After the end of the spring festival, life returned to its usual routine for Arthur and Morgan. They continued their magical training, and over time, the two made several conclusions about mana and its connection to the light spectrum. For instance, they discovered that a prism, which breaks down white light into its basic components—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple—could provide insight into mana core strength.
Though Arthur and Morgan's birthdays were in the fall, all major village activities were suspended until spring. Nana had offered to replace two years of public schooling with a magical apprenticeship, but the brothers had to wait for the new season to begin their formal education.
As late winter arrived and the weather cleared, trade between the village and surrounding farmhouses grew more frequent. Thanks to these interactions, Nana was able to send a message with a neighbor about the start date of the apprenticeship. The neighbor had come to her for healing after suffering a nasty wound while repairing a roof.
On the day of the apprenticeship, Arthur and Morgan woke early, maintaining their routine of cleaning both their house and Selia's before heading to the village. Selia, the huntress who had done so much for them, was considered family—a stingy, nagging aunt who often drove hard bargains but an aunt nonetheless.
The morning was chaotic at home. Everyone was so excited about the prospect of having a future mage in the family that they could hardly eat breakfast. Instead, they spent their energy bombarding the boys with unwanted advice.
"Don't be late. It's better to be early than to show up late!" Raaz said.
"Be obedient and respectful. Nana is giving you a great opportunity!" Elina added.
The family was particularly on edge because they considered the first day to be critical. To make matters worse, Arthur and Morgan had to travel alone since the family needed every available hand to tend to the farm and make repairs in Orpal's absence.
The brothers didn't mind the thirty-minute walk—it was a familiar route—but Raaz and Elina couldn't help feeling as if they were abandoning their children in a moment of need. Morgan and Arthur finally fled the house, escaping the barrage of concerns. Despite their calm demeanor, their parents' anxieties left them feeling nervous, like teenagers awaiting their first date.
After finishing their chores at Selia's and collecting their payment, the brothers restlessly watched the sun.
"Dammit, it's still barely dawn," Morgan muttered. "Here I was, shuddering in fear. We still have plenty of time."
The brothers briskly made their way to the village, hoping Nana would already be awake. Arriving too early and having to wake her up would have been embarrassing.
About halfway down the road, something unusual caught their attention. A horseman stood by the roadside, motionless. The sight was odd enough, but what really alarmed the brothers was his posture—clearly on patrol. As soon as the man noticed them, he pulled out a silvery whistle from beneath his shirt and blew into it, producing a high-pitched sound.
Morgan and Arthur slowed their pace, remaining ready to react. Moments later, four more horsemen joined the first, forming an arrowhead formation and trotting toward them. The brothers stopped, preparing their spells.
"Kid, are you Morgan and Arthur? Sons of Raaz and Elina?" asked the lead horseman, a middle-aged man with brown hair, sharp eyes, and a neatly trimmed mustache. His commanding tone and straight posture suggested military training, yet he and his companions wore casual clothing—white shirts over leather hunting pants.
Morgan narrowed his eyes. "Who are you, mister? My mother says I shouldn't talk to strangers."
"I ask the questions," the man snapped. "Are you the Morgan and Arthur scheduled to start an apprenticeship today?"
"We are," Arthur said fiercely. "And that's none of your business."
The man sneered. "Here's some friendly advice, son: today, you're feeling very ill. It's best to go back home and stay in bed."
Arthur's temper flared. "I'm feeling perfectly fine, thanks. Now get out of the way!"
The horsemen reached for the weapons at their belts, their reins pulled taut, ready to charge.
"Last chance, kid. Turn back now," the leader said, his tone turning venomous. "It'd be a shame if something happened to your pretty house, your beautiful mother, or your two lovely sisters. They're ripe for the taking, after all."
Arthur and Morgan's expressions darkened. Without warning, four swords of light materialized, stabbing the leader's companions. The captain barely had time to react before Morgan summoned a fiery spear and hurled it with precision, decapitating him. Arthur followed up by conjuring chains of light that ensnared the bodies and dragged them along as they continued toward Nana's house.
Arriving at Nana's, the brothers noticed a carriage parked out front, emblazoned with the crest of House Trahan. They entered, dragging the corpses behind them. Inside, a man dressed in fine attire—the patriarch of House Trahan—stood waiting.
"What did you do to my men?" he demanded.
Before he could say more, Nana interrupted, her tone sharp. "What happened?"
Morgan held up the five silvery whistles, each bearing the Trahan crest. "These men tried to kill us. My brother killed them in self-defense, and we brought their bodies as proof."