Outside the academy, a chariot rolled to a stop.
Ban stepped down from the horse and opened the door.
He smiled warmly."How was the blade ceremony, young master?"
Arthur didn't answer.
He simply climbed into the chariot and sat down silently.
Ban paused."…Young master?"
No response.
He slowly closed the door and climbed back on the horse.
He flicked the reins gently.
The chariot began to move.
"Did the young master fight with the other nobles…?" Ban wondered.
——————
Inside the academy.
In a large office filled with shelves of scrolls and books, three instructors sat scattered around the room.
Baron stood near a shelf holding a scroll.
Behind him, one of the instructor sat on a chair reading a book, while the other leaned against a desk.
"Did you hear about the incident during the blade ceremony, Valen?"
Valen looked up."What incident are you talking about Zed?"
Zed smirked. "I heard a noble wasn't chosen by a blade."
Valen straightened immediately dropping the book he was reading. "That's impossible."
Zed shrugged."That's what I heard."
Valen frowned."This has never happened before."
Zed chuckled."Well… I guess none of the blade spirits liked him."
Valen crossed his arms."What house is he from?"
Zed answered casually."Valtoria."
Baron's hand stopped moving on the scroll.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "So it was you… Arthur."
Zed continued."I think his name was Arthur Valtoria."
Valen whistled quietly."That's rough."
Zed nodded."Especially since his family is one of the most famous noble houses."
He turned toward Baron."He was your student...wasn't he?"
Baron turned slowly."…Yes."
Valen leaned forward."So how was he?"
Baron closed his eyes for a moment.
His mind travelled back to Arthur bowing respectfully in front of him.
He sighed quietly."What can I say…"
He opened his eyes again. "He's... different ."
Valen nodded slowly."That figures."
Zed shrugged."Maybe that's why he got rejected."
——————
The chariot stopped outside the mansion.
Arthur stepped down.
"Welcome home, big brother!"
Evelyn ran toward him excitedly.
But when she saw his face—
Her smile faded."Big brother…? What's wrong?"
Arthur forced a small smile.
He gently ruffled her hair. " It's nothing.... just tired."
He walked past her.
Nena collected his suitcase from him.
She bowed slightly."Welcome home, young master."
"Thanks."
Evelyn watched him disappear inside.
"…Nena," she asked quietly. "What do you think is wrong with big brother?"
Elizabeth smiled softly."I'm sure it's nothing."
Evelyn hesitated. "…Okay."
—————
Arthur entered his room.
He closed the door and collapsed face-first onto his bed.
His mind was empty.
Sleep came quickly.
——————
The next morning, a soft knock came at the door.
"Young master… it's time for breakfast." Elizabeth's voice came gently.
Arthur's body felt heavy, like someone had piled stones on his chest while he slept.
He dragged himself out of bed and moved towards the restroom.
Minutes later he came out dressed in a black and white attire.
He walked out of his room.
The hallway felt longer than usual as he walked toward the dining hall.
When he entered, everyone was already seated.
Arthur pulled a chair and sat down quietly.
No one spoke.
Evelyn kept glancing at him.
Then she looked at Elizabeth who stood behind Arthur.
Elizabeth gave a small smile.
Evelyn lowered her gaze again.
Her brows knitted slightly.
Aldric calmly cut a piece of steak.
The knife moved smoothly across the plate.
"You seem stressed, Arthur."
Arthur froze.
"I expected you to be lively today," Aldric continued, his voice calm. "Seeing as your long-term goal of becoming a sword mage is finally within reach."
Arthur's grip tightened around his fork.
"So," Aldric said, still focused on his plate, "how did the Preliminary Academy go?"
"…Fine."
Aldric finally looked up.
His sharp blue eyes settled on him like the edge of a blade."Can you manifest your blade?"
Arthur swallowed."Well… I did."
Aldric waited.
Arthur felt the weight of that silence growing heavier.
"But it disappeared," he added quickly. "The instructor said it's normal… that I just need to bond with the spirit."
Aldric's expression didn't change."Even without bonding," he said calmly. "A blade that chooses it's wielder can be manifested by will."
Arthur lowered his gaze."Yes, Father."
His voice came out quieter than he expected."Felix probably just said that to cheer me up…"
The fork in Aldric's hand stopped.
Then he placed it down.
The sound was small, but in that silent room it echoed like something breaking.
Aldric stood.
The chair scraped across the floor.
"Tell me Arthur..."
Arthur's fingers stiffened around the fork.
"What are you hiding?"
Across the table Evelyn tugged on her mother's sleeve."Mum… is Dad angry?"
Verona leaned down slightly, brushing Evelyn's hair gently."It's alright," she whispered.
But Aldric's voice cut through the room."If I ask you to manifest your blade right now… can you?"
Arthur said nothing.
He slowly set the fork down."I…"
Aldric turned away."Come with me."
Arthur pushed his chair back and stood.
Verona spoke quickly, worry creeping into her voice."My lord—"
But Aldric was already walking.
Arthur followed.
The hallway stretched ahead of them.
——————
They stopped in the courtyard.
The open sky was above them. Wind brushed through the stone garden.
Father and son stood facing each other.
Aldric raised one hand slightly."Manifest your blade now… Arthur."
Arthur didn't move.
His fingers curled slowly into a fist.
The wind brushed past him .
Aldric began walking forward.
Each footstep felt like a countdown ticking in Arthur's mind.
Arthur forced the words out slowly."I… I can't."
Aldric kept walking.
"I wasn't chosen by any blade spirit."
Arthur tried to smile."But father… I promise to—"
He stopped mid sentence.
Aldric now stood directly in front of him.
Close enough that Arthur could see the faint blue glow beginning to gather in his father's eyes."Who're you?"
The words hit Arthur like an explosion inside his chest.
"I don't understand," Arthur stammered. "I am your son, Ar—"
Aldric's stare didn't move.
Arthur's throat tightened."Why… why is father speaking like this…" he murmured weakly. "I… I'm sorry."
Aldric spoke again.
His voice was colder now."What are you apologizing for?"
Arthur froze.
"Are you apologizing because of your own weakness…"
Aldric stepped closer."…or are you apologizing so I can pity you?"
Arthur opened his mouth.
But before any words could come out—Something crushed down on him.
An immense pressure slammed into his body.
Arthur's knees hit the ground instantly.
Crack!
The stone beneath him fractured.
Air left his lungs in a sharp gasp.
Sweat began forming on his face almost immediately.
Aldric's blue aura wrapped around him like an invisible ocean pressing from every side.
Arthur struggled to breathe."F… father…"
His hand lifted weakly.
Then another voice cut through the courtyard.
"What do you think you're doing… my lord?"
Aldric turned.
Verona stood a short distance away.
Her expression wasn't soft anymore, It was firm.
Her personal maid, Beatrice and Elizabeth stood at opposite ends behind her.
Arthur barely managed to lift his head."Mother…"
The world around him was starting to blur.
His body collapsed. Consciousness slipping away like sand through open fingers.
Aldric closed his eyes slowly.
The crushing pressure vanished.
He looked down at Arthur's unconscious body."How utterly disappointing."
Arthur barely heard the words.
Arthur's eyes closed completely.
——————
There was darkness all around him.
A quiet, endless void.
Arthur laid on the floor.
He curled himself up and gripped his chest."I... I feel... cold."
His voice sounded small in that empty space.
——————
Back in the courtyard.
"That's enough… my lord."Verona's voice was steady now.
She signaled Elizabeth and Beatrice.
They stepped forward and carefully lifted Arthur's unconscious body.
Then they carried him away.
As soon as they disappeared down the hall—
Verona turned to Aldric."What was that for?"
Aldric said nothing.
Verona shook her head slowly."Stay away from Arthur… until you come back to your senses."
Then she walked away leaving Aldric alone in the courtyard.
The wind moved through the empty space.