The morning sunlight felt unusually bright, streaming through the windows of St. Alaric Academy, but Jace's thoughts were elsewhere. He often drifted back to a life no one in this world could imagine—a life of secrecy, protection, and constant preparation.
He had been born far from the continent, in a secluded villa that was part sanctuary, part fortress. No one knew he existed, except the few who were entrusted with his safety. His parents had chosen this path, not out of shame, but necessity. Enemies lurked in shadows, rivals who would have done anything to harm him or exploit him. And so Jace's earliest memories were of walls, locked doors, and the constant presence of someone who would always ensure he survived.
That someone was Scott.
Scott: Guardian and Teacher
Scott had been more than a brother from the beginning. He was protector, mentor, and sometimes, a strict drillmaster.
"You can't afford to be soft, Jace," Scott had said one evening, observing him struggle with a complex puzzle. "The world doesn't wait for hesitation. You need to be ready for anything."
Jace had listened, because Scott's words carried the weight of authority—and love. Every lesson, every exercise, every challenge had a purpose. Scott taught him not just mathematics or history, but strategy, observation, patience, and restraint.
Even when the training felt exhausting or unfair, Jace knew that every task was designed to make him stronger, faster, smarter, and calmer than anyone who might threaten him.
The Quiet Guidance of Parents
Though they were often physically absent, Jace's parents were never far from his mind. Their love had been the invisible hand guiding every decision.
He remembered his mother's gentle voice in the villa, whispering reassurance during nights of fear: "You are safe, my son. One day, the world will be ready for you."
His father had been more practical, a firm presence reminding him of responsibility: "Strength is useless without control. Knowledge is meaningless without courage. Remember that, Jace."
Every lesson from Scott had their influence behind it. They had sacrificed everything to keep him alive, placing him in a world apart, where danger could be managed and skills honed. Their choices had shaped Jace's life long before he even understood the weight of their decisions.
A Life in Shadows
Jace's world had been small but intense. There were no friends his age, no classmates, no ordinary childhood adventures. Instead, there were lessons, challenges, and constant reminders of the world beyond the villa's walls—a world that could destroy him if he faltered.
He had learned languages, history, finance, and strategy before he was ten. Martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, observation exercises, and negotiation skills filled his days. Even leisure had a purpose—books, puzzles, and simulations designed to make him sharp and ready for anything.
Liam and Mira, now his companions at St. Alaric, were unimaginable back then. Back then, every stranger was a potential threat, every smile could hide a dagger. But Scott had been there, guiding him, teaching him to read people, assess danger, and remain calm when others panicked.
Lessons Beyond Survival
Scott did not only teach survival. He taught morality in power, courage in leadership, and the importance of protecting others.
"Power without purpose is meaningless," Scott reminded him often. "And strength without restraint is dangerous. Never forget that. Use your abilities wisely."
These lessons had shaped Jace into the young man he was now: calm yet arrogant, intelligent but observant, kind yet decisive. Every gesture of composure, every confident word spoken at St. Alaric, was the result of years of preparation in a hidden life.
Even the smallest acts—walking into a classroom, ignoring whispers, protecting others—were backed by years of silent training and guidance.
Moments of Warmth
Despite the strictness, there were moments of warmth. Scott would occasionally allow walks in the garden, short games, or laughter over small victories in training. These fleeting moments reminded Jace that life was more than survival, that there was a world worth preparing for—a world he would one day step into fully.
His parents' words lingered in his mind, soft and strong at once: "One day, the world will be ready for you." And now, entering St. Alaric, he felt the first taste of that world—chaotic, hierarchical, and untested against someone like him.
The World Beyond the Villa
Even now, seated in classrooms and hallways of St. Alaric, Jace could feel the invisible threads of Scott's influence. Behind the scenes, Scott handled threats, rivalries, and enemies that Jace couldn't even see. That protection allowed him to focus on observation, strategy, and interaction without distraction.
No one suspected the depth of Jace's training or the history that had shaped him. To his peers, he was a scholarship student—quiet, handsome, and unafraid. But inside, he carried years of preparation, lessons from his parents, and Scott's guidance.
He had been hidden, protected, and trained for a purpose. And every step he took now, every calm smile and subtle act of rebellion, was a reflection of that life in shadows.
One day, the world would see the full measure of what he could do. But for now, he would observe, learn, and wait. The quiet strength of his hidden life was just beginning to ripple outward.