Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
By the time summer began to wane, Dominic had gathered enough money from hunting with his grandfather.
It was the largest amount they had ever managed to save in such a short time. They used it to buy new clothes, books and a pen for Dominic.
They had worked harder than usual, leaving before dawn and returning only when the light faded, pushing themselves without complaint.
His grandfather worked the hardest of all.
Despite his age, despite the way his Bloodmark had weakened over the years, the old man never slowed. He tracked deeper, set more traps, and stayed longer in the woods, driven by a quiet pride for Dominic that he never spoke aloud.
His grandson was going to the Crimson Arcanum Academy with a special kind of admission despite his lack of Bloodmark. A place so famous that even in his youth it had been spoken of with reverence. To him, that alone made every painful joint in his body worth it.
During this time, Felix actually had time to visit the old house to explain everything to his grandpa.
Still, pride did not erase the worry he felt for Dominic.
That afternoon, the sun hung low in the sky, staining the clouds gold and amber.
Dominic and his grandfather sat side by side in the backyard, resting on worn wooden stools.
A small table sat between them, holding a kettle of warm tea and a plate of simple snacks. The scent of earth and leaves lingered in the air after another long day's work.
They watched the sun sink in silence.
"Dom," his grandfather said at last.
His voice was serious and quieter than usual. He didn't turn his head, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Are you sure you want to study at the Academy?"
Dominic blinked, then smiled faintly. "Of course, Grandpa. It's the place every kid wants to go."
He said it like a simple truth, something obvious and unquestionable.
His grandfather's fingers tightened slightly around his teacup. "That place it's not like here, son," he said slowly. "You'll be alone. Surrounded by nobles who've never worked a day in the dirt."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "You know how they look at people like us."
Dominic fell quiet.
He had thought about it. More than once. Late at night, lying awake, staring at the ceiling.
The Academy was famous, powerful, and prestigious, but it was also filled with those born into influence and wealth. He knew what commoners were to them. Useful at best and or something to be trampled on at worst.
"I know," Dominic said after a moment. "I've thought about it."
His grandfather finally looked at him then. "Then you know they won't treat you kindly."
"Maybe," Dominic said. He lifted his cup and took a small sip of tea. "But I'll be fine."
The old man frowned. "You're still just a kid."
Dominic set the cup down and met his gaze. "I won't be reckless. I promise. I'll keep my head down, learn what I need to learn, and take care of myself."
He hesitated, then added more softly, "I won't let anything happen to me."
His grandfather studied his face for a long moment. The boy looked older now. He also seemed taller and calmer. There was something steady in his eyes that hadn't been there before.
Still, the worry didn't fade.
"Alright," the old man said after a long sigh, he turned his gaze back to the setting sun. "Just remember. No matter how far you go, this is still your home."
Dominic nodded. "I know."
They sat together until the sun disappeared beyond the trees, the sky darkening inch by inch.
Dominic's resolve was firm, but the worry in his grandfather's eyes never truly left.
—
The next morning came quietly.
Dominic opened his eyes slowly. He was still sitting on the wooden floor of his bedroom, back against the wall and legs crossed where he had been meditating through the night.
The room was dim, the sky outside still dark.
He drew a slow breath and felt inward.
His body felt different now. The ether circulating inside him moved smoothly without hesitation, flowing through familiar paths like water in a well-worn channel. It answered him almost immediately when he focused.
The sigils on the back of his hands throbbed faintly beneath his skin. Not painful, just present.
Over the past three months, he had trained quietly and consistently. He didn't rush. He focused on understanding the two symbols that had given him power.
How "Blitz" demanded restraint and precision. How "Cloak" required calm and subtle control rather than force.
Each night, his grasp of them deepened in clarity.
Sometimes, in the deepest hours of the night, he heard voices again. Whispers that slid into his thoughts when the world was still.
He never answered them.
Each time it happened he remembered Felix's warning and pulled his focus back to his breath and the steady movement of ether inside his body.
The voices always faded after that, retreating into silence.
Dominic exhaled and pushed himself to his feet.
He opened the door quietly and stepped into the hallway. While his grandpa was still asleep, he washed himself with cool water. He got dressed and didn't forget to cover his sigils with gloves, as Felix had said. Better to hide it for now.
By the time he finished, dawn had only begun on the horizon. His grandpa was already awake and cooking their breakfast.
He ate breakfast with his grandfather in silence.
When they finished, they stood together by the door.
The moment stretched in silence.
His grandfather looked at his face for a while, then suddenly his shoulders trembled. Tears slipped down his weathered face, even as a smile pulled at his lips.
"I'm proud of you," the old man said hoarsely.
Dominic froze for a moment, then stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"Thank, grandpa," Dominic said.
Tears welled in his eyes as well. Seeing them on his grandfather's face made something tighten in his chest.
At the same time, his resolve hardened. This wasn't just his path anymore. It was something he was carrying for both of them. To give them a better life!
He pulled back and wiped his eyes, then smiled.
"I'll go now," he said. "I promise I'll come back and visit whenever I have time."
His grandfather nodded, still smiling through the tears. He didn't speak.
Dominic turned and stepped onto the path leading away from the house.
He didn't look back.
He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. The Academy, the nobles, the unknown dangers waiting beyond its gates. All of it lay ahead.
But he also knew that with the power he carried and the resolve burning inside him now, nothing would stop him from moving and getting what he wanted.
—