In the front garden of the estate, the rustling of leaves blended with the calm morning breeze, while sunlight stretched across the stone pathways, painting broken shadows beneath the old trees.
Walking along one of those paths was a tall young man with a well-trained, athletic build that reflected years of discipline.
Caius Astroweld strolled through his familiar grounds, greeting the servants and guards, though his mind was elsewhere… focused on the guest who would arrive any moment.
His childhood friend.
Elliot Sephrax.
The sole heir of one of the empire's three ducal houses—
a name praised everywhere with admiration.
Born with extraordinary talent, Elliot awakened with three full abilities, each one stronger than the last.
It wasn't surprising that he had recently reached the mid second rank, three full stages above Caius, and was already listed among the top five prodigies in the entire empire.
And yet… he was still his friend.
He had told Caius not long ago that he was preparing for the Temple's entrance exam—
and with his talent, passing it was almost guaranteed.
But how did their friendship even begin?
Truthfully, it didn't start with anything special.
They met years ago at a formal gathering when both were ten.
Back then, Caius was bright and energetic, and he quickly got along with Elliot, forming a simple friendship… one that somehow survived everything that came after.
Even after Caius changed and grew withdrawn, Elliot did not.
He would appear without warning, grab Caius by the arm, and drag him out of the suffocating estate, convincing him to visit nearby cities and enjoy life a little.
Even on Caius's darkest days, Elliot remained the same—
cheerful, persistent, unshaken.
And because of that… their bond never broke.
Caius followed the path until he reached the estate's main entrance.
Two guards stood there leaning lazily on their short spears, staring blankly ahead with half-open eyes.
The dark circles under their eyelids made it obvious they hadn't slept a decent hour.
Not because of work pressure—their shift had only just begun—
but because they had likely spent the entire night drinking.
Their uniforms were dark, embroidered on the chest with the Astroweld family crest:
a lone silver star centered on a black shield.
A small symbol… but steady. Quiet. It never boasted, yet never faded.
A faint pressure radiated around them, enough to show they weren't ordinary humans, but mid second-rank at least.
One guard yawned and grumbled,
"Damn this job…"
Then turned to his partner:
"Don't you think we should demand a raise?"
The other gave him the look someone gives an idiot:
"Sure. Go ahead—if you want that woman to hang you by your underwear at the gate. She'd do it, you know."
He was clearly referring to Ellara Astroweld.
The first guard scoffed,
"Cowards… you tremble just hearing her name."
The second arched an eyebrow.
"Oh? And you're brave then?"
Caius was close enough to hear every word, and he let out a loud sigh.
Both guards froze instantly, as if struck by a curse.
They straightened up at once, postures stiffening.
Slowly, they turned towards him—
Caius stood there with his hands in his pockets, indifference carved plainly onto his face.
They bowed quickly and spoke in unison:
"Good morning, Young Master Caius!"
He replied with a small nod,
"Good morning to you both… my diligent and very alert guards."
They froze again at the last words.
Caius continued coolly,
"Were you so focused on your duty that you didn't hear me walking up?"
Then, with more dryness,
"Anyway… perhaps I should inform my aunt about your request for higher pay. Truly, your hard work is so touching I might cry."
His face, of course, showed no sign of tears.
One managed to speak,
"Y-Young Master… about that… could you pretend you didn't hear anything?"
The second added, clearly panicking,
"Please, just… don't tell Lady Ellara."
Caius sighed.
"Who knows… maybe I will. Maybe I won't."
Their expressions collapsed.
"Please forgive us, Young Master!"
He walked past them toward the gate without looking back, but before he got too far, he said:
"Work properly… and I might consider forgetting this."
He thought with a hint of amusement,
Funny how they're more afraid of my aunt than of monsters.
When he reached the gate and extended a hand to open it, another hand reached from the other side and grabbed the handle just half a second earlier.
"Allow me to open the gate for you, Young Master Caius."
Caius raised an eyebrow, surprised by how suddenly obedient the guard had become—as if he had transformed into a different person altogether.
He stepped back a little, letting him open it.
The guard performed the task with exaggerated seriousness, pushing the gate open with a soft creak before bowing deeply.
"Please, go ahead, sir."
Caius walked past him with a faint smile and stepped outside, taking in the view around the estate.
The Astroweld estate—main residence of the family—was far from any major settlement.
A small forest surrounded it on either side, while a broad stone road stretched forward, built to accommodate carriages from the capital or nearby provinces.
He stood quietly, breathing in the crisp cold air, letting a moment of stillness fill his chest.
But the guard interrupted,
"Sir… if I may ask… what exactly are you waiting for?"
Caius answered without turning,
"I'm waiting for someone."
Moments later, a vehicle appeared on the horizon, moving steadily along the road.
As it approached, its shape grew clearer—
a luxurious black car, its value obvious at a single glance.
It stopped right in front of Caius.
The driver's door opened, and a young man of eighteen stepped out.
The pressure radiating from him was nearly equal to the guards'… maybe even stronger.
Medium-length blonde hair, clear blue eyes like a winter sky, and features carved with sculpted precision.
Elliot opened his arms, ready to hug his friend—
but Caius didn't move immediately.
He paused, staring behind Elliot… then at the car… then back at him.
There was no one else.
No guards.
No attendants.
Not even a second driver.
Strange.
Extremely unusual.
All of Elliot's past visits resembled small parades:
at least two guards, a personal driver, sometimes even a knight from the family.
But now?
He had come alone—
like an ordinary young man visiting a friend, not the heir of one of the empire's greatest houses.
Caius raised an eyebrow and asked,
"…Did you come alone?"
Elliot chuckled and shook his head.
"Of course. What, were you expecting an army behind me?"
Caius didn't smile. He pointed at the empty road.
"You usually arrive with half of House Sephrax following you. Even the servants beat you here."
Elliot stepped closer and patted his shoulder lightly.
"You know… I just wanted to visit my friend.
No noise, no protocol, no people watching every step."
Then he added with a warmer smile,
"And besides… I wanted to try something new—five minutes of actual freedom."
Caius stared at him for a moment, then replied with dry sarcasm,
"Freedom? Is that what you call it when a duke's son runs away from home for a visit?"
Elliot lifted his chin dramatically,
"It is not running away…
It is a strategic departure."
Finally, something resembling a smile appeared on Caius's lips.