14

"…Is this really necessary?" the young boy asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he cast a pensive stare at the book that had occupied his attention for the past hour. His brow furrowed slightly, a subtle sign of the reluctance that had settled within him. Across the table, Alcor chuckled softly, a warm sound that filled the otherwise silent library. He shook his head gently, a small smile playing on his lips.

"It is," Alcor replied, his tone firm yet reassuring. "The Mon'draiggs aren't just any noble house in the empire. You could even say we're the most important one, right next to the four pillar families." He leaned forward, offering the boy a glass of water, which was accepted with a tentative, almost reluctant hand. As the boy took a sip, Alcor rose from his chair, the wood creaking softly under his weight. He moved to a nearby shelf, retrieving a worn-out parchment that had seen better days. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he rolled it out on the table, a cloud of dust escaping into the air. The boy's nose twitched, and he sneezed, prompting Alcor's smile to widen slightly.

"The Emerald Empire," Alcor began, his voice taking on a more serious tone as he gestured to the map. "Arguably one of the strongest powers that have risen in the entire world since the dark ages. Pioneered by the extensive feats of the first emperor and the first Soru'draigg, who managed to hunt down the previous draconic emperor, the Empire has persevered against time itself." His hand hovered over the parchment, tracing the lines of the empire's borders with a reverence that wasn't lost on the boy.

As Alcor spoke, the boy's gaze followed the movement of his hand, the weight of the words settling in his mind. There was a pause, the silence thick with the unspoken truths of their family's legacy. Alcor's eyes, usually so sharp, softened with a hint of nostalgia.

"But as the era changed, so did the situation," Alcor continued, his voice carrying a note of resignation. "Since the death of the first emperor, faith within the empire began to dwindle. People began to doubt that those succeeding the heroes they revered would be able to step up to the plate. Thus, the skies of the empire needed another watchful eye."

"The Soru'draiggs," Alcor said, a sigh escaping his lips as he leaned back in his chair, "are hailed as the heroes of the empire and are said to pioneer the next era. They are worshipped as the sun of our emperor." His gaze drifted to the boy, who listened intently, the book forgotten on the table in front of him. "And us, the Mon'draiggs, are hailed as the moon by those who know of our existence. As the dragons of the sun keep the people's belief in our empire, we, the dragons of the moon, ensure the tranquil silence of the night for our people."

Alcor's words hung in the air, the weight of them pressing down on the boy's shoulders. The boy's lips curled into a sad smile, the corners of his mouth barely lifting. He understood now why Jin had hated his new life. There was no honor, no glory in the path they walked, but he knew it was a necessary one. His resolve hardened, his fingers tightening around the edges of the book as if drawing strength from it.

The boy silently vowed to learn everything he could, to honor his new family and the memory of the one who had failed to see the importance of their role. Three months passed in a blur, the days blending into one another as the boy spent his time locked up in either the library or his bedroom. His dedication to his studies was unwavering, his focus sharp as he devoured the knowledge in the books Alcor had provided. Each tome held secrets about different kinds of medicine and poisons, their effects on the human body, and how to wield them with precision.

"A doctor and assassin both hold authority over life and death," Aria had explained to him one day when he questioned the necessity of learning medicine. "So it isn't a stretch to say they can be one and the same."

The boy had nodded in understanding, her words echoing in his mind as he continued his studies. Knowing which poison to use, which part of the body to target during a fight, understanding the body's limits and how to surpass them—these were essential skills not just for an assassin, but for any warrior.

But during this time, the boy couldn't help but notice the sad, forlorn look in Allie's eyes every time she passed by the hallway where Jin's room had once been. Or the way her shoulders slumped when they gathered in the living room of the manor during the evening. Seeing his big sister like that tugged at his heartstrings, filling him with a deep desire to help, to do something—anything—to ease her pain.

And so, he did. Every morning, he would approach Allie with a determined expression, asking her to teach him how to fight. At first, his request confused her, her brow arching in surprise. But as the days passed, she began to realize what he was trying to do. A small smile would tug at her lips, a mix of embarrassment and gratitude in her eyes. She understood that her little brother was trying to cheer her up, and she was thankful for it.

Taking him up on his offer, they sparred together every morning, the clash of their weapons echoing through the courtyard. They experimented with different fighting styles, ranging from her usual techniques to those Jin had favored, honoring his memory with every strike and parry.

"I'm impressed," Alcor's voice broke through the sound of heavy breathing and the clatter of practice weapons. He stood at the edge of the courtyard, a prideful smile on his face as he looked down at the young boy. The boy was almost unrecognizable compared to when he had first arrived at the manor. His once frail, slender frame had begun to fill out with budding muscles, and his eyes, once dull and emotionless, now gleamed with a mix of excitement and exhaustion. He took deep, steadying breaths, his chest rising and falling as he tried to recover from the intense workout. Allie stood beside him, her chest puffed out with pride as she beamed at her little brother's progress.

"…You're ready," Alcor nodded, his voice filled with certainty. As if on cue, Aria entered the courtyard with Cynthia trailing behind her. The green-haired woman flashed a serene smile as she approached the boy, her hands gentle as she wiped the beads of sweat from his flushed cheeks.

"Is it that time of the year?" Aria asked casually, taking her usual spot at the head of the table as if they were discussing the weather. Alcor nodded, his smile unwavering as he took his seat beside her. Cynthia followed suit, pulling the young boy onto her lap despite his half-hearted protests.

"Will lil' bro come with us this year?" Allie asked, sitting beside Cynthia and lifting the small fox from the boy's head to place her on the table. The fox immediately began snacking on a dish filled with berries that had been prepared for her.

"That's the plan," Alcor confirmed, chuckling softly as he watched the boy pout at the fox's betrayal in favor of food. "He's ready, and I want to bring him with me as a sort of final test. That's okay, isn't it, Grandma?"

Aria nodded, her gaze drifting to the fox, who now had an apple slice in her paws. "You have my approval. Personally, I would have liked to bring him myself, but then you'd be left all alone. We can't have that, considering our clients." She sighed regretfully, her hand reaching out to offer the fox another apple slice.

The boy, who had been quietly observing the exchange, tilted his head in confusion. "What are you guys talking about?" he asked, his voice muffled slightly as he accepted a peeled apple from Cynthia and began munching on it.

"Son," Alcor's tone shifted to one of gravity, the lightheartedness from earlier fading away. "It's time for you to take your final test. As a doctor, and to take your first step into the shadows of our clan." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before asking, "Are you ready?"

The boy looked up, meeting Alcor's gaze. There was a moment of silence, the air thick with anticipation, before the boy nodded. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I'm ready," he replied, his voice steady.