Morning light streamed gently through the tall windows of the Valcrest mansion, casting soft gold across the quiet halls. A new day had begun—one that would carry Kael straight into the heart of nobility, power, and unseen tension.
Hat stirred first, his small flame flickering as he fluttered into the air.
"…Master?" he murmured.
He glanced down—
—and froze.
The bed was empty.
"Master…?" His voice rose in panic. "Where did Master go?! Did he leave me behind?!"
Without hesitation, Hat shot out of the room and into the hallway.
"Master! Master!!"
At that moment, Lyria stepped out from another corridor, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Hat zipped straight toward her.
"Miss! Have you seen my master?!"
Lyria froze.
"…A bird?" she whispered.
Hat didn't wait for an answer. He darted past her toward the dining hall.
Lyria's eyes sparkled.
"Wait! Wait! Mother! There's a talking bird!" she shouted as she ran after him.
Hat burst into the dining hall.
"MASTER! MASTER!!"
Elara, calmly sipping her tea, nearly dropped her cup.
Hat hovered inches from her face.
"Madam! Have you seen my master?!"
Before Elara could answer, Lyria rushed in, pointing excitedly.
"Mother! Look! The bird is talking! Isn't it amazing?!"
Hat spun in frantic circles, then suddenly rushed toward the mansion entrance.
"MASTER!!"
"Wait!" Lyria cried, chasing after him.
"Elara, slow down—!" Elara called, hurrying behind her daughter.
Within moments, the mansion descended into chaos.
Servants whispered.
Maids peeked from doorways.
Guards stiffened in alarm.
"What's going on?"
"Why is Lady Lyria running?"
"Did someone scream?"
—
In the courtyard, Kael practiced slow, deliberate swings with his newly acquired sword.
Aelric stood nearby, speaking with the guards.
Suddenly—
"MASTER! MASTER!!"
Kael froze mid-swing.
"That voice…?"
He turned. "Father, what's—"
Before Aelric could answer, the mansion doors burst open.
Hat flew out at full speed.
"MASTER!! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Kael raised his voice.
"Hat! I'm here!"
Hat froze midair.
"…Master?!"
His eyes locked onto Kael.
In the next instant, Hat dove straight down and landed on Kael's head.
"You left me behind!" Hat shouted.
Before Kael could respond, Lyria and Elara rushed into the courtyard.
Lyria pointed excitedly.
"Big brother! Big brother! There's a bird—and it's talking!"
Aelric frowned slightly and turned to Elara.
"Elara… care to explain?"
Elara sighed. "A talking bird appeared, and Lyria chased it."
Kael scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…This is my fault, Father. I should've introduced him properly."
Hat puffed out his chest.
"First of all, I am not a bird. I am a flame-bound spirit. My name is Hat."
Kael nodded. "He's Hat. He's my friend."
Lyria gasped dramatically.
"Amazing! Big brother knows a talking bird!"
"I am not a bird!" Hat snapped. "Call me Hat!"
Elara clapped her hands gently.
"Alright, that's enough excitement for the morning," she said warmly. "Let's all have breakfast."
She smiled. "We'll be leaving for the castle later."
The tension dissolved into soft laughter.
Together, the family—and one very offended flame spirit—returned inside.
—
The Valcrest family sat around the dining table in calm silence.
Aelric set his cup down.
"Kael. Lyria. Today will be your first royal gathering. Many nobles will be present. Conduct yourselves properly."
Kael nodded.
"Father… will Big Brother Lucian be there?"
Lyria's eyes lit up.
"Yes! I want to see him too!"
Aelric smiled faintly.
"He will. I received a letter—he plans to attend."
Elara's lips curved teasingly.
"Kael, be prepared. You may receive marriage proposals."
Kael nearly choked.
"M-Mother!"
His cheeks flushed red.
Aelric laughed.
Lyria crossed her arms firmly.
"I'm not giving my brother to anyone!"
Kael chuckled, placing a hand on her head.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Lyria hugged him tightly.
Elara shook her head with amusement.
"Finish your breakfast."
Aelric stood.
"The carriage will be ready soon."
—
Not long after, the Valcrest carriage rolled through the capital.
Noble carriages lined the streets, all heading in the same direction.
"So many nobles…" Kael murmured.
Soon, the castle gates loomed before them.
As they stepped down, a familiar figure waited.
"Big Brother!" Lyria cried, running forward.
"Lucian!" Kael followed, smiling.
Lucian greeted them with calm dignity.
"Father. Mother. Please, follow me."
He led them into the grand party hall.
The moment they entered, whispers spread like ripples across water.
"That's Count Aelric Valcrest…"
"He came himself."
"The white-haired boy—Kael Valcrest."
The hall was magnificent.
Marble pillars engraved with ancient runes soared upward. A ceiling painted like the night sky glowed faintly with constellations. Crystal chandeliers bathed the crimson carpet in warm gold.
Kael felt countless gazes settle on him.
He stood straight.
Lyria clung to his sleeve.
Nearby—
Duke Roland Ashborne observed quietly.
Beside him stood Count Marcus Ravenholt.
"So that's Valcrest's son," Duke Roland said coolly.
"A child drawing attention doesn't equal strength."
Count Marcus smirked. "Still, the hall is watching him."
Not far away stood Roy Ashborne.
Dark-haired. Sharp-eyed.
Irritation burned in his gaze.
"So that's the prodigy," Roy muttered.
Kael sensed it—and turned.
Their eyes met.
Roy stepped forward.
"So you're Kael Valcrest. I've heard many exaggerated stories."
Kael bowed politely.
"I'm honored. And you are?"
Roy's smile sharpened.
"Roy Ashborne."
Murmurs followed.
Roy crossed his arms.
"Tell me—are the rumors true?"
Lyria tensed.
Kael raised a hand gently.
"Rumors tend to exaggerate on their own," Kael replied calmly.
A few nobles chuckled.
Roy's eyes narrowed.
Before he could respond, Lucian stepped between them.
"This is a royal gathering."
Roy scoffed and stepped back.
"This isn't over."
Kael watched him go.
His expression remained calm—but something cold flickered within.
Then—
The music softened.
Conversations faded.
A deep, echoing sound rolled across the hall.
Thoom.
The massive doors near the royal dais slowly opened.
A powerful presence swept through the hall like a silent wave.
Every noble straightened instinctively.
And Kael felt it—
A pressure far heavier than before.
Not hostility.
Not malice.
Authority.
Something had arrived…
and with it, the true stage of destiny was about to open.