Chapter 8: Ploy

Alazard's gaze was unyielding, arguably more so than even the king's.

For a second, Elijah had mistaken him for his father, but quickly corrected that thought. Considering His head was lacking the usual streaks of grey and a golden crown. He was certainly the other son from the paintings.

The warrior.

Several seconds passed as the three of them stood amidst the training grounds in silence.

As the final embers of the flaming fist fizzled out, Elijah flinched backwards, finally regaining a sense of the situation.

Alazard's grip on his hand, however, remained—Limiting how far back he could go. As did his piercing eyes.

"She started it!" Elijah quickly spat. Completely understanding how his actions must look from Alazard perspective .

Offering an apologetic bow, he continued. "Please forgive me, harming a member of the royal family, was never my intention. It was merely a friendly sparing match— initiated by the princess, that got out of hand".

"What was that?" Roared Alazard's voice, completely disregarding his apology.

"Pardon?" Responded Elijah, genuinely curious.

Alazard stared, confused by Elijah's apparent confusion.

"Im asking you, was 'that' also this 'magic' I've been hearing about?" He replied, impatiently waiting for an answer.

Elijah's mind flashed back to the flaming fist. He hadn't gotten a chance to process it before , but it was indeed very remarkable. It must be especially so for Alazard,Being his first impression of magic. It's understandable he'd be impressed.

"Yes your highness, consider it an improved application of what Calvin performed—" he said, before being interrupted by Alazard

"Not that" his voice resonated throughout the training hall once more.

"Ah so you noticed too big brother" another voice cut in from behind and calvin walked up.

"But ofcourse, of the two of us,Im the combat specialist. I'm more impressed that you did" he paused for a moment, not even sparing a glance

"We have no more need of you, you may now go read a book "

Calvin's face showed a hint of disdain, "Dont insult me muscle brain." He sighed before continuing

"Everything this place has to offer,had been read by age ten. The most interesting of all being the ones I've written myself, youre well aware."

'Huh what are they talking about? Notice what? And why are they bickering right now'

Utterly confused, Elijah stared person to person, hoping to be enlightened.

"It's truly something isn't it" belladonna chimed in.

"To think something like this could be possible"

Then

In unison, all eyes snapped to him.

Elijah flinched then resounded nervously, 'umm.. what is happening exactly?"

Calvin blinked a couple times before addressing him, " You mean… you haven't realized?"

"In that case, I'll enlighten you. We decided.." he spared a glance at his siblings, then corrected himself and continued

"I decided, the most effective ways to get information are,one: force you into a situation where you felt the need to impress. Men, me not included— too smart for that. Typically feel the need to impress the opposite gender, hence the beauty" he glanced at his sister, " greeting you this morning."

"I must add, usually that wouldn't have worked, she's a terrible actor. It was only viable due to her genuine curiousity"

Belladonna's face shifted, almost into a pout. yet she remained silent allowing him to continue.

"And two—" he raised a second finger.

"— force you into a corner, giving you no choice but to show your fangs."

"While it didnt go as I imagined or planned— considering we went with option 1 originally and somehow got both scenarios, the results were astonishing. Good job sister"

Elijah sighed 'So it was all just another of Calvin's schemes?'

Alazard then said, "Your ability to fight is disgraceful. You lack the very sense of combat intelligence. Your form was terrible, your movements sloppy and yet…" unable to accept the words that would follow, he paused for a moment.

"You were able to not only survive facing one of the strongest in the rejoin but also draw out her battle instincts. on top of that, matched or even overpowered her physically

Granted, you'd be dead if she'd wished, Only a handfull of the most elite could survive her, much less attain the other feats

What was most peculiar.." he paused for a moment measuring his words.

"That strength vanished soon after grabbing you—

So I ask Again, what exactly was that?"

That gave Elijah the clarification he required, but a confusion remainded nonetheless.

"Ah… you have a keen eye your majesty. Very impressive." He smiled, applauding him.

"what youre referring to, is what I like to call…" he didn't know what it was.

It was only something he stumbled upon, just a byproduct of mana circulation. He instinctively knew of it's importantance enough to rely on it in battle, however, somehow, he'd simultaneously shrugged off its importance.

After trying to cook up and explanation for it, it came to him.

'Wait a minute, this seems familiar. Did I accidentally discover a type of magic? What was it call again, buff magic? augmentation magic? Enhancement magic? Which one was it? And what's the difference anyway?

He sighed, I'll just go with a fourth option, a more simple explanation.

"It is body strengthening. By allowing mana to flow, throughout your body, it acts as a boost drastically increasing one's physical attributes: speed, strength and durability."

"This changes everything," resounded Alazard's voice. "Do you understand what this means?"

" I'm well aware, it was a part of the lesson I wanted to teach the princess as well."

It wasn't.

"—Magic is a game changer. A baby fully mastering magic is enough to wipe out an army of non Magic users— mages, they're called.

A sense of shock flickered across their faces, though they tightly held on to their composure to not let it show.

Belladonna was the first to break the silence "That is quite the claim"

"Is it? Is the chasm between our strengths any different from that of an average soldier and a baby's?" Elijah asked with a knowing smirk.

"However, Did it feel like fighting a baby? Above all else, youre worlds above a regular soldier and Im even further away from mastering magic."

Calvin smiled, " when he puts it like that, it's hard to deny. Despite how outrageous it may seem."

Calvin then turned to Elijah " Im curious though sir magic advisor. See, Im just dying to unlock the mechanics of magic, could you enlighten me with some of its uses as a benchmark of sorts to further my understanding." His eyes gleaming with genuine curiosity and thirst for knowledge

"While you're at it," Alazard added. "include ways that could be of benefit to the kingdom,not just miscellaneous uses."

"But ofcourse" Elijah responded.

' atleast I don't have to showcase them, that would've been terrible' Elijah thought to himself as the three siblings stared at him with anticipation.

Elijah went on to list everything that came to mind

Starting with the ability to cover the kingdom in barriers to ward off unwelcomed visitors— Alazard seemed particularly interested in that.

To strengthening the blade of a swordsman to increase lethality and forming swords entirely of magic.

Then-

magical items

Commanding the elements

Levitation and telekinesis

Recovery magic: healing and self regeneration.

Raising an army of dead to do your bidding—necromancy.

And finally

Teleportation magic and portals.

That was every thing he could think of on the spot.

Elijah watched their faces from the start, Noting their mind boggled expressions increase with every word.

Thats how he noticed it.

Towards the end, the expressions went from astonishing gasps and exciting stares to one of—

Despondency.

The listing concluded their conversation, by that point the sun shone brightly overhead.

Calvin encouraged Elijah to get cleaned up in the washroom before joining him for breakfast.

Then all three siblings were on their way.

Calvin was in deep contemplation. This one unlike his usual state of calculated thinking, or was the same but accompanied by melancholy and grief.

"I know what youre thinking, stop it." Commanded Alazard's voice

"Did you not hear him? There is a way" Calvin retorted

"It may seem like that, however, you don't understand it, little brother. Youre aware everything too good to be true,comes at a price" Said Belladonna,Voice almost breaking .

"I know Bella, thats while I'll understand it. I'll understand everything about it.

His hands trembled as he tightly clenched his fist.

"And after I do."

His voice filling with conviction

"I'll bring her back, whatever the cost."