Anthony did not see the Emperor as everyone expected, but still an important figure in the nation. He was the high commander of the national forces, the Emperor’s right hand, and second only to the Emperor himself, the Archduke. He wore vestments of the highest quality, a suit tailored from the finest materials that shimmered like star dust that must have been made from the crushing of a thousand precious gems. Yet, Anthony was more intimidated by who he was escorting into the hall, holding her hands as elegant as a woman of the highest nobility.

“Presently, the honorable high commander, Archduke Pascal Melia and Lady Helena Erebus.”

His youngest sister looked very mature even though she was still a student of the Mage Institute. Her formal gown was as black as midnight that matched the color of her ebony lips and nails painted for the finest quality. If he didn’t know her sister well, Anthony might have mistaken her for someone of elegance and grace, but he knew beneath that dark make-up and gloss there was an even darker soul. Soon, everyone raised their heads and started to make the casual greetings, while Anthony could only hear what the other statesmen were saying.

“The Emperor sends his regrets that he could not make it to this occasion, but given the occasion he sent me in his place.” The Archduke spoke to the statesman.

“It’s an honor that even the Emperor's right hand could attend such a function, good sir.” A statesman compliment. “Especially with Lady Helena in tow.”

“It’s a fairly interesting story.” He laughed at the statesman. “I had given a lecture at the Pyro-kinetic Institute when this young lady caught my interest.”

“You must feel very honored that the Archduke would escort you personally to this occasion young lady.”

“I feel very honored, good sir.” She bowed in respect. “The Archduke was interested in meeting fire mages of the highest achievement after the lecture and noticed my family name matched that of the head of the Imperial Marines.”

“Then when I heard of General Erebus retirement, I felt compelled to help the young lady make the journey safely from here to her studies to her family estate.”

“You’re a true humanitarian, your grace.” He complimented before leaving to allow the rest of the statesmen to attend.

“Can you believe this?” Vera complained having heard the conversation beside Anthony.

“Our political system is based on achievements.” Anthony simply stated the facts with cold logic. “It makes sense that the Archduke would endorse our sister to build his own standing, if he plans to succeed the Emperor.”

“I’m not talking about that, Anti, I’m talking about our sister’s ambition.” She pointed out her greeting the crowd alongside the Archduke like his own daughter. “She’s trying to elevate her own political standing by having the Archduke’s endorsement. You’re the rightful heir to the Erebus house, you should be being endorsed.”

“You know I have no magical affinity, dear sisters. You or any of my sisters would be more qualified to hold strength in the position of the house.”

“Our house may be built on strength and raw power, but why should it matter when the war of kingdoms is practically over. You have far more better qualities than raw power, like compassion, knowledge, and understanding.”

“Mother has told you about my book collection hasn’t she.” He smiled at the amusement of her support.

“You should come to the Institute with me, I can help you get to the right professors. With the right endorsements you could reformat the entire institute's way of thinking.”

“You know as well as I, that my musings are only speculations. If I can’t apply them myself they might as well be poetry instead of instructions. No one would dare even attempt them for fear of excommunication from the Institution.”

“Those old fossils just aren’t opening their minds wide enough.”

“How can they, they’re Fire Mages.” He chuckled.

When the crowd had dispersed, Helena kindly thanked the Archduke and went alone amongst the guests. She scanned the crowd and spotted Anthony and Vera side by side and her eldest sister far from the crowd. Although she would have loved to rub her success in their faces, she decided to walk to Tundra instead, who was drinking heavily amongst her fellow soldiers at this auspicious occasion.

“Tundra, is that you?” She said to her eldest sister, so that both her other siblings could hear.

“Hello, Helena.” She took a great gulp of the hard champagne she held in her hands.

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“I hardly notice those battle dresses, or are they fatigues, you know I can never get the terminology right.”

“It's my battle dress.” She put her drink aside as she pardoned the rest of the crowd. “I see you’re out of uniform having just recently returned from the academy and all.”

“Oh, do you like it?” She showed off her dress’s silky exterior like a fine piece of satin. “It’s actually a gift by the Archduke himself. I protested that it’s customary to appear as school representative for these occasions, but he insisted when he volunteered to be my personal escort to this affair. Supposedly it’s made black myra ant shells that survive only in the obsidian mines or volcanic islands of the Free States.”

“You sure that’s not a knock off from the Duchy or has hobnobbing your peers and professors, lowered your taste for quality.”

“Ah yes, I’m surprised that mingling with your fellow soldiers has lowered your taste in formal wardrobe.”

“Traveling the mainland has gained me valuable experience, something a bookworm like yourself has very little of I’d wager.”

“I’m sure fighting demons is an experience, but I prefer to be prepared before I risk my life in the field.”

“I’m sure you’ll be too busy giving lectures in the capital when you’ve reached the rank of Grand Master.”

“On the contrary, I’ve been in talks with the Archduke about implementing some of my theories on conventional magic craft as soon as I graduate from the university.” She looked straight at Tundra with a gaze as sharp as a knight. “In other words, I might be your commanding officer in the near future. Wouldn’t that be just lovely.”

Vera could see Tundra’s grip increasing enough to break the glass in her hand, but before she could say anything, Anthony stepped in to interrupt them both.

“Sister it’s been ages, very impressed to see you’ve kept in good company away at the Pyro-Kinetic Institute.” He said getting between her sisters. “I’m sure all of us share the same sentiment that you have come very high in the world as of late.”

For that instant, Helena broke her attention from her eldest sister and turned her attention to Anthony. She had never considered him a threat as she assumed from a young age he could never manifest any magical abilities. Every day since then, she treated him like a peon, humoring his sentiments knowing he would fight back or even contest her true authority of the family dynamic.

“It’s to be expected of my brother.” She smiled. “How is your time in the National Archives, they still have you working in the back storage?”

“Yes, it’s rather orderly since I stepped in to run things. Can you believe that half the books were either standing in a pile instead of on the shelves. I had to practically beg the Head Custodian to acquire more shelves.”

“How very...appropriate.” She said, turning her attention to her sister. “What about yourself Vera? Has your studies improved since last time or are you still struggling to reach the High Master status?”

“I’m improving.” She glared a stoic face of apathy. “I admit my facilities do not have the resources of Pyro-kin, but the professors share some very interesting theories on the concept of elemental synergy.”

“How much progress?” She turned her eyes in amusement, knowing that progressive was another word for ridiculous as combining elements was considered a major sign of weakness. “I’m sure our family’s resources have improved that little noble school in Nero. What’s it all again, Nautical?”

“The Nomiki Institute, and I believe in investing in a new technique that could explore new concepts, as opposed to perfecting what’s already been done.“ She corrected her with a stern footing of the mountain against a mighty wind.

“Well, I wish you the greatest success, dear sister.” She said in a patronizing manner. “In the meantimes, I have to discuss some of those perfections you were talking about with the Archduke and Commanders of the National Forces. The Archduke said he would give me a formal introduction while our father gets ready to make his big farewell speech.”

She walked away with an heir of confidence in her steps, leaving her other siblings to go their separate ways. Tundra went back to drink with the rest of her fellow soldiers, while Vera and Anthony stood together a couple of oddballs to their family and the crowd in attendance.

“Anthony, why didn’t you stand up for yourself, you just let her talk to you like she did when you were a kid.”

“Honestly, I couldn’t care less.” He shrugged off her compliments. “I’ve learned long ago that this family’s matter’s hold little interest to me.”

“So, you agree that there is more to magic than perfecting old concepts?”

“I agree and at the same time I don’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exploring new concepts, perfecting the old ones, I feel that there is still something missing in either. In the library, I think the way we’ve been looking at conventional magic is lacking in a certain key aspect. The circles of magic are too finite to be considered defined but still seem incomplete. I’ve thought about this concept for years, but I feel like there’s something missing.”

“What could be missing, Anti?”

“If I knew, then maybe I would finally finish my tomes.”

Anthony walked away from his sister to be alone with his thoughts. The riddle of how every element was different, but similar was etched in his brain, which is why he never bothered to share his findings with others. So, while the people celebrated and waited for the arrival of his father to come out of his room. He simply sat alone away from the crowd, waiting and trying to solve the ultimate puzzle. As the party proceeded, and Generals gathered together around the Archduke and Helena, his father made his way to the center of the master staircase, accompanied by wife Orsa.

Anthony’s father smiled like a proud lion, raising his hands as he descended the staircase. Holding his hand to greet the crowd he held his wife’s hand in a gentle and sophisticated manner, Anthony couldn’t help but notice a somber and sorrowful look in her eyes. Whatever they had spent so long discussing, it was sure to weigh heavily on his mother’s heart. All that was left was to see what his father would say in farewell to his appointed office, and who would be named successor of the House or Erebus.