The very next day, Xavier found himself back in the training grounds, this time under the watchful eyes of Alcmena and Anastasia. The morning air buzzed with tension as he and Anastasia sparred fiercely, their wooden swords clashing in a relentless exchange of blows.
Alcmena observed from the sidelines, his sharp gaze analyzing every movement Xavier made, searching for weaknesses, improvements—anything to refine his technique. Combat, whether real or simulated, was the fastest way to grow, and Xavier knew it.
As their spar continued, Xavier deflected each of Anastasia’s swift strikes with precision before countering with a sudden slash. She barely managed to duck, narrowly avoiding the attack before sweeping her leg low in retaliation.
Xavier’s balance wavered as Anastasia’s kick struck his shin, but he reacted instantly, flipping onto his hands and launching a backflip kick. She raised her wooden sword just in time, blocking the strike, though the force of impact sent her sliding back.
Seizing the moment, Xavier took a deep breath, centering himself. He tapped into the latent energy of his Dragon Seed, feeling the shift within. The air around him thickened as golden aura flared to life, his shimmering blue eyes radiating an intense glow.
RealmHeart—activated.
A calculated plan formed in his mind as he gathered vectors, preparing to test a theory he'd been developing. He focused his energy, channeling it through his entire body, then executed Vector Teleportation. Just before his body fully shifted, he amplified his momentum using Vector Acceleration, pushing himself to the absolute limit.
A crushing force weighed on him as his body rocketed forward at blinding speed, nearly disorienting even himself.
Anastasia barely had time to react. Her instincts screamed at her, and she twisted her body just enough to avoid a direct hit, but Xavier’s attack still clipped her right shoulder. The impact stung, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to let it slow her down.
Without hesitation, she released her grip on her sword, pivoting sharply to drive her elbow into Xavier’s wrist, forcing him to lose hold of his own weapon.
Before he could recover, she struck vital points with calculated speed, knocking the wind out of him. She grabbed his collar, swept his leg out from under him, and with a practiced motion, swung him through the air before slamming him down with a forceful kick.
A small crater formed beneath him as dust kicked up around them.
“Y-you w-win…” Xavier gasped, struggling to catch his breath.
Anastasia brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and straightened up, before extending a hand to help him. “You did well today, Young Master. I can’t believe how much your speed has improved in such a short time.”
Xavier chuckled, scratching the back of his head, his cheeks slightly flushed at the praise. “I still haven’t fully developed this new skill I’m working on. Progress is slow… but I’m seeing results!”
Alcmena finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. “Keep refining it, Xavier. It would be a waste to abandon such a promising technique.”
Xavier nodded, determination in his eyes. “Yeah… but there are still issues. There’s a slight lag, though it’s less noticeable now. It’s not instant, but it’s still faster than my usual Vector Acceleration or Teleportation. To others, it might even look like teleportation.”
Anastasia tilted her head. “Is that the only drawback?”
“No,” Xavier admitted. “I can’t use it unless I’m in my RealmHeart form. Without it, the strain is unbearable. Plus, it burns through twice the ethereal energy and takes more calculations. No matter what, I can’t optimize the speed—it stays constant.”
“Can’t you just increase the output with your Aura?” she asked.
Xavier shook his head. “I tried stacking it with RealmHeart for more power, but the speed stayed the same. No improvement at all.”
Alcmena hopped onto Xavier’s shoulder, his small form carrying an undeniable presence. “We’ll find ways to refine it later. But for now, don’t use this skill in real combat. You need absolute concentration for it, and that leaves you vulnerable.”
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He patted Xavier’s head. “So, rest up, alright?”
Xavier grinned. “Alright, Master!”
Alcmena and Anastasia exchanged amused glances at his enthusiasm.
—
Time passed, and night fell over the palace. The full moon bathed the grand estate of the Ivanovich family in silver light, casting elegant shadows over the lavish dining hall.
Xavier sat among his family at the long banquet table, which was filled with an array of exquisite dishes. Even the maids and chefs standing at the edges of the room shared in the warm atmosphere.
Alcmena, resting lazily on Xavier’s lap, stretched out a tiny paw toward the table, attempting to snag a piece of food. Before he could, Violet scooped him up with a delighted gasp.
“Oh Ark!” she squealed, pressing her cheek into his soft fur. “You’re so adorable!”
Xavier and Anastasia, who stood just behind his chair, burst into laughter at the sight. Seeing Alcmena—a dragon, a king no less—being treated like a house pet never got old.
Alcmena, unfazed, simply stuck out his tongue, still trying to reach the food on the table.
Aleksander, seated close by, turned toward Xavier, his expression thoughtful. “You’ve been getting stronger these past years.”
Violet beamed. “Yeah! It’s hard to believe our sweet little brother is growing up so fast—not just in strength, but in everything.”
Xavier smiled at them, a warmth filling his chest. He had come a long way… but he still had a long road ahead.
Graviil chuckled at their words, then turned to Xavier with a warm smile. "Well, I'm happy that you're able to do what you want and focus on the things you find important, Xavier. Just always remember, we—your family—love you, and we're here for you, no matter what. Okay?"
Xavier nodded, his eyes lighting up with admiration and joy. Just then, Aleksander thrust out his spoon, piled with food, toward Xavier. "Try this! I'm sure you'll love it."
Without hesitation, Xavier took the bite. The moment it touched his tongue, his eyes widened in delight. "This is delicious!" he exclaimed, his mouth still full as he chewed.
The chefs standing nearby burst into laughter, clearly appreciating his genuine praise.
Violet, cheeks puffed like an adorable chipmunk, pouted at Aleksander. "Hey! I wanna be hand-fed too!"
Aleksander chuckled, obliging his sister’s demand as he scooped up another bite for her. Meanwhile, Graviil sat quietly, his smile never fading as he watched his grandchildren revel in each other's company. A warmth filled his heart, knowing that, despite everything, their happiness remained untarnished.
Then, suddenly, all three of them turned their eyes on him.
"Grandpa, do you want some?" Xavier asked, tilting his head slightly.
Graviil startled, waving his hands dismissively. "Oh! No, no, I'm alright, Xavier. Don't trouble yourselves over me."
Violet, however, was relentless. "Come on, Grandpa! Just try it!"
"I told you, I'm fine," Graviil insisted, but his voice wavered slightly.
Violet narrowed her eyes, smirking mischievously. "You're not escaping this time!"
She lunged at him with a spoonful of food, and Graviil instantly leaped back, dodging her assault. "Stop resisting, Grandpa!" she cried as she chased him around the table.
Laughter erupted in the room, filling it with warmth. But even as Xavier smiled along with them, a creeping thought lingered at the edges of his mind.
Love.
He recalled Graviil’s words just moments ago, yet something gnawed at him. In the midst of this warmth and joy, he felt like a stranger. Like an outsider peering into something that wasn’t his. For the first time in his life, it struck him—this wasn’t where he belonged. He was the shadow before the sun’s light, an anomaly in their world.
Alcmena, sensing his shift in emotions through their linked minds, spoke to him telepathically. "Xavier... Are you okay?"
Xavier forced a smile. "Yeah... I'm fine, Master. Don't worry about it."
Alcmena hesitated before responding, his voice quieter now. "Oh... okay."
Later that night, Xavier walked toward his room, passing by the two knights stationed at his door.
"Going to bed early, Young Master?" one of them asked.
"Yeah, I'm feeling a bit tired," Xavier replied. "Thought I’d turn in sooner than usual."
The knight nodded. "Alright, then. Sleep well."
"You too," Xavier said with a small smile before stepping into his room.
The moment he entered, his body tensed. Something was off.
His eyes scanned the dimly lit space, and then he saw it—his window was wide open.
Moving cautiously, he approached it, his heart pounding in his chest. The night air was cold, carrying the scent of the city mixed with something else—something faint, almost unnoticeable.
Then, out of nowhere, a black crow swooped in, landing soundlessly on his windowsill.
Xavier stiffened, watching as the bird extended its leg, revealing a small, rolled-up letter tied to it.
Carefully, he untied the parchment and unfolded it. The words inside sent a shiver down his spine:
-----
To Xavier,
The time has come for you to make your decision. Will you follow me and seek the truth of your origins, or will you remain in this illusion, clinging to a life that was never meant to be yours?
Tomorrow at midnight, I shall send my messenger once more. Then, you will choose—follow it to where I await, or refuse and stay within your fragile little bubble.
Your guide,
—Adam.
-----
Xavier stared at the letter for a long time, his eyes tracing the words, yet his mind drifted far beyond them. His grip on the parchment tightened, uncertainty creeping into his thoughts.
The crow lingered only for a moment longer before flapping its wings and disappearing into the night.
Far away, beneath the glow of the moon, the bird glided through the air before landing on the wrist of a hooded man perched atop a tree branch. The man sat lazily, an apple in hand, his fingers twirling the fruit absentmindedly.
As the moonlight bathed him, Adam smirked. "So, you've received my message, Xavier."
He took another slow bite of the apple, chewing thoughtfully before murmuring to himself, "Well then, comrade... I’ll be waiting."
The wind whispered through the trees as his words vanished into the night.