SWNOVELXO Chapter 24: The Question
The dining hall of the Kirean estate was a reflection of its lineage—simple yet dignified, without the excesses often seen in other noble houses. A long oak table stretched across the room, its surface polished to a rich gleam, while soft light from crystal sconces bathed the room in a warm glow. Dinner had always been a time for quiet conversation in the Kirean household, but tonight, the silence hung heavy in the air.
Rui sat across from his parents, his posture relaxed but his thoughts anything but. At twelve years old, he had grown in both height and demeanor. The traces of childhood still lingered in his face, but his silver eyes held a maturity that was unusual for someone his age. It wasn't just his core that had been tempered over the years; his experiences had refined him as well.
His father, Soren, ate with the same deliberate precision as he approached all things. The rhythmic sound of his knife and fork was the only thing breaking the quiet. Opposite him, Arielle moved with her usual grace, though her gaze occasionally drifted to Rui, as if sensing the storm of thoughts behind his calm exterior.
Rui's plate remained mostly untouched. His appetite was dulled by the question that had been building in his mind for weeks. He had overheard their conversation earlier, but the words he sought now had to come directly from them.
Finally, he set down his utensils and looked up. "When will I be allowed to leave the estate?"
The words weren't rushed or hesitant. They carried a quiet conviction, but also the faintest edge of vulnerability. Rui wasn't sure what answer he expected, but he had to ask. The walls of the estate, once comforting, now felt like a boundary he needed to cross.
Soren's hand paused mid-cut, his knife poised over a slice of roasted meat. He glanced at Arielle, their silent exchange communicating more than words ever could. Arielle leaned back slightly, her fingers brushing the stem of her wine glass as she considered her response.
"Most children begin their formal training at the Royal Academy when they turn thirteen," Arielle began, her tone measured. "That's when their cores have matured enough to handle the rigors of advanced magic."
Rui nodded, already familiar with the tradition. It was a rite of passage for noble children with magical potential, a way to refine their abilities and prepare them for the responsibilities of their houses. "But I'm not like most children," he said softly.
The room seemed to hold its breath. Arielle's expression softened, but her gaze remained steady. "No, you're not."
Soren set his knife and fork down, folding his hands in front of him. His amber eyes, sharp and unyielding, met Rui's. "You've grown faster than we anticipated," he admitted. "Your talent, your core—everything about you has set you apart. But that doesn't mean you're ready."
"Then when will I be ready?" Rui pressed, his voice calm but firm. "I've spent the last five years training, learning, preparing for… something. I don't even know what. I need to see what's beyond these walls."
Soren leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening as he considered his response. "The world outside the estate isn't kind," he said finally. "The Academy will push you harder than anything you've faced here. It's not just about your talent; it's about navigating the expectations of others, the rivalries, the politics."
"That's why he needs to go," Arielle interjected, her voice gentle but insistent. "He's been sheltered here, Soren. Yes, he's trained. Yes, he's learned. But none of that will prepare him for the reality of what he'll face beyond the estate."
Soren's gaze flickered to her, and for a moment, they were at odds. Then he sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "If you go," he said, turning back to Rui, "you'll go early. At twelve, not thirteen. Your core, your talent—it makes you an exception. But it also makes you a target."
"I understand," Rui said quietly, his hands resting on the edge of the table. "But staying here won't make me safer. It'll just make me unprepared."
Arielle smiled faintly, a mix of pride and concern in her expression. "The Academy isn't just a place for training. It's where you'll start to understand who you are—not just as a mage, but as a Kirean."
Soren nodded, his face unreadable. "You'll leave at the end of this season," he said finally. "But until then, you'll train harder. You'll learn what you need to navigate that world."
Rui's chest tightened, though he couldn't quite identify whether it was from relief or apprehension. He gave a small nod, his mind already racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
As the conversation shifted back to the quiet rhythms of dinner, Rui couldn't help but feel that the estate, for all its grandeur and familiarity, was no longer enough. His world was expanding, and he was ready—or at least, he hoped he was.