Memories from the past, filled with a bittersweet sense of nostalgia, drifted through Stanley’s mind.

“You are my pride, Liam,” Stanley would often say to his son back then, before everything changed. Before Liam had become… different.

To the world, Liam was just the eldest son of the Evalon family who, unfortunately, hadn’t been born with a “talent.” They saw him as a disappointment, perhaps even a fool. Whispers floated around, carrying the opinion that he was simply unworthy of his status. But these were the thoughts of those who barely knew him.

Because, in truth, Liam had something greater than any ordinary “talent.”

“Hehe, I’ll work even harder, Father!” he would say with a joyful smile.

Liam’s warmth and kindness were unmatched. His thoughtful words lifted people’s spirits, his gentle actions touched the hearts of others, and his natural charm melted away tension, bringing light into dark situations. He was the kind of person who had the unique ability to make people feel comforted and happy in his presence.

It was a gift all its own: the ability to make people smile, to draw them close, and to hold them dearly in his heart. These qualities couldn’t be achieved through power, skill, or magic alone. They came from a pure and good-hearted nature, something Stanley deeply admired.

For this reason, Stanley took great pride in Liam. His son had been born with the rare qualities of a true and compassionate person, the kind of character he always hoped his children would have. He was certain that his proud son would grow up strong, staying true to these beautiful traits.

But…

Stanley sighed heavily, the sound echoing through the quiet office. Another pang of tenderness touched his usually cold heart—a soft, sad feeling reserved only for his son.

Stanley remembered it all too well. A few years before Liam disappeared, there were signs of pain, cracks forming in his son’s heart. And he knew exactly when it started.

It was the day Liam’s fiancée, Laura Osvald, arrived at the Evalon household to call off their engagement.

“Useless man. You can’t even handle a sword, and you have no magical abilities whatsoever,” she had said to him, her words like knives, sharp and merciless.

Stanley could still picture it clearly: his once-bright son standing there, silent, crushed by her words.

“If it weren’t for the engagement our fathers arranged, I wouldn’t even have bothered playing with you when we were kids.”

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Laura Osvald and Liam Evalon had been friends since childhood. They had been close, inseparable at times, and it was thought that they would grow into a perfect match. They had shared joyful moments, laughing and playing together in their younger days. But when Laura discovered Liam lacked any special talent, she decided there was no point in staying close to him anymore.

In their world, where the strong held power and influence, strength was everything. Without talent, you were seen as unworthy.

“So what if you’re the son of the strongest Duke?” she continued harshly. “You don’t even have any talent. You’re completely useless.”

Stanley remembered the look on his son’s face. He stood there, unable to respond, stunned into silence. It was the first time Stanley had ever seen his son so helpless, so broken.

And not long after that, when Liam’s mother passed away, Stanley saw him again—sitting for hours in silence before her grave, seemingly lost in his own world, unmoving and numb.

It was only then that Stanley realized how much his son was hurting. He knew, deep down, that he should have put everything aside—the Empire, the family duties—and simply held his wounded son. Yet he hadn’t. He had believed his strong and cheerful boy would pull through on his own, that he would eventually heal.

“...Liam,” he had said once, trying to reach out.

“Don’t worry about me, Father,” his son had replied with a small, forced smile.

But regret couldn’t change anything.

Liam was already damaged, and his cheerfulness was gone. The bright smile that used to light up rooms turned into a sarcastic grin. His kind words that once brought joy now seemed hollow, bringing only tension and sadness. And his once-warm heart retreated, becoming distant and cold.

Stanley tried to reach out to Liam many times after that, but every time he tried, Liam pushed him away. His son had begun to isolate himself, as if building walls to keep everyone out.

Stanley realized he couldn’t force his way through those walls, so he chose to wait. He thought that maybe, if he gave Liam time, he would eventually come back to him, ready to heal.

He couldn’t do much, but he was willing to be there for his son, in case Liam still thought of him as a father.

However…

A month passed.

Then three months.

Six months.

A year.

Even after a year, Liam showed no signs of returning to his old self.

Stanley began to understand that his son was hurt beyond repair. He could no longer be the cheerful, kind boy he once was. The son he had been so proud of was now lost somewhere, unreachable.

But Stanley didn’t give up. Knowing his son’s pain, he tried his best to protect him in any way he could, not wanting anyone else to turn against him.

Yet, despite his efforts, Liam only grew more bitter and distant.

Then, one day, Liam disappeared entirely.

At first, Stanley wasn’t too worried. Similar things had happened in the past, and he assumed his son had simply gone off to be alone for a while, perhaps to clear his mind. He expected him to return within a few days.

But days turned into weeks, then months, and Liam still hadn’t returned.

A deep sense of dread settled over Stanley, and he began searching for him, combing through every place his son might have gone. He checked the restaurants and shops Liam used to visit, the places he had enjoyed as a child, even the academy grounds. He looked everywhere he could think of, but Liam was nowhere to be found.

Months went by. Four months became five.

Just as Stanley was beginning to lose hope, he finally received word.

Liam had been found, unconscious and alone, lying in a field in the southern plains. The cavalry knights had stumbled upon him by chance during their patrol.

Stanley felt a strange mixture of relief and sorrow. His son was alive, but at what cost?