the porcelain cup with elegance. Her gaze met mine, and I couldn’t help but feel her usual playful energy radiating from her.

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  "Already done?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Yes," I replied, running a hand through my hair, "I’m planning on seeing what father is up to."

  She made a small noise of approval before setting her tea down. "Alright, I’m bored too, so I’ll come with you."

  We both stood up from the garden bench, and with a final glance around the lush surroundings, we made our way back to the mansion. The cool stone paths underfoot echoed with our footsteps as we walked side by side, a comfortable silence stretching between us.

  When we reached the front of the mansion, I noticed a luxurious carriage waiting, its polished wood and shining golden accents catching the light. I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

  "Why is there such a lavish carriage here?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity.

  Alexia smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's for us, of course. We’re going to the capital for the Blessing Ceremony."

  She then added with a teasing tone, "We’re starting in 20 minutes, you know?"

  I froze for a moment, my heart skipping a beat. Twenty minutes?! I glanced at my sister, who had already started walking toward the carriage with her usual calm demeanor. A bead of sweat slid down the back of my neck.

  "Wait, you already packed everything, right?" Alexia asked, turning around as I stood frozen, still processing the sudden realization. "You’re not going to wait until the last minute, are you?"

  I gulped. She was right—I had completely forgotten about the trip. Trips in this world were longer and more involved than anything I was used to back in my old life, so I had underestimated the preparations.

  Without wasting another second, I sprinted back into the mansion, urgency fueling every step. I dashed up the stairs, grabbed my favorite clothes, and hastily threw them into my preferred trunk—a large, sturdy one with intricate engravings of symbols that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.

  I barely had time to tie the trunk shut before I was rushing back down, barely managing to catch my breath. I threw open the mansion doors and rushed toward the carriage waiting by the front. My heart was pounding in my chest as I shoved the heavy trunk into the vehicle, sweat soaking through my clothes.

  Behind me, Alexia stood with an unamused expression, arms crossed over her chest. "Did you seriously wait until the last minute?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  I didn’t have time to respond before our father emerged from the mansion, his regal presence commanding attention. The driver followed close behind him, making the final preparations. Father looked over at us with a stern yet amused gaze.

  "Are you two ready?" he asked, his voice calm and collected, a sharp contrast to my frantic scrambling.

  I nodded quickly, still catching my breath. "Yes, Father."

  Alexia, ever composed, simply nodded in agreement. "Yes."

  With that, we climbed into the carriage, the door closing behind us with a soft thud. As we set off toward the capital, the excitement of the upcoming ceremony mixed with the anticipation of what was to come. This was only the beginning, and the path ahead was filled with endless possibilities.

  As the city skyline emerged in the distance, I couldn’t help but wonder how much longer it would take before I could begin shaping the world around me—and how the Blessing Ceremony would change everything.