"How are you feeling now?" Matheas asked Caelum, his voice a low, concerned murmur, as he gently pulled him away from the intense conversation between Elias and Alexander.
"I am okay," Caelum replied, his gaze fixed intently on the window, his expression unreadable.
"How many times did they aim arrows through that window?" Matheas inquired, following Caelum's line of sight to the pane of glass.
"This was the very first time," Caelum admitted, a weary sigh escaping his lips. "I do not understand what we have done to those two for them to try and kill us nearly every single day," he confessed, a trace of bitterness in his tone.
"Every day?" Matheas whispered, his eyes widening slightly in shock.
Caelum gave a short, affirmative nod. "The Labyrinth incident, it was Prince Aurelius who guided the others to the forty first floor, even though we were explicitly ordered not to go beyond the fortieth floor," he recounted, his voice tight with lingering frustration.
"Did Prince Elias tell you about the poison and how it gets activated?" Matheas asked, his attention shifting to the matter of Elias's affliction.
Caelum shook his head slowly. "I have a few theories formulating in my mind, and we were about to discuss them," he said.
"He mentioned that he wanted to tell you about it today, right after the labyrinth training," Matheas said, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he glanced affectionately at Elias. "He genuinely cares for you, you know," he added softly.
"I can feel that," Caelum responded, a small, gentle smile gracing his own lips.
"He has been taken advantage of by most countesses," Matheas explained, his expression hardening slightly. "They were merely casual knights serving his manor before. It was only after his poison became active that they somehow acquired those noble titles," he elaborated, a note of deep resentment in his voice.
Caelum slowly clenched his hands into tight fists at his sides. "The root cause for his deep-seated distrust," he murmured, the words barely audible.
Matheas nodded solemnly. "But I truly believe he knows that you would never betray the immense trust he has placed in you," he assured Caelum.
"I would die before I ever did that," Caelum declared firmly, his eyes burning with conviction. "I know exactly how much betrayal hurts a person. I would not want anyone to endure that pain," he stated with profound sincerity.
"Can you promise me that you will not allow people you suspect might betray him to get close to him?" Matheas asked, his plea earnest and heartfelt.
"You care deeply for him," Caelum observed simply, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "I will not permit anyone who seeks to take advantage of him to approach him," he promised with unwavering resolve.
Matheas's face softened into a grateful smile. "I have watched him since the day he was born. Since I cannot have a family of my own after taking my solemn vow to protect his majesty, I have come to regard his majesty's children as if they were my own," he confessed, his voice tinged with deep affection. "Out of all three of them, I favor Elias the most. He possesses his majesty's balanced temperament and is thoroughly responsible, unlike Prince Aurelius, who was thoroughly spoiled rotten by his grandfather," he added with a slight shake of his head.
"Can you tell me more about the poison?" Caelum asked Matheas, his curiosity evident. But just as he spoke, both men suddenly sensed a palpable danger looming outside. They instantly straightened, their swords instinctively drawn and unsheathed, glinting dangerously in the light.
"Caelum?" Elias called out, his voice filled with alarm.
"Holy barrier," Caelum whispered quickly, focusing his power. "Icicle spear," he commanded, the spell instantly materializing as he aimed the icy projectile directly at the main door. "Fire arrow," he followed up, this one also targeting the main door with the fiery missile.
Matheas gasped aloud, his breath catching in his throat. "Advanced holy barrier and intermediate fire and ice spells?" he murmured in astonishment, a mixture of shock and awe on his face.
Elias, however, was beaming widely. "So, I was not mistaken after all. You can utilize more than just two types of magic perfectly," he said, a triumphant gleam in his eyes as he walked swiftly toward Caelum.
Caelum confirmed this with a quick nod. "There is someone outside, and they feel incredibly powerful," he explained, his voice low and serious. "I do not know whether they intend to cause us harm or if they are here specifically for his majesty," he admitted, his gaze wary.
Alexander exchanged a meaningful look with Matheas, who gave a confirming nod in return.
Caelum cautiously moved toward the door, his movements measured and silent. He slowly pulled it open, his sword instantly pointed directly at the throat of a very old man standing calmly just outside. "Who are you?" Caelum demanded, his voice sharp and laced with suspicion.
"Relax, young man," the old man said calmly, running a practiced hand over his long, distinguished beard. "I harbor no ill will toward his majesty nor the second prince," he stated reassuringly.
Matheas quickly positioned himself beside Caelum, his own sword also held menacingly toward the stranger. "What tangible proof do you have of that?" he challenged, his voice skeptical.
The old man reached slowly into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately engraved metal bar that bore a distinctive symbol.
"The Royal Grand Mage?" Alexander gasped, his composure momentarily broken, recognizing the symbol instantly. "Where have you been all these years?" he asked the old man, quickly moving toward him, a look of profound relief washing over his face.
Caelum and Matheas immediately lowered their swords and stepped aside, allowing the old man to walk freely into the room.
"Holy barrier, fire arrow, and icicle spear," the old man observed, his eyes keenly sweeping over the room, taking in the residual magic. "Wonderful! Simply wonderful!" he exclaimed with genuine delight. "You shall be my successor," he declared, pointing a slender finger directly at Caelum.
"What?!" Elias exclaimed, his shock evident as he quickly pushed Caelum protectively behind his back. "I am absolutely not giving him away," he stated adamantly, his jaw set in defiance.
"I know that," the old man replied, a slight chuckle in his voice. "Please excuse my late introduction. I am Jonathan Sol Valtheron," he introduced himself, offering a respectful bow.
Caelum involuntarily took a sharp step backward. "I am sorry, but I do not wish to involve myself in any way with the Valtheron family," he said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "I have already paid a hefty enough price for the simple act of being born into that family," he added bitterly.
Jonathan looked genuinely stunned by the unexpected reaction. "You are..." he began, his voice trailing off.
"I am Caelum Jude Valtheron, the fourth son of Alaric Lysander Valtheron," Caelum introduced himself formally, his expression unyielding.
Jonathan gasped audibly, a bright smile immediately lighting up his face. "You are my great grand nephew," he declared happily.
"That is a possibility," Caelum muttered under his breath. "But please, I beg you not to drag me back into the world of the Valtherons," he pleaded, his voice tinged with deep sadness. "They still have not truly repented for my mother's tragic death," he explained.
"Your mother?" Jonathan asked, his cheerful demeanor instantly dissolving into concern.
"Artemisia Rose Holstan," Caelum supplied the name quietly.
"A Holstan?" Jonathan inquired, his eyes widening slightly.
Caelum nodded once.
"Are they not known throughout the kingdom as the saints of Ingris?" Jonathan asked Alexander, seeking confirmation.
"They are, indeed," Alexander confirmed, a shadow passing over his face. "But sadly, Lady Artemisia did not possess any light magic herself," he explained.
"Then, how is her son able to perfectly perform advanced light magic?" Jonathan pondered aloud. He looked back at Caelum and asked directly, "Did your mother personally teach you about the magic you just utilized?"
Caelum nodded slowly. "She was mostly confined to her bed for as long as I can clearly remember, but whenever she managed to gather enough energy, she would tell me wonderful tales about saints erecting magnificent holy barriers and miraculously healing people," he recalled, a distant look in his eyes.
"Son, how many types of magic are you truly capable of using?" Jonathan asked, his interest now fully piqued as he studied Caelum intently.
Elias smiled knowingly, stepping closer to Caelum. "I am not going to be intimidated by you," he announced with a playful glint in his eyes.
"I can flawlessly use advanced spells in both light and healing magic. For the other six types, I can only currently use intermediate spells," Caelum admitted honestly. "I have been attempting to use advanced spells in those types as well, but I am currently unable to master them," he confessed.
Elias gasped dramatically. "You were deliberately making sure to keep your immense magic in control during our class sessions," he realized, finally putting the pieces together. "That was what you were struggling with all this time," he complained good-naturedly with an exasperated huff.
Caelum offered a sheepish smile and nodded his head.
"You are the second prince's appointed knight and mage?" Jonathan asked, seeking clarification on Caelum's official position.
Caelum nodded, his shoulders straightening with undeniable pride in his eyes. "I am," he stated firmly.
"Then, you can still become my successor," Jonathan declared, his decision made. "The royal mages are strictly forbidden from having children of their own. They are only allowed to choose worthy successors," he explained the ancient rule. "I distinctly sensed powerful magic, and I knew instantly that the person responsible was perfectly fit to be my successor," he said.
"My magic?" Caelum questioned, looking surprised.
Jonathan gave a brief nod.
"What about me continuing to be Prince Elias's knight and mage?" Caelum asked, wanting to clarify the potential conflict.
"You can absolutely continue with that role and also concurrently serve as a royal grand mage," Jonathan offered with a captivating smile. "If you agree to accept my offer to be my successor, I will be more than willing to assist you in any conceivable way possible," he promised, his smile still wide, yet it failed to truly convince either Caelum or Alexander.
"May I please have some time to think about this offer?" Caelum asked Jonathan respectfully.
"You have until your graduation to give me your final answer," Jonathan stated. "Rose Manor," he added. "That is precisely where I will be residing from now on," he said with a strange, slightly vindictive smile just before he turned and promptly left the dorm room.
Alexander gave Elias a quick, comforting hug before departing with Matheas, leaving the two young men alone.
"So, what about your theories?" Elias asked, gently pulling Caelum back down to sit beside him on the edge of the bed, his curiosity about the poison taking precedence once more.