The path leading back to the Ebonhart estate stretched long and winding, cutting through vast stretches of land that reflected both wealth and control.
Valdis walked through the path at a steady pace. The air felt different here.
Cleaner.
After the chaos of the trials and the relentless pressure of the training grounds, the estate seemed almost… peaceful.
Tall obsidian pillars lined the pathway at measured intervals, each etched with faint runic patterns that shimmered subtly under the fading light. Between them stood ancient trees, their branches wide and heavy with dark green leaves that swayed gently with the evening breeze.
The sky above had begun its slow descent into dusk as golden light spilled across the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the polished stone path beneath his feet. The scent of earth and faint floral notes lingered in the air, soft and soothing.
Servants moved quietly in the distance, their presence almost invisible as they went about their duties. The estate itself loomed ahead in a massive, imposing, yet refined design.
The Ebonhart mansion, a structure of dark stone and crimson accents, its towering walls radiating quiet authority. High windows reflected the dying sunlight, making the entire building seem like a slumbering beast basking in the last warmth of the day.
Valdis exhaled slowly.
This was home.
He stepped toward the grand entrance just as his hand was about to reach the door, when a voice came from behind him.
"Young master."
Valdis didn't turn immediately.
Instead, he paused, then slowly looked over his shoulder to see a maid standing a few steps behind him, her posture straight, her expression calm and respectful.
"My apologies, young master," she replied with a slight bow. "I was instructed to wait for your return."
Valdis turned fully now.
"What is it?"
"Her Grace requests your presence," the maid said. "She is currently in the garden."
Valdis glanced down briefly at himself. He was dusty and covered in sweat as the weight of battle still clung to him.
"Can it not wait until I've bathed and changed?" he asked.
The maid didn't speak.
She simply looked at him with a single, quiet expression.
The meaning was clear
What do you think?
Valdis stared at her for a moment and then sighed.
"Alright."
He stepped away from the door and walked down the steps
"Lead the way."
From that moment onwards, they walked in silence.
The path leading to the garden curved away from the main structure, leading toward a more secluded part of the estate.
As they approached, the atmosphere shifted.
The rigid structure of the mansion gave way to something softer.
Livelier.
And the moment they stepped through the arched entrance, color bloomed before his eyes.
Rows upon rows of flowers stretched across the landscape, arranged with meticulous care yet appearing effortlessly natural.
Deep crimson roses—velvet in texture—stood proudly along winding paths, their petals layered in perfect symmetry.
Clusters of white lilies and gardenias spread across the open spaces, their pale petals glowing softly under the evening light, carrying a delicate, calming fragrance.
Bright bursts of yellow came from golden chrysanthemums and sunlit daffodils, their vibrant tones bringing warmth to the scene.
And weaving through them all were elegant patches of violet irises and lavender blooms, their rich hues adding depth and quiet mystery to the garden.
The air was filled with a soft fragrance, and the entire scene felt alive.
At the center of it all, a woman stood in the midst of the beautiful scenery.
Elenor.
She wore a flowing white dress, light and delicate, its fabric moving gently with the breeze. Her long, pristine hair fell freely down her back, catching the golden light of dusk.
She was tending to the flowers carefully and gracefully.
And in that moment, the scene felt unreal.
As though everything—the garden, the light, the colors—existed only to frame her presence.
Like a living painting.
Valdis paused briefly before stepping forward.
The soft crunch of gravel beneath his feet was enough to alert Elenor to his arrival.
Elenor spoke without turning as she pruned some roses.
"You're back."
She turned slightly, her gaze falling on him.
"How was your first day?" she asked. "Did you run into any trouble?"
Valdis shook his head.
"No," he replied calmly. "It went well. I learned a lot."
After a brief pause, he continued, "I also believe I've stepped into the grandmaster stage in swordsmanship."
Silence.
Elenor froze.
Then slowly turned fully toward him.
"You what?"
There was genuine shock on her face, and for a moment, she simply stared at him. After a while, she sighed.
"Other mothers," she began, placing a hand lightly on her chest, "when their children return from that hellish training… they run to comfort them."
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him.
"But mine…"
A faint smile formed "…mine return with news that will one day stop my heart."
She let out a soft chuckle.
Then, almost casually, she asked.
"Did you make any friends?"
Her tone suggested she already knew the answer.
Valdis thought for a moment before he replied
"I guess I did." and after a pause, he continued, "Two."
Elenor blinked.
Then looked at him properly.
"Two?" she repeated. "Who?"
"Silas and Cassian."
Recognition flashed through her eyes instantly.
"The sons of the commanders of the Ebonhart Knights and the Shadow Guard…" she murmured.
"…Interesting."
Valdis nodded.
"They're talented," he added.
Elenor hummed softly.
"Yes," she said. "Especially Silas. I've heard that his awakened physique is quite powerful."
She nodded to herself in approval, then she turned and asked again
"Who were your instructors?"
Valdis replied, "Instructor Alaric… and another one—the weapons instructor. I don't know his name, but he demonstrated aether control and oversaw sparring."
But Elenor was long gone after hearing the first name.
"…Alaric?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
"The barbarian Alaric?"
There was clear shock in her voice.
As the current duchess, she understood exactly what that name meant and what power and authority it carried.
Alaric was not someone who taught.
He was a force of nature.
A weapon.
A special existence who rarely involved himself with initiates, although he also bore the title of instructor in the Ebonhart House.
'It seems the ancestors pulled him back, but was it specifically for Valdis or some other reason?' she thought.
The thought lingered.
But she said nothing of it aloud.
Instead, she exhaled softly.
"Go and bathe," she said. "Your sister asked me to tell you she wants to see you before she returns to the academy."
Valdis nodded.
"I will."
He turned—
But before he could take a step, Elenor closed the distance between them and hugged him.
Valdis stiffened slightly.
"I'm sweaty," he said.
"I don't care," she replied immediately, holding him tighter.
There was no hesitation in her voice.
"I'm just glad you're alright."
For a moment, Valdis said nothing, allowing her to do as she pleased. Then he slowly relaxed and hugged her back. They stayed like that for a few seconds until eventually they separated.
Valdis gave a small nod before turning and heading back toward the mansion.
After he got back to the mansion, he opened his door to find his room was as he had left it.
The moment he stepped inside, he removed his clothes without hesitation and headed straight for the bath.
Warm water washed over him, carrying away the dust, the sweat, and the tension.
By the time he stepped out, his body felt lighter and more relaxed
He changed into fresh clothes and walked toward his bed, and dropped onto it.
Staring up at the ceiling.
The day replayed in fragments.
The trials.
The climb.
The fight.
The pressure.
And then his thoughts drifted.
To her.
The silver-haired girl, Luminara.
Her presence, her control, her cold, distant demeanor.
It reminded him of the Sword Saint.
There was a similarity.
"She's strong, but the old man didn't tell me he had a daughter around my age," he muttered.
His mind shifted again.
Cassian.
The moment he stopped holding back.
The shift in his fighting style. Although it still carried that calculated feeling, it became decisive at the end.
And then there was Silas and his clashes with the instructor.
That overwhelming physique.
The raw, explosive force behind each movement he made.
Valdis raised his hand slightly, staring at it.
"I wonder how his own physique would compare to mine.
A quiet breath then left his lips.
"The Ebonhart House…"
He closed his eyes briefly.
"…is full of geniuses."
A voice echoed from within the room.
"You mean monsters."
Valdis's eyes opened instantly.
Nyxaria.
She stood near the window, arms crossed, her presence as calm as ever.
"Those five?" she continued. "They're monsters. Every single one of them."
She stepped forward slowly.
"And they all have special physiques."
Valdis sat up slightly as the news shocked him greatly.
"All of them?"
Nyxaria nodded.
"Weren't physiques meant to be extremely rare?" he asked
"They are, this situation is just special."
She paused, then added, "Especially those twins."
Valdis, looking confused, asked.
"What about them?"
Nyxaria smirked faintly.
"Their physique is called The Emberwood Physique."
Valdis's gaze sharpened.
"Explain."
Nyxaria walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
"That physique is the reason they seem like they have endless stamina," she said. "It's a dual elemental physique of wood and fire."
She tapped her fingers lightly against her arm.
"Wood grants vitality. Fire grants aggression."
A faint smile.
"Together? You get regeneration and explosive endurance."
She leaned back slightly.
"They're kings in a battle of attrition."
Valdis processed her words silently.
But Nyxaria wasn't done.
"And the others aren't any less dangerous," she continued.
Her gaze drifted slightly, thoughtful.
"The Ebonhart House"
She paused, chuckling softly as she continued
"is raising monsters in this generation."
She began counting lightly.
"Your brother. Your sister. Your cousin. You."
A pause.
"And now five more."
She shook her head slightly.
"Not on the same level as you lot… but still worth mentioning."
Then she laughed.
A quiet, amused sound.
"The king is going to die from shock."
Valdis raised a brow slightly.
Nyxaria smirked.
"He was struggling to manage one monster…"
Her eyes gleamed faintly as she gazed in the direction of the royal palace.
"Now they're multiplying."