The Velaris family. A lineage that's considered to produce the most efficient and effective mages with the Ice affinity. High standing nobles would usually go to the Velaris family for personal trainers if their children had an affinity for ice and they were known to nurture some of the most prominent ice mages in the kingdom.
Just as the Flamesworth family did, House Velaris gained their title and standing through their martial prowess and huge achievements during the Second War.
Using their relation with the Velaris family, branch families began to get arrogant and started acting out more. Although the Velaris main family didn't get into matters of the branch family, just being related was enough.
That fact was made very apparent in court. Although their anniversary auction was just a month away, the Helsteas along with the Leywins came to the court as witnesses of the situation.
Chase, Ryan and Dante were back off to the academy, so there was nothing they could do to sway judgment. In the end, Andrew was found guilty on 4 charges.
1.) Assult of a knight
2.) Assult on nobility
3.) Attempted Murder of Nobility
4.) Causing a Public Disturbance/Unorderly Action
"By the power vested in me, Judge Adam Herald, you're being sentenced to life within the Royal Prison. You'll have the chance to send letters to your family 3 times a week and you'll get your received letters once every 2 weeks. Court adjourned."
*THOOM!*
….
"We're really sorry Jhene. We tried everything we could, but…"
"Thank you, but there's really nothing we could do from the start. That's just the power of nobility over us commoners."
"That's just not right! How could such a beautiful city be so corrupt?!" Alice stomped as she huffed in anger.
"Really, I wish there was more we could do." Tabitha added, wiping ber eyes with a handkerchief.
"Rather than me, I'm more worried about Yuji." Jhene said, looking down at her son. He blinked and looked up at her as if he was completely zoned out from the situation.
"He and Arthur are already good friends, so I wouldn't mind if he came over a few days. I'm sure you'd want some time to yourself as well." Alice suggested.
"What do you think Yuji?" Jhene asked.
Looking at her eyes, Ryuji honestly wanted to stay with her, but at the same time he didn't know if she truly wanted some time alone or not.
However they were worried about him.
"Yeah, I'll spend the night with the Leywins." He answered meekly.
"Alright, we'll need to pack a few things and I'll bring him back up."
"Arthur, you should help." Alice said as she tried to take as much weight from Jhene's shoulders. Along with that, she knew both her son and Ryuji were strangely mature for their age, so maybe they could have a heart to heart and make him feel a bit better.
"I don't mind. Should we get going then?"
…..
"You guys have a really cozy house here. It reminds me of when I was a kid." Arthur said as he walked down the hallway and into Ryuji's room.
"You know we're still kids right?" Ryuji asked flatly as he went into his closet and grabbed a backpack.
"Right…you never told me you were into magical engineering." He said, grabbing a thin book from his bookshelf.
"I was. Couldn't care any less now." Ryuji began stuffing clothes into his bag without caring about them getting wrinkled.
He grabbed two pairs of shoes and hung them on the sides by the shoelaces. Arthur silently watched Ryuji as he packed his bags. It was pretty obvious that he was mad and Arthur himself wasn't good with these situations.
"Hey, do you guys have a training area?" Ryuji asked.
"We have a pretty nice sized backyard."
"Nice."
Finding some common ground, Arthur probed further.
"I do a bit of training myself. I accidentally burned the backyard down, sparring with my dad." Arthur mentioned, unknowingly saying something he thought would make Ryuji sad.
"Really? Wait, you burned the backyard down? There's no way you have a mana core already?"
"You're saying that like you don't. You must be at a higher stage since I can't even since a bit of your mana." Arthur said in a nonchalant manner.
"I really don't have a mana core. I'm just really strong…" Ryuji said with a stare asking for the reason he was bragging.
"No way you're that strong without mana enhancement?!"
"Don't try to push this to me! Why are you already a mage at this age?! All the times I dropped by and we played those boring games, we could've been sparring?!" Ryuji yelled.
"I thought you enjoyed the games though…"
"That's not the point!" Ryuji stressed.
"Hey, you never asked. I thought you knew since you were so strong. Surely you had to be using mana, was what I thought."
"How'd you do it?"
"The same way you're doing it…?"
"Lies. C'mon why are you gatekeeping the method?"
"Gatekeeping? That's a new one, I'll use that. As for why, it's because you don't even need it. A monster like you having a mana core could be a disaster." Arthur answered with pure bluntness.
"I'M THE MONSTER??"
"Heh, I'm just lucky with magic."
"And I'm just lucky with my body. Now help me!"
Just as Ryuji grabbed Arthur's shoulder's, Jhene openes the door to check on them.
"Ryuji Gardener, unhand that boy!" She ordered, seeing Arthur in a daze.
Once he was released, Arthur massaged his shoulders and laughed.
"It's fine, we just found something we're both pretty passionate about." He said waving off Jhene's concerns.
"Ryuji's pretty strong, so sometimes I get worried…for other people's wellbeing. At least he looks like he's in somewhat of a better mood." Jhene noted, running her hand through his locs.
"C'mon mom…there's company here." Looking away from their faces, Ryuji was embarrassed, but happy to see his mother genuinely smiling.
"Ryuji, did you pack your training equipment as well?" Jhene asked, knowing how much her son kept up with his training.
"I think I'll need to get something better and more convenient. Carrying around huge bags of stones would be…embarrassing in the city."
"It's fine, I'm sure the Helstea's will be able to find him something." Arthur mentioned.
"I'd rather he just bought it though, for my own peace of mind."
"Then, we can stop by an equipment shop on the way back." Arthur replied.
"Well I'm all packed up." Ryuji said, as he was really rethinking his decision to go.
"Don't worry, he's in good hands with me and my family. Take as much time as you need to feel better."
"The Leywin's sure raised a smart kid." Jhene said, patting Arthur's head.
"Same to you guys. He's a bit kiddy, but I enjoy talking to more mature people like him."
Saying that, Arthur and Ryuji left the house with Jhene seeing them off at the door.
It was a bittersweet moment, where Jhene was happy her som was growing so well, but saddened by the fact he'd be going off on his own one day.
With low eyes, she walked back to her room and went into her closet, opening a trap door on the floor. Going down the ladder, she stood in a room that had the same vibe as a vault.
Many different paintings and pictures of her and Andrew when they were younger sat on tables. There were a vast amount of different accessories and magical devices that laid around. Chests of treasure, supplies and other things were everywhere.
Resting on a dresser, the picture that man had took of them at the edge of the city, stood up in a bowl of sand with incense sticking out at the sides.
In front of that bowl was a set of rings.
She picked one up and whispered into it.
"I wish we could use these again."
…..
"So you're still not gonna fess up on how you did it?"
"No. You'll be fine with or without it, just take it at your own pace." Arthur grumbled.
"Heh, you're just holding back on me, because you don't want me catching up to you! I thought you were more mature!" Ryuji persisted.
"Whatever you say. Just know I'm a mage and you're not, heh."
"Well this non mage would kick your ass any day!"
"Surely you jest? I think you're looking down on me too much." Arthur replied with a crooked smile.
"No no, I actually think I'm overestimating you too much."
"Then how about a bet?"
"What do you have in mind, dear friend?"
"A friendly spar. Loser has to do whatever the winner says for a week. Sounds good?" Arthur proposed.
"Sounds perfect. Just don't get mad when you get blitzed." Ryuji replied.
"Hahahahahaha."
"Hahahahahaha."
It was the dry laughter of a budding rivalry.
….
Later into that day, Arthur told his parents and the Helstea's about the sparring session between him and Ryuji. To everyone else it seemed liked Arthur was using his genius mind to let Ryuji blow off some steam without him saying it directly.
Of course, he didn't tell them that he just wanted to prove a point. Even in his own mind it was pretty childish, but it seemed like Ryuji knew all the buttons to push for Arthur to be irritated.
Besides, he's also strong so he should be fine.
…