The manor was buzzing with energy.
Servants bustled about, carrying trunks and supplies to the waiting carriages outside.
The courtyard was lined with banners bearing the Darnell family crest, fluttering in the morning breeze.
Inside, the main hall was a chaotic mess of luggage, chatter, and two very different brothers preparing for their journey to the academy.
Leon Darnell sat on the grand staircase, quietly watching the commotion.
His older brother, Richard, stood near the hearth, calmly directing a servant about the precise placement of his books inside a leather-bound chest.
Meanwhile, his second brother, Thomas, was tossing clothes haphazardly into a trunk while loudly humming a tune that seemed to grate on everyone's nerves.
"Thomas," Richard said, his voice tinged with exasperation, "do you really need all of those scarves? You're going to the academy, not a royal ball."
Thomas looked up, grinning. "Scarves are important, dear brother. If I'm going to become the most famous mage in the kingdom, I need to look the part."
He tossed a particularly flamboyant, bright green scarf into the trunk for emphasis.
"Famous? You mean infamous," Richard muttered under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," Richard replied with a sigh, clearly accustomed to his brother's antics.
---
Leon couldn't help but laugh as Thomas dramatically draped another scarf around his neck and posed in front of an imaginary audience. "Behold!" Thomas proclaimed, extending his hand toward an unlit lantern on the wall.
With a snap of his fingers, a small flame appeared in his palm. He tossed it between his hands like a ball before flicking it toward the lantern. The wick ignited instantly, casting a warm glow across the room.
"Ta-da!" Thomas said, bowing deeply.
Leon rolled his eyes, though he couldn't hide his amusement. "It's just a lantern, Thomas. Not exactly groundbreaking."
"Not groundbreaking, you say?" Thomas turned to him with a mock offended look. "You wound me, little brother. I suppose you'd prefer I summon a dragon?"
"Please don't," came their mother Lillian's weary voice as she entered the hall.
She wore a faintly amused smile but waved a disapproving finger at Thomas. "One mishap with the fire spells is enough for this family."
Thomas winked at Leon and whispered, "She'll never let me live that one down."
---
When the packing was finally done, the family gathered in the courtyard to bid farewell.
The carriages, emblazoned with the academy's emblem, stood ready to depart, and the horses pawed impatiently at the gravel.
Baron Gareth Darnell stood at the center of the group, his commanding presence quieting the chatter. He turned to Richard first, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Richard, you're the eldest. Remember that you represent this family. Lead by example."
Richard nodded solemnly. "I will, Father."
"And Thomas," Gareth continued, shifting his gaze to the younger brother, "try not to set anything—or anyone—on fire."
Thomas grinned, saluting dramatically. "No promises, Father."
Lillian stepped forward, embracing each of her sons in turn. "Write often," she said softly, her eyes lingering on Thomas. "And, Thomas, please listen to your instructors."
"I always listen," Thomas protested, though his cheeky grin betrayed the truth.
Lillian sighed but smiled, turning her attention to Leon. "Help me keep this one in line when it's your turn," she said, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
---
As the brothers climbed into the carriage, Thomas leaned out the window, waving enthusiastically.
"Don't miss me too much, little brother! I'll send you all the answers to the academy tests."
"Don't you need to pass them first?" Leon shot back, grinning.
The gathered servants and guards stifled their laughter, while Richard groaned and pulled Thomas back inside the carriage.
"Goodbye!" Thomas shouted as the carriage began to roll away. "And Leon, remember: scarves are the key to success!"
Leon chuckled despite himself, watching until the carriages disappeared down the road.
---
The courtyard grew quiet after the brothers' departure, and Leon slipped away to the storeroom beneath the manor.
It was his favorite hiding spot, filled with forgotten tools and trinkets no one else cared about.
He pulled out the fused rake handle from the previous night, running his fingers along the smooth surface. It wasn't perfect, but it was proof of what he could do.
Taking a deep breath, Leon picked up two small iron shards from a broken horseshoe. He pressed them together, closing his eyes and concentrating. The faint pull between the pieces returned, stronger this time.
His heart pounded as the shards began to glow faintly, their jagged edges softening and melding together.
But before the process could finish, a spark of energy erupted, stinging his fingers and making him drop the pieces with a loud clang.
Leon froze. The noise echoed through the storeroom, and he heard footsteps approaching.
"Leon?" came the voice of one of the servants.
Thinking quickly, Leon kicked the shards under a crate and pretended to examine an old broom. When the servant peeked inside, Leon smiled innocently. "Just cleaning up."
The servant raised an eyebrow but shrugged and walked away.
Leon exhaled deeply, his heart still racing. He couldn't afford another mistake like that.
---
That night, Leon lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind replayed the day's events—Thomas's flame trick, the brothers' departure, and his own failed experiment.
He couldn't help but feel small compared to his brothers. They fit so easily into this world, their magic on full display for everyone to admire. But his ability... his ability was different. Dangerous.
Leon clenched his fists. "I'll figure it out," he whispered to the darkness. "I'll master it. My way."
The stars outside twinkled faintly, as if offering silent encouragement.
---