After a little while, Vale left. Aeris went to the garden to find him but discovered her father in law sitting alone among the hedges.
"Aeris, why are you here, my child?" Vandrel asked gently.
She understood how much Vandrel had loved his son. Vaelor had been his pride. The loss had left a deep emptiness in him, even if he rarely showed it.
Aeris sat beside him and lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Father. Maybe if I hadn't come into Vaelor's life, he wouldn't have died that day."
Vandrel's expression hardened for a moment. "Don't say that. Even if you had never met him, they would have used their tricks to weaken the Lunareth family. Vaelor was a genius they feared he might stand in their way. Forget power and land they will strike wherever they feel threatened."
He fell silent, then added, "What worries me more is that we told Vale everything too soon. He's only six. Yes, he's smarter than most children, but he is still six. I don't want revenge to take root in his heart."
Aeris pressed her fingers together. "I want him to be safe. I want him to avenge his father." Her voice broke. "But I hate that desire. I'm afraid I'm trying to use him."
Vandrel's eyes looked tired and hard. "That is not the way. When they finish proble with Asura Continent they will plot again. They know what they did, and they fear Lunareth power. Vale is vulnerable."
He thought for a long moment, then spoke slowly. "Send him to Feyrenhal. He has elven blood your parents could take care of him. He'd be safer with the Elenwyn family, where he could grow up comfortably. Send him only after he awakens, so he won't lag behind in elven child."
Aeris swallowed. "And you, Father? Will you come with us?"
Vandrel smiled faintly. "Don't worry about me. I can keep myself safe. The Emperor of Sorin would not dare act against me without reason. However, he could target Vale. Protect him, Aeris. And one more thing become Mythical ranker as soon as you can. Only then will you truly protect your son."
He stood and left her sitting between the rosebushes and the creeping twilight, worry evident in the lines of his shoulders.
In the evening, Vale went to meet his grandfather.
"Grandfather, what are you doing?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing much, child," Vandrel replied with a faint smile. "Just thinking about the past." He stood up and walked to the window, the light highlighting the silver in his hair. "So, why has my dear grandson come here?"
"Nothing important," Vale said. "I wanted to ask if someone could train me in swordsmanship."
Vandrel raised an eyebrow. "Swordsmanship? Why the sudden interest? You can awaken normally at twelve, maybe even earlier. Why rush to the sword?"
Vale's face stayed expressionless. "Didn't you give me a sword for my birthday? What use is a sword if I don't know how to wield it?"
Vandrel chuckled softly. "You're such a cold child. I wonder where that came from. Seems I chose the wrong gift." He sighed and nodded. "Very well. I'll tell Roland to train you, and to help you improve your physique as well."
Vale nodded slightly. "Thank you." But he didn't leave. Vandrel noticed and asked, "One more thing, isn't there? Tell me, Vale, why do you want to learn the sword? What will you use it for?"
Without a hint of emotion, Vale answered, "Don't worry, Grandfather. I won't let revenge consume me. I'll use the sword where it's needed. After all, it's only a tool made for killing."
Vandrel froze. "Vale, you're six years old. Where did you hear such a thing? Who taught you that?" His tone became serious, the warmth fading from his voice.
"No one taught me," Vale said calmly. "It's just the truth. You can say a sword protects people, but isn't that the same as killing their enemies? Don't worry, Grandfather, I won't lose myself. I know what I'm doing." With that, he turned and left the room, his small steps echoing on the floor.
Vandrel let out a heavy breath, watching the door close. "What is that child?" he murmured. "No expression, no hesitation not like any six year old I've ever met." He smiled bitterly. "Ah, my foolish son, what have you left me with? That boy's going to cause chaos in Calethia someday. A tool made for killing, he said, and he's not wrong." He shook his head and chuckled softly. "Poor elves. Aeris doesn't know what she's sending to the elves."
After leaving his grandfather, Vale went straight to his room without stopping anywhere. Lucy was there, cleaning up. She greeted him with a smile while Roland snored softly on the balcony, leaning against the wall.
Vale sat at his desk and started to organize his thoughts. The time before awakening was precious he needed to plan carefully.
I'll focus on swordsmanship and footwork during the day, he decided. At night, I'll study mana.
He already had several books, gifts from nobles and guests at his last birthday. Some were borrowed from the family library. Vale could already sense mana only two more steps remained before awakening. However, he knew those steps would be the hardest.
If I can refine my mana perception, maybe I'll find a better way to breathe it in. He remembered the warnings in the books there was a limit to how much mana one could absorb in a single breath and a time delay before the next intake. But those limits varied by person and could be trained.
Vale began to break down the process piece by piece, his mind sharp and methodical. What will my awakened ability be? he wondered. If I'm a spirit user, I'll need to form a spirit contract. Summoning isn't always reliable higher spirits often ignore calls. But if I could meet one in person and form a bond…
He paused, recalling his mother's words. Aeris said she has the Starlight Element, which is rare even among elves. If I inherited that, could I use elemental magic and become a spirit user too?
A small, almost invisible smile touched his lips. In my previous world, science said a child inherits half from each parent. Perhaps that law still applies here. If so, then I might awaken both powers.
He leaned back, rubbing his temples. "My head's a mess," he muttered quietly. "But I'll solve this, step by step. Time is my rarest resource."