A week had already passed since Viran and Renault's first encounter, and the results from the constant training were finally beginning to show. Since the very first day Renault had taken note of Viran's every moment and the emotions concealed within, and of course his talent as well. He had quickly taken a keen interest in Viran, and a bond between teacher and student began to mold.

Sitting up on his bed Viran slowly pushes the heavy covers to the side as he scratches his umber hair. A young yawn floats through the room as the young boy slowly totters to his feet to begin his morning ritual.

Though his Father's treatment could be seen as stifling and unjust, the grand benefits of nobility were still seen quite clearly in Virans morning. Viran would always have a bath ready and his breakfast waiting soon after, Viran had no worries concerning his daily needs.

Time had passed and Viran began to walk out of his room and walk through the desolate halls. As Viran passes by the library and the many storage rooms, a slight prick in his consciousness wills Viran's attention to turn to the door of the library.

'Right… Today is my break day… I want to read.' As Viran's hands near the door handle light footsteps are heard behind Viran.

"V-I-R-A-N" A young boy's voice crashes through the walls and forcibly implants itself in Virans mind.

Throwing his head back Viran sees a head of dull black bob up and down as it rapidly approaches Viran.

"Viran! Today is our off day! Come on let's go play!" Suddenly the voice of a far too excited child rings in Viran’s ears.

Seeing the small frame of a child Viran’s hand slowly slips off of the library door’s handle as he turns to face him. Gregory is dressed lightly and with a wide grin waves towards Viran.

“Hm? What’s in that room?” Gregory looks over to the door next to Viran.

“Hm? Oh that was just my library… I was planning on reading today.”

“Reading? Really?” Gregory asked with a shocked expression as his eyes darted over Viran before continuing. “I always thought you were joking when you said you read all the time. I mean you’re way taller and bigger than me!”

Though Gregory was wrong, he was right to think so. Outside of the estate Gregory would be seen as the average eight year old, besides his fair and graceful looks and his natural Noble attitude. Gregory on the other hand was half a foot taller than an average boy his age and had a physique unsuited for his age.

“Hm? I don’t see why I would lie about that though? But besides that, what do you wanna play instead?” Viran was unaware of the difference in his physique compared to other boys his age.

“Oh! We should play with the servants’ kids!” Gregory comes to a realization.

Hearing this a dejected smile sprouts on Virans face as he spoke, “I don’t think they’ll want to play. Maybe with you, but definitely not me.” Viran shook his head.

“Hm? Well if you say so. But then what do you want to do, Viran?”

“How about chess again?” Viran spoke up with an excited expression much to the dismay of Gregory.

“Ah… Chess? That’s too boring” Gregory made up an excuse with an embarrassed smile on his face.

Unbeknownst to Viran, Gregory was still embarrassed from losing to someone like Viran. Gregory had thought himself to be superior to others his age, especially Viran, and losing at Chess made Gregory feel angry and dismayed.

“Well can’t we just read? That’s what I would like to do.” Viran says.

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“No. I don’t want to read it’s too boring and it doesn’t help me with anything!” Gregory folds his arms.

“My studies tutor says that reading will make me smarter! So did my magic teacher!” Viran folds his arms as well.

“Ha! You’re lying through your teeth Viran. My magic tutor never made me read anything. He says that first hand experience is more important than just reading about that!”

“He said that huh.” Viran mumbles under his breath before speaking in a loud voice. “Fine then! Let’s have a competition on who’s smarter, how about that? If I win we’ll read and if you win I’ll do whatever you want!”

When hearing this Gregory begins to snicker before saying,”Fine, let’s see who really is smarter! Whoever gets the answer right three times wins, how about that?”

The boys quickly exit the residence and head towards a small courtyard and garden in a small corner of the estate. Sitting on a chair opposite of eachother, both boys are giving looks of ferocity towards each other. With a competitive air brewing between the two they decide quickly on Viran asking the first question.

“Ok let’s see… Can you name all of the lands North, South, East, and West of the Empire?” Viran asks after thinking.

“Hmph, easy. To our West are the Dragonspine Mountains. West are the Highlands inhabited by the Three Duchies. South is Kieller’s Folly, which used to be called Lake Frigus. And North is The Frigid Averus.” Gregory smoothly answers Viran’s question with little effort on his part.

“...Fine that point is yours.” Viran said dejectedly.

"Alright your turn! Why is the South now called Kieller's Folly?" Gregory asked.

"Two centuries ago a Grand Mage was doing tests on making the perfect species by combining them. While doing his research he accidentally opened a rift that allowed numerous beasts and creatures flooded the area. Thousands died including Grand Mage Kieller and the country that used to inhabit the South." Viran explained.

Hearing this Gregory blinks his eyes in shock as he affirms Viran's victory.

"Ok Gregory! Answer me this! What are the Three Eminent Houses in the Empire?" Viran asked.

"The Three Eminent Houses are the leaders of groups of Nobles under their influence and are the most powerful people in the Empire, outside of his Majesty of course. In the South is the Marquess House of Idicium, in the East is the Margrave House of Zora, and in the North is the Duke House of Oriens. The Emperor controls the Western and Central parts of the country." As this information leaks out of his mouth effortlessly an unabashed grin begins to grow on his face.

The true Hegemon of the West was indisputably the Fortunis Empire. In a country that was able to fully encompass all lands West of the Highlands, the Royal Family would not easily be able to get news from every corner of the Empire or have the time to solve the numerous conflicts between their own vassals. In light of the problem the Royal Family passed the problem to the Three Eminent Houses. These Houses were responsible for solving any disputes within their areas of influence, and any threats outside of the Empire itself.

Viran's hands begin to curl up as he puts his hand on his chin. Sitting opposite of Viran was Gregory who at this point could no longer hold in his joy once more, his face being one of complete assurance of victory and an arrogance unbefitting of a child his age. Leaning forward Viran slowly shakes his head at Gregory to start and ask Viran his question.

“Alright Viran, when I win don’t forget your promise.” Gregory says with a smirk plastered on his face. “Out of one hundred people, how many will be able to use magic?”

“Ah.. It’s... Twenty-” Viran’s nervous voice is suddenly cut off by the shout of the young boy before him.

“NO! Hahaha!” The young boy in front of Viran leaps up from his seat and begins to jump up and down in a crazed manner.

Suddenly the boy’s eyes narrow like knives directly targeted at Viran. Seeing such a look being placed upon him Viran freezes on impulse and stares back. Harsh spoken words begin to leave the mouth of Gregory.

“I want your next dinner.” Gregory’s eyes eventually release as his kind expression finally comes back.

"Wait, my next dinner?" Viran eyes shrink in confusion.

"Yeah give me your dinners for the next few weeks. You promised, didn't you?" Gregory smiles, though the smile felt different to Viran.

"Y-yeah I'll keep my end of the bargain." Viran's eyes soften as he murmurs. "I guess we'll go ask the servant kids to play…"

Gregory nods his head as he quickly leads Viran away to where the servant kids were playing.

As Viran and Gregory get closer to the congregation of buildings on one side of the estate, a multitude of children all with different ages are seen playing with one another.

On most days these kids would be training in etiquette and chores in order to become servants themselves in the future, but their day off was on the same day Viran's and Gregory's.

In a large courtyard near the servants residences there were numerous boys and girls laughing and running around together playing a game. Their ages were largely similar to Gregory and Viran.

Viran feels a shudder echo through his body when seeing these kids having fun together. The anxiety and fear of being rejected quickly festered into a lump in Virans throat. The closer they got the more Viran felt that he would be rejected.

'They already rejected me years ago. They're not like Gregory, they're not gonna want me around.'

Viran rubs the back of his hands as though trying to wash the nerves away.

'Just like Father they won't care…'

Before Viran could comprehend, the laughter and running became silent in his ears as he saw the children stop and stare nervously towards his direction.

"H-hello Lord Gregory, Lord Viran… is there anything you need from us?" A youth around 12 years in age walks out from the crowd to act as the speaker of the children.

"Yes, there is. Let us join you." Gregory states immediately.

"But my Lords, we're simply not… Worthy enough…" The youth bows his head down when saying this, while repeatedly glancing towards Viran's direction.

"You don't need to be worthy enough. You just need to let me play with you." Gregory says without paying any attention to Viran.

"Ah, well of course if you truly want to it would be our honor! It's just… We can't truly be worthy of Lord Viran's consideration, I do hope you would understand our reservations." The young boy finally looks up towards Viran, though his eyes showed no malicious intent; his eyes not showed a sliver of fear.

"Erm… ah yes, if you really think so." Viran's hands began to clench deeply as he started walking away, only silently whispering a sincere apology heard by no one.

While watching the silent Viran walk away a tongue click filled with exasperation is heard from Gregory as he turns back to the boy with his natural flair radiating off of his every action.

"Alright let's go play now!" Gregory yells, before whispering to the boy. "Though I do have questions I need answers for."

The boy gulps deeply after hearing this, feeling a sincere panic as he constantly recited the rules his Mother had taught him since birth. If he wanted to ever have a livelihood in the estate, he must never be disrespectful to a Lord.

"Y-yes My Lord. It would be an honor." The boy smiles shyly with fear leaking out of him