The morning after the Blood Chamber shattered, House Sternroar awoke to uneasy silence.
No servants whispered in the corridors. No guards laughed while changing shifts. Even the birds that usually gathered in the gardens seemed absent, leaving the estate wrapped in an unnatural stillness. It was as if the manor itself understood that something had changed during the night.
Ragnar stood outside the guest room Edwin had prepared for him. The expensive clothes still fel foreign against his skin, and every time he caught his reflection in the polished windows, he barely recognized the boy staring back. Only a few days ago he had been stealing bread to survive. Now he lived beneath the roof of one of the kingdom's most powerful families.
A knock came at the door.
"It is time."
Edwin entered without waiting for permission.
"The lord wishes to see you."
Ragnar nodded and followed him through the manor. Along the way, servants paused to bow before Edwin, but their eyes always drifted toward Ragnar. Some looked curious. Others looked afraid.
None of them smiled.
Lord Alaric waited inside a spacious study lined with towering bookshelves. Maps covered one wall, marked with colored pins representing noble territories throughout the kingdom. A large fireplace burned quietly despite the warmth outside, filling the room with the scent of oak.
Cedric stood near one of the windows with his arms folded.
Lady Elara sat in silence beside a table, reading a thick leather-bound book.
As Ragnar entered, everyone looked at him.
Alaric broke the silence first.
"Sleep well?"
Ragnar gave a small nod.
"It was... different."
"It will take time."
The lord gestured toward a chair.
"Sit."
Ragnar obeyed.
Alaric spread several letters across the table.
"These arrived before sunrise."
Ragnar noticed each carried the seal of a different noble house.
"House Blackthorn."
"House Ashmoor."
"House Valcrest."
"House Ironveil."
"There are more."
Cedric scoffed.
"They've never written this quickly before."
"What do they want?"
Ragnar asked.
Alaric looked directly into his eyes.
"You."
The room fell silent.
"They've all heard about the Awakening Crystal."
"And now they've learned that you reside within House Sternroar."
Ragnar frowned.
"But they don't even know me."
"They don't need to."
Lady Elara finally closed her book.
"In noble society, power is worth more than friendship."
Her voice remained calm.
"If they believe your blood can strengthen their family..."
"They'll stop at nothing to claim you."
A loud knock echoed through the study.
One of the guards hurried inside.
"My lord."
"What is it?"
"A messenger from the Royal Palace."
Alaric exchanged a brief glance with Edwin.
"So soon."
The guard stepped aside.
A man dressed in white and gold entered the room. The royal crest was embroidered across his chest, and a ceremonial sword rested at his side.
He bowed respectfully.
"Lord Sternroar."
Alaric returned the gesture.
"Captain Roland."
"I bring a decree from His Majesty."
The captain removed a scroll sealed with golden wax.
Breaking the seal, he read aloud.
"By order of the Crown, the orphan known as Ragnar is to present himself before the Royal Council in seven days for formal examination."
Cedric sighed.
"I expected this."
The captain continued.
"Failure to comply shall be considered an act of treason against the kingdom."
The room became silent once again.
Alaric accepted the scroll.
"Please inform His Majesty that House Sternroar acknowledges the decree."
Captain Roland bowed once more.
"As you wish."
Without another word, he departed.
The heavy doors closed behind him.
Ragnar looked around the room.
"What happens now?"
Alaric answered honestly.
"Now..."
"The kingdom decides whether you deserve to live."
Training began that afternoon.
The estate's practice grounds stretched across several acres behind the manor. Wooden dummies stood in neat rows while knights sparred beneath the watchful eyes of veteran instructors.
Ragnar had never held a proper sword before.
A training blade was placed into his hands.
It felt heavier than expected.
Across from him stood Cedric.
Dressed in light training armor, he twirled his sword effortlessly before pointing it toward Ragnar.
"I'll keep this simple."
Ragnar tightened his grip.
"If you can land one hit on me..."
Cedric smiled.
"...I'll admit Father didn't make a mistake."
The surrounding knights stepped back.
They knew what was coming.
"Begin."
Cedric vanished.
Ragnar barely saw him move.
A sharp impact struck his chest.
He crashed onto the dirt, the wooden sword flying from his hands.
Pain spread through his ribs.
Before he could stand...
The tip of Cedric's blade rested against his throat.
"Too slow."
Ragnar pushed himself back onto his feet.
"Again."
Cedric raised an eyebrow.
"You sure?"
Ragnar picked up his sword.
"Again."
For nearly an hour, the result never changed.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Every strike ended with Ragnar lying on the ground.
His hands blistered.
His arms trembled.
His breathing grew ragged.
Yet each time...
He stood.
Watching from the balcony above, Lady Elara folded her arms.
"He doesn't know when to quit."
Edwin stood beside her.
"No."
"He doesn't."
A faint smile crossed the old butler's face.
"That's why he'll survive."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Cedric lowered his sword.
"Enough."
Ragnar could barely remain standing.
Sweat soaked his clothes.
His body ached from head to toe.
Cedric walked toward him.
"I'll give you this."
Ragnar looked up.
"You've got spirit."
He extended a hand.
After a brief hesitation, Ragnar accepted it.
Cedric pulled him to his feet.
"But spirit alone won't keep you alive."
Ragnar nodded silently.
"I know."
For the first time since meeting him...
Cedric offered a genuine smile.
"Good."
"Because tomorrow..."
"We begin real training."
Far beyond the walls of House Sternroar, beneath the cover of darkness, six cloaked riders gathered at the edge of the forest.
Each wore a black mask shaped like a raven's beak.
None carried banners.
None spoke.
Their leader unfolded a small parchment bearing Lord Thorne's seal.
He read only one sentence.
Bring me the boy. Dead or alive.
The parchment was tossed into the campfire.
One by one, the riders mounted their horses.
Without a sound, they disappeared into the night.
Their destination...
House Sternroar.