As Caedus finally felt full for the first time in a long time after so many plates of delicious food, he sat back in his chair. "This food was awesome, Umbra. Please thank your family again for inviting me to dinner.
Umbra nodded, "I will, don't worry. I am glad you liked it, it's not as good as mana-infused food, but still some of the best in the city."
"Mana?" Caedus had a vague understanding of what it was.
"Hmm, think of it as an energy that supplements the soul. While your powers are a direct reflection of your soul, it is mana that makes it possible. Mana exists everywhere, and our souls help bring it forward into reality."
"That sounds… complicated." Caedus scratched the back of his head.
Umbra chuckled, standing up from the table, and began to walk to the double doors, with Caedus following his actions. "It does now, but part of awakening, you become inherently aware of what your soul needs to get stronger and how to use mana."
As they made their way through the maze that the Corvanes called home, Caedus reflected on Umbra's words.
"You said, 'what we call mana'. Does that mean the Ironwood Kingdom?" Caedus asked curiously.
"Yes, some countries call it aura, some call it spirit force, the most commonly accepted version is mana, though."
"I see."
The rest of the walk was filled with small talk as Caedus asked about rooms and the area they passed on the way back to his room. As they approached the door, Umbra waved him goodbye. "I know you might be nervous about tomorrow, but try to get some quality sleep. I will be coming to wake you up very early since the Ironwood Crown Initiative training grounds are across the city, so it will be a few hours of travel to get there by carriage."
"Got it. Thank you, Umbra, for going out of your way for me." Caedus put a sincere look on his face, making Umbra smile again.
"You're doing me the favor, don't forget that. I will see you in a few hours." Umbra waved off his thanks, then stepped out of Caedus's view from the door frame before a whooshing noise was heard. Curiously, Caedus poked his head back out into the hallway and saw that he had disappeared.
This made Caedus extremely excited, 'What will my powers look like?'
Smiling to himself, he kicked off his shoes and threw off his shirt. And took a look out the window for a few minutes to decompress.
The sun had already set over the horizon, making the city glow below the mansion. This gave Caedus a serene look as he gazed over the millions of homes.
It was a different kind of beautiful than the valley and the mountain where he lived, but beautiful all the same. After he had had his fill of the view, he finally lay down and fell asleep almost immediately.
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While Caedus was admiring the view before bed, Umbra had emerged from the shadows in from of Seris's room.
*knock knock*
"Come in," Davaro's voice could be heard from deep in the room. Umbra walked in without responding only to see dark looks on his family's faces.
"What's got you guys so worked up, not a fan of Caedus?" Umbra spoke through frown, his family hadn't even said anything but just from their expressions he could see something was wrong.
Selmira glance as her husband before looking back at Umbra.
"Seris has seen the nature of his soul. He will either become a great hero, or a murderous calamity." She said seriously, trying to heavily imply the implications.
Umbra's frown deepened. He slowly made his way across the room before sitting down next to his brother.
"So what do you want me to do about that? It's not like Seris can tell the future." He spat out. "I need him to monitor the noble's children and the Initiative candidates."
Davaros coldly replied. "We were discussing whether to kill him now. Or kill him later if he presents a threat to our Kingdom."
Silence surrounded the family. Umbra looked them all in the eye for a few moments.
"Just wait then, there's no point in killing him over something that he MIGHT be or do."
"Brother be reasonable, if he has the potential to be that dangerous, why risk it?" Sylas pointed out.
"But he also has a chance to be a great hero, what if someday our kingdom needs him?" Umbra snapped back.
Silence again surrounded them.
"You see our dilemma?" Selmira sighed. She reached for a cup sitting on the table between the family members and downed it.
"How about you let me deal with Caedus. If by the time he awakens his soul and there is a huge personality shift where I think he will be dangerous I will take out the family guards and kill him myself. Does that work? This is my plan to bring him to the Initiative, at least let me deal with him if it fails."
Davaros rubbed his beard for a minute. He looked towards his wife who was putting down her cup of wine. She glanced up and nodded without saying anything before sitting back against the sofa.
"Fine. If Caedus becomes a threat. Kill him." Davaros declared.
With that, their family meeting ended and Umbra sank back into the shadows. Leaving his parents and siblings to themselves.
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*knock knock knock*
Caedus awoke with a startle to someone pounding on his door. He stretched with aloud groan and rolled over getting a glimpse of the window. It was still night out.
*knock knock knock*
"I'm coming, Caedus through on his shirt while stifling a yawn and rubbing his eyes as he shuffled his feet towards the door. Af he opened it, the lights from the lamps in the hallways pierced his dark room. Two blurry faces stood in front of him. It was the old butler and Jim.
"Good morning, Young Sir. Are you ready to go?" Jim dipped his head with a bow, speaking to Caedus.
Caedus groaned and complained. "What time is it?"
"It is almost 4 a.m. Your carriage is awaiting us to bring you to the training grounds as you must be there by 7 a.m." Jim said without hesitation.
Umbra cut into their talk before Caedus could reply. "Put on your boots, it's time to leave. If you're late then you will get punished by the instructors."
Caedus moaned one more time, expressing his protest and exhaustion before turning around without residing to get ready to leave.
A few minutes went by and Caedus was in the familiar carriage that originally brought him to the Corvane Estate.
"I wish I could have said thank you and good bye to your family." Caedus felt the carriage lurch forward, signaling that Jim has begun to drive them towards their destination.
"You will see them again, Caedus. You can thank them by not embarrassing the Corvane family name." Changing the subject he added. "Honestly if you wanted to pass the time, you can try and get a bit more sleep before we get there." Umbra said while laying back and relaxing himself.
"I won't be polite then." Caedus shrugged, turning his body to kick his feet up on the bench on his side of the carriage. A few minutes went by with Caedus having his eyes closed. The sounds of relaxed breathing came from Caedus and Umbra. The occasional rocking of the carriage attempted to lull Caedus to sleep.
'Ugh, as little of a choice I had in joining the military, I am a bit excited to see what the future holds.' Who could sleep when they were about to see what their life held in store for them for a next few years of his future?
He couldn't help but smile a bit thinking about all the interesting adventures he was going to have.
"You excited Caedus?"
Caedus opened his eyes and saw Umbra with one eye opening looking at him.
"It's kind of weird to watch someone when they are trying to sleep don't you think?" Caedus asked.
As soon as the words were uttered, Caedus saw his usually relaxed demeanor hold back a reaction.
Liking his reaction Caedus decided to continue with the messing around. "Unless… Umbra, I am sorry. I like women. In fact your sister is quite the looker. She's more of my type than you are."
Seeing in the corner of his vision, a vein was popping on Umbra's knuckles, Caedus knew he probably shouldn't keep messing with him much anymore.
Caedus chuckled before rolling over attempting to calm him down before he gets hit for real.
"Yes, I am excited, and nervous? I have a lot emotions and thoughts right now. It has been a long few days." Caedus sighed, looking away from Umbra's furious figure.
Feeling the tension ease in the carriage was almost palpable. Caedus heard Umbra shift slightly before speaking. "You have had a fast paced week. How are you doing with it?"
"I miss my grandfather." Caedus said lightly. "I wish he could share the amazing views and this amazing city with me. But, he wouldn't want me to mourn him forever."
Saying it out loud that he missed his grandfather felt like a weight came off his shoulder. He felt slightly guilty that he felt excited for the future since his grandfather wasn't a part of it. But he knew who Jorah was as a person. He would never wish for Caedus to be sad and not be able to enjoy life to it's fullest.
Thinking solely about the good memories, Caedus felt his emotions and body relax.
As Caedus was nodding off. Umbra spoke again. "Your grandfather sounds like an amazing human. I am sure you will become someone he could be proud of."
Caedus nodded softly with his eyes closed before a rhythmic breathing signaled he has fallen asleep.
"Because if you don't, you will become dangerous to my family and my country. I will kill you." Umbra said quietly, barely a whisper. Not trying to awake the napping Caedus.
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"Caedus, wake up."
Umbra shook Caedus awake. The sun was barely rising, giving a golden glow to the inside of the carriage. Caedus looked around and observed Umbra stepping out of the carriage.
He stretched one last time before stepping out of the carriage following Umbra.
The view that awaited him was Caedus froze the moment his boots touched the stone road.
Before him stood a massive fortress-like compound surrounded by towering black iron walls etched with glowing silver runes. The perfect stones of the outer walls looked almost too pristine compared to the older architecture throughout the capital.
The entire place looked newly built.
Countless banners bearing the symbol of the Ironwood Kingdom fluttered in the cold morning wind while workers and servants still moved through the front gates of the compound carrying supplies and equipment. The rising sun cast long golden rays across the sprawling grounds, making the dew-covered fields shimmer like glass.
Beyond the gates of the compound Caedus observed rows upon rows of stone barracks stretched into the distance. Massive training grounds occupied the center of the compound where hundreds of figures were already gathering despite the early hour. Instructors barked orders while soldiers wearing armor the same as the Main Gate guards moved crates of weapons across the courtyards.
"This place. It is a lot larger than I thought. And it looks brand new, unlike the rest of the city." Caedus mumbled.
"You noticed huh? Yes, this place just finished construction a few weeks ago, hence why you will be in the first generation of the Ironwood Crown Initiative, exclusive to nobles and those on special recommendation." Umbra said through a stretch. "This is where Jim and I bid our farewells to you though."
"Huh? You aren't going to come with me?" Caedus turned his head to look at Umbra and the approaching Jim who seemed to be holding something.
"You're an adult, you can figure it out. Jim, how much time does he have till he is considered late?"
Jim pulled out a timepiece from his breast pocket before speaking again. "About 30 minutes Young Master."
"Well off to it. Jim has your paperwork you need, you will just hand them when you check in and from there just obey every instruction your instructors give you. And don't embarrass the Corvane family."
Jim shoved a stack of papers into Caedus's hands while Umbra spoke.
"Just go through the gate and ask where to check in. Now shooh!" Umbra slightly pushed Caedus, reminding him of how a mother bird would push out her hatchling out of the nest to teach them how to fly.
"Wait, if I am spying on them, do I keep it a secret you are sponsoring me?" Caedus resisted the shoving trying to ask one last thing.
"Eh, I am sure they would find out anyway, so no need to hide it. Just do your best to become strong so you can either be relied on or become a future deterrent to help us." Umbra again began shoving Caedus, making him stumble slightly.
"Okay… Thank you for this opportunity Umbra, and thank you Jim for driving us." Caedus slightly bowed his head, as he had seen Jim do earlier. Steeling his resolve. Caedus didn't say anything else and headed towards the open gates of the fort, holding the stack of papers tightly in his hands.
Watching Caedus slowly slip into and disappear in the crowd the butler and young master duo turned on their heels heading back to the carriage.
"Young Master, do you think it will be alright?" Jim asked flatly.
"Yes, I do. I am sure my father told you about what Seris saw. He will do good. I can feel it."
As Umbra stepped into the carriage Jim's old voice floated through the air reaching Umbra's voice again.
"You feel it? Did you get that feeling while you were staring at him napping? I do agree with Caedus. Young Lady Seris is definitely a better match for him."
A dark expression appeared on Umbra's face again. "You damn old bastard! Just drive us home!"