Accidental Ascendance

Cedric, now seven years old, sat in the carriage on his way to the highly anticipated debut of the next generation. His attendant, Lyla, was by his side, the excitement in the air palpable. As they journeyed, Lyla commented, "Sorry your parents couldn't travel with us. It's a tradition."

Curious, Cedric turned his head and asked, "What kind of tradition?"

Lyla smirked in response. "Well, it's not really a tradition per se, but more of a precaution. You see, parents often get competitive when it comes to their children, so they are ordered to arrive ahead of their kids."

Amused by the thought of his parents engaging in heated arguments, Cedric let out a small chuckle. "I see, that makes sense."

Lyla smiled, her curiosity getting the best of her. "How do you feel about the debut, my lord?"

Cedric's emotions were a mix of nerves and genuine excitement. The prospect of meeting other noble children for the first time filled him with anticipation. "I've never had friends who could truly relate to me," he confessed to Lyla, his voice carrying a hint of longing.

Unbeknownst to Cedric, Lyla misinterpreted his words, seeing them as a proclamation of his unmatched strength and power. Her eyes sparkled with reverence as she thought, 'He is saying that there isn't anyone who can match my power. I see, my young lord, those who dare stand as your equals, those who refuse to bow, shall be punished by your unlimited power.'

Just as their conversation reached its peak, the carriage suddenly came to a halt. "Bandits!" the carriage driver cried out in alarm.

A group of bandits had ambushed them, seeking to rob them of their valuables. Lyla instinctively sat up, prepared for battle. "Let me take care of these vermin, my lord."

Cedric raised a hand to stop her, his determination evident as he sought a peaceful resolution. "Let me talk to them," he said softly, his voice carrying a sense of resolve. "Maybe if I can give them what they want, it won't be too big of a deal."

Lyla bowed before her lord, briefly questioning her own eagerness. 'Oh no! My enthusiasm may have caused Lord Cedric to doubt my faith in his power.'

With firm resolve, Cedric stepped out of the carriage and approached the bandits. The bandit leader, a burly man, greeted Cedric with a mocking laugh. "Look what we've got here, boys. They must've sent their best out to greet us."

However, the bandit leader's laughter quickly faded as he realized he couldn't sense Cedric's magic. His memory served him well, and he recalled, 'Wait, isn't this the one thing I heard? If I can't sense another's magic, it means that person possesses a power surpassing my own by leaps and bounds.'

A sudden gust of wind blew dirt into Cedric's eyes, causing him to squint. To the bandit leader, it appeared as if Cedric's eyes were filled with bloodlust, triggering a deep sense of unease. "Crap, this kid has the eyes of a killer!"

Unaware of the bandit leader's interpretation, Cedric simply tried to gather his thoughts and find the right words to start the conversation. Nervousness caused him to smile, a reflex he often had in tense situations. However, the bandit leader perceived it as a sinister grin, sending chills down his spine.

The bandit leader started to rethink his plan. 'Look at this kid's smile. He's ready for blood. Maybe I can talk my way out of this.'

Just as he was about to reconsider his actions, Cedric found the words he was searching for. "Shall we get started?"

Cedric's calm statement sent the bandit leader into a frenzy, solidifying his belief that a fight was unavoidable and that the boy before him would unleash deadly force upon them all.

The bandit leader rushed at Cedric, weapon drawn, but the wind picked up once more, forming a swirling dust cloud that blinded the bandit leader. In his disoriented state, he tripped and inadvertently impaled himself on his own weapon. Cedric stood there, dumbfounded by the scene that had unfolded before him, uttering a bewildered "Huh?"

The remaining bandits, unable to see what had transpired, began to panic. "That boy killed the boss with his own weapon!" one bandit screamed in fear.

Panic engulfed them. "Run!" cried another bandit.

In their attempts to escape, they tripped over one another, meeting their demise in various unfortunate ways. Cedric stood there, dumbfounded by the chaotic scene that had unfolded before him. "Did that just happen?" he muttered to himself in disbelief.

Lyla walked out of the carriage, witnessing the aftermath of the chaos. Her thoughts raced, marveling at the power and might of her young lord. "Well done, my lord. Not even a drop of blood on you," she praised, her voice filled with awe.

Still stunned by the extraordinary turn of events, Cedric returned to the carriage and sat down, silently resolving to keep this incident to himself. "I will never tell anyone about this," he thought to himself, his disheveled appearance reflecting his inner turmoil. "Even if I did, no one would ever believe me."