As I told you, and I always keep my word, thank you for your reviews.
https://www.patreon.com/Mvxzz +4 chapters
The image faded, and the water fell back into the bowl with a splash.
Arthur slumped in his chair, openly sobbing. Tessia immediately moved to hug him, and I saw tears in her eyes as well.
Rinia leaned back, her face showing fatigue. "That took more than I expected. Your connection with them is strong, boy."
"Thank you," Arthur managed to say between sobs. "Thank you, Elder Rinia. You have no idea what this means to me."
"I know perfectly well," Rinia said softly. Then her expression grew more serious. "But now, we need to talk about other things."
Her eyes moved between Arthur and me, and I saw something in them that made me feel cold.
"You are both special," she said slowly. "Arthur, there are parts of your life that I cannot see. As if there were shadows covering your past. And you, little Kael…"
She stopped, studying me intensely.
"There is something about you that I cannot identify. Your mana has a… strange quality. As if it were more than it should be. I cannot see your future clearly either."
Virion leaned forward. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Rinia said carefully, "that both children are destined for great things. Dangerous things. And important things." She looked directly at Virion. "Train them well, old friend. They will need all the strength they can obtain."
"Cryptic as always," Virion grumbled, but there was concern in his eyes.
Rinia smiled, but it was a sad smile. "The future is not fixed, Virion. Even I cannot see everything. But these two…" she pointed at Arthur and me, "will change the world. For better or for worse, I do not yet know."
Arthur and I exchanged a glance. In his eyes, I saw the same recognition I had been seeing since he arrived.
She knows we are different. Not exactly how, but she knows.
And somehow, that was more frightening than anything else.
---
The Decision
When we left the cabin, Arthur had calmed down, but his eyes were still red. Virion gave him a moment to compose himself.
Rinia remained at the doorway, watching us. Virion approached her, speaking in a low voice. I couldn't hear everything, but I caught fragments:
"…I'll train both of them…" "…be careful, Virion…" "…fate is moving…"
Finally, Virion turned toward us.
"Arthur," he said, his voice serious but kind. "Now that you've contacted your parents, I suppose you have a decision to make. Do you want to try to return to them? We can arrange an escort. Or…"
"Or I can stay," Arthur finished. "And train with you."
"Exactly."
Arthur didn't hesitate for even a second. "I'll stay. My parents are safe. They know I'm alive. And you… you can teach me things I need to learn. I saw the potential in your strength when we met. It would be foolish to reject this opportunity."
And you also know you need this training for what's coming, I thought. For the war. For everything.
Virion laughed loudly. "Correct answer, boy. Then it's decided. Arthur Leywin, I officially accept you as my first human disciple."
"First disciple, huh?" Rinia called from the doorway of her cabin. "And what about little Kael?"
Virion looked at me, then smiled. "Kael will be my secret student. We can't let the world know how strong he really is."
"Wise," Rinia nodded. "So you'll be training two prodigies. What a busy old age you'll have, Virion."
"I'd rather be busy than bored," Virion replied.
As we began our walk back to the palace, I felt the weight of what had just happened.
Arthur stayed. Officially. The canon remained intact.
But Rinia had seen something in me. Something she couldn't identify.
How long until someone discovers the truth? I wondered. How long until the Legacy is revealed?
I had no answers. I only knew that I needed to become stronger. Faster.
Because the clock was ticking.
And the war was approaching.
---
Eyes That See
After dinner, Virion found me on the second-floor balcony. I was looking at the stars, lost in thoughts about the future.
"It's a beautiful view, isn't it?" Virion leaned against the railing beside me, his presence solid and comforting.
"Yes, Grandpa."
"You can see many things from here. The forest. The distant mountains. The world beyond these walls."
I said nothing, waiting. Virion hadn't come here just to admire the view.
"Kael," he finally said, his voice lowering to something more serious. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
"What do you think of Arthur?"
The question caught me off guard. What did I think of Arthur?
"He's… strong," I said carefully. "Brave. He saved Tessia when no one else could."
"He did." Virion nodded. "And what else?"
"He's kind. Tessia likes him a lot. And Mom and Dad trust him."
"All true." Virion turned to look at me directly. "But that's not what you really think, is it?"
My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
"Kael, I've lived a long time. I've seen many things. Met many people." His golden eyes studied me with an intensity that was uncomfortable. "And one thing I've learned is how to read people. Their intentions. Their secrets."
I swallowed, remaining still.
"Arthur is special," Virion continued. "That's obvious to anyone with eyes. But you are too, aren't you?"
"Dad says I'm a prodigy," I repeated the rehearsed line.
"Your father underestimates," Virion said with a small smile. "I spoke with your mother. She told me about your core. Solid yellow at four years old. That is… unprecedented."
"I didn't want to be special," I murmured, which was partially true.
"No one chooses to be special, boy. They simply are." Virion placed a hand on my shoulder. "But here's the interesting part. When I look at you, when I really look at you, I feel something. Something I can't quite identify."
My blood ran cold. Could he feel the Legacy?
"It's like…" Virion frowned, searching for words. "Like your mana has a different quality. It's not bad. Just… different. More complex than it should be."
"I don't know what that means," I said honestly.
"Neither do I," Virion admitted. "And maybe it doesn't matter. But I want you to know something, Kael."
He knelt to be at my height, his eyes meeting mine directly.
"Whatever you are, whatever secret you carry, you are my grandson. And I will protect you. Even if that means protecting you from people who would want to use your power. Do you understand?"
I felt tears prick at my eyes. Not because I was afraid, but because the sincerity in his voice was overwhelming.
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Good." He straightened up, ruffling my hair again. "Now, about that training. Arthur won't be the only one training. I think my youngest grandson also needs some guidance."
"You're going to train me too?"
"Of course. Although," he added with a wink, "we'll say we're just playing. We don't want the rest of the world to know how strong you really are, right?"
A conspiracy. Virion was offering to train me in secret.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"You're welcome, boy. Now go to sleep. Training begins early tomorrow. For you and for Arthur."
---
Night Reflections
That night, lying in my bed, I processed everything that had happened.
Virion had arrived. He had evaluated Arthur and seen his potential. He had offered to train him, exactly as in the canon.
But he had also seen me. He had sensed something in my mana. He had promised to protect me.
And Arthur stayed. Indefinitely. Close to me. Close to Tessia.
The future was taking shape. The pieces were moving into position.
But there were new variables now. Virion knew I was special. Arthur suspected the same. And both of us would be training here, in Elenoir.
I have to be smart, I thought, staring at the shadows on the ceiling. Training with Virion will make me stronger. But it also means more eyes on me.
And Arthur… getting to know him more closely is a double-edged sword. I can learn from him.