Time didn't stand still. Lucius's days as a small child passed quickly, like a fleeting sigh. In the blink of an eye, he was already three years old. By that age, he had learned to speak and communicate with his parents—a development that thrilled him because he could finally express his thoughts and desires clearly.

That morning, the family was gathered in the dining room. Lucius, his mother Elizabeth, and his father Lionhart were having breakfast together at a long table, surrounded by maids who diligently kept everything immaculate. The soft sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the scene in warmth.

Without warning, Lionhart broke the calm with a question that changed everything.

"Hey, Lucius! Tell me, would you like to come with me today to watch me train?" he asked enthusiastically, his smile so wide it was almost impossible to ignore.

Elizabeth nearly dropped her teacup at those words.

"No! Absolutely not!" she exclaimed, her voice firm and leaving no room for debate.

Lionhart blinked, taken aback by his wife's sudden outburst.

"Why not? If Lucius wants to come, isn't that right, son?" he insisted, turning to the boy for support.

Lucius, noticing that all eyes were on him, answered honestly.

"Yes, Mother. I would like to go."

Lucius's response made Lionhart grin from ear to ear, clearly satisfied with the small victory.

"See, darling? I don't see why he shouldn't come with me," Lionhart said proudly, reinforcing his point.

Elizabeth, however, clenched her teeth, her displeasure evident.

"Lionhart!" she said his name in an icy tone, loaded with warning.

Lionhart's smile vanished instantly, and his expression became one of almost comedic sadness, like a puppy being scolded.

"You used my name… That means you're angry… But why?" he asked, attempting to soften his wife's resolve with a pleading look.

Elizabeth crossed her arms and stared at him sternly.

"That won't work, Lionhart."

Lucius, who had been quietly sipping his tea, tried to remain calm. Though the tension in the room made him uncomfortable, he knew it wasn't wise to interfere.

"Are you sure…?" Lionhart pressed, his face twisting into an even more pitiful expression.

"No, Lionhart. I already told you that won't work, so stop," Elizabeth said sharply, her arms still crossed.

Lionhart sighed, raising his hands in surrender.

"Alright, darling… But at least tell me, why are you so upset?"

Elizabeth slammed the table forcefully, causing the cups and plates to rattle.

"Are you seriously asking me that, Lionhart?" she exclaimed, her eyes blazing with anger.

Lionhart leaned back slightly, startled by the intensity of his wife's reaction.

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"Well… It seems there's no point talking to you. So, Lucius, shall we go?"

"Is this some kind of sick joke?!" Elizabeth shouted, standing so abruptly that her chair screeched against the floor. She slammed the table again, spilling some of Lucius's tea.

Lionhart turned to her, raising an eyebrow.

"What now?"

Elizabeth glared at him, her eyes sharp as daggers.

"I already told you, you're not taking Lucius with you, Lionhart! It's too dangerous. Don't you understand?"

Lionhart shrugged, trying to stay calm.

"Is that what this is about? Darling, Lucius is old enough to come with me. He won't be fighting—he'll just be watching."

Elizabeth shook her head, her frustration mounting.

"Do you even hear yourself? He's three years old!"

"Ah… Right," Lionhart admitted with a nervous smile, scratching the back of his neck.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, clearly trying to keep her anger in check.

"This isn't a game!" she continued. "What if he gets hurt? Or lost? Or kidnapped? Don't forget our social standing makes us a perfect target for things like that."

Lionhart raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture, trying to calm her down.

"Darling, relax… You know I'm the strongest soldier in Priteron. Nothing will happen to him while he's with me. Besides, you yourself said Lucius would grow up to be a soldier even stronger than me."

Elizabeth pointed a finger at him accusingly, her fury undiminished.

"Yes! But I meant when he's at least a teenager—not now. He's three years old!"

Lionhart smiled softly, attempting to soothe her.

"I promise, everything will be fine."

Lucius seized the moment to speak.

"Mother… I'll behave. I promise."

Lucius's words made Elizabeth pause. She looked at him with a mixture of worry and tenderness.

Elizabeth let out a long sigh. Though her face still showed clear signs of concern, Lucius's earnest words, combined with Lionhart's persistence, seemed to be melting her resistance.

"Fine…" she said at last, her tone tired and defeated.

Lionhart couldn't contain his excitement upon hearing her approval.

"That's what I like to hear!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet and rushing over to Elizabeth to hug her.

But Elizabeth, ever vigilant, dodged the embrace and grabbed him firmly by the collar.

"Hold on a second, Lionhart. If you're taking Lucius with you, I want to make something very clear," she said, her expression so fierce it was almost terrifying. "You both need to be back before lunch. And more importantly: Lucius is not to come back with a single scratch. If anything happens to him, you'll have to answer to me. Understood?"

Lionhart swallowed hard, clearly intimidated by his wife's glare.

"Y-yes, darling. Perfectly clear…" he replied with a nervous laugh, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple.

Elizabeth released him, straightening her clothes as if nothing had happened. Then she turned to Lucius, leaning down to gently stroke his head.

"Have a wonderful day, my dear son," she said warmly. But as she turned to Lionhart, her warm smile transformed into a disturbingly threatening one.

With that, Elizabeth left the dining room, her exit leaving a heavy silence in her wake.

Lucius, watching her disappear down the hallway, couldn't help but feel nostalgic. Elizabeth's strict, protective, and emotionally charged behavior reminded him of his mother from his previous life. Though he didn't see her exactly as a mother, there was something about her that gave him a sense of home.

His father, Lionhart, on the other hand, was entirely different. It was hard to view him as a traditional father figure. His carefree and often clumsy demeanor made him seem more like an older brother than a responsible parent.

Lionhart broke the awkward silence, still scratching the back of his neck.

"So, champ… Ready to go?" he asked, trying to regain his usual energy.

Lucius looked at him, slightly puzzled, but gave a small smile and nodded.

"Sure… Dad."

As they prepared to leave, Lucius reflected on what this small trip meant. While his mother saw it as a risky proposition, to him, it was an invaluable opportunity. During his three years in this new world, he had barely left the mansion. Confined within its walls, he had learned only a fraction about the world he had been reborn into.

Accompanying his father to training was not just a chance to see the outside world but also an opportunity to learn more about the magical abilities that clearly existed here. It was his first step toward understanding this mysterious and fascinating place, full of possibilities he could have only dreamed of in his past life.

With those thoughts, Lucius felt a spark of excitement. This was his chance to observe, analyze, and begin charting the path to his future.

Lionhart, meanwhile, took his son's hand with a broad and confident smile.

"All right, then! Let's go! Today's going to be a great day, son!"

And so, father and son left the mansion. As they crossed the grand doors into the outside world, Lucius knew that, though small, this moment marked the beginning of something far greater.