Like a bug caught in a spider web, Corvus was trapped. The door was sealed off. No one in and no one out. Lyssandra stood in front of her adorable baby. Her eyes were narrowed. Her arms were crossed as she stared at Corvus.
"If you understand me, cry," she said.
Everything's okay, he told himself, trying to calm himself down. All he did was cry. Every baby does that. At least every human baby. And his calmness vanished like a snowflake on a summer day. The only thing in his head now was if he should tell her everything or not.
She already knew he couldn't use poison magic. But is it wise to tell someone you're from a different world and that you have a weird system? Corvus knew the stories of people like that getting burned at the stake. He decided to play the part of a baby. It's better to have a powerful mother than a powerful ally, if she even believes him.
Lyssandra sighed as she watched the silent Corvus. "What am I doing to a baby?"
She walked to him and picked him up. "Of course you wouldn't understand me."
Corvus breathed a sigh of relief as well. A crisis averted.
The webs on the door vanished and she laid on the bed with Corvus on her chest. She was rubbing his back. He could feel her chest rising up and down. She smelled like strawberry milk.
"You're going to grow up and hate your sister for having to eat you."
The matriarch was hugging him tighter. "She'll hate herself too."
Her eyes closed and she fell into slumber.
—--
6 months later.
A young boy, no older than 9, was sitting in a classroom. The chairs and seats were on the ceiling. Corvus was the only student.
"Can we learn more about magic, teacher?"
Ilyana stopped drawing on the board. Instead, the mute teacher wrote in the air with her web magic.
"You don't have any magic affinity, Corvus. Lady Lyssandra asked me to teach you about the world."
He sighed. He knew better than anyone he didn't have magic. After his mother almost killed Aurelia, she practically vanished.
"Can I at least sit on the floor?"
Ilyana was using magic to stick him to his seat. At his age, black widows should already be practicing their poison and web magic, but he couldn't let others know he didn't have magic. When Valerica found out she wanted to have him replaced.
"Pay attention."
She turned him to the board where all the kingdoms were written down inside of a giant tree figure.
"The second world tree, Lessaril, is home to more than 10 species."
Corvus rolled his eyes. He already memorized all of this.
"The main kingdoms are: Aracnia."
"Noxian, Miridia, Venustra and Solara," Corvus cut her off, "I already know all of this."
Ilyana smiled but in her eyes was an odd mix of sadness and pride. "You're such a fast learner."
She clapped her hands. "However, I didn't tell you about Borealis."
She drew the 6th kingdom. "It is home to the frost bees. They have an alliance with all kingdoms and manage the currency in Lessaril: frost honey coins."
Corvus nodded. Ilyana grabbed her purse and took out a coin.
"The coins are made by the royal frost bees and delivered to each kingdom."
She handed Corvus the coin. He flipped it around and examined it. A kingdom that managed everything related to money must have lots of influence.
"Can anyone visit Borealis?"
His idea was to escape to a neighboring kingdom.
Ilyana shook her head and made another sign.
"Their kingdom is located on the highest branch of Lessaril. You need wings or strong magic."
She stared at Corvus for a second. "You don't have either."
Corvus frowned. Ever since he started these lessons he was constantly reminded of his place. He was a sacrificial offering. His prison was the palace. The outside world was unknown to him aside from the lessons. The system was utterly useless these past months. Only helping him keep track of time.
A few boys were sitting at a table in the hallway. They looked around his age. They were playing a game that looked like chess. One boy stood out. His black hair had pink streaks in it, reminding him of Lyssandra. Corvus watched them for a minute. Then five, which turned into ten.
"Stalking?"
Corvus jumped at the voice. It was his sister, Valerica. She was a lot taller than him. Her hair had the same pink streaks as the boy. Her spider looked at him with curiosity. It had two black and two pink eyes.
"Do you want friends?" she asked.
Corvus nodded. He wanted a friend that he could share his secret with. His reincarnation and the fact that he'll get eaten by his own sister.
Valerica sighed and put her hand on his head. Corvus felt a chill go down his spine. "Why are you so scared of me? I won't eat you until you turn into an adult."
One year and four months left.
Corvus looked at her. He thought about trying to befriend her, be the cute little brother, but she was incredibly focused on becoming the next matriarch.
Four of the boys got up and left the one with pink streaks behind.
"You noticed his hair?" Valerica asked.
He nodded.
"He's our cousin," she paused, "He's also a sacrifice for his big sister."
Corvus side-eyed his sister. She was terrible at comforting someone.
Valerica suddenly pushed him forward. "I meant you have something in common."
Before Corvus could look back, she vanished.
He walked up to the table. The boy was resetting the pieces. He noticed Corvus staring.
"Weren't you taught any manners?" he said with a raised eyebrow.
Corvus' eyes widened a bit. He was almost a 19-year-old man. This kid was only 6 months old.
"Why don't we play?"
The boy closed his eyes for a second. "Sure, Corvus."
They sat in silence as they each took a turn.
"What's your name?" Corvus asked.
"Perhaps if you win."
The boy had a smirk on his face. A few turns in and the game ended.
"Checkmate," he said as his queen ate Corvus' king.
The boy laughed, "You're a terrible strategist."
Corvus shrugged. It was his first time playing chess.
"It's a good thing you'll never get the chance to join the military."
He kept his eyes on the pieces. "You're only good as a sacrifice," his words came out as venom.
Corvus helped reset the piece.
"You're also a sacrifice, though."
It wasn't an accusation. It felt like pity.
The boy stopped. "Yeah, I'm a sacrifice," he paused, "My sister will eat me and the bloodline will become stronger with my intellect."
The game continued until Corvus finally won. It was his third match.
The boy sighed, "Beginners luck."
Corvus chuckled, "It's not. I just learned how to play."
The boy rolled his eyes, "You're a fool that doesn't prepare beforehand?"
He stood up. Corvus offered his hand but the boy refused.
With his back towards Corvus, he said "Kaelith."
"What?" Corvus asked.
The boy didn't answer. He kept on walking.
Corvus was walking in the hallways again, heading to his room. He was thinking about his match with Kaelith. Deep in thought, he bumped into someone. He rubbed his forehead and took two steps backward.
A young lady who seemed familiar, yet not at the same time, stood before him. The pink flower on her head reminded him of the girl who carried his fate.
"Aurelia?"