After finishing the Extreme Spear demonstration, Aleric remained a few seconds in silence in the courtyard.
The wind blew gently between the trees in the garden, causing the freshly cut leaves to sway on the ground. The seven pierced trees still exhibited clean holes running through their trunks.
Aleric watched that for a moment.
Then he let out a light sigh.
"That's enough for today."
Without saying anything else, he turned his back and walked slowly towards the family's main residence.
The Kiran Mansion stood in the center of the property like a small fortress.
Its walls were made of dark gray stone, polished by time and wind. Vines grew partially on the sides, giving the place an ancient appearance, as if that building had witnessed many generations.
The roof was sloping, covered with black tiles that reflected the soft light of spring.
Flags of the Kiran family flew in the highest corners of the building.
The symbol embroidered on them was simple but striking:
A spear going through a whirlwind whirlwind.
It was the symbol of the family's ancestral technique.
The courtyard in front of the residence was large. White stone paths crisscrossed between manicured gardens and small artificial ponds where carp swam slowly.
Servants walked silently among the smaller buildings on the property.
When they saw Aleric approach, they all bowed respectfully.
"Sir."
"Mister Aleric."
He replied only with a slight nod.
His step was firm, but not hurried. Each movement carried the natural posture of someone used to commanding.
The main door of the mansion opened before he could even reach it.
The old butler Thyrus was there.
"Sir."
Aleric entered non-stop.
The interior of the mansion was spacious and quiet.
The main hall had a high ceiling supported by thick dark wood beams. Tapestries hung from the stone walls, depicting ancient battles and figures of spear-wielding warriors.
Some of these tapestries showed ancient members of the Kiran family.
Men and women who had achieved great things.
At the end of the salon, a larger painting stood out from the rest.
It was a warrior holding a long silver spear as a whirlwind swirled around the weapon.
Below the painting was a small plaque.
"Kiran Valerius — Saint of the Spear."
The last saint of the family.
And also Aleric's grandfather.
Aleric passed in front of the painting without stopping.
But his eyes stayed on her for a brief moment.
His expression became slightly heavier.
Soon after, he continued walking down the side corridor.
The floor was made of smooth, polished stone. Small windows let in the morning light, illuminating the interior with a soft golden hue.
After a few minutes of walking, he arrived in front of a dark wooden door.
Your office.
He opened the door and entered.
The office was spacious but simple.
A large oak table occupied the center of the room. Maps were scattered over it, fastened with small metal weights.
On the walls, supports displayed several spears.
Some were simple military weapons.
Others were clearly ancient relics.
One of them was broken in half.
It was the spear that had belonged to his mother.
Aleric walked over to the table.
His eyes landed on the maps.
Regions of the kingdom were drawn there with red and black paint.
Some areas were marked with military symbols.
He rested a hand on the table.
His gaze became serious.
"So... has finally begun."
Outside the window, the wind blew harder.
Carrying with him a distant feeling of restlessness.
As if something was approaching.
Something inevitable.
And in the courtyard, without knowing any of this...
Myth was still practicing his lunges.
Aleric's office was silent.
The only thing that could be heard was the slight rustle of the maps as the wind came in through the half-open window.
Aleric was leaning over the oak table, taking a close look at the red markings scattered across the map of the kingdom.
Cities.
Strengths.
Trade routes.
And, above all, borders.
Some spots were circled with dark paint.
Those were the most unstable regions.
Aleric slowly ran his fingers over one of the markings.
North Region.
Border with the Duchy of Lomar.
His eyes became thoughtful.
"They're moving sooner than I expected..."
Before he could continue his thoughts—
OCD OCD
Firm knocks echoed at the office door.
Aleric didn't raise his head.
"Come in."
The door opened.
A man quickly entered.
He wore knight's armor covered in road dust. Some parts were scratched, as if he had ridden for days without rest.
His face was tense.
He knelt down immediately.
"Mister Aleric!"
Aleric looked up.
His gaze was calm.
"Get up. What happened?"
The knight took a deep breath before speaking.
"A battle has begun on the northern border."
Silence took over the room.
For an instant, only the distant sound of the wind could be heard.
Aleric straightened up slowly.
"Who attacked?"
"The army of the Duchy of Lomar."
The knight's expression became even heavier.
"They crossed the border last night."
Aleric narrowed his eyes.
"How many?"
"We estimate... more than ten thousand soldiers."
Aleric's hand slowly closed over the map.
The knight continued.
"Bracken Fortress has already sent requests for reinforcements."
"If they don't get help... the fortress may fall in a few days."
The silence returned again.
But this time it felt heavier.
Much heavier.
Aleric walked slowly to the window.
He stared at the courtyard below.
His thoughts were distant.
Wars between nobles were not uncommon in that world.
But there was something strange.
Very strange.
The Duchy of Lomar did not usually act so aggressively.
Especially without warning.
"They wouldn't do it for no reason..."
Aleric murmurou.
The knight remained silent.
Aleric turned around again.
"How many knights do we have ready?"
"About a hundred and twenty, sir."
"And warriors?"
"Close to quatrocentos."
Aleric nodded slowly.
It was not a huge army.
But the Kiran family has never been known by numbers.
They were known for something else.
Spear warriors.
Specialists in direct combat.
Aleric walked back to the table and rolled up one of the maps.
"Prepare the men."
The knight immediately straightened up.
"Yes, sir!"
But before he could leave—
Aleric raised his hand.
"Wait."
The rider stopped.
"Yes?"
Aleric walked to the second-floor balcony of the office.
He opened the glass door.
The spring breeze entered the room.
His eyes drifted down to the courtyard below.
And there he was.
Myth.
The little figure was standing before a wooden stake.
The training spear in his hands moved forward repeatedly.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Each lunge was simple.
But determined.
Aleric watched for a few seconds.
In silence.
The rider also looked down.
"Your son trains a lot, sir."
Aleric did not answer.
He kept looking.
Thump.
The stake shook again.
Something very light happened.
A few leaves on the ground swirled gently in the air.
Aleric's eyes shone slightly.
"..."
He remained silent for a moment.
Then he finally spoke:
"Keep preparing the men."
The knight nodded.
"Yes, sir!"
He quickly left the office.
Aleric remained on the balcony.
The wind was blowing around him.
His eyes were fixed on his son.
"A war has begun..."
He muttered to himself.
"And you just started walking..."
In the courtyard, Myth continued training.
Without knowing that, very soon,
The world around him would begin to change.