Morning sunlight filtered through the windowpane, softly touching Veyron's eyelids. It was enough to wake him.
Slowly, his eyes opened.
Veyron's gaze immediately landed on the ceiling—high, adorned with a massive chandelier that hung motionless. Beside his bed stood a muscular man with silver hair and piercing orange eyes. This was Zephyron, now manifested in human form.
Sensing that Veyron's aura had fully recovered, Zephyron rose from his seat. His gaze locked onto Veyron, his expression sharp with annoyance.
"You really are something, Veyron," he muttered. "Why is it that every time you faint, you end up half-dead and covered in injuries?"
He let out a short sigh.
"Luckily I arrived just in time. Otherwise, your internal organs would have been completely destroyed."
Veyron, however, smiled cheerfully from his bed. That smile made Zephyron's eyebrows knit in frustration—he almost wanted to hit the boy.
Yet memories of yesterday held him back: Veyron's mana overheating, the way the mana around him seemed to move of its own accord.
Zephyron's gaze sharpened.
"Veyron," he said softly, "I need to ask you something."
Veyron averted his eyes.
"When your mana went out of control… did the mana around you follow your will?"
Veyron fell silent. His throat felt dry. He remembered clearly—at that moment, his body could barely move, let alone speak. Yet now, he found the courage.
"Yes," he finally answered. "The mana around me suddenly obeyed my commands. I was just as confused as you are."
He exhaled.
"When I looked away, it felt as if my own body was being pulled by my mana."
Veyron turned slightly, his voice softening.
"And that… was my pure mistake. I forgot one thing."
Zephyron narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"I've never truly wielded a Mana Sword before," Veyron continued. "I just released it carelessly. And as a result… my mana sword went out of control."
A brief silence followed.
Then, suddenly, a smile spread across Zephyron's face.
"Hahaha…" His laughter broke softly. "So that's how it was."
Veyron looked at him, puzzled.
"Veyron," Zephyron said, now in the tone of a teacher, "are you familiar with Mana Domains?"
Veyron shook his head.
"No. I don't even know what they look like."
Zephyron's posture straightened, both arms crossed before his chest.
"A Mana Domain is a state in which mana obeys the will of its user," he explained. "Like you—you can move mana freely according to your desire."
He continued without pause.
"Within a Mana Domain, the user is strengthened, while others are debuffed. Each Mana Domain has its own traits and powers. Some can even freeze time."
That was all he said.
Veyron listened, lying back, then looked at Zephyron calmly.
"So, in conclusion," Veyron said, "a Mana Domain is like the will of a god. When an enemy enters it, they are weakened. But each Mana Domain has a unique power controlled by its user. Is that correct?"
Zephyron's eyes widened.
He stared at Veyron and chuckled softly.
"Correct," he said. "And because of that… whenever we encounter someone with a Mana Domain, we must always be prepared."
Silence fell between them.
Their gazes drifted toward the window—to the academy's sky, blazing bright, stretching endlessly without a hint of rain.
As if the world itself were holding its breath.
---
Western Territories
While the sun shone over the Imperium Aethelgard Academy,
in the Western Territories—
the curtains were drawn, and the first sounds of a council meeting echoed.
Inside an ancient stone palace, a large round table was surrounded by figures in black and purple robes. They spoke in hushed tones, layered whispers interlaced with low laughter.
CRASH!
The entrance slammed open.
Instantly, the room fell silent.
Every figure at the round table stood in unison, backs straight, heads bowed.
"Welcome, Lord."
The figure at the doorway stepped in. His face was hidden beneath a dark hood, yet he raised a single hand—calm, but commanding.
"Sit," he ordered succinctly.
The council members returned to their seats immediately.
"Very well," the Lord continued, his voice calm yet weighty.
"The meeting shall commence."
From behind the black curtains at the room's edge, servants appeared, placing dishes and stacks of letters before each council member, then vanished without a sound.
---
Letters for the Council
To the Esteemed Council Members of the Western Territories,
On behalf of the Southern Territories, I—the Baron of the southern lands—
propose a political marriage alliance.
Through the union of our bloodlines,
authority over the world and the Imperium Aethelgard Academy
can be inherited legally and absolutely.
The offspring of this marriage will serve as a symbol of unity,
and as the foundation of an unshakable new power.
I await your response.
— Baron of the Southern Territories
---
Several council members read the letter.
Then—soft laughter erupted.
Followed by another. Soon, the room was filled with dismissive giggles.
"Ridiculous," said Council Member Six.
"A Baron dreaming of conquering the world with us."
Council Member Five glanced at the Lord, a sly smile on his lips.
"Yet, Lord…
if we accept this proposal, couldn't we exploit it?
The marriage is just a tool.
Their children could serve as vessels—
and the world would fall of its own accord."
The atmosphere in the room shifted.
The Lord stood slowly.
An invisible pressure pressed down on every chest in the room.
"You are rushing," he said coldly. "We have yet to identify the anomaly that thwarted the academy's attack."
He turned, his gaze piercing from beneath the hood.
"Our enemy is not foolish.
They hide. They observe. They wait."
The Lord clenched his fist slowly.
"Therefore—the Southern Baron shall serve as our pawn."
Council Member One raised a hand, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Then… what is our plan, Lord?"
The Lord strode toward the door.
"We will accept the political marriage," he said without turning back.
"But not as an alliance—rather, as bait."
His hand touched the doorknob.
"We will force the anomaly to move.
On this chessboard… we shall see who truly plays."
Click.
The door closed behind him.
Leaving the council chamber in silence—
and a plan beginning to turn.
---
Imperium Aethelgard Academy — Lyra's Room
Lyra's room was filled with half-packed suitcases and neatly arranged clothes. Her hands moved deftly, a small smile on her face—a smile of someone arranging her future, not fleeing from it.
Yet the smile faded.
A black bird perched on the open window ledge. Attached to its leg was a small, sealed tube.
Lyra froze.
She stepped closer, fully opening the window, and retrieved the tube. Seeing the wax seal clearly, her breath caught.
The emblem of the Southern noble house.
"…A letter from Father," she whispered. Her voice lost all warmth.
She sat at her desk. The letter lay before her—light, yet heavier than any suitcase of mana. Her fingers trembled as she broke the seal, as if her body refused to read what she already knew.
---
Letter from Father
My daughter, Lyra Lysenne,
For the stability of the Southern Territories and inter-power relations, I have approved a political arrangement that will bind your future.
Your intended spouse comes from a noble family of great influence. This marriage is not merely a bond of blood, but the foundation for the future of our lands.
At your mother's request—and for the honor of our family—I ask you to return home immediately.
The academy is no longer a safe place for you.
Prepare yourself.
—Your Father
---
The paper trembled in her hands.
In a single, broken breath, Lyra crushed the letter—then tore it without hesitation. Torn fragments fell to the floor.
She stood… then her knees buckled.
Lyra collapsed beneath the desk, clutching her head with both hands. Her shoulders shook violently. A silent cry broke free—like someone denied even the permission to grieve.
Outside the window, the golden light slowly faded.
The sun sank behind the academy buildings, leaving a sky painted in deep orange, gradually swallowed by night. One by one, corridor lamps flickered to life.
The room fell silent.
Not the peaceful silence of rest—
but the quiet before something is forced to move.
Twilight swallowed the Imperium Aethelgard Academy.
In one room, someone wept for a stolen future.
---
In Another Room
Someone awoke, because the future had begun to shift.
Veyron rose slowly. Pain lingered, yet he stepped toward the window. The curtains parted, revealing a night sky dotted with stars.
A cold breeze brushed his face.
Sensing the change, Zephyron immediately spoke through telepathy.
"Veyron… why are you awake? Was your sleep uneasy?" His voice carried genuine curiosity.
"Zephyron," Veyron said softly, eyes closed, letting the night breeze flow over him.
"The future is moving. Do you know… what awaits there?"
Zephyron exhaled softly.
"You are too calm for someone who nearly tore the world apart."
Veyron opened his eyes, staring at the sky.
"Because this is not the final attack," he said evenly.
"This attack was only an excuse."
Zephyron remained silent.
"The target isn't the academy," Veyron continued.
"But the path home."
He glanced back. Zephyron now appeared in human form, standing in the corner.
Zephyron chuckled, as if hearing something imaginary.
"You speak as if you've seen everything," he said, not entirely convinced.
"I see the same pattern… repeating," Veyron replied. He returned to the edge of the bed.
"Tomorrow, or a month from now—it doesn't matter."
He raised his hand, pointing a finger outside the window.
"Someone will be called home. And their return has already been decided… even before that letter was written."
Silence fell between them.
Veyron closed his eyes. His voice weakened, nearly drowsy.
"Zephyron… you'll understand tomorrow. The answer will come on its own."
Zephyron didn't respond. He yielded, sinking back into Veyron's consciousness.
The chandelier above went dark.
The room was silent, lit only by moonlight streaming through the window.
Night held its secret.
---
The Next Morning
The corridors of the Imperium Aethelgard Academy felt unfamiliar. Too quiet.
Most students had been sent home—a chain of incidents made the academy unsafe to remain in.
Veyron's footsteps echoed softly over the stone floors.
Passing through the academy garden, his gaze halted.
Beneath an ancient, sprawling tree, Lyra sat alone. Her back was straight, but exhaustion lingered in her expression.
Veyron turned and walked closer.
"Hey, Lyra. Why are you here?" he greeted lightly, waving.
Lyra turned. She froze for a moment, then shifted to give him space on the bench.
"Veyron… why are you still in the corridor? Didn't you just recover?" she asked softly, her tone too gentle for someone supposedly fine.
Veyron sat beside her. He didn't need to ask further. That face… it told the story.
"Alone?" he asked quietly.
"Your injuries… have they healed?"
"They have," Lyra replied briefly. A small pause followed before she added, "It's fine."
But that pause was the answer itself.
Lyra opened her mouth, then closed it again. She gripped the edge of her skirt.
Finally, she stared straight ahead.
"Veyron…"
"Tomorrow I'm leaving."
The words fell lightly. No tears. No trembling.
That very simplicity made it heavy.
Veyron stood. He looked at Lyra with a warm smile—not a restrained one, but a releasing one.
"Oh. Then go home," he said lightly.
"If you need anything, send a letter. I'll read it."
Lyra remained still. Then she rose. She walked away, her steps quick—almost running.
But after a few paces, she stopped.
Lyra turned back.
"Veyron," she said, now smiling—a small, genuine smile.
"Thank you… for making me a little braver."
She inhaled.
"Tomorrow morning I leave. Will you see me to the gates? Stay with me while I wait for the carriage."
Veyron raised a hand and waved gently.
"Yes."
Lyra left.
Behind it all, Zephyron—watching through Veyron's awareness—suddenly widened his eyes. He appeared in spirit form and pinched Veyron's cheek.
"Oi!"
"How did you know?" he hissed. "Where did you hear that she's leaving?"
Veyron just smiled faintly.
"I merely guessed."
Zephyron glared. He knew—that was the truest lie.
Veyron turned to the now-empty garden.
"The pawns have moved."
"The chessboard is set."
He stepped forward.
"Now…"
"let's see who is truly playing."
---
📢 Announcement
Hello, readers!
Please note that there will be no new chapter release tomorrow.
The next chapter is scheduled to be published on the 5th. Thank you for your patience and continued support!
Keep enjoying the story, and we'll see you in the next chapter! ✨