Nothing quenches the desire to use <Magic> quite like knowing I am approaching an inevitable doom. There has got to be something to prevent this. It had been roughly a week since my parents tested my comprehension. My parents seemed quite upbeat. Dad had to take a trip somewhere. Honestly, in the three months I had been alive here, I was a little shocked he didn’t take trips a little more often. He is an Emperor after all. Or do I just have the wrong idea about how being Emperor works?

I could tell something was happening today. Not sure what. Helga usually played little games for babies with me, and my mom liked telling me stories and singing to me. Plans were generally not discussed around me. I had been spending this last week trying to move. This baby body is going to get whipped into shape.

Not that I entirely neglected it, I was always trying to increase my control over my body, whether it was speaking or walking, it’s just <Magic> was way more fascinating to me so the other areas got a little neglected. Not now. And after a week of more active effort on my body, I could somewhat grip and move things. Granted I already was able to open and close my hands, but this was a distinct improvement. I could move my arm, with my hand closed, holding a small object, somewhat as I wanted. Look out world, my abilities are improving!

I found one thing in this life kind of odd. Or maybe something I am just too used to hearing. I am starting to think that was not normal. I liked the quiet. The lack of yelling and objects being thrown felt odd at first. As my control got better, I liked to use <Warp> to get near the window and look at the stars. The two moons were a more normal color each night. Only on my birthday were they that odd blue and red. You could tell which was which still, as each had a slight tint to it, but nowhere near the same vibrant shade as that night.

I heard movement and saw my mom entering my room. Helga bowed as she entered. That’s odd, she normally comes later in the afternoon. Did she sneak away to spend some extra time with me? My mom picked me up, and began to walk. Outside my room was my dad, Cesar, and Magus Erli. Okay, what is going on? The group of adults started to move to somewhere in the lower castle. Cesar and Helga had swords at the ready, whereas Magus Erli had a staff with a crystal on top at the ready. There was some barrier placed around us, probably by Magus Erli. We passed several servants, guards, and when we got lower, people who had business in the castle who all bowed or shot to attention as we passed.

As I suspected, the entire castle was made from some black brick. There were paintings of demons that were probably ancestors of mine. After about the midpoint, all the windows had glass in them. It was unnaturally clear glass, probably through some mystical production means or <Magic> on them. When you thought demon Emperor castle, this was most certainly not it, other than the black bricks.

We then exited the castle into a sleek, but elegant carriage made of some black metal and silver. I wonder what we are leaving the castle for? From my limited view point, the city was a very stereotypical fantasy city. Or more late Medieval, early Renaissance city might be more accurate. After travelling for about twenty minutes, the carriage came to a stop.

We had arrived at what looked like a massive library. A similar formation was taken as we entered the library, where the adults relaxed once we entered. Inside was full of people of different races, with many portals with people entering and leaving. All who my parents passed bowed respectfully. My parents were met by a stewardess (not sure of her actual title) and escorted to a room in the back. All the weapons had vanished, but Helga, Cesar, and Magus Erli were scanning around looking alert. After five minutes had passed, an ancient looking gentleman walked into the room.

He was clearly human, with a massive grey beard. This was no small beard, this one was for the record books. It almost touched the floor. He had an old, frail appearance, but there was this hum about him that led me to believe his appearance was quite misleading. His eyes were a deep azure, which contrasted his dark skin. Unlike everyone else so far, he did not bow when he greeted my parents. This man probably is in the history books. I thought as I gazed at him. He was looking at me, and his gaze felt like it was looking into my soul.

“My, my. What an incredible amount of <Mana> for a baby.” the old man mused. His voice sounded tired, and the way he talked was slow, but there was this authority when he spoke.

“Thank you for meeting with us Grand Archmagus Solomon. This is my son Nil we came to discuss.” my dad replied.

“When you told me it was about a way to <Temper> the body of a baby, I thought you were pulling my chain, but Magus Erli insisted it was a legitimate request. What a novel problem to have.” Grand Archmagus Solomon observed.

“We are aware of that. It is why we requested your help and expertise.” my mom replied coldly. Yea I think his previous comment struck a nerve.

“If Nil were a normal baby, this would be an impossible request. However, he is not normal. In fact, he is quite exceptional.” Grand Archmagus Solomon praised. Does he know I reincarnated here?

“What are you referring to?” my dad asked.

“Your son has a <Blessing> known as <Transcendent Knowledge>. I can not see all of what he has, but his <Affinity> is a potentially <Pure> <Space Attribute> as well, though that is not very surprising given he is a Crowthorne.” Grand Archmagus Solomon explained.

“How did you determine that?” Magus Erli blurted out. I am wondering the same thing, but something tells me they are just going to glare at you. I was not wrong about the glaring.

“Because unlike you Magus Erli, I possess an <Arcane Eye>, which I will use as a segway to explain what I think is the best course of action. I do not think simply <Tempering> his body will be sufficient without hindering his growth. Nil is a demon, like your Imperial Highnesses. Demon babies have an innate curiosity towards <Magic> as I am sure you are aware. There is no guarantee he will continue to develop his <Tempering> until he is old enough to understand he needs to. I believe your best course is to start to <Temper> him now, and set aside time to have someone or yourselves develop his <Tempering> even if by a forceful means to help him, though such a method is as difficult as it is tiring, and I doubt it would be able to match his growth sufficiently. As a failsafe, <Arcane Eyes> can act as a sink for <Mana> and can help keep it at a manageable level. As Nil is a baby, his curious nature for exploring around him would lead him to developing his <Arcane Eye> naturally which in turn can be a failsafe for his growth should his <Tempering> be insufficient, which it may very likely be.” Grand Archmagus Solomon lectured.

My parents both grimaced. Why are they grimacing? His logic sounded solid and I have this feeling he was not lying. Now that I think about it, where do these sensations come from? Is it from being a demon? I pondered. There was something at play here I did not understand.

“I have a few concerns. <Arcane Eyes> are not only extremely rare, but once obtained and <Acclimated> cannot be changed. It could limit his long term growth if we gave him one now. Furthermore, while we understand what you are saying and know you would not lie, what can we use as a <Base> to his <Temper> that does not limit his long term growth?” my mom asked, with my father nodding in agreement.

“Luckily for you two, once Magus Erli insisted it was a legitimate request not out of some arrogance or parents thinking their child was in more danger than they actually were, I pulled something from my personal <Vault> that would be a more than suitable <Arcane Eye> which I am sure we can come to an agreement on a fair trade. As for the <Base>, Azzeck and Senna, I do have two suggestions, one you will not like but I think is worth the gamble, and one that is a safer, albeit likely to be weaker option.” Grand Archmagus Solomon explained.

“We will discuss the trade in a minute. How are you sure you know what will work? And what are your two suggestions?” my dad asked.

“As I am a scholar, I did spend some time researching was it possible to begin <Tempering> a baby, to develop stronger and better <Mages> for the future, and there is one undeniable fact and limitation: the baby must possess a high tier comprehension type <Blessing> or they are doomed to die to the process. Even then, if the talent was formidable enough, getting a baby willingly to <Temper> would be impossible until they understand the need, so it is possible for the talent to exceed the <Temper>. As such, I developed methods for <Tempering> another individual, which are wildly impractical and very inefficient, so some failsafe had to be made. Thankfully, as I am sure you are aware, <Arcane Eyes> are given to exceptional students who have a hard time <Tempering> but have immense reserves of <Mana> to keep them safe and alive as they act as great sinks for <Mana> when being developed. Now as for my suggestions, the other restriction is the <Base> has to be one with a low <Will>. Given his lineage, usage of <Space Magic>, and other limited information I got from my <Arcane Eye>, there are only two viable options as I am quite sure his <Affinity> is almost <Pure>. The one that I think will be weaker is using a <Atlas Meteor> for the <Base>, but is a guaranteed result. I believe your better bet is to use a <Tear of Fate>, which is an obvious gamble.” the Grand Archmagus expounded.

“You think an <Atlas Meteor> for his <Base> would be weaker than a <Tear of Fate>?” my dad asked immediately, his voice possessing a sense of incredulousness to it.

“Yes, I think in the case of your son Nil, a <Tear of Fate> will vastly exceed an <Atlas Meteor>.” Grand Archmagus Solomon replied calmly.

What was the difference between those two? What was a <Base>? What was <Tempering>? What did an <Arcane Eye> do? Could one of these adults explain? I would like to know! This is my body! My future! I would like to weigh in! This baby understands what you are saying! Stop with this adult talk and speak to me! My parents looked at each other, and it was like they were having some sort of mental conversation.

“What guarantees do we have if we follow your recommendation and you are wrong?” my mom asked. Her gaze was like steel.