POV of Kael Lanpar
One of the things I've never liked about people is their secrets. The ones we all keep out of fear, shame… or because we know we've done something wrong and don't want to take the blame.
That's how we humans are. Secrets are one of our most effective tools when it comes to communication. In the art of war, a bit of deception is always required.
"So, what do you say, Kael? Want to come with your grandfather to this meeting?" he asked, excited.
Honestly, I still don't understand any of it. Why does he keep insisting on maintaining this façade of a kind and understanding grandfather? His past is stained with massacres, deadly decisions, and mercilessly eliminated enemies.
He, along with other historic figures from this continent, was a formidable leader who led his followers to glory… And now he's here, smiling as if nothing ever happened, as if he were just a gentle old man.
Life really does take some strange turns.
"Honestly, Grandpa, I think I'd rather take a walk around the estate," I replied, yawning. "I'm not very interested in those political talks you're about to have."
"I understand," he said, then added with a mischievous smile, "How about staying with Airis, then?"
"So that's it—you don't want me around," I replied, bowing my head with mock drama. "You want that lunatic to kill me."
"Here," he said, tossing me a book. "The reason she didn't answer you last time is because she doesn't speak much Racing. Her language is different."
I looked at the cover without saying a word. The title was written in a strange language: Escritu na Acrona.
So Racing is just one of several languages on this continent… huh. That explains why people spoke differently in Noblezia.
"And what am I supposed to do with this book?" I asked, still confused.
"Kael, not all of us share the same customs or traditions. This is a vast continent. Don't lock yourself inside your comfort zone," he said seriously.
"Learn that not everything is the same… and that we must adapt," he added.
I already adapted from living in a luxurious castle to ending up in a mansion in the middle of who-knows-where. It shouldn't be that hard… but Airis…
I'm almost certain that girl isn't human.
"I can't," I said, looking away. "And where's my sister? I doubt the first impression I gave Airis was a good one…"
"That doesn't matter," he replied without hesitation. "And no, you're not going with your sister. I'm asking you as a favor, from one grandfather to his grandson. You can do it."
It was a perfect day: mild weather, warm sun that didn't burn, and a sky so clear it invited you to get lost wandering around without a destination.
But of course… something had to ruin it.
"Alright. I can do it," I sighed, resigned.
After accepting that "little" favor, I went straight to look for Mai. I walked for quite a while through the mansion's endless hallways, all filled with luxuries that would be unthinkable in this era.
Golden chandeliers, massive windows made of some strange glass, and corridors lined with white marble mixed with a stone that shimmered in a peculiar way. Nothing was truly new—until I found something curious: a map carved into the wall.
It was etched into that glowing stone, but only visible under sunlight. When my shadow passed over it, it vanished completely.
"Wow, this continent really is huge," I whispered.
From what I could see, there were five kingdoms. The first was ours—the human kingdom—ruling the entire north. It was the largest, followed by the elven and dwarven territories.
Three races… but the map showed a fourth: the Barkay. I'd never heard of them before. They were marked as a kingdom entirely independent from the others.
I think I've read about them somewhere… but where...?
"Kal, what are you doing here so early? Why aren't you asleep?" my sister's voice interrupted.
"I'm just making the most of the day," I replied as I turned to face her. "But… what happened to you?"
Up close, I noticed she was hurt. Nothing serious, but enough to raise concern. There was blood on her face.
"It's nothing, Kal. Don't worry, it was just training," she answered, coughing.
"Weren't you already discharged from Alkaster? Why are you still training?" I said, clearly worried. "You need to rest!"
"Yeah, I'm on leave, but…"
Before she could finish her sentence, I saw her begin to faint. She wasn't very tall, but she still managed to lean against me.
"Come on, I'll take you to your room. Seriously, Mai, you worry me... this isn't the first time," I told her while supporting her weight.
"I still don't understand how you can be so mature at just four years old. It's strange… even for a Lanpar," she said with a faint smile. "Thanks for helping me, little brother."
In her eyes, I saw a reflection of myself—that same desperation to become stronger, to sacrifice everything without a second thought, believing that if you push yourself hard enough, even at great cost, you'll be able to protect everyone.
I used to think that too…
I had to learn the hard way. Watching my comrades fall, seeing those who trusted me vanish, while I kept believing that if I just pushed a little harder, everything would work out.
But life doesn't work like that.
It's not all about training, pain, and sacrifice.
"We'd better keep moving," I said as I started walking. "Mai… promise me you'll rest."
"I… I promise," she replied in a weak voice. "I just need a little rest, don't worry."
I sighed. I knew she wouldn't. I'd have to give her a proper lecture later. At this rate, she wouldn't even make it to adulthood...
After laying her down to rest in her room, I headed out to find Airis.
There were two good bits of news: first, I had already learned a few words in Acrona. And second, she was apparently asleep.
In the distance, outside the main house of the estate, I saw her lying on the grass. I approached quietly and sat beside her. I closed my eyes for a moment, remembering my father's words:
"Live…"
I used to think living meant understanding life. Now I see it the other way around—you have to live in order to understand yourself, to discover who you are, who you'll become, what you love…
Some things can't be learned unless you live through them.
"What are you doing here?" said a girl's voice, cutting through the moment.
I looked around. There were only fruit trees nearby, but no sign of anyone.
"Didn't you hear me?! What are you doing here, idiot?" the voice repeated, clearly annoyed.
That's when I felt a small hand on my shoulder. Airis was looking at me with a furious expression I honestly didn't understand.
"So you do speak Racing…" I said, puzzled. "I see, you were just quiet."
"Of course I speak Racing, dumbass! How do you think I've been communicating?" she snapped, her tone sharp and irritated.
"Wow, such a charming vocabulary for someone your age," I muttered, a bead of sweat sliding down my temple. "And well, if you're wondering why I'm here… the old man asked me to."
She just sighed and lay back down without another word. She didn't seem like someone who made friends easily.
Or maybe it was just my presence that bothered her. Either way, my grandfather only asked me to be with her, not to strike up a conversation.
I figured I'd use the time to check what was going on with my Astral magic. I hadn't been able to feel it for a while now. It was worrying… just when I was starting to understand it.
I got up and walked a bit farther, toward a cluster of nearby trees. I closed my eyes, focusing on conjuring a simple fireball… but nothing happened.
"Damn it…" I whispered. "Why is this happening now?"
What if the Midorians attack? Or the revolutionaries make a move first? What am I going to do without magic?
I don't want to be a useless spectator.
"One more time!" I shouted, trying to motivate myself.
Hours passed. I tried using different elements, all without success. Frustration, exhaustion, and the cold were starting to seep into my bones.
"Damn it!" I shouted, collapsing onto the ground, panting from the effort.
That's when I heard a stifled giggle. I turned. Airis wasn't asleep after all.
"Hahaha… You're awful at understanding Astral magic," she said, mocking me. "And your vocabulary isn't exactly pleasant either."
I liked you better when you were asleep and quiet, I thought.
But if she started this fight, I don't see why I shouldn't finish it.
"And what do you know? I bet you can't even—"
I didn't get to finish my sentence. I had to jerk my head to the side to dodge a water sphere shooting straight at me.
"Are you insane!?" I shouted when I saw the tree behind me shattered. "Every time you see me, for some reason, you try to kill me!"
Great. Now it turns out she can use Astral magic too. One more problem for the list. As if dodging her fists wasn't enough—now I had to dodge lethal spells as well.
"I'm feeling safer by the second in this world…" I muttered sarcastically.
"I don't get why you complain about not being able to use it," she said, catching my attention.
"What do you mean? I can't even summon a basic fireball!" I snapped.
"What are you feeling right now?" she asked, leaving me confused.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I said, ripping up grass in frustration.
"Create a fireball. Right now. Just trust me," she ordered firmly.
I hesitated for a second, thinking maybe she was trying to play a trick on me—but in the end, I gave in.
At first, I felt nothing. Saw nothing. But then… the heat.
My body began to emit a warm energy, so intense that steam was rising visibly from my skin.
"I get it now…" I said, watching the fireball floating in my hand. "Well… actually, not really."
"Idiot," Airis said, facepalming. "Don't think that just because I'm explaining this we're suddenly friends."
"Okay, boss," I replied, amused.
Airis explained that what I was going through was actually normal… though not for humans. I didn't quite understand that part, but according to her, my emotions had evolved to the point of transforming my Astral magic.
Before, my magic was just a reaction to my emotions.
Now, it was an extension of them.
My feelings didn't just influence my magic anymore—they released it directly into the world. Even something as simple as walking could make the vegetation grow around me. Laughing, crying… it all manifested in the elements.
"So… does this mean I have infinite mana?" I asked, excited, letting my inner child loose. "I'm amazing! I'm actually powerful!"
"No, dummy," Airis said, smacking me on the head. "You don't have infinite mana. You just have a deeper connection to the elements and to Astral magic. You're not that special."
"Then why, if I'm not that special, are you so mad?" I teased.
"Your presence is annoying. I'm not jealous of you!" she shouted, sticking out her tongue.
It felt beautiful to feel like a kid again.
To not worry about everything—just to enjoy a stage of life that, although hard in this world, still had its own magic.
"Can I ask you something?" I said quietly. "Why do you hate me? What do you have against me?"
"It's not you. It's your blood… your last name," she answered, holding back tears.
"You people aren't what you pretend to be. You're not saviors… You're destroyers. Murderers."
Murderers.
That word echoed in my head. I tried to understand why she'd say that. I knew some things about the Lanpar past… but how far had it really gone?
Before I could say anything else, I saw Airis begin to cry. She couldn't hold it in.
I wanted to comfort her… but her words, her eyes—everything in her screamed that she wanted to be alone.
Especially alone from me.
"Leave," she said, hatred in her gaze. "I told you to get out!"
I nodded silently and left.
It hurt to see her like that.
I do feel compassion for others… I'd just forgotten, after so many betrayals in my past life.
I entered the mansion, leaving Airis behind, in the cold dusk of the evening.
She was hurting from a pain I didn't understand—one she swore I knew, when I didn't.
Those are the kinds of secrets that eat you alive.
Not knowing the truth about someone. Having to constantly imagine why.
Lying might seem like a solution… but not now. Not in this moment.
"I see… Then, the information is one hundred percent verified."
"If this is true, the kingdom is in worse shape than we thought," I heard my grandfather's voice from the end of the hallway.
"Absolutely verified, Broker Luis. The problem is, nothing can be done—not now, in such a delicate time," replied another voice I didn't recognize.
At the end of the hall, I saw my grandfather speaking with a hooded figure. She was slightly shorter than him, and from the tone of her voice, I could tell it was a woman.
What were they talking about?
Before I could hear more, they began walking in my direction. I didn't know what to do… until, suddenly, a section of the stone wall silently slid open, revealing just enough space for me to hide.
I slipped inside quickly, still able to catch pieces of their conversation.
There was no joy in their words—only concern. A heavy tension clung to every syllable.
"The Midorians were the ones funding the rebellion. We found several of their operatives transferring money," the woman said firmly.
"Does Xavier know about this?" my grandfather asked.
"We won't be able to make a move, even with proof. The clans would split into factions, and then… war will escalate."
I agreed with him. I had been right: the Midorians were behind all of this. But no one could act.
Not out of fear, but out of strategy.
A revelation that massive—the betrayal of an entire clan—could destabilize the human kingdom, shatter its balance, and make the other realms see us as easy prey.
"If Xavier knows, it's because Alkaster told him. He sent me to deliver the intel… I guess I'm his errand girl now," added the woman, her voice tinged with sarcasm.
"Don't worry, Lola. In this game, we all have important roles to play," my grandfather replied calmly.
Lola?
She's Broker Lola… the Goddess of Lightning?
What's she doing here?
She's supposed to represent our kingdom in the other territories.
Of course… she came for the intel.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Lola said, impatient. "I'm leaving now. I'll travel to Luzarion tonight. See you, Luis."
"Take care, Lola," my grandfather said, letting out a sigh as she departed.
Things were escalating to a whole new level.
Now I understood why the Strikers had appeared… and why my father said he'd call back all the troops stationed outside the human kingdom.
The Summit of the Realms was approaching, and we couldn't afford to look weak.
If taking back control meant using force… then so be it. Even if it meant blood would be spilled.
And now that I think about it… my fifth birthday is only two weeks away.
Five years in this world already. Time flies.
I slowly stepped out of my hiding spot, restoring the wall to its original form, and headed to my room.
The hallway was empty. But I could still feel their emotions lingering in the air—like the past had just breathed right in front of me.
What a strange kind of magic this is...