Aurelius bounded across the sunlit courtyard, his laughter ringing out as he tried to keep pace with his cousin. Lucius was fast—almost impossibly so. Even at seven years old, Aurelius understood that his cousin wasn't playing entirely fair. He could feel the telltale shimmer of Lucius's sigil magic, a subtle spark that gave him an edge.
"Can't keep up, Aurelius?" Lucius called over his shoulder with a grin, his form darting ahead like a flicker of flame.
Aurelius pushed himself harder, his heart pounding with the thrill of the chase. He didn't mind that Lucius was using his sigil; in fact, he welcomed it. Every step, every quick burst of speed stretched his stamina, building the reserves he knew he would need someday. Besides, it gave him a secret reason to smile—while Lucius had his magic, Aurelius was matching him with sheer will.
As they raced down the final stretch toward the fountain at the center of the courtyard, Lucius gave a final burst of speed, leaping onto the edge of the fountain and turning to face Aurelius, arms raised in triumph.
"Looks like I win again!" Lucius declared, beaming.
Aurelius skidded to a stop, catching his breath with a grin. "Only because you cheated."
Lucius laughed, shrugging playfully. "You'll have your own tricks soon enough." He leapt down from the fountain and nudged Aurelius's shoulder. "Besides, you're getting faster every day. By the time you're my age, I might actually have to try."
They shared a laugh, and Aurelius felt a warmth in his chest, grateful for the bond they shared. Despite Lucius's playful arrogance, he could feel his cousin's pride in him. Every race, every small triumph over his own limits was noticed, even if Lucius rarely said it outright.
As they caught their breath, Aurelius's gaze drifted toward his mother, Livia, who was watching them from the edge of the courtyard with a soft smile. Her hand rested on her growing belly, and Aurelius felt a pang of excitement. Soon, he would have a younger sibling—a new member of the Valerius family to protect, to train with, and perhaps, one day, to share in the thrill of summoning.
Lucius followed his gaze and chuckled. "You'll have someone else to chase around soon enough," he teased. "Think they'll keep up with you?"
Aurelius grinned, imagining his future sibling racing through the courtyard, trying to catch up to him the way he was now chasing Lucius. "I'll make sure they can," he replied confidently.
The day passed in a happy blur of running, laughter, and the warmth of family. As evening settled, Aurelius excused himself, slipping away to his favorite spot—a quiet corner of the courtyard where he could train in solitude.
He knelt, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing. He could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, the warmth of his blood coursing through him. This was his nightly ritual, the time when he pushed his limits, testing his stamina in his own way. Lucius might be faster for now, but Aurelius had his own goal—a control over fire that didn't rely on sigils, one that he was determined to master.
He held out his hand, focusing his mind on the warmth within him. Slowly, he pictured a tiny flame, imagined it flickering to life just above his palm. At first, nothing happened but a soft heat. Undeterred, he tried again, deepening his concentration, pulling from every ounce of stamina he had left.
Then, there it was—a faint, wavering spark. His heart skipped, but he kept his focus, willing the flame to stay, even as it flickered precariously. It was small, barely larger than a candle flame, but it held. He watched, his eyes wide, as the flame danced above his hand for a brief, triumphant moment before it winked out.
Aurelius exhaled, his breath shaky with exhilaration. It had only been a couple of seconds, but it was real—a flame born of his own will, without a sigil to guide it. He'd reached a new threshold, a step closer to the control he dreamed of.
As he looked at his hand, a new determination took root within him. One day, he wouldn't just summon a spark; he would wield fire itself, with or without the help of a sigil. For now, he would keep training, pushing his limits, and preparing for the day he could call forth a beast of his own.
He stood, a quiet smile on his face, as he turned back to the estate, ready to continue his journey with a newfound confidence.