Episode 2: The Duke’s Jewel

Episode 2: The Duke's Jewel

Elara Vaelcrest sat in a golden velvet armchair far too large for her tiny frame. The warmth of the sun poured through the crystal windows of the East Wing sitting room, casting an amber glow across marble floors and glittering chandeliers. A maid carefully arranged her cascading silver hair into a braid as her mother fussed over her collar, smoothing invisible creases.

"You'll meet the elders today, darling," Lady Seraphina Vaelcrest said, her soft voice tinged with excitement. "You must look presentable for the council. You're our little star."

"Council? Elders? Just how important is this family…?"

Elara's mind still reeled from the past two weeks. Each day brought new discoveries: her body belonged to a girl of noble blood, the youngest daughter of House Vaelcrest—one of the founding pillars of the Ardent Empire. Her father, Duke Caelum Vaelcrest, was not only the empire's strongest elemental warrior but also a symbol of honor and power.

And she? She was the beloved youngest child. A miracle daughter born after five older sons—each of whom treated her like porcelain wrapped in gold.

🌟 The Vaelcrest Siblings

Lucien, the eldest, was calm and noble, his blue flames always under perfect control. A master tactician and the commander of the Third Legion.

Rowan, the second, was a walking tempest, loud and bold, wielding storm and lightning. He liked to carry her on his shoulders and shout, "Make way for the Princess General!"

Thorne, the third, barely spoke. His earth element made him grounded—both literally and emotionally. He silently watched over her like a sentry.

Evander, the fourth, was charming and cunning, a prodigy in illusions and shadows. He often played tricks on their tutors but never let anyone tease Elara.

Aurelian, the fifth, was only ten, but already possessed four elements. He was closest to Elara in age, and they often trained together in the courtyard.

They all adored her. Overprotective didn't even begin to describe it.

That morning, she met the Council of Flames, a gathering of nobles and elemental scholars, in the ancestral hall. The marble dome was inscribed with symbols of all known elements—fire, water, air, light, shadow, storm, steel, mist, and more.

She was introduced as "the Duke's Jewel."

Old men bowed. Young nobles whispered. One gasped, "She already carries the Arcmark," pointing to the faint silver tattoo on her wrist, proof of divine blessing.

The whispers swirled like winds in her ears.

"She has her mother's grace."

"A perfect blend of Caelum and Seraphina."

"Do you think she'll awaken more than ten elements like the Duke?"

Elara said nothing. She was still calculating—assessing this new world through the lens of her scientific past.

"Magic behaves like structured energy. Maybe it's just physics I haven't understood yet. Elemental classification… is it genetically inherited? Environmental exposure? Meditation acts like tuning to frequency…"

She couldn't stop herself from theorizing. It kept her grounded.

That night, as she sat on the garden balcony watching moonlight dance on the lake, her grandfather arrived.

🌙 The Old Duke

He moved like a man half his age, though his white beard and lined face showed the years he carried. His eyes, however—burning silver like twin stars—held immense power.

"Elara," he said in a voice that shook mountains and soothed rivers. "Come. Walk with me."

She obeyed. The garden stretched endlessly, its trees humming with elemental life.

"Do you remember anything from before?" he asked suddenly.

She tensed.

"…Yes," she admitted. "But I don't know if it matters."

The Old Duke smiled. "It matters. The soul remembers. That is why yours burns brighter than the sun."

They stopped before a massive tree whose trunk shimmered with light.

"This is the Elaris Tree. It blooms only when one destined to change the world walks near it. It bloomed when your father awakened. When your mother touched it, the bark glowed gold."

He pointed at the tree.

"Elara… when you were born, it split open and revealed a crystal inside. We do not know what it means. But I believe… you are beyond any element we've ever known."

Elara's heart pounded.

"Beyond any element…"

He kneeled to her level, placing a heavy hand on her head.

"Be proud of your light. And when the time comes… let no one dim it."

She didn't understand it fully then.

But something inside her stirred.

That night, she dreamed of stars.

Stars falling. Stars rising. And a voice—calm, digital, but powerful—echoed softly:

[SYSTEM BINDING… COMPLETE.]Welcome, Host. You are now recognized as the bearer of Element Zero: ATOMIC.

🌀 End of Episode 2