Walking up the street, Ângelo asked:
— Hey, Mark, are your parents home?
— Uh… no — the boy replied, still a bit dazed. — But the robot is. Alfred's taking care of me.
— A robot? — Angelo frowned. — And its name is Alfred?
— Yep. He's awesome. He's got state-of-the-art AI, watches over me, never leaves my side.
Angelo glanced sideways, suspicious.
— Don't you think you're spending a bit too much time with artificial intelligence? What about your friends?
Mark pointed at them.
— They're right here.
Angelo blinked.
— No, I mean… we're older. I meant friends your own age.
Mark shrugged.
— Age never made sense to me. Friends are friends. Anyway, I was looking for you when that jerk ran me over! Bet he was drunk.
Angelo and Tocre exchanged glances.
— Yeah… better let Alfred deal with that before your parents come back — Angelo said.
Mark nodded, uneasy.
— They're… chaotic… you know how they are.
They moved on, but Tocre suddenly stopped.
— Wait. I just remembered… your house is really far. It's going to take a while to get there.
— Oh, yeah — Mark said. — I was so relaxed with you two that I didn't even think about it. Maybe we could call a taxi…
Tocre looked into his bag, pulling out the newly purchased hourglass… and smiled serenely.
He held the Spatial Folding Hourglass carefully. The sand inside began to glow, small suns dancing between the grains. The thin, gleaming glass vibrated softly, emitting a subtle, musical hum that grew louder by the second.
— Tocre? Is this… normal?! — Angelo's eyes went wide, breath caught in his chest.
Tocre remained calm, observing every detail with almost irritating serenity.
Suddenly, the hourglass disintegrated into luminous particles, like stardust. Each grain floated in the air, shimmering with its own life before dissolving into a sparkling cascade. The world around them trembled slightly, as if space itself was stretching and twisting silently.
Angelo held on tight, both fascinated and terrified. The particles swirled into blue-and-gold whirlwinds, enveloping him like a halo of pure magic.
Then, with a subtle, luminous snap, the hourglass reformed intact in Tocre's hand, while the surrounding space rearranged itself silently.
In the blink of an eye, the ground disappeared beneath them, and light enveloped them—a tunnel of color and brilliance, swirling and undulating like a cosmic aurora. It felt like floating between sky and earth at once, the air crackling with restrained energy.
When they opened their eyes, they were at Mark's doorstep, as if they'd traversed time and space with a breath of living magic.
Mark's jaw dropped, eyes sparkling with awe.
— Wow… this is… amazing! — he gasped.
Tocre raised an eyebrow, still calm.
— Just science… and magic, balanced just right.
— Whoa… that's some cool gadget. I've got a bunch like that in my room!
Ângelo raised his eyebrows.
— Seriously? You've got several gadgets in your room?
— Of course! You can see them today. Maybe after you finish the entrance exams for the Military Science and Magic Academy.
Angelo froze.
— Exams? Tests? When… what?!
Tocre rubbed his face, frustrated with himself.
— The last ones were when we were four. Now that we're fourteen… it's happening again.
Angelo's eyes widened with excitement.
— Whoa! That's incredible! I can't wait!
Mark laughed.
— Calm down. They're still in final preparations. Maybe the government or the queen will make an announcement.
Angelo thought for a moment.
— Maybe that's why they called my father…
They entered the house. Modern, filled with screens, sensors, and blue lights. Alfred appeared from the hallway, clad in silver metallic armor with pulsating veins of blue light. His eyes glowed intensely, analyzing the visitors. Each step was silent but precise, fluid, almost alive.
— Beep — he greeted, voice metallic and commanding.
Standing two meters away, he tilted his head slightly, radiating precision and power.
Mark was partially healed while the three of them laughed, talked, and explored the gadgets in his room.
Hours later, deep into the night, they said goodbye to their little friend—now safe, comfortable, and calm.
When Angelo and Tocre left Mark's house, the sky was already dark. The night felt freshly awakened, illuminated by hanging street lanterns and the fireworks exploding in the distance—the remnants of the festival still echoing through the Royal City of Máxima.
Angelo stretched, looking around.
— Hey, Tocre… can't we just use the hourglass to get straight back to the castle? Do that thing, man.
Tocre raised an eyebrow, completely calm.
— Not a chance. Only two uses left before it needs a full recharge. And that could… take time.
— We can walk or get a taxi. It's simple.
Angelo huffed.
— Ugh… the streets are already emptying! We'll have to move fast…
They ended up walking to the main avenue and hailed a taxi. Before getting in, Ângelo muttered:
— I still can't believe you didn't use the hourglass.
Tocre glanced at him, calm as ever.
— Life's like that, man.
The taxi dropped them at the castle gates, and they crossed the courtyard. The night breeze carried the smell of celebration fires and the distant hum of the city. Inside the inner courtyard, they spotted Seraphina.
She looked nervous, almost distressed. When her eyes met Ângelo's, she ran to him.
— Angelo… please… I'm sorry for my brother's behavior today. I've tried talking to him so much… but I don't know what's going on with Asher…
Ângelo took a deep breath, approached her, and held her hand—making Seraphina even more flustered and embarrassed.
— Hey… don't worry about him.
This will end sooner or later. Maybe… one day… we can live in harmony.
He gently touched her face and pulled her into a hug. Seraphina closed her eyes, surprised but comforted.
A few steps away, Tocre observed silently, only raising an eyebrow.
Then his gaze caught something above—a figure at a lit window in the castle.
It was Asher.
And he had seen everything.
His eyes burned—not with literal fire of the Empire, but with something fiercer: jealousy, wounded pride… maybe something worse.
When Angelo finished the hug and stepped back, Seraphina tried to continue speaking.
— Angelo… maybe we can talk a little more…
But Tocre intervened, calm and firm:
— Please… pause for a moment. This is getting… awkward.
Seraphina, you know Asher is always looking for reasons to cause trouble with Ângelo.
And Angelo… you know it too. Don't give him reasons.
Seraphina hesitated.
— But… I…
— Just try to keep some distance… for now.
Until we get some sense into your brother's head.
She sighed, defeated.
— …Alright. I'll try.
Each went to their own room.
Ângelo, walking down the corridor, murmured to himself:
— The exams are coming…
I… I will be a warrior.
Tocre, on his own path, reflected:
— The exams… finally… it's our turn.
In the castle, while some rested and others processed the day's events, the night was far from over for those who ruled.
In the Royal Hall, the Queen sat at the head of a long gray crystal table, speaking with men and women of great political and military significance. Every word measured, every expression heavy with meaning. They discussed delicate matters—some about balancing nations, others about Máxima's borders and the future of the academies.
Among them, the most imposing figure was Vênus, King of the Fire Nation, father of Asher and Seraphina.
Called The Lord of Fire, The King of the Incandescent, The Bearer of Chaos—titles not exaggerated.
Vênus was known for his explosive, impulsive, unpredictable temperament, which explained Asher's behavior. Yet, behind the blazing fire, he was a man who chose reason when the kingdom demanded it.
Not a tyrant. A strategist.
Next to him, seated with a firm posture and rigid expression, was Esmond, father of Angelo—the strongest living warrior, representing the Seraphyne and Dreavann houses in the council. His presence only reinforced the weight of the discussion.
Other representatives from distant territories were also present, important figures whose names remained mysterious—for now.
The discussion continued deep into the night, the Queen listening, pondering, adjusting decisions, ensuring every important voice was heard. Tension hung in the air. Premonitions lingered. Something was approaching.
And so, the night drew to a close.