The distant rumble of carriage wheels drew closer, sending the bustling servants into a flurry of activity. The Velclair estate looked as grand as ever, with lush gardens stretching toward the horizon and banners displaying the noble family's crest flapping lazily in the warm breeze. Ryuto stood in the courtyard, hands behind his back, trying to quiet the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.
They're back.
He had known this day was coming, his father, Duke Alphonse, and his elder brother, Edwin, returning from another long and bitter war with the kingdom of Barracazan. For months, Ryuto had grown accustomed to their absence. His life had been consumed with adventuring, rising in the ranks of the guild, and secretly honing his overwhelming magical powers. But now, with his family back, the weight of expectation bore down on him.
Ryuto adjusted his collar, feeling the pressure mount. He could sense the tension before they even arrived. Celeste stood next to him, her usual smile a little too wide as she bounced on her heels, clearly excited for their father's return. It was comically out of sync with Ryuto's unease.
The distant rumble grew louder, and the carriage rolled into view, its polished black body reflecting the midday sun. Velclair knights, clad in silver armor, rode alongside it, their banners flying high. The scene was nothing short of majestic.
Ryuto exhaled slowly. Here we go.
The carriage came to a halt at the estate's grand steps. A footman rushed to open the door, and out stepped Duke Alphonse, tall and imposing, his face as stoic as ever. His dark hair, streaked with gray, fell in neat waves, and his sharp eyes immediately swept the courtyard, assessing everything with a single glance. Following him was Edwin, his elder brother, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight and his expression as sharp and calculating as always.
Alphonse walked toward them, every movement precise and filled with authority. The air around him seemed to stiffen, as if even the wind obeyed his command.
"Father," Ryuto greeted, bowing respectfully.
Alphonse's gaze lingered on him for a moment before giving a brief nod. "Ryuto. Celeste. I see the estate has been well maintained in our absence."
Celeste, beaming, stepped forward. "Of course, Father! We've been making sure everything runs smoothly. But more importantly, Ryuto has been, "
"Adventuring," Edwin cut in, his eyes narrowing on Ryuto. "I hear our little brother has been playing hero while we've been off fighting real battles."
The jab landed harder than it should have, but Ryuto remained calm. He had expected this reaction from Edwin, the brother who had always viewed him as weaker, lesser.
"Yes," Ryuto replied evenly, refusing to let Edwin's tone rattle him. "I've completed several more quests with my party. It's been productive."
Edwin smirked, clearly not impressed. "We'll see just how productive soon enough."
Alphonse, though quiet, was watching Ryuto closely. His gaze was critical, as if measuring something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Ryuto shifted uncomfortably, already feeling the invisible pressure of his father's expectations weighing down on him.
"Come," Alphonse finally said, turning toward the grand doors of the estate. "We'll speak more over dinner."
The Velclair dining hall was grand and opulent, with a long table that could easily seat dozens, though tonight it held only the immediate family. Servants moved silently, placing platters of exquisite food, roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and vibrant fruits, across the table.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, the atmosphere was tense. Ryuto could feel Edwin's gaze on him like a hawk, while Alphonse sat at the head of the table, quietly observing.
"So, Ryuto," Alphonse began, breaking the silence. "Your sister has informed me that you've been spending your time with the adventurers' guild. And from what I hear, you've made a name for yourself. I would expect nothing less from a Velclair, but I do wonder…"
Ryuto tensed. He could hear the judgment in his father's voice, the unspoken expectation that he should have been doing something more "worthy" of his noble heritage.
"...how much of this time could have been better spent tending to your responsibilities here at the estate?" Alphonse finished, cutting into his meal with careful precision.
Ryuto swallowed, choosing his words carefully. "I've been managing both, Father. My adventuring has brought in wealth and reputation for the family. I've made important connections, "
"And nearly died, no doubt," Edwin interjected, his tone sharp. "Magic? I didn't know you had any talent for it, Ryuto. When did this... miraculous transformation happen?"
The word "miraculous" dripped with sarcasm. Ryuto kept his expression neutral, but inside, his mind raced. How much does Edwin suspect?
"I've been practicing," Ryuto said simply, trying to downplay it. "You'd be surprised how quickly one can improve with the right training."
Edwin leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Training, hm? I think I'd like to see exactly how much you've improved."
Celeste, who had been quietly enjoying her meal while sneaking glances at Ryuto, jumped in with her usual enthusiasm. "Oh, you should have seen him, Father! Ryuto's spells are incredible! He defeated a mountain troll, the whole guild was talking about it."
Ryuto shot her a warning look, but it was too late. Edwin's smirk widened, and even Alphonse's expression darkened with concern.
"A mountain troll?" Alphonse echoed, his voice suddenly sharp. "You fought such a creature?"
"I had help," Ryuto clarified quickly, not wanting to draw too much attention to his solo achievements.
Alphonse set down his fork, his eyes fixed on Ryuto. "Power can be a dangerous thing, Ryuto. Especially power that draws the wrong kind of attention. You are a Velclair, first and foremost. Your role is to uphold this family's legacy, not act like some common adventurer."
The words stung, even though Ryuto had expected something like this. He nodded respectfully but couldn't help but feel the weight of his father's disapproval.
After dinner, Ryuto stepped out into the training yard behind the estate, needing fresh air to clear his mind. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a cool light over the stone walls and practice dummies scattered around the yard. The night was still, except for the faint sound of metal clinking from distant training knights.
Power isn't everything, Ryuto thought, repeating his father's words in his head. But what did Alphonse expect him to do? Sit around the estate, idling while the world moved on? Ryuto had seen too much, done too much to go back to the life of a sheltered noble.
Just as he was about to let out a sigh of relief, a voice broke the quiet.
"So, you think you're strong now?"
Edwin appeared at the edge of the yard, his arms crossed and a smug look on his face. His golden hair shone in the moonlight, and his posture was as perfect as ever, like the seasoned warrior he was.
"Why don't you show me just how much you've learned, little brother?" Edwin said, stepping forward with a predatory smile. He unsheathed his sword, twirling it with practiced ease.
Ryuto narrowed his eyes, recognizing the challenge. There was no backing out of this.
Fine, he thought. If this is what you want, Edwin, I'll show you.
The soft clink of Edwin's sword echoed through the cool night air as he twirled it effortlessly, his eyes gleaming with confidence. Ryuto could sense that this wasn't just a simple sparring match, this was Edwin's way of asserting dominance, of proving that no matter how strong Ryuto had become, he was still the little brother.
"Come on then, Ryuto," Edwin taunted, rolling his shoulders. "Show me this powerful magic everyone's talking about. Let's see if you can actually back up the rumors."
Ryuto sighed inwardly. Edwin had always been like this, challenging him at every turn. But now, things were different. Ryuto wasn't the weak, magicless younger brother anymore. He had power, a power he couldn't fully explain, and a power he couldn't reveal completely without raising too many questions. Still, he couldn't afford to back down, not with both Edwin and their father watching.
Ryuto drew his sword, the familiar weight of it in his hand calming his nerves. He knew swordsmanship wasn't his strength, but he didn't need to win with physical skill.
"Fine," Ryuto said, stepping into the training yard. "Let's see how much you've improved while you've been off fighting your 'real battles.'"
Edwin smirked, clearly pleased that Ryuto had taken the bait. He launched forward with impressive speed, his sword cutting through the air in a swift arc. Ryuto barely had time to block the strike, the force of the blow reverberating up his arm.
He's strong, Ryuto thought, parrying the next attack and sidestepping to avoid the third. Edwin's strikes were fast, precise, and relentless. He wasn't giving Ryuto a chance to catch his breath.
But Ryuto had learned a lot in the past months, not just about magic but about strategy. He let Edwin press the attack, dodging and blocking just enough to avoid being overwhelmed. He knew Edwin's stamina wouldn't last forever.
"You're holding back," Edwin grunted, pressing forward with another powerful strike. "What's the matter? Afraid to lose?"
Ryuto's patience was wearing thin. He had no intention of letting Edwin win, but he needed to keep the match controlled, just enough to prove his point, but not so much that it raised suspicions about his true power.
Time to end this, he thought.
As Edwin swung again, Ryuto sidestepped, channeling a small fraction of his mana into his free hand. He muttered a quick spell under his breath, feeling the familiar rush of energy surge through him. A gust of wind erupted from his palm, catching Edwin off guard and throwing him off balance.
Before Edwin could react, Ryuto followed up with a wind-enhanced strike. His sword clashed with Edwin's, but the magical force behind it was enough to knock his brother's weapon out of his hand and send Edwin stumbling back.
The courtyard fell silent.
Edwin, stunned, glared at Ryuto, his chest heaving with exertion. "You… used magic."
Ryuto nodded, lowering his sword. "It's what I've been training for. You wanted to see my progress, there it is."
For a moment, Edwin just stood there, fuming. His pride had taken a serious hit, and it was clear he wasn't used to being bested, especially not by his younger brother. He clenched his fists, but before he could say anything, a new voice broke the tension.
"Well done, Ryuto."
Duke Alphonse stood at the edge of the courtyard, his arms crossed. His face was unreadable, but there was a hint of something in his eyes, whether it was approval or concern, Ryuto couldn't tell.
"You handled yourself well," Alphonse continued, stepping forward. "But you're relying too much on magic."
Ryuto stiffened. He had expected this critique from his father. "Magic is what I'm good at. It's a strength."
Alphonse's gaze hardened. "Power without control is dangerous. Magic is a tool, but it's also a weapon that attracts attention, attention you may not be ready for. You are a noble, Ryuto. You have responsibilities beyond adventuring and using magic in battles."
Ryuto felt his frustration rise. He had heard this speech before. His father had always valued responsibility, status, and the Velclair family name above all else. But Ryuto wasn't content with just being a noble. He wanted to forge his own path.
"I'm not giving up adventuring," Ryuto said, his voice firm. "I've made progress, and I've brought wealth and recognition to our name through the guild."
Alphonse's eyes darkened slightly. "Adventuring is not a life for a Velclair. The world will take notice of your power. And when they do, they won't see you as a noble, they'll see you as a threat. Mark my words, Ryuto. You need to think carefully about where your power leads you."
Ryuto swallowed his frustration. There was no point in arguing. He knew his father's mind wouldn't be changed.
Edwin, still recovering from the loss, said nothing, but his bitter glare said more than words could.
Later that night, Ryuto returned to his room, hoping for a moment of peace after the intense day. His muscles ached from the sparring match, and his mind buzzed with thoughts of his father's warnings. He couldn't help but feel trapped between two worlds, the noble responsibilities his father wanted him to embrace and the freedom of adventuring that he craved.
But just as he sat down on the edge of his bed, the door creaked open, and Celeste slipped into the room.
"Ryuto!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "You were amazing out there today! The way you beat Edwin… you're so strong!"
Ryuto sighed inwardly. He could sense the shift in her tone, Celeste's usual bubbly affection had taken on a more intense, almost possessive edge lately.
Celeste moved closer, practically bouncing with excitement. "I knew you were strong, but I didn't realize how powerful you've become. Edwin never stood a chance!"
Ryuto forced a smile, trying to keep things light. "It was just a spar. No need to get too excited."
But Celeste wasn't listening. She was already sitting beside him on the bed, her face inches from his. Her eyes sparkled with something more than sisterly affection, and Ryuto's pulse quickened in panic.
"Ryuto," she whispered, her voice soft and strangely intense. "You've grown so much. You're not my little brother anymore."
Ryuto stiffened, his mind racing. Oh no, this is getting out of hand.
Celeste leaned in closer, her breath warm against his neck. "You don't have to be modest, you know. I think you're incredible."
Ryuto jumped to his feet, his heart racing. "I-I'm glad you think that, but… it's late! I should really get some sleep."
Celeste blinked, surprised by his sudden movement, but she didn't seem discouraged. If anything, her smile only widened. "Of course, Ryuto. You need your rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."
She stood up, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer before she finally left the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
As soon as she was gone, Ryuto let out a deep breath, his thoughts spiraling. This is bad. Her affection is definitely too high. I need to find a way to dial this back before it goes too far.
He collapsed onto his bed, pulling out his smartphone to check the Affection System. Sure enough, Celeste's affection level had risen again, she was nearly at 99.
Ryuto groaned, rubbing his eyes. "This is going to be a problem."
As Ryuto lay in bed, trying to calm his racing thoughts, the scene shifted to a dark, underground chamber, lit only by flickering torchlight. Hooded figures stood in a circle, their faces hidden by shadows. In the center of the room was an altar, covered in strange markings and glowing faintly with a dark, ominous light.
A voice, deep and cold, echoed through the chamber.
"The Demon King's resurrection is near. We must gather more power, more sacrifices. The Velclair family… they will be useful."
The hooded figures murmured in agreement as the leader of the group, a tall figure with glowing red eyes, raised a hand, casting a spell that sent dark energy pulsing through the room.
"Prepare the rituals. Soon, the world will bow to the Demon King's return."