Chapter 3: Embers and Bonds

The great hall buzzed with anticipation. A circle had been cleared in the middle—an arena of sorts—as Kaito stood before his father, Reyzen Bloodcrest. The nobles who had earlier gathered to witness the decision about the elf girl were now here to see something rarer: a duel between the heir of Bloodcrest and its ruling duke.

Reyzen's eyes gleamed. "I'll give you a handicap," he said calmly. "I won't use magic. Just swordsmanship and martial arts."

Kaito narrowed his eyes. "You're underestimating me. You'll regret that."

With that, he stomped down, channeling wind magic into his feet, boosting his speed. He cast strength and durability buffs next, his small frame glowing with magical runes. Finally, he ignited his blade with fire magic, the flames roaring to life.

He vanished in a blur.

The nobles gasped. "Did he just—?!" "I couldn't even see him!" "He's seven?!?" Murmurs rippled through the crowd as many nobles stared wide-eyed.

But Reyzen was calm, grinning as he effortlessly blocked the flurry of strikes. "If this is your determination, then I'm disappointed. You lack resolve, Kaito."

Kaito's eyes burned with determination. He suddenly dashed backward and cast one of the highest-tier fire spells in his arsenal—Inferno. A roaring pillar of fire surged toward Reyzen.

The nobles behind him shouted in panic, too slow to react.

Reyzen's expression hardened. He recognized the trap—Kaito had deliberately maneuvered the fight to force this outcome. If Reyzen dodged, the nobles would burn. But using magic would mean his loss.

In that instant, Reyzen raised his hand and muttered, "Leviathan's Wrath."

A titanic serpent of water burst forth from the air, crashing into the Inferno with a thunderous explosion of steam and magic. The two spells canceled each other out, but the hall fell silent.

"I lose," Reyzen declared.

The nobles stared in stunned silence. Some began to murmur again.

"Was that… Leviathan's Wrath?"

"He forced the duke to use magic…"

"At seven years old? He's already this strong?"

Kaito lowered his blade and smiled. "Then Kiara is officially my sister."

Reyzen looked at him, then at the trembling elf girl in the corner. Selena stepped forward, kneeling before Kiara and gently wrapping her in her arms. "You're part of our family now, Kiara."

The elf girl's eyes welled with tears.

---

Days passed.

Kaito and Kiara now trained together every morning. Reyzen taught them swordsmanship and martial arts, while Selena handled their magical education, etiquette, and knowledge of the world.

Kiara often watched Kaito with a soft gaze. Though five years older than him, she saw him as her protector—a small, fierce boy who stood against the world for her.

So strong, she thought during a sparring session, and yet… so adorable.

Watching him sweat and pant, struggling to keep up with the older knights, she silently prayed that this moment—their peaceful days—would never end.

---

Their magical affinities became clear with time.

Kiara: Expert in Earth and Wind magic, beginner in the rare Gravity magic. Her rare aptitude earned her the title of an Arcanist.

Kaito: Expert in Fire, Wind, and Water magic. He had some skill with Earth magic, but it was his weakest element.

Reyzen: Could only use Wind and Water, but his true strength lay in Ice magic—a higher-tier element born from his water affinity.

Selena: The legendary Sage Duchess. Master of all basic elements, advanced in Earth magic, and blessed with Gravity, Ice, Magma, and Lightning magic.

Selena loved teaching the children and adored Kiara like her own. Each night, she told them stories before bed. The mansion echoed with laughter and warmth.

But not everyone shared their joy.

In the dark corners of the kingdom, a noble sneered, watching from afar.

"They dare adopt an elf…? This marks the beginning of the Bloodcrest family's downfall," he whispered. "And that girl… they've taken in a monster."

To be continued...