The first clock tower chime of the day echoed faintly through the stillness of the morning as Liam opened the doors of his room. The soft golden light of dawn spilled into the hallway, and he was greeted by Edwin, the royal butler, who was already waiting.
"Good morning, Prince Liam," Edwin said with a slight bow.
"Good morning, Edwin," Liam replied, his voice steady, carrying a note of quiet determination.
"You're up quite early today, Master Liam. Shall I have something sent to your room before breakfast?"
Liam shook his head. "No need, Edwin. I have plans to visit the arcanum. Just ensure I'm not disturbed."
"As you wish, Master Liam," Edwin replied, stepping aside as Liam strode purposefully down the hallway, his excitement building.
By the time the morning sun fully illuminated the palace, Liam was seated in the restricted section of the third floor in the arcanum. Surrounding him was a small fortress of books, mostly from the Hall of Fundamentals and a few select tomes from the Mana Arts section. His focus was unwavering as he delved into the intricacies of Mana Heart for the Initiate, halfway through the dense text.
The clock tower chimed a third time, signaling the hour for breakfast. Startled, Liam glanced at the window and realized he had lost track of time. Quickly gathering his thoughts, he left the arcanum and made his way to the dining hall.
When Liam arrived, the queens and Cecily were already seated, and the meal had begun. He bowed slightly and offered a polite apology. "Forgive me for being late."
Cecily, ever the sharp observer, smirked. "You woke up, brother?"
Liam returned her smirk with a faint smile. "Yes, Cecily. Thought it might be time for a change."
"You don't look like you just woke up," she teased, narrowing her eyes. "What were you doing?"
"I was in the arcanum," Liam admitted, his tone casual.
Her eyes lit up with excitement. "The arcanum? I want to go there too!"
The queens exchanged approving glances, and Queen Isabella spoke gently. "You're showing initiative, Liam. It's good to see you embracing knowledge again."
Queen Seraphina added, "This journey may not have been what we envisioned for you, but it's one worth taking."
Liam inclined his head gratefully at their encouragement. As the meal concluded, Queen Isabella gestured for him to wait. "Liam, stay a moment. I'd like to speak with you."
In Queen Isabella's study, the air was warmer, the space filled with personal touches—a small portrait of her children, elegant but understated furniture, and a faint scent of lavender. She embraced Liam tightly, her hands lingering on his shoulders as she studied his face.
"You've broken through," she said, her voice a mixture of shock and pride. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, Mother," Liam assured her. "A slight headache, but nothing I can't handle."
Yet, as the words left his lips, a thought lingered in his mind: Why did I lie?
Her lips curled into a soft smile. "That's my boy. A little headache won't stop you."
She paused, her tone growing serious. "Liam, are you truly content with stepping away from the race for the throne?"
Liam met her gaze, his eyes steady. "Even with this breakthrough, I don't think I'm suited for it, Mother. Competing for the throne is too much. I feel… relieved to be free of the expectations and constant scrutiny of the nobility. The arcanum is enough for me. I want to grow in my own way, without the weight of the crown looming over me."
Isabella gently caressed his face. "Whatever path you choose, know that I'll always believe in you. You're my son, Liam, and nothing will change that."
Liam nodded, a sense of warmth and comfort filling him. "Thank you, Mother."
Isabella smiled fondly, her eyes softening with nostalgia. "You know, Liam, when you were just three years old, you were quite the scholarly genius. I remember one day, I found you in the library, surrounded by scrolls and books far too advanced for a child your age. You were reciting passages aloud as if you understood every word."
She chuckled softly, her voice carrying both pride and a hint of sadness. "Your father and I used to joke that you would grow up to be a great sage instead of a warrior or a king. Even back then, you had a spark of something extraordinary."
Liam blinked in surprise, though his expression remained calm. "I… don't remember that," he said, his voice measured. "I was just three, after all."
But even as he said it, he felt a twinge of guilt. Why did I lie again? The truth was, memories of those days were clear as yesterday his mind—images of towering books, the feel of parchment beneath his fingers, the words of admiration in his parents' voices. He didn't know why he felt compelled to deny it, perhaps to avoid the weight of her expectations or the pressure to live up to that long-lost potential.
Isabella studied him for a moment, then smiled softly. "Perhaps you've forgotten, but it's a memory I cherish. Even now, I see glimpses of that little boy in you."
Liam lowered his gaze, her words settling heavily in his chest. "I'll try to honor that, Mother," he said, his voice quiet but sincere.
She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "You already do, my son. You already do."
After leaving the study, Liam returned to the arcanum, where Cecily was already waiting for him near the entrance to the Mana Arts restricted section. She waved eagerly as he approached.
After leaving the study, Liam returned to the arcanum, where Cecily was already waiting for him near the entrance to the Mana Arts restricted section. She waved eagerly as he approached.
They soon found themselves seated in the sitting area of the Mana Arts - Restricted Section, surrounded by an aura of focused study. Cecily was deeply engrossed in her book, The Stormcaller's Guide, trying her best to absorb its teachings. Meanwhile, Liam was flipping through the pages of his own book, his movements quick and rhythmic, as though he was revisiting something he already knew.
The silence in the sitting area was broken only by the sound of Liam turning pages. Cecily's brows furrowed, and she finally looked up, annoyance flickering across her face.
"Brother," she asked, her tone sharp but casual, "are you really reading the book, or just turning pages for fun?"
Liam chuckled, leaning back slightly. "I'm studying," he replied with a grin. "Really."
"Are you actually understanding it, or are you just pretending?" Cecily pressed, crossing her arms.
Liam smiled knowingly. "I'm not trying to memorize it word for word. I'm just reading through. I understand what it's saying, but I'm not fixating on it."
"Then how do you plan to remember it for the long term?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"By consolidating it," Liam answered simply.
"And how would you do that?"
"By reading it again later and associating its concepts with practice."
Cecily shrugged. "Yeah, right." She narrowed her eyes. "Did you really understand what it's saying after just one reading?"
"Of course," Liam said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Doesn't everyone?"
"No," she replied firmly. "Sometimes, I have to ask Mother to explain what the text means."
Cecily flipped back a few pages in The Stormcaller's Guide and pointed to a section. "Then tell m e— what does this mean?"
Liam leaned over and scanned the passage. It described the essence of lightning in vivid, almost poetic terms:
"Lightning is the voice of the heavens, a sudden spark born of friction between nature's opposing forces. The air swells with energy unseen, charging the skies until the tension can hold no longer. With a crack of release, the bolt bridges the divide, carrying the wrath of the storm and the light of truth. To harness it is to command the storm's fury, but beware—its power is wild and unyielding, bound only to those who respect its volatile nature."
Liam leaned back and began explaining. "This passage is saying that lightning is a manifestation of energy imbalance in nature. When opposing entities — like positive and negative — build up in the sky, they create tension. Once that tension exceeds the air's ability to resist, it discharges as lightning, connecting the two entities. For us, as mana users, it's about understanding this balance and learning to mimic it with our own mana. The bolt is powerful, but it's also dangerous and unpredictable, requiring careful control."
Cecily listened intently, her curiosity piqued. She then rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small orb.
"What's that?" Liam asked, intrigued.
"It's an artifact, umm. . . an echovault " Cecily replied, holding it up. "I want to record what you're saying. You explain things well."
Liam laughed softly. "Alright, record away."
He continued, breaking down the concepts in a way a seven-year-old could easily grasp. He emphasized focusing on the first steps, ensuring she understood the basics before moving on. Cecily nodded, processing the information with surprising maturity for her age.
Encouraged by her understanding, she closed her book and placed it aside. "Let me try," she said with determination.
Liam watched as she focused her mana, extending her hand. To his amazement, a faint spark of lightning manifested in her palm. Her face lit up with excitement, and her eyes widened in awe.
"You did it!" Liam exclaimed, his tone filled with genuine pride. "You're really talented, Cecily."
Grinning, Cecily beamed. "I can't wait to show Mother!" she said eagerly, gathering her things and rushing out of the section.
Liam stayed behind, his curiosity drawn to The Stormcaller's Guide. Picking it up, he began studying the text himself.
Time passed unnoticed until the clock tower chimed eight times, signaling lunchtime. Closing the book, he decided to leave.
As he walked, Liam recalled Cecily's attempt and decided to try the lightning magic himself. Unlike Cecily, who had used a single hand, Liam placed both palms facing each other, focusing his mana between them. Slowly, a stronger, more stable bolt of lightning formed, arching between his hands in a continuous stream. It was unlike Cecily's fragmented sparks—a single, controlled bolt that pulsed with power.
However, the effort drained him quickly. Feeling exhaustion creeping in, Liam stopped and leaned against the wall. Closing his eyes, he practiced the mana breathing technique he had learned from Mana Heart for the Initiate. With each slow, deliberate breath, he felt his mana recovering, his strength returning.
Rejuvenated, Liam continued to the dining hall, his mind already racing with thoughts of what he had just achieved.
As the dining hall filled with the aroma of a sumptuous lunch, the royal family gathered at the table. Cecily, still glowing from her earlier success, eagerly recounted her achievement. Queen Elara listened intently, her eyes darting between her youngest daughter and Liam as Cecily spoke with excitement about her newfound mastery of lightning sparks.
Once Cecily finished, Queen Elara turned to Liam with an expression of gratitude. "Liam, thank you for helping Cecily today. She mentioned how clearly you explained the concepts to her. Honestly, it seems you understood and explained it better than I ever could."
Liam, feeling the weight of her praise, bowed his head slightly. "It was nothing, Mother. Cecily is the talented one. I only relayed what the book said."
At this, Queen Isabella and Queen Seraphina, who had been listening quietly, exchanged curious glances. Isabella leaned forward, smiling warmly. "What's this all about?"
Cecily, unable to hold back, chimed in, "Brother Liam helped me understand lightning magic from The Stormcaller's Guide! He made it so easy to grasp that I could manifest lightning today!"
Queen Isabella beamed at the news. "A dual elementalist already! That's wonderful, Cecily!" She then turned to Liam, her smile softening. "It seems we have you to thank for this, Liam."
Queen Seraphina added, "Indeed. It's no small feat to teach someone to comprehend such a complex element. You've done well, Liam."
Liam raised his hands in a humble gesture, shaking his head lightly. "It was all Cecily. Her talent is remarkable. I only pointed her in the right direction."
Queen Elara, however, didn't let his modesty go unnoticed. "Don't belittle yourself, Liam. I overheard the way you explained it, and it wasn't just simple recitation from a book. You have a gift for making even complex ideas clear. That's a rare talent."
Liam paused, meeting Elara's gaze. Her words resonated with him, though he still felt hesitant to accept the praise fully. "Thank you, Mother. That means a lot to me," he replied quietly.
As the conversation shifted back to Cecily's excitement and future potential as a dual elementalist, Liam found himself reflecting on Elara's words.