Elyndra's POV
Watching Nyx and Astor grow into their abilities is both fascinating and heartwarming. Each day, they surprise me. Their progress, especially for their age, is remarkable. Nyx, with his sharp mind and natural curiosity, absorbs magical concepts like a sponge. And then there's Astor—energetic, determined, and driven by the challenge to match his brother. They remind me so much of their parents, yet they are truly their own unique individuals.
Today was no different. Nyx, ever the quick learner, managed to shape his essence and cast the spell without incantation in no time at all. He barely struggled, showing a level of control that is rare for someone still in the novice stage. But it was his next question that caught me off guard—he asked about molding essence fully, beyond what was needed for spells. It was a complex thought for one so young, but it didn't surprise me. Nyx has always been inquisitive, wanting to push the boundaries of what he knows.
When he managed to cast from his foot, I felt a stir of awe. Body casting... at this age? It was unheard of for novices. Most mages don't even attempt such things until they're well into their apprentice stage. Yet here he was, achieving something so difficult with apparent ease. I didn't want to show too much excitement in front of them, but internally, I was marvelling at his potential.
Astor, on the other hand, was not one to be outdone. His fiery spirit wouldn't allow it. As soon as Nyx succeeded, Astor was determined to try. I saw the determination in his eyes as he sat down, preparing to cast from his foot as well. I could feel his essence as it gathered—a deep, powerful warmth that always intrigued me. Astor's flame was different from his brother's. It was blue, something rare and even more powerful than the typical orange or red flames. I had only seen blue flames once in my life, and that was a long time ago, from a powerful fire mage.
When his blue flames shot out of his foot and he tumbled backward from the force, I couldn't help but smile. He is so spirited, so full of life. Even though he fell, his instinct to keep going never wavered. Nyx may be the quiet and thoughtful one, but Astor's strength lies in his resilience and sheer willpower.
They are both remarkable, in their own ways, and I can't help but wonder how far they will go.
"It's really fascinating to see you two progress so quickly," I said as I watched them both, pride swelling in my chest.
Astor beamed at my words, and I could see him puffing up a bit with pride. But they must remember that this is only the beginning. They are still young, still learning, and there is so much more ahead of them. "You've both done well," I continued, "but for now, let's go have some lunch. There's much more for you to learn, but you'll need strength for what's to come."
As we made our way to lunch, I couldn't stop thinking about what they would achieve. These boys... they are something special. More than they know.
Nyx's POV
As we walked into the dining room for lunch, the familiar warmth of the room greeted us. Everyone was already present, and we took our seats at the long table. The atmosphere was as lively as ever, with the clinking of plates and the murmur of conversation filling the room. It wasn't long before grandmother started sharing the events of the morning, recounting our body casting achievements. I saw the look of surprise and pride on everyone's faces.
Father's eyebrows raised slightly, but I knew what was coming next. Mother, however, immediately turned her attention to Astor after hearing he fell off the chair during his spell. I wasn't surprised. Her worry was a constant, especially when it came to Astor's reckless tendencies. She knelt beside him, gently checking his arms and back for any signs of injury. Astor, with his usual wide grin, laughed it off. "It was nothing, Mother," he said, but she continued her inspection anyway, her brow furrowed slightly with concern.
As we ate, father's deep voice cut through the room, "Now that you've both learned your first spells, it's time for you to begin knight training more seriously. I'll speak with Marcus to start it."
Astor immediately perked up, excitement flickering in his eyes. Physical training seemed to energize him, but for me, it felt more like a chore—a necessary part of life, yes, but one I wasn't particularly looking forward to. I nodded anyway, knowing there was no avoiding it.
While I picked at my food, a question suddenly popped into my mind. I glanced around the table, looking at each member of my family. A curiosity had been building in me since we started learning magic—how strong were they really? Finally, I asked, "What stage are all of you at?"
Astor stopped mid-bite and stared just as curiously as I did, his eyes wide with expectation. I could feel the weight of silence around the table as my question hung in the air.
Grandfather was the first to answer, though he chuckled at my abruptness. "That's quite the question, Nyx," he said, his voice calm but laced with amusement. "But let me tell you—I'm at the late stage of the Magus rank." He glanced at grandmother, and in perfect sync, she added, "And I'm at the middle stage of Magus."
I had expected them to be powerful, but hearing it still filled me with awe. Magus—stage 7. I could hardly fathom that level of power, let alone imagine what they were capable of. But then grandfather's tone shifted as he looked toward father, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "And your father here, well, he's just stuck at the late stage of Sage."
Father frowned, his lips forming a thin line as he muttered, "Father, not in front of the children."
But grandfather wasn't done. He leaned forward slightly, his expression turning more serious. "Alaric, they need to know. Breaking through to the Magus stage is no easy feat, and it only gets harder as time goes on. Your mother and I won't be around forever to help you."
There was a heaviness in the air after that. Father stayed silent, his gaze lowering slightly as he absorbed his father's words. I hadn't expected the conversation to turn so serious, but it was clear there was more to their power than just stages and spells. It was about the burden of responsibility, the weight of expectations.
Mother, ever the light in the room, broke the tension with a smile. "I'm at the early stage of Sage," she said, her voice bright, clearly trying to lift the mood. Grandfather's eyes twinkled with pride. "That's my daughter-in-law! Look at her, Alaric, she's four years younger than you, and she's catching up!"
Mother laughed softly, a small smirk playing at her lips as she glanced at father. "Thank you, Father," she said, her tone playful, but I could sense the pride beneath it.
I sat there, processing everything. My family was immensely powerful—two Magus and two Sages. I knew enough about the Sage stage to understand how difficult it was to advance, especially with an A-grade affinity. Each stage had four substages—early, mid, late, and peak—and even getting from one substage to the next was a monumental challenge. I couldn't help but wonder how strong grandfather and grandmother truly were. The books I had read so far only gave vague descriptions of these stages, leaving much of the power and capability of Sages and Magus shrouded in mystery.
As the conversation continued around me, I stared down at my plate, feeling both awe and curiosity. I knew I still had so much to learn, not only about magic but about the world—and about my family.