THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

Earlier...

The heavy wooden doors of the infirmary swung open as the Earl entered, cradling Katrina in his arms. Her once serene expression was now marked by a faint flush, and her body seemed unnaturally cold. Behind him, Seraphina followed, her brow furrowed with concern, and Mage Marvel trailed closely, his eyes brimming with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

Seraphina had encountered the Earl and Marvel on her way to the Earl's office, explaining that David had sent her to check on Katrina. Though intrigued, both men had set their thoughts aside and agreed to accompany her to the infirmary.

As the Earl gently placed Katrina onto the bed, a soft, unnatural glow began to radiate from her body—a dim blue light that pulsed faintly in rhythm with her shallow breaths. The glow, though subtle, cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, drawing immediate attention.

The Earl glanced at the guard stationed outside the infirmary door. "Summon Amilia, the Saint," he commanded, his voice firm. The guard, startled by the urgency, bowed deeply before hurrying off to carry out the order.

Turning back to Katrina, the Earl stood beside Marvel, whose gaze was now transfixed on the blue light emitting from his goddaughter. A deep sense of awe mixed with fear bubbled within the old mage. Awakening was rare, but this was unprecedented. His goddaughter, who had never shown significant magical promise, was now enveloped in a phenomenon that defied the known rules of magic. And yet, David's hand was all over this, even though he wasn't present. Marvel's suspicions weighed heavily on him.

Seraphina moved closer, her hand gently resting on Katrina's glowing forehead. As soon as she made contact, her own eyes turned obsidian, reflecting the blue light in an otherworldly shimmer. Marvel stiffened at the sight, quickly stepping forward to grab her wrist. "What do you think you're doing, witch?" His voice cut through the tense atmosphere, laced with suspicion.

Seraphina, unflustered by his aggression, met his gaze without flinching. "I'm checking her vitals," she replied, her tone calm, but firm. The blue glow from Katrina's body bathed them both, making Seraphina's darkened eyes appear even more ominous. She knew her kind wasn't welcomed in the human empire, but none of that mattered—her loyalty lay with David.

Marvel hesitated, then released her wrist, his features softening in reluctant acceptance. "Forgive me, I'm on edge. How is she?" he asked, knowing full well that healing and diagnostics were not within his domain of combat magic.

Closing her eyes, Seraphina allowed her senses to delve deeper into the fluctuating energy within Katrina's body. "Her vitals are stable," she said slowly, "but her vessel is under immense strain. The awakening is happening too fast. Her body is breaking, bit by bit."

Marvel rubbed his temples in frustration, the realization dawning heavily on him. "Just as I feared," he murmured, eyes narrowing as the blue light flickered ominously.

The Earl stood silently, his arms crossed as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. Marvel's expression darkened, knowing that the cause of this awakening—this unexplainable surge of power—was somehow connected to David.

"David knew, didn't he?" Marvel muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. The boy's influence was undeniable, and with that came consequences that none of them were prepared for.

In the realm of Ternion, only a few key energies dominated existence, yet among them, two stood dominant in the human race: Mana and Aura. Mana, the essence of life and natural phenomena, allowed its wielder to bend the very fabric of the universe. Aura, on the other hand, was the by-product of burning one's life force - mana, enhancing physical abilities and martial arts. To awaken to the power of Mana, one's body—or vessel—had to be exceptionally talented. A stronger vessel could withstand the vast energies of Mana, absorbing it without consequence.

However, Katrina's situation was different. Her talent was meagre, her vessel fragile. The influx of Mana now surging through her body was like a tidal wave crashing against the brittle walls of her being. If it continued, her vessel would break. Everyone present in the infirmary understood this grim reality. The tension in the room was palpable, an unspoken worry shared between the Earl, Mage Marvel, and Seraphina, who stood vigil over the softly glowing Katrina. The blue light emanating from her was a beautiful yet terrifying reminder of the dangerous path her body was treading.

Before anyone could speak or process their concern, the infirmary doors burst open with a gust of energy. David entered, his face set in grim determination, his movements purposeful. Behind him, floating effortlessly in the air, were Shay and Vivian, suspended by an invisible force. David's will alone controlled their levitation, and his connection to the Voidshaper Sleeve was palpable. The two maids who had led him through the castle corridors trailed nervously behind, their eyes wide in awe and disbelief at what they were witnessing.

Lord Hilton, the Earl, felt a surge of frustration. His stress was mounting, and his mind raced with unanswered questions. He had expected an explanation, but the sight before him left him even more puzzled. Meanwhile, both Seraphina and Mage Marvel stood frozen in place, their jaws dropping at the sheer power David was casually displaying.

With careful precision, David guided Shay and Vivian through the room, positioning them gently beside Katrina. The three women, each enveloped in a soft aura of swirling Mana, lay unconscious, their fates intertwined by this mysterious awakening. The air around them shimmered with energy, thick with a tension that made everyone hold their breath.

The Earl, no longer able to remain silent, strode toward David, his brow furrowed in concern and suspicion. "Let me guess," he said with a heavy sigh, his voice low but firm, "This incident involves you, doesn't it?"

David met his gaze, his expression unflinching. He didn't need to respond; the answer was already written across the faces of everyone in the room. David's involvement was undeniable, and with each passing moment, it became clearer that whatever force he had triggered was beyond the understanding of even the most seasoned magic wielders.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the glow of the three women casting long, wavering shadows across the stone walls as they awaited what would come next.

Seraphina's admiration for David grew deeper as she watched the display of his power. There was no doubt in her mind that if anyone could help her surpass her own limitations, it was him. The raw confidence with which he controlled the Voidshaper Sleeve, effortlessly levitating Shay and Vivian, only further solidified her trust. The way he moved, the calm yet fierce determination in his eyes—it was as if nothing was beyond his reach.

Meanwhile, Mage Marvel was struck speechless, his mind spiralling in disbelief. He'd seen many wonders in his long years of studying magic, but this... this was something else entirely. "Is that... 7th class supreme magic?" he muttered to himself in a daze, grappling with the sight of David manipulating telekinetic forces with ease.

Telekinetic magic was only mastered by those of his own level or higher, mages who had devoted decades to understanding the intricate thesis of magic construction. And here was David, not a seasoned mage but an awakened, wielding such advanced magic as if it were second nature.

Marvel's world was unravelling at an alarming pace. The awakening of three women with weak talents and fragile vessels was unheard of. How could this be possible? He feared that the world itself might be breaking its natural order. Such a phenomenon could not be overlooked, and Marvel, as a scholar bound by the ancient oaths of the Spire, knew he had an obligation to report this.

The second Mage King himself had decreed that any findings in the pursuit of expanding the thesis of magic must be shared, regardless of personal attachment or gain. It was a sacred duty—to push the boundaries of magic without malice or envy.

Yet, that very duty now felt like a curse. How could he betray David and Katrina, who were like family to him? If the Spire found out about this, they would stop at nothing to take them away. The Spire, for all its greatness, was ruthless in its pursuit of knowledge. They would experiment on them, dissect their abilities, and reduce them to nothing more than lab rats in the name of magical progress. The thought made Marvel's heart clench.

As he stood there, lost in his internal conflict, a firm hand landed on his shoulder. It was the Earl, his voice low but filled with unshakable resolve. "I hope that bond is thicker than ambition, old friend," the Earl whispered.

Marvel's heart skipped a beat. He had been found out. His loyalty was written all over his face, the turmoil of his decision apparent. But the Earl's words had hit home. A slow smile crept onto Marvel's lips as he glanced at his long-time friend.

"I know," he replied with a sigh. "You don't have to remind me."

At that moment, Marvel made his choice. Family, no matter how extraordinary, would always come before duty.

****

A/N: nobody dare spam the comments with Van Diesel

lmao