The sudden uproar swelling in front of the ceremonial hall pulled every gaze in the courtyard toward its source. The festive cheer that had filled the wedding moments earlier evaporated at once, replaced by whispers, confusion, and a gathering tension that wrapped itself around every breath. Even Kazien and Alvin—who had been quietly rejoicing in Selena's recovery and the lively atmosphere—instinctively turned toward the commotion.
Selena stood rigidly in the open space before the hall, her hands gripping the front of Marquis Jastiver's wedding attire with trembling intensity. Her breaths came unsteadily, her expression twisted in disbelief and fury.
"What evil plan are you plotting against me, Jastiver?" she shouted, her voice echoing sharply across the courtyard.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the onlookers. The nobles exchanged confused glances, some stepping closer, others shrinking back. None could fathom why the bride, barely wedded for an hour, would accuse her new husband with such venom.
Jastiver stepped back slightly, raising both hands in feigned confusion. "What are you talking about? Why are you saying such outrageous things?"
Selena's glare sharpened. "Don't play innocent! Do you see this necklace?"
He looked down at the pendant she now held in front of him—an elegant piece of silver and crystal, crafted with intricate patterns reminiscent of ancient runes. It pulsed faintly with light.
"This necklace was made by my brother, Kazien!" Selena declared. "He gave it to me as a wedding gift."
"And what does that have to do with you attacking me in public?" Jastiver's tone turned cold, the mask slipping.
"This necklace reacts to malicious intent!" she said with a trembling voice. "My brother created it to protect me. The pendant points toward anyone with harmful intent directed at me. And today, it pointed at you. So tell me—do you still dare to deny it?"
Silence fell like a blanket over the courtyard. The weight of her words crashed upon the guests like a wave. The realization that the necklace had been crafted by Kazien Altavis—a boy already rumored among the nobles to possess abilities far outside normal human limits—only amplified the shock.
People whispered urgently among themselves:
He made a magical artifact that can detect killing intent?
At his age?
Is the Altavis boy truly that gifted?
Jastiver's lips curled slowly into a twisted smile.
"Huh? And you all believe that ridiculous story—just because you claim your brother made some miracle necklace?"
Selena's eyes burned. "Judge it yourself! William's fiancées, Virena and Davin—they all accepted the partners my brother chose for them. Do you know why?" She stepped closer, her voice rising. "Because they trust him. They trust his judgment more than anyone else!"
Her words echoed with conviction, and many in the courtyard felt a shiver run through them. The King himself, King Nalvon, watched silently, mind racing.
Not only can the boy communicate with monsters… he can forge artifacts like that? Yet he hides his abilities so thoroughly? This child… just what is he?
Marquis Jastiver suddenly began laughing. A harsh, unsettling sound.
"Hahaha… hahahaha…!"
His mocking laughter unsettled even those who were unsure whom to believe.
But then—
From across the courtyard, a voice pierced the tension: "SIS SELENA, GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
It was Kazien.
But his warning came too late.
ZEP!
A spear of earth shot up from the ground like lightning—a sharp, cone-shaped spike of solid stone. It pierced straight through Selena's abdomen.
Blood burst forth in a crimson spray.
Her eyes widened, mouth quivering as she stared down at the gaping hole torn clean through her. The world seemed to freeze.
"H—How dare you... Jastiver..." she said in agony.
Screams erupted everywhere.
"SELENA!!"
"SIS SELENA!!"
Before her body collapsed, a flash of light struck the air—
ZAP!
In an instant, Kazien materialized beside her. He caught her limp body in his arms before she could hit the ground. Marquis Jastiver had already turned and bolted, sprinting through the panicked crowd.
Kazien held Selena close, tearing agony in his voice. "Lidaz! Formation—no one leaves this city alive! Alvin—catch him!"
"GWAK!!"
At his command, dozens of griffons took flight, their wings thundering like storms as they soared into the sky. They scattered in all directions, forming a blockade around the entire city.
With a blinding blink of teleportation, Alvin vanished—only to reappear seconds later in pursuit of Marquis Jastiver. Earth-element blasts tore through the air as Jastiver attempted to fend him off, but Alvin dodged each strike with graceful ease.
"I had hoped," Alvin said coldly, "that you would cherish Sis Selena. But you betrayed her."
"Why does a high elf fight for the Altavis family?" Jastiver snarled.
"That is none of your concern!" Alvin replied. "My only business with you is ending this."
He raised his hand—
BZZT! BZZT!
Lightning magic wrapped around Jastiver's body, paralyzing him instantly. His limbs stiffened, his voice choked off mid-chant.
When did he paralyze me!? I can't move… I can't speak!
Duke Elgard's family stormed toward the captured traitor. Duke Elgard himself stood in front of Jastiver, fury shaking his voice.
"Alvin, make him speak."
Alvin snapped his fingers, allowing only Jastiver's voice to function.
"Why did you do something so cruel to my daughter?" Duke Elgard demanded.
Jastiver sneered. "Because you kept secrets from me! You hid the existence of the high elf—and the power of your son!"
"That was none of your business," Duke Elgard growled. "And my son's ability is not something we flaunt. You have no right to envy it."
"You betrayed me!" Jastiver spat. "If I had known—if you had told me—I could have used—"
"That is my son's ability, and there is no point in me showing it off to everyone! Goodbye, Jastiver."
A crackling frost spread instantly across Jastiver's skin.
His body froze solid—
—then shattered into countless glittering fragments.
Silence swallowed the courtyard.
Meanwhile, Kazien knelt on the ground with Selena in his arms, tears streaking down his cheeks. He pressed both palms over her wound.
A golden, radiant light burst from his hands.
That's Divine Heal Magic.
Divine Healing Magic is so rare that only a few people can use it. Even the most powerful priests are unable to use it.
The onlookers gasped as Selena's torn flesh mended itself, the wound sealing completely until only faint traces remained.
Weak but alive, Selena opened her eyes and touched her brother's cheek. "Thank you… Kazien."
Kazien broke down entirely, hugging her with relief. "Thank the Goddess… I thought I was too late…!"
King Nalvon watched with awe.
A child capable of divine-tier healing magic…? Truly, a genius born only once in centuries…
Duke Elgard and Duchess Larina rushed forward, embracing Selena.
"We thought we lost you," her father whispered.
William and the siblings trembled with rage. "If Kazien hadn't been here, you'd be dead!"
"Let's just destroy this city!" Virena shouted.
Davin cracked his knuckles. "Lidaz and the griffons already sealed the perimeter. We can wipe it out from within."
"STOP!" Selena scolded. "I'm fine!"
Reluctantly, they backed down.
Alvin approached and tugged Kazien gently. "My dear, how long will you cry?"
Kazien ignored him.
Alvin poked his cheek. "If you keep this up, Sis Selena will be uncomfortable. And people are staring."
Kazien sniffed and looked up, embarrassed. "Sis Selena… I'm sorry for crying so much…"
Selena chuckled, wiping his tears. "It's alright. But you owe me—my wedding was ruined."
Kazien glared at her. "You're worried about the wedding? You had a hole in your stomach!"
She laughed again, and finally, the tension broke.
After the sky cleared, Kazien fired a bright flame signal upward. Griffons returned to him in a sweeping formation.
"They respond to your magic?" Davin murmured in awe.
"They're smart." Kazien said fondly, petting Lidaz. "They understand our words."
"Only because they understand you, right?" Virena teased.
"Try it!" Kazien said.
Virena approached a griffon. "Can you give me a ride?"
The griffon lowered its body obediently.
Moments later—
WHOOSH!
Virena soared into the sky on griffon-back, laughing triumphantly.
Everyone stared, stunned.
"I never knew griffons could understand humans," King Nalvon whispered.
Kazien bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, please let no one hunt griffons for glory. Leave them be, and they will never attack. But provoke them—and they will fight."
"Your wisdom is remarkable, Kazien Altavis," the king said. "Tell me… besides healing, transparency, and fire… what other elements do you control?"
"All of them," Kazien answered simply.
The entire court was struck silent.
A true prodigy…
The king straightened. "Duke Elgard, I hereby grant you authority to annex Marquis Jastiver's territory."
Duke Elgard bowed. "I accept, but only part of it. The rest, you may assign as you wish."
The nobles murmured eagerly—until the king spoke again.
"Kazien Altavis, would you like to become the leader of the remaining land?"
Every noble gasped. "A 13-year-old? A territory leader?"
Kazien smiled politely.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am not interested. I am already content with what I have."