The heavy air in the hall only grew thicker as Ulrik stood from his throne, his imposing figure casting a long shadow across the room. With a commanding gesture, he called Logan and Emery to step forward. They exchanged a brief glance before moving hesitantly, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor.
"These two," Ulrik began, his deep voice reverberating off the walls, "are not ordinary children."
The room was silent, every lieutenant's gaze locked onto them. Logan shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny, but Emery stood still, her face a careful mask of composure.
Ulrik placed a heavy hand on Logan's shoulder. "This is Logan Grant," he announced. "A Warlock."
The word hung in the air like a thunderclap.
Ulrik let the weight of it sink in before continuing. "Logan possesses Qi affinities of Axe, Strength, Speed, Stamina, and Perception." He paused, glancing briefly at the lieutenants, who all listened with rapt attention. "And mana affinities of Darkness, Blood, and Fire."
Logan tensed, his mind racing. *He didn't mention Death.* The omission was glaring to him, but not one of the lieutenants reacted. Even Vidal, with his restless curiosity, stood silently, his expression unreadable.
Logan's thoughts swirled. Vidal *had* to know. He had been there when the orbs revealed their secrets. Why wasn't he saying anything? The silence from the other lieutenants was understandable—they didn't know—but Vidal's composure was unnerving.
"He's Rorik's boy," Ulrik added, his tone heavy with implication. "A promising find."
Logan swallowed his confusion and remained quiet.
Ulrik's gaze shifted to Emery, who straightened under his intense scrutiny. "And this," he said, gesturing toward her, "is Emery Carter, a Magi with Nature, Water, and Light affinities."
Logan's stomach twisted. Again, Ulrik was lying—this time omitting her Life affinity. Emery, to her credit, didn't react outwardly, but Logan saw the faintest flicker of confusion in her eyes.
"A lucky find," Ulrik continued dismissively. "She will train in the basics and join the academy when the time comes."
Logan studied the lieutenants, their faces showing no sign of doubt or suspicion. Ulrik had delivered the falsehoods so smoothly that it seemed unquestionable, but Logan couldn't shake the unease gnawing at him. The deliberate omissions and the calculated silence of Vidal spoke volumes, but what those volumes said, Logan wasn't sure.
Ulrik addressed his lieutenants again. "Logan will train with me until it's time for him to leave for the academy. Emery is… incidental. She will study under Vidal's guidance until then."
Logan clenched his fists at the dismissive tone, but he forced himself to remain calm. He couldn't risk showing any cracks in front of these people.
---
Dinner that night was a strange affair. The long table in the dining hall was filled with food, and the atmosphere was far more relaxed than before. Logan sat beside Emery, across from Vidal and Freya. At the far end of the table sat Ulrik and his other lieutenants: Hakon, Sigurd, Leif, and Yrsa.
Logan couldn't help but notice the stark difference in the food. His plate held a simple stew, bread, and a handful of roasted vegetables. Emery's was the same, as were Vidal's and Freya's.
But Ulrik and his warriors were eating something entirely different. Their plates were piled high with massive slabs of meat, their juices dripping onto the wooden table.
Logan stared at the disparity, unable to contain his curiosity. "Why's our food different from theirs?" he asked, directing the question at Vidal.
Ulrik, overhearing, chuckled deeply. "Because you'd die if you ate what we eat."
Logan blinked. "What do you mean?"
Hakon grinned, his massive hands tearing into a steak. "This meat isn't for the weak, boy. It's infused with Qi."
Freya chimed in, her tone gentle. "Higher-ranking warriors need sustenance to match their cultivation. The Qi in their food sustains their cores and enhances their bodies. But for someone like you, it would be far too much."
Yrsa smirked. "It's not just food, it's fuel. And you're not ready for it."
Logan frowned. "What would happen if I tried it?"
"You'd explode," Yrsa said bluntly.
"You'd die," Sigurd said with a faint smirk, his tone making it clear he wasn't joking.
Logan exchanged a glance with Emery, who looked equally bewildered. Deciding not to press further, Logan returned to his stew, though the disparity continued to bother him.
---
After dinner, Ulrik led Logan and Emery up a set of stairs to the second level of the building. "This is where my lieutenants live," he said, gesturing to a hallway lined with doors. "You'll stay here. Your rooms are basic, but they'll do."
The rooms were indeed spartan. Each had a simple wooden bed with a thin mattress, a small table, and a single chair. A narrow window let in the cool night air, and a torch bracket on the wall provided light.
"This is where you'll rest," Ulrik said firmly. "But remember, rest is earned. Don't expect comfort here."
Logan dropped his pack onto the bed, taking a deep breath. The day had been overwhelming, and the weight of what he didn't understand pressed heavily on him.
Emery appeared in his doorway, leaning against the frame. "This place is… intense," she said softly.
Logan nodded. "Yeah. But we'll figure it out."
He wasn't sure if he believed his own words, but for now, it was all they had.