"What's up with you these days, gramps?"
Sebastian sat comfortably at the dining table, a wide grin on his face. Spread out before him was a feast—a variety of dishes, enough to make it seem like they were celebrating someone's birthday.
Lucas couldn't help but notice the change in Sebastian's demeanor lately. Something about him seemed different, as if he was more lively than usual.
'Hmm… something's definitely going on.'
Sebastian clapped his hands together and grinned. "Alright, everyone! Let's eat! We wouldn't want the food to get cold, would we?"
Lucas and Eldric exchanged glances before picking up their utensils and digging in.
The food was unfamiliar to Lucas in appearance, but the flavors weren't too different from what he'd known back on Earth—or perhaps Sebastian was just an exceptionally skilled cook. Each bite was savory and satisfying, and Lucas couldn't help but savor the meal. Beside him, Eldric seemed to be enjoying it just as much.
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, watching them eat with a satisfied smile. After a moment, he broke the silence.
"So, Lucas," he began, "how are things going for you? Are you starting to adjust to this land?"
Lucas swallowed his bite before answering. "Yup, I think I'm doing alright. Ever since I started visiting the main city, I've been learning a lot—not just about this land but about the world in general. I've spent most of my time at the library, reading books while waiting for Eldric to get back."
Sebastian nodded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "That's good to hear. And what about your magic element? Have you been able to make any progress?"
Lucas's expression darkened slightly as he replied, "Well, I've learned a bit about magic in general, but I'm struggling to figure out how to actually start using it. My element is sound, and the instructions in the books are… difficult to follow. I don't know how Eldric manages to learn magic from books so easily."
Eldric glanced at Lucas and smirked. "Well, to be honest, Lucas, I did learn some magic from books… but I also had a teacher, you know."
Lucas froze, staring at Eldric in disbelief. "You have a teacher?!"
His voice was filled with astonishment, his curiosity immediately piqued.
Sebastian's reaction was no less dramatic. "You have a teacher, Eldric?!"
Lucas blinked in shock. 'Even gramps didn't know? Just how secretive is Eldric?'
Eldric maintained his usual calm tone as he replied, "Of course I do, grandpa. In fact, my teacher is a friend of Mom's… someone you know well, too."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Oh? And who might that be?"
Eldric's lips curled into a small smile as he said, "It's Uncle Zarek, the leader of the Water Dragon Guild."
Sebastian's face turned pale. He leaned back in his chair, muttering, "Zarek… That damn brat. No wonder you got accepted into the guild!"
Lucas couldn't help but laugh at Sebastian's reaction. He was still reeling from the revelation himself. 'Eldric just keeps getting more and more amazing. His parents are S-rank mages, renowned throughout the land. His uncle is the Archmage Supreme of the Avaloria Kingdom, and now another uncle of his is a guild leader?'
'Wow, just how much potential does Eldric have?'
The meal continued with laughter and stories, the warmth of the evening filling the room. By the time they finished eating, the night had turned into one of shared memories and secrets.
Lucas sighed contentedly. 'What a day… I wish things could stay like this forever. But I know peace never lasts long.'
***
Later that night, Lucas stepped outside, craving some fresh air. The cool breeze greeted him as he gazed at the world under the night sky.
'Wow… just amazing.'
Above him, two moons illuminated the darkness—one a soft blue, the other a deep crimson. The stars scattered across the sky like glittering jewels, their brilliance unlike anything he'd ever seen on Earth.
'I expected this world to be different, but this… this is beyond anything I imagined.'
Lucas stood there, mesmerized. The sight felt surreal, even more so than everything else he'd experienced since arriving in this world.
As he lost himself in the view, he heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw Eldric stepping out of the house.
"Eldric? What are you doing out here?"
Eldric stopped and glanced at the sky, his expression softening. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Lucas turned his gaze upward again. "Yeah… it really is."
They stood side by side, both lost in thought as they admired the celestial display above.
After a while, a question surfaced in Lucas's mind. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Eldric… can I ask you something?"
Eldric raised an eyebrow. "Again?"
Lucas scratched the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. "Well… I'm really curious about something. Do you know what the Silent Sentinels are?"
Without missing a beat, Eldric replied, "The Silent Sentinels? They're a group of formidable swordsmen in the Avaloria Kingdom. Basically, they're an elite team of knights, usually seven or ten of them at a time."
Lucas nodded slowly, his suspicions confirmed. 'So I was right after all.'
"I see. Thanks, Eldric."
Eldric gave Lucas a sidelong glance. "By the way, Lucas, I've got some questions for you too."