Chapter 6: Family, to Al
The medal-awarding ceremony came to a close amidst great upheaval.
Many nobles had collapsed, causing a temporary uproar, yet the main culprit—Al—had already returned home.
In ordinary circumstances, this would have been a matter for the courts. Yet this time, Al himself was a victim. More importantly, he was a young court magician destined to shape the future of the empire. If the Holy Flame Emperor, Agnas Ill-Luxion, granted his pardon, all wrongdoing would vanish as if it had never existed.
After all, who could possibly summon the courage to condemn someone after witnessing Al’s dream-affinity magic firsthand?
—–On the Way Back from the Medal Ceremony
Duke Levian and Selestaria rocked gently in the carriage, the rhythmic clatter of hooves accompanying the fading echoes of the chaotic ceremony.
“…So, how was he? Your fiancé,” Duke Levian asked, his voice carrying a note of curious concern.
Selestaria’s cheeks flushed a soft rose as she averted her gaze.
“Just barely… he barely passes,” she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“I see… that’s good to hear,” he replied, a small but knowing smile in his eyes.
(Has she… fallen for him, I wonder?)
Selestaria continued, her voice now tinged with both awe and bemusement.
“But, as the rumors said… he’s quite… unusual.”
“At eighteen, he’s already been selected as a court magician—a prodigy of extraordinary talent. It’s only natural that ‘ordinary’ is a concept alien to him.”
“Yes… his magic was incomprehensible, of course. But what struck me most… when people mocked him, he looked bored and annoyed the entire time. Yet the moment anyone insulted his family… his fury was beyond belief.”
“Clearly, for Al, his family is something irreplaceably precious.”
“That heir of the Noir Marquis House… he managed to strike Al’s wrath precisely. Foolish and pitiable, I’d say,” Selestaria said softly.
“Indeed… he will probably be haunted by nightmares every night for the rest of his life.”
—-At the Baron Dragals House
Meanwhile, at the Dragals estate, the baron and his lady were enjoying tea on the terrace, bathed in the soft golden light of the afternoon.
“Darling… are you truly sure it was fine not to attend Al’s medal ceremony?” the lady asked.
“Al has always disliked such events,” the baron replied quietly.
“Well, that child is uncomfortable on any stage where parents are present,” she said, smiling faintly.
“Besides, Al is more than capable of handling things alone.”
“Yes… he is truly a once-in-a-generation talent, the kind who could shape the destiny of the entire kingdom.”
“Let’s hope no one provokes him,” he added, a hint of worry shadowing his tone.
“That’s my only concern… Al has always been reckless,” she murmured, recalling her memories of him as a child.
—-About Eight Years Ago
When Al was ten, his laziness had reached its peak. Nearly every day, he spent his hours lounging idly, doing nothing at all.
In most noble households, a child like him—even if talented—would have been branded a failure, abandoned by parents, siblings, and perhaps even by servants. But in the Dragals household, things were different.
Sometimes it was his father who coaxed him:
“Al. The imperial knights are visiting for training from afar today. Why don’t you come watch with me for a while? It might be fun.”
Sometimes his mother:
“Al, the family hunter just brought back a fine deer. Let’s share dinner together tonight—it’ll taste better that way.”
Sometimes his older brother:
“Al, I bought some interesting books from a traveling merchant. You can read them while lying down—come on, take a look.”
And sometimes his little sister:
“Al-nii, the maids have laid out your clean clothes here. And when you’re free, we can have another nap together, okay?”
Al could never understand it.
Why didn’t his family abandon him? Why were they so kind to someone like him?
One day, he asked his older brother, simply and honestly:
“Hey… why is everyone so nice to me? In any other noble family, I’d have been sent to an orphanage by now.”
“Why…? Because you’re family,” his brother replied without hesitation.
“Family…?”
“Yes. Family. Father, mother, me, and your sister—we all love you more than anyone else in the world. That’s why we visit you, every day.”
“Hmm… I don’t quite understand.”
“Ha! You will, someday, Al.”
(Family…)
Little by little, Al’s heart began to change.
Then, as if to shatter this warm daily life, a great incident occurred. His six-year-old sister, Miledia, went missing.
She had been playing in the garden with a maid. In a fleeting moment when the maid’s attention lapsed, she slipped out of the estate grounds. Beyond lay a forest teeming with monsters. A knight-led search was immediately launched, with local hunters and adventurers volunteering to assist.
Sebas came to Al’s room, his expression grave.
“Al-sama! It’s terrible—Miledia-sama is missing!”
“Miledia… missing?” Al’s heart clenched.
“Yes. The baronial family is conducting a full-scale search. I shall return to assist immediately.”
“Understood. Thank you for reporting.”
Night fell without Miledia being found. The forest grew perilous under the cover of darkness, complicating the search. The family convened to devise a new strategy.
In the deepest thicket, Miledia huddled and sobbed.
“Waaah… it’s dark… it’s scary…”
Earlier, she had been chasing butterflies and wandered deep into the forest. Attempting to find her way back, she only ventured further.
Monsters became active at night—a fact any child knew. Fear rooted her in place, leaving her trembling and crying, unable to move.
Suddenly, a goblin appeared, its strength rivaling an adult man—no match for six-year-old Miledia.
“Gegya-gyah!” it screeched, delighted at its easy prey.
“Hii…” she whimpered, eyes shut tight.
At that moment, a strike landed on the goblin’s head, knocking it unconscious.
“G…ge…” thud
Opening her eyes cautiously, she saw him—Al, standing there with a wooden sword in hand.
“Are you hurt, Miledia?” he asked gently.
“Al-nii…?”
“Yes, it’s me. You were scared, weren’t you? You did well.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Do you think I could forget my sister’s magic? Come on, we’re going home.”
“Yes… sniff…”
Al carried Miledia on his back, retracing their steps.
Back at the baronial estate, chaos had erupted.
“Lord and Lady!” Sebas called.
“What is it, Sebas?”
“Al-sama has disappeared from the estate!”
“Wha—?!”
Their mother sank to her knees.
“If Al goes missing too… I… I…”
Their father slammed a fist onto the table.
“Damn it! What the hell is happening in this house?!”
At that moment, Sebas shouted:
“A figure has appeared at the forest entrance!”
“Miledia?!”
“Perhaps it’s Al! Quick!”
Rushing to the scene, they found him:
Al, covered in mud, sweat, and blood, stood holding Miledia. She slept peacefully, not even a scratch on her. Al had risked everything to protect her. Though his body was battered and his strength nearly spent, he stood like a true hero from a storybook.
“Al… you…”
“Did you… search for Miledia?”
He gently set her on the ground and collapsed beside her.
“Call for the medics! Quickly! Your beloved son’s life is at stake!”
That day marked the moment Al took his first step toward becoming a hero.
That day, he resolved to master the restoration of dream-affinity magic to protect those dear to him.
That day, his soul became forever engraved in the Dragals legacy.
His mother smiled softly, her eyes filled with affection.
“…Al has always been reckless,” she murmured.
“Yes… truly,” her husband agreed.
“Perhaps he inherited it from you, darling. Heh heh heh,” she teased gently.