Ethan's POV
The Dark North City was a striking contrast to its ominous name, radiating a bright and enchanting beauty. White and blue buildings gleamed under the sunlight, their medieval designs intricate and entirely unique, unlike anything I'd seen before—at least not in this world. From our vantage point, the streets were alive with movement, tiny figures bustling about like a vibrant hive. The city stretched far into the horizon, its end obscured by mist, while the towering walls ahead seemed to merge seamlessly with the clouds. From afar, the entire city resembled a sprawling colossus resting upon the earth.
Though I wasn't overwhelmed, having seen grander architectural marvels in my previous life, I couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity and majesty before me. This city was a testament to the might of magic and the limitless possibilities it offered to those who mastered it.
Lightning streaked across the sky as the storm eagle let out a thunderous boom, accelerating with a sudden burst of speed. The world around me blurred, the sprawling city below reduced to fleeting glimpses as we soared past the eastern outskirts, heading toward the home of the Stormborne family. Their domain lay within a shadowy ravine nestled deep in the Aurora Frost Mountains, a stark and secluded haven.
The Stormborne family, much like ours, boasted a rich history spanning thousands of years. As masters of wind magic, they had chosen this lofty and tempestuous terrain for its unique affinity with their craft. The area was notorious for its frequent tornadoes and the constant presence of fierce, icy winds—a challenging yet ideal environment for those striving to hone their mastery over the elements.
For higher-grade mages, this rugged, wind-swept haven was said to be unparalleled, offering an intimate connection to the essence of wind magic and a chance to grasp its untamed nature more profoundly.
As we approached the ravine, my eyes caught sight of a dark green fortress nestled starkly against the vast expanse of white snow, its imposing structure standing out like a jewel in the frosty wilderness. The guards stationed on the fortress walls immediately tensed, their postures straightening as they spotted the eagle descending. Their wary eyes softened, however, when recognition dawned upon them. One of them muttered something under his breath and quickly dispatched a messenger into the depths of the fortress.
We landed gracefully atop the fortress walls, the mighty eagle folding its wings with a final gust of wind. The guards straightened their backs, their expressions shifting to ones of reverence. The head officer, clad in an emerald-trimmed uniform, stepped forward and greeted us with a booming voice that echoed through the icy air:
"We extend our warmest welcome to Duke Arctis Mistborn of the Mistborn family!"
His words carried a tone of respect and solemnity, and I could sense the weight of my grandfather's influence even in this foreign stronghold.
Grandfather laughed heartily and waved his sleeves, calming the guards who had been eyeing us curiously. Their attention then shifted to me, the unfamiliar face among them. I could hear whispers ripple through the crowd.
"Who is this kid with the Duke?"
"Shhh, idiot! Don't gossip in front of the Duke."
Just as the murmurs quieted, a loud, boisterous laugh echoed through the air, and a red-bearded old man in his late fifties appeared. His movements were swift and almost seemed to blur as he approached us. He grasped my grandfather's hand in a firm shake, greeting him warmly.
"You know, Arctis, I thought you would never come!"
"Heh, surely you jest, Aelric," my grandfather replied with a smile, then pointed at me and patted my head. "Look who I have brought here?"
The old man, whom I presumed was the head of the Stormborne family, looked down at me with a surprised but affectionate gaze. His eyes softened, and in a quiet tone, he asked, "Is this the son of little Eleanor? She was so small when I saw her just a few years ago, and now her son is standing in front of me. What is your name, little boy?"
"Ethan Mistborn, son of Eleanor Mistborn," I replied in a soft yet firm voice. My serious demeanor seemed to amuse him, and before I could react, he reached over and pinched my cheek. The sudden gesture broke my composure, and a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. though I was inwardly annoyed; it seemed like I was always being treated like a little kid. Sighing quietly, I tried to push my frustration aside as we walked further into the fortress, eventually reaching the tall hallway. We settled into the designated seats.
"Go call Aurelia and Austin here. I need to introduce them to little Ethan," Duke Aelric instructed the nearby butler, who had been serving us refreshments. The butler nodded and hurried off to carry out the task. Moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. I turned my head and saw two young children entering the room. One was a boy, around seven or eight years old, and the other was a round-faced, adorable little girl of the same age, whom I presumed to be his sister. She would surely grow into a striking beauty as she got older, I thought.
They both had striking red hair and bright green eyes. The girl also had a small mole near her eye, which only added to her charm and cuteness. The two of them studied me with an unblinking curiosity. Their grandfather smiled warmly and said, "Pay your respects to my old friend, Ethan, and say hello. He's the grandson of my old friend and younger than both of you, so treat him like a little brother."
Without hesitation, the two children moved to sit beside the Duke, their eyes still locked on me, filled with a mix of intrigue and curiosity. The two dukes continued their conversation, discussing their magic techniques and some political matters. Though I tried to pay attention, most of my focus remained on the siblings, particularly Aurelia. Ideas and plans began to form in my mind as I observed her, but then, something in their conversation caught my attention and left me completely dumbstruck.