The director’s office was cold, almost oppressive, despite its elegant design. The faint scent of aged books and candles lingered in the air. The distant echo of footsteps outside the corridor made him more uneasy. The chill sept through Erik’s clothes, making him shift uncomfortably in his chair.

  High, arched ceilings framed the marble walls, while the grand chandelier hung above. His gaze wandered across the room, seeking anything to distract from the tension.

  That was when he noticed an owl nestled atop a wooden stand in the corner. Its feathers, a mix of silver and dark brown, ruffled slightly as it adjusted its posture, golden sharp eyes watching over the room. Erik had a feeling this wasn’t an ordinary bird, the look on its eyes said it was more than just a non-sentient animal.

  ‘I guess that’s the Director’s familiar for you.’

  The following words made him shift his gaze back to Margaret.

  “This is not a matter we take lightly, my friend Phillips. What happened in the dungeon was a consequence of our lack of information and appropriate judgment,” she said in a formal tone, laying out their version of things.

  “And yet, this boy got almost killed,” Phillips said with a rough tone that was unusual of him—he seemed angry. “We’ve concluded that removing him from the academy would be best.”

  Erik swallowed upon hearing those words. ‘No, they can’t do that,’ he thought, his chest tightening as the words echoed in his mind. The idea of being forced to leave the academy felt like a heavy chain pulling him backward, away from everything he wanted to fight for.

  An ancient demon, hidden in a low-level dungeon? Taking him away wouldn’t make things safer—it would only strip him of his chance to grow stronger.

  Erik could only tighten his hands against the armrest, however. He chose not to say anything for now and let the adults talk.

  “He’s still a boy, he has gone through far more than anyone his age should. I can’t stand here and watch him endure even more danger,” Alice’s voice was softer, with more grace, but no less resolute.

  Margaret nodded, holding her both hands on the desk. “You’re a commendable mother, Miss Alice, and of course, the Royal Magic Academy will do anything to guarantee Erik’s and everyone else's safety,” she said, turning her gaze toward Phillips. “The boy has great potential, one of the best in his class, and has so much room to grow in a place with other talented kids. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to rethink? What happened that day will never happen day.”

  If it had not been a catastrophe, but a simple accident with no deaths, those words would likely have persuaded them, but reality wasn’t so simple. The later reports showed that Demon put up a good fight against the adventurers, if any weaker party had been sent instead, the casualties would have likely kept increasing for a long while.

  They cared too much about him to let things go, knowing this.

  “There’s no way we’ll go back on our words after what happened!” the Duke, swayed his arm, almost shouting in anger.

  ‘I knew it would be something like this.’

  Erik bit the inside of his mouth as frustration started building up. To most people, being in the academy was an honor—a passageway to a better life. The monthly fees were extremely high for those who weren’t as lucky as Erik, however being here guaranteed a stable future away from hardship.

  Just the thought of losing that would be enough to sway most families to take off their kids.

  But not them.

  For the next few minutes, the three discussed—or rather, the director tried to speak while being constantly interrupted by the pair. After a while though, Erik could feel gazes weighing on him.

  ‘Huh?’

  “Why don’t you speak, boy, let us know your opinion on this matter,” Director Margaret spoke in a kind voice.

  Perhaps she was just trying to lighten the mood or hoped for something to happen here, but Erik was glad to have the spotlight for once.

  “I want to continue studying here.”

  The ambiance of the restaurant was awkward and heavy.

  Not because of the place itself, no. It was neatly furnished with carpets and wall decorations. The sounds of the crackling fireplace in the kitchen were relaxing, the warmth made the ambient amiable. The waitresses were polite and had smiles on their faces, and there was even one of those magical devices that played a melody.

  It was certainly a high-end place, yet the bites of food, the swallowing of juice, and even the air felt stale compared to the eatery Erik and Clara went together.

  That was because the most important thing was missing today.

  Companionship.

  Phillips and Alice seemed off ever since Erik said he didn’t want to leave the academy. Their gazes were sharper and they spoke in harsher tones, yet it didn’t seem the angry kind—they were just worried.

  However, add Eleanor to the mix, and it was the most awkward family reunion imaginable.

  “So, how’s school sweetie?” Phillips asked his daughter, trying to break the ice.

  “Good.”

  “Making many friends? Oh, I’m sure my daughter is very popular around here,” he laughed before gulping down his entire cup of wine.

  Erik felt pity as he watched. Getting tipsy was certainly the only way of enduring such a detestable behavior. Eleanor didn’t even answer, she didn’t care one bit.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “You’ve been quiet, Erik,” Duke Phillip said, setting his wineglass down. “Surely, you must have something to say.”

  Erik hesitated, then met his mother’s gaze. He wasn’t in the mood for any of this. He hadn’t even been over this situation with Clara, and now the world’s most awkward dinner took place. “I already told you what I think,” he said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing within him. “I’m staying at the academy. No matter what.”

  Eleanor scoffed. “Bold words from someone who almost died.”

  “Eleanor,” the Duke warned. “This isn’t the time.”

  “Isn’t it?” she shot back, glaring at Erik. “If he wants to keep risking his life, let him. Just don’t drag me in his or anything.”

  Erik could feel his veins popping on his forehead as tension surged, he strained his forehead, eyeing her.

  “No one is asking you anything, stupid,” he said before stopping himself. By accident, he had let his thoughts out.

  She only raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms, looking away in defiance.

  Alice sighed. “Still, I don’t want you to keep studying in this place, dear. It's not safe.”

  Erik leaned back on the chair, looking up to avoid their peering gazes. “Just trust me on this…”

  For the rest of the dinner, that topic was luckily avoided. It was clear that his mother or the Duke had no intention of further spoiling the moment.

  Erik’s hand lingered over his gauntlets, his fingers tracing the iron, his thoughts distant. As he did, his mother’s hands gently took hold of the metal, inspecting it with quiet awe.

  “You repaired them,” she said, in a surprised tone. After entering Erik’s dorm to try and convince him one last time to go back home, the last thing she expected was her late husband's weapons fully repaired.

  He glanced up, his gaze briefly meeting hers. "Yeah. A friend helped me."

  The air between them was thick, just moments ago they were almost arguing so it couldn’t be helped.

  “A friend… do you have good friends, my boy?”

  Erik nodded slowly and stepped away, sitting on his bed. His hand clenched on the edges. “Yes,” he spoke truthfully. “They help me around a lot, even if I’m not the best for them.”

  Alice raised her eyebrow as he uttered the last part but decided to not inquire further. Maybe she didn’t want to add to the tension. Instead, a smile curled on her lips.

  “You know, you were always a wonder to me,” she said after a moment, her voice soft with affection. “When you were younger, you helped so much. You were so grown, yet so little.”

  Erik chuckled, shaking his head. “I wasn’t smart, I was weak, and I got in trouble lots of times,” he said, though his voice and eyes betrayed his words. He was filled with nostalgia, thinking about those days that while not necessarily simple, he had a clear vision of what he wanted to protect—his siblings.

  “But you still did the right thing,” she said gently. “You were always different, always thinking beyond your years. But now…” She paused as if searching for the right words. “Now you carry a weight that no child should bear.”

  Erik shifted uncomfortably, his gaze locking on the floor. He knew very well what she would say next but he didn’t know what to say anymore.

  He simply nodded.

  After a long moment of silence, Alice took a deep breath. “But you’ve always been stubborn, my boy. I know you’re set on staying here, on fighting your own battles. I can’t stop you.” She reached out to gently touch his shoulder. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

  Erik looked up, watching his mother’s face. It was warm like always, though he could see an underlying sadness in it. She was still worried about him.

  “I will,” he said, though he wasn’t sure if he believed it himself.

  Alice hesitated, studying him for a moment longer. Then, sensing that there was nothing more to say, she gave a small sigh and turned her attention back to the gauntlets. “I just don’t want to lose you, Erik.”

  He swallowed, his throat rigid and threatening to cave in. Erik could see how much she cared and how much she wanted to protect him, but he couldn’t let her. He couldn’t live in her shadow, shielded from the world. He had to face whatever was coming, no matter how dark.

  That’s when he remembered the Demon’s words once again.

  His bloodline… his ancestors. He had no idea about it, but she might have.

  “What if…” he started, his voice low as he tried to get the right words. “Our family has a forgotten past that I don’t know about?”

  After asking that question, Alice’s eyes widened and her mouth stood slightly agape.

  “Why… are you asking, my boy?” her voice was quiet, though full of surprise.

  ‘Does she know something about it?’

  “I have my reasons to suspect there’s something,” he said, but as silence followed, Erik sighed and opened his mouth again. “That demon in the dungeon told me I was cursed… my blood was cursed.”

  “Sweetie,” she said in a gentle tone, her eyes softening. “That’s just a monster, pay no mind—”

  “And then today I ended up seeing a fortune teller. I know those things are just lies but…” he said, quivering at the end. “It once again mentioned a forgotten past in my blood that is intertwined with my fate.”

  As those determined words were said, Alice’s gaze trembled slightly. She brought forth her hand, going halfway to placing it on Erik’s shoulder but stopped short of that, instead bringing it to her heart.

  “I’m not sure if I can answer your questions, honestly. But I do know some things that you don’t, so I’ll do my best.,” she said before getting a chair herself to sit down.

  Erik perched, sitting upright as she readied herself.

  Alice took a deep breath. "You’re right about one thing," she began. "There is a past I’ve never spoken to you about—not because it’s cursed, but because it didn’t feel important anymore. Maybe I was wrong."

  Erik’s brow furrowed as he leaned slightly closer, his fingers tightening over the edge of the bed.

  "I wasn’t always Alice Blake. I was born Alice Everen, heiress of a minor noble family,” she spoke calmly, though from her expression Erik could see she had no pride in it. “We weren’t powerful or influential like the great houses, but we were respectable, living within our domain. My parents had dreams for me, dreams of marriage alliances, rising status… but none of that mattered once I met your father."

  A faint smile crossed her lips, as she recalled the events.

  "He was but an adventurer working as a bodyguard when I fell in love with him. When I told them I wanted to marry him, they forbid it. To them, it was a betrayal of everything they’d worked for." She shook her head. "But I couldn’t stay. I chose him, Erik, and we fled together to the north."

  Erik nodded slowly as he heard the story. He knew that his mother wasn’t originally from the village but she had never mentioned these details. This meant he had noble blood.

  ‘Huh, I thought that having noble lineage would mean more, honestly.’

  When Erik was little, he envied those with power because they had everything he wanted. Now it didn’t matter to him, and he was a descendant of those.

  "But what about your family? The Everens? Were they… involved in something?" his voice was tinged with unease. "Something… dark?"

  Alice shook her head. "Not that I ever knew of. They were ordinary nobles, perhaps too concerned with appearances and status, but never anything sinister. If they had some secret dark history, they kept it well hidden from me.”

  Erik frowned, his thoughts swarming his mind. It seemed like that curse didn’t come from his mother’s side. That meant it must be from his father’s ancestry.

  He sighed in defeat.

  Kaf was an orphan, Grandma Katherine had adopted him so this mystery would likely never be uncovered.

  His bloodline… the sins of an ancestor… The answers seemed just out of reach, and his mother’s reassurances weren’t enough to dispel the shadows closing in.