The dining hall of the Draylen estate was bathed in the soft glow of the chandelier above, its gilded light reflecting off the polished table and the delicate silverware. Outside, the deep navy of night had settled over the estate, and the faint murmur of crickets filtered through the heavy curtains. The weight of tradition and expectation hung in the air, as tangible as the ornate tapestries adorning the walls.
Kael took his seat at the long table, his limbs still aching from the day's brutal training. Darius sat at the head of the table, commanding the room without saying a word. Evelina sat to his right, regal and poised, her sharp gaze appraising Kael before returning to her plate. Elara sat across from their mother, outwardly at ease, though her keen eyes betrayed the calculations running beneath her composed exterior.
The first course arrived—an herbed soup served in porcelain bowls that gleamed under the candlelight. Kael lifted his spoon, the aroma inviting, though his appetite was dulled by exhaustion.
"So," Evelina began, her voice breaking the silence, smooth and deliberate, "your first day of training. Tell us, Kael—how did it go?"
Kael hesitated, the memory of the relentless drills and the weight of Darius's scrutiny flashing through his mind. "It was… intense," he said cautiously, keeping his tone measured.
Elara let out a soft chuckle, setting her spoon down with deliberate care. "Intense is putting it mildly. It's Father we're talking about."
Darius hummed faintly, his expression unreadable. "Intensity is necessary," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "Strength is forged in adversity. Kael has taken his first step, but the path ahead is long."
Kael nodded, forcing himself to meet his father's gaze. Across the table, Elara smirked faintly, her amusement barely concealed. The way she spoke—the knowing edge in her tone—hinted at her own experience in the training hall, though she chose not to elaborate.
"You must have learned something today," Evelina said, redirecting the conversation. Her sharp eyes locked onto Kael, probing. "What stood out to you the most?"
Kael set his spoon down, his fingers brushing the edge of the table. "I found out my aptitude for the paths," he said plainly, his voice steady. "It turns out I'm connected to all of them."
For a moment, the room was silent. Evelina's hand, poised elegantly over her wine goblet, froze mid-motion. Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly, as if calculating the weight of Kael's words. "All of them?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual but no less exacting.
Kael nodded. "Yes. And they're not just average connections. All the paths—every single one of them—are at Exalted Rank."
Elara's reaction was immediate. "WHAT?" she exclaimed, her voice ringing louder than she intended. The sound echoed slightly in the stillness of the dining hall.
Kael turned his head, his expression impassive as his eyes met hers. Elara's face flushed red as she realized how loud she'd been. She quickly averted her gaze, her embarrassment clear as she sank back into her chair. "Exalted Rank," she muttered, her voice quieter now, tinged with disbelief. "That's… unbelievable."
Darius remained silent, his piercing gaze locked on Kael. Then, after a long pause, his lips curved into what could almost be called a smile—a rare expression from the stoic patriarch. "Well," he said finally, leaning back in his chair, "that explains the results of today's training. You've barely scratched the surface of what you're capable of."
Evelina's gaze shifted back to Kael, her expression a mix of calculation and something softer—pride, perhaps, though deeply buried beneath layers of formality. "This changes things," she said slowly. "Kael, your potential is extraordinary. But it also means far greater responsibility. You'll need to master each of them."
Elara, still recovering from her earlier outburst, glanced at Kael again, the corner of her mouth twitching into a faint, almost sheepish smirk. "Looks like you're not going to get any breaks," she said lightly, though there was a hint of sincerity in her tone.
Kael gave a faint nod, his mind churning with the weight of their reactions. "I understand," he said simply, his voice steady despite the storm of thoughts swirling beneath the surface.
The conversation shifted after that, Evelina steering it toward estate matters. Trade agreements, crop yields, and political alliances dominated the rest of the meal, though the revelation of Kael's potential lingered unspoken in the air. Kael remained mostly quiet, his thoughts swirling as he tried to process what the day—and this moment—meant for his future.
The meal dragged on longer than usual, Evelina's voice weaving through the topics with ease. Elara chimed in occasionally, her wit sharp and her contributions precise. Darius spoke less, but his presence loomed, his few words carrying undeniable weight. Kael answered the occasional question directed at him, his responses clumsy at times but earnest.
When the final dishes were cleared, Kael rose from his seat, his body heavy with fatigue. Before he could leave, Evelina addressed him one last time.
"Kael," she said, her voice softer than before. "You did well today. It's a promising start."
Kael blinked, surprised by the rare acknowledgment. "Thank you," he said, his voice quiet.
"Tomorrow will be harder," Darius added, his tone calm but resolute.
Kael's face stilled, any flicker of emotion draining away. His eyes dulled, his expression settling into a blank, deadpan stare. He gave a single, sharp nod before excusing himself.
Back in his quarters, the quiet wrapped around him like a heavy blanket. The soft glow of the enchanted lanterns cast faint shadows on the walls as Kael sat heavily on the edge of his bed, letting out a slow breath. His muscles ached, his thoughts churned, but for now, he was simply glad to be alone.
"You survived," came Nareia's voice, light and teasing. The faint shimmer of her form appeared near the edge of the room, her expression as playful as ever.
"Barely," Kael muttered, rubbing his temples. "If today was survival, I don't want to think about tomorrow."
"Come on," she said, her voice laced with mock sympathy. "You've faced worse. And you're still here. It's just training, Kael—not the end of the world."
Kael snorted softly, shaking his head. "Tell that to my legs."
Nareia's smirk softened into something gentler. "You'll manage. You always do. But for now…" She gestured toward the bed. "Rest."
For once, Kael didn't argue. He lay back against the mattress, his body sinking into the softness. The weight of the day clung to him, but Nareia's presence, however fleeting, offered a sliver of comfort. His eyes closed, and for the first time that day, his mind began to quiet.
Sleep came quickly, his exhaustion dragging him under.