As Liam and Cecily walked through the grand corridors of the palace toward the dining hall, they stopped briefly at the doors of the arcanum. Cecily's maid was waiting for her there, a young woman dressed in the pristine royal livery.
"Miss Cecily, would you like me to accompany you further?" the maid asked, her tone deferential but curious.
Cecily waved a hand dismissively. "That won't be necessary, Chloe. We're just heading to the dining hall." Her words were polite, but there was an unmistakable undertone of dismissal. She didn't outright ask her maid to keep her distance, but her phrasing made it clear that she preferred walking with Liam without anyone else hovering nearby.
Chloe nodded, bowing slightly before stepping aside. Liam caught the subtle tension but chose to ignore it, letting Cecily take the lead as they continued down the dimly lit corridor.
The night had fully descended upon the imperial palace, but its splendor shone even brighter in the darkness. The moonlight filtered through towering stained-glass windows, casting intricate patterns on the polished marble floors. Imperial guards stood at attention at every turn. Their watchful eyes scanned every corridor, and their hands rested on the hilts of their swords, ever vigilant.
As they neared the dining hall, Liam and Cecily encountered Butler Edwin.
"Master Liam, Princess Cecily," Edwin greeted, bowing respectfully. "I trust you've had a productive day."
Liam gave a small nod. "More or less."
Edwin fell into step beside Liam, quietly escorting him the rest of the way. Cecily walked slightly ahead, humming a cheerful tune as they approached the large double doors of the dining hall.
Inside the dining hall, the atmosphere was quiet but regal. The long, ornately carved table was set with gleaming silverware and fine porcelain. Only five people were present: Queen Isabella, Queen Seraphina, and Queen Elara, seated at one end of the table. Cecily took her place beside Queen Elara, while Liam was guided to his seat across from her by Edwin.
The queens exchanged polite greetings with their children, their composed expressions revealing little of their thoughts. A team of servants entered with the first course, setting down plates with practiced precision.
The clinking of silverware against porcelain filled the room, a soft undercurrent to the regal silence that hung in the air. Liam focused on his plate, eating methodically, though his thoughts wandered.
It was Queen Isabella who broke the silence first. She turned her gaze toward Liam, her tone gentle but inquisitive. "Liam, I hear you've been spending much of your time in the Arcanum. I trust you've found what you were seeking?"
Liam met her gaze briefly and gave a small nod. "I've been exploring. There's always something new to learn."
Queen Seraphina, seated beside Isabella, spoke next, her voice carrying a subtle warmth. "It's admirable that you've chosen to immerse yourself in study, Liam. But tell me — do you feel relieved now that you've relinquished your claim to the throne?"
The question lingered in the air, but there was no malice in her tone, only curiosity. Liam set his fork down, meeting her gaze. "I do, Queen Mother. I believe it's better this way — for the kingdom and for myself."
Queen Elara, who had been silent until now, gave a soft, approving smile. "You've always been wise beyond your years, Liam. It takes strength to know where your path lies and to walk it without hesitation."
Cecily, who had been quietly eating beside Queen Elara, chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Well, I think Brother just wants more time to read books."
The queens chuckled softly at her remark, their laughter lightening the air.
Queen Isabella reached across the table, her hand resting delicately on the edge. "Your decision was never a disappointment to us, Liam. We've always been proud of you—for your strength, your intelligence, and your heart. That hasn't changed."
Liam offered a small smile, the weight of their understanding lifting some of the unease he had carried. "Thank you," he said simply, his voice steady but quiet.
The queens exchanged knowing looks, their maternal pride evident even without words. The conversation drifted to lighter topics, leaving Liam to reflect silently.
Liam's mind wandering back to the events of the day. The brilliance of his mana flame flickered in his thoughts, a mystery he couldn't wait to explore further. But for now, he simply ate, allowing the quiet rhythm of the evening meal to settle over him.
As Liam finished his dinner, he placed his utensils neatly on the plate and stood up. Cecily, still savoring her dessert, glanced up at him with a curious look.
"Where are you going, brother?" she asked, tilting her head.
"I'm going to sleep," Liam replied curtly, adjusting his chair.
"Again?" she asked incredulously. "You've been sleeping so much lately."
"Yes," he said simply, not offering any further explanation.
Before anyone could protest or comment further, Liam walked out of the dining hall. Edwin, ever attentive, stepped forward to accompany him, but Liam raised a hand. "It's fine, Edwin. I'll manage."
Edwin hesitated but ultimately bowed. "As you wish, Master Liam."
Liam strode purposefully to his chambers, shutting the heavy wooden door behind him without ceremony. The room was dimly lit by the faint glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. Without waiting, he used his Telekinesis to close the windows. He laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
The words of the book echoed in his mind once more: The mana heart is a vessel of crimson flame… fuel the flame, let it burn, and allow the mana to synchronize with the cadence of your being.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. Gradually, the steady rhythm of his heart grew louder in his mind, and soon, he saw it again—his mana heart. It burned brightly, the crimson flame flickering with a renewed intensity.
"This isn't a dream," Liam murmured to himself, watching the flame. Its brilliance had undeniably grown since his earlier attempt. He steadied his breathing and began channeling mana toward the flame.
Lying still in his bed, he repeated the process, cycling mana through his heart, fueling the flame. Each breath seemed to add fuel to the fire, making it brighter and stronger. Then, it happened.
The mana in the air around him shifted. He could feel it rushing toward his body, drawn in by the growing strength of his mana heart. The flame flickered violently, as if it were on the verge of a turbulent change.
Liam didn't hesitate. He concentrated, channeling even more mana to the flame, determined to see it through. The flickering subsided, and the flame roared to life, brighter and more intense than ever. His mana heart pulsated, each beat radiating energy through his body.
The vessels surrounding the heart seemed to glow, their crimson hue deepening with each pulse. He could feel the mana coursing through his veins, potent and alive. The intensity grew until, finally, it happened—the flame solidified.
The mana flame now burned with a steady, radiant glow. The vessels surrounding the heart pulsed with stability, their color richer and more vibrant. Liam lay there, feeling the power surging through him. He had done it.
He had tempered his mana heart, advancing to the Dawn of Apprentice realm—10th Blaze Initiate. The mana flame within him now shone with the promise of the Apprentice realm, a dawn of new possibilities.
Liam opened his eyes, his breathing steady but his body tingling with energy.
He layed motionless in his bed, staring up at the canopy above him. His mana heart still pulsed with newfound vigor, the brightness of his flame settling into a steady radiance. Yet his mind was anything but calm.
He tried to piece together everything that had led to this moment. What has happened since the rite? he wondered. The memories came rushing back, disjointed yet vivid. He remembered the Rite of Recognition a week ago. The mana of two Archmages had been transferred into him that day, along with the overwhelming force of his father's Champion-level swordsmanship.
He had walked away from that rite with knowledge — forbidden knowledge. He had glimpses of dark magic, fragments of spells that whispered to him even now. The first day was a haze of headaches and sleeplessness, his mind grappling with the flood of information that no child should possess. He began having strange visions. Flashes of insight, of things he shouldn't know but somehow did.
For ten long years, he hadn't broken through a single realm. Despite these gifts, he had stagnated. His mana heart had been locked in place, his flame dim, no matter how hard he tried to temper it. It was maddening, a constant reminder of the expectations he could not meet. And yet, in just one evening, he had shattered that barrier.
His mind wandered further back, to the very first breakthrough of his life. He had been three years old, far too young by any standard, but he remembered it with startling clarity. It had been in his mother Isabella's study, surrounded by stacks of books. Even at that age, he had devoured the knowledge within them, his mind far ahead of his peers.
The court had hailed him as a prodigy, a once-in-a-generation genius. The bright star of the Orlean family, they had called him. But only Liam knew the truth. It hadn't felt like brilliance; it had felt like strain. Each word, each spell, each piece of knowledge he consumed was a burden, weighing down his young mind. His first breakthrough had come not from inspiration, but from desperation—a burning need to prove himself worthy of the pedestal he had been placed upon.
Now, lying in his bed, he couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was the same. The flame in his mana heart had burned brighter than ever, and the power coursing through him was undeniable.
His thoughts churned restlessly, returning to the peculiarities of his journey. After his first real breakthrough at the Second Blaze Initiate, the strain had begun. Each subsequent breakthrough felt like an insurmountable mountain—a grueling trial of endurance rather than a natural progression. Every step forward demanded more than he thought he could give, leaving him exhausted and frustrated.
And yet now, something had changed. It was as if a weight had been lifted from his chest, a "restriction" he hadn't realized was there until it was gone. His mana heart pulsed with ease, its flame brighter and more stable than he had ever felt before. No headaches, no agonizing strain, just a fluidity and clarity he hadn't experienced in years. What is going on?
For the last ten years, Liam had been haunted by strange memories that surfaced whenever he interacted with mana. They were vivid, almost tangible, yet alien—knowledge that felt both his own and not. He had told no one of these recollections, fearing what they might mean. Instead, he had endured, moving forward as best he could. Seven minor breakthroughs in ten years. Seven. A pitiful number for someone heralded as a prodigy.
Now, within just three days, everything had changed. He had felt mana coursing through his veins without the familiar pang of a headache, and he had achieved a breakthrough. Will it happen again? he wondered, his chest tightening with a mix of excitement and fear.
If the "restriction" truly was gone, did that mean he could ascend realms with the ease he had once dreamed of? Or was this just a fleeting reprieve, an anomaly that would vanish as quickly as it had appeared?
His mana heart pulsed steadily in response to his thoughts, as if it were silently reassuring him. Liam placed a hand over his chest, feeling the subtle rhythm beneath his skin.
Whatever this is, I'll make the most of it, he thought. If I can continue this momentum, maybe… maybe I can finally catch up to the expectations everyone once had of me.
A faint smile crept onto his face. He felt the faint stirrings of hope. But the questions remained. What had changed? Why now?
Determined to uncover the truth, Liam closed his eyes, letting his body rest even as his mind churned with possibilities.