In front of the boy stood his older sister, who had just returned from the Academy in preparation for her graduation.
To Raphael, Aurora wasn't a bad person. In fact, aside from Alice, she was one of the few who didn't openly despise him—at least not to his face. So seeing his older sister now was a pleasant surprise for him.
— Sister, I just finished my first training session and was heading back to my room to wash up and change before dinner, — Raphael answered her question.
— So late?..
Aurora was shocked. Typically, her younger brothers finished their training about four hours after they started. But as the servants had told her, Raphael had started his training early in the morning, and now it was nearly dinnertime.
Even Liliana hadn't trained for that long on her first day. This impressed Aurora, but it also made her a bit worried.
— You look really tired... I'll call for a doctor to check on you before dinner, — she said thoughtfully, as if something had just crossed her mind.
— Oh, and since I'm back home for a couple of weeks, dinner is tonight in the main hall with matriarch Alice and Lucious.
— …Understood. Thanks, sister. As for the doctor, I don't think that's necessary, — Raphael replied with a light sigh.
Of course, Raphael wasn't exactly eager to join a family dinner, even if not everyone would be present.
Aurora, noticing his slightly troubled expression, lowered her gaze a bit. She assumed her presence might be the cause of his mood, and that thought tugged at her heart.
— By the way, I brought gifts for you and Alice. Come to Alice's room after dinner.
— Huh? Alright, sister, I'll remember.
The boy's spirits seemed to lift at the mention of gifts, and Aurora smiled before turning to leave.
— Don't be late, make sure you're there on time, — she added as she left.
Raphael stood still, watching as Aurora disappeared from view, then turned and headed toward his room.
It surprised him that his sister hadn't grilled him about his training and seemed kinder than he remembered.
"As far as I recall, last time she returned from the Academy, she only brought gifts for Alice... Has something changed?"
With those thoughts swirling in his mind, Raphael made his way back to his room to get ready.
***
After taking a bath, changing clothes, and being seen by the doctor Aurora had insisted on sending, Raphael headed for the main hall.
He wore a white shirt and black trousers, thinking it was the perfect outfit for the welcome dinner marking his sister's return.
Arriving at the hall five minutes before dinner, he saw Lucius sitting at the table, reading a book.
His brother looked every bit the nobleman: elegantly seated, holding the book in one hand with a pair of glasses perched on his nose. His hair was tied in a neat ponytail resting over his right shoulder.
Once again, Raphael was reminded that Lucius would become one of the four greatest minds on the continent.
Noticing Raphael's approach, Lucius set the book down and looked at him.
"Ugh... I don't like where this is going," Raphael thought.
In the past, Raphael had always tried to avoid confronting Lucius until he was mentally prepared for one of their verbal duels.
— I saw your training today, — Lucius remarked calmly.
— Didn't think that would interest you, — Raphael replied with feigned surprise.
He knew full well that Lucius would be watching him. Lucius wasn't as conniving as Theo, but he had still opposed Raphael in their past life. And his sharp intellect made him one of the most dangerous opponents.
"Obviously, he's going to keep an eye on me."
— Hm, — Lucius made a sound, scrutinizing his younger brother's condition. — You don't look great. Trained too hard?
— Just enough to get tired and ready for a meal.
Raphael skillfully deflected his brother's inquiry, not wanting to engage in a conversation that could lead to conflict.
— I see. Hang in there, just a bit longer.
Lucius returned to his book.
Raphael noticed the title—it was a book about ancient myths. For some reason, Lucius had always been interested in myths and legends. Even in their previous life, when Raphael had already become a Keeper, Lucius remained fascinated by this kind of literature.
A few more minutes passed in silence, broken only by the sounds of dinner being prepared, until Aurora entered the hall, holding Alice's hand.
— Greetings, elder brother.
— Hi, big brother!
— Mm, hello. Take your seats; the matriarch will be here soon, — Lucius responded indifferently, not looking up from his book.
After greeting her brother, Aurora made her way to her seat on Raphael's right, while Alice sat on his left.
— Brother, brother! How was your training? — Alice couldn't sit still and rushed over to hug Raphael.
— It was amazing! And how was your study session today?
— Ugh... Math is so boring... — Alice crossed her arms in frustration and pouted.
It wasn't surprising. While other countries started educating their children at six, the Ehrhart family began teaching basic disciplines at the age of four. For an energetic child like Alice, spending hours on math felt like torture.
— Don't be upset, after dinner, I'll tell you all about my training, — Raphael said softly, comforting her.
— Okay!
— But for now, let's get ready for dinner and enjoy our meal.
Taking his sister by the hand, Raphael gently led her back to her seat and returned to his own.
A minute later, the matriarch entered the hall. All the children stood up and bowed.
Isabella sat down next to Lucius, leaving the head of the table empty. Although she acted as the family's matriarch in the absence of the patriarch, she was not permitted to take the seat of the family head, so she sat in her usual place.
The seating arrangement was as follows:
On the right side of the head seat: Isabella and Lucius.
On the left side: Aurora, Raphael, and Alice.
— Let's begin. Enjoy your meal, — Isabella said, signaling the start of dinner.
— Enjoy your meal, — the children responded in unison.
Servants brought out dishes that resembled a feast: seafood, meat, various salads—everything was presented with an air of luxury, reflecting the wealth of one of the richest families on the continent.
Everyone began eating in an elegant manner. Even Alice, who was usually hyperactive, behaved herself, adhering to proper etiquette.
Five minutes passed in silence.
— Raphael, you started your training today? — Isabella broke the quiet, continuing to eat.
— Yes, Matriarch. Today was my first sparring session and weapon selection.
— And what weapon did you choose?
— I chose the rapier.
Hearing this, Aurora's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected anyone to pick a weapon so often considered useless.
Lucius, on the other hand, remained calm. He had witnessed Raphael fight and knew the choice wasn't random.
— A rapier? That's a rather unusual choice. What made you pick it?
Isabella's tone seemed casual, but Raphael knew each of her words was carefully chosen, designed to test him.
His response would determine how the matriarch viewed him going forward.
— Before starting my training, I read a lot of books and assessed my own body and capabilities. While the rapier may seem weak to some, it's perfect for my fighting style.
The precision of Raphael's answer surprised not only Aurora but also Lucius. Neither of them expected such a well-thought-out response. Only Isabella maintained her composed demeanor, a faint smile still on her face.
— Style, you say? So you've already decided on your fighting approach?
— Yes, Matriarch.
— And what style have you chosen?
— The "Stellar Radiance" style, — Raphael answered firmly.
The hall fell into instant silence. Even the servants, who had been quietly moving about, froze in place.
The "Stellar Radiance" style was the fighting style of the third patriarch, who had used a rapier. No one had been able to master it in the thousand years since her time.
The style was based on swift, precise strikes aimed at critical points of the enemy. Each attack was like the flash of a star—bright, fast, and blinding.
To master it required perfect control over the rapier, as well as unparalleled speed and agility.
In his past life, Raphael had been on the verge of mastering it before fate took a different course.
Aurora, Lucius, Alice, and even Isabella stared at Raphael, their eyes wide in disbelief. Only Isabella managed to keep her composure, though even she seemed slightly taken aback.
— Brother… You should reconsider your choice… — Lucius said, breaking the silence, much to Raphael's surprise.
"You're worried about me?"
Even Lucius, who had seen Raphael as a rival, couldn't allow him to make such a reckless decision. The goal might have been to eliminate competition for the patriarch's seat, but not to waste someone with so much potential.
— Little brother, I agree with Lucius… That choice might be a waste of time for you…
Aurora spoke next, and for the first time, her usually cold eyes showed a hint of concern.
— Raphael, you're only five years old. You may not realize it yet, but the style you've chosen is so difficult that no one, except the third patriarch, has been able to master it, — Isabella added. — Maybe you should reconsider, as your siblings suggest? I'll allow you to change your weapon.
"Well, this is new…"
In the entire history of the Earhart family, no one had ever been allowed to change their chosen weapon.
In his previous life, Raphael hadn't been given a choice—no one had even bothered to ask which style he preferred.
"I guess today's sparring really paid off…"
But Raphael knew that "Stellar Radiance" was the only style he truly wanted to master.
— Thank you, Matriarch, and to my elder brother and sister as well. But my decision remains the same. I've thought long and hard about it, and this is the path I want to follow.
The hall plunged into silence once more.
Lucius sat with a neutral expression, clearly contemplating how to spin the situation and convince Raphael to change his mind.
Aurora stared down at her plate in quiet contemplation. Alice, meanwhile, glanced worriedly at Raphael, who had just a moment ago seemed like a hero standing against the family's will.
In a way, that's exactly what Raphael was doing. He was openly defying the wishes of not only his siblings but, more importantly, the matriarch.
Isabella and Raphael locked eyes, engaging in a silent battle of wills.
Seeing the unwavering determination in Raphael's gaze, Isabella relented.
— Very well. If that's your choice, I won't oppose it. But you'll have to explain it to the patriarch yourself.
— Thank you, Matriarch.
— You may call me Mother, — Isabella added calmly.
Her words shocked both Lucius and Aurora. That kind of treatment had been reserved only for Adrian and Liliana, who had distinguished themselves with great merit for the family. For the matriarch to say such a thing to a five-year-old boy... It was beyond their understanding.
Raphael, however, felt nothing from being addressed this way. He still remembered how, in his previous life, the matriarch had silently despised him, ignoring his very existence.
"Mother, huh?" Raphael smirked inwardly.
The family members resumed their dinner in silence.