Morning light slipped softly through the tall windows of the mansion, spreading across the polished floors. Outside the grand gates, rows of knights stood perfectly still in their gleaming armor, spears upright, eyes fixed on the road in silent watch.
"Lord Azrean, wake up."
Azrean's eyes cracked open slowly, still heavy with sleep. He turned his head toward the voice. Invanne stood beside the bed, calm as always.
"Wake up. It's time for your first day of training."
He blinked a few times, trying to focus—then his gaze shifted, and he froze for a second. Invanne was holding Sumi in a princess carry.
Sumi was dressed in training clothes similar to Invanne's—light armor, fitted and practical—but she was still completely asleep, her head resting comfortably against Invanne's shoulder. A small, peaceful smile sat on her face like she was dreaming something pleasant.
The contrast felt so strange it almost looked ridiculous. Azrean stared at them for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Yeah... I'll go change."
Invanne looked at him without any change in expression and said.
"You don't need to. You're already changed."
Azrean blinked, confused. He looked down at himself—and his eyes shot wide open. He was already wearing training clothes. Perfectly fitted. Comfortable and reinforced.
"Whaaaaaaa—!"
A little later, the three of them walked down the long hallway together. Sumi was finally awake, though she still rubbed her eyes now and then. Even so, her voice carried a bright excitement that hadn't faded at all.
"I'm so excited! We can finally start learning magic!"
Azrean walked beside her, a small smile on his face.
"Yeah... same here."
As they turned a corner, they spotted Jaek coming toward them. He carried several pieces of light armor in his arms.
"Good morning, Sir Jaek," they greeted together.
Jaek looked at them and smiled.
"Good morning. Heading to training, I see."
Azrean glanced at what he was holding.
"Where are you going? And… is that armor?"
Jaek nodded.
"Yes. This is what you'll be wearing during physical training. Just in case... so you don't end up breaking any bones."
Azrean and Sumi both froze. A faint chill ran down their spines, their expressions tightening slightly.
Jaek turned toward Sumi and gave her a warm, polite smile.
"Lady Sumi, it's a pleasure to properly introduce myself. I'm Jaek Korer."
Invanne, standing beside them, gave a small nod. "Yes."
Azrean and Sumi both went silent.
'...That's it?'
Jaek let out a light chuckle, clearly amused, then waved as he walked past them.
"I still have a few things to prepare. I'll see you in the afternoon."
They nodded and watched him leave, then turned and continued down the hallway together, heading toward their first training session.
They stepped into a large, open training room.
The space stretched wide, almost echoing with emptiness. High ceilings arched overhead, and the walls were lined with solid wooden panels, worn slightly from years of use. Rows of training dummies stood in clean formation—some stuffed with straw and wrapped in cloth, others carved from thick wood with padded sections tied around them. Along one wall, weapon racks displayed neatly arranged practice gear—wooden swords, staffs, and shields of different sizes. The floor beneath them was covered in smooth mats, slightly scuffed, built to absorb every fall and strike.
Azrean and Sumi both stopped, looking around with wide eyes.
"I didn't know we had a place like this," Azrean said under his breath.
"Me neither," Sumi added, slowly turning in a circle. "It's so big..."
Invanne walked past them and stopped at the center of the room. She stood still, posture straight and balanced. Her voice came out calm.
"Before we begin... I have something to ask."
Azrean and Sumi both turned toward her, confusion creeping onto their faces. Invanne looked straight at them.
"Are you... Lord Azrean and Lady Sumi?"
The words hit them hard. Both of them froze. Azrean swallowed, his voice slightly unsteady.
"What are you saying...?"
Sumi nodded quickly beside him.
"Yeah... Big Sis why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
Invanne lowered her gaze for a brief moment, then lifted it again, eyes sharp.
"I don't know... it just feels like I'm not speaking to five-year-olds." She paused, thinking. "I clearly remember the day you were brought here after your birth. I remember your presence back then... but after a few months, it changed completely."
Her eyes stayed locked on them.
"It felt like… you became different people."
Azrean and Sumi both went quiet. Their minds raced, searching for anything to say. Invanne continued, her tone steady.
"I know mana awakening can change a person's presence... but there should still be something familiar left. At least a trace..."
Azrean forced a small smile, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ah... well... we're not really sure. We don't know much about that."
Invanne held his gaze for a moment longer, then slowly nodded. She gave a small bow.
"I apologize. I shouldn't have said something like that."
There was a short pause before she added quietly,
"But since yesterday... something feels off. There's something I can't remember. No matter how hard I try... it's just blank."
Sumi stepped forward and gently took her hand, giving it a light squeeze.
"It's okay... now we just know we're weird kids."
Invanne's eyes widened slightly. She shook her head right away.
"No, that's not what I meant. I meant... you're very mature for your age."
Azrean stepped closer, a soft smile forming on his face.
"Well... that's natural, isn't it?"
Both of them looked at him. He shrugged lightly.
"We're surrounded by people who care about us. That kind of thing makes you realize how important everyone is."
His gaze shifted to Invanne.
"And that includes you too, Sis Invanne."
Invanne stayed still, looking at him in silence. After a moment, she gave a small, quiet nod.
Beside her, Sumi let out a soft breath, her shoulders relaxing. Then Invanne straightened slightly.
"We should begin the training now."