Alexander was able to get some sleep after figuring out a few of the rune meanings. He had already learned six runes from the aparratus. The ones that meant light, dark, water, air, earth and fire, but he would have to learn the rest soon.
He had slept just long enough to be able to get up and make himself as presentable as possible. Which for Alexander was around 6 hours. Alexander was handsome. After quickly fixing his ruffled silver hair it fell just to his shoulders in beautiful waves. His deep dark brown eyes were sharp under his silver eyebrows. He had a soft square jaw that matched his wide shoulders and toned body. At six foot and two inches he stood over his father and mother. In another world he could have been a model or a grand guardian knight with his build.
However this was a world of magic. The most a noble woman would use him for would be sex, definitely nothing close to a political marriage. His goal if he never discovered this magic was to use the academy as a way to become a great alchemist or make his way to a research assistant. Even now the academy was willing to accept him due to his genuis. However he would never make his name known. He would only make money for the next generation and have to hope his sister or his children could bring back his family glory.
He was not one to hope.
He fought. He learned. He grew. If he wasn't like that he wouldn't have spent eight years changing the field of magic as everyone knows it. Although it would be years before he told anyone.
Now The Baron, My father, he won't like this.
Alexander left his quickly cleaned room/ study, just in case his father demanded an inspection, and walked straight into Duke. He was waiting for him.
"Let me guess, you need more materials." Duke asked with a smirk on his face and his hands crossed.
"You would be right. You think you could help?" Alexander had made a few things over the years that showed promise. Things that had made the house some money but even then they were closer to trinkets. A device that could blow air or produce water, good for other alchemists, not so much to make money consistently.
"I was going to even if you didn't ask. You know how the Master is." Duke knew just like Alex does that The Baron didn't make unwise investments, even in his own family, and that meant bartering.
They both walked down the corridor passed a few empty rooms until they heard the stampering of some small feet. At first they thought it was one of the maids cleaning some of the empty bedrooms but right behind him Alexander feels something small and fluffy hit his leg.
"Ouch!"
Alex hears a thud behind him. They both turn around to see his Mother and a maid running towards them. Right below him on the ground is his little sister Ana. She's got big fluffy brown hair and brown eyes. Almost the spitting image of their mother with the coloring of their father. Her small dress has some mud running down it and she had a sword in hand. She's had one in her hand since the first time she saw Alex and Duke sparring. Not the best influence.
"Ana!" Violet and the maid come rushing forward and picking her up. "Are you okay baby?" Violet grabs her and pushes her into her ample chest. Her silver dress highlights her figure and her storm like appearence. Alexander remembered stories of her rambunctious youth and how many suitors she once had. Her grey thunderstorm eyes sought a warmth in Alexander and her baby girl Ana.
"I'm fine Mommy!" Ana begins to fight their mother's grip. Almost tearing into her dress. "Brother save me!" Ana calls out.
"Alright alright." Alexander moves forward standing half a foot taller than Violet. "It's okay Mother. I can play with her for a bit." He reaches out to grab her and throws her over his shoulder and she starts giggling.
"Be safe." She looks at them worryingly, "She's got studies still and I don't need her coming back with any cuts and bruises." Violet looks to her maid and they begin to walk off sighing. Another battle lost with Ana.
Alexander swings Ana around a few times back and forth until plopping her on the ground all the while she laughs. She takes out her wooden sword and points it at both of them.
"Oh no. Is the little warrior princess making her move? Duke what will we do?" Alexander and Duke take out their baldes still sheathed.
"We must fight her back of course! On guard." Duke readies himself .
After a few playful blows. They had a few flourishes spinning their blades dramatically and shouting out magic spells. Ana doesn't let up dodging left and right and slashing at their ankles. They begin to falter letting Ana win more and more. She becomes haughty and yells in excitement.
"You will never beat me!!" Seeing the little brown haired girl fight back with all her might against the two giants almost makes Alexander laugh but he continues. He falls further to his knees until she stabs him through his armpit falling dead.
"Ahhh, I have been slain. I guess the warrior princess needs to go to her studies now." Alexander dies as a few maids watch the scene and chuckle. Duke begins to laugh.
"We have been slain, now the warrior princess must study to fight greater foes." Duke dies and laughs.
"Fiiiinee. Love you guys." She rolls her eyes and runs off back to where they were holding her studies.
Alexander and Duke laugh and lift eachother up off the ground. Knowing the real fight is just ahead of them.
The Baron's office, laid towards the back of the mansion, it was in the most secure possible location. While Alexander's room and study laid at the far end of the left wing, he only needed to walk straight down to get to the back of the mansion. The large doors that lead into The Baron's office was at the front of the large stair case that led to the first floor. To the sides of the door, both left and right, had portraits of every head of household and their family.
Even the founding family. His eyes were the colors of earth, blue-green and brown, glowing with supreme power, and one of the only ninth level mages in history. The emperoral mage. The mastery over three elements unlike any other in histroy. If only it wasn't a fluke. His blood and power had dwindled continuously over the years until their family was relegated to nothing.
Alexander was about to knock before his father's voice penetrated through the doors.
"Come in."
Alexander didn't know how he always knew but he did. He looks over to Duke and they both walk in.
"How are you today, Father?" Alexander starts off with a slight bow and greeting. His father is sitting behind a deep brown mahogany desk, almost the color of his eyes and pouring over a stack of papers. His study is neat with a table and a set of seating for guests to the side. A line of bookshelves run across the walls with all manner of books he has collected and read over the years. Many from their ancestors and many from trying to educated Alexander to a reasonable level.
"I know you need something. Out with it." As the years dragged on. His father had grown more distant and cold when dealing with business. There were many things he didn't discuss with Alexander even as the so-called heir. The only time he seemed warm was at dinner with Ana.
"I need 100 alchemical copper plates and 20 meters of silver soddering wire." Alexander said matter of factly.
Torres looked up from his paper work then into Alexander's eyes reading them. "That will cost money and a month before the academy. Could they not supply it for you?"
"They could. However this is something they should not know of yet." Alexander does not falter. His back remains straight under Torres' scrutining eye.
"Done. What else? Don't try to fool me as if that is all, otherwise you wouldn't have had your back up here." Torres looks at Duke when saying that and he shrugs and smiles lightly.
Alexander thinks over it a little and then asks. "I request that mother assists me with the experiments for at least 3 weeks."
Torres looks him over. Alexander could feel him trying to gather why he might need her. "She is still educating your sister. Why do you need her?"
"I need a steady supply of mana. I know very well you are busy and so is Duke. I felt that Ana's education could be put under the maid's guidance until I leave." Alexander did his best not to falter under his Father's gaze, but his cold dark brown eyes ate at him. Something hung in them. Expectations. Just like his tutors.
Duke chimed in. "If I am needed then I ca—"
"—No Duke. You cannot shame our family. You will reach elegant level within the week." Torres looks towards his son after cutting off Duke. "I did not ask for your input. Verila."
A cloud of dark mist fills the space behind Torres and forms into a shape of a woman. An elf. A creature so rare it is only whispered in legends. Also a secret of the house. One that Alexander could not stand.
"Father, I do not trust—" Alexander is quickly cut off and he looks down. Verila is a shadow. Her clothes are formed from dark mist hugging her toned curved body. She is shaped like an hourglass with thorns. Her dark black hair flows into her clothes and her black eyes are piercing. Her skin has become greyed from her extreme attunement to her magic. Even though her face is obscured with a black veil Alex knows she is beautiful. He has always known that. He just doesn't trust her.
How can I trust someone who constantly hides in the shadows? Watching and listening?
"—Verila, will assist you. That is final. She is a mage far above our stations and has been with our family for generations. Use her well."
Alexander looks into her cold black eyes. Uncertain of the month to come.
"I understand Father."