Elias Leywin POV
I was asleep when a knocking sound echoed from the door, its rhythm stubborn and persistent.
"Mr Leywin?" a woman's voice called out.
"Uhhh, five more minutes..."
I groan to myself as I turn over in bed. The knocking persisted as she spoke up.
"Mr Leywin, is everything okay?" the same voice asked out, concern laced in every word.
"I'm coming in," she announced as the sound of the lock turning churned me into the realm of the living.
"It'sugh fine, I'm up, I'm up", I yawned out, stretching my limbs.
"Very well, Mr Leywin, Breakfast will begin shortly, so please prepare yourself appropriately." She stated calmly, as I imagined her taking a slight bow before the closed door.
I ripped the covers off me, only to be met with the harsh Autumn air nipping at my skin.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, trying my best to suppress the effect the cold had on me. I pushed myself off the bed, my feet meeting the wooden floor with a thud.
I headed over to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a quick shower, then made my way to the dresser at the far side of the room and pulled out a simple but formal set of clothes consisting of dark trousers and a white tunic.
Letting out a sigh, I began to put on these torturous clothes that restrict my movements "I hate formal wear", I muttered as I finished adjusting the last button.
Then there was another knock on my door "Mr. Leywin, may I escort you to the dining hall?" the maid asked.
I stepped over and opened the door. She greeted me with a slight nod, her face unreadable but polite.
"Uh, yeah. I'm ready," I mumbled, smoothing down my still damp hair with one hand. "Tch, should've done this before I got out," I grumbled to myself as I began using wind magic to dry my hair.
"Then please, follow me."
We walked through the long corridors, the only sounds audible being the chirping of birds from the courtyard and the sounds of the wind drying my hair.
'The palace really is something else, even after being here for a weekend...' I thought to myself as I stopped using wind magic, hair nice and dry.
The maid stopped at the end of a wide staircase, in front of two tall, arched doors.
"The Royal Families are already seated," she said softly.
I hesitated for a second, then pushed the doors open.
The dining hall stretched out before me, so beautiful that I thought I was looking at a painting.
Soft morning light poured through high stained-glass windows, casting warm colours across the marble floor. The vaulted ceiling, etched with gold leaf and hanging chandeliers, arched high overhead like the inside of a cathedral. The air faintly smelled of roasted meats, fresh bread, and some kind of sweet citrus tea.
At the long central table, the most powerful people on the continent were already deep in conversation.
At the head was humanity's King, King Blaine Glayder. He sat upright, gesturing subtly as he spoke. To his left, King Dawsid Greysunders leaned forward with his arms crossed, his massive frame radiating quiet tension. Across from them, I spotted King Alduin Eralith, his expression calm and composed, yet unmistakably sharp-eyed.
Their voices were low, words exchanged like chess pieces being moved. And I doubted that what they were talking about was breakfast.
Queens were gathered at the other end of the table. Queen Priscilla was mid-sentence, her tone light but precise. Queen Glaudera sipped from a small porcelain cup, nodding thoughtfully while Queen Merial listened closely, her posture graceful but firm.
And in a quieter space just past them, I spot that Tessia girl.
She was seated beside Kathlyn, a book open between them. Tessia's lips moved gently as she read something aloud, and Kathlyn, to my quiet surprise, didn't look annoyed.
'I guess they're both princesses.'
[E/N: yup, definitely Shirou's kid]
I smiled a little at the sight, proud that my friend was able to make others.
I felt a hand slap my back. And I instinctively turned towards the figure.
"About time you showed up," Curtis said with a grin, his voice just shy of too loud for a room full of Monarchs. "Thought you were gonna sleep through breakfast and make me sit through this circus alone."
"Morning to you, too," I mumbled, still groggy from having to wake up so early.
He laughed and gestured toward the table. "Come on, Lias. They've already brought out the good stuff!"
I followed him as he guided us to the side of the table opposite the royals. The scent of roasted meat and citrus tea only became stronger the closer we got. A maid bowed her head as she set down fresh fruit and flaky pastries beside the already impressive spread.
We both sat, the clink of cutlery and quiet conversation filling the vast hall like background music.
Curtis leaned over slightly. "Seriously though... I'm glad you're here."
I glanced up at him, surprised by the shift in tone. "You mean at breakfast?"
He gave me a dry look. "I mean in general."
I raised an eyebrow and gave him my best 'Reword that sentence and put some context in this time' face.
"I didn't get a chance to say it before," he continued. "But thanks. For what you did back at the ball. With Kat."
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "I didn't really do anything special."
Curtis gave me a deadpan look. "You threw yourself between her and that spell."
"I didn't do anything really", I repeated, waving my hands at the royal.
He leaned over and gripped my cheek, pulling on it slightly, "Oh, so you're saying my sister is worth nothing?" he questioned in a half-serious half half-teasing tone, a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Aww", I grunted, slights causing him to let go of my face before I rubbed the reddening flesh, which was not needed as golden light sprang up to it.
"But seriously, Elias-"
"I know, I know", I shook my head. "You don't have to make a big deal out of it."
"Of course I do," he says. "Kat's my sister and she nearly..."
"But she didn't", I shot back at him.
"But you almost did." He said with a heavy exhale, "I saw what happened to you..."
I placed a hand on the older boy's shoulder, "I'm fine, Curtis", replying plainly. I reached for the napkin wedged under my plate and laid it on my lap. "I haven't eaten in days, I'm starving, so maybe we could talk about this later?"
I asked the Prince of Humanity, who let out a laugh as he did the same as I, laying his napkin onto his lap.
~~~
"So you're staying behind?" I asked, looking up to the older boy as we made our way out of the dining hall.
He nodded slightly, "My parents are still shaken up after the attack, so they want me to stay in the capital for another week or so."
"That's understandable", I replied, rolling my shoulders as I clutched my almost bulging stomach. "This castle isn't the worst place to be held up in for another week." I joked back at my friend.
We stepped into one of the open-air courtyards. The late morning sun filtered through the high stone arches, casting long shadows across the polished flagstones. A breeze tugged at the ends of my hair as I tilted my face up to the sky, grateful for the fresh air after the heavy atmosphere inside.
"You know," Curtis began after a pause, "you handled everything better than I expected."
I glanced at him. "You already said that."
"I mean it." He crossed his arms.
"...Thanks," I muttered quietly.
The sound of soft footsteps on the stone made us both look towards said sound.
Kathyln stood just outside one of the arched garden entrances, her long dark hair fluttering slightly in the breeze. She wore a simple navy dress, elegant but unadorned, and though her posture was as straight and composed as ever, there was a quiet hesitance in her eyes.
Curtis followed my gaze and stepped aside, giving me a gentle nudge with his elbow. "I'll give you two a moment," he teased before walking off toward another part of the courtyard.
I swallowed and turned to face her fully as she approached.
"Hey, Kathlyn," I greeted, offering a small smile.
She stopped in front of me, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes met mine without wavering.
"Elias," she said softly. "Do you have a moment?"
"Of course."
She spoke up after a brief moment of silence, "Thank you," she said. "For protecting me at my birthday party." She fiddled with her hands slightly before adding, "You were put in danger because of me."
I scratched the back of my neck, feeling the heat rise to my face. "I didn't really think about it like that."
"That's what makes it mean more," she explained quietly.
I looked up and saw something shift in her expression. The usual formality, the cool distance she always wore like armour... it wavered even if just momentarily.
"You could've been killed," she whispered.
"But I wasn't," I replied gently. "And I'd do it again."
Her lips parted slightly at that, her eyes widening just a little. Then, before I could say anything more, she stepped forward and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.
My breath caught.
I blinked. "Uh..."
My face exploded in red.
She looked down, a small, almost shy smile touching her lips. She lowered her head slightly as she turned to leave.
Still in shock, I heard the slight snickering of a woman.
Grandma stood near the carriage with her arms folded loosely, a knowing look dancing in her eyes. "My, my," she hummed, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "Did I see what I think I saw back there?"
"Grandma..." I groaned, dragging a hand down my face.
"Oh, Grandma?" she chuckled, her voice full of affection and entirely unhelpful sympathy.
"You can't go calling me your grandson without any repercussions", I retorted, trying my best to hide my growing embarrassment from the woman before me.
"Very well", she chuckled, smirking slightly as she ducked into the carriage.
I let out a sigh as I dragged my feet towards the old woman.
~~~
I crossed my legs as Grandma handed me a rubber balloon full of water.
It sloshed in my lap, warm to the touch, heavier than I expected. I blinked up at her in confusion.
"Uhm... Grandma?" I asked, giving the balloon a cautious squish.
"Lias, I want you to focus a steady stream of mana into the balloon"
"Okay?" I replied hesitantly.
I held the balloon between both palms and gathered mana into its middle, causing it to ripple and expand.
The balloon popped on my lap after a few moments of continued strain, drenching me in water.
"Damn it", I groaned, to the amusement of my teacher.
"You pushed too hard," she said, still smiling.
I frowned, rubbing my damp hands together. "I thought I was going gently."
She simply handed me a second balloon as if she was expecting a different result.
I sighed and took the second balloon, already feeling the chill of the water soaking into my lap. The squish was unpleasant in my hands. This one was a little cooler, not quite body temperature, which only made the wet fabric of my trousers more uncomfortable.
"Try again," Grandma said, like that first attempt wasn't a total disaster.
I glanced up at her. "What's the point of this, exactly?"
She smiled with that frustratingly patient look, the one that says you'll get it when you're meant to. I hated that look. That's a grown-up look.
"I just want you to feel it," she hummed. "Listen to what the balloon tells you."
I narrowed my eyes. "It's a balloon. It can't speak."
That earned a light laugh. "Everything speaks, if you learn how to hear it."
I stared at her, then at the balloon, half-suspecting it might suddenly grow a mouth and start giving me life advice.
It didn't.
"Alright, fine," I muttered. "Listening to the balloon. Got it."
I cradle it again between my palms. Then took a breath, slow and steady, letting mana rise from deep within my core and flow toward my hands. I eased it in this time, like pouring tea instead of throwing a bucket.
The water inside rippled softly. 'Good.'
I held my breath, concentrating. 'Just a bit more...'
A sharp crack split the air as the balloon burst again, soaking my front with another wave of cold water. I sat frozen, blinking at the dripping mess in my lap.
Fuck this!
I flung the rubber remains away from me.
Grandma rubbed the bridge of her nose as she announced, "Let's try another way then."
She walked about 20 meters away and shouted to me. "Shoot a stone bullet spell at me"
I blinked at her, deadpan. "You want me to what now?"
"Go on," Grandma called again, hands on her hips. "Stone Bullet. Right at me."
I squinted at her across the clearing. "Is this, like... revenge for the balloon thing?"
She just smiled...That same annoying, knowing smile that said 'trust me even when the request makes no sense.'
I shrugged, 'if she said it's fine...'
I rolled my shoulders, pulling the damp cloth away from my skin, and raised one hand. Earth mana gathered quickly just before my open palm as it took the form of a round spheroid of rock.
"Don't move," I muttered under my breath,
"Stone Bullet"
The rock whistled through the air with a satisfying crack, the compressed mass of dirt spinning fast and true. A direct hit.
Or it should have been.
But instead of striking her or even making her flinch, the projectile jerked to a stop midair, suspended just inches from her chest.
Then, with a low thrum, the stone unravelled, disintegrating into loose soil and dust, which fell harmlessly to the grass.
I stared.
"What the- how did you do that?!" I shouted, stepping forward. "I know that was a solid hit. You didn't even move!"
Grandma smiled as she walked toward me, brushing her palms together casually. "Of course, it was solid. It was well-formed." She added, almost mockingly.
"Answer this for me, Elais," she began, taking another step towards me "What is sound magic?"
I frowned, caught off guard by the question. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Grandma's smile widened, but it's not unkind. She folded her arms behind her back like she was slipping into teacher-mode. "Humour me."
I looked down at the mess of crumbled dirt and wet cloth, still not sure where she was going with this. "It's... um, it's magic that uses sound? Noise, maybe? Like... shouting at someone to death?"
That earned me a quiet laugh from her, low and melodic. "Not entirely wrong. But that's not what sound is, Lias. Sound is just vibration. A pattern of movement through the air. Pressure waves."
I blinked slowly. "So... it's wind magic?"
"Not entirely right." She took another step forward, eyes gleaming with that spark she always got when I was almost onto something. "Sound is what happens to the air. Wind is the air moving. Sound is the shaking of that air. The ripples."
I scrunched up my face. "Still sounds like wind."
She lifted a finger. "Yes and no. You're thinking too simply. Magic isn't always clean categories. Sound magic is a deviant form of wind magic. Not a different element, just a more refined expression of it."
I stared at her, gears slowly turning in my head.
She continued, "Deviant magic is what happens when base mana is condensed. Wind mana becomes sound. Fire mana becomes lightning. Water mana becomes ice. Earth mana becomes gravity."
I looked back toward where my Stone Bullet had been frozen midair, the image of it unravelling into dust replaying in my mind.
"That spell," I said slowly, "you stopped it with sound?"
She nodded once.
"Yes," she said softly. "You saw the result, but not how I did so."
"Wait," I said, piecing it together. "That... that weird buzzing I felt in the balloon earlier. That was the same thing?"
She beamed. "Exactly. I believe that using water would've been the easiest way for you to understand, but it seems you required a more practical demonstration." She chuckled, laughing to herself.
I fell onto my behind, slipping down from the now muddied floor.
WC - 2802
Thanks for reading this chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. 😊
All Criticism and feedback are welcome. Any suggestions for the story or plot are also more than welcome.
You guys are insane, hitting the like goal in under a day. Sorry about taking so long to realise I hadn't quite finished up yet. 3rd release of the week, so pretty please don't hit the target too quickly, I want to go outside.
Special Thanks to LancelotDragonroad for editing this Chapter.
If there are any questions, feel free to message my Discord - Navarius13
If we're all still alive, the next chapter will be released at 15 likes or on Wednesday.
Rius out.