The Kaelen Valerius family's private pavilion stood apart from the main hall of Ignis Arca.
Unlike the grand and oppressive Sun Hall, this pavilion felt… warmer.
Not because of the temperature.
But because of something simpler—
Home.
The large door closed behind them with a heavy thud.
'Thud'
And for the first time that day—
The outside world was cut off.
—
No servants.
No guards.
Just the five of them.
Kaelen took a few steps forward, then stopped.
He didn't speak right away.
The room was silent.
Even Iggo, who was usually loud, held back.
Ariven stood with her arms crossed, still clearly annoyed.
Naivre… remained calm.
But this time—
It wasn't due to external pressure.
Rather, it was waiting.
—
Kaelen finally turned around.
His gaze fell on Naivre.
Long.
Deep.
As if weighing something.
"Naivre."
One word.
But it was enough to make Iggo and Ariven turn their heads immediately.
Naivre stepped forward slightly.
"Yes, Father."
—
A few seconds passed.
Then—
Kaelen said:
"Lift your head."
Naivre paused for a moment.
But he obeyed.
His eyes met his father's directly.
—
"Look at me."
Kaelen's tone was firm.
It couldn't be argued with.
Naivre looked straight at him.
—
And then—
Something that not a single person in the hall earlier could have imagined—
Happened.
Kaelen nodded.
Slowly.
"Good."
Iggo blinked.
Ariven frowned.
—
"Nothing that happened in the hall earlier… diminishes your worth as my child."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Naivre remained silent.
Yet something inside him… trembled faintly.
—
"Listen carefully," Kaelen continued.
"The Valerius family honors fire."
He walked slowly toward him.
"But I…"
He stopped right in front of Naivre.
"…honor strength."
Silence.
—
"Strength doesn't always look like fire."
Kaelen's gaze was sharp.
"And what you possess… isn't a weakness."
He bent down slightly, level with Naivre's height.
"It's just… something that hasn't been understood yet."
—
For the first time—
Naivre didn't have an immediate answer.
But his Clarity kicked in.
Analyzing the tone of his voice.
His expression.
His heartbeat.
And the result—
His father… wasn't lying.
—
"Father is right," a small voice cut in from the side.
Ariven.
She stepped forward, standing beside Naivre.
Her eyes were still sharp.
"Those people… are stupid."
Lady Serene let out a small sigh.
"Ariven…"
"No." Ariven shook his head firmly.
"They're laughing at my brother."
Her gaze trembled slightly.
"Even though they don't even know… what he has."
—
Iggo snorted.
"If Corvus says another word, I'll shoot his mouth."
He pulled a coin from his pocket, spinning it quickly.
"Just look at earlier. One shot—done."
"Don't," Naivre said softly.
Iggo stopped.
"Why?"
—
Naivre looked at him.
Calmly.
"Because that's what they want."
Iggo frowned.
"What do you mean?"
—
"If we lose control," Naivre continued,
"They'll have a reason to bring Father down."
Silence.
—
Kaelen smiled faintly.
This time—
He was truly proud.
"You see it clearly."
—
Iggo let out a long sigh.
"Ah… politics again…"
He slumped into his chair.
"It's such a hassle."
—
Lady Serene walked over.
Her hand gently touched Naivre's head.
"The important thing is… that you're all okay."
Her voice was warm.
A far cry from the coldness of the hall earlier.
—
"They've gone too far," she murmured softly.
"Borin… has crossed the line."
—
Kaelen didn't answer right away.
He walked to the large window facing the volcanic mountains.
The sky began to change color.
Red… turning to orange… then slowly darkening.
"He won't stop," Kaelen said finally.
"As long as he sees an opening."
—
Ariven snorted.
"Let him try."
Her eyes flashed.
"I can tell when he's up to no good."
—
Iggo raised his hand.
"I can shoot before he moves."
—
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
Kaelen chuckled softly.
Rare.
But real.
"And I," he said, "will make sure no one touches you."
—
Naivre gazed at the scene.
His father.
His mother.
His younger siblings.
For the first time that day—
The pressure in his chest vanished.
—
"Naivre."
He turned his head.
Kaelen was looking at him again.
"Starting tomorrow…"
His tone turned serious.
"We'll train your abilities."
Iggo jumped to his feet.
"Huh? Seriously?!"
Ariven also turned quickly.
"Special training?"
—
Kaelen nodded.
"If the world doesn't understand your power…"
His gaze was sharp.
"Then we'll force it to understand."
—
A small smile appeared on Iggo's face.
"Wow… finally, something exciting."
Ariven nodded firmly.
"I'm in."
—
Naivre didn't answer right away.
But inside him—
Something stirred.
Slowly.
But surely.
—
"Dinner is ready," Lady Serene said softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"At least… let's celebrate today."
—
They ate together.
For the first time since morning—
Without pressure.
Without stares.
Just family.
Iggo talked enthusiastically about his "fire shot."
Ariven occasionally interrupted, correcting him with an annoyed tone.
Naivre was mostly silent—
But listening.
And every now and then…
Smiled faintly.
—
The sun had completely set.
Night fell over Ignis Arca.
The glow of lava in the distance was the only natural light.
—
After dinner—
They walked together toward the children's room.
The hallway was quiet.
Their footsteps were slow.
—
Iggo yawned.
"I'm pretty tired, too…"
Ariven folded her arms.
"I'm still upset."
She glanced at Naivre.
"If they say anything else…"
Naivre looked at her.
Then he shook his head slowly.
"We'll prove it… without words."
—
Ariven fell silent.
Then she nodded.
—
They stopped in front of the door to the room.
One room.
The place where they were always together.
—
And just before the door opened—
The night felt calmer than before.
As if the world were taking a pause…
Before something bigger began.