The Ravencourt estate stood silent under the evening sky.
Cold. Grand. Unshaken.
Aleron walked its halls with steady steps.
No hesitation.
No disguise this time.
Servants moved aside the moment they saw him.
Heads lowered.
Eyes avoided.
But not out of respect.
Out of distance.
"…Still the same."
He stopped before a pair of towering doors.
The inner study.
His father's domain.
Knock.
"Enter."
The voice was as heavy as ever.
Aleron stepped inside.
Lord Ravencourt sat behind his desk, unmoving.
Watching.
Judging.
"…You've been leaving the estate."
"Yes."
"…Handling problems on your own."
"Yes."
"…And now you wish to bring someone under you."
Aleron met his gaze.
"His name is Cael Viremont."
"He's useful."
Silence.
"…Useful."
His father stood.
Slow. Controlled.
"A leader who seeks 'useful' people…"
He stepped forward.
"…without being someone worth following…"
The air grew heavy.
"…will only gather opportunists."
Aleron didn't flinch.
"…Show me."
The Courtyard
Torches flickered under the night sky.
Aleron stood ready.
Across from him—
His father.
Unarmed.
Unshaken.
"…Come."
Aleron moved first.
Fast.
Precise.
Blocked.
Countered.
Overpowered.
Every move Aleron made—
Was seen.
Read.
Crushed.
Yet—
He adapted.
Adjusted.
Learned mid-fight.
A feint.
A shift.
A sudden opening—
A strike landed.
Clean.
Silence.
"…Good."
Then—
In the next instant—
Everything collapsed.
Aleron was pinned to the ground.
Powerless.
"…But far from enough."
The pressure lifted.
Aleron stood again.
Breathing steady.
Eyes clear.
"You wish to lead."
A pause.
"Yet your strength is incomplete."
"You rely on thought…"
"…but lack the force to impose it."
Silence.
"And still—you wish to take someone under you."
"Yes."
A long pause.
"…No."
The word struck deeper than any blow.
"…Not yet."
His father turned fully toward him.
"When you stand before others…"
"…they must feel certainty."
"Not potential."
Another step closer.
"You are still becoming."
Aleron held his gaze.
"…Then I will become."
Silence.
Then—
"…You will train."
"…From tomorrow."
"And when I deem you ready…"
"Then you may bring this Cael Viremont before me."
Aleron nodded.
"…Understood."
As he turned—
"…Aleron."
He stopped.
"There will be a guest arriving soon."
"…Darien."
The name lingered.
"When that time comes…"
"You will stand beside me."
"…Do not embarrass this house."
Aleron walked out beneath the night sky.
"…Training… then Darien."
A faint smile formed.
"…Good."
From the shadows—
Albert watched silently.
"…The heir begins his trial."