Valerius studied Dravenholt, the flickering lantern light catching in his brother's golden-purple eyes. There was something unreadable in his gaze, something that made Valerius's instincts tighten like a coiled spring.
"I didn't think you would care so much about my performance, Dravenholt," Valerius finally replied, his voice measured, though a thin thread of tension wove through his words.
Dravenholt's smile looked gentle, yet his eyes held a dangerous glint. "Oh, but I do care, little brother. Your actions always draw attention, after all. And who could ignore such a spectacle?"
The words hung between them like an unsheathed blade, sharp yet not yet swung. Valerius did not react, keeping his expression neutral. He knew Dravenholt, his older brother never spoke without purpose. Every word was a move in a larger game, every glance a calculated maneuver. But Valerius was no stranger to these games, either.
"What is it you want, Dravenholt?" Valerius asked in a low voice, but you could still hear the firmness in his tone.
Dravenholt tilted his head, his gaze shifting briefly to the tall windows where the lanterns cast restless shadows against the marble floors. "Want? Oh, nothing. I simply find it… curious, that is all." His voice was smooth, but Valerius caught the undercurrent beneath it. "Quite a turn of events, wouldn't you say?"
A flicker of something cold passed through Valerius. Valerius had come to realize, fully accepting his memories, that his role in the royal family was always just a minor detail, not something significant. An afterthought. The emperor had discarded him without hesitation. And yet, after his duel, eyes had turned his way. Dravenholt's included.
"I'm not here to entertain your curiosities," Valerius said coolly. "If you have something to say, then say it."
For a moment, a shadow passed over Dravenholt's face, gone as quickly as it came. Then, the serene smile returned. "Ah, but I do have something to say. Just not today." He took a slow step back, his eyes never leaving Valerius. "I would not want to overwhelm you, little brother. There is still much for you to learn."
A chill settled in Valerius's chest, deep and lingering. He did not know what Dravenholt was hinting at, but he wasn't foolish enough to ignore the warning woven into his words.
Dravenholt turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing softly as he vanished into the dim corridors. Valerius stayed still as he watched his brother fade into the darkness. He tightened his grip on the sword's hilt. It was a reflex that showed he felt uneasy inside.
Seraphina stepped forward, her voice low. "Young Master… are you alright?"
Valerius exhaled slowly, his mind replaying Dravenholt's words. He knows something. A warning wrapped in pleasantries. I will find out what it is.
He turned and walked toward his chambers, the flickering glow of mana lamps greeting him as he stepped inside. The room was grand, but Valerius barely noticed its luxury. His mind was too preoccupied, the weight of Dravenholt's presence still pressing against him.
Seraphina closed the door behind them. "Young Master, do you need anything else?"
"No, Seraphina. That will be all."
She gave a small nod before leaving. The moment the door clicked shut, Valerius sat on the edge of his bed, his fingers trailing over the small glass bottle in his pocket. He pulled it out, staring at the six sapphire crystal pills inside.
The Mana Surge Pills.
He had little time left before the academy began. He needed to be stronger. Now.
Valerius took one pill between his fingers, watching as the faint glow within it pulsed like a heartbeat. Without hesitation, he placed it on his tongue and swallowed.
At first, the energy was cool, seeping into his meridians like a gentle tide.
Then the storm hit.
Raw mana flooded his body, a raging torrent that threatened to overwhelm him. Valerius clenched his jaw, forcing his breathing to steady. He couldn't afford to lose control. With the Waterfall Regeneration Technique guiding him, he wrestled with the energy, forcing it through his meridians, refining it, shaping it.
Every blocked path burned as the mana carved through, pushing through with struggle. Sweat dripped down his brow, his muscles tightening under the sheer force of it.
Minutes stretched. Then an hour.
Finally, with one last push, something inside him shifted. A surge of energy rushed forward, and with a sharp, almost audible snap, his sixth meridian burst open.
Valerius exhaled, his limbs heavy, exhaustion pressing against him like a weight. Halfway there. Four more days until the academy started. If he took two pills tomorrow, he could push even further.
The mana settled, leaving behind a hum of energy beneath his skin. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The dim mana lamps flickered, casting long shadows across the chamber. His breath was still uneven, his body still wrung out from the breakthrough.
Reaching for a cloth, he wiped the sweat from his face, then poured cold water into the wooden basin, splashing it over his skin. The coolness helped, but it did not wash away the lingering unease coiled deep in his gut.
Dravenholt's words.
The academy loomed ahead.
And in the darkness, something moved. Shifting. Waiting.
As Valerius reached for a fresh robe, a soft knock echoed at his door. He frowned. It was late.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Seraphina."
She stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. The candlelight flickered against her composed expression as she set it down on the table. "Young Master, I brought you dinner."
Valerius met her gaze and gave a small nod. "Thank you, Seraphina."
She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then quietly left the chamber.
As the door shut behind her, Valerius sat in silence, his thoughts heavier than before. He had taken a step forward today. But the road ahead was long.
And something told him this was only the beginning.