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I was in the library when I heard it, and I immediately knew who it was.
Grandfather.
I dropped the book I was reading and ran to the nearest window. Outside, descending from the sky in a whirlwind of wind—
My grandfather. The Commander of Elenoir's forces.
My heart pounded, and I wasn't sure whether it was excitement or nervousness. Virion was one of the few people who could potentially notice inconsistencies in my behavior. He was too experienced, had seen too much.
But he was also my grandfather. And according to what I had read, he was someone I could eventually trust.
The griffin landed in the main courtyard with a grace that belied its massive size. Virion dismounted in a fluid motion, his boots touching the ground just as my parents came running out of the palace.
"Father!" My mother ran toward him.
"Virion!" My father followed close behind.
But before they could reach him, another small figure burst from the entrance.
"GRANDFATHER!"
Tessia ran as fast as her seven-year-old legs could carry her, nearly tripping in her haste. Virion saw her coming and knelt just in time to catch her in a hug that lifted her off the ground.
"My little Tessia!" Virion spun her once before holding her close, his rough voice softening. "I heard you had an adventure without inviting me. What am I going to do with you, hmm?"
"I'm sorry, Grandpa," Tessia murmured against his shoulder, and I could see tears in her eyes. "I was stupid. But Art saved me. You have to meet him!"
Virion gently set her down, wiping her tears away with his thumb. "We'll get to that. First—"
His eyes, sharp and golden like a predator's, scanned the area until they found me standing in the doorway of the palace entrance.
"Kael."
It wasn't a question. It was recognition. A welcome.
And before I could think twice, my legs moved on their own.
I ran. Like the five-year-old child I was supposed to be, I ran straight toward my grandfather with my arms outstretched.
"Grandfather!"
Virion caught me easily, lifting me off the ground and holding me in an embrace that smelled of wind, leather, and distant adventures.
"There's my little strategist," he said with a warmth that contrasted with his intimidating appearance. He held me at arm's length, studying my face. "You've grown since the last time I saw you. How long has it been? Two months? And you already look taller."
"I missed you, Grandpa," I said honestly. And it was true. Even though my memories of Virion in this life were technically limited, something inside me responded to his presence.
"And I missed you too, boy." He set me down but kept his hand on my head, ruffling my hair in a way that would have been annoying coming from anyone else but felt comforting from him. "I've heard interesting things about you. Your father says you have a talent for magic."
Careful. Don't reveal too much.
"Dad says I'm learning," I replied carefully, in a childish voice.
Virion smiled, but there was something in his eyes. A spark of understanding that suggested he saw more than I was saying.
"I'm sure you are."
My father finally arrived, placing a hand on Virion's shoulder. "Father, thank you for coming so quickly."
"How could I not come?" Virion straightened to his full height, and suddenly the loving grandfather was replaced by the commander. "My granddaughter was in mortal danger. If it hadn't been for that human boy—"
"Arthur," my mother supplied. "Arthur Leywin. He's been recovering here as our guest of honor."
"Yes, him." Virion's eyes gleamed with interest. "I'd like to meet the boy who accomplished what an entire squad of trained guards could not. Where is he?"
We found Arthur in the training garden, practicing with his wooden sword. His movements were precise, controlled. Too good for an eight-year-old, but no one except me seemed to notice.
"Arthur?" my mother called softly.
Arthur stopped immediately, turning toward us. His blue eyes focused on Virion, and I saw the slightest widening of his pupils. Recognition. Even though he was supposed to have never seen Virion before, his King Grey instincts had evaluated the man in a second: dangerous, powerful, experienced.
"Arthur, this is my father, Virion Eralith," my mother made the introductions. "Commander of Elenoir's forces and… well, Tessia and Kael's grandfather."
Arthur bowed, perfect in angle and duration. Too perfect. "It's an honor to meet you, Lord Eralith."
Virion studied Arthur in silence for a long moment. He looked him up and down, his eyes noting every detail. The way Arthur held the wooden sword. The stance of his feet. The way his shoulders were relaxed yet ready to move.
"So you're the one who saved my granddaughter from those bandits," Virion finally said, his voice neutral but his eyes sharp.
"I… was lucky, sir," Arthur replied with practiced humility. "I was in the right place at the right time."
"Lucky?" Virion walked slowly around Arthur, like a predator evaluating its prey. "The guards I interviewed said they found the bodies of at least five humans. All dead from clean cuts. Efficient. Precise."
Arthur didn't move, but I could see the tension in his jaw.
"They also said," Virion continued, stopping in front of Arthur, "that you're a mage with quadruple affinity. Rare. Very rare. Especially for a human."
"Yes, sir. My parents were surprised as well when I awakened."
"I bet they were." Virion crossed his arms. "How old are you, boy?"
"Eight years old, sir."
"Eight years old." Virion nodded slowly. "And you're already killing A-class mana beasts. Interesting."
The silence stretched, tense and heavy.
Then, suddenly, Virion smiled broadly and clapped Arthur on the shoulder with enough force to make a normal child stumble. Arthur barely moved.
"I like you, boy! Anyone who saves my granddaughter has my respect." Virion's smile softened into something more genuine. "Thank you, Arthur Leywin. You've given this family a gift that cannot be repaid."
"I only did what was right, sir."