A strange silence had fallen over the forest after Rats' departure. I carefully tucked the heavy, powerful crystal into my pocket and began walking toward the camp.
As I drew closer, I gingerly sheathed "Antler." Hoping everyone was asleep, I was moving silently toward my tent when a cold voice emerged from the darkness:
"Tell me, where are you coming from at this hour of the night?"
I froze in my tracks. It was Asteria.
"Nowhere... just out for a bit of a walk. Why are you awake, Master?" I said, trying to mask my nervousness.
Asteria stared at me without moving an inch. "Someone must be on watch, Lucius. So, out for a walk? Well then, tell me... what is the explanation for that sharp mana leakage coming from your pocket?"
I realized it would be impossible to hide anything from Asteria's keen senses.
"Forgive me, Master... I lied," I said, lowering my head. "While walking in the forest, I encountered an ancient spirit. We played a game, and I won. I received this stone as a reward from him. I am telling the truth this time."
Asteria's eyebrows rose with intrigue. "Can you show me this object that is leaking such high-level mana?"
I pulled the glowing crystal from my pocket and held it out to her. Upon seeing the stone, Asteria was astonished.
"A Soul Crystal?" she whispered. "So that sharp energy was because of this... You know how rare and expensive this is, don't you? It seems you are lucky."
"Yes, Master. It seems I am."
Asteria thought for a moment, then leaned toward the crystal and began moving her hands over it. She traced strange symbols in the air with her fingertips. At that moment, the intense light radiating from the crystal began to fade and dim.
"This way, it will be noticed much less," Asteria said, pulling her hands back. "Now, go to sleep. We will reach the city tomorrow, and even more difficult trials await you there."
"As you wish, Master."
By noon the next day, we stood before the majestic gates of Tuyri. The high walls, built of white stone, looked both cold and magnificent under the influence of the sea breeze. Guards blocked our path:
"Please state your names and the reason for your visit."
I stepped forward. I showed them the silver badge my father had given me, bearing the emblem of the Valerius family. "I am Lucius Tyrio Valerius. I wish to see Lord Aleric Vane."
The guards' expressions changed instantly; they bowed and opened the way. "Lord Lucius, our apologies. Please, pass through. My comrade will escort you and your assistants to Lord Aleric."
I didn't need to turn around to see the expression on Asteria's face behind me, but I felt as if I could hear her inner voice: "Assistant? Me, an assistant? How can an elf like me, who teaches humans magic, be an assistant?" Though her proud silence made me laugh internally, I tried to maintain a serious look.
In front of the castle, we were met by an elderly but upright steward. He took my companions to their quarters and informed me that my grandfather wished to see me immediately.
"You go ahead, I will join you later," I said, and headed toward the Lord's private drawing room.
Lord Aleric Vane. A man in his 50s, tall, with piercing black eyes and hair to match—he was my mother Elara's father. He was known as the Lord of Tuyri, a stern but just ruler. I knocked lightly on the door.
"May I?"
"Enter."
I walked in and bowed respectfully. "Greetings to you, Lord Aleric."
Aleric rose from behind his desk and approached me. "Your parents have raised you well, exactly as I expected from Elara. Welcome, Lucius."
"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Aleric."
"You may call me grandfather."
We spoke for a while. He was aware of the letter my father had written. Although it was unclear to him how I would activate my mana, he promised to provide everything necessary for my journey to the Umbra Forest.
"You may go to the forest whenever you wish; my men will accompany you. While you are here, make yourself at home."
I stood up, said my goodbyes, and was walking toward the door when his voice stopped me:
"By the way... what do you say to a duel?"
I turned back in surprise. "I beg your pardon?"
"Even if you are weak in terms of mana and magic, I hear you are at a high level in swordsmanship. How would you feel about sparring with your cousin, Drak? He is the same age as you."
Drak Vane... Aleric's grandson. I had heard of him; black-haired, tall, and prone to combat just like his grandfather.
"I accept," I said.
"Then, tomorrow—"
I interrupted him. "No, grandfather. I've been looking for a fight to warm up for a while now. Let it be right now."
A flicker of interest appeared in Aleric's eyes. "In that case, I shall inform Drak. I will have you called when everything is ready."
A tense silence reigned over the vast training grounds of Tuyri Castle. Lord Aleric, Drak's father Rayon, and the castle's elite warriors watched from the balcony. Our group stood to the side; Asteria leaned against a wall with her arms crossed, her eyes holding their usual cold but attentive gaze.
Drak Vane stood in the middle of the field, tossing his black hair back and smiling at me mockingly. As soon as he activated his mana, a faint blue mist began to rise from his body.
"I heard the heir of the Valerius family was born manaless," Drak said, twirling his sword in the air as he approached. "Don't be offended if I hurt you, Lucius. My father says there is no mercy in true combat."
I said nothing and drew Antler from its sheath. The sword's simple yet sharp steel gleamed in the sunlight.
"Begin!" Aleric's voice echoed across the grounds.
Drak moved instantly. As he took a step, the mana under his feet exploded, and he closed the distance with incredible speed. When he swung his sword downward, the blue line of mana on his blade traced an arc in the air.
Clang!
Sparks flew as the swords collided. Drak's physical strength was enhanced by mana, but I had sensed the direction of his attack seconds before. Angling my sword, I deflected his force into the air and leaped backward with an agile movement.
"Using magic doesn't mean you have speed, Drak," I said calmly.
"You haven't seen anything yet!" Drak shouted angrily, swinging his sword to launch a wave of air at me.
This was unexpected. But instead of retreating in fear, I tilted my body sideways with a fluid motion. The air wave whistled past my ear. Drak took advantage of my dodge and lunged directly at me. With the speed gained from his mana, he brought his sword down toward my chest.
That was his biggest mistake.
I simply waited for the right moment. As his sword reached me, I used the hilt of Antler to parry and redirect his strike. All his momentum went into thin air, and his balance was broken. In that same second, I delivered a hard kick to his supporting right leg.
"Ah!" Drak fell face-first as the ground was swiped from beneath him.
Before he could realize what had happened, I was already over him. I touched the sharp tip of Antler to his throat. A sudden silence fell over the grounds. Lord Aleric and the others looked on in awe—a manaless boy had neutralized a mana-user in such a short time.
"Mana can give you speed, Drak," I said, catching my breath. "But when your feet leave the ground, that mana is useless. You relied solely on your power; I watched for your weakness."
The blue light on Drak's body flickered out. He could say nothing, only swallowing the bitterness of defeat.
Lord Aleric stood up from the balcony: "The winner Lucius Tyrio Valerius!"
I sheathed my sword and left the field, heading toward my group. At that moment, a very familiar, booming voice reached my ears:
"Ha! It seems you've both grown stronger and quite a bit taller!"
I couldn't believe my eyes. I ran toward him with quick steps. "Master Kael! I am so glad to see you here!"
I extended my hand to greet him, but Kael grabbed my arm, tucked my head under his shoulder, and began to ruffle my hair.
"No, no... You really have toughened up! It seems you'll have to fight me too!" he said, laughing.
"As you wish, Master. It would be an honor to fight you."
At this point, Lord Aleric approached us. Drak, standing beside him, still looked humiliated.
"I apologize for Drak's words, Lucius. I congratulate you on your victory. It seems you are as good with a sword as they say. And it appears you've found an old friend; the General has been waiting for you for several days. Rest as you please, but do not forget to attend the banquet this evening."
The evening feast was quite lavish.
After the delicious food, everyone retired to their rooms. I decided to head out into the castle gardens for some fresh air to clear my mind. General Kael was there as well.
"It's true I came at your father's request and took my payment, Lucius," Kael said, looking at the stars. "But seeing you and entering the Umbra Forests is not something everyone gets to do. I couldn't miss this chance."
"Thank you for being here, Master."
At that moment, another voice joined us from the darkness:
"You are right, General Kael. But it seems you are not fully considering the danger of the Umbra Forests."
It was Asteria. Kael turned toward her with a smile: "Greetings to you, 'Voice of Silence,' Young Elf Asteria!"
Asteria's brows furrowed, her voice like ice: "You know I am older than you. How old were you when I last saw you? Eleven or twelve?"
"Eleven... and besides, that is your title."
I looked at them in surprise. "Really? I've never heard it. Why do they call you the 'Voice of Silence'?"
Kael was about to answer "Because she..." but Asteria cut him off.
"We will talk another time. The main matter is what happens tomorrow. Go rest and be ready for tomorrow."
Kael shrugged, said his goodbyes, and walked ahead. As I followed him, Asteria stopped beside me. Her voice this time was softer, even appreciative:
"You fought well out there today, Lucius. If you combine these skills with magic in the future, you will truly be invincible."
I smiled. "Thank you, Master Asteria."