Location: Imperial Study
The golden light of early morning filtered through the towering windows of the Imperial Study, casting intricate shadows across the polished mahogany table. The air held a faint hum of residual mana, a silent testament to the countless spells woven within these walls.
Raphael Valoria, Emperor of the Healian Empire, sat at his desk, his raven-black hair falling in waves over his shoulders. His crimson eyes gleamed with a mix of sharpness and exhaustion as he reviewed the latest reports from the northern borders.
Without warning, a burst of swirling, unstable mana erupted in the room. A portal opened haphazardly, its edges fraying with unstable energy.
Out stumbled a hooded figure, flopping onto Raphael's desk like a fish out of water. The landing sent papers flying everywhere and knocked over a cup of ink, which spread across the polished surface in an artistic but chaotic sprawl.
Gravity, as if insulted by the figure's lack of grace, yanked him off the desk entirely, depositing him on the floor with a muffled "Oof!"
Raphael leaned back in his chair, his expression unchanging but his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. He rested his chin on steepled fingers and let out a long, deliberate sigh.
"Impressive entrance," he drawled, his tone dripping with dry amusement. "Truly befitting of a time mage under my tutelage. Tell me, do you plan to crash through all my furniture, or is this your signature style?"
The hooded figure groaned softly, pushing himself up onto one knee. The mana residue clung to him like a stubborn mist, his posture betraying equal parts embarrassment and irritation.
"The distance was too long," the student muttered, brushing off the dust from his cloak. His voice carried a note of arrogance, though it wavered under Raphael's scrutinizing gaze. "Do you have any idea how unstable time magic becomes over extended distances?"
Raphael's lips curved into a faint smirk, his crimson eyes glinting with mock optimism. "Ah, yes. The hallmark of a master—excuses. I'll make sure to etch that onto your tombstone should you continue at this rate."
The student pulled back his hood slightly, revealing the faintest glimpse of platinum blonde hair and sharp blue eyes. He straightened, ignoring the Emperor's jab. "Your daughter is safe for now," he said curtly. "But there's a new threat brewing. A beast tide is gathering near the northern borders, its scale far exceeding the usual patterns."
Raphael's smile didn't waver, but his eyes sharpened imperceptibly. "And?"
The student's jaw tightened. "And it's not just the usual mana fluctuations driving them. There's something… more."
Raphael reclined further, his gaze steady but disinterested. "A beast tide. How tragic. And yet, the Commander of Shelb, the Duke of Valenhart, Mage Calista, and Dame Vivian are all present in the region. Forgive me if I'm not trembling with concern."
The student's expression darkened, his hands clenching into fists. "You're sitting this one out? You expect them to handle this alone? What if they fail? What if—"
Raphael cut him off with a raised hand, his voice calm but laced with steel. "If they fail, you will ensure that they don't."
The student took a sharp step forward, his tone rising with indignation. "You're counting on me to protect her? Me, a student you constantly berate for my shortcomings? What kind of father are you?"
Raphael's smile turned cold, his crimson eyes locking onto the student's with unyielding intensity. "A father who knows exactly where your loyalties lie, Misha. Do not forget who saved your life and gave you purpose. Your disdain for others is of little consequence to me. But Magda—she is your tether, whether you admit it or not. And should the worst come to pass, I trust you will do what is necessary."
The student's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with frustration and an emotion he refused to name. "Keep your promises, teacher," he said sharply, his voice low and biting. With a flick of his wrist, a faint shimmer of mana enveloped him. "Because I'm keeping mine."
In an instant, the air crackled, and the student vanished, leaving behind only a faint trace of residual mana. The room fell silent, save for the soft crackle of the enchanted lamps lining the walls.
From a shadowed corner of the room, Dion, Raphael's trusted advisor, stepped forward. His silver-gray eyes glimmered with amusement, his steps soundless as he approached the Emperor.
"You've always had a flair for dramatics, Your Majesty," Dion said, his voice light with mockery. "But it's refreshing to see you with a student who reminds you of the man you were before the weight of the crown."
Raphael chuckled softly, his gaze drifting to the faint traces of mana left by his student. "Perhaps," he mused, his tone contemplative. "But that boy… he's more stubborn than I ever was."
Dion's smile widened, his eyes crinkling with genuine amusement. "And yet, that stubbornness may be exactly what you need."
Raphael's lips curved into a faint smile as he turned his attention back to the reports on his desk. "Time will tell, Dion. Time will tell."
Dion's amused expression softened slightly as he added, "Speaking of time, Your Majesty, it's no secret that you visit the Princess while she's asleep. Perhaps that's why you're here in the study so early in the morning. Why not go see her properly if you're so concerned?"
Raphael's gaze flickered, the faintest shadow of hesitation crossing his face.
"I want to," he admitted quietly. "But I can't stand in the way of her ambitions. Magda believes she's deceiving me—she hasn't contacted me in two weeks."
Dion tilted his head, curiosity glinting in his gaze. "And yet you stay away?"
Raphael exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. "The last time I visited her chambers, she called out to me in her sleep. She apologized."
Raphael's crimson eyes darkened with an unspoken sorrow. "My little dove carries many fears and secrets. I respect that. One day, I hope she'll trust me enough to share them with me. But for now, her calling for me, even unconsciously, tells me one thing—she sees me as a father she can rely on. That is enough."
Dion's expression softened, his usual humor tempered with understanding. "Perhaps she's more like you than you realize."
Raphael's faint smile returned, tinged with pride and melancholy. "Perhaps. But for now, I will respect her pace. The day she decides to trust me fully will come. Until then, I'll watch over her from afar."