Purple. It was a color Jaylen had seen every day of his life—one he both loved and hated. Seeing the same shade everywhere, though, would wear on anyone's patience.
"Ugh, I'm so sick of these purple leaves," he grumbled, shoving a branch aside. His fingers dug into the bark, irritation pulsing through his every movement. He quickened his pace, leaves scattering off his shoulders as he muttered, "Why can't we just destroy these damn trees?"
He let out a sharp sigh, brushing a few stray leaves off his shoulder, his movements quick and agitated, as if the very touch of the foliage irritated his skin. His pace quickened, shoes scuffing the ground with each step, as his irritation radiated in every gesture.
"They're useless," Jaylen said, breaking a branch and tossing it aside. "We could replace them with something better."
"They hide us from prying eyes," Mell responded, matter-of-factly.
Jaylen sighed. "Still annoying."
Mell glanced at him from the corner of her eye. She knew this frustration wasn't about the trees. It never was. Beneath that hard exterior was something deeper—a pain he wouldn't share.
Not with her, not with anyone. What haunted him so much that he woke up drenched in sweat? She wondered if she'd ever know.
Jaylen complaints continued for a bit longer until it seemed he got bored of it and went silent turning his focus to something else.
Glowing orbs of mana slowly emerged from his hands, their surfaces shimmering with hues of ethereal blue.
They hovered in the air for a moment, pulsating with energy, before beginning to drift into motion, tracing shaky arcs as they spiraled around him in an erratic orbit.
Each orb left behind a faint trail of light, casting soft, dancing shadows as they whirled, creating an almost celestial display of swirling magic.
Mell watched with bated breath as Jaylen continued to control all the orbs of mana as he moved forward, a feat not easily done by even the most skilled.
Controlling orbs of mana and making them orbit around you was something most kids learned around the age of 7 but what Jaylen was doing was something infinitely harder.
The training in question was usually done while stationary, this was done to completely focus on just the orbs of mana formed from mana within the air.
Mana extracted from the air behaved unpredictably, resembling a living creature and making it harder to control compared to personal mana reserves.
Yet not only was Jaylen controlling it while walking, but he was constantly improving with each step he took. The orbs around him now spun in a perfectly stable orbit while also moving so fast that they formed a complete ring around him.
But this also puzzled Mell. She knew how talented he was, but that was what confused her. The best way she could explain his talent was that it was bizarre.
While he could control mana extremely well and could learn techniques easily when it came to spells things were very different.
He was able to understand everything about spells but he could never cast them well even if he had a natural affinity for the spell in question.
She couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with the color of his inborn mana.
But before she could continue this train of thought Jaylen's voice rang out in front of her, "Aunt Mell we're here"
Before them, twin marble pillars rose from the earth, overgrown and weathered by time, which seemed to bend the fabric of space where they connected, forming a grand arch that beckoned to the curious
Though seemingly broken, the arch retained an air of ancient wisdom, with an enigmatic dialect intricately etched into the surface of each pillar.
Between the pillars, a delicate dance of energies unfolded. A thin, ethereal film-like substance, almost imperceptible, created a shimmering wall within the heart of the arch. It held the promise of otherworldly journeys, a gateway to realms uncharted and distant.
As one approached, the air hummed with a subtle vibration, as if the gate itself whispered the secrets of the cosmos. The runes on the pillars glowed softly, responding to the presence of those who dared to traverse the boundary between worlds.
"The warp gate," Jaylen mumbled under his breath, his gaze locked onto the mysterious gate as he tried to uncover its hidden secrets.
Mell didn't bother with Jaylen anymore and walked toward the gate to check if it was ready for them to use, after all, she knew he would study the gate like always.
Jaylen had always tried to study any warp gate he came across to understand the intricate secrets of spatial magic as it was in fact one of the elemental affinities he had, so whenever he arrived at a warp gate whether it was a public one or private he would try to study it.
And then just maybe he could cast spatial spells' without any problem. Unbeknownst to him though Mell had reappeared right next to him
"Young Master" She called out, her gaze resting on his figure.
"Hmm," he murmured, his eyes remaining fixed on the ancient words before him, barely acknowledging the call.
"The gate is ready, it's time to go" She informed.
Backing away from the pillar, Jaylen's back straightened as he patted the dirt off his hands."Alright then let's go then"
Standing in front of the gate Jaylen looked towards the spirling estate behind him and then back at the gate pulsating energy, he felt it, he knew it.
A fresh start stood before him just beyond this gate away from all the pain and sorrow that lingered in his past; all he had to do was take one step.
But yet he couldn't something deep within him told him not to, to remain here or he would regret it.
'Haah now's not the time to get cold feet, we decide this ourselves we need to get strong for her' Taking a deep breath he forced down whatever he was feeling and made his first step into the warp gate.
"Don't you think it's a little rude to leave without saying goodbye" A voice echoed over halting Jaylen in his tracks.
As Jaylen turned, his movements deliberate, his gaze swept across the open space, landing on four figures emerging from the thicket.
"Everyone" he spoke his calm demeanor hiding any sense of emotions hiding beneath his voice, but as he looked at the four figures he realized someone was missing.
"Where's Subaru?" Jaylen raised a brow as he looked left and right thinking he overlooked him.
Adam smirked as he answered "He's undergoing his punishment so Julia came in his place"
Jaylen held his hand under his chin for a split second before looking back up "I see thank you for coming in his place Julia."
"It's what I should do second Young Master" Bowing slightly, Julia responded with a calm, measured tone.
Jaylen shook his head in mild exasperation, lips pressed into a thin line. "Haah, Julia we've been over this for a month now—call me by name."
Julia's hands trembled as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "I'm sorry," she murmured, eyes darting away from his gaze. "I'll try... Brother-in-law." Her voice wavered, the words foreign on her tongue.
"Well that's better than Young Master" Adam jokingly commented.
Julia's face turned a deep red as she nervously fiddled with a strand of hair, smiling shyly. She just couldn't escape her old habits so easily.
It was only 2 months ago that the family found out and ever since she's been trying to get used to her new role within the family.
She fully expected to be kicked out or erased from history, which may have been a bit of an exaggeration. Still, she fully believed it to be the case or that was until she was told the Orpheus family must always take responsibility for anything they caused.
A common belief found in every member from the heads down to the servants, and that was why Subaru couldn't be present he was undergoing his seconded punishment.
"Hmm," Jaylen tilted his head as he looked at the tiny figure that had quietly snuck up to him.
"Eleanor?" His voice was gentle, like a question wrapped in uncertainty.
Without a word, Eleanor kicked him in the shin, her small foot landing with surprising precision. She crossed her arms, a pout forming on her face, clearly displeased.
"Ouch!" Jaylen yelled in false pain, as he crouched down and shielded his hurt shin.
"Dummy Big Brother!" Eleanor's small foot struck his shin, her pout deepening. "How could you leave without saying goodbye to Eleanor?"
Jaylen crouched, rubbing his shin with a mock grimace. "Forgive me, Eleanor. What can I do to make it up to you?
"Candy," she said, her eyes bright with hope. "Lots of it."
"Deal." He smiled, pulling her into a hug. "I'll bring back the best."
"Yay! Thank you, big brother! You're the best!" Eleanor beamed, her face lighting up as she threw her arms around Jaylen in a tight hug.
Jaylen chuckled softly, his hand gently resting on her back. As his gaze shifted to Adam, a smug smirk tugged at his lips, his eyes gleaming with a quiet triumph.
"Yeah, yeah," Adam replied with a wry smile, scratching the side of his head as if trying to figure out how Jaylen always managed to win these little exchanges.
Pulling away from Eleanor's hug with a soft chuckle, Jaylen rose to his feet. His eyes met Adam's as Adam spoke.
"Hey, little bro," Adam said, stepping in front of Jaylen with a wide grin, his fist already extended.
"Make sure you stay safe out there, alright? And don't forget—come back in a few months to meet your future nieces or nephews," he added, the warmth in his smile mirrored by the playful glint in his eyes.
"Heh, Why not just say niece and nephew, you know our family, first and second sons always have daughters first" Jaylen laughed softly, shaking his head with a knowing grin.
Adam was momentarily speechless before flashing a smile. "Yeah, you're right. So hurry back so you can train my daughter to take your place."
"Absolutely," Jaylen nodded as his fist connected with Adam's, the solid tap punctuating his agreement.
Finally, Jaylen turned to the last person quietly waiting her turn to bid farewell "Emily" he spoke softly, a smile dancing on his face.
If there was one person he didn't want to say farewell to it was her, she had been his support for as long as he could remember and the person he would do anything for.
"So... It's finally time huh," Emily said quietly, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
It is," Jaylen replied, a confident grin spreading across his face. He slammed his fist against his chest with a firm thud. "But I'll be back before you know it—and stronger than you'll ever be."
"Good" Nodding Emily cracks her knuckles while adding "Then we'll have a friendly spar when you do"
"Definitely" Smiling gently he agreed, he couldn't wait to return when hadn't even left yet.
"Sorry to interrupt, young master, but we must leave now or we will be late," Mell said, reminding him of their tight schedule.
"Alright, Aunt Mell," Jaylen said with a quick smile, glancing her way before straightening his posture and looking back at Emily.
"Stay safe, Jaylen," Emily said, opening her arms wide for a hug.
"I will," he murmured softly as he returned the hug.
Gently freeing himself from her embrace, Jaylen moved toward the shimmering film at the heart of the gate. The air hummed with a pulsating energy, each beat rippling through the atmosphere.
Though he hadn't crossed the threshold yet, the sensation of reality warping around him was unmistakable. Steeling himself, he inhaled deeply, the breath anchoring him before he took a firm step forward, vanishing into the swirling gate.