The Royal Palace of Etistin was a monument of gleaming marble and enchanted crystal, its domed ceilings alight with floating lanterns that mimicked stars, its wide halls filled with nobles dressed in the colors of their house banners.
Tonight was the 1371st anniversary of the Kingdom of Sapin's founding—and all the noble houses were present.
At the edge of the grand ballroom's entrance, the House Valerius made their entrance.
Duke Cedric Valerius, draped in a dark crimson cloak trimmed with white fox fur, walked with Lady Elera, ever poised in her silver-threaded gown. Beside them walked Alden, the boy of the hour, whose name had reached even the ears of foreign dignitaries.
Trumpets sounded as they were formally announced. "Presenting House Valerius, of Blackbend—Duke Cedric Valerius, Lady Elera Valerius and young Lord Alden Valerius!"
Heads turned. Whispers stirred.
They had barely crossed the threshold before a voice rang out like velvet over steel.
"Ah, the Sonic Hawks of Blackbend have arrived! "
The crowd parted to reveal King Thane Glayder dressed in royal white and dark red trimmed with golden thread. His crown, modest yet commanding, sat upon a brow furrowed by age and authority. His red mahogany hair—streaked with grey—rose in spiked tufts like a lion's mane. His clean-shaven face was lined with wrinkles. His eyes, always alert, gleamed with ambition.
Cedric bowed low, and Elera curtsied with grace. Alden followed with a perfect court bow.
"Your Grace, we're honored by your presence."
"Hahaha, come on no need to be so stiff. We are at a party, not some dull council meeting!",Thane gestured his hand for the Valerius family to stop their bowing and raised their heads.
"Duke Cedric, the business is still thriving?", Thane shook hands with Cedric.
"Better than ever, your Grace.", Cedric nodded,clasping the king's hand firmly.
"Lady Elera, still as radiant and graceful as ever.", Thane complimented.
"You're too kind, Your Grace," she replied with a polished smile.
Finally, Thane's eyes landed on Alden. His grin widened:
"And here he is—the golden boy himself! Tell me, how did you manage to stir up even more outrageous rumors in just five months away from my palace?"
Alden bowed politely: "Your Grace, rumors have their own life. I only work, quietly."
Thane gave a dry laugh. "If this is 'quiet work', then your silence must shake the whole bloody Grand Mountains."
"I'd rather shake only dungeons than the continent, your Grace." Alden said, meeting the king's eyes with practiced innocence.
"Good. Very good! You see Duke? Your heir is getting out of our control. Lucky for you that I was holding him down with the royal tutelage. Otherwise, by the time you noticed, he might have taken your whole city and your position right away.", Thane joked loudly with his hoarse voice.
"Y-your Grace—", Cedric stuttered for a moment.
"Hahahaha, I was joking!", The king patted Cedric's shoulder amusingly.
The king let out a rich, knowing laugh, but said no more. Instead, he turned to Cedric with a final nod. "Be sure to keep your boy close, Duke Cedric. If he continues on this path... so shall I."
"I will ,your Grace.", Duke Cedric nodded.
"Excellent, enjoy the party.", Thane then disappeared into the mingling sea of nobles.
_____________
The Aurae family made a quieter entrance than others, but their reputation filled the hall ahead of them. After some small greetings with small lords and families, they turned their direction to meet the Valerius family.
Lord Gregor Aurae, the Marshal(highest military rank) of Sapin army, wore dark silver robes that clung like chainmail to his tall frame, its color matched with his hair. His expression was sharp, but not unfriendly. Lady Julia Aurae, stood straight as a blade, her blue navy hair braided with streaks of pale white. She wore a gown that matched her hair.
Varay Aurae, the first daughter of house Aurae She wore a pearl white gown with no frills, no ornament—practical, muted, clean. Her silver-white hair had been brushed neatly over her shoulders, but her posture betrayed discomfort. Her hands stayed close to her sides. She avoided eye contact.
Introductions were made with the usual formality between two houses.Greetings were exchanged—bows, pleasantries, the usual masks.
Then Lord Roderic turned his sharp gaze toward Alden.
"I've heard much of you, young Lord Alden. Half of the kingdom are singing your praises. Even my own soldiers can't stop chatting about a boy who clears dungeons faster than seasoned adventurers."
Alden offered a modest smile. "That's an exaggeration, my lord. I simply work hard."
Roderic whistled low. "At your age, I was still chasing girls and skipping sword lessons. You'll have to forgive my curiosity—men like me are always watching the next generation. Especially the dangerous ones."
"I take that as a compliment, my lord." Alden replied smoothly.
Next to Lady Julia, Varay shifted, stealing a brief glance at Alden. The moment their eyes met, her shoulders tensed, and she flinched slightly. There was something in Alden's gaze—those pale, smoke-drenched eyes that hovered between ashen white and dull gray—that stirred a quiet discomfort in her. They weren't threatening..… but they were far from normal.
Duke Cedric's voice drew attention back to the conversation:
"I'd like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere congratulations on your awakening last month, young Lady Varay. Word travels fast, and I must say—House Aurae never fails to raise exceptional mages."
"Thank you for your kind words, my Duke.",Varay bowed slightly.
"Our daughter does have a promising future," Gregor grinned. "Though I daresay she still has much to learn—from your prodigal son, Duke Cedric."
Cedric took a small step forward, seizing the moment with his signature charm.
"As it happens," he began with an easy smile, "my son told me earlier that he hoped to make friends tonight—perhaps for the first time in his life." He gave Alden a playful side glance. "So I had a thought: what if Alden and Lady Varay had a table of their own? A quiet corner for the younger generation—free of our dry politics and business talk?"
Lady Julia's expression lit up. "That's a splendid idea, my Duke."
Lord Roderic nodded. "It'll be a great opportunity l for her. What do you say, Varay?"
Varay looked up nervously. "I... I don't mind."
Alden turned to her, still playing the courteous young noble perfectly. "Only if you're comfortable. I don't wish to impose, my lady."
Varay shook her head quickly. "No, my lord. I-it's fine."
Cedric clapped his son's back. "Go on, then."
Alden bowed slightly to the Auraes. "Thank you, Lord Gregor. Lady Julia. We'll stay where your eyes can see."
_________________
The music was a distant hum now. Their table was near a fountain arching enchanted silver mist. Plates of fruit and cakes waited. For a moment, silence sat between them like a third guest.
Alden was the first to break it with a jokingly question:
"Are all military house daughters as quiet as you or did I just get the 'limited edition'?"
Varay fidgeted. "Pardon me, my lord, I'm... not good with people—"
"Excuse me. For the sake of comfort, I suggest we drop the 'my lord' and 'my lady' business and make our conversation without the formal titles and instead: we address each other by our names. Would that be better for you?", Alden asked with a friendly smirk.
"Do you think that our parents allow it?", Varay.
"Technically, they're here, yes. But more importantly—they're over there." , Alden gestured discreetly to the mingling crowd of nobles. "They gave us this private space to talk freely. So I propose we loosen up a bit. We're eight, not eighty."
"Well… never in my life, I think that I have met a peer at my age speaking so confidently and fluently like you, my lord. Especially…in front of so many people in crowds like right now…..Unlike me.", Varay admitted as she complimented him, but also felt negative about herself.
"Your praises are too much for me, but don't speak like that about yourself , Varay.", Alden spoke her name gently, and she flinched—not from fear, but surprise. Hearing her name in that calm, friendly tone seemed to catch her off guard.
Alden noticed and replied: "My apology, I do not mean to make this difficulty for you at all, if you don't want—"
"N-no, it's fine…Alden, I want to improve myself…in this bad skill of mine. And I would like to try it your way.", Varay said.
Alden clapped his hands softly together once. "Great. Let's begin with a proper introduction, yes?"
Varay nodded, and they took turns sharing. Alden spoke about himself in a humble way compared to the praises and gossiping of the public about him that Varay heard, mostly about his hobbies and activities rather than his glory feats in magic and dungeon divings.
Then next Varay shared the same hobby of training and reading with Alden, not surprised at her early maturity at all.
"Military houses such as Aurae give harsh training procedures to their children, those must be tiresome, I heard?"
"Yes, my parents expect very highly of me for their duty to the kingdom. I achieved results with magic and combat, much more than other kids at our age as I observed. I tried my best to not disappoint my parents. But I suppose my achievements right now or in the future can never be comparable to yours.", Varay said.
"Woah don't start that. The rumors are overblown. I'm just the unfortunate victim of kingdom-wide exaggeration. 'Once-in-a-century prodigy' this, 'blessed by deities' that. If I had a copper coin for every time someone said that, I'd be rich enough to bribe the royal family.",Alden replied with an airy wave.
Varay covered her mouth and smirked lightly, unexpected of Alden's humor.
Alden added: "Fate just spun the wheel in my favor this time. If I'd been born with an average affinity for magic or a dull sword for a brain, who could be certain to say I can awaken at 8 like you? You are a talent in your own way, and no one should take that away from you just because you compare yourself to me, especially you."
"Thank you…", Varay said, totally surprised at Alden's maturity and humility.
"But still, I can tell that you are a very hard-working person. You are born with…everything frankly. Nobility, wealth and most of all:talents. Yet you aren't dependent on them but rather taking full advantage of them to strive for greatness far beyond any noble children could merely imagine, let alone achieving them.", Varay pointed out.
" You seem to have a low regard for our noble peers.", Alden commented.
"I met many…Most of them are…spoiled immature idiots.", Varay whispered.
"Hahahaha, Varay, I'm certain that they are at this party with us as well.", Alden chuckled.
"Well…..then may they never reach to join our table.", Varay said flatly and Alden smirked.
"Let me guess. Noisy, misbehaving, annoying, thinking that as long as they are sons or daughters of their parents, they can do whatever they want with their nobility. Getting into fights over some stupid reasons and then whenever they cause troubles or someone bullies them back, they will cry out loud for their daddies and mommies?", Alden with a jokingly question.
Varay gave a nod at the accuracy: "Five out of six things you just described were true."
"Oh damn, which one's the odd one out?", Alden asked with a small grin.
"Get into fighting….or bullying me. My house holds the highest position in Sapin's military so that keeps most of them cautious.", Varay said.
"Reputation gave enough fear for them from doing stupid things….Or enough fear for their parents to prevent them from doing stupid things.", Alden pointed out and Varay nodded.
"But being immature and idiotic are normal things at their age. And being spoiled is even more normal for their social status. They are noble children, that's what they are supposed to be.", Alden scratched his chin.
"So,....you are saying we aren't like them at all, given the fact we are also noble children, yet our manners are totally opposite, Alden?", Varay titled her head.
"Which is precisely why I'm sitting here with you, and not with those pompous gremlins.", Alden spoke nonchalantly.
"….And I just thought you were….somewhat defending them?", Varay with a shocked expression.
"Hell no!" Alden threw his hands up theatrically. "Screw those insufferable bastards."
She blinked again, stunned by his tone, and Alden went on without missing a beat.
"I went with my parents to a business gathering with the Clarell family 2 years ago. Their first son Walder–3 years older than us by the way–stole a sword from my house's carriage of trading equipments to test its quality by himself. That half-wit suspected my parents were selling fake weapons to his house.
He ended up cutting his own leg while spinning the sword fancily around like an imbecile. Even though the cut was small, not fatal or severe, he pissed himself and cried louder than an infant until his parents called for emitters to heal him."
Varay stifled a laugh, covering her mouth in amused horror: "No way."
"I speak as one of the witnesses, the boy's voice was higher than an opera performance and his pissing was significantly more than his bleeding. Took an emitter and his fainting mother to get the situation under control."
Varay's hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide with restrained laughter.
"Afterward the Clarells were so mortified they sent us a fruit basket as an apology and told my family to keep secret of their son's embarrassment.", Alden concluded the story.
"But …you are telling this to me. You are disrespecting their trust.", Varay said.
"Ooops…welp, better send back Lord Clarell a fruit basket then.", Alden said flatly and jokingly.
Varay let out a stifled giggle—then actually laughed. Not loudly, but genuinely.
"Hahahaha…that's... terrible," she said between laughs. "You're terrible."
"I'm terribly honest. Ooo may the deities punish my wicked mouth for mocking poor Walder Clarell and his bravery.", Alden said sarcastically.
"If I have to be honest Alden…against my anticipation, you are a friendly fellow kid. Well, pretty much the first kid I can talk with comfortably, despite your…. looking.", Varay hesitated to say the last word.
"Hey there lady! I mean I don't claim myself to be the most handsome,pretty looking one in the kingdom or something but I believe I'm not a hideous mana beast to behold. And your words are rather offensive towards my feelings.", Alden with a fake dramatic expression of hurt.
"My apology, I don't mean that…your appearance is not a problem except for your….eyes.", Vary shaking her head and waving her hands.
"Ooooh, right. I also noticed that you flinched at me when our families greeted each other.", Alden pointed out.
Varay panicked: "Oh-I-I'm truly sorry Alden, I don't mean—"
"No no, it's alright. My parents told me when I was a baby, people in my house were sometimes afraid of my eyes as well. They aren't exactly…the best example of "eyes are the window to the soul". So don't worry, no hard feelings.", Alden admitted.
"Really?", Varay asked, surprised.
"Yup, I appreciate your honesty, that is a thing essential for forming good relationships, especially friendships.", Alden reassured Varay as he continued with a jokingly question:
"Let me guess, you must have asked yourself if I had become blinded due to looking at the sun for too long and forgot to blink, right?"
Varay burst into giggles: "Hahaha, I seriously can't keep up with your humor, Alden."
"If it is too much for you then I will stop, for the sake of your laughing muscles' health.",Alden said.
"Thank you, but it's fine," she smirked. "May I ask about your eyes, though? How'd they get so… unique?"
"My father said my eyes were already like this when I was born, the doctors said it was because of a "rare genetic mutation" in my body, which the doctors don't know much about to identify which one.", Alden explained.
"M-mutation?", Varay repeated, the first time in her life hearing that word.
"Something about human's body, eeeh, biology….eeeehh, genes….", Alden pretending he had no knowledge about biology and genetics. Plus, he didn't think it was necessary to explain it to her.
"You don't know much about it either.", Varay concluded with a witty smirk.
"I don't know much about it either.", Alden shrugged his shoulders and played along with her as she chuckled.
The sound of new voices and rustling robes drew their attention. Alden caught the sight of two striking figures joining the cluster of nobility.
One was a tall man with long, blonde, platinum hair pulled back in a ponytail. He had a couple of scars on the left side of his face. His eyes were harsh and he had a slim beard on his chin and a ceremonial uniform as crisp as freshly cut steel—Lord Otis Vayhur Wykes, head of House Wykes and famed General of the Royal Army.
Beside him stood a boy with the same platinum blonde hair and piercing green eyes, dressed in a refined black uniform with golden accents.
Alden narrowed his eyes slightly, noting the resemblance.
"Well, look at that," Alden murmured, leaning toward Varay ."Otis Wykes and his heir. House Wykes must have finished speaking with the royal family."
Varay followed his gaze. "That's... Bairon?"
"Most likely if I had to guess. You've probably met him before, haven't you? House Wykes' estate is in Etistin too—just like yours. I'd wager your parents and his shared some meetings before."
"No. I've never met Bairon," she shook her head and said plainly. "Only his father. We attend meetings sometimes, but I don't remember ever seeing him there."
"Huh, and I would've thought the two most powerful military families at the heart of the capital would have their heirs playing chess or sparring together by now," Alden said, raising a brow.
As the conversation among the Valerius and Aurae families continued across the fountain plaza, Alden and Varay quietly observed. Lord Otis Wykes stood with his back straight, speaking to Duke Cedric in clipped, clear tones while occasionally replying to Lady Elera, Lord Gregor and Lady Julia.
A moment later, they noticed it.
Varay's father subtly raised a hand and pointed—not dramatically, but enough to be unmistakable—to where the two children were seated. Lord Wykes followed his gesture with a glance. Then, without fanfare, he leaned slightly toward his son and murmured something into the boy's ear.
Bairon nodded once and began walking toward them.
Alden leaned toward Varay with a crooked smile.
"Looks like we're about to be blessed with the company of House Wykes' heir. Hopefully he doesn't come bearing lightning bolts."
"Wait, how do you know Bairon has lightning deviant?", Varay asked before taking a moment to sense for Bairon's core.
"He hasn't even awakened yet!", she pointed out.
"You don't know? House Wykes's bloodline throughout history produced the most powerful mages of Sapin . Their fire magic is on par, if not even stronger than Flamesworth's. But their biggest reputation however was their destructive and deadly lightning deviant during the wars that granted them the title: "Thunderlords". It's quite inevitable for Bairon to inherit his house's "heirloom specialty".", Alden explained.
Bairon reached their table and bowed politely, his posture almost militarily proper despite his young age.
"Lord Alden Valerius. Lady Varay Aurae.",
His voice was quiet but firm, practiced and he bowed down slightly.
Alden and Varay stood and returned the gestures with the same courtesy.
"Lord Bairon Wykes.", Varay gave a small nod.
"It's an honor to finally make your acquaintance, Bairon Wykes.", Alden said.
"The reason I'm....making acquaintance with you, lord Alden, was because father asked me to—"
"First of all, please, join us and sit down first for comfort. It's not my taste to start a conversation at a grand party with my peers while also standing like guards.", Alden interrupted Bairon as he gestured to the empty chair.
".....As you wish, my lord.", Bairon said and sat neatly, hands folded in front of him.
"And also, for you as the new member needs to know that in this table, we would like to talk comfortably without the need of rigid formality. Which means, address each other by names instead of 'lord' or 'lady', if that makes you feel more relaxed, what do you say?", Alden asked.
".....If it's acceptable, then I will go along with your courtesy.",Bairon answered.
"Alden, again, honored to know you.", Alden gave out his hand for a handshake.
Bairon, reluctantly at Alden's totally unexpected friendliness for a moment, shook his hand.
"Varay.", Varay spoke, kept preserve of herself however.
"Bairon.", Bairon nodded before continuing:
"As I was saying, my father asked me to speak with you, Alden," Bairon said without hesitation. "He said you've already received three years of royal tutelage and have experience in real combat situations. He believes speaking with you could be absolutely beneficial for my own training and development."
Alden tilted his head thoughtfully: "I must say, it's refreshing to meet someone who states their intentions immediately. I appreciate your honesty, like with Varay over here."
"It was a direct instruction from my father." Bairon replied, almost as if that excused the bluntness.
Varay glanced between them, curious.
Alden gave a slight smile and leaned back with casual ease:
"Welp, I'm happy to share whatever I can. Although I must offer the usual disclaimer—most of what floats around the kingdom about me is exaggerated fluff spun by overexcited tongues. I'm just a boy trying to keep up with expectations and fulfilling his duties, same as anyone."
Bairon studied him carefully: "But you've led dungeon expeditions, haven't you? With real soldiers."
Alden gave a polite chuckle: "Oh no, no leadership. That would be far too presumptuous of me. I accompanied a few platoons with the sole purpose of assuring my safety inside dungeons under the command of their captains. A child like me leading soldiers? Deities forbid."
"Then..how is it by the way? Fighting against real mana beasts–monsters that are actually murdering you instead of training dummies? And besides the mana beasts, I heard that you also need to be cautious about other dangerous hidden things inside the dungeons. Mind sharing your experience?", Bairon asked
"Alright…there's indeed a big difference between killing mana beasts and hitting a training dummy like you said. I mostly focused on observation for surrounding dangers and mana control under stress. I learned a lot more from watching how soldiers fought and protected each other than from just casting spells. Dungeon divings teaches you about teamwork, limits, priorities and analysis, things that you can't just expect to learn from just reading plain books, you have to experience yourself, encounter problems and solve them on your own.", Alden explained.
"Very detailed, thank you. And did you ever get…. injured?" Bairon asked, quietly.
"Scrapes. Bruises. Some cuts. Shaken a few times." Alden lied easily as if he was breathing. He had never been injured inside the dungeons under the perfect protection of the formation.
"Lucky for me, I have chosen only D and C ranked dungeons, the mana beasts at those levels weren't dangerous enough to turn me into their dinner."
"How come your platoon failed to protect you?", Bairon asked.
"Well….they didn't. One day I decided to be a complete idiot trying to test my limit to go inside a floor alone, against the pleading objection of the platoon's captain. Aaand I paid the price for my ego with a Queen Snarler almost biting my ass into bits. I escaped to return to my platoon in time to finish the beast off.", Alden told about a story…that never happened before.
"That was…so reckless of you.", Varay exclaimed.
"I still got 2 Emitters accompanying my platoon in case severe situations like those happened, and they patched me up for good. But oh well, you're right Varay, it was indeed reckless of me. But that's the whole point, isn't it? You don't sharpen a blade without striking it.", Alden said.
"Still,it's just unbelievable for your case. Most noble children who have awakened, don't go into dungeons as early as you at all. They all have to wait until they study in Xyrus Academy to have proper training for dungeon expeditions first ", Bairon commented.
Alden replied flatly: "Well, I suppose I was getting bored of staying in the tutelage at Royal castle. The tutors eventually gave up and I gave myself new challenges of walking into monster-infested ruins instead. A fair compromise."
"And your royal tutelage?" Bairon pressed, his interest more earnest now. "What subjects?"
"A bit of everything. Magical theory, Sapin's history, politics, economics, *a lot* of magic and combat training and the worst of them:etiquette." Alden waved a hand as if it were unimpressive. "His Majesty's scholars try to cram my head full of everything and see what sticks."
"Did you enjoy it?" Varay asked, surprising both boys slightly.
Alden replied with a smile: "I enjoyed understanding the system, if not always the lessons themselves. I suppose there's some comfort in knowing how the pieces of our kingdom fit together. And more importantly—how to move them."
Bairon nodded slowly: "Insightful. May I ask you something more directly, Alden?"
"Of course," Alden replied smoothly. "No need to dance around things. Well… there will be dancing later but I want no part in it."
Varay leaned in slightly as well, intrigued. She may have been shy, but she was no less curious.
"About the Valerius army," Bairon began. "The rumors say you reorganized your house's soldiers, improved their tactics, and even applied them into law enforcement in Blackbend. How did you manage that? You're.... our age."
Alden let out a short, almost bashful laugh.
"Ah, yes. That's… generously overstated. The truth is far less glamorous, I'm afraid."
He folded his hands in his lap and leaned forward slightly, speaking with the calm confidence of a born diplomat.
"I studied a fair amount of theory during my royal tutelage—logistics, tactics, formations and deployment strategies. I just compiled what I thought might work better and presented the proposals to my father and my house's army commander. Thankfully, both of them were open-minded enough to try them out. Nothing happened without their approval, of course."
Bairon raised a brow: "So you were like… the idea man?"
"Yeah…something like that.", Alden said.
"But then… why were you present in the law enforcement activities?"
"Observational purposes," Alden said casually. "I wanted to see how theory performed in real conditions, and well… it turned out Blackbend had a criminal infestation problem. My presence helped smooth interactions with the local authorities too—political courtesy and all that."
"Just like that?" Varay asked, skeptical but not unkindly.
"Just like that," Alden replied with a grin. "Or at least, that's the story I'll keep telling until I'm old enough to get blamed for everything going wrong."
Bairon giggled faintly but he covered his mouth immediately.
"Holy deities, did you just laugh?", Alden asked, pretending to be comically shocked at Bairon's change of attitude.
"What's wrong with me laughing?", Bairon asked back.
"It took me the first minute to make Varay chuckle while you…. 20 minutes of nonstop talking. Thought you'd be stone-faced forever.",Alden commented playfully.
Bairon fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly digesting that. Then, he leaned in a little.
"There's another rumor. The biggest one. They say… you're a tri-elemental. First one to be ever recorded in the history of Dicathen. Is it true?", Bairon asked.
"I'm also curious about it too, Alden.", Varay added in.
"What do you guys think? After all of those ridiculous rumors you had heard about me, should you even bother to check whether this one is real?", Alden asked jokingly.
"Well, I'm partially taking your words into account, not entirely. I wasn't there to observe you achieving all of those glory feats personally and I'm not a mage, yet, to check for your magic capabilities right away. But if you can…show a small demonstration of your tri-elements, I would believe all of them instantly.", Bairon said.
"And with all due respect, I've been restlessly answering your questions until now without gaining anything. What would be my benefits doing your demand?", Alden asked back.
"My father…would readily share you the knowledge of my house's lightning deviant training techniques and spells, given another rumor stated that you have also unlocked lightning deviant. And even in the future, our houses may also potentially become allies thanks to our cooperation from this very moment.", Bairon with a response prepared carefully by his father.
"A rather precious and honorable offer from your lord father, Bairon. Please send my regards and thanks to him if I don't have a chance to encounter him at this party.", Alden spoke with a diplomatic tone.
"I will. But what about you?", Bairon asked.
"Welp, a small demonstration sure won't hurt anyone I guess.", Alden said as he channeled his mana, forming a small gust of wind, a flickering fire and a small cluster of dust stones in the palm of his hand.
Varay and Bairon stared with utmost disbelief. Across the ballroom, other nobles turned, sensing the unusual mix of mana. Whispers spread like wildfire.
The rumors were true.
Bairon said, clearly intrigued, "that's…."
"Incredible.", Varay finished with her face awed.
Alden dispelled the spells with a flick: "I trust that fulfills our agreement?"
"Frankly, as a high mage himself, my father probably noticed it already. My words won't be necessary," Bairon said, gesturing toward Lord Wykes, who was now eyeing Alden intently.
"But I can assure you, his offer for you will become true soon.", Bairon concluded.
"Answering questions constantly makes me thirsty. Let's order something to drink.", Alden opened the menu on the table and gestured lightly to one of the waiters.
"Excuse me Mr Waiter", Alden called the waiter.
"Yes my lord, at your service.", the waiter arrived.
"I would like a cup of iced raspberry
juice. Varay, you want to order some?", Alden passed the menu for her.
"Yes. Uhmmm, 1 strawberry shake.", Varay said and passed to Bairon.
"Thanks.", Bairon said to Varay as he looked at the menu.
".....What would be the best drinks for children of our age here, waiter?", Bairon asked the waiter.
The waiter, a middle-aged man with a practiced posture of a seasoned professional, smiled politely at Bairon's question.
"For young lords and ladies, our most favored drinks tonight include chilled honeyed peach tea, vanilla-cream milk, sparkling grape elixir, and the Capital's signature blend—Blueberry-Mint Nectar. All made fresh and sweetened naturally."
Bairon considered for a moment, clearly treating even this simple decision with more seriousness than it warranted
"I'll have…. the Blueberry-Mint Nectar," Bairon said crisply, as if deciding a battle strategy.
The waiter bowed.
"Very good, young lords and lady. Your drinks shall arrive momentarily."
As he walked away, the trio leaned back in their chairs, a silence settling between them—not awkward, but rather the kind that follows when words have temporarily exhausted their usefulness.
Alden was the one to break it, as usual: "The son of the great Wykes house found himself having trouble choosing a drink."
"I….never eat outside of my house before. So my choices of food and drink are limited.", Bairon admitted.
" Is your father afraid of you getting food poisoning from outside restaurants or what?", Alsen with a mischievous tone.
Bairon went silent as he gave a sharp glance at his father Otis Vayhur standing from far away speaking with other nobles.
"Woah…It was just a joke of mine by the way, Bairon.", Alden noticed.
"I know. My 'beloved father' kept me inside the house not because of food poisoning.", Bairon's voice filled with hatred.
"....", Alden closed his mouth for a second before leaned his head towards Varay for a small whisper:
"We are looking at a live example of 'daddy issues' here."
"What was that?", Bairon turned his gaze back at Alden and Varay.
Alden straightened with mock innocence, coughing theatrically:
"*Cough* *Cough*, ahem, nothing at all.", He gave an exaggerated shrug, as if to wash his hands of whatever accusation Bairon might've thought he'd heard.
Varay didn't know the definition of "daddy issues". And she was confused at Alden's odd words and behavior.
"Here are your orders, my lords and lady.", The waiter returned with the drinks and placed them on the table.
"Thanks for your service.", Alden immediately took a sip.
"Anyway," Alden said, "throughout the whole time earlier, it's been me doing the talking—or rather, answering Bairon's questions. Varay, Bairon, it's your turn. I believe I must let my tongue rest before it declares mutiny."
Varay blinked, caught off guard, then glanced briefly at Bairon. He, for his part, looked as if Alden had just asked him to recite an epic before a royal court.
A silence lingered between the two.
Finally, Varay spoke—soft, but not meek.
"You said earlier… you've never eaten outside your house. Have you…ever even been outside your house? My family conducted business meetings with your father several times and yet I have never met you before."
Bairon gave a slow head shaking: "I have never been."
"That must be lonely. May I ask why your father kept you in?", Varay asked.
".....Training.", Bairon answered curtly.
Varay looked down at her drink for a moment, then said, "I know what that's like. My house expects a lot of discipline and hardwork as well."
"From what I can see, your parents treat you far better than mine. You don't know what it's like.", Bairon said.
"Well, can you share some details about yours?", Varay asked.
"No, I'm afraid I can't.", Bairon said.
A flicker passed through his eyes—a crack in the polished calm.
"Your family's achievements in Sapin's military history are astounding. Consistent victories defending our borders during both the First and Second Wars."
"Thank you for the kind words—" Varay began, only to be cut off.
"Yet when it comes to offense or conquest," Bairon said, "House Aurae seems to lack some of that fortune. A few... unwanted losses. Meanwhile, my house advanced the front lines deep into elven and dwarven territory."
"...While I may not have read much about your family," Varay said slowly, "I've heard from Alden that House Wykes has a reputation for producing powerful lightning deviants. So I was wondering—does your family traditionally lock up its heirs until they awaken and learn to throw lightning?"
Bairon blinked. His expression was no longer neutral.
Alden raised a brow, sipping his juice with theatrical slowness.
"If it was a tradition," Bairon said, voice tight, "then I wouldn't be the first of my bloodline to be barred from the outside world."
"I give my condolences," Varay said, "for the... unfortunate conditions of being raised by a not-so-ideal father."
"Thanks for your courtesy," Bairon replied flatly, "it compensates for your lack of historical reading."
Alden coughed. "I leave the conversation for half a minute, and you two are already at each other's throats."
"There's no hatred here," Varay said with that same soft tone, which somehow made it even more effective. "I'm merely learning more about our dear new friend."
"And I'm returning the full favor." Bairon replied, a flicker of a taunting smirk breaking his composure.
Alden broke the tense dramatic air between them: "You know, I never expected this evening would turn into a miniature military summit between heirs of 2 military houses and a trading house, thanks to you Bairon. Now if a Flamesworth or Maxwell has to join in and we'd form a team of Sapin's future headaches."
Bairon gave him a long look: "Do you always talk like this?"
"Only when I'm in good company." Alden replied.
Varay shifted slightly in her seat, glancing at Bairon with a small sigh: "He's been like this since we started talking."
"It's like trying to talk to a bookworm who also happens to be a jester," Bairon muttered
"A very well-dressed, charming jester with both wits and talents? I will take that compliment anytime." Alden corrected.
Bairon snorted at Alden's comment about his appearance:
"Charming you say? I have been talking with you for almost half an hour now and I can't get used to those yet."
"To what?" Alden asked, raising a brow.
"Your eyes," Varay supplied with barely veiled amusement.
"By the devils under hell, are you two sharing the same brain signals or something?!", Alden blurted out.
"They are….", Bairon hesitated.
"Unnerving?", Varay chimed in.
"No—but close. Disorienting," Bairon said.
"Hey now," Alden interjected with mock offense. "I'm right here, you know."
Varay gave him a sideways glance. "Well, they are very pale."
"And murky." Bairon added.
"Like dirty ice," Varay agreed.
"Or smoke and dust." Bairon said.
"They caught me off guard when I first met him," Varay said. "I thought maybe he'd had an accident—or gone blind."
"Hold on, Alden, you can see things…normally?", Bairon asked.
Alden leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, pretending to sigh with deep suffering. "Truly, this must be what betrayal feels like. I offer my company and my wisdom—and this is the thanks I receive."
Varay and Bairon both cracked subtle smiles, and for the first time, laughter passed between all three—not forced, not courteous, but warm and genuine.
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(A/n: first time writing long ass conversations like this, please share your criticisms about how the characters act and talk in my writing so I can improve them. I want them to be as natural and human as I can do instead of like emotionless robots)