By afternoon, Shoreward Vale village had settled into its usual calm.
The crystal testing circle was empty now, only faint marks left on the stone where people had stood earlier. A soft breeze moved through the village, carrying the smell of salt, fish, and warm bread. Children ran along the paths, laughing, while adults returned to their work, talking in low voices.
Euryale stood near the edge of the market, leaning against a wooden fence. His arms were crossed, his gaze fixed on the sea. The waves rolled in slowly, steady and familiar.
But his thoughts were not calm.
The image of the blue-haired boy lingered in his mind.
Ezrael.
Euryale didn't know why the name felt heavy in his chest. He only knew that something about that boy felt… distant, powerful, and important in a way he couldn't explain.
He shook his head slightly and muttered, brushing sand off his sleeve."Why does someone look like they walked straight out of a storm… and act like it's normal?"
Before he could think further, shouting erupted near the northern road.
"Hey! Slow down!""Careful with that carriage!""By the sea—someone stop him!"
Euryale turned just in time to see the golden carriage of the Verdant Hollow family swerving wildly as it entered the village.
Lucien stood at the front, gripping the reins with far too much confidence and far too little control.
"Look!" Lucien shouted happily. "See? I told you I could do it!"
The horses panicked, hooves striking hard against the ground. A crate of fish tipped over. A water barrel rolled free, splashing across the road.
Villagers scrambled out of the way.
Pa moved quickly, stepping forward. "Everyone clear the path!"
Ma pulled Lyra and Silas back. "Stay behind me!"
The carriage tilted sharply.
Euryale's heart skipped.
Without thinking, he lifted his hand slightly.
He didn't glow.He didn't speak.He didn't even look like he was doing anything at all.
The water answered anyway.
The spilled water flowed back, spreading smoothly across the ground instead of splashing wildly. The horses slowed—not stopping suddenly, but calming, their panic easing as if something unseen had wrapped around them.
The carriage straightened.
Lucien blinked. "Huh…?"
The moment passed.
Everything was quiet.
Euryale lowered his hand and stepped back, blending into the crowd.
The Marchioness was the first to react.
"Lucien Verdant Hollow!" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut stone. "What were you thinking?!"
The Marquis climbed down from the carriage, his face dark with anger. "You endangered the villagers, the horses, and yourself!"
Lucien opened his mouth. "But I—"
"No," the Marchioness said firmly. "You will listen."
She turned to the villagers, bowing her head slightly. "We sincerely apologize for the disturbance. This was reckless behavior."
The Marquis nodded. "Any damages caused today will be paid for. Double, if necessary."
A murmur passed through the village.
Pa stepped forward calmly. "Some crates were broken. No one was hurt."
"That is only because we were lucky," the Marquis said, his eyes narrowing as he turned back to his son. "And because someone here intervened."
His gaze shifted—slowly, carefully—until it landed on Euryale.
The Marchioness followed his look.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…You," she said softly.
Euryale stiffened.
"I… I just helped keep things steady," he said quietly.
The Marchioness studied him closely. "The water moved. That was no accident."
Lucien frowned, looking around. "Wait—what happened?"
"You happened," the Marquis snapped. "And you are grounded."
Lucien froze. "What?"
"One full month," the Marchioness said coldly. "No riding. No practicing. No wandering off without permission."
"But Mother—!"
"One more word," the Marquis said, "and we make it two."
Lucien shut his mouth instantly.
The Marquis then turned back to the villagers. "We will remain in the village tonight. Repairs will begin immediately."
Ma exchanged a glance with Pa.
Lyra whispered loudly, "Wow… grounded by nobles."
Silas nodded seriously. "That's worse than chores."
Euryale felt his chest tighten as the Marchioness approached him.
"You didn't panic," she said. "You didn't show off. You simply… fixed what was breaking."
Euryale shrugged. "It felt wrong to let things fall apart."
The Marquis gave a slow nod. "That kind of restraint is rare."
Lucien crossed his arms, sulking. "So… I almost crash everything, and he fixes it, and I get punished?"
"Yes," his mother said flatly. "That is how consequences work."
Lucien glanced at Euryale, irritation flickering—then curiosity.
"…You're weird," Lucien said.
Silas gasped. "That's rude!"
Lucien shrugged. "I mean interesting-weird."
The Marchioness sighed. "We will speak later, Lucien."
As the villagers returned to their work, gold coins were handed out for damages. Broken crates were replaced. Apologies were repeated.
The Verdant Hollow family did not leave.
That night, their carriage remained near the village edge, lanterns glowing softly.
Euryale stood by the shore later, watching the tide roll in.
He hadn't meant to reveal anything.
But the water had moved when it needed to.
Behind him, Ma spoke gently. "They saw it."
Euryale nodded. "I know."
Pa rested a hand on his shoulder. "You did the right thing."
And somewhere nearby, Lucien stared out from his tent, grounded, annoyed… and unable to stop thinking about the quiet boy.