Luca returned to the Magic Tower, and all the magicians bowed with fear as he passed.
"Where is Master?" Luca demanded.
One of the magicians stammered, "The Great Master is in his chamber."
"Good." Luca didn't waste another breath and strode straight down the long hall, pushing open the heavy door.
"Master."
The man inside turned his head, surprise flickering across his features before settling into calm recognition. Jorveth Arcanis, the former Master of the Magic Tower, regarded Luca with the stern patience of a mentor.
"What brings you here, Luca?"
"Master, I want to ask you something."
Jorveth Arcanis folded his hands. "What is it?"
"The protection spell you taught me," Luca began carefully. "You once told me that once the spell is cast on a person, no magic can affect them—not even the caster's own magic."
"That is true," Jorveth said with a faint smile. "That spell is strong enough to deflect all forms of magical interference."
"Then… can it also nullify healing spells or teleportation spells?"
Jorveth Arcanis blinked, taken aback, then slowly shook his head. "No, Luca. It does not nullify healing or teleportation magic—unless the spell itself was intended to harm that person."
"Unless it was meant to harm…" Luca repeated, frowning.
"Yes." Jorveth's voice was steady. "Tell me, did you cast the spell on someone?"
"I did," Luca admitted.
"And what happened?"
"I tried to heal that person's injury, and later, I used my teleportation spell on them. But both failed. I thought the protection spell was the reason, and I've been… confused."
Jorveth Arcanis frowned deeply. "Strange. Very strange. Your magic should not have failed."
"You think so too, Master?" Luca's brows knitted. "I don't understand what's going on either."
Jorveth grew silent, thinking for a long moment before he asked, "Luca… is the person you speak of is His Majesty Emperor Eyan, or the former Emperor?"
Luca shook his head quickly. "No… why do you ask?"
"As you already know," Jorveth said gravely, "those two are the only men in this world upon whom magic does not work. No spell—whether meant for harm or good—will ever take effect on them. The only way they can heal their wounds or injuries is through the three wolves they inherited from their ancestors."
"Yes, that's true," Luca murmured.
Jorveth's eyes narrowed. "Then tell me—are you absolutely certain the person you speak of is not of the Therald bloodline?"
Luca froze, his lips parting. "No, Master… that person isn't related to the Therald blood—"
Luca's eyes widened as realization struck him. Therald bloodline…
My magic spell failed because…
sister-in-law… she's with child.
The child… Eyan's child… carrying the Therald blood.
A bright grin spread across Luca's face. The worry and seriousness melted away, replaced by pure joy and excitement.
"What happened to you, Luca?" Jorveth Arcanis asked, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You look as if you've discovered something."
Luca quickly composed himself, trying to hide his excitement. "No, Master. I just… remembered that when I tried to heal and teleport that person, I was drunk," he said, a playful sparkle in his eyes.
Jorveth's eyes narrowed, but his lips twitched in amusement as he smacked Luca lightly on the head. "You fool! Why did you drink? Didn't I tell you not to? It affects your magic!"
Luca rubbed his head, chuckling softly. "I apologize, Master. I won't do it again, I promise," he said, his tone light and cheerful.
Jorveth Arcanis let out a small sigh, smiling faintly. "Now that you've got your answer, get out of here. I want to sleep."
Luca beamed. "Yes, Master!"
He turned and left the chamber, happiness practically radiating from him.
Jorveth watched him go, a knowing smile on his lips. "He thinks I'm stupid and that I'll fall for his lie… But it's the first time he's told me a lie in twenty years. I'm sure he had a good reason. And… I've never seen him this happy before."
---
Luca burst into his chamber, unable to contain himself. His whole body felt light, his steps bouncing as though he could barely touch the floor.
"I'm going to be an uncle!" he shouted, twirling once in the middle of the room, his laughter ringing against the stone walls.
He pressed his hands to his face, his grin impossibly wide. "Eyan… you're going to be a father!"
The thought made his heart leap, and he dashed toward the door. "I should go and tell him—"
But he stopped abruptly, placing both hands on his chest as if to hold his racing heart in place. "No, no… I can't. It's not my place. It would ruin their moment."
He leaned back against the wall, laughter bubbling up again. His eyes glimmered with joy. "Sister-in-law should be the one to tell him. Yes… she should."
He threw himself onto his bed, rolling over the sheets like an excited child, his hair falling into his face as he laughed until his stomach ached. "I'm so happy for them. So, so happy!"
His voice softened, though his smile never faded. "Sister-in-law… you finally have the child and the family you longed for."
Luca sprang up from his bed, his joy still bubbling in his chest. But then his smile faltered as another thought struck him.
"Wait… I should celebrate later," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. "First, I need to find a way to heal sister-in-law's fractured wrist."
His brows furrowed as he began pacing back and forth across the chamber. "But now… the only way to heal her is through Eyan's wolves. No potion, no healing spell will work on her anymore."
The realization sank deeper, pulling him into thought. "How do I get one of Eyan's wolves without telling him?"
He stopped, clenched his fist, and nodded to himself. "I need to go back to the palace."
Without another second wasted, Luca lifted his hand. A circle of shimmering blue light spun beneath his feet, and in the next blink—he vanished from the chamber.