I had completed my preparations. I had mastered the three books. Now, the only thing left was Father's permission.
Cadeon met with him three times over the course of a week.
It wasn't until the third meeting that Father relented.
"Andre needs this! There are only three books in the entire Verblade library on soul-bound magic! How is this child supposed to grow stronger with just three books? Tell me!"
Father responded with a calm but heavy voice.
"I understand your anger, Cadeon. But if I send the two of you alone, you could be attacked by other families. If I send an escort, the Ulsar Empire won't allow you entry. And don't forget — you're still only 27. You may command an army, but that doesn't mean you know how to care for a child."
"Then send the butler and Kaera with us. If we're attacked, Kaera can fight while I get Andre to safety. The butler can watch over him in the meantime."
"That's reasonable. But you know I can't spare the butler. He's the head servant of House Verblade — I can't assign him to childcare."
"Then my own chief attendant will come with us. If we don't go to Ulsar, Andre will never grow into his power. He's not like us — he's a mage. He could be the one to break the Verblade curse."
"You don't know what he is, Cadeon! What if that boy is the traitor from the prophecy? What if he learns the truth about what we did to the prisoners we brought back from the war? Do you think he wouldn't hate the family for it?"
"You may be right, Father. If he learns now, at his age, he'll definitely resent us. But if he grows and sees war with his own eyes, then he'll understand the hell we've endured. We have to do this."
"I can't talk sense into you anymore. Why do you care so deeply about a four-year-old boy? I just don't understand. He might be the Verblade's savior… or its executioner. And if he chooses betrayal, know this — I will act. Without hesitation."
"Understood, Father."
"Go then. You have my permission. Travel to Ulsar. Take your attendant, Elro, and your sister Kaera with you."
"Yes, Father."
And so, we got the permission we needed. But it wasn't just my brother and I anymore — my sister Kaera would be joining us as well. That brought me comfort. She was just as strong as my brother, if not stronger.
As for the idea of needing someone to look after me — that was ridiculous. I could care for myself. We could've even hired a local servant once we arrived in Ulsar. The idea of bringing my brother's own attendant just for me was laughable.
We set off on a Saturday morning.
Cadeon had told me the journey would take two days.
We'd camp at night and continue in the morning.
Two days, one night — it sounded easy enough.
In fact, I thought spending a night at a campsite would be fun.
Or at least… I thought it would be fun.
We left the Verblade estate at exactly 9 a.m.
Our carriage was pulled by what they called Aura Horses — magnificent beasts bound to those with aura. These were not ordinary animals. The two pulling our cart belonged to Cadeon and Kaera. They moved with perfect coordination, never falling out of step, never slowing, never tiring. They made no sound. In the sunlight, their bodies shimmered like illusions.
I turned to my brother, fascinated.
"Why do these horses look like that, Cadeon? They don't make any sound. They're so fast, and it's like they never get tired!"
He smiled and answered calmly.
"These aren't regular horses, Andre. They're aura beasts — Aura Horses. They don't need to eat, rest, or make noise. They don't even leave footprints. Once they're bonded to someone with aura, their strength depends entirely on that person's aura pool and quality."
"So these two… they belong to you and Kaera, right? That's why they're so fast?"
"That's right. The one on the left is mine. The right belongs to Kaera. Once you awaken your aura, you'll be able to summon one of your own."
"M-My own horse?!" I exclaimed, eyes wide with joy.
Just the idea filled me with excitement.
I wanted to learn aura right that second.
But I reminded myself — first, I needed to master mana.