Morning arrived gently over the Altavis estate, staining the sky with soft streaks of gold and rose. Servants hurried along the courtyard, preparing luggage while knights tightened saddles and inspected their polished weapons. Today was the long-awaited departure to the Vorusan region—an important journey for the Altavis family, one that required both political grace and strength.
Five elegant noble carriages, each bearing the silver emblem of the Altavis lineage, were aligned in front of the mansion. Ten soldiers from the elite Silent Fang troop unit—men trained to defend nobles with their lives—waited in formation. Their armor gleamed beneath the sun, their expressions serious and disciplined.
One of the carriages had a special adornment: the fluttering Altavis flag, its fabric rippling proudly in the wind.
Inside the mansion, however, the atmosphere was far from serious.
"My dear, you must keep your promise!" Alvin said in a spoiled tone, his small hands gripping the sleeves of Kazien's robe. "I want to sit on your lap and hug you!"
Kazien chuckled, bending down until his face matched Alvin's height. "Of course, my cute prince. Sit on my lap and hug me as much as you want."
"Then carry me all the way to the carriage too!" Alvin demanded, puffing out his cheeks adorably.
"As you command, my cute prince," Kazien replied with a dramatic salute.
Both burst into laughter—loud, delighted, and utterly unbefitting two nobles of high status.
"Hahaha! Luckily no one is here to see this." Alvin giggled, hiding his face into Kazien's chest.
Kazien smirked. "True. If anyone saw us acting like this, my dignity would evaporate instantly. Come on, let's go before someone actually does."
He lifted Alvin into his arms and stepped out into the hallway.
And, of course—someone had already overheard them.
A group of people heading toward the entrance froze in place. They had heard everything. Every word.
Victor, who was Virena's fiancé, froze with a complicated expression.
When I first came here, I was shocked to see a high elf living inside the mansion with Duke Elgard. But after learning who that high elf really was… I don't dare look directly at him anymore. Yet everyone treats young master Kazien with such pure affection. Even Duke Elgard and Duchess Larina trust him deeply. Young Master Kazien really is incredible… he even handpicked the fiancées for Young Master William and Young Master Davin. Even Young Master Davin's fiancée, Karen, was introduced by him. How in the world does he do it?
The group tried to return to normal as Kazien approached, carrying Alvin like a precious treasure. The sight was strangely adorable—Kazien, a prodigy feared by many, holding a child whose smile could melt any heart.
Soon, everyone gathered near the carriages. But inside one of them…
"Kazien," Virena said while peering inside, "are we interrupting something?"
Kazien blinked innocently. "Would you like to sit with us, Sis Virena?"
Virena laughed. "It's a little impossible. There's no room! Unless you have some secret way to fit all of us inside!"
Kazien tilted his head. "Who else is trying to get in?"
"Me, Victor, William, Rosalia, Rio and his wife," she replied.
Kazien nodded thoughtfully. Then, carrying Alvin, he stepped out of the carriage. Instead of making space inside, he walked up to the carriage wall and placed his palm gently on the polished wood.
Everyone watched with confusion.
"What is he doing?"
"Did he forget something inside?"
"Is he—"
Kazien took a step back.
"Alright," he said calmly. "Let's go inside now."
Virena opened her mouth—then froze. And everyone froze.
The interior of the carriage… had changed.
What once was a normal, two-seat noble carriage had expanded into an eight-seat traveling room—practically a small lounge on wheels. The seats were deeper, the space wider, and soft light orbs floated above like gentle suns.
"K-Kazien…" Virena said, stunned. "Is this… your alchemy magic?"
Kazien grinned. "Of course. It's better than leaving someone behind, right?"
Virena burst into laughter and pulled him into a hug. "Ahh, my amazing little brother! If it weren't inappropriate, I would kiss you!"
"And you still owe me a visit to that place with the magic book!" Kazien reminded.
"Yes, yes. I'll accompany you." Virena sighed dramatically.
The group finally boarded. Even after everyone entered, nearly half the space remained unused.
The Duke Elgard family and their entourage departed shortly afterward, leaving the Altavis mansion behind.
The journey to the Vorusan region would take four days. They planned to reach the Joltam city, the regional capital, before dusk on the fourth day.
The first and second days passed quietly. But on the third day… chaos descended.
The carriages came to a sudden halt.
Duke Elgard opened the window. "Why did we stop? Is something wrong?"
A knight galloped forward and bowed deeply.
"M-My Lord—there is a group of griffons blocking the road!"
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Griffons—majestic beasts with the bodies of lions and the wings of eagles—were known for their strength and territorial nature. One griffon could tear apart a horse. A group of them could decimate an entire caravan.
Before anyone could react, Kazien placed Alvin onto a seat and leapt out of the carriage.
"Young master!" the knights shouted. "Please stop! Don't approach them!"
Kazien ignored him. His steps grew faster. Then he ran.
I have to do this. If I can convince them… they'll be a great asset for our family. And with the multilingual magic the goddess bestowed upon me… this might actually work.
He raised his right hand, calling the griffon leader.
The gigantic beast descended, whipping up wind currents so powerful the knights shielded their faces. Its golden eyes glowed with hostility as it hovered, glaring down at Kazien.
But Kazien did not flinch.
The griffon narrowed its eyes.
"Why aren't these humans afraid of me?" it growled in its own language.
Kazien smiled. "Why should I fear you? I have no intention of killing you."
The griffon froze, startled. "You can… understand me? A human—understands our language? Are you really a human?"
"What disrespectful words!" Kazien shouted playfully. "I'm human! Completely human!"
The griffon beat its wings, confused and irritated. "Why are you waving at me? Are you challenging me?"
Kazien sighed and waved again. "Come down here. I just want to talk."
"I only obey the strong," the griffon roared. "If you can defeat me, I will listen!"
It let out a deafening screech.
"GWAAAKKK!!!"
The sound forced the knights to drop to their knees, covering their ears desperately.
But Kazien simply tilted his head.
This scream… is nothing.
The griffon stared at him in disbelief. Then—
Thud! It collapsed.
The ground shook.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
One by one, the other griffons also crashed to the ground.
The griffon leader trembled. "W-What did you do to us…?"
Kazien tapped his chin cheerfully. "I simply used wind magic infused with the world's gravity—pressing your bodies down so you couldn't move."
Chaos filled the griffon's mind.
Kazien crouched in front of the immobilized beast.
"I told you. I'm not here to hurt you. I want to offer you something."
"An offer…? Are you trying to enslave us?" the griffon spat. "Then kill us instead!"
Kazien rolled his eyes. "I said I'm not cruel! I want you to join the Altavis territory—and become our strength. I guarantee that no human will ever hunt you again."
The griffon's fierce gaze softened, just a little.
"And… we'll feed you. Regularly."
The griffon blinked.
"That is… surprisingly tempting."
Kazien raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"I will ask my kin."
Kazien released his gravity-wind magic. The griffon leader approached the herd, communicating rapidly in screeches and wing gestures.
Everyone watched—speechless.
Moments later, the griffons descended before Kazien, spreading their wings and raising their right forelegs in unison.
A salute.
"We pledge our loyalty, Master!"
Kazien's smile widened. "Wonderful! I'm glad I didn't hurt such adorable beings. Come with us!"
That griffon bowed deeply. "Master, would you like to ride me?"
Kazien's eyes sparkled. "Can I?"
The griffon lowered itself. Kazien climbed on with childlike delight.
They soared into the sky. Wind rushed past him. The world shrank beneath them.
"You're amazing!" Kazien exclaimed to the griffon. "I'm Kazien! And I'll give you a name. From today onward—you are Lidaz!"
The griffon's chest swelled with pride. "I accept your gift, Master Kazien!"
Down below, Duke Elgard rubbed his eyes. "Is… is he truly riding a griffon?"
Kazien descended gently and landed near the group.
"Father, let's continue our journey! These griffons will accompany us. From today onward, they are part of the Altavis family's fighting force!"
The duke's jaw hung open.
"And this one—" Kazien patted the griffon's neck, "—is Lidaz, their leader."
"GWAK!" Lidaz saluted proudly.
The duke swallowed. "Kazien… are you serious?"
"Of course! They're friendly. And they prefer fruit over meat anyway."
Duke Elgard stared into the distance, rubbing his forehead.
"Kazien… when we arrive in Joltam, the entire city will explode in excitement."
Kazien shrugged innocently. "Well, better excitement than panic. Instead of fighting them, might as well recruit them!"
He laughed cheerfully.
And so, the Altavis family procession continued its journey—with a magnificent fleet of griffins flying above, their wings signaling the emergence of an unrivaled noble family.