Alastor leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. The more he considered Cedric's words, the more something didn't add up. He suddenly remembered something about his own family.
"Cedric," Alastor said, eyes narrowing slightly. "The House Von uses Ice Magic, right?"
Cedric nodded. "Yeah. Everyone in your family has some degree of ice affinity. Why?"
Alastor tapped his fingers on the wooden table. "My father has a red-grade talent in Ice Magic. That priest you mentioned… if he's really purple-grade, does that mean his potential surpasses not only my father's but even the royal family's?"
Cedric's eyes widened. "Oh. Oh, damn. You're right." He sat up straight, rubbing his chin. "If that's true, then he might be stronger than even the most powerful nobles. Hell, even the king only has a red-grade affinity for lightning magic."
They both fell silent, realizing the gravity of the situation. A purple-grade Holy Mage wasn't just rare—it was unprecedented. Someone like that could shift the entire balance of power.
Cedric suddenly slumped over the table, groaning dramatically. "Ughhh, it's so unfair. Why do some people get to be so blessed? Meanwhile, here I am, struggling with my orange-grade flame magic."
Alastor raised an eyebrow. "Orange-grade is still high."
Cedric sat up and pointed a finger at Alastor, his face contorted in exaggerated frustration. "You don't get it! My father is a perfectionist! Do you know how many times I've collapsed in training? He makes me practice until I drop dead! It's like he won't accept anything less than red-grade talent from me!"
Alastor smirked. "Sounds like you just need to train harder."
Cedric's mouth dropped open in betrayal. "How could you say that?! You're supposed to comfort me, not side with my tyrant of a father!"
Alastor chuckled, clearly amused by his friend's dramatic complaints. "I think your father should actually increase your training."
Cedric clutched his chest as if he had been stabbed. "Evil! My friend is evil! Is this what betrayal feels like?"
Before Alastor could respond, the door to the study burst open.
A tall young woman strode in, her golden hair swaying behind her like a lion's mane. Her emerald-green eyes burned with fury, and the moment they landed on Alastor, she rushed forward and cupped his face in her hands.
"Alastor! Are you okay? I heard what happened! How dare someone try to assassinate my beloved cousin?! Who was it? I'll rip them apart myself!"
Cedric yelped and immediately ducked behind Alastor, using him as a human shield. "G-Goddess above, it's her! I forgot your cousin was terrifying!"
Alastor let out a genuine laugh. "Calm down, cousin. I'm fine."
His cousin, Lady Seraphina Ludenberg, was the eldest daughter of his mother's side of the family. Unlike House Von, which specialized in Ice Magic, the Ludenbergs were known for their formidable Wind Magic and fierce tempers. Seraphina, in particular, was infamous for her overprotectiveness when it came to Alastor.
Seraphina scowled, crossing her arms. "Fine? Fine?! You were nearly murdered, Alastor! This is unacceptable!"
Cedric peeked out from behind Alastor, his voice trembling. "P-please, Lady Seraphina, I assure you, we're handling the situation—"
She shot him a glare so intense that Cedric immediately shrank back. "Oh? We're handling it? I don't recall you being the one nearly assassinated."
Cedric whimpered. "Alastor, help…"
Alastor chuckled. "Seraphina, let him be. He's harmless."
"Hmph." Seraphina took a deep breath, visibly calming herself. "Fine. But if this happens again, I will be getting involved."
Alastor smirked. "Duly noted."
With the tension finally settling, they all proceeded to the dining hall for lunch. As they ate, the conversation shifted between lighthearted banter and deeper discussions about the mysterious priest. Cedric continued to dramatically complain about his training, and Seraphina, despite her fiery nature, seemed genuinely happy to be with her cousin again.
Alastor, for the first time in a long while, felt a sense of warmth. Surrounded by his eccentric but loyal companions, he couldn't help but smile.
Little did he know, the days ahead would only grow more dangerous.