Cirrugur, 16th of Brightforge, year 305 UC

Emilia stared out the window, her mind fluttered with thoughts.

Ever since Bryan had mentioned his suspicions about his magical attribute, she wanted to see it for herself.

She had always been inquisitive, a trait that had only intensified with age. But now, with Bryan's words lingering in her mind, she found herself reflecting on a moment from her past.

She remembered standing in the courtyard, her heart pounding as she faced her older cousin. Three years her age, and already unlocked his third spell.

Her uncles, aunts, and cousins stood around the arena murmuring in anticipation.

No one believed she would put up much of a fight, nor that she could win.

But, she had been determined to prove herself, to show everyone – especially her father – that she was worthy of his recognition. She had trained relentlessly, pushing herself to the brink, hoping for a single word of praise.

The duel had been intense, nearly costing her, her arm.

Luckily, the week prior she managed to obtain her second spell, a feat worthy in the eyes of her instructors.

After all, she had only been awakened for five months, and it normally took a year or two years for mages to unlock their second spell.

No one was expecting it, and in the heat of the moment, she felt superior as she beat her cousin who by all rights should have won.

But as she looked over to her father, her elation had quickly turned to ash.

His eyes were cold, and he clicked his tongue in disapproval before turning away to Rashaka, his favored child, with a faint smile.

The memory was as sharp as ever, the sting of rejection cutting deep.

She had yearned for his approval, but it never came.

Snapping back to the present, Emilia shook her head, trying to dispel the bitter memory.

She turned to Lucas, who had been watching her.

"I'm not."

She said, hoping to end the conversation before it could begin.

Under the table, she held her trembling hand steady as best she could.

Bryan had to grow up as normal as he could, that would be best for him.

Going through what she went through… she couldn’t put him through that.

‘Never.’

Lucas, however, was not so easily deterred.

"But Emilia, wouldn't it be better to know now? We could—"

"Enough!"

She snapped, her voice louder than she intended.

Her memories were still affecting her.

Lucas was just being himself, she knew that.

It was the way she was treated in her past that got to her.

She took a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm.

‘One. Two. Three…’

She counted to five letting the fire within her die down.

"Lucas, he's just a boy. He will already have a difficult enough childhood, confined to this estate. We can find out his magical attribute later. There's no need to rush."

Lucas opened his mouth to argue but paused, collecting his thoughts. After a moment, he nodded slowly.

"If that's what you wish, Emilia."

It bothered him that she was speaking this way.

The Emilia he knew wasn't the type to be cautious, or back away from a challenge.

She did what she wanted when she wanted, consequences be damned.

The fact that she was letting this chance go irked him because she was never this protective. Even worse, she would only harm the boy by acting this way.

“I understand your worries, but ignoring Bryan’s potential won’t protect him from the world. If anything, it might leave him more vulnerable.”

He had to say it, even if she didn’t want him to.

She had to know.

‘Damn it, Lucas! You just couldn’t drop it, could you?’

Emilia bit the inside of her lip.

His words stung more than any wound she received because she knew he was right.

Even if she did keep him here for the rest of his life, it wouldn't matter because eventually she'd die and he'd be alone.

She couldn't do that to Bryan.

He had to be strong, far stronger than a child his age should ever be. However, that would be more for his own protection than her greed to see him grow.

The fact that Edward was excited about his potential already spoke volumes of how talented Bryan truly was.

She wanted to push him to the brink and have him work overtime to learn everything.

But thinking back on it, was it that she wanted it due to her father's influence, or because she wanted to maximize his potential?

Emilia sighed, her shoulders slumping as she finally allowed herself to speak.

“In time, I will let Bryan use magic. But right now, it’s a terrible idea.”

Lucas’s brow furrowed.

“Why is that?”

"Bryan's awakening wasn't normal, I told you it almost killed him due to Ether Poisoning. So, even if I wanted him to use magic right now, he wouldn't be able to—or he’d die in the process.”

Every time he used a spell, he would be in pain and the corruption would spread eventually eroding him from the inside.

Death was the only thing that awaited him if he were to become a mage, it was just going to be a matter of how long until it did.

Lucas rubbed his chin, muttering to himself.

“Ether poisoning... that’s incredibly rare. How could he have managed that? What kind of spell did he use to need more than what he had?"

"Lucas!"

Emilia snapped her fingers as he was forgetting pieces of information she already told him not even an hour ago.

Lucas was forgetful yes, but not to this extent.

His brain worked in mysterious ways, but he could always stay focused on his task.

"Hmm? Yes?"

Lucas asked as he stopped muttering to himself.

"What is going on with you?"

"Nothing, why? Is there something wrong?"

‘He’s lying. Isn’t he?’

Emilia didn't know what to say, she knew there was something off about him but couldn't pinpoint what it was.

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Maybe it's just been too long and she was that tired and this was how Lucas usually behaved.

Yet, her gut was telling her otherwise.

"You... nothing. Do you have a way to fix Bryan? He wants to be a mage, and unless his pathways are repaired then there's no way he can."

She meant to ask him this eventually, but now was as good a time as any.

Lucas shook his head.

“No, I can’t fix something like that.”

Emilia’s shoulders slumped further, and she let out a sarcastic huff.

“That’s just great.”

Lucas resumed his muttering.

“I’ll have to examine Bryan.”

Emilia arched an eyebrow.

He had already said he couldn’t fix him, so she didn’t see the point in an examination.

Then again, this was Lucas so he might have something up his sleeve.

“Sure. Go ahead, but you already said you couldn’t fix him.”

His right eye twitched at that remark.

It was as if Emilia was stabbing him where it hurt most.

While he might not be the most talented mage, there was rarely anything he couldn't do. If he couldn't, then he'd research and try until he eventually succeeded.

“I can’t fix him, but I can see where the corruption is and seal off those pathways.”

“Seal them off?”

Emilia asked.

‘Can you even do that? The natural flow of his ether would be interrupted, so could he even use magic?’

She couldn’t help but ask herself.

“Can you do that? Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

Lucas nodded slowly.

“It’s definitely risky, but it might be his only chance. Because he is young and is still developing, he can alter the way his ether flows. For someone more experienced it would be near impossible, but for Bryan who is basically a blank canvas then... it might allow him to use magic safely in the future.”

Emilia sighed.

"We should go with that, but if you’re not sure, Lucas, then don’t do it. I don’t want Bryan to die.”

It was just one child.

If they died, then they died.

Even if Bryan was related to her, Lucas did not like the way she was behaving right now.

“This isn’t like you, Emilia, to be so worried.”

She normally had a hard shell and refused to show any emotion, to her friends or enemies.

Smiling at others was not her forte, and she always kept up a certain appearance.

For the first time since he'd known her, Lucas felt like he was beginning to see a glimpse of the real her.

And he disliked it.

“Bryan is the only family I have left, I can't lose him too."

It took a lot for her to say that not because she was embarrassed or anything. Simply she was not one to show her emotions.

All these emotions she was showing him caused him to shudder.

Where did his Emilia go that was the cold-hearted bitch that’d murder people and have dinner afterward go?

He wanted her back.

"However, you'll simply examine him for now. Don't go doing anything or making him one of your experiments. If I find out otherwise, you'll be wishing you never returned."

After a few moments passed Lucas nodded.

‘Ah… it is around that time isn’t it.’

Lucas came to a realization after thinking about it for a second.

It was around that time of the month for her, and having Bryan around wasn't helping at all. He felt sorry for whoever she'd end up dating in the future.

*********

Bryan stood behind Edward trying to hide from 'that' man.

The crazy man who picked him up before was mumbling some words as he kept staring at him.

It made him feel weird, and he tried to hide from the man's sight but out in the hallway there was nowhere to go. Even worse, Edward was chatting with Emilia as if the man didn't exist.

Were they not worried about him?

‘Am I going to be sold?’

Bryan asked as he observed the adults.

Emilia did mention he could stay here, but she also offered to find him a place to go. When she said that, Bryan knew she didn't want him around, even when she told him otherwise.

No one wanted him.

‘She wants me gone.’

This was just a facade she was putting on, nothing more.

Once he lowered his guard, they’d strike.

Laugh at him as he was carried away.

‘Just like her.’

Before that happened he had to learn as much as he could in order to make himself valuable.

"Bryan."

Edward said, placing a hand on his back.

"I'd like you to meet Lucas."

He looked up at Lucas, who smiled—a smile that sent chills down his spine.

‘No!’

He wasn't a good man, he was weird.

Bryan clutched the pants leg of Edward as if it would keep him safe.

That smile of his felt like Lucas was not looking at him like a person, but more like a toy.

It was just a feeling, but Bryan was sure of it.

Emilia was slightly bewildered by Bryan's act. Why was he so close to Edward?

She knew they spent a lot of time together, but when she did speak to him he seemed more open.

Did Lucas' previous actions cause this?

Sure, he was a little odd, but he wouldn't hurt a child. Most children liked his strange behavior.

Edward was just giving him a soft smile but didn't seem to push him forward to act.

She recalled the question she asked him a month ago.

She asked him why he wanted to become a mage.

Bryan's answer was one of the replies other people would say.

Protection, fame, respect, and strength.

But, if he wanted to become the person he envisioned himself he had to take the first step forward.

Stepping forward, her eyes locked onto Bryan's.

"Lucas is here to help you. He'll try to fix the damage done by the mana poisoning."

'Fix me?' Bryan thought.

Emilia already fixed him, didn't she?

When he woke up here and had to heal.

Didn't that already 'fix' him?

He wasn't in any pain, and he felt fine.

‘She's trying to get rid of me.’

‘Don’t throw me away.’

"Hello, Bryan. I hear you're quite special."

Lucas said as he crouched down to Bryan's level while keeping a friendly smile on his face.

"I want to make sure you'll continue to be special."

Bryan took a step back, pressing closer to Edward.

"I... I don't need fixing. I'm fine."

He felt better than he did before, all the pain was gone.

Edward kept praising his progress, and he worked hard.

He was fine, better even.

Was it not enough?

Was Edward just being nice to him?

Was he actually progressing slower than Edward said?

"Lucas."

Emilia said as she glared at him.

"What? I didn't do anything."

Lucas replied as he glanced over his shoulder.

"You always say that. For someone who is good with children, you're scaring him."

"I never said I was, I merely stated that they love me. That does not mean I'm good with them. Pretty sure they just like my..."

Lucas tried to think of the word.

"Eccentric behavior?"

Edward filled in the missing word for him.

Lucas snapped his fingers.

"You could say that."

Emilia clicked her tongue.

She couldn't believe he wasn't taking this seriously.

"Bryan, I know Lucas is a bit... unusual, but he's very good at what he does. You want to be a mage, don't you? In order for that to happen, Lucas will have to heal you."

She tried to reach out to him, but Bryan pulled away.

"No! I don't want him to. I don't need any fixing, I'm fine! I'm fine, I'm really fine."

Staring at her outstretched hand, Emilia felt something in her chest.

It was a feeling she wasn't used to, and it hurt.

Dropping her hand to her side, she looked at Edward. What should she do in this situation? That is what her eyes were asking him.

Edward knelt down beside Bryan, gently placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Bryan, take a deep breath, there's no need to panic."

Edward waited until Bryan began to calm down and the hand that was gripping his leg loosened up a bit.

"Lucas might be a bit strange, but he knows what he's doing. I promise nothing bad will happen to you."

‘Promise?’

He could hear Ms. Kelly tell him that, to promise her.

He did too.

Edward was like her, wasn’t he?

Bryan looked up at Edward.

"But I don't want to be fixed. I'm not broken."

He insisted as his voice trembled.

Edward nodded, maintaining eye contact.

"If you say you're fine, then you're fine, but there's nothing wrong with letting him take a quick peek is there?"

Bryan hesitated, his grip on Edward's pants leg tightening.

He glanced at Lucas, who was still crouched down, giving him a smile.

It still weirded him out, and he was afraid of him.

Lucas reminded Brayn of that noble, the one who beat him and he couldn't do anything about it.

He was powerless and hurt.

When Lucas picked him up with such ease, he couldn't help but recall those moments thinking it was going to happen all over again.

Emilia watched, saw how scared he was, but she didn't know how to reach out to him.

Comforting others wasn't something she was used to doing, she wasn't taught how.

Showing affection even to her own family was not something she did.

Emilia was a mage, and she learned how to toss aside her emotions in order to get the admiration of her father.

She wanted to say something, anything really but it felt like the words were stuck in her throat unable to come out.

Lucas observed the kid, there was definitely something going on with him.

He might be awakened, sure, but he was not stable.

Whatever he was currently doing was the wrong approach, he had to switch gears and try something else.

Lucas needed the kid to trust him, so he could find out what made him different, and hopefully find a way to open the book.

That, and he was also curious about what would happen to Bryan later on.

A child this young, learning magic?

Unstable as he currently was, if things didn't shift... Lucas couldn't help but laugh internally at that prospect.

It would be a sight to see, and he wanted to see it upfront.

"Sorry. I must have scared you when we first met, I let my... nature get the best of me at times but I meant no harm."

Both Edward and Emilia were stunned by Lucas' behavior at the moment.

The man hardly ever apologized for anything.

The way he said it, they both knew he truly meant his words.

This was not just something he'd say to get the other person to back down, it had meaning behind it.

Bryan heard this trick before, Millie pulled it on him.

Apologize, then take him somewhere and betray him.

Lucas didn't mean anything by his words, he didn't really care about him.

The man simply wanted him to let his guard down, but that wasn't happening.

Not again.

He wouldn't fall for it!

"I don't know what to do for you to trust me, so I won't do anything. Ask me what you want, about myself, magic, Emilia, or anything really. If you don't want to be checked out, that's fine with me, but can't you at least say something?"

Lucas asked.

Hesitating for a moment, Bryan clutched the pants leg of Edward.

"Why do you want to fix me?"

"That's a good question. Mostly to see what damage has been done, but also to find out how you're doing whatever it is you are doing. See Bryan, I have this book."

Lucas showed the sealed book to Bryan.

"It's sealed at the moment, but I'm hoping to open it and reveal its secrets. You give off a similar vibe to this book, so I'm hoping that by learning about you, I will discover a way to open it. That's it."

Lucas could feel the glare he was receiving from Emilia without even glancing in her direction.

"Also, I heard you wanted to become a mage. Although you might feel fine, the ether poisoning has damaged your ether pathways, and whenever you use magic in the future, it will spread and cause you pain. Until eventually they break and cause you unbearable pain in the future, so much pain you won't be able to move a single finger."

‘Pain?’

Bryan recalled the pain he felt at the multiple beatings he took.

The pain of his body feeling like it would explode.

He didn’t want to feel that pain.

He hated it.

But…

‘Can I trust him?’

"I... I don't want that. But I don't trust you."

He looked at Edward for a moment.

"Can Edward do it?"

Edward smiled at him.

"If I could, I would. I don't know what to look for, or where to start. I can, however, stand by your side while Lucas examines you to make sure nothing happens. Would you allow that?"

Bryan thought it over for a moment and nodded slowly.

"Okay..."

Emilia felt a wave of relief wash over her for some reason.

"Let's not do this in the hallway, how about we head to the study so you can be a bit more comfortable? Okay?"