One year after the incident…
"Hm…"
I stared at myself in the mirror.
Haven't I grown a lot? Damn… look at me, I thought, praising myself.
"What are you, Narcissus?" Ray mocked. "Besides you, aren't your brothers getting more handsome too?"
"Ray, don't ruin my moment," I replied. "Do you even know what day it is?"
"…And besides, my facial expressions are freezing. It might be genetics—from Father—or…"
"Skill: [Poker Face]," Ray added, laughing. "It took quite a while for it to fully develop, you know."
"Yeah… I know."
Knock knock.
"It's me, Paula. It's time for you to get dressed, Young Master."
"Come in."
Paula entered and began dressing me, adjusting my clothes, applying light makeup, and fixing every detail.
Ugh… what a hassle, I groaned internally.
"But you were just admiring yourself a moment ago," Ray teased.
A knock came again.
Aamon stepped in slightly, just enough to get our attention.
"Paula, isn't he done yet? Father and Mother are waiting."
"Yes, Young Master. It's almost finished. I'll send him shortly."
Aamon glanced at me through the mirror. I met his gaze.
He sighed and left.
A few minutes later, I stepped outside. My family was already waiting, and I joined them.
"Let's go," Father said coldly.
"Yes, Father."
Father and Mother entered one carriage, while we brothers took another.
"Brother!" Aiden called, hugging me tightly.
"What is it, Aiden?" I asked, patting his head.
"You look gorgeous today," he said, his eyes sparkling.
I chuckled. "You look good too, Aiden… and Aamon looks good as well."
Aamon glanced at me briefly before turning his gaze toward the window.
"Brother, why are we all dressed like this? Where are we going? Nobody told me anything," Aiden asked curiously.
"Hm, we're heading to the capital," I explained. "It's the Highness's seventh birthday."
"Highness? He's the same age as me?"
"Yes," Aamon added. "Father and Mother want to stay on good terms with him."
"Oh… I get it. I need to impress the prince then."
"If you want," I said, ruffling his hair. "But don't get on his bad side, okay?"
"Brother, have you met the prince?" Aiden asked.
The question caught me off guard.
"No, I haven't. But Aamon has. I've never left the mansion before… I'm just like you, Aiden."
Suddenly—
A scream echoed outside.
"Ambush!!"
It was one of the guards.
"Aamon," I said.
"On it."
As soon as he spoke, the carriage windows crystallized over, blocking the outside view.
"Brother, what's going on?" Aiden asked nervously.
"Nothing," I said, covering his ears. "Just some bad people having a worse day. Stay quiet, okay?"
I pulled out a dagger and began carving a small hole through the crystal.
"Stop it. You'll traumatize Aiden," Aamon said.
"I know. This is just for me to see."
A moment later—
"Hm… there it is."
A scene I hadn't witnessed in a long time.
Corpses scattered everywhere.
My parents really don't know how to hold back…
"Stop it," Aamon said, covering my eyes. "That's for you too. You'll get traumatized."
"Playing the cool older brother, huh? I'm not that weak."
"Whatever the case, you're still my younger brother."
Ting.
---
[Tome of the World] has been activated
Sleep Magic Tier 1 has been identified. Further information may be recognized.
---
"Brother… did you just use sleep magic on Aiden?"
"Hm? Yes. How did you know with your eyes covered?"
"I have my ways."
Over the past year, I had learned many things.
My training time had decreased, giving me more opportunities to visit the library. I hadn't learned magic directly, but I had studied its types. The books weren't very helpful—almost as if the important ones were intentionally hidden.
Still, I had gained a clearer understanding of the world.
"Why did you suddenly go quiet?" Aamon asked.
"Because the ambush is over. Remove the crystal—and your hand—from my eyes."
"No means no."
He pulled me onto his lap.
"Sleep. Don't make me use magic on you," he said, still covering my eyes.
"…Brother, you treat me the same way I treat Aiden when he's not around. Why?"
Silence.
Ting.
---
Sleep Magic Tier 1 has been detected.
---
With that notification echoing in my mind…
I fell asleep.