CHAPTER SEVEN: DAILY LIFE WITH VIERA
"From Dragon to First Grader"
Third Person | Elvaris Estate – Morning
The scent of vanilla French toast drifted through the marble halls of the Elvaris mansion. Somewhere in the garden, birds sang like practiced musicians. In the sun-drenched kitchen, the rice cooker hummed in rhythm with the soft clink of silverware.
Velmir stood barefoot on the polished floor, silk loungewear hanging loose on his frame. In one hand, a spatula. In the other, a tall glass of mango juice. He moved with a kind of lazy elegance, like a noble chef on vacation from saving the world.
It was, as he put it, a "perfectly mid-tier Tuesday."
Then Viera entered.
"Good morning, Master Velmir."
Her voice was the usual blend of five-star butler and vaguely disappointed older sister—precise, melodious, and capable of shattering your confidence with just the right amount of politeness.
"I intercepted a delivery addressed to you," she said. "Priority: Education. Would you like me to read it aloud or pass it manually?"
Velmir flipped a pancake and raised an eyebrow. "Manual. Makes it feel official."
She handed him a pale blue envelope, embossed with gold trim.
He slit it open with the smooth side of a butter knife.
✦ The Letter
Malibu Hills Private Academy
Dear Mr. Velmir Elvaris,
We are pleased to inform you that your admission has been approved. As a member of one of the finest academic institutions in the region, you are now part of a proud lineage of excellence—
Velmir blinked once.
"So… I'm going to school."
"That was the objective, was it not?"
He looked up at her. "Yeah. Just feels real now."
"Shall we begin preparations, Master?"
He licked syrup off his thumb and grinned. "You read my mind."
✦ The Transformation – Mundane but Effective
Magic was off the table for this one.
Instead, Velmir relied on internal control—AI-assisted muscle contraction, cellular compression, and metabolic recalibration. Biologically speaking, his body could adapt like breathing. A little effort, and—
He was five.
Short, sharp-featured, snowy-haired, with eyes too intelligent for his frame and a posture that suggested he might lecture a CEO on stock options before nap time.
"Do I look cute enough to cause panic at a PTA meeting?"
Viera glanced at him. "You look expensive."
"Even better."
✦ Selecting the Car – The Phantom
"I need wheels," Velmir said, walking into the estate's command center. He was now child-sized, licking a melon popsicle like a bored celebrity.
Viera opened a massive touchscreen interface with a wave of her hand.
"Suggested vehicles: high-end, low-profile, reinforced interior. Rolls-Royce Phantom recommended."
Velmir eyed the sleek, jet-black monster on the display. Polished chrome. Curved shadows.
"Sleek. Dark. Looks like it bribes politicians for sport."
"Purchase complete. Driver being selected from the executive file."
Moments later, the screen updated.
"Driver: Gabriel West. Former special operations, discreet, unflagged. Confirmed."
Velmir nodded. "I want him in sunglasses and never asking questions."
"Already onboard, Master."
✦ The Shopping Trip – Mall Madness, No Magic Edition
That afternoon, the Phantom glided to a stop in front of Pacific Crest Mall—a luxury retail complex wrapped in chrome, marble, and Stark-level vanity.
Velmir stepped out of the car dressed in tailored black shorts, a white hoodie, platinum-trimmed sneakers, and sunglasses that probably cost more than some studio apartments.
He looked like a miniature trillionaire with diplomatic immunity.
Gabriel opened the door without a word. Viera stood beside him with a tablet, clipboard, and the quiet authority of someone who'd organized the downfall of nations for fun.
"Shopping list prepared. Budget: unrestricted."
Velmir grinned. "Time to financially traumatize some cashiers."
✦ Clothes & Accessories
They swept through Gucci Kids, Burberry Baby, Armani Junior, and an elite Japanese boutique where Viera kindly corrected the store's color theory wall mid-lecture—without blinking.
Velmir tried on suits, casual blazers, school uniforms lined with silk-threaded runes (disguised as monograms).
"These pants make me feel like a small mafia boss."
"That is the goal, Master."
✦ Tech, Gear & Designer Tools
At TechSuites, Velmir selected:
A sapphire-trimmed tablet with biometric security and stylus-pressure detection fine-tuned for both drawing and lethal jabs.
A GPS-enabled smartwatch synced to school calendars and discreet distress channels.
A Louis Vuitton "Child Prodigy" backpack with interior shielding and snack compartments.
A stainless steel lunchbox with a micro-heating talisman installed in the base.
Limited-edition music earbuds shaped like dragon wings.
"Will this run Minecraft?" he asked.
"It can run SHIELD's entire satellite grid. So, yes."
✦ Food Court Break
They stopped at a sleek bistro overlooking the main plaza. Velmir ordered seafood risotto, strawberry parfait, and a matcha frappe. Viera sipped white tea and watched foot traffic like it was a weather pattern.
"No magic. Just vibes," Velmir said, biting into his parfait.
"And mild retail domination."
✦ Back at the Mansion – The Aftermath
The Phantom rolled quietly back up the Elvaris hillside. Gabriel drove in silence, jazz playing faintly.
Inside, a fleet of AI-assisted staff unpacked the avalanche of bags and boxes.
Viera oversaw the chaos.
"Tablet synced. Backpack arranged. Uniform steamed. Kitchen restocked. Files categorized. Emergency wardrobe cross-referenced with seasonal rotation."
Velmir collapsed onto a velvet couch like a war veteran.
"I am a child of war."
"You stood in line for four minutes."
"…It was hot, Viera."
✦ Closing Scene – Balcony at Sunset
The sun melted over the ocean. The wind was soft, brushing the trees like silk.
Velmir sat on the balcony ledge, sipping mango juice from a wine glass because aesthetics mattered. His feet swung gently.
Viera stood beside him, arms relaxed behind her back.
He looked up. "We're really doing this."
"Yes. You are ready."
"School starts in four days. I'll have to talk to other kids. Eat cafeteria food. Learn… math."
"Would you like me to forge a math profile and install a speaker in your collar?"
He grinned. "Tempting. But nah. Let's see how far a dragon can go pretending to be normal."
"As normal as a five-year-old with a tactical smartwatch and designer combat shoes."
They looked toward the horizon.
"Sleep early, Master. Tomorrow, you'll practice being human."
Velmir exhaled slowly, smile soft.
For once… he was excited.
✦ Viera's Internal Log
[Preparations for school life: Complete.]
[Master's emotional state: Balanced. Playful. Focused.]
[Objective updated: Help him discover joy in connection.]
[END OF CHAPTER SEVEN]