"Lucian!"
Risa swept across the hall and pulled Lucian into her arms, clutching him like she could anchor his heartbeat with her own. "Are you hurt? Speak to me, child!"
"I'm fine, Mother," Lucian mumbled.
Jason's sharp gaze flicked from his brother to the shattered vase and the open window beyond. "What happened here?"
Lucian shifted uneasily. His eyes darted toward Aria before he spoke. "When I was showing Lady Aria to the washroom, we heard noises. I looked, and there were intruders. I told her to bring help, but… I couldn't let them escape. So I tried to stall them until Father came."
Silence thickened the air.
Then Alaric's voice cut through it like cold iron. "Reckless. Do you understand what that word means, Lucian? If they had turned their blades on you, no amount of courage would have saved you."
His tone was stern, but beneath it pulsed something else—fear.
Jason frowned, stepping closer. "Why would you do something so foolish? You should've hidden and waited. You could have been killed."
"Enough," Risa snapped, pulling Lucian tighter. "He is safe. That is what matters. He stood his ground for this house—he does not deserve scolding for it."
Jason fell silent, though his expression stayed tight with worry.
At Risa's signal, a maid hurried forward. "Take Lucian to his room," she ordered.
Lucian hesitated before letting the maid guide him down the corridor.
Behind him, Aria stepped forward, guilt clouding her face. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have left him alone."
Risa laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You did as he asked. You brought help. Do not burden yourself with blame."
Aria nodded weakly. Jason crossed his arms, saying nothing. Alaric turned to the broken window, his eyes distant—calculating, but shadowed.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Vanheart estate.
Lucian sat small and stiff in his father's study. The enormous desk loomed before him like a judge's bench. Risa sat nearby, hands folded, while Alaric stood by the window, his back to them.
When he finally spoke, his tone was clipped steel. "The only reason we have one intruder captured is because you delayed their escape. Had you not interfered, they would have vanished entirely."
Lucian blinked. "So… I helped?"
Risa gave him a faint smile. "You did help. But you must understand, you could have been hurt—or worse."
"I know," Lucian said quietly, guilt curling in his chest. "I'm sorry."
Risa softened. "You have a brave heart, Lucian. But bravery without strength is just foolishness."
Then Alaric stepped forward, his voice heavy. "Tell me—how did you conjure magic?"
Lucian froze. "W-what?"
"One of the intruders had burns," Alaric continued. "It wasn't a candle. It was magic. From you." His gaze sharpened. "So tell me. How?"
Lucian's thoughts spun like a storm. He had been so sure no one noticed. "I… read about it. In the library. I thought I could try."
Alaric's brows furrowed. "Do you understand what could have happened? Magic without training can cripple—or kill."
"I'm sorry, Father," Lucian murmured, eyes down.
Alaric crossed his arms. "You risked your life—and your future—for curiosity."
Risa's voice broke in, firm but calm. "Then it is time to guide that curiosity properly."
Alaric turned toward her. "He is a child. His awakening has not come. No tutor would accept him."
"You saw what he did," she countered. "He channeled mana—without awakening. That is unheard of. Are you truly going to ignore that kind of potential?"
Alaric's jaw tightened, silent for a long beat.
Finally, he said, "Step outside, Lucian. We will speak alone."
Lucian obeyed, bowing before leaving the study. The moment the door closed, muffled voices rose—his mother's firm insistence, his father's resistance.
Minutes crawled by. Then the door opened. Risa's eyes were calm, her voice gentle. "Come in, my dear."
Lucian stepped back inside, hesitant.
Alaric stood behind the desk again, his gaze steady. "We have decided," he said. "You will be allowed to study magic—properly. With guidance. You will not practice alone again."
For a moment, Lucian's heart stopped. "Truly? I can learn?"
Risa smiled, brushing a hand over his hair. "Yes. But this time, with a teacher."
Lucian could only nod, a grin breaking through the lingering fear. For the first time since the attack, the weight in his chest lifted, replaced by pure excitement.
Lucian walked out of the office with a spring in his step.
He couldn't stop smiling. I'm actually going to learn magic. Officially. With a real tutor.
He was still grinning when—
"Lucian!"
Before he could react, Susan crashed into him like a tiny hurricane, Jason right behind her.
"Wait—what—"
Jason didn't stop. He simply grabbed Lucian around the waist like a sack of flour.
"Put me down!" Lucian shouted, flailing. "I can walk, you know!"
"You're coming with us," Jason said evenly, carrying him down the hall while Susan marched alongside, smug as a general.
"Is this kidnapping?!" Lucian groaned, kicking helplessly.
Moments later, Jason shouldered open the door to his immaculate room and finally set him down.
Lucian stumbled, straightened his coat, and glared. "Was that necessary?"
"Yes," Susan replied immediately, crossing her arms.
Susan was already fuming. "No one told me anything last night! I had to hear about the attack from the maids!"
Jason sighed. "Because we didn't want to worry you."
"I wouldn't have been worried!" she snapped. "I would've helped!"
Then she turned on Lucian, eyes flashing. "And you! Why did you try to play hero? Do you realize what could've happened? You could've been—" Her voice faltered slightly, trembling. "You could've been killed!"
Lucian scratched his cheek, sheepish. "I just thought if I let them go, it would've been worse. So I tried to buy time."
Jason stepped in before Susan exploded further. "It's done. What matters is that no one was hurt." He looked at Lucian. "What did Father say this morning?"
Lucian brightened immediately. "He said I helped catch one of them. And… I got permission to learn magic."
Both siblings froze.
Susan blinked. "What? But you haven't even had your awakening ceremony yet!"
Jason leaned against his desk, smirking slightly. "Well… he was secretly trying to learn magic before."
Susan spun toward him like she'd been struck. "What?!"
Lucian raised his hands. "Wait—it's not what it sounds like! I just… read some books. Tried things. Jason explained mana to me once."
Susan rounded on Jason, horrified. "You taught him?"
He shrugged. "Barely. I told him what mana feels like. That's all."
"That's still dangerous!"
Before Jason could reply, Lucian jumped in. "It's fine! Father already said I'll have a tutor. I won't mess around anymore."
Susan's glare softened, but only slightly. "Still… no one's ever used magic before awakening. It's strange."
Jason's expression turned thoughtful. "Then it's remarkable. He's ahead of his time."
Susan blinked, then sighed, the fight draining out of her. "…Fine. But if you get hurt again, I'll make sure Father locks you in your room until you're old and gray."
Lucian grinned. "Yes, ma'am."
The tension finally eased. Jason chuckled, shaking his head. Susan muttered something about reckless brothers.