"So, the new academy would focus on this ancient language before their standard magical and political studies?" Duke Valerius's deep voice rumbled, his sharp blue eyes fixed on Lady Eleonora.
Lady Eleonora nodded. "Precisely, Your Grace. It's a foundational step, designed to unlock deeper potential within their Veins of Origin from an earlier age. The Princess herself believes it will be a significant advantage for the kingdom's future."
Just then, we entered the drawing-room. My father's gaze swept over us, pausing briefly on Lysaria. "Princess," he said, his stern features softening slightly. "I trust Caelan, Lucien and Thorne entertained you well?"
Caelan, ever eager, puffed out his chest.
"Yes, Father! We showed Her Highness all the best places in the garden!"
"And I promised to pick the tastiest fruit for her!" Thorne added, not to be outdone.
"Yeah" I simply nod as a response.
Princess Lysaria offered a graceful, polite smile. "They were wonderful guides, Duke Valerius. Your estate is truly magnificent."
Her gaze, however, lingered on us for a fleeting moment before returning to my parents.
My mother, Seraphine, listened intently, her violet eyes thoughtful. "It sounds like a most ambitious and valuable endeavor, Lady Eleonora. And a considerable commitment for the children."
"It is, Duchess," Lady Eleonora confirmed.
"But the benefits, we believe, far outweigh the demands. Early immersion in this language could prove transformative."
Duke Valerius set his teacup down. "Seraphine, what are your thoughts?"
My mother serwphine met his gaze, then looked at us. "If it truly promises such profound growth for their Veins of Origin, then it is a path we must consider, Valerius. Our children's strength is the strength of our house, and of Aurelia."
Duke Valerius turned back to the Princess and her tutor, a decisive gleam in his eyes.
"Very well then. Lady Eleonora, Princess Lysaria, the Valeblacn children will attend the new academy on 3 years. We trust you will ensure their utmost care and instruction."
A sense of finality settled over the room. Caelan and Thorne beamed, still missing the full weight of the decision. I just watched,full of expectations for the future I believe I can learn and understand the new language and ride the tide of times alongside geniuses and powerhouse.
The new Academy?...
I'm coming.....
"Princess,here this fruit can nourish the skin and make it smooth" Thorne present a round yellow fruit with markings.
"Wrong! This fruit here is better" while caelan pick up a banana like fruit.
"Obviously mine was tastier!"
"it's okay,you two don't fight I want to taste it both" princess lysaria stop their arguments in stern baby voice.
"My son keep it up get the princess!!"
Duke valerius smiled looking at this.
"Another one of this fruit please" My mother seraphine requested.
"Yes in a moment Duchess"
A servant replied Disappearing in the shadows.
As I quietly enjoyed the apple-like fruit on the sofa, a small, fair hand slipped into the edge of my vision, holding out a larger version of the same fruit.
"Huh?" I turned my head and found Princess Lysaria standing beside me, arm extended.
"For you," she said simply, her voice soft and natural.
I blinked. This girl… What's her deal?
I hesitated. Should I really take it? But then I glanced at her face—calm, radiant, and natural.
"…Alright. Thank you," I mumbled, reaching for it.
"You're welcome," she replied, smiling with a kind of sweetness that made it impossible to refuse.
I could feel the eyes on me. My parents and Lady Eleonora all stared, clearly taken aback by the scene.
"What is the princess doing?" Eleonora murmured under her breath, furrowing her brow. Why would she approach Lucien of all people?
Even Duke Valerius looked puzzled, his gaze narrowing slightly.
This child… I never found him appealing in the slightest, the duke thought, trying to make sense of the princess's behavior. Why him, the plainest among my sons? Is she just being polite? I truly don't understand…
"Damn! Maybe I shouldn't have accepted this" it's too late to regret now I can only sigh that the princess is too kind
...
In this world, day and night were two completely different scenes.
Looking outside the window, fluorescent bugs filled the air, making a calming sound, and trees swayed without a wind. In hidden corners, small, harmless magical creatures hid and showed themselves from time to time
Click!
I heard the sound of breaking as my vision trembled. In the trembling, a crack started to appear. Through the crack, I seemed to see the scenes from before: three children walking and talking to a vague outline of a girl. Suddenly, the silhouette turned towards this direction...
"Ahhh!!"
I screamed in piercing pain until a warm, rough hand covered my eyes, healing them.
"I didn't expect that of the three brothers, you would be the first to awaken, Lucien..."
My father surprised voice rang out.
"Is he okay now?" My mother asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, he just saw something he shouldn't, like a stronger entity," Duke valerius reassured. "'Our child Lucien's early awakening will benefit him in this coming Academy since our Veins of Origin ability has an auxiliary effect on learning."
Lucien opened his eyes and saw his father, Duke Valerius, standing in front, and his mother, Seraphine, beside him.
"Mom? Dad? Why are you here?"
"You still ask why? Your screams could be heard from the next building!" Of course, I knew that was an exaggeration, but I was surprised my father knew humor. It must have been because of my awakening.
"Are you still in pain, my little baby?"
Seraphine sat on the bed, massaging my head.
Creak!
"Mom!? Dad!? Did Lucien really awaken his ability?" Lucien looked around and saw Caelan and Thorne, accompanied by a servant, peeking at the door. We all had our own rooms.
"Yes."
"You two should also work hard and awaken, to avoid being bullied by Lucien," Duke Valerius encouraged the two.
"Isn't it just awakening? I can do it too!!"
"Lucien, what is that silver symbol on the back of your hand?" Caelan asked curiously.
Lucien looked down and saw a marking: a silver stag beneath a crescent moon on the back of his hand, with silver veins reaching out.
"Is this my Veins of Origin?"
"Your veins are in your hands? That's strange..." Duke Valerius was confused. "It should be in your eyes since you awakened on the auxiliary side."
"Is it bad, dear?"
"Hmm, let's test it."
"Caelan, Thorne, punch Lucien using all your strength," Duke Valerius commanded.
"Ah?"
"Just do as I say."
"...Okay."
The duo looked at each other and, using all their strength, punched me. Don't look at their small bodies and think they were weak; under the irrigation of magic, they were as strong as an average adult in this world. If any adult from Earth got hit by one of these, getting one's teeth broken would be the least of their worries.
But Lucien remained calm and didn't even move.
Just when the fist was an inch away, a thin, translucent silver light emerged between them, stopping their fists. The energy dissipated like throwing a rock into the ocean. It was so thin, yet it couldn't be crossed.
"Haha, it seems like everything is okay," Duke Valerius's voice carried a hint of relief; after all, he still cared about his child, even though he was strict.
"That's good..." My mother, Seraphine, said from the side.
"What!?" The duo, Caelan and Thorne, exclaimed in disbelief.
"Hmm! You don't even know what this is; you've really neglected your studies," Duke Valerius scolded.
"Lucien, explain to them what it was.
"It's the symbol of awakened veins. Everyone who awakens their Veins of Origin has this, some strong like mine, and some weak, depending on the level of origin," I explained to my ignorant brothers.
"Wow! This is so cool!... And it feels cold to touch!"
"Does it mean we can't beat you even if we are together?"
"I will awaken too!"
I smiled at their excitement, looking like they were the ones who had awakened, not me.
.....
Meanwhile, in another luxurious bedroom, a pair of clear blue eyes opened and quietly turned in Lucien's direction—though walls separated them.
"The Duke's sons are really something…" Princess Lysaria murmured, then slowly closed her eyes again, drifting back to sleep.
The Next Morning
A grand vehicle—larger than a four-story mansion—waited in an open courtyard, bathed in the golden light of early morning. Servants dressed in white and gold uniforms moved in precise, silent motions, attending to final preparations. It was time for farewells.
Duke Valerius stepped forward, his posture regal, addressing Lady Eleonora and Princess Lysaria with solemn dignity.
"We thank you for your presence here. May the journey ahead be safe. We look forward to seeing the Princess's growth—and our children's—as the Academy opens three years from now."
My mother, Duchess Seraphine, offered a graceful curtsy, her expression serene. "It was a pleasure hosting you, Lady Eleonora, Princess Lysaria. May your travels to the next Duke's estate be pleasant."
Caelan and Thorne were practically bouncing with energy. "Goodbye, Princess! Goodbye, Lady Eleonora! See you at the Academy!" Caelan called out, cheerful as ever.
"Yeah! We'll be there!" Thorne added, waving both hands excitedly.
I gave a polite smile, my eyes meeting Princess Lysaria's for just a brief second. "We'll see each other then," I echoed calmly.
So he's the one who awakened yesterday, Lysaria thought as her gaze lingered subtly. Her sharp eyes could see a faint, silver aura around my palm. Only newly awakened ones leak aura like that. Veterans keep it hidden…
Lady Eleonora bowed her head slightly. "Thank you for your warm hospitality, Duke and Duchess Valerius. We're grateful for your support in the new Academy's formation."
Princess Lysaria's smile returned, gentle and reserved. Her gaze shifted toward our group.
"Caelan, Thorne," she said.
"Yes, Your Highness?" they answered quickly, standing straighter.
"Thank you… for showing me the garden."
"Haha, it was our duty!" Caelan beamed.
"Yeah, our honor to guide the Princess," Thorne added proudly.
She nodded lightly, then turned to me.
"And Lucien…"
"Ah? Y-Yes, Your Highness?"
"…I'm sorry. About yesterday."
"Oh—uh… It's fine. I didn't mind it at all."
"…I'm glad," she said quietly, her voice almost lost in the morning breeze.
"…Until then."
With that, she and Lady Eleonora stepped into the magnificent vehicle. The doors shut with a soft thud, and the carriage lifted gracefully off the ground, slowly ascending into the sky. We stood there, watching it disappear beyond the estate gates and into the forest shroud in mist, a quiet moment stretching between us.
Three years until we would meet again.
"Son," my father's voice broke the silence, curious and a little stern. "What did the Princess mean by that?"
"Did something happen?" my mother asked from behind, concern clear in her tone.
"It's… really nothing," I replied, giving them an answer that was half true—and half a lie.
"I see…" Father muttered, deep in thought. "It might be… one of the Sovereign Veins ability."
"What?" I blinked.
Duke Valerius looked at me with an unreadable expression, his voice low.
"If you marry the Princess in the future, your life will be miserable."
"…What?"
He said it with such deadpan seriousness that it stunned everyone. The infamous, strict Duke Valerius… was joking?
Our jaws dropped. His image, so composed and disciplined, completely collapsed in our minds.
"So that's it?" I let out a breath, half in relief, half in exasperation. "That's what you meant?"
"Oh, dear, you really do know how to frighten your own child," my mother sighed, half-laughing.
But she followed up with something harsher. "Though he's our son… he's still not worthy of the Princess."
Her tone was gentle, but the words stung like a blade dipped in honey.
"Haha, it's just a joke," Father added quickly, waving a hand. "Look at your face compared to hers—anyone can see the gap."
Am I really that bad? I thought bitterly. I summoned a small mirror made from condensed mana—basic beginner magic I had practiced as a child.
My reflection stared back. Short black hair. Dark brown eyes. But in the warm morning light, those eyes shimmered, softer, more vibrant than I remembered.
"…I don't look bad, though."
Just then, Caelan and Thorne snatched my mirror.
"You two again…" I sighed, making another one.
"As expected, I'm the better-looking one," Caelan smirked, adjusting his snow-white hair.
"Girls love blue eyes and white hair, right Mom?" Thorne added.
"Yes, dear," she replied sweetly. "But Lucien will have his own admirers too."
"Then why did Father look down on his looks?" Caelan asked, frowning.
"It's not just about the looks," she said gently. "It's also about status. The Princess is far too high above us. Even Lucien—especially Lucien—isn't worthy."
"All right, enough playing around," Father cut in, returning to his usual composed demeanor. " And we are not that bad like your mother describe it was" He added.
"Lucien."
"Yes, Father?"
"Since you've awakened… it's time I teach you how to control and refine our bloodline."
He turned, walking toward a stone path framed by tall trees. I followed, heart pounding in excitement.
My brothers tried to come too, but Mother stopped them with a hand. "It's no use. Wait until you awaken."
Finally…
I couldn't help but smile. Formal training. Real magic. The beginning of my path. I bounced slightly with excitement.
Duke Valerius glanced back at Lucien, a rare smile forming. So he can act like a normal child… Until now,This boy was always too composed. Too calm without the liveliness of youth. Well except playing with bugs in the garden…
"Lucien," he said calmly, "if you prove talented enough, you might even be considered for the Princess's future harem."
"…What?"
"Just saying. It's not impossible," he added nonchalantly.
"Father… That's a bit rude," I muttered. "Besides, even if I had the chance, I don't want to marry Princess Lysaria."
"Oh?" he raised a brow. "Why not?"
"She's scary. That's just her as a child—I can't imagine her as an adult. I'd probably get beaten every day!"
Valerius chuckled. "You've no idea how many nobles wish their children could be included in her potential harem. It's not shameful to admire someone like her. She's… exceptional."
"I really don't like her that way."
"Alright, alright," he said, ending the conversation as we approached the training grounds.