[A couple of days later...]

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen snow,” Nalia said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

Cyrus let out a sigh. “Neither have I.”

Nalia turned to me, smiling. “What about you, Lucian? Have you seen snow before?”

“Yeah... But it’s been a while since I’ve been around it.”

“Amazing,” Nalia murmured.

“You freaking moron!” Solomon barked.

What did you call me?!

“Did you forget you still haven’t seen snow in your new life?!”

Of course, I’ve seen... Oh, crap... You’re right! The only time I saw snow was in the spirit realm...

“That doesn’t count.”

I could practically feel the disappointment radiating from Solomon as he exhaled deeply.

Oh, well. The cat is out of the bag now... All I can do is hope Nalia doesn’t go around fact-checking everything I say.

“Uhh, Lucian?” I heard someone say.

Blinking, I turned my head and saw that Nalia was staring at me wide-eyed.

“Yes, Nalia?”

“Can you describe what snow looks like?”

For a moment I was entranced by Nalia’s eyes. They were incredibly unique. The first time we met, I hadn’t been paying much attention. For some reason, I had assumed they were dark. But now that her face was this close, I realized her eyes were a deep shade of violet.

“Lucian?” Nalia asked, her voice bringing me back to the present. “Are you feeling well?”

“Oh, I feel fine!” I forced a smile, offering her a thumbs-up.

“So, are you going to tell us or what?” Cyrus barked from the other side of the table.

Damn... I guess someone is in a mood today.

“Tell you what?”

Cyrus rolled his eyes. “How snow looks like!”

“Ah, yes... How could I forget,” I chuckled.

Placing my thumb under my chin, I looked at the ceiling, thinking of a good way to explain.

“Have you guys ever seen crystals?”

Nalia nodded. “My mother used to have a lot of necklaces with crystals.”

“Okay... That’s kind of what snow is like. Snow is frozen crystalline water that falls from the sky in delicate, unique formations. It covers the ground, and from a distance, it looks like a white blanket.”

“That sounds amazing!” Nalia squealed. “I’m so excited...”

Without realizing it, I found myself smiling as I listened to Nalia talk about all the things she knew about snow. Even though most of her information came from books, it was still impressive how much she knew about the topic. It seemed she’d been doing quite a lot of research for our upcoming trip.

Part of me still couldn’t believe that it’d only been a few days since the twins had gotten their freedom. They looked so different compared to when I found them. Especially, Nalia. I couldn’t tell if it was the outfit or the way her hair was styled, but she looked like a completely different person.

In her defense, she had been quite malnourished and exhausted when I found her. So was Cyrus. I still remember how thin and fragile the twins had looked. The clothes they were wearing had been covered in stains and holes.

“It seems the two of them are recovering quite well,” Solomon noted.

Yes, they are.

I felt a gust of wind hit the back of my head as I heard the door opening and closing.

“Uncle!” Nalia jumped out of her seat and disappeared from my sight.

“Is she always this energetic?” I asked, turning to Cyrus.

“No.” Cyrus crossed his arms. “Only in the morning...”

“I see...”

“What are YOU doing here?!” Leonis barked as he stepped into the dining room.

“Guess someone still isn’t happy about the trip,” Solomon laughed.

Neither am I... I hate the cold.

Before I could say anything, Leonis dropped the bags he was carrying onto the table and jabbed his finger in my direction. “You better not drop another bomb on me, you hear me!!!”

I raised my arms in surrender and chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry. I just happened to be in the area so I decided to come by for breakfast.”

“Seriously?! Couldn’t you go somewhere else,” Leonis groaned. “Don’t you have personal cooks in the palace?”

“Yeah, I do.” I nodded toward the kitchen where Clair was preparing breakfast.

“Oh...”

“Why don’t you take a seat,” I suggested. “Clair should be finished in a few minutes.”

“I wish I had a personal maid too,” Cyrus said, placing his head on the table.

Leonis snorted as he took a seat. “You and me, buddy...”

“It looks amazing! I love it!”

I turned my head and caught sight of Nalia as she returned to the dining room. She was wearing a gray furry snow coat. The color matched her hair, and I recognized it as a piece from a well-known brand in Valoria. She had an air of satisfaction about her as she walked up to Leonis and gave him a heartfelt hug.

“Thanks for the coat, uncle! It’s exactly what I wanted.”

“It’s no big deal... If it makes you happy, it’s worth it,” Leonis smiled.

Across from me, Cyrus lifted his head from the table, letting out a long yawn. “Did you buy one for me too?”

Leonis ruffled Cyrus’s hair affectionately, nodding toward the bags. “I got jackets for all of us. Make sure to try yours after breakfast.”

Cyrus nodded, seemingly content with that answer.

Just as I began to wonder if Clair might need help with breakfast, a gentle touch on my arm drew my attention.

Turning, I spotted Nalia standing behind me.

My God... When she’d get there?!

“Hey, Lucian.”

“Oh, hey... What’s up?”

Nalia responded with a playful twirl, showcasing her new jacket. “What do you think? Does it fit me?”

“It suits you,” I replied, a grin tugging at the corners of my lips. I couldn’t help but appreciate her flair for the dramatic. It kind of reminded me of...

Stop that! You know better than to think about her...I thought to myself.

“Breakfast is ready,” Clair announced, her voice snapping me out of my thoughts.

Grateful for the distraction, I stood up and started setting the table.

As Clair finished serving the last plate of breakfast, my mouth watered at the sight of the food before me. Today’s spread included scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Just the smell of it made me realize how much I would miss her cooking.

Glancing around the table, I noticed the others staring at their plates in awe. They looked excited. It was good to see they all seemed to be enjoying breakfast as much as me.

“No wonder you’re so damn strong.” Leonis glared in my direction as he chewed on the bacon. “If I ate like this every morning, I’d probably be stronger than your father.”

I scratched the back of my head and chuckled. “Maybe you have a point there.”

“MAGNIFICENT!” Cyrus leaped out of his seat, startling the rest of us with his sudden movement.

With a dramatic flourish, he bowed before Clair, eliciting a chuckle from the rest of us.

Clair laughed uncomfortably, clearly taken aback by Cyrus’s unexpected display. “What are you doing, dear?”

“I’m paying homage to the chef,” he declared, his tone filled with reverence. “I’ve never eaten such amazing food.”

“Oh... Well, I’m glad you’re enjoying my food,” Clair replied.

“Alright, alright, why don’t you give her some space?” Leonis barked. “If you freak her out, she might never cook for us again.”

Cyrus’s eyes widened in fear and without another word, he rushed back to his seat. “I apologize...”

“Oh, don’t worry... It’s okay.”

The rest of the morning went pretty smoothly. After some friendly banter, Leonis regaled us with tales of his adventures in his youth. I found myself captivated by his stories, particularly the one about getting lost in the Mooney Mountains.

According to Leonis, the Mooney Mountains were a chain of mountains in Eldrath, rumored to be home to ancient ruins and hidden treasures. He recounted the thrill of exploring lost dungeons and unraveling mysteries, his words painting vivid images in my mind.

Once breakfast was over, Cyrus walked over to the couch, flopping down face-first. “That...Was... The best breakfast I’ve ever had.”

“You can say that again,” Nalia said as she sat on the other side of the couch.

Noticing that Leonis was trying on one of the coats, I turned to him with a curious expression. “Have you bought snow boots yet?”

“Snow boots?” Leonis looked at me confused.

“Uh, yeah...”

Leonis took off his jacket and sighed. “Are telling me that on top of buying jackets, hats, and gloves, I’m supposed to buy boots?!”

“Are we getting boots?!” Nalia exclaimed. “I love boots!”

Man, I keep forgetting these three have never needed clothes for snow...

Clearing my throat, I stepped forward. “Let me put it this way... You wouldn’t walk outside in your normal footwear when it’s raining, right?”

“No,” Leonis responded.

“I hate the rain,” Nalia commented.

Cyrus nodded in agreement. “So do I.”

“Good to know... Well, think of snow as rain. Unless you want to purposely ruin your ordinary boots, you need special boots when you’re walking on snow.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Leonis noted.

“Does that mean we’re going shopping later today?” Nalia asked, turning to Leonis with a hopeful expression.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.

“We still have a few weeks before we leave,” I reminded them gently, exchanging a knowing glance with Leonis. “There’s no rush.”

“Yeah, but I want to get the shopping over with as soon as possible,” Leonis admitted.

“Fair enough.”

Just as I thought the discussion had settled, Nalia turned to me and smiled. “Have you bought your snow boots, Lucian?”

“Not yet,” I replied, making a mental note to take care of it soon.

Nalia’s smile widened. “Why don’t you come shopping with us later?”

I was about to tell her “yes”, when a wave of memories washed over me, threatening to engulf me in their emotional tide. Debbie’s face flashed before my eyes. The last time I saw her, she’d been carrying a look of defeat in her gaze. The pain of our parting still lingered, and I used it to remind myself of my resolve.

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fists and turned to Nalia. “I’m sorry, but I’m busy later.”

Nalia’s disappointment was evident as she lowered her head, her shoulders sagging. “That’s too bad.”

I nodded in agreement, feeling a pang of guilt for disappointing her.

“What about tomorrow?! Are you free tomorrow?” Nalia asked. “We don’t have to go today...”

Meeting her gaze, I could sense her earnest desire to hang out with me. It was clear she wanted us to be friends, a sentiment that wasn’t surprising given that I had saved her. Despite her warmth and kindness, my resolve remained unchanged. I had made a vow to avoid getting caught up in another emotional attachment, and that’s precisely what I intended to uphold.

“I appreciate the invite,” I answered after a moment. This time, I was wearing my usual fake smile. “Unfortunately, I’ll be pretty busy for the next couple of weeks.”

“Oh, I see...”

“You guys should go ahead and buy whatever you need without me,” I suggested, hoping to ease any concerns they might have about leaving me out of their plans.

"Any other items you reckon we'll need for the trip?" Leonis inquired. "If you could put together a list of essentials, it would really come in handy."

“Great idea. I’ll prepare one and send it your way in a few hours.”

“Thanks.”

“No worries...”

Recognizing it was a mistake to have dropped by, I turned to Clair and informed her we were taking off.

Clair nodded, grabbed our belongings, and before we knew it were on our way back to the palace.

*     *     *     *

As I knocked on the door, I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. I was feeling anxious. Not only was this my first time visiting Valtair’s office, but it was also the first time I was seeking him out.

“Come in.”

With a swift yank, I pulled the door open and stepped into his office.

Valtair’s office was large and wide. It was also dark, which went along with his usual dark clothes. The first half of the room resembled a cozy lounge, complete with two couches that sat beside the fireplace. The other half was dominated by an imposing desk, possibly the largest I had ever encountered.

“Well, this is unexpected,” Valtair remarked, removing his glasses.

I shrugged as I sat on the seat across from him.

For you and me both...

“Is this the first time you’ve been in my office?” Valtair asked, filling up his mug with tea.

“I believe so.”

Valtair smiled as he took a sip out of his mug. “Well... What do you think? Is it nice?”

I looked around once more to make it seem like I cared before settling my gaze back on his irritating face. “Seems cozy.”

“That’s what I was going for.”

“Interesting...”

“So, what brings you here?” Valtair asked. “After what happened the last time we talked, I kind of figured you’d avoid me.”

I waved him off. “It’s been a few days. It’s all in the past, father.”

UGH... Every time I call him that I feel like I’m going to puke.

“Listening to you whine makes me feel the same way,” Solomon snapped.

Shut up...

“Even though I’ve apologized, I want you to know that I’m truly sorry for grabbing you by the collar. That was completely unwarranted and I’ll never do it again,” Valtair promised.

“Like I said, it’s not a big deal.”

If he touches me again, I’m going to stab him.

“I know it’s normal for children your age to challenge what we old people think... I should’ve been more calm about the whole matter.”

See that! There he goes belittling my opinions again!

Solomon snorted. “Do I have to keep reminding you that you’re only nine?!”

No, I’m not... At least not on the inside!

“So, what can I help you with?” Valtair placed his mug on the table and leaned forward.

“I want more information,” I said.

Valtair raised a brow. “About what?”

“About the trip... The last time we talked, you told me I was going to the northern continent. Other than that, I know nothing about where I’m going or who you’re sending me to.”

Valtair chuckled. “Oh really?! That’s my bad... What would you like to know?”

“Well, it’d be nice to know where I’m going.”

“You’ll be going to Lyonhall along with a legion of five thousand men.”

“Five thousand men!” I exclaimed. “Why? What the hell is happening?!”

Valtair took another sip out of his mug before he replied. “I’m going to go on a limb and assume you’ve read about the barbaric tribes in the north?”

I nodded.

Although I wasn’t an expert on the topic, I knew the northern continent of Polaris had an area in the north called the wildlands. The wildlands were the only place in Azurax in which Valtair had no control. And that was because of the ice ogres, aka, “the barbaric tribes”.

“Good. I’m guessing you’re also aware I placed Gaius in charge of guarding the northern front.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“Well, a couple of days ago, I received a letter from Gaius, who’d just returned to his post after assisting me in Eldrath. In his letter, he described the very delicate state he found his army in.”

For the last couple of hours, I’d been debating whether a trip to Valtair’s office was worth it. But now that I was here, it seemed I’d made the right choice in coming. It seemed there was a lot more at play than I initially thought.

“What in the world is happening up there?” I asked, eager to hear more about the ongoing situation.

Valtair let out a sigh. “From the moment he left his post in Lyonhall to join me in Eldrath, the northern front has been repeatedly under heavy attack. Out of the ten fortresses he commands, two of them have been destroyed, and one has been abandoned due to a lack of men... Last I heard, there were reports stating death tolls in the thousands.”

“And this all happened while he was gone?”

“Yes,” Valtair replied. “This all happened in the last nine months.”

Unlike the other three generals who went to Eldrath two years ago, Gaius had gone with Valtair just a few months ago. When I first heard of this, I’d been confused as to why he’d been the exception. But now that I was hearing what was happening, it was clear Gaius was an important figure who couldn’t risk leaving his post for long.

“There must be a spy,” I said after a few seconds. “That’s the only way the ogres could’ve found out that Gaius had left.”

“That would explain why the tribes are acting up after so many years of laying low,” Valtair agreed.

“There’s still one thing I don’t understand.”

“What’s that?”

“Isn’t it kind of dangerous to send your nine-year-old son to a freaking warzone?”

Valtair shook his head and smiled. “Oh, no... I wouldn’t send you there if I thought the situation was dire... Besides, Lyonhall is the largest fortress in all of Azurax. It’s one of the safest places to be. Even though I admit the situation is a bit dainty, I have full confidence Gaius will handle the situation. He’s also the best Flame user I know. If someone can teach you how to master the element of fire, it’s him.”

“You told him I possessed two elements?!”

To be honest, I couldn’t decide what was more gut-wrenching: the fact that Valtair was sending me somewhere cold, or that he had disclosed information that could jeopardize my safety.

“I wouldn’t worry about Gaius. He’s a trustworthy friend and my most capable general. If it wasn’t for him, I would have never become king,” Valtair confessed.

“While that may be true, you should still be careful who you share information with... Especially information that puts me at risk.”

I watched as Valtair clasped his hands together, lowering his head as he let out a shaky breath. “I understand, son. Truly, I do. That’s precisely why I’ve decided to send you to Lyonhall... We’ve been fortunate in recent years that no one has discovered the extent of your strength. However, the secrecy surrounding your Mark won’t last indefinitely... As I’ve mentioned previously, in a few years, you’ll be attending a school where my protection won’t reach you. My greatest concern is the possibility of you getting harmed when that day arrives...”

Man, he’s good at pretending to be a caring father.

“I don’t think he’s pretending,” Solomon differed.

That’s because you don’t know him like I do...

Valtair paused for a moment as he drank some tea. “As your father, my job is to prepare you as much as possible for the moment you find yourself in danger. That’s why I’m doing this... I will use every resource in my arsenal to help you get strong.”

“That’s all fine... Just remember, I’m only nine,” I said, breaking a smile.

“Oh, I’m well aware,” Valtair chuckled. “I also know you developed a magic core when you were just five and possessed the same level of mana as an A-Rank adventurer in Elysium when you were six.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “How... how do you know that?”

“William didn’t tell you?”

Is he talking about William Chase?

“Tell me what?”

Valtair smiled. “Once upon a time, a very, very long time ago, he and I used to train together under Dahlia.”

Wait... What!?!?!?!