"I can't."
Northern frowned slightly as he stared at him. "Why?"
Alex lowered his voice, stepping closer. "I have to return… to the Silvers' house."
Northern's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
Alex took a deep breath. "They think I serve them. Let them keep thinking that. If I stay close, I can gather more information—secrets, weaknesses, things you can't see now. I'll be your eyes inside that house."
The words hung in the air.
Northern stared at him, his expression unreadable. Finally, he asked, "And what if you're caught?"
Alex grinned, though there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. "Then I'll just pretend to be the fool they think I am. Don't worry about me, Master. I'll be fine."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Northern's gaze was sharp, as if weighing Alex's worth, measuring his resolve.
At last, he leaned back in the carriage, his voice quiet but steady. "Do as you want."
Alex's face lit up with relief. He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you. I won't fail you."
Northern gave him one last glance, then signaled the driver. The carriage jerked forward, the horses pulling it steadily down the road.
Alex stood where he was, watching until the carriage disappeared into the distance. His smile faded then, replaced by a determined look.
Turning sharply, he began the long walk back toward the Silver estate.
-----
The city they entered was nothing like the small towns they had passed through. Its gates were high and arched, lined with runes that glimmered faintly in the rising sun. The stone streets stretched wide, alive with merchants calling, children darting between stalls, and guards stationed at every turn.
Above the gates, in bold carved letters, was the city's name: Elarith.
Northern sat in silence as the carriage rolled through. His gaze lingered on the new sights—the towers of pale marble in the distance, the banners fluttering crimson and gold, the faint hum of enchantments woven into the air. Elarith felt alive, yet strangely watchful.
The carriage stopped before a fountain square, where a young girl stood waiting. She wore a simple dress of blue linen, her hair tied neatly in a braid down her back. When she spotted the carriage, she straightened, her eyes bright.
As Northern stepped down, the girl approached quickly.
"Welcome, Master," she said with a small bow. "I am Emily… Alex's younger sister. He asked me to wait for you."
Northern studied her quietly for a moment before nodding.
Emily smiled faintly, gesturing for him to follow. "Please, come with me. My brother has already prepared everything."
They began walking through the crowded streets, Emily leading the way with a careful pace. Northern followed, hands at his sides, his sharp gaze brushing past the passersby.
It didn't take long before voices rose around them, threads of gossip weaving into the air.
"…can you believe it? Lord Silver disowned his own son."
"Yes, the useless one without ability. About time, if you ask me."
A man standing near a stall of dried fruits snorted. "Still, to throw away your blood like that? Shameful. No honor in it."
"Hah, honor? What honor is there in keeping a burden? That boy was nothing but dead weight. The Fourth Lord was right to take another as his son. The Silver name must not be tarnished."
Northern's steps never faltered. His expression didn't change. His eyes remained forward, as though he hadn't heard a word.
Emily glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, uncertain, but said nothing.
They passed more chatter, whispers trailing after them like shadows.
"…a strange boy, with no gift, no spark. Cast aside."
"…the other one, Finn, they say he's brilliant, a true talent."
"…maybe so, but no father should—"
The voices faded as they turned down a quieter street.
At last, they arrived before a house. Not towering like the noble estates, yet it stood out all the same. Its walls were smooth stone, its roof tiled in dark slate, and a carved wooden door gleamed under fresh polish. Flowering vines trailed along the fence, and the windows glowed faintly with warmth inside.
Emily stopped before it and turned to him. Her eyes were full of pride.
"This is the place my brother prepared for you," she said softly. "Everything you need is inside. It may not be as large as the Silver mansion, but it is yours."
Northern's gaze swept over the house, lingering on the details. It was no mere shelter—it was comfortable, even extravagant in its way.
Finally, he asked, "Where did he get all this money?"
Emily blinked, hesitating. "I… don't know. Alex never told me. He only said he would handle everything. I just did as he asked."
Northern's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing more. He stepped toward the door, hand brushing over the polished wood.
The house was waiting for him. And yet, as he crossed the threshold, a thought flickered at the edge of his mind.
What exactly is Alex hiding?
****
An hour after Northern had settled down in his home, Emily brought him food.
"Master, here," she said dropping the food on the table there. "Dinner." She added.
Emily had barely turned when Northern's calm voice stopped her.
"Wait."
She paused and faced him, clutching the tray nervously. "Yes, Master?"
Northern leaned back slightly in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on her. "Tell me… about this world's power system. How it works. Abilities. And demons."
Emily blinked, surprised by the sudden request. She set the tray back on the table and slowly sat down across from him. "You really don't know?"
"Just answer."
She lowered her gaze for a moment, thinking of where to begin. Finally, she spoke.
"In our world, strength comes from one's ability. Everyone is born with the potential for it, but not all awaken it. Some are blessed, some cursed with nothing at all. Those who do awaken… their ability becomes their life. Their worth."
Northern's expression didn't change, though Emily noticed his fingers tap faintly against the table.
She continued, her voice steadier now. "Abilities fall into ranks. The weakest are Gray-rank, barely useful, like controlling small flames or strengthening the body slightly. Then there's Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Most noble families have at least one Gold-rank to secure their power."
She hesitated before lowering her voice. "But above those… there are rarer still: Platinum and Diamond. Legends, really. People with powers that can level armies. In all of Uriel, perhaps only a handful exist."
"And demons?" Northern asked quietly.
Emily shivered slightly at the word. "They're… creatures born from corrupted essence. They come in levels too, like us. Lesser demons are no stronger than animals, but once they reach Greater or High-class, they can wipe out towns. The strongest are the Abyssal Demons… they say even armies fall before one of them. That's why noble families train their heirs so fiercely—so that they can fight and defend against the rising of demons."
Her hands clenched slightly on her lap. "To be without an ability… is to be helpless. Powerless."
Northern remained silent, but his eyes gleamed faintly at her words.
After a long pause, he asked, "And Alex? What ability does he possess?"
Emily blinked, caught off guard. "My brother?"
"Yes."
She bit her lip, as though reluctant, but then answered honestly. "Alex… his ability is called Shadow Veil. It lets him conceal himself in shadows, move unseen, and even silence his presence for short periods of time. It's not the strongest, but in the right hands… it's dangerous. Especially for gathering secrets."
Northern leaned forward slightly, remembering Alex's words about being his "eyes." The puzzle pieces shifted faintly in his mind.
"And you?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her now.
Emily hesitated before lowering her head. "I… I only have a small gift. Nothing like my brother. Mine is called Whisper of Leaves. It lets me sense faint disturbances in nature around me—like when someone approaches, or if danger lingers in the air. It's weak, barely a Gray-rank ability. Useful for chores, but not battles."
Her voice trailed off, and she looked down, almost ashamed.
Northern studied her in silence, then leaned back, eyes half-lidded.
"I see."
The room fell quiet again, but Emily could feel his mind turning behind that calm exterior, weighing every word she had given him.
"You can leave."
"Yes, Master."