The flickering candlelight cast long, dancing shadows across the stone floor of the Rein manor's grand hall, illuminating the dust motes swirling in the still, cold air. Outside, a mournful wind whispered through the ancient oaks that surrounded the estate, their leaves rustling like hushed secrets. Inside, the silence was heavy, broken only by the crackling fire in the hearth and the soft, resigned tones of the conversation.
"It's been two years since big brother went missing. There will be no one to manage House Rein if I go to the academy," 12-year-old Aqua said, his voice unusually steady for his age, but tinged with a deep, underlying sorrow. He stood before the hearth, his small frame silhouetted against the warm glow, his eyes, usually bright and full of youthful energy, now shadowed with worry.
Butler Allen, his face etched with the lines of a lifetime of service, stood beside the grand oak table, his white hair gleaming in the dim light. He could find no words to comfort the young lord, only a deep, sympathetic silence. The weight of the Rein family's misfortunes pressed down on him, a burden he shared with Aqua.
Kian bowed his head, his expression a mask of regret. "My Lord, I can only offer my sincere apologies. I am incapable of teaching you as master, Ray Rein, did. Your skills have stagnated, and the academy is your only chance to grow." He felt a pang of guilt, knowing that his past actions had contributed to the very situation they were now in. The heavy, ornate drapes lining the hall's tall windows muffled the sounds of the night, creating a sense of isolation.
Aquacriddle Rein was a swordsman, and even though Kian was one of the strongest 7th-circle mages, his knowledge of swordsmanship was limited. This led to little growth in Aqua's skills after Ray Rein's disappearance, leaving House Rein without a powerful successor. The once vibrant training grounds, now overgrown with weeds, stood as a silent testament to the loss of Ray Rein's guidance.
"There is nothing to apologize for, Kian. I hope you and Allen take care of our people and House Rein while I'm at the academy," Aqua repeated, his gaze sweeping across the familiar, yet now melancholic, grandeur of the hall.
After the disappearance of his brother Ray, Aqua took charge as his proxy at the age of 10 and managed House Rein. Their father died in war, their mother passed away while giving birth to Aqua, leaving him as the sole heir of House Rein. The heavy, antique furniture, once symbols of the family's prosperity, now seemed to bear the weight of their sorrow.
Butler Allen, an old man over 60 years of age whose hair had turned white and had dark black eyes, had served three generations of House Rein. He had been with them from when House Rein was a small viscounty to its downfall during the war in which Aqua's father, Varsian Rein, died. The creak of his old leather shoes echoed softly as he moved.
Mage division commander Kian was once loyal to Count Froy and had killed Aqua's father, Varsian Rein. However, for reasons unknown, he betrayed Count Froy and joined Ray Rein as his loyal vassal, showing unwavering loyalty to him. The faint, magical aura that always surrounded him shimmered in the candlelight.
"It's getting late, My Lord. You should rest for tomorrow departure for the academy," said Allen, his voice gentle and weary.
Aqua, with a saddened face, gazed into the flickering flames, a silent wish echoing in his heart. Ray, where are you? He longed for his brother's return, but the vast, unknown expanse of the world held its secrets close. The wind outside picked up, rattling the windowpanes, a mournful lament for a lost protector.