Three years had passed since Valens was brought home by Exeo. He'd been well-cared for by Nox, the head butler, and a personal maid arranged by Exeo to ensure his comfort and adjustment to this new life. Yet despite the warmth and care, Valens remained shy and uncertain, shadows of his past lingering.
During breakfast, Exeo and Valens sat quietly, each absorbed in their own thoughts as the two maids stood at the sides, while Nox took his position behind Valens. Breaking the silence, Valens hesitantly placed his utensils down, gathering his courage before speaking, "B-big brother, what do I do exactly… from now on?" His gaze was hopeful yet tentative, like a lost child afraid to hope for a future.
Exeo set down his utensils, studying his younger brother. "I've already made some plans for you," he replied smoothly. "But first, we need to measure your mana. Tell me, how old are you today?"
Valens's face showed a flicker of hesitation before he answered, "F-fourteen."
Nox, listening carefully, raised a brow in surprise. He'd always assumed Valens was much younger due to his small frame and quiet demeanor, barely 8 or 9 years old when they'd met. To think he was already 11 back then felt like a revelation. He quickly composed himself, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he considered the boy's hidden resilience.
"So," Exeo continued, momentarily pausing as if to collect his thoughts, "where did you live before I found you?" Exeo's gaze held a penetrating quality, his smile more surface than warmth. Nox, having known Exeo for years, understood the look: Exeo was hunting for answers.
Valens lowered his head, his voice barely audible. "I… I lived at an orphanage, on Siklas Street. That's what they told me."
"They?" Exeo's tone sharpened, a hint of unspoken fury lurking just beneath the surface. Even the maids exchanged nervous glances at his tone, careful not to betray their unease.
"Yes," Valens continued, his hands tightening in his lap, "the orphanage director and his assistant… They said I'd been left there since I was a baby." He paused, swallowing hard before adding, "They also said no one would ever adopt me and that I should… live on the streets since I was old enough to fend for myself."
"They did WHAT?" Exeo's voice thundered across the room, startling everyone into silence. Valens flinched, his small body beginning to shake slightly, and Nox instinctively took a step forward, ready to soothe the situation if needed. Exeo clenched his fists, struggling to contain the anger simmering within him. He and his brother had always known of Valens's existence—the last request from their parents before they died—but never had he imagined their younger sibling would be subjected to such cruelty.
Taking a slow, calming breath, Exeo brushed his hair back, as if to steady himself against the turbulent memories of his parents. He shifted his attention back to Valens, his voice softened with genuine concern. "Valens… what did they do to you?" He reached out, gently placing his hand over Valens's, silently promising that he was safe here, with family.
Valens's body trembled slightly, a reaction Exeo caught immediately. He gently squeezed his brother's hand. "It's alright. You're with us now. Let's finish our meal," he said, offering a kind smile. Valens nodded, blinking back the emotion that had risen unbidden, his expression growing calmer.
Then, as if summoned by the moment, the door to the dining room burst open, and in walked another red-haired figure, radiating a contagious energy. "Welcoooooome hoooome, my babyyyyy brother!" the newcomer cried in a singsong voice, his arms spread wide as he strode forward, awaiting a joyful embrace.
But instead of a hug, he received a spluttered gasp from Valens, who choked on his food, his cheeks puffing in a valiant attempt to contain the water he'd nearly inhaled. Ember immediately rushed to Valens's side, gently patting his back with exaggerated worry. "Oh no! Don't die, little brother! Big Brother Ember is here to save you!" he exclaimed dramatically.
Exeo barely managed to hold back a chuckle at the sight of Valens's bewildered face. Nox, on the other hand, had closed his eyes, though the faintest twitch of amusement betrayed his reaction.
Turning to Ember, Exeo clasped his hands and leaned forward. "You know, Ember," he said with his usual calm demeanor, though his narrowed eyes suggested otherwise, "if you keep barging in like that, Valens might just have a heart attack."
Ember's sheepish grin widened as he scratched his head. "You know I couldn't wait! As soon as Nox told me Valens was finally home, I rushed right over. Don't pretend you weren't a little excited too," he added, shooting Exeo a sly look. Exeo merely arched an eyebrow, refusing to engage.
Valens, meanwhile, managed to compose himself, glancing up at Ember with wide, curious eyes. "Are you… are you my brother?" he asked innocently.
Ember froze, his face falling slightly. "Wh-what do you mean, am I your brother?"
Valens studied Ember with a serious expression, then nodded earnestly. "You're very… pretty. Like a big painting," he said softly, his cheeks tinting pink.
Exeo stifled a laugh, his shoulders shaking from the effort, but Valens's simple sincerity seemed to win Ember over. With a bemused grin, Ember crouched beside him. "You've got a good eye, kid. No one's ever called me 'pretty' before, so thank you." His tone softened, a hint of warmth creeping through his playful exterior.
Satisfied with the exchange, Exeo resumed his calm demeanor and gestured for Ember to join them for breakfast. "Have you eaten yet? If not, sit down and join us."
After breakfast, they moved to Exeo's study, where Valens's mana was to be measured. The procedure was arranged swiftly, with Nox leading an elderly man, Mr. Lou, into the room. The man's spectacles glinted as he respectfully bowed to the brothers. "Good afternoon, Young Masters."
Exeo nodded. "You know why you're here?"
"Yes, to measure the young master's mana." His gaze landed on Valens, and Ember leaned closer to Valens, a grin forming on his face. "You're about to see your first ranking, Val!"
Mr. Lou produced a crystalline globe and placed it on the table. "Young Master Valens, please place your hand here," he instructed.
Valens reached out, hesitating as Exeo reminded him, "Remember how to release your mana, Valens?"
With a nod, Valens touched the globe, focusing his energy. Slowly, the orb began to glow, first a faint grey, then shifting to green, pulsing like a heartbeat. Everyone in the room held their breath, waiting. As the colors shifted to red, Valens's eyes sparkled, filled with wonder.
Mr. Lou's eyebrows raised, clearly intrigued. The orb continued to change, transitioning to gold—a rare, potent indicator. The entire room stilled in reverent awe. But then, as they watched, the orb began to pulse with a soft, flickering purple, a color that stirred an unspoken dread in all present.
"Purple…," Mr. Lou murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he stared at the globe. He'd only heard of such a hue, never seen it. Purple was the mark of unknown power, unpredictable and perilous.
Then, the globe shifted again. The purple faded into a deep, consuming black. Gasps filled the room, shock and trepidation filling every pair of eyes.
"Black," Mr. Lou managed, his voice shaking. He'd never seen anything like it—no one had. Black was beyond any known classification, defying all ranks and rules. It was the color of the Void.
Nox, who had stepped in and caught the room's reactions, blinked as the door clicked shut. The silence in the room was palpable, heavy with the weight of what they'd witnessed. Valens gazed around, his own astonishment evident, as he whispered, "What does it mean?"
The old man wiped the sweat from his brow, clearing his throat nervously, when Exeo, with a steady voice, said, "Valens, I'll explain it to you later. For now, Mr. Lou, keep these results strictly confidential."
Mr. Lou nodded solemnly, aware that what he'd witnessed would be considered unbelievable even by his peers. The three brothers remained seated, understanding that what had just occurred marked the beginning of something none of them could fully comprehend—but each sensed it would forever change the path ahead.