When the weekend arrived, only the twins and I all made our way to the front gate to head to our respective houses. The only person who was staying for the weekend would be Madison, as her family was one of the few Viscount families that ruled over a city. Managing even a smaller city required significant attention, and Madison often had to step in to assist with administrative tasks or represent her family in their absence, adding a layer of responsibility uncommon for someone her age. While it may have been a bit smaller of a city it still required a lot of their attention.
The twins and I each promised that we would make sure it was ok with our families and in the future, we would have everyone over to our house. She just smiled in that way people do when they think you are lying but trying to be nice.
At the gate, they were giving each student a badge linked to their unique magical signature. This system ensured that the badges were tied exclusively to their owners, acting as both an identity marker and a security measure. When students returned, they had to turn in the badge to the gate guard, and if the magical signature didn’t match, an alarm would trigger immediately, preventing unauthorized access. If the person matched the signature, then nothing happened, and the student turned in the badge.
After getting my badge I said goodbye to Robert and Evelyn and made my way out the gate. My mother was outside waiting for me among the crowd of people and when I got closer, I couldn’t help but smile. The shift was not a dramatic change, but she had apparently been working on her skill. I ran up to her and gave her a big hug.
On the walk home, I asked my mom about everything that happened while I was gone, while she asked me about everything that happened at school. I decided that I should wait to tell her about the assassination attempt on Prince Robert as walking down the street wasn’t the best place for that.
When we got home, as soon as I walked through the front door. My sister slammed into me almost knocking me over. “You have been gone for waaaayyyyyyyy too long Jace. You need to come play with me to make up for all the time that you missed.” Ayla basically yelled as she held on to me.
Mom laughed and nodded her head, giving me the ok. So that is what I did for the next few hours. Keeping Ayla busy just doing whatever she wanted to do. Once again, I appreciated the feeling of playing with my sister and her carefree giggles.
My father arrived home much earlier than I expected, stepping outside with a warm smile to join Ayla and me. He scooped her up in a playful spin, her laughter ringing out like a bell, before turning to me with a teasing challenge to a game of tag. The three of us dashed around the backyard, Ayla’s giggles and my father’s animated encouragement filling the air. It felt like a rare and cherished moment, reminding me of the bond we shared as a family despite the burdens my father often carried from his work.
We played for a bit longer before mom called out for dinner. Dinner went by quickly, Ayla and father asking the same questions that mom did and I once again leaving out anything about the assassination attempt. I did give my father a look when I said nothing too interesting happened that I believe my mother picked up on.
Julliane Obexis has invited you to her party. Do you accept?
Immediately I accepted and surprisingly enough I heard my father’s voice in my head. “Surprised?” My father asked. “We learned about this just recently actually. We had stayed in a party while I was at work one day and your mom thought about wanting to tell me to grab some food on the way home and I heard it. After that we did some testing to determine how it worked.”
I knew that this would be an amazing ability to have, but we would need to be careful not to rely on it too much. Constantly communicating through party chat could create a disconnect from face-to-face interactions, weakening the bonds that come from direct conversations. It might also lead to complacency, making us vulnerable if the system were ever compromised. “This is definitely cool and would have been useful this week. I will tell you about it tonight after Ayla goes to bed. As I want your advice as well.” I told my parents.
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After that we just talked about small things and played a little more with Ayla before she went to bed. The entire time either my father or mother were near me just enjoying having me home.
When my sister went to bed my dad went and grabbed some liquor and my mom a wine. When I looked at him with a questioning look, he just laughed before responding, “The last time you waited until Ayla was gone, you told us about your talent. Using that as the standard I feel we are going to need a drink for this information.”
I laughed as well and waited for my mother to come downstairs before speaking to them, “I think that we should speak using the party chat. I doubt someone has come up with a way to hear this yet.” I said with a smirk. My mom and dad just nodded waiting for me to continue.
I went on to explain how my first day went, and how I met Evelyn Magnalon. I had made sure to only say my friends were Evelyn, Robert and Madison having left out the last name. I then went on to explain everything else in much more detail. Including how I tended to make sure to Identify food and items around me at all times to help it level.
Then I explained the poisoned food and my father’s face went pale. “I am aware that an assassination attempt is not a good thing, but I did not for you to react so strongly dad. What information am I missing?”
“When I saved Duke Aureus from his assassination the person that tried to kill him was from the assassin’s guild. They are not sanctioned by the King or kingdom however, we do keep close ties to the branch in our kingdom. It’s not very intelligent to let a known force operate in your territory with free agency if you cannot control it.
Anywho, the due to our closer relations with this guild he informed us that the assassination was ordered from Heirarchon. When it happened, it made no sense as to why they would try to assassinate the Duke. His land does not boarder Heirarchon and nothing he does from a political standpoint would affect relations with them. However, from a militaristic view, he has the financial wealth to help our country through a war.
Not only that, but his family is mercantile in nature, and he can help our military get the equipment it would need if we were to go to war.
I hate to ask this of you son, but I will need you to keep a close eye on everyone in school. The biggest thing is to make sure that Robert and Evelyn stay alive.”
I nodded my head and continued out loud, “I wanted to talk to you about Robert and Evelyn.” I said somewhat bashfully, I knew that my young body was allowing my emotions to get the best of me, but I was quite fond of Robert and Evelyn and wanted to see about adding them to the system. Part of me hesitated, unsure if I was letting my growing fondness for them cloud my judgment. I had never been this close to people outside of family before, and the thought of inviting them into something as significant as the system filled me with both hope and apprehension. I worried about how this decision might change our dynamic, and whether I was ready to take on the responsibility it entailed. The only thing I was worried about was whether they would be able to add people to the system after they were a part of it.
I went on to explain the rivalry that had not only been growing between Robert and I, but also that Instructor Remy had been fostering between us. I also explained my worries, about how I thought my young mind might have been getting the better of me and that I wanted my parents opinion on whether adding them was a good idea.
My father was all for it as he was a big believer in the royal family, however my mother understood the need for caution. If the royal family could add people to the system, then yes there was no issue to me, however if I was the only one who could then it made them reliant on me and they might seek to control me.
While my father did not think that the Magnalons would do that he also did not want to put his son at risk, “Unfortunately son, your mom and I have already tested whether we can do that, and it appears only you can add someone.”
I stood there just staring off into space for a few minutes at the news. Trying to determine if I was upset or grateful. On the one hand it meant that unless I added someone there was no way for them to join the system. On the other it meant that it would put the twins in a weird situation if I asked them not to reveal the system to their family.