"Do you remember anything else from that night, besides the sky being dark?"
...
Lucian thought for a moment.
"Uhh… all I remember is… yes, my mother was protecting me using her ice magic. It was beautiful," he said slowly. "Why did you ask?"
Tuff kept a calm expression, though his thoughts moved quickly.
His mother used ice magic instead of dark magic. Maybe she was not a true member of the Altair bloodline. The Altair family was known for their many affairs and political marriages. Perhaps the woman was only an outside wife. If that was the case, the boy would not inherit the dark magic traits of the Altair bloodline.
Tuff shook the thought away.
"Nothing important," he replied. "Did you inherit your mother's element? Do you have any other magic element besides ice?"
Lucian shook his head.
"Yes, I inherited it from my mother. I only have ice magic. Is it even possible for someone to have two elements?"
He suddenly looked at the pot.
"Oh. The soup is ready."
He stood up and placed several wooden bowls near the pot so everyone could take one.
"I added Moonlight Grass to the soup," Lucian said. "It should help heal your wounds a little. After eating, you can sleep anywhere in the cave. Sorry, I don't have beds."
Tuff looked at him.
"You are not joining us? You cooked the meal after all."
Lucian shook his head.
"No. I already ate earlier. I am going outside."
He raised his left hand. The thick ice wall sealing the cave opened like a door large enough for one person.
Outside the cave, massive trees surrounded the area and kept the entrance hidden.
The cave itself rested along the lower slope of the great mountain, almost on the surface. It was not large, but it could hold several dozen people if needed. A long stone ledge extended above the entrance, forming a natural ceiling where someone could sit or stand. From there, the sky could be seen clearly without the tall trees blocking the view.
Lucian climbed onto the rocky ledge and sat down.
The night sky stretched above him.
The moon rested toward the upper left side of the sky, which meant it was already around ten or eleven at night.
He stared quietly at the stars.
Then he spoke softly, almost without realizing it.
"I'm tired."
His voice sounded weak.
"I'm tired… I feel like I want to rest for a long time."
He lowered his head.
"Can I stop? Just once… can I stop searching?"
"I don't even know what I'm looking for. I don't know what it looks like. Is it big or small? You only told me to find it… mom."
His voice trembled.
"Why? How am I supposed to find it? If it has a purpose… how?"
"I've been trapped on this mountain for three years. I mapped and sketched almost every part of it."
Tears slowly ran from his right eye.
"It's been too long, mom. You told me to be patient… but I can't do it anymore."
"I want to see the world… just like you and father did."
"I want a life where I don't spend every day worrying about how to survive."
At that moment, a voice spoke from behind him.
"Did I disturb you?"
Lucian jumped slightly and wiped his tears quickly.
Tuff stood near the cave entrance.
"No," Lucian said quietly. "Sorry you had to see me like this."
Tuff gestured toward the ledge.
"May I?"
Lucian nodded.
Tuff climbed up and sat beside him. For a moment, neither of them spoke. They both looked at the sky.
After a while, Tuff spoke.
"You know… I have many questions about you."
Lucian wiped the last of his tears and replied calmly.
"Go ahead. I have questions too."
Tuff gave a small nod.
"It's late, so I will ask only a few things. How long have you lived here? And why are you here?"
Lucian answered.
"Like I said earlier, I came here when I was twelve. I don't have a way to measure time, so I think it has been about three years. Maybe more."
He paused.
"I don't even know my real age. But I know my birthday. January fifth, year 1056."
"For your second question… I would rather not explain. Let's say my mother left me here for a reason."
Tuff nodded slowly.
"It is March twenty third, year 1072."
He looked at Lucian.
"That means you are sixteen years old."
Lucian looked surprised for a moment.
Tuff continued.
"Why did you and your mother leave the city and hide here?"
Lucian answered calmly.
"I don't know the full reason. My mother said she and my father ran away because someone was targeting them. So they hid here."
Tuff leaned slightly closer.
"Do you know your father's name?"
Lucian nodded.
"Gashauz Altair. My mother said he was a great man. He did not agree with the terrible things his family did."
The moment Tuff heard the name, he froze.
His eyes widened.
Shock spread across his face.
Lucian noticed it immediately.
"Based on your reaction… you know my father. How?"
Tuff slowly returned to his senses.
"Yes," he said quietly. "Your father was a great man. Even though he came from that family, he had a strong sense of justice."
Tuff looked down for a moment.
"But after the raid…"
Lucian frowned.
"Raid? What raid?"
Tuff sighed.
"I do not know if your mother told you. The family name you carry belongs to one of the most cruel households in the continent."
"They committed many crimes. Human trafficking, slavery, murder. Worst of all, they worshiped a devil."
"The Altair family held great power in both the Southern Threshold and the Central Dominion. Their mastery of dark magic made them one of the strongest noble houses."
He paused.
"Three years ago, two kingdoms united to destroy them. After nearly a week of war, the family was wiped out."
"And during that battle, your father played an important role in our victory."
Tuff looked at Lucian.
"What happened to him?"
Lucian looked at the sky again.
"So my father was a good man."
His voice remained calm.
"He died."
Tuff lowered his head.
"I see. I am sorry for asking."
Lucian shook his head.
"That is fine. Now it is my turn to ask."
He paused.
"Actually, it is more like a request."
"I want to learn more about magic. But I do not have enough knowledge or materials to study. My mother only taught me the basics before she died."
Tuff raised an eyebrow.
"You like magic that much?"
Lucian nodded firmly.
"I love magic. Just like my mother did."
Tuff smiled slightly.
"I cannot teach you much myself. I specialize in physical enhancement magic. I only know the basic theories of other elements."
He thought for a moment.
"But I have an idea."
"Since you still have something to finish on this mountain, I will give you a recommendation letter. With it, you can enroll at Aetherion Arcane Academy next school year."
Lucian looked interested.
"That sounds great. When is the entrance examination?"
"Seven months from now," Tuff replied. "You still have plenty of time."
He stood up and stretched.
"I will give you until tomorrow to decide. Think about it carefully."
Then he winked.
"I should sleep now. Goodnight, Lucian."
Lucian only nodded.
After Tuff returned to the cave, Lucian remained on the ledge, staring at the sky.
Mother… do you think I have time to decide? I still have not found the heirloom.
Can you give me a sign?
At that moment, the stars began to flicker.
Several of them lined up across the sky from left to right, almost like a path. Lucian followed the line of stars until they pointed directly toward the moon.
The moon shone brightly.
Suddenly, a memory surfaced in his mind.
It was a night long ago inside the cave.
Lucian had been thirteen years old.
His mother sat near the fire, sewing a piece of cloth.
She looked at him and smiled.
"Lucian, be careful during the night. The night can be dangerous."
She paused, then tapped the small stone beside her.
"Come here," she said gently. "Let me tell you a story."