Chapter Eleven – The Envoy from the Capital
The morning began quietly — too quietly.
Even the servants seemed tense.
Aveline noticed it the moment she stepped into the main hall. The usual chatter and greetings were gone. The air was heavy, like everyone was waiting for something.
Sylph hovered near her shoulder, invisible to others.
> "Something's off," she whispered.
"I know," Aveline replied softly.
At the end of the corridor, her mother stood beside Duke Reinhardt, both dressed formally. A group of armored knights had gathered at the gate. Their cloaks bore the golden insignia of the Royal Magus Order — the capital's magical authority.
An envoy.
> "They're here," her father murmured.
The doors opened, and a tall man stepped in, followed by two magisters carrying sealed cases. His robes were dark blue with silver trim, and his eyes glowed faintly from mana refinement — the sign of a high-ranking mage.
> "Lord Reinhardt Caelthorn," the man said smoothly, bowing slightly. "By decree of His Majesty, I am Archmage Darius Vale. We are here to perform a mana integrity inspection."
Her father's expression didn't change. "Of course. May I ask what prompted this sudden inspection?"
> "There were reports," Darius said, "of a strange mana fluctuation originating from your territory. Old magic. Traces similar to extinct energy signatures. The Royal Council wishes to ensure the kingdom's safety."
Selina's smile didn't waver. "You think my daughter's home holds a threat?"
> "We do not assume," the archmage replied. "We verify."
His eyes briefly turned toward Aveline. "And this must be Lady Aveline Caelthorn."
Aveline curtsied politely. "Good morning, Archmage Vale."
Her tone was calm, measured — the same tone she'd use to greet a guest at tea.
> "The mana surge was recorded near your chamber," he said. "We will need your cooperation for a brief examination."
Sylph whispered beside her ear, unseen.
> "He's not buying the calm act."
Aveline's lips didn't move. "Then we'll make him."
---
The Test
They moved to the grand study, where the archmage's assistants began unpacking strange instruments — crystals mounted on iron stands, thin silver threads that pulsed faintly when mana was nearby.
Aveline sat at the center of the room. Her mother stood behind her, hand resting on her shoulder for comfort.
> "This will not hurt," Darius said. "Simply relax."
He raised a polished crystal toward her. The gem glowed faintly — reacting to ambient mana — but not hers.
No light.
No color.
> "Hmm…" Darius frowned. "As expected. Still elementless."
Her father gave a quiet sigh of relief. "There, you see? Nothing unusual."
But Darius didn't stop. He motioned to his assistant. "Increase resonance sensitivity."
The assistant adjusted the crystal, and a faint hum filled the air.
Aveline felt it — a pull deep inside her chest. The Lumivorn bond reacted instinctively. A soft wave of mana stirred in her veins. She gritted her teeth, forcing it down.
> "Easy," Sylph whispered. "Keep it contained."
She took a slow breath and visualized the bond — sealing the connection for now.
The glow on the crystal flickered once — faint, almost invisible — then died.
> "Just a residual echo," Darius said finally. "No danger detected."
Selina smiled politely. "Then I trust your inspection is concluded?"
> "Almost," Darius replied. "One last reading — environmental."
He gestured toward his assistants. They moved outside to scan the perimeter near her window.
Aveline stood quietly beside her parents, her heart finally steadying.
Until she felt it — a faint pulse from the forest.
The Lumivorn.
It was watching. Protecting.
> "Not now," she thought sharply. "Stay hidden."
But a flicker of blue light ran through the distant treeline, quick and faint like lightning.
Darius turned his head slightly.
> "Strange… a reading just beyond the estate."
Sylph cursed under her breath. "He noticed."
Aveline stepped forward immediately, keeping her expression blank.
> "That's probably from the outer barrier stones," she said quickly. "They crack when it rains heavily."
Darius studied her carefully — his gaze sharp, probing. For a tense moment, no one spoke.
Then he nodded slowly. "Perhaps. Still… we'll investigate further."
---
Unwanted Attention
By evening, the inspection was over. The Royal Magus Order packed up their instruments and prepared to leave.
Her father saw them to the gate, exchanging formal goodbyes, while Selina guided Aveline back to her room.
Once the door closed, Sylph appeared, visibly annoyed.
> "That was close! The Lumivorn almost blew your cover."
"I know," Aveline said, sitting down on her bed.
"You need to talk to it. Set boundaries or something."
Aveline sighed softly. "I will."
She lifted her wrist slightly. The faint crescent mark glowed once in response — a silent acknowledgment.
> "It listens," she murmured.
"Yeah," Sylph said. "But for how long?"
---
Meanwhile, in the Capital
Far away in the royal city of Veltheris, Archmage Darius reported to the council chamber. The hall was vast, lined with runed pillars that pulsed with golden light.
He knelt before the robed figure seated at the head — High Magus Serath, advisor to the king.
> "The surge was real," Darius said. "But contained. The Caelthorn girl registered no elemental affinity — however, there's an ancient resonance buried deep in her aura."
Serath's eyes narrowed. "Ancient resonance?"
"Something akin to Summoner-class mana… yet refined. I recommend continued observation."
The High Magus leaned back. "A Summoner in this age? Impossible."
"Perhaps," Darius said. "But the readings don't lie."
A pause. Then, quietly:
> "Keep your eyes on her. From a distance."
---
The Hidden Bond
That night, back at the Caelthorn estate, Aveline sat on her bed, stroking the faint mark on her wrist.
> "They'll be watching," Sylph warned.
"I know."
"Then what now?"
Aveline looked out the window. The forest shimmered faintly — a soft blue glow barely visible through the trees.
> "Now," she said quietly, "we make sure the next time they come… they won't find anything at all."
The Lumivorn's distant roar echoed once, low and calm — like an oath shared between two beings.
And Aveline smiled, just a little.