Point of view: Norn
In the garden of the Latreia estate, under the shade of a large tree, the three of us were there: Aisha, Arthur, and me.
Aisha and I were practicing magic while Arthur —as always— watched us with that calm gaze that said more than any sermon from my grandmother.
—You need to focus on mana density to use intermediate-rank healing magic —Arthur explained patiently.
He placed his hand over a broken tree trunk and began the incantation. A soft green light wrapped around the wood. The roots stretched, reconnecting, and small flowers bloomed between the rejuvenated leaves.
—Did you understand?
Aisha and I nodded at the same time.
—Aisha, you first —Arthur said.
My sister chanted the spell with the confidence she always had. The light shone perfectly, and the tree finished healing without any issue.
—Very good, Aisha —Arthur praised her.
—What about my reward? —she asked, stepping forward, nearly leaning on him.
Arthur sighed but ended up patting her head. Aisha, triumphant and way too proud, looked at me with a smug grin.
But Arthur noticed and stopped himself, giving her a small flick on the forehead.
—Aisha… what did I say about picking fights?
She puffed her cheeks but didn't argue.
—Alright, your turn, Norn.
I nodded. I focused, breathed, and chanted the spell.
My hand glowed green… but the healing only closed a small part of the trunk.
My chest tightened. I had failed again.
—Well done, Norn —Arthur said, patting my head—. Do it again. You'll succeed on the next try.
That simple gesture, so warm… was what kept me going these days.
My classes with Grandmother at the Church were always cold and harsh. Every mistake was a reminder that, to her, I was… insufficient.
But with Arthur, it wasn't like that.
When I failed, he didn't yell. He didn't compare me to anyone.
He just taught me —with patience. With calmness.
As if he really believed I could improve
At first, I admit, I was scared of him. When I saw his sword, I thought he would be violent, like Rudeus.
And I was also curious when I saw how close Aisha was to him.
But now
Now I see it clearly.
Arthur isn't like my brother.
Arthur is like Father.
Someone who protects.
Someone who listens.
Someone who… makes me want to try harder.
For some reason, when he pays more attention to Aisha, it makes me feel strange, and I don't understand why.
One day I asked Lilia about that feeling but…
It took me a long time to find the words. We were in the kitchen, Lilia peeling potatoes for dinner.
—Why… —I began, staring at the knife—, why when Arthur praises Aisha too much, do I feel like there's a knot here?
I placed my hand over my chest, right above my heart.
Lilia paused her work. Her always gentle eyes looked at me with a bit of surprise. It seemed like she already knew what it was.
—Norn, I'm sure you'll understand it in time.
She left me with more doubts…
---
2 and a half years later
A boy, now 1.55 meters tall and with a body toned by training, stared intently at a massive boulder. He was in a sword-drawing stance, eyes closed, breathing controlled.
Then he opened them.
A dense layer of touki wrapped around his body and blade. In a blink, he vanished from sight and, an instant later, was already on the other side, sheathing his sword with a clean click.
The boulder, keeping pace with his sheathing motion, began crumbling into several small pieces.
—Ahhh… —he sighed—. Well, Great Sage, what do you think of this new technique?
The Great Sage's voice echoed in his mind, now with a more human tone.
—Hmpf… I suppose it's not bad —she replied—. But you're still far from perfecting it. Your touki control is still uneven. If you'd missed by even a millisecond, that rock wouldn't have split cleanly.
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Since he got tired of hearing that robotic voice, he asked the Great Sage to change it to something more human. The result was… a half-robotic girl with tsundere tendencies."
—You're never satisfied, are you? —he grumbled.
-Mmm! I simply follow the protocols of a competent system.
Arthur put away his sword and stretched, letting out a tired sigh.
—Two and a half years training magic, swordsmanship, touki, theory, tutoring… and worst of all… surviving Claire.
—That last one does deserve recognition —the Great Sage said with humor.
Arthur gave a faint smile.
—By the way… have you found a solution for that problem yet?
—…I'm afraid there is no solution. You reached your mana growth limit long ago —the Sage replied dramatically.
Arthur suspected exaggeration.
—A real tragedy. I wanted to be one of those cheaters with infinite mana to throw spells all day…
—You made up for it with the sword. Right now, you're Saint rank, almost King. Your developing body lets you use touki better. That's your true strength.
—Yeah, but…
—No buts! —the Sage snapped—. You already have a bunch of spells. Your limit is your limit.
—Remind me… what ranks am I again?
—King-rank in two elements and also in healing magic. But you know: if you cast a King-ranked spell once, you succeed. If you try again immediately, the power drops a lot.
Arthur let out a short, tired laugh.
—Well… at least Norn no longer gets upset about what her grandmother says —he murmured—. And Aisha… is still Aisha.
The Sage chuckled.
—That rivalry between them… one day it's going to explode.
Arthur ignored the comment and looked up at the cloudy sky.
The cool wind hit his face, carrying the echo of two and a half years of effort.
—Anyway… I should go back. Grandmother is probably already complaining that I disappear for hours.
—Oh, and by the way —added the Sage—. That technique you just used… you should name it. Humans love giving dramatic names to very simple things.
Arthur sighed.
—I'll think of one later… first I need to survive lunch with Claire.
As he walked, he recalled the moments spent at the Latreia estate with Aisha and Norn. Now at Saint rank, both had hit a bottleneck in the second year.
But even that didn't stop their competition. They still fought over knowledge, asking Arthur for help whenever they didn't understand something.
Leaving his thoughts, Arthur crossed the main gate. After a few steps, the smell of smoke —and the sound of something exploding— made him stop. It came from the garden.
—Looks like they're still practicing —he murmured.
Arthur followed the trail of smoke. Turning the corner, he saw exactly what he expected.
Two eleven-year-olds now: Aisha and Norn. The most notable thing about each was the pendant they wore, crafted by Arthur. Aisha's had a red magic stone shaped like a sun, and Norn's had a blue one shaped like a moon. Both gifts for their 10th birthday, intricately made.
They were firing spells at a dirt wall Arthur had formed, capable of withstanding several Advanced-rank spells for training.
Since they couldn't advance ranks anymore, magic lessons had slowed. Now they only sought advice to refine performance at their mana limit.
—Aaaah! —Aisha panted, body tense—. See that, Norn? Mine, my Advanced-rank Fire spell, is stronger.
On the wall, her impact left a darker burn mark.
—Aaaah! —Norn panted with equal intensity—. No! My Advanced-rank Water spell is stronger!
Norn's impact left a deep erosion mark on the rock, showing better penetration, though slightly slower execution.
Both stared at each other, breathing hard, waiting for the other to concede victory.
Arthur, who had arrived seconds ago, leaned on the wall, arms crossed.
—Ajan —he said in his usual tone.
Hearing that single syllable, the atmosphere changed. The tension dissolved instantly. Aisha and Norn straightened up.
In perfect synchronization, Aisha lunged toward Norn and Norn caught her.
—You're amazing, little sister! —Aisha said, hugging her with an overly apologetic enthusiasm.
—No, you're incredible, Aisha! —Norn replied, smiling, though it didn't reach her eyes.
Both gestures were forced, a lie they had crafted for Arthur. They had reached that agreement the day he scolded them.
"Mmm… liars," Arthur thought, noticing their trembling shoulders.
—Alright, alright —Arthur clapped—. You both improved a lot in offensive power.
Both girls lit up.
Aisha puffed out her chest proudly.
Norn lowered her gaze for a moment, then lifted it quickly… searching for Arthur's approval.
But then—
—B-but… Arthur —Aisha said, stepping toward him with a light trot.
Without asking, she grabbed his right arm. Despite the sweat and dust, she clung to him naturally, as if she had done it a thousand times.
Arthur froze for a second.
—I worked so hard I might faint… —she exaggerated, smiling up at him mischievously—. I think I deserve a reward, don't you?
Arthur felt the closeness tighten his nerves.
It wasn't bad—just uncomfortable.
He was thirteen physically, and although his mind was older, his body reacted like any boy his age.
"Where did she learn this…?" he thought.
At the same time, Norn took a step forward, gathering courage.
—I… I worked hard too —she said, her tone steadier than usual—. So… if Aisha gets a reward… I want one too.
Aisha turned sharply toward her.
Norn held her gaze, serious, though her trembling fingers betrayed her.
Arthur swallowed.
"Three years ago they were just kids who could barely use a basic spell… when did they start acting like this?"
"It's not attraction… they just want attention. They compete over EVERYTHING. This is normal… right?"
"Jjajaja, how interesting," the Great Sage laughed.
"It's not funny at all."
Aisha squeezed tighter around his arm.
Norn stepped closer to his other side.
Between the two of them, Arthur was nearly cornered.
—Alright… —Arthur raised his hands nervously—. Nobody gets special rewards. And I'm not carrying ANYONE anywhere.
Aisha puffed her cheeks angrily.
Norn sighed discreetly.
Arthur looked at the sun, taking a mental break. He had barely escaped that mess.
Suddenly, Norn froze, staring toward the main gate. Her eyes widened in surprise.
-Papa! —she shouted, running toward him.
Arthur and Aisha turned.
There was Paul Greyrat, walking calmly through the entrance, unlike previous times when he tried to sneak in. Behind him was Lilia, stepping out of the servant area with a surprised expression.
Aisha also ran to him, jumping into his arms with pure joy.
Arthur followed at a slower pace. Paul looked fine, but pressure lingered in his eyes.
—Well, Paul, you came much earlier this time —Arthur commented, referring to Paul's recent visits.
Paul nodded, tired but hopeful.
—This time, I have good news —he said, separating from the girls—. I've found where Zenith might be!
The three brightened instantly.
—Really, Dad?! You know where Mom is? —Norn asked, her joy so pure it made Paul smile.
—Yes, but… that's the bad part —he sighed. Paul straightened, his expression turning grave—. According to reliable sources… she's in the Begaritt Continent, trapped in the Great Labyrinth.
They froze. Begaritt. A legendary and dangerous place.
Arthur, who had kept that information secret, could only sigh. He knew Zenith was trapped in a labyrinth, but he lacked the exact location to tell Paul. Now that Paul confirmed it…
—Then let's go save her —Norn said, with determination reminiscent of Claire.
Paul smiled, patting her head.
—Leave that to your father. I'll bring her back.
His smile faded, and he turned to Arthur.
—As for you two, I want you to go to your brother Rudeus. He's in the Kingdom of Sharía, studying. You'll be safe there.
Norn remembered the painful failed reunion between Paul and Rudeus. She wanted to protest but also thought leaving this house would free her from her grandparents' mistreatment.
—Then, Lili… —Paul said.
—My lord —Lilia stepped forward, voice firm—. I'll stay with you, helping with the expedition logistics.
Paul frowned. —But what about the girls? I can't leave them alone.
—Don't worry —Lilia reassured—. Arthur will be with them.
Arthur blinked in surprise, pointing to himself. —Me?
Paul turned to him. Aisha and Norn immediately moved closer and nodded with total approval.
Aisha: —Of course! Arthur knows how to take care of us.
Norn: —With Arthur, we'll be fine.
Their unanimous approval sent Paul into panic. He saw how handsome Arthur had become and how too close his daughters were to him.
—Danger, danger, danger —rang inside Paul's head—. "Arthur is a young man, my daughters are growing… I can't leave them alone!!"
He scanned Arthur's face with suspicious intensity.
—A-alright —Paul said, calming himself. Then he remembered someone staying at his operations base in the city. The solution hit him—. I'll also send someone with you to keep order.
Arthur felt a cold chill. He didn't know why Paul was looking at him like that.
—Alright, let me handle my errands —Paul said, heading toward the door with Lilia following. The girls' fate was sealed.
After dealing with his "errands" (which likely involved negotiation or some loud argument), they left without issue toward Paul's base in the city.
End of the chapter.