Raphael Earhart
Bowing respectfully—but not too low, so as to convey respect without submission—I spoke:
— Welcome to the Earhart estate. My name is Raphael Earhart, the youngest son of the family, — I began, keeping my tone steady and calm. — It is an honor to greet Your Majesty, Queen Elisabetta.
I paused briefly, letting my words settle in the air.
— And Your Royal Highnesses, Prince Richard and Princess Violet.
The queen's gaze lingered on me, assessing as though trying to determine what kind of person I was. The prince and princess remained silent as well. Of course, it was to be expected. Speaking before the queen in this context would violate the norms of decorum. This hierarchical order wasn't unique to their kingdom; our family operated similarly.
All powerful families are the same
At last, the queen broke the silence. Her voice was soft yet commanding:
— It's a pleasure to meet the young Earhart. I've heard much about you. You may straighten up.
Raising my head, I stood tall once more, noting again her refined beauty. The queen's face exuded warmth, her lips curved in a gentle smile. It was the kind of expression I imagined a mother would have—a loving, nurturing gaze I had never personally experienced.
— It is an honor to know I have earned your attention, — I replied, striving for a tone that balanced calm confidence with the appropriate level of respect.
The queen let out a quiet, amused laugh.
— Of course. You wouldn't believe how much Richard has talked about you.
— M-Mother, what are you saying?! — blurted the prince from just behind her.
— What's wrong with that? Weren't you the one saying how eager you were to meet the young Earhart prodigy? — she teased, her smile turning playful as her son flustered under her words.
Despite their regal titles, this scene reminded me that they were, at their core, still just a family.
Yet it was the princess, Violet, who drew my attention. Standing a bit farther back, her icy blue eyes seemed to look right through me. She appeared detached, her presence here purely physical while her thoughts wandered far away.
Noticing the tension in the air, Richard stepped forward to ease it.
Extending a hand, he said:
— It's a pleasure to meet you, Raphael Earhart. I hope we'll have the chance to spar.
Just as the rumors suggested, this boy was indeed obsessed with combat and self-improvement.
Shaking his hand, I replied:
— The pleasure is mine, Prince Richard. If the opportunity arises, I'll gladly cross swords with you.
The exchange naturally shifted to a more informal tone, facilitated by the fact that our families viewed themselves as equals. Despite the Leonards' royal titles, the Earharts had never considered themselves beneath anyone.
Richard nodded in satisfaction, a spirited smile spreading across his face. Turning to his sister, he urged:
— Violet, why don't you greet Raphael as well?
The girl approached without a word, her movements smooth and precise, as if calculated to perfection. She offered a slight bow, which I returned in kind.
— It is an honor to meet you, Raphael, — she said softly.
Her voice was quiet yet firm, devoid of any noticeable emotion.
— The honor is mine, Princess.
Queen Elisabetta joined the conversation, her tone gentle but tinged with authority:
— My son Richard is eleven, a year older than you. And Violet, my daughter, is your age—ten. I hope you three can get along well over the coming weeks.
She stepped closer, her gaze expectant as she studied us.
— I hope so too, Your Majesty, — I responded, masking the faint discomfort her sharp observation brought. — Allow me to introduce you to the other members of the family.
It occurred to me that our conversation had lingered too long, as if the others in the room didn't exist. Redirecting the focus seemed like the proper course.
I proceeded to formally introduce the queen and her children to each member of the family present. Afterward, the patriarch and the queen exchanged pleasantries, and their royal entourage, accompanied by their resplendent guards in gleaming armor, was escorted to the prepared guest chambers.
As the guests departed, I felt a small wave of relief wash over me.
— See, brother? And you were so worried, — Adrian remarked as he approached.
— I knew you could do it, brother, — added Alice, grabbing my hand with an infectious joy that warmed the heart.
Aurora and Lucius joined us. A curious thought crossed my mind—would I have been this well-regarded in my past life had I not gone out of my way to avoid responsibility? Who could say? For now, the number of friendly faces around me only seemed to grow.
Of course, I knew these smiles concealed more than just goodwill. Many of those present wore these expressions out of obligation, and some were undoubtedly plotting against me in the shadows. Even Lucius, who now seemed neutral, had sabotaged Erin just a few years ago. What he truly thought of me now was impossible to discern, but at least he showed no hostility at the moment.
My life was starkly different from what it had once been, and I still wasn't sure if that was for better or worse.
— Prepare yourself. The next delegation is from the elven kingdom of Miriel, — Alonzo's calm but commanding voice cut through my thoughts.
I nodded silently, returning to my position. The rest of the family took their places as well.
As before, it was my duty to greet the guests. This time, the doors opened to reveal the royal delegation from the elven kingdom of Miriel: King Valadir and Queen Selana Elendrei. Following behind them were their children, the eldest son Elarion and the young princess Arelia.
The elves were exactly as I'd imagined—flawlessly beautiful, as if sculpted by a master artisan. Their every movement exuded elegance, as though clumsiness simply did not exist in their world. It was as if nature had not only blessed them with beauty but also imbued them with an innate grace.
The next delegation we welcomed was led by the Prime Minister of the Atreyan Federation, followed by representatives from the Dwarven Kingdom of Nargar—their king and prince. Their appearance was starkly different: rugged faces, bodies like chiseled stone, and yet an aura that commanded no less respect.
Finally, the last to arrive were the representatives of the Holy State of Solaris. Despite the cold war simmering between our nations, such diplomatic visits were a common occurrence.
No delegations from the Eastern Continent were expected, marking the end of our reception duties for the day.
— I imagine you're exhausted. You can rest now, — Alonzo said, his voice unusually calm. — As per tradition, there will be no banquets or festivities until after the tournament concludes. You have nothing to worry about.
As the patriarch had stated, no major events were scheduled for the coming days. If any royal guest wished to leave the estate, they would do so under the watchful eyes of their own guards and our knights. But the Earhart family itself would host no grand gatherings.
This wasn't merely a rule; it was a calculated strategy. Such events could easily distract the young heirs from their preparations, something deemed unacceptable. To the outside world, the Initiation Tournament might seem like a grand spectacle, but for us, it was a turning point.
Victory or defeat could irrevocably shape our futures. The tournament wasn't just a battlefield for prestige—it was a crucible where one could lose not only status but limbs, or even life itself. To risk frivolous distractions now would be sheer recklessness.
Still, there was no explicit restriction on personal freedom. Each of us could choose how to use the remaining time. It was a test of our maturity and resilience.
I nodded to Alonzo, signaling my understanding, but he added with a stern glance:
— And do try not to quarrel with the children of other families.
It felt as though he thought I was the instigator, rather than the one forced to deal with provocations.
— Understood.
— Dismissed, — Alonzo concluded.
The elders and brothers began to disperse, leaving the grand hall quiet. Left with me were Alice, her bodyguard Chinatsu, and Erin, who was carrying a sleepy Harumi.
— What will you do now, big brother? — Alice asked, her voice gentle yet laced with curiosity.
— Hmm, how about we spend some time together?
With relentless training and endless errands, I hadn't had the chance to properly spend time with her. I could tell she felt lonely despite her busy schedule. As her older brother, I wanted her to grow strong and wise, but also to cherish her childhood and the simple joys it offered.
Truth be told, her smile was my sanctuary—a balm that made even the most trying situations bearable. In the past, I hadn't appreciated it enough, but losing everything once before had changed my perspective on life.
A wide smile spread across Alice's face as she tugged at my arm. But I raised a hand to stop her.
— Wait. Let's meet in the garden in ten minutes. I'd like to change, and I imagine Chinatsu and Erin would appreciate the same.
— Thank you, my lord, — Chinatsu said with a slight bow.
Alice looked ready to protest but, hearing her bodyguard's agreement, reluctantly relented.
— Ugh, fine! But don't be late!
— Of course, — I replied with a light smile.
True to my word, I arrived in the garden ten minutes later with Erin by my side. Alice and Chinatsu were already there, dressed in casual attire like us. Alice seemed far more lively than she had earlier, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
— So, what shall we do? — I asked, glancing at her.
Alice tapped a finger against her lips in thought. Given the presence of other families in the estate, noisy or overly active games were out of the question.
— Oh, I know! Show me your little magical animals again! — she exclaimed, her face lighting up with childlike excitement.
She was referring to my ability to "bring ice to life." In reality, it was a simple trick of creating ice figures and imbuing them with mana-driven behavior algorithms, making them appear alive.
I used to entertain her this way often—crafting bunnies and kittens she delighted in playing with.
— Alright, — I began, but Alice cut me off.
— But first! — She turned to Erin. — May I hold Harumi?
Of course, she wanted to cuddle the little fox. Even knowing Harumi could transform into her adult form, Alice couldn't resist her adorable charm. And honestly, who could blame her?
— Of course, take her, — Erin said with a smile, lowering Harumi to the ground.
The fox leaped gracefully onto Alice's arms, curling up as if it were her favorite place to be.
With everything ready, I began shaping figures from blocks of ice. A few birds, some cats, a small dog, and a pair of rabbits emerged under my hands. Infusing them with mana and programming simple movements, I brought them "to life."
The tiny creations began to move, circling around Alice and even nuzzling against her hands. Her laughter rang out, pure and infectious, as she watched the creatures play.
Nearby, Erin and Chinatsu sat on a bench, quietly conversing. Their muted voices didn't disturb the serene atmosphere—instead, they added to it. Erin occasionally glanced at Alice, then returned to her conversation with Chinatsu. Whatever they discussed seemed light but engaging.
I stood slightly behind Alice, observing her reaction.
Her genuine joy was the best reward I could have asked for.
— Wow, that's incredible, — came a soft yet unexpectedly calm voice behind me.
I turned sharply to see who had spoken. Standing there was Princess Violet. Her pale hair caught the warm glow of the evening sun, and her deep blue eyes, tranquil as a still lake, were fixed on the icy figures.
— I never imagined magic could be used to create something so… whimsical, — she continued, her voice quiet, almost a whisper, but undeniably sincere.