On the way back from the Royal Academy, my mom gave me a lecture that went on way too long. Honestly, I zoned out halfway through. At least she didn't seem pissed. Dad, on the other hand, looked like he was ready to throw a parade. He was so proud, and weirdly, that made me feel... kinda good.
"Ugh… I'm so tired," Mom groaned as she stepped down from the carriage. We'd just reached the courtyard of our manor, and yeah, it still blew my mind how massive this place was.
"Young Master, I've prepared a change of clothes," Rowan said as I entered the manor, bowing slightly with folded arms.
"Thanks. I'll go take a shower now," I replied, dragging my sore body past him.
Everything ached. I didn't even know why. It wasn't like I'd done anything that intense. I just knew I needed a hot bath and a silent room.
"That was pretty stressful," I muttered, stripping off my clothes in the bathroom.
"You didn't even do anything," Erelya said, floating beside me in her tiny towel. I would never get used to that sight. Ever.
"That's so not true."
"Then what exactly did you do?" she teased, one brow arched.
"I slapped those noble girls."
"Oh yeah. What noble activism," she snorted.
"It was activism. Gender equality campaign. Equal rights, equal slaps."
"They thought they could get away with it because they were girls?"
"No," I muttered darkly. "They thought they could get away with it because they were nobles."
"Did they forget you're a noble now too?"
"Exactly! I might've started off a commoner, but right now? I've got pedigree, baby."
"Guess that's true," Erelya shrugged, drifting over to the mirror.
Something caught my eye, and I frowned, pointing toward the corner of the bath.
"Eri... what's that?"
"'Eri'? What's that supposed to be?"
"Your new nickname. Just thought I'd give you one."
She blinked, floating closer. "Huh… I kinda like it."
"Knew you would. Anyway—what is that?" I pointed again, this time more insistently.
"What does it look like? Are you blind?" she said, dipping into what looked like a soup bowl for ants.
"…That's a bathtub?" I squinted.
"Obviously."
"How the hell is that a bathtub? It's tiny!"
"Do I look big enough to need something larger?" she snapped, water splashing as she crossed her arms.
"Okay, okay," I sighed, lifting my hands. "Just asking."
That night, I passed out the second my head touched the pillow. I'd been running around way too much lately.
---
The Next Morning
As usual, it was time for another brutal training session. I'd gotten used to the drills, so I wasn't too worried. But if I'd known what was waiting for me… I would've begged to stay in bed.
This wasn't just training—it was actual combat.
"Think I'm strong enough?" I asked Erelya while tying my boots, trying to sound casual.
She floated beside me, unreadable. "If it's brute force, maybe. You're definitely stronger than most kids your age."
"At least if I grab him, I win," I said, cracking my knuckles.
"Never be too sure," she warned. I didn't listen.
We were headed toward the backwoods of the manor—what I liked to call the Forbidden Forest. It was huge and dense enough to pass for a small jungle. Definitely not somewhere you'd want to wander alone at night.
"Kael," Dad called, standing at the edge of the woods.
"Yes, sir," I replied, jogging up. My mom stood beside him—and beside her, a man I'd never seen before.
He was tall, broad, and absolutely terrifying. His face was unreadable. His aura? Ice cold.
Nope. Nope nope nope. If I was fighting him, forget the bruises—I was not making it out of this alive.
"I don't wanna fight anymore, Dad," I said, eyes glued to the mountain of muscle beside him.
"You won't be fighting him, you'll be fighti—"
"Smart kid, don't pick fights you can't win" the man interrupted with a booming laugh that rattled the trees. Birds scattered. Even Mom's face twitched.
"Don't worry," he grinned, his voice deep enough to echo. "You're not fighting me."
"Oh... okay," I mumbled.
"You're fighting my son."
A boy about my age stepped forward, passing by me so quietly, I didn't even notice he was there.
'What the… I couldn't sense him,' I thought, eyes narrowing.
"What's wrong?" Erelya asked.
"I couldn't sense him at all. Not even a little."
"That's... unusual," she said. "Only your dad and that man have that level of control."
"He's probably a swordsman. Mages aren't that sharp with physical movement."
"He does look built," I noted.
"Well, whatever. I'll still win." I grinned and cracked my knuckles.
We stepped into the forest clearing. It was quiet, the trees towering overhead. They gave the fight a kind of arena-like ambiance.
Suddenly, something flew toward me—fast.
"What the—? Is that a rock?" I squinted.
"Brace yourself!" Erelya chirped.
"Relax, I can dodge a rock—"
Boom.
That rock was actually Vaelen, the kid I was supposed to fight. He jumped straight across the clearing and slammed into me.
"What the hell!?" I yelped.
He grabbed me by the collar.
"You're too weak," he said flatly. "But you can use aura."
His fist hovered over my face.
"I'm eleven. I start the Royal Academy next year," he added with a smirk—and then punched me.
Blood dripped down my face as I staggered back.
"Hah… doesn't matter how far you jump. I'm stronger!" I roared and punched him in the nose.
He didn't even flinch.
"He jumped across the forest. Did you really think he wouldn't be strong?" Erelya snorted.
"I'll still wi—!"
Bam. Another punch landed.
Then he threw me into a tree.
"Guh—!" I coughed blood, gasping for air. 'How the hell is he this strong!?'
Luckily, Dad and General Garran arrived just in time.I had a feeling they were watching since the beginning though.
"You still need practice," Garran laughed, voice like thunder. "But that was decent for your age."
"Thanks…" I said, wiping my mouth with a crooked smile.
"You still got wrecked," Erelya said, floating lazily above me.
"I tried, didn't I?" I muttered.
"Barely."
Vaelen stood quietly, barely breathing hard. That alone told me—he was on another level.
"Who are you talking to?" he asked, frowning.
Everyone turned to look at me.
'I can't let them know about her. No way. I'd be burned alive.'
"Don't worry," Erelya whispered through our mind link. "I use aether. They won't sense demonic energy."
'So I can tell them?'
"Sure, just lie about what I am."
I stepped forward, trying to look calm.
"Reveal," I said dramatically.
"That's my spirit familiar."
Everyone blinked.
"You've had one all this time?" Dad asked, suspicious.
"I thought you wouldn't approve."
"Oh, she's adorable!" Mom squealed, floating over and hugging Erelya like a plush toy.
"What's her name?" she asked.
"Erelya."
"No, I meant her nickname."
"…Eri," I replied smugly.
"Eri! That's so cute!"
Mom squeezed her again while Erelya struggled for air.
'Nope. You're on your own,' I thought, watching her flail.
"So you've contracted a spirit? Not bad," Garran said, nodding in approval.
After they left, I washed up and changed for dinner. It had been a long, exhausting day.
---
Dinner
Everyone was seated at the long table. It had been a while since Lilia joined us for a family meal, ever since she left it'd been me and my parents, but now Erelya, somehow, had her own plate—comically large for her tiny form.
"Huh… what is this?" she asked, her expression unreadable.
'Oh no. What now?'