Adrian’s vision blurred and library’s shelves faded into a void as the searing pain in his skull peaked.
When he opened his eyes, the pain was gone, replaced by a surprising clarity. He was lying on his bed, the familiar quilt soft beneath him.
The room was dimly lit by a single candle on the desk, casting flickering shadows. His gaze shifted, and his heart jolted — Serena sat beside him, her face buried in her hands, sobbing quietly.
Her curls were disheveled, and her shoulders trembled with each muffled breath.
"Serena?"
Her head snapped up imdiately.
"Adrian!" She scrambled onto the bed, wrapping him in a tight hug before he could react. "You’re awake!"
"Yeah, I am," he said, patting her back awkwardly. "What happened? Why were you crying?"
She pulled back, stamring through tears. "W-we found you... on the library floor. You weren’t waking up, Adrian! We thought... we thought sothing terrible happened. The healer used her magic, said it was just exhaustion, that you needed rest, but... but we didn’t know if you’d... I was so worried."
Adrian sighed inwardly. ’So that’s what happened.’ Out loud, he then said, "You’re not supposed to worry, Serena. I’m fine now, right?"
She nodded, wiping her face with her sleeve. "Y-yeah. You look okay." She hesitated, then brightened slightly. "Aunty just ca by and said dinner’s ready. You missed lunch. Want to co?"
Adrian’s lips twitched at her old habit of calling the maid "Aunty."
His stomach rumbled faintly, but he still wasn’t interested. "No, I’ll stay here. I’m good."
Serena’s face fell and she sat on the bed with her arms crossed. "Then I’m not eating either."
He groaned, weighing his options. Skipping dinner was tempting, but he had no reason not to go.
"Fine," he said, swinging his legs off the bed. "Let’s go."
Her face lit up, and she grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the door. "You won’t regret it! The cook made roast pheasant — your favorite!"
They descended the grand staircase, Serena chattering about the estate’s new chef. The dining hall was a spectacle — long oak table draped in white linen, silver candelabras casting warm light, and a massive hearth roaring at one end.
The air slled of roasted at and herbs. But the mont Adrian stepped in with Serena, the room stilled. Every eye turned to him, forks pausing mid-air.
Fabian, seated near the head, locked eyes with Adrian for a brief, burning mont. He hissed under his breath in disdain before returning to his plate, slicing his at with unnecessary force.
Diana, beside him, mirrored his reaction — her pale blue eyes flicked to Adrian, cold and sharp, before she resud eating.
Julian, at the table’s far end, didn’t look up. His black hair curtained his face as he picked at his food, oblivious or indifferent, lost in his shadowy world.
Mirena, seated closer to Cedric, broke the tension. "Adrian!" she exclaid with a warm smile. "Co, take a seat!" She gestured to two empty chairs near her.
Adrian inclined his head with a asured tone. "Lady Mirena." He avoided calling her "Mother," a deliberate choice that didn’t escape her notice.
Her smile faltered, but she said nothing, gesturing for a servant to set a place. Adrian sat and Serena slid into the chair beside him.
Cedric, at the head of the table, leaned forward, his white hair catching the candlelight. "How are you feeling, Adrian? Quite the scare you gave us."
"I’m alright," Adrian said, keeping his voice steady. "Thank you for your concern."
Cedric’s eyes narrowed slightly, probing. "Care to share what happened? Fainting in the library isn’t exactly common."
Adrian shrugged, deflecting. "I’m not sure. But it’s nothing serious, don’t worry."
Cedric studied him a mont longer, then nodded.
"Very well. Rest is the best dicine." He signaled to Mirena, who began dishing out portions of pheasant, glazed carrots, and herb-crusted bread onto Adrian’s plate.
The table resud eating, but the silence was heavy, broken only by the clink of cutlery.
As Adrian took a bite, the door to the dining hall creaked open and a young maid scurried in, bowing hastily.
"Your Grace," he said, breathless, "a ssage from Lord Varyn’s envoy. He’s arrived at the gates, requesting an audience tonight."
Cedric’s fork paused, his expression tightening. "Varyn? Now?" He exchanged a glance with Mirena, who set her napkin down, her face unreadable. "Tell the envoy I’ll et him after dinner. Prepare the small council chamber."
The maid bowed and darted out. Adrian’s ears perked up. Varyn. The sa dukedom he’d na-dropped during negotiations.
Their envoy’s timing was suspicious — had Cedric’s deal with Adrian reached their ears already? He filed the thought away, focusing on his food, but the undercurrent of tension at the table grew.
Fabian not being able to bear it any longer decided to interrupt the silence. "So, Adrian, I heard you’re tinkering with toys now? Figured out how to fake a spark yet?"
Adrian didn’t look up, slicing his pheasant with calm precision. "Pass the salt, Serena."
Diana chid in with her sharp tone to support her brother. "No magic, no talent and you dare co here. Why bother? In two months, we’ll be off to the Academy. You’ll be stuck in your little village."
Adrian took a bite as their childish taunts did little to faze him. He chewed slowly, letting the silence stretch.
Fabian pressed in irritation. "What, no defense? I thought the Academy had always been your dream."
Adrian finished up the food in his mouth and t his gaze with a flat expression. "Enjoy the Academy."
He resud eating, dismissing them entirely. Diana got even more annoyed, but before she could retort, Mirena raised a hand.
"Enough. This is a family dinner, not a battlefield. Adrian is our guest, and you’ll treat him as such."
Fabian snorted but fell silent, stabbing at his food. Diana’s lips pursed, and she returned to her plate. Julian, as always, seed detached, his fork moving chanically, while Serena squeezed Adrian’s hand under the table, in an attempt to comfort him.
Dinner ended soon after and Cedric rose, smoothing his tunic. "Adrian, a word. The ten n you’ll train are ready. You can begin tomorrow morning in the east workshop. Torren will guide you."
Adrian stood with a nodding. "Okay, no problem."
Cedric’s eyes softened slightly. "Rest well. We’re glad you’re here."
Adrian inclined his head, then turned to leave with Serena. Fabian’s glare followed him, but he ignored it. Serena walked him to his room, her chatter subdued after the tense al.
"Don’t mind Fabian and Diana," she said at his door. "They’re just... them. I’m happy you’re here."
"Thanks, Serena," he said, managing a smile. "Get so sleep."
She hugged him quickly and left. Adrian anwhile sat on the bed and began processing his new knowledge.
After several minutes of fully understanding everything, he ca to a conclusion:
’I can make the magic gun now!’
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