After the startling discovery of his mother's secret connection to Professor Vincariel, Lazros found himself unable to focus on anything else. His mind was consumed with the mystery of their conversation and what it meant for his future. But amidst all the questions swirling in his head, one thing became clear: he could no longer afford to ignore his training. The power inside him was growing, and so was his need to understand it fully.
For the next two months, Lazros retreated into the hidden world within the book. He spent hours each day meditating and refining his magic, pushing himself to new limits. His ancestor's guidance resonated with him more deeply now, and Lazros began to tap into the profound wisdom and power contained within the ancient magic. Every day, he grew stronger, mastering spells and techniques that many mages would take years to comprehend.
At first, the growth was slow, but it didn't take long for Lazros to realize just how much power he had been holding back. By the end of the second month, he had reached the 4th Circle of magic.
Lazros paused as he stood in front of the mirror in his dorm room, watching his reflection. A 16-year-old boy with silver hair and red eyes stared back at him. But the image was more than just a reflection—it was a symbol of everything he had overcome and everything that still lay ahead of him.
Four Circles… Lazros thought to himself. At 16, I'm already at the 4th Circle.
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, but it was a smile tinged with both pride and caution. Becoming a 4th Circle mage at his age was an extraordinary achievement—an achievement that could either bring him incredible respect or expose him to dangerous attention. The thought of the kingdom's most powerful mages discovering his true abilities made his chest tighten. What would they think if they knew the truth? That Lazros Silvershade , the so-called "useless son" of the Duke, had reached the 4th Circle at such a young age?
He couldn't even begin to imagine how the nobility, the royalty, and the powerful mages of the kingdom would react. If they found out, he would no longer be seen as the family disappointment—the weak link of the Silvershade family—but as a prodigy, a genius among geniuses. His name would be on every mage's lips, his abilities scrutinized by those who sought to either ally with him or destroy him.
The weight of the world could come crashing down if I'm not careful, Lazros thought.
But then, another thought struck him: What if this is what I've been waiting for?
For years, Lazros had been overshadowed by his family, by the expectations placed on him as the youngest and weakest child of the Silvershade family. He had longed for the chance to prove himself, to show that he was more than the title of "useless son." But now, with the power of the book coursing through him, he could become something more than anyone had ever imagined.
But at what cost? He wondered, the reality of his situation setting in. If he revealed his true strength, it would no longer be just a matter of proving himself. He would be a target. The other mages, especially those at the Royal Magic Academy, would likely see him as a rival—a threat. And his family, with all their expectations and ambitions, might begin to use him as a pawn in their own game.
For now, Lazros decided that the best course of action was to continue hiding his true power. No one could know about his progress, not yet. He would play the part of the "useless" son, the one who couldn't seem to catch up with his siblings, the one who didn't live up to expectations.
That way, when the time came for him to finally reveal his abilities, it would come as a shock, a surprise that would throw everyone off balance. They would not be prepared for the power he was hiding within.
Lazros stood from the mirror and clenched his fists. The weight of his decision rested heavily on his shoulders, but it also filled him with resolve. He knew that he was capable of becoming the greatest mage of his generation, even surpassing the legends of the past. But to do so, he needed to move in silence, to keep his true strength hidden until the right moment.
I will show them all, Lazros thought. When the time comes, they will realize that the so-called "useless son" is actually a force to be reckoned with.
For now, Lazros's journey was far from over. There were still many obstacles ahead, and many secrets to uncover. But with each passing day, his power grew stronger, and his destiny was beginning to take shape. He was no longer just the youngest of the Silvershade family; he was a mage of extraordinary potential, and the world was starting to take notice—whether it knew it or not.
As the days passed, Lazros found himself becoming more involved in the daily life at Celestia Academy. His training intensified, and though he continued to hide his true abilities, his prowess in magic became undeniable. But there was something else that had begun to shift in his life—the growing connection between him and Princess Lunaria.
At first, it had started with small conversations between them after class. Lunaria, the top student and heir to the Royal Family, had always been surrounded by admirers and students who sought her attention. But for some reason, she began to seek Lazros out. Perhaps it was because of his quiet demeanor, or maybe it was the mystery that surrounded him—the fact that, despite being the "useless" son of the Duke, there was something undeniably captivating about him.
Lazros wasn't sure how it happened, but over time, Lunaria started to spend more and more time with him. They would talk after classes, walk through the academy's gardens, or even study together in the library. It was during these moments that Lazros began to notice something different in her—a warmth, a kindness, and even a subtle longing in her eyes. Princess Lunaria, who had always been admired for her beauty, grace, and intellect, was now showing interest in him, a mere student from a family that had once been regarded with disdain.
Though he tried to keep his distance, Lazros couldn't help but feel a pull toward the princess. She was kind to him in a way no one had ever been, and her presence made him feel as though he wasn't invisible anymore. Her beauty was undeniable, and her intelligence was sharp, but it was her genuine curiosity about him that began to draw him closer.
One evening, as they sat together in a quiet corner of the academy's library, Lunaria looked at Lazros with an intensity that made his heart race.
"Why do you hide so much of yourself, Lazros?" she asked softly, her voice filled with a hint of concern. "I see the potential in you, and yet you keep it buried. You don't have to be the 'useless son' everyone thinks you are."
Lazros hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He couldn't reveal his true strength to her—not yet. But the way she looked at him, so full of belief, made him feel something he hadn't felt in years: hope.
"I'm not hiding, Princess," Lazros replied, keeping his voice calm. "I'm just... not ready to show what I can do. Not yet."
Lunaria smiled softly, her blue eyes sparkling. "You don't have to prove anything to anyone. You're not your family's expectations, Lazros. You're you. And I think that's what makes you special."
Her words echoed in his mind long after the conversation ended. Lazros had never been someone who sought the approval of others, especially not his family. But the princess's words struck a chord deep inside him. For the first time, someone—aside from his mother—believed in him, in who he was, and in the potential he carried within.
Days turned into weeks, and as their bond grew stronger, Lunaria became increasingly attached to Lazros. The more she got to know him, the more she admired his quiet strength, his humility, and the way he carried himself despite the weight of the world's expectations. She had always been admired and adored by everyone, but with Lazros, it was different. He never treated her as a princess, nor did he fawn over her beauty like the others. There was something refreshing about his honesty, his lack of pretense.
Lazros, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel drawn to her. There was something about her that made him want to protect her, to be the person who could stand by her side without the weight of titles or expectations. He began to look forward to their time together, whether it was a simple conversation or an unspoken understanding between them.
As the months passed, the bond between them deepened. Lunaria's attachment to Lazros became undeniable. Her eyes would linger on him when he wasn't looking, and she would often smile softly whenever he said something that made her laugh. Her feelings for him, though still unspoken, began to grow in ways neither of them could fully comprehend.
Lazros, ever the silent observer, noticed the shift in Lunaria's behavior. She seemed to seek him out more often, always wanting to spend time with him, whether it was in the academy's grand halls or walking beneath the stars in the academy's gardens. There was a longing in her gaze, a desire to understand him more deeply—something he hadn't expected from someone so high above his station.
But Lazros couldn't afford to entertain those thoughts. He couldn't afford to let his feelings cloud his judgment. He had a path to follow, and that path didn't involve being distracted by anyone, especially not the princess. His destiny lay in the power he was cultivating, the strength he was hiding from everyone.
Still, the more time he spent with Lunaria, the more he couldn't help but wonder—what would happen if he allowed himself to feel something more? What if, for once, he could forget about his family's expectations and just be with someone who accepted him for who he was?
As the days passed, the answer became clearer: Lazros and Lunaria were no longer just two students from different worlds. They had become something more—something that neither of them could ignore, no matter how hard they tried.
And so, their bond grew, silently and steadily, as both of them unknowingly began to shape the future they would one day face together.