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Si-Woo sat cross-legged in the front yard, the small tree swaying gently above him. Its delicate branches rustled in the soft breeze, carrying a faint, comforting scent that reminded him of his mother. This tree, planted in her honor, had grown steadily, its roots grounding Si-Woo in memories and silent promises.
He stared into the endless expanse of the blue sky, his heart heavy yet light with the storm of emotions he had held back all day.
"Mom," he said softly, his voice trembling. "I think... I think I'm on the right path now." He paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I not only passed the test, but I passed with flying colors."
His fingers traced the knotted roots of the tree, feeling the solid connection to the earth beneath him. He closed his eyes and whispered, "Mom... Ye-Jun... I did it."
A tear slipped down his cheek, then another, until the emotions poured out uncontrollably. Si-Woo buried his face in his hands, sobbing quietly.
The weight of his success, the trials he endured, and the absence of the family who couldn't share this moment with him pressed against his chest.
The tree stood tall above him, as if offering solace, its branches bending slightly with the breeze.
As Si-Woo wiped his tears, he heard the familiar sound of wings cutting through the air. He looked up to see Z, his whiteblood wyvern, swooping down gracefully from the sky. The sight filled him with surprise and joy.
"Z!" Si-Woo exclaimed, standing up as the wyvern landed with a soft thud. Z nudged him affectionately, the shimmer of its alabaster scales catching the sunlight. In its maw was a small scroll tied neatly with a royal blue ribbon.
Si-Woo carefully took the letter, his heart racing with curiosity. Opening it, he saw Minho's bold handwriting: There’s no training today. Be ready after academy hours to be picked up. Congratulations.
A grin spread across Si-Woo’s face as he folded the letter. He gave Z a grateful pat before the wyvern took off again, disappearing into the blue sky.
He waited outside the house for Ha-Yoon, pacing with anticipation. When she finally arrived, her bonds trailing behind her—two sleek spade wolves and her elusive tetharite—she immediately broke into a run and gave Si-Woo a huge hug.
"You did it!" Ha-Yoon cheered, her voice brimming with pride.
"And so did you," Si-Woo replied, ruffling her hair.
Not long after, Minho arrived, stepping out of the carriage with his usual commanding presence. In his hands, he carried two neatly folded sets of clothing.
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"Put these on," Minho said, tossing one bundle to each of them.
Si-Woo unfolded his and found a sharp, tailored outfit: a dark navy tunic embroidered with silver patterns resembling wyvern scales, paired with slim-fitting black trousers. A polished belt with an insignia of a wyvern’s claw completed the look. The tunic’s deep color contrasted against his fair skin and light hair, emphasizing his sharp features and lean build.
Ha-Yoon’s attire was a flowing dress in emerald green with gold accents along the hem, designed to resemble the vines of Yohen’s forests. It complemented her light grey eyes and added a touch of regal elegance to her petite frame. The outfit was paired with a matching ribbon for her hair, giving her a youthful yet distinguished appearance.
"You both clean up nicely," Minho remarked with a smirk.
"Where are we going?" Si-Woo asked, adjusting his tunic.
Minho’s grin widened as he turned toward the carriage. "We’re going to the royal palace to celebrate."
Both siblings exchanged excited glances, their nerves bubbling with anticipation. After changing Ha-Yoon quickly grabbed her ribbon, tying it into her hair as they followed Minho into the awaiting carriage.
Once settled inside the richly adorned carriage, Minho leaned back against the plush velvet cushions and signaled to the driver with a subtle gesture, instructing him to commence their journey. Ha-yoon, peering out the window at the sprawling landscape beyond, turned to Minho with a hint of playful disbelief. "I guess we're not taking Lemmy on this trip, huh?" she remarked, a teasing tone in her voice.
At that moment, an imposing roar rumbled overhead, cutting through the quiet ambiance of the carriage. Minho chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Heh, I thought it would be more... classy to ride a carriage for this occasion," he responded, his gaze momentarily drifting to the sky where Lemmy, their loyal and boisterous companion, soared high above. "But it seems Lemmy didn't quite agree with my plans, so he decided to follow us here, showing off his impressive wingspan."
As they continued to watch the scenery zipping by, Si-Woo leaned forward, his curiosity piqued as he observed the finely bred horses pulling their elegant carriage. “Those must be the brown Prem horses,” he declared, an air of confidence in his voice.
"Indeed, they are," Minho affirmed, a note of pride evident in his tone. "These magnificent creatures are known for their power and remarkable endurance; they belong to the Pegasus family. They're especially favored by noble families, who love to showcase their royal connection through such splendid steeds."
Minho glanced out the window once more, a contemplative look crossing his features. "But aside from that, Si-Woo, there's someone I want you to meet when we arrive at the function," he stated, his voice taking on a mysterious tone.
Si-Woo furrowed his brow, a look of confusion washing over his face. "Who?" he asked, intrigued yet puzzled.
“You’ll just have to see," Minho replied cryptically, allowing a hint of a smile as he returned his gaze to the lush greenery that flanked the road, leaving Si-Woo to ponder the identity of this enigmatic figure awaiting them.
Once they passed through the imposing gates and strolled through the expansive north courtyard, Minho led them into the majestic palace, guiding them toward the grand great hall. As they approached the elaborate golden door handles of the towering doors, Minho turned to the children, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Brace yourselves," he instructed, his hand firmly grasping the handle as he pushed the doors open with a dramatic flair.
As the doors creaked wide, the bustling atmosphere of the hall enveloped them. A familiar voice boomed over the chatter of the crowd, commanding attention. "Now let us turn our attention to the prodigy twins." Si-Woo’s eyes, now fully adjusted to the ornate decor of the room, quickly recognized the regal figure of King Morey standing at the forefront. Just as he began to process the significance of the moment, his thoughts were interrupted by the thunderous applause that erupted from the guests, echoing throughout the hall like an overwhelming wave of approval.