Lucian's eyes, sharp and perceptive, had indeed registered the fleeting, otherworldly glow that pulsed between their wooden swords. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips, a hint of understanding dawning within him.
"We're done," he announced, lowering his sword.
"We're done? What? Really?" Aerion exclaimed, his chest heaving, every muscle in his small body screaming in protest.
"Yeah," Lucian confirmed, a rare note of genuine approval in his voice. "You did well."
Aerion's crimson eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected praise. Utterly exhausted, he gratefully sank to the ground, leaning against the cool stone wall behind him for support.
"Take a rest," Lucian advised, his gaze softening slightly. "You look like you're going to faint any second."
"And whose fault is it?" Aerion murmured under his breath, a hint of playful accusation in his tone.
Lucian turned his head sharply, a questioning look on his face. "Did you say something?"
Aerion quickly shook his head, feigning innocence. "Nope. Nothing at all."
Lucian's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, a hint of suspicion in his eyes, before he relented. "Fine. Then go take a shower and sleep. You are going to leave early tomorrow morning."
Confusion clouded Aerion's tired features. "Huh? Tomorrow? Isn't that… rather early?"
"No, it's not," Lucian stated firmly, though a hint of something unreadable flickered in his eyes. "Now go take a shower; the headmaid will bring you your nightwear. Just go."
After a few minutes of much-needed rest, Aerion attempted to stand. His limbs felt like lead, his body still trembling with exhaustion. With a determined grunt, he somehow managed to reach the bathroom and turn on the shower. As the first drops of hot water cascaded over his face and then his aching muscles, a deep, involuntary sigh of relief escaped his lips.
[I'm so tired… yes, all I want is sleep. But I can't help but feel incredibly fortunate. Born into this loving family, with the memories of a previous life… it does feel almost… easy. I am grateful for this second chance, truly. But the lingering question remains: why do I remember? This knowledge… it gives me such an unfair advantage, a thirty-one-year-old mind inhabiting the body of a… almost four-year-old boy. It's undeniably weird.]
He reached for a bottle of fragrant liquid soap, the scent of mountain herbs filling the steamy air as he began to massage it into his sore muscles.
[I wonder what happened to the world I left behind after… after the crash. My family… they must have been devastated. And Nik… what is she doing now? Hmm, it's been nearly four years in this life… she's probably moved on, found someone else. I should really stop dwelling on the past. But it's a part of me, a layer of my consciousness… it's hard to simply shut it off.]
He stepped back under the warm spray of the shower.
[And what will my new family think… if they ever discover the truth? That I'm not truly their son, but someone else who somehow… took over his body? Mother… Father… Lucian… Caius… Grandfather Darius… They are all so good, so kind and gentle towards me. I never wanted to deceive them, not from the beginning. I want to tell them the truth, but… will they even understand? Could they ever forgive me for essentially impersonating their family member for so long, accepting their unconditional love and kindness under false pretenses?]
Lost in his turbulent thoughts, he barely registered the water against his skin. A sudden, insistent knock at the bathroom door jolted him back to reality. He jumped, his heart pounding in his chest, nearly slipping on the wet tiles. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice slightly shaky.
"Sir, it's Headmaid Mae. I have brought your clothes for tomorrow."
"Ahhmm… can you just leave them on the bed?"
"As you wish, my lord."
Aerion stepped out of the bathroom, still dripping wet, a soft towel wrapped around his small frame. He glanced at the neatly folded clothes Mae had left on the plush velvet comforter. [This… this is what an easy life looks like.]
The next morning, Aerion stood outside the castle gates, where Vivienne awaited him beside a magnificent royal carriage. It was a curious blend of ancient elegance and breathtaking innovation. The chassis, crafted from polished darkwood reinforced with gleaming brass, bore a striking resemblance to the undercarriage of a Victorian motorcar, complete with intricate visible gears and smoothly gliding pistons. But instead of a noisy combustion engine, a silent, powerful paranh-powered motor sat at the front. It was a marvel of arcane engineering, crafted from enchanted crystal bound with shimmering blue crystal conduits and delicate silver filigree. Runes etched into the crystal pulsed with a soft, ethereal blue light, and within its core, a swirling vortex of grey mist, tinged with vibrant sparks of blue energy, hinted at the immense power contained within.
[Damn, what a magnificent machine! It looks like something straight out of a high fantasy illustration!] Aerion thought, his eyes wide with unadulterated awe.
Headmaid Mae, resplendent in her crisp black-and-white long maid's outfit, the intricate symbols on her collar now clear to Aerion – Mae Rose – gently assisted him into the carriage. The interior was a haven of luxurious comfort, echoing the exterior's aesthetic. Ornate doors and panels of polished dark wood, inlaid with delicate silver filigree, enclosed plush seats upholstered in deep blue velvet. Soft, magically imbued lights illuminated the cabin with a warm and inviting glow. Large windows, framed in polished silver, offered panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, while delicate curtains of shimmering silk could be drawn for privacy.
As the carriage began to move with a smooth, almost silent glide, a formidable escort of Royal Knights on horseback formed a protective shield around them, their movements precise and coordinated. Leading them from the front, his figure silhouetted against the rising sun, was Lord Lysander himself. Aerion craned his neck, gazing back at the majestic castle, its towering spires and intricately carved walls receding into the distance. He watched the maids and butlers who lined the castle grounds, their faces etched with a sorrow that, whether genuine or simply a practiced display of loyalty, tugged at something within him. Even King Valdemar stood at the gate, his hand raised in a silent farewell, until the carriage finally vanished from view.
During the long hours of travel, Aerion's gaze remained fixed on the world outside. Golden sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating vast, rolling fields, the distant spires of bustling cities within the Kingdom of Sangrael, farmers tending their land, animals peacefully grazing, and groups of children of various species playing together in a scene of harmony. The day quickly surrendered to the encroaching night. As darkness fell, the carriage finally halted near the edge of a dense, ancient forest. The knights, with practiced efficiency, established a secure camp around the carriage, their movements swift and silent.
Lord Lysander's voice, carrying a clear note of authority, broke the stillness of the night. "ROYAL KNIGHTS!"
In perfect unison, the assembled knights responded, their voices ringing with unwavering loyalty. "Waiting for your command, sir!"
Lysander surveyed his regiment, his blindfolded gaze somehow conveying a sense of focused intent. "Formation Harlequin."
Aerion, nestled beside Vivienne on the plush velvet seat, tugged gently on her sleeve. "What does "Formation Harlequin' mean, Mother?" he whispered, his curiosity piqued.
Vivienne smiled, her gaze softening as she looked out at one of the knights preparing to move into position. "It's an advanced defensive strategy used primarily for escort missions, little one."
"Oh," Aerion said, his eyes wide with interest. "Can you tell me how it works?"
"Of course, my curious cat," Vivienne chuckled softly. "Name is taken from a deciever or a con, In this formation, the person we are protecting – in this case, us – is positioned in the very center. Then, the Knights of the Ascendant Companions form a square-shaped perimeter. At the midpoint of each side of the square, there is a mage specializing in camouflage. Various types of magic can be employed depending on the specific mages present. For example, those with earth affinity might manipulate scents to confuse pursuers, water affinity mages could create illusions to obscure our presence, or sound manipulation could be used to project the sounds of apex predators, deterring other creatures."
"And in our case," she continued, "we have Lord Lysander's regiment, which includes specialists in both scent manipulation and illusion. They will work together to effectively erase our presence from the forest, making it appear as if the area is completely empty."
Aerion nodded slowly, trying to absorb the intricate details. "I don't understand everything perfectly, but that's alright. I'll learn in the future. Can I ask you another question, Mother?"
"Of course, my dear, anything."
"What about our sound? The knights… they aren't completely silent. Can't a predator still hear their movements, their horses?"
"An excellent question, Aerion, a very insightful one for your age. Yes, even skilled knights can create some noise. Now, look closely at those mages who are positioned at the corners of the formation."
"Yes, I see them. What about them specifically?"
"They are utilizing these crystals called Nirava. If you learn to synchronize your paranh with them – and with the mages themselves – you can use the crystals to trap sound waves within the range of your own paranh."
Aerion scratched his head, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh? I know what paranh is… but what about its range? Range of paranh… what does that mean?"
[Oh, I understand these concepts perfectly well. These things aren't inherently difficult, nothing is yet, except for the nuances of the language. But I still have to ask these seemingly simple questions to avoid drawing too much unwanted attention.]
Vivienne couldn't help the soft chuckle that escaped her lips. "Yes, don't worry about that for now, little one. That's my fault; I should have remembered how advanced these concepts are. Even though you have Awakened, you are still just a child."