Jorald opened the box.
Gold coins gleamed inside — catching the candlelight as he lifted them out one by one.
Rudious broke the seal on the letter and read it. Then he set it down on the table without a word.
Jorald looked at him. "What did it say?"
He picked the letter up himself and read it.
"Hah." He set it down. "So Drake will have to join the Academy after all."
"Yes," Rudious said. "He will have to go."
Jorald studied him for a moment.
Ahem. "Well — next year then. There's no age limit. Do it then."
"No." Rudious's voice was flat. "He joins now. It will be good for him — he will see the world outside these walls."
Jorald nodded slowly. "Then we will have to talk to Drake."
"At dinner," Rudious said simply.
Jorald stood. He looked at Rudious for a moment — then quietly decided to leave him alone for a while.
"Very well, My Lord. I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
---
Out on the training ground, Drake and Veil were sparring with the other boys.
"Veil."
"Yes, Brother?" Veil looked up.
"Today — you and me. I heard you gave Thomas a real fight the other day."
Thomas, standing nearby, nodded. "He did, Young Master. Young Master Veil gave me quite a bit of trouble."
"Good." Drake grinned. "So it's settled then. What do you say, Veil?"
"Okay, Brother."
The training ground cleared. Their instructor was made judge.
Both took their positions.
Both nodded.
"Begin."
*Tak*. *Crack*.
Their wooden swords met.
Veil was still a beginner — his posture unsteady, his balance off. Drake pushed him back easily, strike after strike.
But then —
*Tak*. *Tuk*. *Tak*.
Veil found his footing. He shifted into a stance — not perfect, but stable. And his strikes began to come at angles. Diagonal. Unexpected.
Drake slowed down.
That technique...
His excitement spiked. He stopped holding back — and swung with full force.
*THWACK*.
Veil's sword flew from his hand.
Drake steadied himself. Then looked at his brother on the ground.
"Well done," he said. "Really."
Veil looked up from where he had sat down in the dirt. "Thank you, Brother."
---
By midday, everyone had gone in for lunch.
Drake and Veil ate together — but Rudious and Jorald weren't at the table. The two brothers ate alone, quietly.
---
That evening, at dinner.
After the plates were cleared, Rudious looked at Drake.
"Drake."
"Yes, Father?"
"Which Academy would you like to join? The enrollment exams are coming."
Drake blinked, confused. "What do you mean, Father?"
Rudious started explaining to him. "Ahem, my boy. In our kingdom of Balkhar, there are five Academies."
Before Rudious could finish explaining, Jorald interrupted and turned to Rudious. "My Lord — perhaps we should first ask Young Master what he wants to pursue."
"Oh, right." Rudious looked at Drake. "What do you want to do, son?"
"Become a knight," Drake said immediately.
Rudious looked at him. "And?"
"Become a knight."
Drake repeated, not understanding. Veil was watching both of them now — looking back and forth between Drake and Rudious.
"Listen, Drake," Rudious said. "Being a knight is not the only thing. There is history, politics, summoning, magic, research, alchemy, business — many paths."
Drake's eyes lit up slightly. "Oh."
"And someday — you will need to manage our company and our trade branches as well."
Drake put his hand on his chin. Hmm. He thought hard.
"But I'm a knight. How can I do magic?"
Rudious's expression flickered for a moment — a hint of disappointment. He had hoped Drake would think beyond just magic and swords, that he would see the bigger picture. But the boy was still young, still narrow in his thinking.
He rested his chin on his hand. "There is no rule that says a knight cannot use magic and a mage cannot use a sword. Both can be done — if the talent is there. But true mastery of both at the same time is rare."
"I see." Drake nodded slowly. "So I have to choose one of the five Academies?"
Rudious looked at Jorald for a moment, then back at Drake. "Not all five. Only three – the Magic Academy, the Knight Academy, and the Royal Academy. Those three will teach you everything you need."
"Then why are they separate?" Drake asked directly.
Rudious kept his expression steady. "Because the Royal Academy accepts everyone — scholars, merchants, future politicians. The Magic Academy and Knight Academy focus on their own fields. The Magic Academy teaches summoning and political theory and history alongside magic. The Knight Academy is pure swordsmanship and history — no summoning, no magic theory. And yes, the Alchemy Academy also has some of these subjects, but it's more specialized."
Drake scratched his head. He was sitting straight, pretending to understand — but it was clear he didn't quite grasp it. Veil, meanwhile, had fallen asleep sitting upright at the table.
Rudious continued, "The Royal Academy is all in one. Magic and sword together. Business. History. Everything. That is my recommendation."
"Okay." Drake stood up — and reached over, shaking Veil awake.
As they headed out, Drake stopped at the door.
"Alright. But I'm not going until after Veil's birthday."
"Fine," Rudious said.
The door closed behind them.
---
Rudious looked at Jorald. "When is Veil's birthday?"
"When you brought him home, My Lord."
"And when was that exactly?"
"I don't know, My Lord."
A pause.
"I don't either."
Both of them looked at each other. Then began quietly arguing about it — neither of them actually knowing the answer.
---
Then Rudious cut the conversation short, his tone shifting.
"This time — is there any talented child who could go with Drake?"
"Yes, My Lord. Drake has a few friends whose training performance has been solid. I will have a full report for you tomorrow."
"Good." Rudious placed his hands on the table, about to stand —
Then Jorald spoke.
"My Lord." His voice was careful. "The Academy… there are six Academies in Balkhar, not five. Why did you only mention five? And the Royal Academy specifically — if certain people find out that…"
He left the sentence unfinished.
Rudious didn't answer immediately.
He simply smiled.
---
[Chapter 35 — End]