[Reynolds Leywin POV]

I had a cup of coffee in my hand, taking a few sips, it was hot and strong enough for me to get through my morning. Yesterday was a tough day as I spent half of it training the Helstea Auction House's guards, and the other half having friendly battles with my kids. Vincent and I were at that table together, talking about his business plans, the current topic referred to the perimeters and shifts of the guards who would stay there, because a special event was coming.

There were initially non-mage adventurers on the guard team, but recently we managed to recruit some long range augmenters, which is a powerful addition. While augmenters prevailed with melee attacks, those who were archers or knew how to use a crossbow were perfect for defensive tactics. Vincent was telling me to hire conjurers at least for the upcoming event.

"Hmmm... I know how beneficial it would be to have conjurers that could set up barriers and help support the augmenters, but I'm against it." I took another, more careful sip from my cup.

"You mind elaborating? You just said how helpful it'd be to have them." He said rebutted as he rhythmically stirred his tea.

Setting down my cup, I replied."If we're just talking about firepower, I would be all for it, but you know it's not as simple as that, Vince. It would affect team morale having even a few conjurers in a team of augmenters. You know yourself how snobby most conjurers can get. I swear they think they're angel incarnates, most of them think of augmenters as some sort of primitive beasts for using their hands to fight. Even if we do manage to find a few that aren't so rotten, the team would start thinking we're hiring conjurers because I don't trust them."

Vince's gaze was focused blankly on a stained smudge on the table, it was obvious what he was thinking. "You have a point. I left you completely in charge of the security aspects, so we'll go with what you say, but we need to be absolutely sure the 10th Anniversary Helstea Auction goes well. Even the Royal Family will be there this time. We can't let any commotions get too big." I simply nodded in agreement, giving my friend an appreciative smile.

"Oh right! We need to take your sons with us to the Tenth Anniversary Auction. Arthur had mentioned he wanted a sword for him and for Luz whatever he needs in the moment, right? I didn't know you had taught him how to use the sword. I expected the boy to take after you on the infighting style you're good at with your gauntlets."

"I never taught Arthur how to use the sword, Vince. He's already had a grasp of sword fighting since he was four years old." I let out, disbelieving the words that came out of my own mouth.

"You can't be serious... Lilia was still scared to go down the stairs by herself when she was four." a bewildered Vince sputtered.

I continued. "Arthur apparently learned it from watching me train and reading some books about swords. Vince, that's not even the part that matters so much to me. When I train with him, I see his look, his ways of reacting and his fighting style. I can't feel like I'm training with my eight-year-old son. It's like I'm fighting a veteran sword master. And Luz... I don't know what he went through before we rescued him, but he was 5 years old and already knew several ways to fight using his whole body along with impulses, in his case, I feel like I'm fighting a fighter who knows a little about everything and should never be underestimated. I feel like I just don't lose to them until now, because their bodies are still immatures."

"Mmm... I can't say I don't know what you're talking about. I sometimes find myself wondering if they are actually children. Are you scared of them, Rey?" he asked seriously.

"No, that's the thing I'm most sure of all. No matter what, they are my children, and I can feel that they always want, not only my good, but the good of all of us. If they are so amazing like that... Great, they'll be the best."

----------------------------------------

[Arthur Leywin POV]

During these two months, Lilia and my sister's progress in mana manipulation was evident. It seems that they both quickly entered a period of stability where they could concentrate without me or my brother being with them. Of course, it would take a few years for them to form a mana core, especially Ellie who paid little attention, but I informed them both of the importance of keeping it all a secret.

I didn't need to inform my parents and the Helstea family of the importance of remaining silent on this as well, but it was pretty obvious the four of them were excited for the day Lilia and Ellie were ready.

Sylvie has been sleeping a lot more these two months, but there have been noticeable changes. First, her intelligence has increased a lot, now being able to understand and show emotions more complex than hunger or sleep. Another change that happened recently was a transformation skill she learned. It wasn't a drastic transformation, but it came at the right time, as her ordinary appearance was growing considerably over time.

In the meantime, both Vincent and Tabitha kept insisting on delivering more gifts to us as thanks. Even if I wasn't making a deal with Vincent about cloaks or masks, I was planning on training Lilia from the beginning, after all she was from the family that had been helping mine in difficult times, but it turned out that Luz was assigned to train her in the arts of self-defense. After countless refusals of gifts, we finally came to an agreement, I would get a sword and my brother would have the right to choose a melee weapon when he felt like it.

Both of our bodies were now tall enough to be able to use small weapons without any problems, so Luz and I could train blade techniques without having to use wood sticks. We were thinking about both our families going to visit the Tenth Anniversary Helstea Auction. Waiting in the living room downstairs for our father and Vince to get ready, we heard an obnoxious knock from the front door.

"Sheesh, knocking once is plenty. Why knock this much..." Luz said what I was thinking.

I let out a slightly annoyed shout that I'd get it since we were close by, anyway. No need to trouble the maids when we were right next to door.

"Who's ther- OOF!"

I was hit with the nostalgic sensation of getting smothered by a pair of foam pillows. A classic way of assassination, but shouldn't it be used while I'm sleeping?

"Oh my goodness! You were alive! Look how big you've gotten! I'm so sorry! I wasn't able to protect you two! I'm so glad!" the lady sniffled.

"Mmfph! Mmmmmfph!" I tried to say a thing, but my air was going out of my lungs.

"Oh Angela! It's so good to see you again and whatever... But you're trying to kill my brother?" Luz said.

A light and worried laugh followed, then a comforting voice agreed with my brother "Angela, I don't think he can breathe..."

"Eep! S-Sorry!" Angela squealed.

Peeling my face away, I smiled at the sight of my companions. "It's really good seeing you guys again!" My giant guardian angel, Durden, patted our heads and I saw his narrow eyes getting watery, triggering a tear from me as well.

Adam smacked us on the butt. "Little brats! You know how devastated everyone was because of what happened? It's good to see both again, hehehe."

"You've gotten better-looking." I turned to see the charismatic Helen Shard with her signature bow still strapped to her back squat down in front of me. She lightly pinched our cheeks and gave us a sympathetic smile before standing back up.

Suddenly, I was surprised to hear a soft cry, it was Jasmine, she kept silent as she gave us a firm hug, letting out soft sniffles. We tried to pat her head, but soon she walked away from us, her face scarlet. Quickly getting to her feet and regaining her composure, she glared at us, then turned around.

At that moment, Sylvie had woken up from her nap on the couch and walked over to us. "Woah! What is that?" Adam spoke up, causing the rest of the Twin Horns to look in the same direction with surprised expressions.

"She's my contracted beast, Sylvie." I announced while my bond hopped on top of my head.

"Holy crap! You already have a contracted beast? Do you know how valuable it is to have a bond? Oh man, I've been trying to look for a beast to tame these past few years but with no luck. The ones that they sell are way too expensive, too, Lucky Brat!" Adam was pratically pulling his hair out in jealousy.

"Yeah, lucky one, how about you try to fall off a cliff too and see if you're as lucky as us. Geez" Luz said that, making some people in the group cry again for remembering the moment, this made my brother go into a slight panic, but it looked like half of them were just faking crying and started laughing because the worst was over.

Our parents soon heard people there and went to see who they were, everyone was happy to see each other again, practically they were away from the Twin Horns for the same time as us, so it was a happy scene. Until Jasmine, Helen and Angela noticed Ellie on my mother's lap.

"Oh my Goodness! Alice, Ellie looks just like you! She's going to grow up to be so pretty!" Angela said.

"...Cute." Jasmine talked little, as always.

"Rey is going to have his hands full soon with potential candidates kukuku. Can you tell me how old you are?" Helen said with a smile sharp as her surname.

"No, there will not be candidates, Helen. I'll not let this happen." This was the first thought in my mind before Ellie could answer her.

"Four!" Ellie said with that sweet smile as always.

Vincent came downstairs with Tabitha and Lilia, mother and father both wearing matching black clothes, while Lilia was wearing a flowered dress and a beautiful robe, I could see a strange flower in her hair, it was a very light blue, I had never seen a flower like that, it must have been imported.

After everyone introduces themselves, we decided to go together with the TwinHorns to the Helstea Auction House for the Tenth Anniversary event. On the way there, Luz and I told a little more about what happened after our fall, since in our father's letter, he had only spoken the basics. They were quite shocked when they learned that we had been in the Kingdom of Elenoir for about four years being cared for by nobles, with the information of being the elf royal family omitted.

Arriving there, the first thing I thought was how Vincent had really worked hard for this, the place was breathtaking. With countless embellishments and incredible architecture that I could say mixed the styles of the human and elven realms. Because we arrived early, there were only guards and workers present, preparing for the event.

We were informed by Vincent that we would stay in the VIP room that was close to the ceiling of the main auction hall, arriving there, I sat near the window, seeing the large hall that held several high class people. My dad and the Twin Horns were scheduled to stay out of the room, for they would begin to look around and work with the guards.

Luz sat beside me, with Sylvie sleeping hidden inside my clothes. We could hear more and more sounds of people entering the place, we saw the chairs down there being filled, without a doubt, they were all groups of nobles from the Kingdom. They all kept talking to each other, making my attention go to Lilia who was teaching Ellie a childish game that consisted of clapping. I couldn't help myself, I smiled seeing the simple fun they were having, when one made a mistake in the game, she received a gently tug on the ear of the other as punishment.

Time seemed to pass slowly and peacefully there, until Vincent returned, leading a group of unfamiliar people into the VIP room.

The first to come behind him was an enderly man with long, deep-red hair that was aged with streaks of grey. The man's eyes were stern with harsh, sword-shaped eyebrows, giving him an undeniably eye-catching presence. He was wearing a red robe lined with white fur around the collar and had a cane that shined brighter than any silver I had previously seen. Trailing closely behind him was a lady that looked a few years older than my mother. While my mother had a lovely, sweet, friendly atmosphere, this lady's facial features reminded me of an ice sculpture. She was wearing a shimmering silvery-white dress that complimented her dark blue hair that draped over her shoulders like a well-kept tapestry.

Behind the lady whom I assumed was the man's wife were two youger kids that could only be their kin. The older child, a boy that looked to be about the age of thirteen or so, took more after his father. His charisma was unrefined, but this would make him the center of any group. The younger one, a girl that looked to be about my age, surveyed the room carefully before locking eyes with my brother and me.

I could see that she was like Tess in a way, but a complete opposite in other. Her porcelain white complexion was a canvas for her meticulously carved facial features. Her penetrantingly sharp eyes, her hair glaring black like her mom, and her small lips with a soft pink shade. She looked more a doll that everything else.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Peeling my eyes off of the girl in front of me, I focused on the three guards that followed after the picturesque family.

"I didn't know we would be in here with guests, Vincent" The man said, neither harshly nor kindly.

"I apologize, Your Majesty! I assumed you wouldn't mind having a few other people with you. You remember my wife, Tabitha, right? Well, these are our close family friends." He introduced, waving his arm in our direction.

After regarding us for a moment, his lips curled up into a smile. "If they are your friends, Vincent, then they are mine as well."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. At least we'll have some company besides the guards." The lady giggled.

"Everyone, as you all may know, I'd like you all to meet the King and Queen of Sapin. Introduce yourselves to King Blaine Glayder and Queen Priscilla Glayder and ther children, Prince Curtis and Princess Kathyln." Vincent said.

With this, my mother, who was holding my sister, Tabitha, and even Lilia dropped down, genuflecting. I caught on and lowered myself a moment later as well, but I saw Luz, he wasn't doing the same, he made a bow of 75 degress.

Giving us a nod, the King gestured for us to stand, but before he also was looking at my brother because he was the only one who made different. "No more of this, now. No need to be stiff, we're just here for the auction, after all."

----------------------------------------

[Luz Leywin POV]

It was a peaceful period in that VIP room, comforting and with a simple and chic charisma at the same time. Until we hear the door open and Vincent enter accompanied by 3 guards and 4 other people. I could clearly see essences of them as if they were a light in the dark.

The man seemed to be one of those people who like to take advantage of others, I could see greed and a complete sense of maintaining status at all costs. The woman next to him, seemed the complete opposite of her appearance, her essence reminded me of a calm, soft and quiet person, who knew the moment to be rigid. By the combination of this couple, obviously she was the one who held her husband from being super impulsive.

Behind them there were two children, one of them seemed to be starting his adolescence, his essence showed to me the sense of enormous justice and also of protecting people, unlike that man, the boy seemed to be more acceptable in my opinion. And the little girl next to him, appeared to be the same age as me, I could feel a freezing feeling, but not in a bad sense, was in a maturing sense, it felt a little forced, like she needed someone to warm up a little bit... or she could be only the shy type and I was overlooking.

Everyone seemed to show a lot of respect when they were introduced, "Hm... The King huh? Really...."I thought.

I showed as little as I would think that was enough, even though he was the king of the realm I live in, I was still considered an elven noble for my hidden medal. Me showing respect to him as being the king of a neighboring kingdom could be done, in that logic.

As my brother got back up, Sylvie peeked her head out from under his robe, surveying curiously the new faces, while doing a confused "Kyu?"

"Oh my! What a cute little mana beast!" Queen Priscilla's face brightened up at the sight as she made her way towards Art.

"Oh... no..." I thought already in the worst scenario.

The king and the two children's eyes looked towards our direction as well, since I was side by side with my brother. The guards took a step forward as well, making sure they were close enough to react in case something happened to the Queen.

"She just hatched a few months ago. Her name is Sylvie. Come out and say hello." He responded.

"Kyu~!" She cooed while hopping out of his robe and stretching her body like a cat.

"I assume this little mana beast is your bond, young man?" The King came closer, kneeling down to get a closer view of Sylvie.

He nodded in silence. "How fortunate you are to have a mana beast. Even infant ones are not easy to yame, yet she looks to be very obedient." The king continued.

"Yes, majesty... As my brother already said, she hatched a few months ago, and was only with us near. So actually she treats us as Father and Uncle in some way." I said.

"And how you could know this?" The king looked confused at me.

"Well, because my brother told me what she is thinking with... some type of mentally communication...?"

"What? You mean to say that you are under an Equals Contract?"

We all turned our heads to face the source of the voice. It was one of the hooded guards behind the children.

"Uhm... Isn't it normal in this world? Normally this is a thing that happen always in others..." I thought, and after realise that this could be a rare thing I facepalmed myself mentally.

"Umm... I'm not sure what that is, but she was the one that initiated the contract... Like... she bited me, so I think so?" Art shrugged, hoping to switch topic.

"Let me take a closer look at your bond!" the hooded guard exclaimed, creeping closer to us.

Before anyone could stop him from doing anything, I simply unleashed a fast wind spell, with a small sphere hitting him right in the forehead and making a loud "TUC" sound, this would possibly have given him the same pain as if hitting him with everything against the ceiling of a room.

The king stepped in after this. "This isn't the time nor place to study someone else's pet. You're being rude, Sebastian." His gaze turned harsh as he rebuked him, but after this he asked. "Wait, did someone else hear some sound?"

Everybody nodded, while that Sebastian guy was with his hand on the forehead and apolosiged about his behavior. Apparently no one noticed my attack, perfect.

"Oh, well, you don't know our names... My name is Arthur Leywin, and his name is Luz Leywin." Art finished, giving a curt bow, I did the same thing. The king and his wife gave us a small smile, we took our seats in time to hear the clear voice declaring that the auction would start soon.

A cold shiver made me turn back just to see Sebastian, who had taken off his hood, he was staring intently at Sylvie, who was nestled on my brother's lap. Art also saw this.

"I think, I'm gonna need to kill this fucker, if he continues with this behavior. But... the king is really going to do nothing? If this guy never said about being interested in the mana beast... I would thought he was a pedo..." I thought, but I could feel... this wasn't 100% my though, the Sylvia's essence inside my head also wanted this. But soon after, my attention was taken by the beginning of the event.

"Ladies and Gentleman! May I say that it is of the highest honor for me to be here tonight? All of you are gathered here today for one reason and one reason only, I presume? It is to have the chance to obtain rare and valuable items in this auction!" Applause thundered in enthusiasm at the old gentleman's ardent introduction.

"If everyone in the audience would now kindly turn to face the back room at the very yop, we have a few exceedingly important figures that have decided to bless us with their presence. Please join me in welcoming the King and Queen of Sapin!" The auctioneer was the first to flick out the trail of his suit and genuflect. The audience immediately followed suit, lowering themselves respectfully in a bow since they couldn't kneel in their seats.

The King and Queen, in response, stepped out towards the window in front of me and waved their arms slowly in a practiced motion.

"Next, the one that made this whole event possible. Please give a big round of applause for Vincent Helstea!" The auctioneer's introduction was followed by another round of applauses as Vincent stepped up next to the King and Queen, giving a deep bow in return.

I just sat there again watching the people down there, they all looked high class to ordinary eyes, but mine saw different things. The essences there were of various types, some were petty, others greedy, others luxurious, and I swear I saw a super perverted aura in the middle of it all. Indeed, nobility, for the most part have crazy people who hide behind the titles. I cannot ignore the existence of one or another good aura in the audience, but even so, they were very few.

"I never got to try to see the essence of the noble elves during that party before, were they like that too? Or were there few people like that, due to the nature of their race?" That thought stagnated on me, as due to my previous deeds, I was considered an elven noble as well.

Then I looked at the Helstea, and saw their essence, I was not so surprised that Vincent was greedy, due to his work as a merchant, but I knew well that this aura was very weak. Tabitha exuded a calm, soft essence, something natural to a warm mother like her, while Lilia was something more simple due to being a little child that still doesn't know what is her place.

I got up, taking Sylvie from Arthur's lap and walked towards the prince, Curtis if I wasn't mistaken. It was good to use him as a shield against that creepy guard. "Hello again, would you like to hang out with the other kids? Maybe it gets boring for you to keep quiet just watching the people below."

Prince Curtis looked at me and gave a light laugh, which made the Queen notice my presence near her son. "Of course, it's better for my little one be with people closer to his age. Curtis, could you take your sister too?" The queen said with a soft smile.

"Yes Mother." The prince answered her, going to the princess and taking her with me to the corner where Lilia and Ellie were, Arthur seemed to immediately notice what we were doing and decided to stay there with the other children as well.

One of the guards along with Sebastian decided to approach us, saying they would stand guard. I knew Sebastian was there to analyze my niece, but luckily as I have thought, Curtis saw that there was no point in them getting so close, since we were all in the same room, just sitting far apart. The prince thus asked the two guards to leave, and they obeyed, but I could feel that Sebastian only obeyed the prince because we were in the queen's peripheral vision.

Still away from the window, we could clearly hear the Auctioneer saying that they were now showing a sword with fire magic ability. I could see Vincent turning to us and looking deep into my brother's eyes.

"No thanks, Vince. I know we agreed you'd give me a sword, but why do I have a sword of fire if I already know how to use this element?" Arthur said, with a calm expression, as if he were a teacher reminding a student of something obvious.

"Hm? Using the fire element? A sword? Boy, it is surprising to hear that coming from someone your age." The king said upon hearing the conversation.

"True, I mean, I can't believe you already have access to an element, Arthur. Hmmm... What color are your cores?" Curtis asked us, it seemed like he didn't want to be rude trying to observe our mana core stage and wanted to hear it from our voices.

"Well, as we're chatting friendly about mana cores and swords, as we have swords and beast's cores in the auction. I don't see a problem with us talking about this." I said that, but Arthur looked at me with a look that would be dangerous.

I would also find it dangerous, but at least that way there was a small chance that everyone's, and most important Sebastian's, attention would leave Sylvie and go to me, was it Sylvia's essence that made me think that? The motivation to stay and protect her daughter at all costs? Maybe, but I knew well that these were my thoughts too, something I would do and have done before, get all the attention for myself, to protect others.

"My core is in the dark orange state, with small cracks to solid orange." I replied, making everyone who didn't live with us widen their eyes, a boy with 9 years old already with this stage, while the prodigies from human race get to form the mana core with 8 years old, it was really scary.

"I don't like to talk about it, but I can only say that mine is red." Arthur replied, it wasn't a lie.

"A-Awesome..." we could hear a soft, half-shaky voice among the children who were sitting next to me, it was Princess Kathyln's. Her voice was really great by a child's standards, I could tell she would be the type with incredible power of discussion when she grew up.

"Ah! Uncle Vincent, as for our birthday gifts, so as not to disturb the other nobles, we could go get an item from the stock when the event is over. What do you think brother?" I said to get off the subject of our cores now, Vincent and Arthur agreed with what I said.

"Oh... really, you guys know how to use swords, don't you? My son has also been doing some lessons on this fighting style, if you want we can see one day for you two to come to our house here in Xyrus." The king said as he looked closely at us and Curtis' reaction.

Curtis seemed to like the idea, it seemed that the prince, despite having a great presence, wasn't the type to interact much. I, on the other hand, could feel the king's real intentions from afar, by the abnormal level of our mana cores at our age, he would like us to stay as close to his kin. Really, my instincts and essence reading never fail when working together.

"Your majesty, I'm sorry to inform you, but if the prince gets around ordinary people, they could make everything he learned worse." I heard that voice and turned around to see who it was, again it was that guard, Sebastian, and I could see that even though he said this to the king, he didn't take his eyes off Sylvie.

Didn't this freak hear that I'm an elemental mage almost in solid orange stage? Or does he think his status makes him invincible? I literally just attacked him with a wind ball without no one noticing...

The rest of the event didn't seem to be all that interesting or even good to see. Some slaves started showing up as items on the auction, I could see from Vincent's face that he was just accepting it for the business and not because he liked these things. Tabitha and my mother both looked disgusted at the audience, with people reaching high values of 20 golds for slaves, while the King and Queen looked nonchalant.

Or I could say... The queen was trying to look nonchalant.

I tried to ignore it by talking to the kids. We were at the table arranged in Curtis, Kathyln and I on one side while on the other was Ellie, Lilia and Arthur. Lilia started trying to entertain Ellie with that game she'd taught her before the event started, while the rest of us chatted about ourselves.

I found out that Prince Curtis was having his first year at Xyrus Academy, when we got to that subject, we told him that we had a demostration spar with Director Goodsky and that we had been accepted, but that due to age differences, we were holding to go there.

Of course this was all hushed up, because in the middle of the conversation I told Curtis that this was something to be left out of the King's ears. At least he managed to understand my side and we stopped this subject with him making jokes saying he would be our senior.

After a few minutes, the beasts category of the auction began to appear, and from what I heard, a baby beast appeared, it was a World Lion. From what I've read from the encyclopedias in the Helstea house, these beasts were lions with fire-elemetal affinity and could be considered high-class. Some of them are even more luckier, because there is an anamoly sometimes, that makes them also with earth-elemental affinity.

Bidding started with 100 gold, but it quickly went to 500, and finally, the king bought it for 1 white-gold tablet, which is equivalent to 1000 gold. Needless to say, no one had the courage to bet more than the king, even if they had the money to do so.

"Son, this mana beast will be yours if you improve your sword skills, understand?" The king said looking at the table we were at.

"O-Okay, I'll do my best!" He said with a smile on his face, but then he looked at me and my brother. "Then we can see a moment when we are alone and you help me, let's use an excuse like 'Art and Luz are my new friends and I want to see them', what do you think?" He whispered to us and in response we just laughed a little.

I immediately looked around after laughing, and saw that Sebastian was still staring incessantly at Sylvie who was still on my lap, she looked at him and then looked at me making a cute little noise, but that I could understand as a "take him away from me" in fear, I didn't need her telepathy with Arthur or Sylvia's essence to notice it.

And speaking in telepathy with my brother, he also looked at our little dragon as if he had heard what she was thinking. With a little angry expression showing in his face, even if he was still holding back to not create trouble.