"It's done," Caelum exclaimed, his voice ringing with a mix of triumph and disbelief.
He paused, taking a moment to survey his surroundings.
It was only a week until the highly anticipated graduation ceremony.
The students had been granted permission to return to their respective family manors to prepare for the subsequent graduation ball, a significant social event.
Elias had brought Caelum back to his own manor, and Caelum was currently situated in the extensive, quiet library.
He clutched the precious piece of paper containing his newly perfected rune design and hurried toward Elias's private chambers. Without bothering to knock, he wrenched the door open and announced breathlessly, "It's done."
"What is?" Elias inquired, setting down his quill and rising from his chair to approach Caelum.
Caelum presented the paper to Elias. "The rune I had carved on my sealing rings," he explained. "Those only managed to suppress twenty percent of my power. But this one," he continued, his finger tapping the intricate design on the paper, "it blocks one hundred percent of the magic," he declared, a broad, triumphant smile illuminating his face.
"Do you truly believe it will be effective on Aurelius?" Elias asked, just as the door opened again and Isolde gracefully entered the room.
Caelum nodded confidently. "I do think it will work," he confirmed. "I'll need to test it on one of my rings first to confirm its efficacy," he added, his expression serious.
Elias simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Caelum swiftly removed the sealing rings from his fingers, canceling the previously carved runes. Then, with a steady hand and focused concentration, he carved the intricate new rune onto a single ring.
He took a deep, calming breath before slowly sliding the newly inscribed ring onto his finger.
There was no negative reaction, no immediate surge or counter-force of magic.
He let out a long sigh of immense relief.
"Holy barrier," he attempted to cast, a spell that required a moderate amount of magical energy.
No barrier formed. The air remained still and undisturbed.
"I think I can definitively call this a success," Caelum said, his smile returning, wider and more genuine than before.
"May I check to see if it works on me?" Isolde asked, stepping closer to the two young men.
Elias nodded, gently slipping the ring off Caelum's finger and placing it onto Isolde's.
"Icicle spear," Isolde commanded, focusing her intention.
No spear of ice materialized.
She tried again, concentrating and channeling a greater amount of magical energy into the spell.
Still, there was no reaction. The air was perfectly still.
She smiled brightly and nodded. "Perfectly effective," she said. "Thank you very much," she expressed, her gaze sincere as she looked at Caelum.
"Could I try it next?" Elias asked, reaching for the ring as he took it from Isolde and attempted to put it on his own finger.
Caelum reacted instantly, snatching the ring from Elias's grasp. "Please, do not frighten me like that," he pleaded, his voice laced with genuine concern. "If Aurelius's poison were to be triggered while you wore it, it would immediately draw directly on your life force, possibly with fatal consequences," he explained.
Elias understood, pulling Caelum into a strong, reassuring embrace. "I am so sorry," he apologized, his voice low. "I will not attempt that again," he promised, gently rubbing Caelum's back.
Caelum pulled away slightly within the embrace and spoke again. "We must report this breakthrough to His Majesty before the ball. I know Matheas will also be present at the ball, so we might be able to find an opportunity to subtly drug both Aristotle and Aurelius to sleep and then put the carved bracelets onto them."
"If he cannot access his magic, he cannot pull mine away," Elias realized, his voice a sudden gasp of comprehension.
Caelum nodded. "But there is one significant disadvantage with the rune," he cautioned. "It absolutely should not be worn for more than one continuous week," he explained, his expression grave. "After that time, the rune will likely begin to drain the life force of the wearer."
"We will need to have the antidote for the poison formulated and ready within that one week timeframe," Elias stated, the urgency clear in his tone.
"Do you believe we can manage it?" Caelum asked, looking directly into Elias's eyes. "You are the expert on potions and their preparation, much more so than I am," he reminded him.
"First, we must report this development to my father and hear his strategy," Elias decided. "Then, we will discuss the necessity of the antidote potion with him," he concluded.
Caelum gave a firm nod.
"Cloak and sword," Elias declared, meeting Caelum's gaze with a determined look. "We are going to the palace immediately," he stated.
Caelum nodded again, swiftly putting on his heavy cloak and securing his sword at his hip.
Elias grasped Caelum's arm firmly and instantly teleported them both to King Alexander's private office.
"Elias," Alexander spoke, his voice calm, acknowledging their presence the moment he sensed their entry.
Elias walked directly to Alexander's large mahogany desk and placed the rune-carved ring Caelum had created on the table before the King. "Caelum has carved a powerful new rune onto this ring," he announced. "It has the ability to block a person's access to their own magic completely," he explained.
"Has this been thoroughly tested?" Alexander asked, rising from his imposing chair.
"I have personally tested it, and Her Highness Isolde has also confirmed its effectiveness," Caelum confirmed, stepping forward to stand respectfully one pace behind Elias.
"Matheas," Alexander called out. The door opened and Matheas entered, looking slightly taken aback to see both Elias and Caelum present in Alexander's private office. "Try this ring on and attempt to cast a powerful fire arrow spell," the King instructed.
Elias smiled faintly, waiting patiently for Matheas to take the ring and place it on his finger.
Caelum faced Matheas, his own expression one of quiet anticipation.
"Fire arrow," Matheas commanded, channeling his magic as he was accustomed to.
Nothing occurred. The air remained normal.
"I did not even feel my magic being sealed away," he commented, looking down at the simple ring on his finger, amazement written on his face.
Caelum smiled and retrieved the ring. "The only serious drawback is that the wearer's life force will be gradually drained if it is worn continuously for a full week," he reiterated.
"How long must we wait before we can safely place the ring on Aurelius again after removing it?" Alexander asked, his focus sharp.
"Two to three days should be sufficient time for recovery," Caelum replied promptly.
"That is exceptionally good news," Alexander stated, his relief palpable. "We will dedicate that week to finding the antidote. If we are unsuccessful, we will wait the three days, place the ring back on, and continue our search," he declared, outlining his plan.
Elias nodded in agreement. "We need to deliver it to both Aurelius and Aristotle without them realizing its true function," he pointed out.
"I will personally present it to the consort when she arrives at the palace later today," Alexander decided. "I can inform her that it is a newly enchanted item, capable of amplifying magic, and that it was a diplomatic gift from Duke Solas," he suggested, formulating a convincing lie.
"I will ask Mother to play along with that fabricated story," Elias agreed, nodding his understanding.
"I will assist in maintaining the deception if she asks any probing questions," Matheas offered immediately.
"Should I also create a rune designed for amplification?" Caelum asked, looking at the three powerful men in the room. "I am now proficient at sealing access to magic. I believe I can reverse the process and amplify the magic with only minor alterations to the existing rune structure," he offered, providing a confident explanation of his magical insight.
Alexander pulled Caelum into a warm, genuine hug. "Thank you, Caelum," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You are saving my son from another of my own sons," he whispered the deeply painful truth.
"I am doing this for Elias, Your Majesty," Caelum replied simply, his loyalty unwavering. "If it were anyone else, I honestly would not have involved myself," he admitted frankly.
Alexander let out a hearty laugh. "I knew you possessed the same fiercely protective nature as Matheas when I first met you," he remarked affectionately.
Matheas looked momentarily offended, but a slight smile soon curved his lips. He knew Alexander was essentially correct. If a situation did not directly concern or bother Alexander, Matheas rarely took action. That had been his nature even long before Alexander was crowned either king or even the crown prince.