Elias Leywin POV
"…It is not power that defines a mage," Director Goodsky's voice echoed through the air, "But what they choose to protect with it."
I stood at the edge of the courtyard, leaning against a cool stone wall, half in the building's shadow. A crowd of students gathered ahead of me in a wide crescent, facing a shimmering projection of the Director. Her image towered above the square like a statue made of light and grace. Her white robes shimmered, impossibly pristine even in illusion. The Director's voice rolled on like wind over still water. Her illusion moved gracefully and deliberately, every gesture flowing into the next, as if she were casting a spell.
"Here at Xyrus Academy, we do not demand greatness. We nurture it, we allow for your curiosity to flow. We value the failures you may face, rewarding the growth each and every one of you may achieve."
I let it out in a quiet huff. It didn't matter that I wasn't part of the ceremony due to 'not officially being a student'. But I was here out of my own curiosity. I wanted to hear this. No, I needed to listen to my master.
The projection of the Director extended a hand, and a soft ripple of gold light unfurled above the students' heads like the petals of a glowing flower.
"This academy is not a stage for performance. It is a forge. You will be tested, and you will be refined." She started earnestly, raising her fist. "If you let yourself be changed, you will emerge stronger than you were before."
Slowly, a shimmer spread across the open sky above, forming a great circular seal traced with symbols I couldn't quite read. One by one, tiny motes of golden mana sparked to life within it. They shot up slowly into the vast blue above us, each one detonating into an array of colours as they floated into the morning sky.
"You are here because someone believed in your potential, and now it is your turn to believe in yourself," she encouraged, her voice booming with the kind of wisdom one gets from a lifetime of challenges. "I will not lie to you. This journey will be hard. There will be days when you question whether you belong. That is normal."
She paused, and in the stillness, even the wind seemed to hush.
"But you do belong. Not because of your birth, nor your background. But because you are here. Because you are willing to learn. That is all the proof you need." With that, she lowered her hands, and the light around her began to dim.
"Welcome to Xyrus Academy. May your first step be one of many towards your future." Her illusion started to unravel, first from the feet, then rising like smoke. Her final words echoed as her image faded into the breeze.
A quiet applause swelled across the courtyard, growing louder as every student present rose to their feet.
'Fair play, master. That's one way to inspire a crowd.'
Nodding to myself at the magnificent display of my master, I turned, not looking where I was going. Striding forwards, I collided with a large creature. A deep, startled grunt left the beast, followed by a sudden fwomp as a heavy paw planted itself to keep balance. I stumbled back instinctively, blinking up at a wall of shaggy fur.
The creature before me was massive, at least twice as tall as me. Deep, intelligent amber eyes regarded me from beneath a heavy brow. His sleek body rippled with restrained power. Four massive paws, each tipped with curved claws, stood planted firmly on the stone.
"Grawder, easy!" came a familiar voice. A boy a few years my senior jogged up beside the creature, holding out a hand to calm him.
I blinked as the beast gave a low, echoing harrumph, then slowly sank back onto his haunches, still watching me with those golden eyes.
"Sorry about that," the boy said, giving me an apologetic grin. "He gets curious."
I stared at him, then back at the lion. "For a second there, I thought I just walked into a mountain."
The boy chuckled. "Grawder does tend to have that effect. You're okay, though, right?"
"Yeah. Just… surprised."
He studied me for a second, squinting. "Wait… You're my sister's friend, right?"
"Elias Leywin." I nodded slowly.
He bent down slightly, offering a hand. "Grawder's not usually that nosy, but I guess you caught his attention."
Grawder gave a low rumble, as if a distant thunderstorm was approaching. I hesitantly reached out, and he lowered his enormous head enough for me to touch the warm fur along his cheek. His breath brushed over my hand like a gust of wind from a canyon.
"He's incredible," I murmured.
Curtis puffed out his chest. "Isn't he? He is a World Lion." Grawder blinked slowly, as if agreeing with his master. Curtis turned back to me. "Are you doing anything right now? There are a bunch of stalls and exhibitions set up for the new term. Games, food, and magic stuff. Want to walk around?"
I wasn't technically a student, and I didn't want to intrude. But I wasn't eager to stand about alone either.
I nodded. "Sure."
"Awesome. This way."
We followed one of the wide marble paths leading away from the courtyard. Stalls lined both sides of the walkway, colourful banners floating above them in gentle currents of mana.
Students clustered around demonstrations. Sparks of magic flashed through the air as young mages showed off spells while vendors called out about enchanted trinkets.
Grawder padded beside us like a living mountain, and the crowd parted around him instinctively.
"So Prince Curtis wh-"
"Just Curtis, Elias," the redhead interrupted, looking over his shoulder.
I nodded slightly. "Why did you want me to come along with you… Curtis?"
He spun around and walked backwards. "My sister seems to be a pretty big fan of you and wouldn't stop talking about you at dinner."
'I probably shouldn't have been told that…'
"Father also spoke highly of you, so I thought I'd see you out myself. See what all the fuss was about," he declared, running a hand down the lion to his left.
We walked a few more paces before I spoke up. "And what do you think of me?"
He turned back around, hands folded behind his head as he whistled casually. "You're definitely interesting."
"I'll take that." I smiled.
We passed a stall where two third-year students were demonstrating synchronised flame spells. Fireballs spun between them like glowing juggling pins, changing colour as they passed through arcs of mana.
I watched the lights before I glanced back at Curtis. "Hey… can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"What exactly is a Lance?"
The older boy stopped in his tracks as he squinted. "What…? How do you even know about the Lances?" he questioned, whispering just barely audibly over the crowds.
"When I visited your sister the other week, a white-haired woman introduced herself as a Lance," I explained, holding my chin.
"So you met Varay, huh?"
I nodded slightly. "Would it be anyone else?" I questioned, half-asking, half-answering.
"Well, there is Bairon…" he said as he leaned against his now-sitting bond.
I frowned. "Another Lance?"
"Yup. Bairon Wykes," he said proudly, then continued with his explanation.
"He's a Lightning Deviant specialist and far less subtle than Varay. More zap-first-ask-later. He's been training me since I awakened."
"For real?" I blinked. "Is that normal?"
"Not really," Curtis admitted. "But Father insisted since we're both Augmenters with a base fire attribute, and Bairon owed him a favour." He shrugged. "At least, that's what they tell me. But I think Father is forcing him to. I'm pretty sure Bairon doesn't mind, though, since he has someone to fry."
'You probably shouldn't be telling me that.'
My lips curved upwards at the idea of the prince being electrocuted. "That sounds… painful."
"It is. But also kind of thrilling, once you get used to it." He grinned.
'Or that…'
"Are you even allowed to tell me stuff like that?"
"Well, Elenoir and Darv also have their own Lances, so it's more of an open secret," he said, thinking intently for once. "You're like my sister's boyfriend, so I'm sure it's fine," he added.
What a- What a… What a stupid… Uhhhhhh.'
"I see, b-but I'm not-" I stammered, slightly red-faced at the thought.
He interrupted me. "Most of the kingdom's nobility also know, since that's where the Lances are typically chosen from."
"I see…" I murmured, my embarrassment leaving me barely able to speak further.
"Elias, is everything okay? You've gone red," he asked with genuine concern.
"Yup. A-okay," I reassured, showing my teeth in a false grin.
Shirou Emiya-Pendragon POV
I walked the castle's outer passage as I often did.
The stone beneath my boots had been worn smooth over the years, the path familiar enough that my feet carried me without thought. It was the same route I had taken countless times since my son was…
I stopped myself. A slow breath left me as I rested my arms against the cold stone railing and looked out over the city below. Lights were beginning to glow along the streets as evening settled across Avalon.
Homes, markets, towers, gardens.
Life.
Hard to believe a city like this had taken root in a place that once held nothing but quiet fields and old magic.
"Shirou," a voice called from my left.
I turned to see a man approaching along the walkway, silver armour catching the fading light. His hair, pale and straw-like, was tied loosely behind his head. The empty sleeve pinned neatly at his side moved gently with each step.
"Bedivere? What brings you here?"
He came to stand beside me and rested his arm against the stone, gaze drifting upward toward the slow movement of clouds.
"Nothing really, my Queen."
I grunted under my breath.
"Avalon is far too peaceful for the need of a knight like myself," Bedivere continued, letting out a long breath. "There's simply nothing to do."
"I understand," I replied.
I leaned beside him, folding my arms along the railing as we both looked out across the city.
"As much as I enjoy helping Artoria with the reforms that allowed this place to grow," I continued, "I have to admit the calm gets… quiet."
He returned my smile with one of his own, though there was a tinge of restlessness behind his eyes.
"Few men could spend one life with a sword in hand and the next behind a desk."
A quiet chuckle slipped from me.
"Don't give me too much credit. I've made plenty of mistakes doing both."
Bedivere nodded slowly, watching the sun sink toward the horizon.
"You've done well here," he said. "The people live without fear. Children laugh in the streets. Merchants argue over coin instead of steel. No one has drawn a blade in anger for years."
"And yet," I said, glancing sideways at him, "here we are. Two swordsmen complaining about peace."
Bedivere laughed. The sound echoed softly along the stone rampart. "Maybe we're fools, then."
"Maybe we are."
A breeze swept through the walkway, stirring the crimson and gold banners that hung along the courtyard walls. Far below us, the city moved at its evening pace. Shop doors closing. Lanterns lighting. Voices drifting upward with the cooling air.
Bedivere shifted beside me. "How about a duel?"
"A duel?"
"We don't hav-"
"Alright," I cut in. "But if I win, you're helping me finish the irrigation plans Artoria wants done by next week." I wagged a finger toward him.
His smirk faltered. "You are truly merciless, my Queen."
I laughed and pushed off the rampart, stretching my arms as we made our way down the walkway and into the courtyard. Several knights milling about turned their heads as we passed.
The training grounds waited at the far end of the courtyard. The sand was worn from years of drills and sparring, each step sinking slightly as I crossed it.
Bedivere pulled his training blade from the rack nearby, an elegant but blunt replica of his original. I, however, didn't need to draw mine.
"Trace, on," I called out my aria, barely audible to anyone but myself.
With a shimmer of light, Kanshou appeared in my grip. With a second breath, Bakuya fell into my other hand.
Bedivere raised a brow. "Dual-wielding today?"
"I'm feeling nostalgic."
He laughed again, stepping into stance.
"Honestly, I leave for a month, and the two of you are already trying to break each other's ribs."
Both of us froze as a new voice rang through the courtyard. Bedivere turned slightly, relaxing his posture. I dispelled my blades with a flicker of light and turned to face the newcomer.
Merlin, robed in white and lavender, leaned against the stone archway with his usual grin tugging at his lips. His staff was slung lazily over one shoulder, and his long white hair was tied in a loose tail behind him.
"Merlin? Back already?"
He strode toward us, his boots making no sound on the worn stone. "You sound disappointed. Were you hoping I'd gotten lost in the forests?"
"I'd say yes, but I doubt even the wildest beasts would want to deal with you," I replied dryly.
Bedivere chuckled behind me, and Merlin clasped his hands behind his back in mock offence. "You wound me, Shirou."
"What brings you here?" I asked, wiping a sheen of dust from my sleeves.
He gave a slight shrug. "Actually, I have something to discuss with both you and Artoria."
"You do?"
He nodded, all teasing gone from his expression. "It seems like something of importance has come up."
I glanced at Bedivere, who gave a small nod. "We'll pick this up later," he said, placing the training blade back onto the rack.
"Looking forward to it," I grinned before turning back to the unageing mage.
---
"You said she's in the garden?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Mhm," he hummed in confirmation. "The western one."
"She always liked that spot."
Merlin smiled faintly. "The apple trees remind her of home. Or perhaps they remind her of the dream she once chased. The one you helped achieve."
I stayed quiet until we reached the garden and spotted her immediately. She stood beneath the largest apple tree, dressed in a pale blue gown, her golden hair glimmering like a flame in the fading light.
She turned as I approached. Her soft, radiant smile was enough to stop my breath for a moment. "Shirou," she said, her voice gentle.
I stepped toward her, suddenly aware of how long it had been since we had just… spoken without schedules, reports, or ceremonies looming over us. She took my hand as I drew closer. She stared up at me, a smile arcing on her lips.
A cough pulled us out of our own world as we turned to look at the giggling arch-mage. Merlin stood just a few paces behind us, one hand covering his mouth in a poor attempt to stifle his laughter, the other casually resting on his staff.
"Apologies," he chirped, his voice thick with mischief, "I simply didn't want to interrupt such a tender reunion. But if I'd waited much longer, I feared I'd be standing here until the next equinox."
Artoria gave him that look that promised pain. "Merlin," she said calmly, "if you brought us both here for your usual riddles, I'll have you mucking stables for the next month."
"A fate worse than death," he said with mock horror. "But no. This is a matter even I dare not trifle with."
I stepped forward, still holding Artoria's hand. "You said something important came up. What is it?"
Merlin's smile faded. He looked at us for a long moment, as if weighing the gravity of his words. "It's about your son."
The world seemed to narrow around us.
Artoria froze. Her hand stiffened in mine, my own breath caught as I heard the mention of… our son. A slight smile formed on my lips.
Merlin continued, more quietly now. "You remember what I said after… after we cast the spell."
"I do. It was the worst moment of my life," my beloved stated, her grip tightening around my hand.
"Well, I might've, potentially, could have, or rather did send my sister along with him…"
"WHAT!?"
"You've got a sister?"
My wife and I questioned him in two very different ways.
"Are you saying I could've gone with my son?" she barked at the half-incubus, her eyes carrying a glare that promised a fate worse than death.
"We could've raised him…"
I pulled her close, hugging her tight as she sobbed into my shoulder.
Merlin gave us a few minutes for Artoria to calm down before continuing.
"My sister isn't with the boy. She's just in a segment of Avalon where she is able to peer in on him," he explained, slightly disheartened by his former student's expression.
My wife and I looked at him with confusion as he continued.
"…Her name is Nimue," Merlin stated at last, his tone softening. "I didn't tell you because, well, honestly, I didn't think it would matter. I never imagined either of them would make meaningful contact again. Not in this lifetime, at least."
Artoria lifted her head from my shoulder slowly, eyes red-rimmed but clear, her voice sharpened by a quiet fury that would make even Primate Murder tremble in fear.
"And you decided that for us."
Merlin flinched, a rare crack in his ageless mask. "Yes, I did. And I've lived with that decision every day since."
I placed a hand on Artoria's back, grounding both of us as I turned my gaze on him.
"So why tell us now? What's changed?"
Merlin drew in a breath and turned to the tree, running a hand along its bark as if it would steady him.
"Because Nimue reached out to me. She's been watching the boy for some time now. Your boy. Our lost prince, if we're being poetic."
"Get to your point, Merlin," I growled, growing frustrated at the court mage's riddles.
"She made contact with him," he said, smiling warmly.
---
Hello everyone, Rius here,
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. See you tomorrow for Chapter 16.
Thank you to Lancelot Dragonroad for beta-reading and editing.
Rius Out.