The examination had finally ended. The students emerged from the forest, exhausted but relieved. Their scores were displayed on the large magic screens, showing the rankings.
1st Place: Serian – 3150 Points
2nd Place: Sienna – 2570 Points
3rd Place: Edward – 2470 Points
The results surprised many, but Serian himself remained indifferent.
As he stepped out of the forest, the trees rustled softly, and the animals that had been following him—deer, rabbits, birds—stood still at the forest's edge. They watched him quietly, their eyes filled with something that almost looked like sadness.
Serian turned back, looking at them. The wind carried a gentle whisper through the leaves. He blinked, then gave them a small nod. Without a word, the animals slowly retreated into the depths of the forest.
Edward and Sienna, who had been walking behind him, paused to watch the strange farewell.
Sienna crossed her arms. "I swear, that's not normal. Even the animals are acting like he's their king or something."
Edward shook his head. "At this point, I'm just accepting it."
Serian, meanwhile, had already moved forward. The older students—acting as the examination staff—handed out food to the participants.
"Here," a senior said, passing Serian a tray of bread and stew.
Serian took it, gave a small nod of acknowledgment, then sat down at a table nearby. Without hesitation, he began to eat quietly, completely unbothered by the conversations and celebrations around him.
Edward and Sienna, without realizing it, had also followed him and sat down at the same table.
As they ate, Edward glanced at Serian. "You know," he started, setting down his spoon, "we've been together for three days now. I think that makes us friends, right?"
Serian paused, mid-bite, and looked at him. His violet eyes were calm, unreadable. "Friends?"
Sienna sighed loudly and facepalmed. "Don't tell me you don't know what a friend is."
Serian tilted his head slightly, thinking. "I know the word."
Edward leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "Then what do you think it means?"
Serian remained silent for a moment, then answered simply, "People who know each other?"
Sienna groaned. "That's the most basic answer ever."
Edward chuckled. "Alright, let me explain. Friends are people who stick together, help each other, and trust each other. They're not just people you 'know'—they're people you care about."
Serian blinked slowly. "Care?"
Sienna huffed. "Yeah, you know! Like… looking out for each other, worrying if something happens, laughing together—stuff like that!"
Serian looked at them. "I see." He thought for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Then we are friends."
Sienna almost choked on her bread. "That's it? Just like that?"
Edward sighed, but he smiled. "Yeah, just like that."
Serian didn't fully understand, but it didn't matter. A friend—something new. A new experience. He decided to accept it.
As they continued eating, the other students were still talking, celebrating, and sharing stories about their battles. But at that table, between the three of them, an unspoken bond had already begun to form.
*****
Edward stepped out of the car, his boots hitting the polished stone driveway with a soft thud. The Rutherford estate loomed before him—grand, imposing, and eerily silent. The butler gave him a nod, and the driver closed the car door behind him.
He had expected some kind of welcome, maybe his mother asking how the exam went, or his father giving him a nod of approval. Instead, the house was unnervingly quiet.
Edward frowned. Something was off.
He walked through the grand entrance, his footsteps echoing against the marble floor. The chandeliers above shone brightly, illuminating the vast hallway, but there was no warmth to it.
His second brother, Alan, who was usually the loudest in the family, sat stiffly on the couch, arms crossed, eyes focused on nothing.
His third sister, Lilia, fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her fingers twisting the fabric as she stole nervous glances toward the far end of the room.
His third brother, Raymond, leaned against the wall, shifting uncomfortably, his eyes darting around as if he wanted to be anywhere but here.
And at the center of it all, sitting at the elegant tea table, was Vincent Rutherford—the eldest. The Executioner of the Holy Order.
He was calm, composed, sipping tea as if nothing was amiss. His crimson eyes barely lifted as Edward entered the room.
A slow sip. A quiet pause. Then, finally, Vincent spoke.
"Your results?" His voice was cool, unhurried.
Edward swallowed and straightened his back. "I placed third. 2470 points."
Vincent's crimson gaze finally met his. There was no smile, no visible approval. Just a slight nod.
"Passable," he said, setting his teacup down with a soft clink.
Then, without another word, he stood up, adjusted his coat, and walked toward the door. His boots barely made a sound as he exited the room, his presence vanishing like a shadow.
For a few seconds, there was only silence.
Then—
Chaos.
Alan suddenly stood up, slamming his hands on the table. "Damn it, Vincent! Can't you just say 'well done' like a normal person?!"
Lilia groaned, flopping onto the couch. "I swear, he's impossible. How is that passable?! It's a great result!"
Raymond sighed, rubbing his temples. "Forget it, Alan. He's always like this."
Edward, still standing at the doorway, let out a breath. "So… this is why it was so quiet when I came in?"
Alan huffed. "Yeah. We were all waiting for the usual cold response."
Lilia pouted. "I was hoping he'd at least say 'good job' this time. But nope. Just 'passable.'"
Raymond crossed his arms. "Well, at least he didn't say 'disappointing.' That's progress, right?"
Edward let out a tired chuckle and sat down. "I don't know if that makes it better or worse."
Alan groaned. "You know what? I need a drink."
Lilia smirked. "Me too. Get me some juice."
Raymond sighed. "Fine, I'll get something for everyone."
As the room slowly returned to normal, Edward leaned back against the couch. He knew this was just how Vincent was—unwavering, distant, and impossible to impress.
But still…
Just once, he wished his eldest brother would say something more.
*****
Sienna walked into the grand halls of the Red Magic Tower with her head held high, her crimson cloak billowing behind her. She had spent three days in the forest, fought monsters, and ranked second in the exam—she was ready to show off her achievement.
The towering walls of the Redgrave estate pulsed with magic, glowing faintly under the evening sky. As soon as she stepped in, a familiar booming voice echoed through the halls.
"My precious granddaughter has returned!"
Before she could react, a gust of wind swept through the hall, and suddenly—
Sienna was lifted off the ground.
Her grandfather, Archmage Zephyrus Redgrave, had caught her in a bone-crushing hug, spinning her around like a child.
"Grandpa! Put me down!" Sienna yelled, flailing.
Zephyrus only laughed, his long white beard shaking with amusement. "Oh, come now, my little ember! You must have been exhausted! Come, let Grandpa take a good look at you!"
He finally set her down, his sharp crimson eyes scanning her up and down. He held her face between his wrinkled hands. "Hmm... no injuries? No missing limbs? Good, good!"
Sienna groaned, rubbing her temples. "Grandpa, I'm not a kid anymore!"
"Hah! You'll always be my little ember!" Zephyrus said proudly, ruffling her hair.
Sienna crossed her arms. "Whatever. Are you even going to ask about my results?"
Zephyrus beamed. "Ah, yes! Tell me, my brilliant granddaughter, where did you place?"
Sienna smirked. "Second place. 2,570 points."
A proud BOOM echoed through the hall as Zephyrus stomped his staff against the marble floor. "Marvelous! Outstanding! Just as expected from the heir of the Red Magic Tower!"
The other family members gathered around, congratulating her. The Redgrave family was full of powerful mages, and Sienna was their rising star.
Then, her grandfather narrowed his eyes playfully. "And who placed first?"
Sienna's smirk twitched. "Some weird guy."
Zephyrus raised an eyebrow. "Weird, you say?"
Sienna sighed. "Yeah, he doesn't even fight like a normal person. No weapons, no armor, no strategy. He just walks through the forest like he owns it! Even the animals follow him around like he's their king."
Zephyrus stroked his beard. "Hmm… sounds like an interesting young man."
Sienna scoffed. "Not in a good way!"
Her grandfather chuckled. "You're young, Sienna. A little interest is the first step toward a—"
"It's NOT like that!" Sienna yelled, her face turning red.
The whole room burst into laughter.
Zephyrus wiped a tear from his eye. "Alright, alright. No need to be so defensive. I'm just saying… this 'weird guy' must be quite special to make you talk about him so much."
Sienna groaned, deciding to ignore him. "Can we just eat already?"
Zephyrus laughed again. "Yes, yes! A feast for my granddaughter!"
The Redgrave family moved to the dining hall, where a grand celebration awaited. The long table was filled with roasted meats, golden bread, and exotic fruits. Sienna sat down, finally relaxing as the servants poured her a goblet of sparkling juice.
As her family cheered and celebrated, she thought back to Serian—his indifferent gaze, the way he casually accepted food from wild animals, and how he fought without even trying.
He really was a weird guy.
But… somehow, she felt like this wouldn't be the last time she saw him.
*****
Serian arrived at the Elfheim family home, his calm steps echoing as he entered the living room. Adrian was sitting there, along with Denovian, his stepfather, and Thalia, Adrian's biological mother.
The atmosphere was tense, but Serian remained indifferent. He knew well enough that, despite the guardianship, the bond of blood between them was thin. Adrian's real father, Rowan, had divorced Thalia and then married Serian's mother, Reana, before his death. To Serian, this had always meant that he was an outsider in the family, a fact that weighed little on his mind.
Denovian broke the silence, saying, "You did well in the examination, Serian. Any hidden powers you've been holding back?" His tone was neutral but curious, as though probing for secrets.
Serian looked at him calmly, answering, "I mostly don't know. Just the result of... circumstances."
Thalia leaned forward, her eyes studying him with interest. "And your bloodline?" she asked, her voice cool but with an undertone of expectation.
Serian's gaze remained steady. "I've never paid much attention to it. It's irrelevant."
The couple exchanged a brief, silent look. Thalia sighed, and Denovian, not one for wasting words, simply nodded and stood up. "This house belongs to Adrian and the Elfheim family. Remember that, Serian. No matter how well you do, you'll always be a Misfiel, an orphan."
As they left, Adrian's cold eyes lingered on Serian for a moment longer than usual. "Don't forget your place," he muttered.
Serian looked back at Adrian, unbothered. "We don't owe each other anything," he said simply, his tone calm and indifferent. Adrian didn't respond, his expression unreadable as he turned away.