Year -5001, Doragoon month
The maids entered the room, drawing aside the blinds and opening the window. Gentle rays of sunlight touched his arms, gradually warming his entire body. As he opened his eyes, one of the maids said:
"Young master, here is your uniform for today. Your father, Lord Atya, asked me to remind you to wear this for the ceremony and when you`re done changing to go downstairs for breakfast."
"Thank you, Lola. You may leave now."
"All right, Young master."
He took off his clothes and changed into the uniform brought by the maid, then began to gather his thoughts before leaving his room and heading downstairs for breakfast.
In the dining hall, there was a long rectangular table with one rounded corner on one side, and at the head of the table, my father sat silently. At the table, starting from the right side of the table there was my mother, close to my father, Abril— my big brother —, third son — Abiguel —, and fourth daughter — Alicia —. In the left side of the table there was Miyria — fifth daughter—, Andreeyi — sixth son —, Chrise — seventh daughter — and the last one was Shi, my younger sister.
His father is a tall man who often wears his military uniform at home, not just at work. The uniform is a blend of white and beige, crafted from high-quality cotton for both comfort and durability. A high-collared, double-breasted coat in bright white or royal beige, adorned with golden embroidery and silver-threaded filigree, signifies both his rank and noble lineage. Epaulettes of braided silver rest on his shoulders.
The uniform was a symbol of national pride, recognized across every region for its prestige and high importance. Down the length of the waistcoat, polished brass buttons gleamed, each engraved with the sigil of the ruling house. A crimson-red silken sash draped across his chest, a symbol of his allegiance and decorated status.
The lower half of the uniform consisted of slim-cut trousers in black and white, subtly embroidered along the sides, neatly tucked into polished knee-high leather boots—a final touch of discipline and elegance that reflected the prestige of his position.
He is a prideful man, highly skilled in both martial arts and strategic planning, a figure so revered that the people of the nation came to call him 'The Strategic Guardian'.
The family crest depicts a young saint, her hands lifted as if in prayer. She stands between two towering figures—a white giant on one side, and a crimson-red dragon on the other. Only her hair is visible beneath her hood, a soft light-blue, like the still surface of calm water. The contrast between the giant and the dragon seems to protect—and perhaps judge—the saint's devotion, forming a symbol of balance, power, and silent faith.
The first son, Abril, excels in politics and swordsmanship. His dark purple hair contrasts with his emerald-green eyes, and he generally maintains a good attitude toward the family. At least, that's how it seems—but at times, he loses his temper over small things, especially ignorance. When I began to neglect my training as a guard, he scolded me, insisting that I should behave like a noble and a person of importance, reminding me that our fate is not something trivial that can be disregarded. But over time, he began to pay less attention to my behavior and simply told our father that I was still attending training, in a way enabling me to ignore my responsibilities.
Finding himself in his twenties, he received numerous marriage proposals. I can't deny that he is a handsome and well-suited match for nobility. As for his attire, he adjusts his look based on the weather—something I find quite interesting.
Abiguel is a mischievous kid, often playing tricks to the maids and his family. Often wearing childish clothes, unfitting for his age.
Abiguel's eyes are a striking shade of white, as pure and cold as freshly fallen snow, giving him an almost otherworldly gaze. His hair, a rare blend of frosty white intertwined with icy blue strands, cascades like frozen silk, shimmering under the light. Despite his playful and mischievous nature, his face carries an air of maturity, as if wisdom lingers just beneath his youthful antics.
Like every man in the family, he excels in swordsmanship and, strangely, in white magic.
White magic is often called a 'gift' by every magic wielder in this world—a rare power, unseen and unheard of for centuries. If mastered properly, it is a force capable of rivaling an entire nation.
Why do I call it strange? That's because magic is not often seen or heard about. Magic can be called "lost" due to the decline of weather.
Why that? Because for using magic you need 'Area' particles in the air to be able to summon or call a spell. I would like to explain why there are fewer area particles nowadays but now is not the time to retell the story of a lost, missing kindred.
Alicia and Miyria are alike—they are twins. Both are now fourteen years old and behave just as one would expect for their age. They love playing together outside the mansion and often join Abiguel in his mischievous schemes to play tricks on us. What stands out most about their appearance is their hair—Alicia has crimson-red locks, while Miyria's hair is similar to mine, a shade of ashen gray.
Their eyes glowed with the warmth of golden sunlight, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the morning mist, casting a soft, golden hue across the world.
Both loves to dress alike, mostly to confuse the people in the mansion about who is who or to play pranks on the workers. That's how my sisters spend their mornings, but by midday, they avoid our maids—even our mother—to escape being dragged into their lessons.
Sixth son, Andreeyi, is a quick learner. Despite the 8-year age gap between him and Abril, he can train almost toe-to-toe with him. As for me, I took part in a sparring match with him once... and beautifully lost. I don't want to make excuses, but I never really put much effort into things like that, especially fighting.
He can be considered a younger version of Abril, as they share strikingly similar looks.
Chrise is their ten-year-old sister, with white-blonde hair and emerald-green eyes, much like Abril's. She rarely joins her older sisters in play, preferring the solitude of her own room. When she does emerge, it's usually to sit with the maids, quietly sewing, or to seek comfort in their mother's embrace. Her attire consists of light, modest dresses in soft, faded colors—fitting for her age and temperament, allowing her to remain unnoticed in the background.
Their youngest sister, Shi, is seldom seen by the family. She only appears during important events or announcements. A fact that constantly makes them sad, and it always makes them wonder—why is she always excluded from playing with her older brothers or sisters? From time to time, Chrise and they would hide from the guards and sneak into her room, which is located far from the mansion, in a separate building deep within their garden.
Every time they were near Shi or in the same room as her, the air seemed to grow noticeably heavier—perhaps it was just their imagination. After all, their family never reacted any differently, nor did they show any signs of discomfort.
The building has four floors, and her room is on the fourth.
Upon entering, you cross a long hallway before reaching the stairs that lead to the first floor—strangely, no guards are visible here, despite the heavy presence on the upper floors. The first floor is not dark, but light struggles to filter through, as if the space were without windows.
Walking straight ahead, you reach the stairs to the second floor. The second floor mirrors the first, with nothing to see—no decorations, no tables, no chairs—just an empty hall. To reach the stairs to the third floor, simply follow the wall and you will find them.
The third floor is different. It feels more like a storage area, with boxes stacked high, giving the space a warehouse-like atmosphere. Moving forward, you'll find the stairs that lead to the final floor. This place resembles a round tower—when you enter, you travel along the edge of the floor, winding upward. Once at the top, you must turn around and retrace your steps, like moving around a circular tower.
On the top floor, you face ten doors, one after another. The first door is unguarded, the second, again, unguarded, the third, unguarded, and the fourth, unguarded as well. The scene behind each door is eerily similar—an empty space, much like the floors below, with nothing to be found.
When you reach the middle of the hallway, you find yourself in front of the fifth door. This one is larger than the previous ones, and to reach it, you must ascend a few stairs. Upon opening the door, you're immediately struck by the brightness inside, making it difficult to see as your eyes adjust from the dimness of the hallway to the light of the room.
Beyond this door, the space expands into a series of narrow walls, each one creating a cramped passage that forces you to navigate carefully, as if you're stepping into a labyrinth. The room feels significantly larger than the others, but the maze-like design seems intentionally crafted to slow your progress. It's clear that this twisted layout was built with one purpose in mind: to make it easier for the guards to spot anyone who dares to enter. Whenever I reached the last floor, a single thought crossed my mind — why would you build something like this? What purpose does it serve to isolate someone? Shi is just a young girl, and there's nothing to gain from shutting her off from the family. This place was never meant to be a prison or an experiment — my father would never do that. Even if he sometimes seems commanding, as though he gives orders without hesitation, he has always loved his family. He would never do anything to harm us.
After several attempts at entering the building, it became easier to advance and avoid the guards. While it's easier said than done, the main reason for our progress is Chrise's power—Nature. With the overwhelming brightness of the light in this place, she can create a veil that blends seamlessly with it. Her powers allow her to manipulate all the basic elements and their derivatives, making it possible to move forward undetected.
The other upper doors are similar to this one, so it's only a matter of time before we reach Shi's room. The problem is, how do we open the large door in front of us without alerting the guards stationed in this room?
This room is filled with tables and chairs where the guards stay to protect the area. My concern isn't the guards or the door; the real issue is that, as children, we managed to reach the deepest corner of the tower without being noticed. If Father intended to isolate his daughter from the outside world, he failed. What if the person trying to reach her room wasn't a friend, but a foe?
That question will be answered soon enough.
Chrise used her power to temporarily disconnect the door from the real world, allowing us to open it and enter without detection. However, every time we arrived, Shi was always asleep. The only thing we could do was quietly watch our sleeping sister, gently cuddling her without disturbing her rest. For me, it was enough to see that she was well and unharmed. Chrise spent her time beside Shi, sleeping peacefully, while I kept watching. I made sure to move as quietly as possible, careful not to make a sound that might wake them, all the while guarding the door to prevent the guards from entering and checking on her.
Setting aside the echoes of this memory, we return to the present:
Usually, I sit between my big brother and Alicia, but the seat was occupied by Abiguel and the chair for me was nowhere to be seen. One of the maids panicked and exclaimed:
"I really apologize, I will now go to find a chair for you Young Master", her voice trembled. In that moment, my father looked at her and with an unfazed face said:
"There is no need for an additional chair, all the seats have already been taken."
Unable to say something to my father, I simply stood there and waited patiently for them to finish their breakfast. My younger sisters, Shi and Chrise, didn't touch their breakfast, instead giving me joyful smiles and teasing me in a playful way. When my father finished his meal, all my brothers stopped eating, looking uncertain as they waited for him to speak.
"Will Sofners", my father said in a commanding tone.
Since I couldn't hide the uncertainty on my face, I mumbled and said:
"Yes, father"
"Are you wondering why there was no seat for you at breakfast today?" he said, his tone cheerful, but there was an unmistakable sharpness beneath it.
I didn't wonder why, I already knew it was because I had neglected my training, spent my time reading books and played with my younger sisters. I could not say this, right? My answer was for sure not expected:
"No father, I do not wonder why"
Silence swallowed the room, and my sisters ceased their chit-chat, while my brothers' faces remained mostly unfazed, though they nearly laughed at what I said. When I looked toward my mother, not my father's face, I saw her expression filled with sadness—not disappointment, but a sorrowful reaction to the words I had spoken.