The days unfurled into a monotonous pattern of learning and exploration for Alden. His grasp of Elarian deepened with each passing week, each newly acquired word and phrase another puzzle of this unfamiliar world. He juggled his secret studies with frequent eavesdropping on Augustus’s lessons with Sir William. Most of the lessons dwelled on governance and economics, subjects that ignited little spark within him, yet Alden still absorbed every droplet of knowledge.

Mornings unfolded to the rhythm of clattering cutlery and cheerful voices as the family gathered for breakfast. Alden's days often saw him and Augustus entwined in laughter, their youthful spirits echoing through the castle's chambers. Mary, ever the doting mother, enjoyed their company, her warmth bathing their world, her gentle presence a soothing balm to Alden's soul.

Alden's secret quest continued in earnest. Seizing every fleeting opportunity, he slipped into Augustus's study, leafing through the various books that filled the shelves. Most were unhelpful, but occasionally, he stumbled upon something useful. Over the next month, he became proficient in reading basic Elarian, allowing him to delve deeper into more complex texts.

One day, a cartographer’s testament to the land, unveiled a world beyond Silverfield’s walls. He discovered that the Barony was part of the Ignis Empire, neighboring two other baronies, Hillcrest and Ravenwood. With each turned page, a clearer image of the world emerged, revealing the intricate tapestry of power and influence.

Alden also discovered that becoming a mage was an arduous task, far more challenging than becoming a knight. The resources demanded were colossal, often unreachable for the lesser nobility and solitary practitioners. First, one needed a magical technique, and even the most basic technique carried a price tag that dwarfed that of an earth-rank martial technique, a testament to its versatility. To acquire such a technique, one required the patronage of either the Mage Order or the Hunter Order, or the deep pockets to purchase from the open market at exorbitant prices.

The book also unveiled the staggering cost of nurturing magical talent. The resources consumed to reach even a novice rank were astronomical. According to one text, the amount required to train a single novice mage could train two iron knights. The magnitude of the challenge before him, should he choose to walk the path of magic, was as vast and daunting as the horizon.

The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the courtyard as Alden, standing on a chair, observed the training grounds below. Augustus moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior, his sword precise and disciplined. Rodrik stood nearby, his watchful eye correcting each errant strike. It was clear that Augustus was training to become a knight, and Alden felt a pang of envy mixed with admiration for his brother's dedication.

In the morning, Augustus was immersed in the intricacies of statecraft under Sir William's tutelage, while afternoons were dedicated to the martial arts under Rodrik's stern guidance. This dual path was forging Augustus into a formidable figure, a young noble poised for leadership.

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The path to mastering the family's earth-rank martial technique "Lion's Inferno," demanded a strong physical foundation. A daunting prospect for a toddler, Alden realized. Magic, however, seemed to offer a different path. While knights honed the body, mages cultivated the soul. This gave Alden some hope.

Alden needed money, a colossal amount of money. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the creak of the door. His mother stood in the doorway.

Mary's gaze fell upon Alden, her surprise evident as she found him perched atop a chair, his eyes fixed on the courtyard. "What captivates my little one?" she inquired; her voice soft. Drawing near, she joined him at the window. "Ah, my darling watches his brother," she murmured, a fond smile gracing her lips. Scooping Alden into her arms, she showered his face with kisses. "A future knight? Just like his big brother?" she teased, her tone light.

Augustus's eyes met Mary's as she emerged from the castle with Alden, a warm smile curving his lips. "Focus, young master," Rodrik's voice cut through the air.

"Yes, sir," replied Augustus, swinging his sword.

"Emily, fetch the wooden sword that we bought from Mr. Tolland," Mary beckoned to the young maid.

Alden's gaze was fixed on Augustus, a mesmerizing spectacle of youthful vigour. Sweat glistened on his brother’s brow as the wooden sword flashed in the sunlight. A surge of admiration washed over Alden. Alden had seen Augustus closely in these two years and found him quite to his liking. He was a brother who was kind, dependable, and truthful. The makings of a capable baron were evident in his every action.

"Here is the sword, My Lady," Emily replied, her voice soft. Mary accepted the wooden weapon and lowered herself to Alden's level.

"Brave knight," she began, her eyes twinkling, "protect your mother from the wicked world." With a flourish, she placed the sword in his tiny hands.

A grin spread across Alden's face as he accepted the sword. "I potect Moma," he declared, his voice filled with childish bravado. “I potect evedyone.” His laughter was a tinkling melody as he lifted the sword, a miniature warrior charging towards his brother. Mary watched with a mixture of amusement and affection as Alden's unsteady legs propelled him forward.

A soft chuckle escaped Emily's lips as she watched the unfolding scene. Her years of tending to Alden had granted her an intimate understanding of the boy that even Mary seemed to lack.

Emily harboured deep suspicions about Alden's intelligence. Her young master was anything but ordinary. Most babies cry at the slightest discomfort, boredom, or overstimulation, but not him. His cries were purely functional, only surfacing when hunger gnawed at him or his diapers were soiled. It was unusual, the way he outgrew those early needs. Before he was even a year old, he stopped soiling his diapers and could thread a few words. She was sure she saw him walk alone in his crib when he was just seven or eight months old, but on seeing her, he always giggled and quickly dropped back to crawling. Often, she found him either in a trance, lost in a world of his own, or crawling into every nook and cranny of the castle.

Over the past few months, he was always missing from his room; she caught him a few times in Master Augustus's study. Emily was sure her young master was hiding something.

Her Ladyship remained blissfully unaware because, as a baroness, she was extremely busy, and she loved Alden too much to see anything besides him.

Rodrik saw Alden running towards them while giggling, he sighed, "That will suffice for today, Augustus." The young boy's face lit up with relief as he bowed, "Thank you, Master Rodrik," he replied, before turning his attention to his younger brother.

As the sun began its descent, casting the courtyard in hues of gold and crimson, a sense of contentment washed over Alden.