"What do you mean, Father?" Drake asked, looking at Rudious with a puzzled expression.
"Listen, son," Rudious said. "In this country, every child — especially nobles, and even commoners if they can afford the fees — must join an academy after awakening. Based on their talent. So they can grow stronger and contribute. Especially nobles." He repeated that last part deliberately.
"Who made such stupid rules." Drake scowled.
Jorald tried to suppress a laugh, caught Rudious's eye, and swallowed it entirely.
"What kind of thing is that to say."
"But I don't want to go, Father." Drake said it quietly, glancing over at Veil.
Veil looked at Rudious and tried — "Father... no... Dres... no."
"But son — you won't be doing this for the country. You'll be doing it for us."
Drake began to listen more carefully.
"We are no longer ordinary nobles. Our company and our trade have made significant contributions. And we hold an iron mine — one of very few in this country." Rudious's expression shifted. Serious now. "Look, son. If you don't go to the academy, you won't grow stronger. You'll stay a weak merchant like me. And then the other nobles — the ones who want to take everything we've built — will challenge us to an heir duel. And we will lose."
A pause.
"So son... will you let that happen?"
Drake fell quiet. Thinking.
Veil watched both of them with a slow, drowsy yawn.
Then Drake spoke.
"Alright, Father. I'll become strong. And no one will ever be able to look down on us."
He said it with conviction.
Rudious smiled — quiet, genuine. "Now that's what I wanted to hear." He glanced at Veil. "Besides — Veil will have to go there one day too."
"Then it's settled." Drake grinned at Veil.
"Alright, son. It's late. And Veil is falling asleep. Go to bed."
"Ok. Good night, Father."
Veil added softly — "Good light, Father."
Rudious laughed. "Good night. Good night."
Then, just as quickly, the laughter left his face. He turned to Jorald with a flat expression.
"You were really enjoying that, weren't you."
"Ah — forgive me, My Lord." But there was nothing remotely apologetic in Jorald's tone.
Rudious took a long breath. "Jorald. Hans."
"Yes, My Lord." Both together.
Hans stepped forward from the back.
"Tomorrow — I need you both to prepare."
"For what, My Lord?" Jorald asked.
"A Knight Ceremony. For one of our own." A pause. "And Hans — the items I had ordered. Have them ready by morning."
"Yes, My Lord."
"And who exactly is the brave soldier worthy of becoming a knight?" Jorald asked.
Rudious looked at him. "Who else — our Leo."
"Is that so." Jorald said. "Red Sword, then."
Rudious gave him a look. "I did tell you."
"Yes, yes. It's coming back to me now."
"Alongside the Red Sword — he's achieved a great deal over these years. He deserves to be recognized for it."
"He has. Very hardworking," Jorald agreed.
Rudious turned to Hans. "So then — how does it feel? Hearing about Leo's achievement."
Hans smiled — a genuine one. His hand moved to his moustache, turning it slowly with quiet pride.
"I still remember the day we caught him stealing."
"Yes," Jorald said.
"And you punished him thoroughly for it," Rudious added.
Everyone laughed.
Rudious looked at Hans for a long moment. "You changed that boy's life." A beat of silence. "Without you — who knows if he'd even be alive today."
Hans shook his head slightly. "That was only possible because of you, My Lord. You were the one who gave him a place to eat and sleep."
"Well — what's done is done." Rudious cut it off, looking just slightly embarrassed. "Give him his things in the morning."
"Yes, My Lord."
Rudious exhaled — long and tired. "I'm exhausted. Good night, everyone. We'll meet tomorrow. And make sure you all eat on time."
"Good night, My Lord." Hans, Jorald, and every servant in the room — together.
Rudious and Jorald went to their rooms. Hans stayed behind.
---
The next morning.
The knights who had been stationed outside were all standing along the corridors inside. Rudious arrived.
"Greetings, My Lord." Everyone at once.
"Greetings. Everyone to the Knight Hall — we have a new knight to welcome today."
Without a single question, they followed.
---
Outside the manor.
Leo and Jack were returning from the training ground with Drake and Veil. The grounds were empty. No one in sight. Only Hans and Jorald stood waiting at the inner gate.
They all approached.
"Good morning, Master Jorald. Uncle Hans." Everyone together.
Except Veil — who arrived at his own pace, as always. The words finally came.
"Hans."
"Good morning." Both Hans and Jorald said it together.
Leo looked around. "Master — where is everyone?"
"They're all in the Knight Hall."
"The Knight Hall?" Jack's curiosity got the better of him. "Whose ceremony is it?"
Hans smiled. "Who else — our Leo's."
"Really? Truly?" The disbelief was plain on Leo's face.
"Yes, my boy."
Leo's eyes held surprise. And joy. And tears.
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Hans. Then Jack. Then Drake. One after another.
Veil sat in his wheelchair — leaning forward as far as he could, reaching, trying to be part of it.
Drake looked down at him. Smiled. Reached down and took Veil's small hand gently in his — and placed it against Leo's armor.
So that even from the wheelchair — even from where he was — Veil was part of the embrace too.
---
"Alright, alright." Hans said it gruffly, patting backs and stepping back.
But his eyes were wet too.
Jorald spoke. "Kane. Velus."
Two knights came out from inside. Between them — a large box, a golden eagle carved across its lid. They placed it in Leo's hands.
"Leo — take this. Get dressed and come to the Hall." Jorald looked at the others. "All of you."
Everyone went inside.
Hans stood where he was a moment longer.
Jack pulled Leo into one more quick embrace — laughing — and pushed him forward. The two of them disappeared inside.
---
Sometime later.
Outside the heavy doors of the Knight Hall.
Leo stood there.
Dressed as a true knight for the first time.
A new sword at his hip — polished, catching the light. Armor across his chest — solid, well-made, fitting in a way that felt like it had always been meant for him.
He was still nervous.
The orphan boy who had once stolen on the streets —
Was about to become a knight.
The heavy doors of the Hall swung open.
---
**[Chapter 14 — End]**