Chapter 14 — Relatives
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Kael Grenfort:
We were sitting. The three of us. Me and those two old elves — one slightly younger, the other a bit older.
We were in the guest room. Both of them were staring at me strangely. They weren't just looking — they were studying me. Every breath, every movement, even how my eyes moved. These weren't ordinary relatives. They were testing me.
"Well," the older one, Sezer, finally spoke. His voice was calm, yet it filled the room. "Long story short, I'm your great-uncle. Your father's uncle. Understand?"
He looked at me. There was something beneath his words — a test, an evaluation — I couldn't tell.
I kept my face blank, as if nothing had registered. Inside, my thoughts were racing.
All that trouble just to say this? What the hell?
Okay. Okay. Calm down. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
My hands were on my knees. They trembled slightly — from fear or excitement, I couldn't tell. I took a deep breath. Slowly exhaled. Again. Again.
They were watching me with wide eyes — probably expecting some dramatic reaction. I stayed silent. The silence stretched. The air in the room grew heavy. Strange situation…
"Well, well," Sezer said, breaking the silence. "You're Sedric's son. Do you have any siblings? A brother or sister?"
His voice was softer now, but still — every word weighed.
"Yes. She's sleeping in the bedroom. And it's my sister," I said, tilting my head thoughtfully, as if the question required deep contemplation. Inside, warmth spread through me — I thought of Cecilia. Her tiny fists, her moving lips. Does she smile in her sleep?
"Sedric has such a talented son. I'm impressed. Using magic at this age — you have enormous potential," Sezer said.
Something flickered in his eyes — interest, calculation? He placed a hand on his chin and observed me for a long moment.
"Ahem. I haven't introduced myself, have I? My name is Sezer Grenfort. And his—"
The younger one, Uel, leaned forward. His smile was odd — as if he was purposely acting foolish, but there was intelligence in his eyes. Sharp intelligence.
"I'm your father's fourth uncle. Which makes me your... younger older great-uncle. Name's Uel Grenfort. Pleased to meet you, little nephew."
He extended his hand. I hesitated, then shook it. His hand wasn't warm, nor cold — something else. A hand full of mana.
What a strange man, I thought, wrinkling my nose. But I didn't pull away.
"Well. I'm pleased to meet you too, uncles. But… what's the purpose of this visit?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
This time there was firmness in my voice. I couldn't show fear. They were relatives. At least, that's what they claimed.
Sezer cleared his throat. The heavy atmosphere in the room seemed to lighten slightly.
"Ahem. Well, this doesn't concern you. I'll discuss it with your father."
"Hey! You have very strange mana!" Uel said with interest. He suddenly rose and began circling me — as if examining me from every angle.
"Yes, his mana core is unusual too. And he's only seven — already using magic," Sezer added, also standing and moving beside Uel.
Uel suddenly appeared right in front of me. Staring directly into my eyes. Very close. His breath brushed my face. I was frightened — my heart stopped for an instant, then began racing. But I didn't step back. I didn't look away.
"So. How old were you when you formed your mana core?" he asked eagerly.
It was both terrifying and absurd — this old elf suddenly inches from my face, looking at me like some fascinating specimen. There was something in his eyes — admiration? Respect? Awe?
"My father asked me to keep it a secret," I said firmly. My voice trembled slightly, but I held.
"You don't have to hide it from us. We're family," Uel said. He was still close.
I shook my head. "No."
They didn't know how much strength it took to say that single word. The two men before me — their power surpassed anything I'd ever known. They could destroy me with a glance. But I said no.
Uel froze for a moment. Then he stepped back. A smile appeared on his lips — a genuine smile, mixed with respect.
"Well, fine. We'll ask Sedric ourselves," he said.
Sezer placed a hand on my shoulder. It was heavy — not just physically, but in a spiritual sense. His mana touched mine, and for a moment electricity coursed through my entire body.
"I see great potential in you, Kael. Perhaps later I'll sponsor you — for the academy," he said.
There was something in his eyes — calculation, self-interest, or genuine curiosity?
"Not necessary," I replied flatly.
Uel laughed. "Tough kid. Takes after Sedric."
The conversation continued like that. They asked many questions. They got almost no answers. But they didn't get angry — instead, after each of my refusals, the interest in their eyes only grew stronger.
---
Nearly three hours passed.
I kept count. Every minute was heavy, tense, yet strangely not dangerous. They weren't enemies. I was certain of that.
Then — the front door opened.
My father had arrived. I recognized his footsteps — heavy, fast, furious. The floorboards trembled slightly as he walked.
And he was absolutely livid.
"Uncle!" he shouted, storming toward the guest room entrance. His voice shook the room. The windowpanes rattled slightly.
Sezer rose from his seat. A wide smile spread across his face — but it wasn't an ordinary smile. It held triumph. Anticipation. A smile that said, I knew you'd come.
"Ohhh. Finally, my dear nephew."
Father stopped at the doorway. His entire body was tense. His hands were clenched into fists. His face had gone pale.
"What are you doing here?"
A strange atmosphere began to spread through the room. Heavy. Tense. The air itself grew thick, breathing became difficult. Sezer's mana — and Father's mana — both filled the room. Two invisible walls colliding.
"Easy now, boy," Sezer said, his tone carrying a warning. "I'm simply here to talk."
"Talk? What does dragging my family into this have to do with anything?" Father's voice was sharp as a blade. His mana surged through the room like a wave — I felt it in my own body, my mana core pulsing in response.
"Your family hasn't been dragged anywhere. Calm yourself. We were merely waiting for you," Sezer replied smoothly. His voice was much calmer than Father's, but the power in it was immeasurable.
Father's shoulders relaxed slightly. His breathing slowed. The surge of mana subsided.
"Well, what do you want, Uncle?" he asked, his voice softer now.
Sezer stepped closer. His footsteps were silent. He came to Father's side and lowered his voice. But I could still hear.
"In short — the black crows are multiplying within the clan. They're trying to remove you entirely. I've always supported you, you know that. I can't see anyone else as patriarch. Honestly, none of them are worthy of the position."
He paused, glanced at me, then continued.
"If you're willing, I'd still like to fight for you. I know my brother cast you out, but I'll find a way. I just need you to do whatever you can on your end as well."
He leaned even closer, whispering directly into Father's ear.
"Don't misunderstand me, Sedric. Your other younger brothers? Complete idiots. Every last one of them."
There was humor in his words, but beneath it lay bitter truth. Uel chuckled too — but there was sadness in his laugh.
Father's expression was unreadable. Anger, surprise, grief, and — something else. Something deep.
They talked for a long time — well past the time Sezer and Uel had been waiting for him. I watched them carefully. Father's hands were no longer clenched. They hung relaxed at his sides. His mana had calmed as well.
They're not bad people, I decided. A bit strange, yes. Uel especially. But not bad. Maybe even a little funny. Hehe.
Finally, Father sighed. A long, deep sigh that seemed to come from his entire being.
"I'll think about it. For now… I need time. I'm living well. My life here is good. I'm starting to rebuild myself. My work is slowly progressing. Perhaps later."
Sezer's face lit up. His entire demeanor changed — the heavy, threatening old man transformed in an instant into a warm, affectionate uncle.
"Ohhh. My precious nephew. I knew you'd agree!"
He pulled Father into a tight embrace, holding him close as if he might disappear. He stroked Father's head — like he had when Father was a child.
Father's face twisted into a strange expression — offended, yet moved. His hands hovered in the air for a moment, then settled on Sezer's shoulders.
"Hey, old man. I haven't agreed to anything yet," Father grumbled. But there was no trace of his earlier anger in his voice.
Sezer waved a dismissive hand. "Well, well. If not now, later. You'll come around."
He turned to look at me, winking. There was a secret in that wink — someday you'll understand too.
"Your son has great potential, Sedric."
Father straightened, glancing at me with obvious pride — open, unguarded, full pride.
"Yes. Was there ever any doubt? He's my son, after all," he said.
Those words struck me deep. My son. He didn't just say it — he felt it.
Sezer and Uel moved toward the door. Sezer's steps were now light, almost floating.
"By the way, your wife is sleeping. In the bedroom," Sezer added casually. "Goodbye."
And just like that — they were gone.
I ran to the window. They were already climbing into their carriages. Sezer caught my eye through the glass. He winked again, then raised his hand in farewell. Something flickered in his palm — a small, green light. A keepsake, he seemed to say.
"See you soon, Kael Grenfort," he called out.
Uel simply waved. There was no foolish expression on his face now — just a quiet, deep gaze.
---
I stood by the window for a moment, watching the white carriages roll away. The heavy aura around them slowly faded.
Well. They're not bad people. Strange, yes. A bit much. But not bad.
Uel — playful, open, interesting.
Sezer — calculating, powerful, but genuinely wants to help Father.
There was something in every word they spoke, every glance they gave. A secret. A weight. But they weren't enemies. I was certain.
Then I remembered.
Mother!
I ran to the bedroom. My heart was racing — not just from running, but from fear. Was Mother okay? Had she woken?
I opened the door slowly.
She was still sleeping. Her breathing was soft, steady. Beside her, in the small crib, Cecilia lay with her tiny fists curled up, her face peaceful.
They were both fine.
Their breaths rose and fell together in the quiet room. Mother's chest rose and fell slowly. Cecilia's small lips moved slightly, as if she was speaking in her sleep.
I let out a long breath I didn't know I'd been holding. My entire body relaxed.
They're okay. Both of them.
I stood there for a moment, just watching them. Silence filled the room. The evening light filtered through the window — soft, golden. Cecilia's hair glinted in the sunlight. Mother's hand rested on the blanket — still, peaceful.
In my past life, I had never felt anything like this. This warmth. This lightness. This quiet joy filling my chest.
In that life — Adrian Kyle's life — I had never experienced this moment. I had power, money, influence. All of it. But this — I never had.
It's strange, I thought. In some ways, this is a weakness. Caring so much about others. Letting them matter. Being afraid to lose them.
But…
I pulled a chair beside the crib and sat down. I gently took Cecilia's small hand. Her fingers were soft, warm. She squeezed my finger — unconsciously, but that tiny gesture was enough to fill my heart.
I'm happy. Right now, in this moment, I'm truly happy.
For the first time, I feel like I'm actually living.
I closed my eyes. Silence wrapped around me. Somewhere in the distance, birds sang their last songs of the evening. The town grew quiet, preparing for sleep.
Mother's breath, Cecilia's breath, my breath — all mingled together.
This is life. This is real life.
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