The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the stable as Rest leaned back on a pile of firewood, his arms crossed and his gaze distant. He had just finished tending to the horses, their steady breaths and the faint rustling of hay the only sounds in the otherwise quiet yard.
Two years had passed since his life had taken this turn. At fourteen, Rest was lean from years of neglect, his meals sparse and his sleeping quarters cold. He still lived in the stable, fed once a day on scraps barely fit for a dog. Sympathetic servants occasionally left him discarded bread and vegetables, just enough to keep him from starvation.
Despite the harsh conditions, he endured. He grew.
Rest brushed a stray strand of hay from his shirt and stared at the mansion in the distance. Its stone walls seemed to taunt him, a constant reminder of the family inside who ignored or ridiculed him.
"Next year," he muttered to himself, "I'll be fifteen. The age of adulthood."
At fifteen, he would finally have the right to leave this place. To get a job, earn his own living, and leave the humiliation behind.
But freedom, he realized, wasn't enough.
Rest leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. (I want more than just freedom. I want to rise higher. Higher than them all.)
He wasn't content to simply escape. His half-brother Cedric might have been a sadistic bully, but Rest had learned much from him. Through Cedric's cruel magical experiments, Rest had picked up intermediate-level spells, skills that most boys his age could only dream of.
(If I'm going to aim high, I'll aim to surpass my father. To reach a position higher than that of a court magician.)
He wanted to rise above those who had trampled on him, to make them regret every insult and slight.
For that, he needed more than just talent. He needed an education.
"The Academy…" he murmured aloud.
The Aiwood Royal Academy was the kingdom's most prestigious institution, a place where the best and brightest were molded into leaders. Graduating from the Academy opened doors—to government positions, military ranks, and, most importantly, to the coveted title of court magician.
It was the path his father had taken, and Cedric, too, was preparing for the entrance exams. Rest knew the boy's recent outbursts of cruelty stemmed from the stress of studying.
(But it's not that simple for me. The Academy has two tracks—one for nobles, and one for commoners. Nobles just need their family's permission to take the exam. For commoners, a recommendation letter from someone with social standing is required.)
Technically, Rest was listed as a noble, but he knew Lucas would never grant him permission. The man barely acknowledged his existence.
(If I can't take the noble exam, I'll need a recommendation letter. But how?)
Since his mother's death, Rest had been confined to the estate, with little chance to meet anyone who could help him. He tapped his fingers against the firewood, deep in thought.
"I need to find a connection somehow," he muttered. "Someone who—"
Laughter carried across the yard, interrupting his thoughts. It was a sound he didn't recognize, high-pitched and youthful, mingling with a voice he knew all too well: Cedric.
Rest frowned, standing and brushing off his trousers. He focused on the sound, activating a spell with a faint murmur. "[Wind Control]."
The voices grew clearer, carried to him on a gentle breeze.
"Alright, let's go on an adventure!" Cedric's voice rang out, brimming with excitement.
"Yeah! Let's hunt some monsters. There's a forest nearby, isn't there?"
"I learned a new spell!" another boy chimed in. "I've been dying to try it out!"
"Wait, isn't that dangerous?" a girl asked hesitantly. "Shouldn't we bring an adult?"
"Oh, come on! Don't be such a coward," Cedric scoffed. "We'll be fine. If you're too scared, you can stay here."
"What? I'm not scared!" the girl retorted, her voice shaking.
Rest sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. (So, Cedric has friends over, and now they're planning to storm into the forest?)
The forest they spoke of was familiar to him. He had been sneaking into it for years, honing his magic on the lesser monsters that roamed its edges. Recently, however, stronger, more dangerous creatures had begun to settle deeper within.
He listened as the group continued their chatter. Two boys, two girls, and Cedric. A mix of arrogance and nerves filled their voices as they finalized their plans.
"We're all going to the Academy next year," Cedric said. "We'll have to fight monsters eventually. Might as well get some practice now."
The group seemed determined to go, despite the girls' initial reluctance. Rest leaned against the stable door, debating whether to intervene.
(If it were just Cedric, I'd let him go. If he got himself killed, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. But his friends…)
He couldn't bring himself to abandon the others, especially the girls, to whatever dangers lurked in the forest.
With a resigned sigh, he straightened. "I guess there's no helping it. Someone has to keep them alive."
His chores for the day were done, and the stable was as clean as it was going to get. Pulling his cloak tighter, Rest stepped into the shadows, trailing behind Cedric and his group as they made their way toward the forest.
The path ahead was dark, the dense canopy swallowing what little light remained. But Rest's steps were steady. This was his domain, and tonight, he would ensure that no one paid the ultimate price for Cedric's foolishness.
As the group's laughter faded into the trees, Rest followed silently, his resolve firm.
(One more year, and I'll be free of this place. But until then, I'll use every opportunity to grow stronger.)