A few minutes later, Draven reached the castle gates, the blood on his clothes crusting beneath the rising sun.
He spotted a maid in the hall and spoke.
"Run me a bath."
She blinked, her eyes widening as she took in the stains covering his clothes.
"Young Master... why are you covered in blood?"
Draven gave a tired smirk.
"Don't worry. Ain't mine."
He left it at that and headed upstairs.
---
Warm water steamed around him as Draven sank into the bath.
His muscles ached like hell.
But beneath the soreness...
something else stirred.
> *That hurt like crazy...*
He closed his eyes.
> *But I feel it.*
> *I'm stronger now.*
He slowly opened his eyes.
And then—
he saw it.
Magic.
Floating through the air around him like smoke caught in sunlight.
Draven stared at it.
> *So this is magic...*
He reached out instinctively.
Nothing happened.
Still, he could see it.
Clearly.
For the first time in his life—
he could actually see the magical energy surrounding him.
Draven took a long breath.
Then slowly exhaled.
After cleaning himself up, he got dressed and pulled on fresh clothes.
When the maid returned, he looked toward her.
"Bring me some food."
He paused.
"Take it to the library."
"Yes, Young Master."
She bowed lightly before leaving.
Draven watched her go.
> *Guess Mom and Dad still ain't back.*
He walked through the halls, his boots quiet against the stone floor.
---
In the library, Draven pulled a heavy book from the shelf.
**Basic Elemental Magic.**
He carried it over to a table and sat down.
> *I never cared much for magic.*
He flipped the book open.
> *But what else is there to do but read?*
The old pages whispered as he turned them.
His eyes moved across the first page.
> **Long ago, before the first sword was forged, before kingdoms rose and fell, the world sang with the pure resonance of the elements.**
>
> **Fire danced in the skies. Water whispered secrets to stone. The winds carried dreams, and the earth pulsed with memory. From this harmony was born the Art: Elemental Magic.**
>
> **Each soul resonates with one—and only one—of the Six Great Elements. This resonance is invisible to the eye but perceptible to those trained in the Arcanum.**
>
> **Some wield only a single element. Others, a rare few, control many. To master all is almost unheard of...**
Draven paused.
He stared at the page for a moment.
> *So those who can use all the elements are extremely rare...*
He leaned back in his chair.
> *So... people like that actually exist?*
> *Folks who can use everything?*
A smirk appeared on his face.
> *Yeah, right.*
Before he could continue reading—
**Knock. Knock.**
The door creaked open.
The maid walked in, carefully balancing a tray of food.
"Your food, Young Master."
Draven sat up.
"When are my parents coming back?"
She placed the tray down.
"They won't be returning tonight."
Draven frowned.
"Why not?"
The maid hesitated.
"I... I wasn't told, Young Master."
Draven waved his hand.
"That's all right. You can go."
She bowed lightly before leaving.
The door closed behind her.
Draven sat alone in the tall, quiet room.
His gaze returned to the old book.
But his appetite had begun to fade.
> *I hope nothin' happened.*
He paused.
Then shook his head.
> *But if the old man is with her... they'll be alright.*
A faint smirk crossed his face.
> *Don't think there's nobody takin' him down easy.*
He finished his meal.
Then, not long afterward, went to bed.
---
The next day came.
Then the next.
Then another.
A whole week passed.
Draven sat in the library again, flipping through pages more out of habit than focus.
> *Been a week.*
He turned another page.
> *When are they comin' back?*
Just then—
the door swung open.
The maid rushed inside.
"Young Master—the Lord and Her majesty have returned!"
Draven's head snapped up.
He immediately shot to his feet.
The book thudded closed behind him as he ran out of the room.
His feet pounded against the stone floors.
> *I know I'm a grown-ass man...*
> *But damn, hell right now, I'm runnin' like a little kid.*
He couldn't help it.
> *Never had a real family before.*
He turned the last corner—
and there they were.
His parents.
Without thinking, Draven ran straight into his mother's arms.
Elliana caught him, laughing softly.
"How you been, baby?"
She pulled him close and kissed his forehead.
Draven smiled.
His father stood beside her, arms crossed, his eyes as sharp as ever.
"Hope you didn't slack off while we were gone."
Draven chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Course not."