Outside on the street, children ran under the afternoon sun.
They laughed loudly. Some chased each other in circles. Others flew kites, the strings slicing thin lines across the sky. A few argued about rules to games that didn't really matter.
Life was happening out there.
Inside the house, Albert sat on the floor of his room.
Books surrounded him. Stacks to his left, stacks to his right.
A tall pile stood in front of him like a small wall, separating him from the door.
He finished the book in his hands and closed it slowly.
For a second he pressed his palm against the cover, as if feeling its warmth. Then he dropped it onto the pile.
It landed with a dull thud.
He reached for another book without hesitation and opened it.
The room was silent— only the soft rhythm of pages turning remained.
Flip.
——————
Morning light slipped into the room gently.
Arthur's eyes opened slowly, and for a moment he didn't move.
The first thing he saw was his mother.
Verona slept in the chair, her head tilted slightly to the side. Even in sleep she held him carefully.
Arthur blinked."I guess that life is nothing but a dream now,"he thought.
He tried to shift, and it was a mistake.
His tiny body rolled forward out of her arms.
Inside, he screamed—but only a baby's cry came out.
As he fell, the world seemed to slow. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the cold impact of the floor.
But it never came.
He opened his eyes.
Verona's face hovered above him. Her hands held him securely, just barely above the ground.
She smiled softly gs."Sorry, Arthur. I fell asleep... you must have felt lonely. I'm really sorry."
Arthur froze. "Sorry? Why is she apologizing?"
Instinctively he tried to speak."It's fine."
Only baby sounds came out—small, meaningless noises.
Verona laughed quietly."I take it you've forgiven mummy."
She stood and placed him gently in the crib.
Her fingers brushed through his tiny hair."Good morning, Arthur."
He stared at her."I truly want to believe in it," he thought.
Her smile was warm.
"I'll just live with it then… after all… what I'm feeling now is something you can't find in books."
——————
Arthur was five.
He knew the mansion's hallways, the creak of every floorboard, the paintings on every wall. He had grown accustomed to this life slowly.
Today, however, the air felt different.
He stood beside his father outside a closed door.
Aldric's hands were clasped behind his back—calm—but his jaw was tight.
Inside, urgent voices echoed.
Arthur stared at the door."A sibling?" he whispered.
Then a cry pierced the air.
Arthur straightened."It's here."
The door opened with a soft click.
The head nurse stepped out, smiling."It's a baby girl."
Aldric's serious expression softened with relief.
"You may see the mother and child."
He stepped inside.
Arthur hesitated at the doorway, thoughts turning quietly.
Then he followed.
Verona lay on the bed—exhausted but glowing in a way he couldn't explain.
In her arms was a small bundle wrapped in cloth.
Aldric smiled."She's beautiful."
Verona smiled. "Yes."
She noticed Arthur."Come say hello to your baby sister."
He walked forward.
Elizabeth helped him onto the bed.
The baby's white hair and tiny face were peaceful.
She slept soundly.
"She's cute," Arthur said.
Verona smiled."Isn't she?"
He placed a hand gently against the baby's chest and felt the slow, steady beat of her heart.
When he tried to pull away, the baby's tiny hand grabbed his finger.
Arthur froze."It's warm," he whispered.
Verona chuckled."She has taken a liking to you already."
His cheeks flushed."I feel the same warmth," he realized. "Is this what it means to have a sibling?"
Aldric watched him."Do you want to say something to her?"
Arthur blinked. "Something to say…" He looked at his father, then at the baby.
He smiled."As your brother… I will protect you no matter what. I promise."
The baby's grip tightened slightly.
Arthur's smile widened .
Verona ruffled his hair. "Do you hear that, my dear? Your brother has promised to protect you."
She pulled Arthur gently into an embrace, holding both children close.
"You're going to be a good brother. I'm sure of that."
Warmth spread through him.
"I couldn't have asked for a better family," he thought.
——————
That night, the mansion celebrated. Laughter filled the halls.
The baby was named Evelyn.
After the party, Elizabeth walked Arthur to his room.
Arthur's room was spacious, built with the quiet confidence of nobility.
The bed was wide and well-made, framed with dark polished wood, taking up a good part of the space. To the side, a sturdy desk sat by the wall, its surface simple but expensive.
On the bedside table rested a mana crystal lamp.
The crystal was clear, held in a curved golden frame above a small rune-etched base. It gave off a soft, steady golden light, enough to fill the room without trying too hard.
Elizabeth tucked him in and brushed his haircut.
"Sleep well, young master"
Her fingers brushed the base of the crystal.
The golden light dimmed, then slipped into darkness.
Arthur smiled faintly as he drifted off.
——————
Two years later.
Morning light poured in when Elizabeth opened the curtains.
Arthur groaned and rubbed his eyes."Good morning… Nena."
Elizabeth turned. "There you go again making me sound like an old woman, young master."
Arthur waved his hands quickly. "No! That's not what I meant!"
She laughed softly and ruffled his hair.
"It's fine… you're right," she said quietly. "Look at my grey hair... I've become a weak old woman."
Arthur frowned."You're still young and healthy, Nena."
She smiled warmly."Thank you."
He smiled back.
"Time to get dressed... your lessons start today."
Arthur nodded.
Elizabeth accompanied him into the restroom.
After washing up, he stood in front of the mirror with towels wrapped around him.
Elizabeth dried his hair and body carefully with motherly love.
She took out a blue coat with silver embroidery from the wardrobe and laid it on the bed.
——————
At breakfast, Aldric sat at the head of the table. Verona sat beside him. Two-year-old Evelyn kicked her little legs in her high chair.
Arthur descended the stairs."Good morning, Mum... Dad."
"Morning,"Verona replied. "Sleep well?"
"Yes."
He passed Evelyn.
She reached out with tiny hands. He lifted her—struggling a little, arms trembling—but smiled.
"Yay!"Evelyn giggled.
Elizabeth touched his shoulder."Don't push yourself too much."
He nodded and set Evelyn down, breathing a little harder than he wanted to admit.
"Are you alright?"Verona asked.
"Yes. I'm fine."He said and sat beside his father.
After breakfast, Aldric turned to him."Ready for lessons?"
"Yes, father."
"Good. Elizabeth will escort you."
He turned to Elizabeth."The ride must be ready... you can leave now."
Elizabeth bowed her head."Yes... My Lord."
Arthur stood beside Elizabeth.
They both walked out.
Evelyn waved."A… Arthur."
He turned and waved back with a smile.
——————
Outside, the chariot waited—dark blue, with a coiled silver dragon emblem gleaming in the sunlight.
The guard opened the door.
Inside were velvet, deep blue and expensive seats— that made a person hesitate before sitting.
Arthur climbed in.
The ride began. His heartbeat tried to outrun the chariot.
Halfway through, his face turned green.
They stopped twice.
He threw up into the grass, clutching his stomach.
Elizabeth rushed water to him and wiped his mouth gently.
"Sorry,"he muttered weakly. "It turns out I'm road sick."
She patted his back. "No worries."
He stared at the sky."I guess Chariots aren't like cars… Not that I've ever ridden a car."
His stomach twisted again."This is torture."
Elizabeth patted his back gently.
The guard winced sympathetically."I guess this is to be expected, as this is your first time out of the mansion."
Eventually, pale and exhausted, Arthur climbed back inside.
"How do people travel like this?" he muttered. "I might die before we arrive."
——————
The Academy stood in the heart of the Inner Ring, its structure a mix of old stone and newer additions, like it had been built over generations instead of all at once.
Arthur's carriage slowed as it joined the line ahead.
Others had already arrived.
Nobles stepped out —calm, composed, like this was routine.
Arthur stepped down like a sooldieer returning from battle.
He steadied himself.
The courtyard stretched wide before him, pale stone underfoot, faint runes catching light with each step.
Ahead, the Academy gates rose high, carved with an insignia of two balde's crossed together.
Arthur stared in quiet awe.
Elizabeth stood beside him."Welcome to the Preliminary Academy... young master."