The room we were sitting in was the largest the fortress had to offer, a space meant for guests of importance. It wasn't luxurious or grand like the halls of the main family's estate, but it had a quiet dignity to it. The walls, made of thick stone reinforced with glowing mana runes, seemed to hum with the weight of centuries. A solid wooden table stood at the center, polished to a dull sheen, and flanked by sofas and chairs that, while simple, had clearly been built with care. The room smelled faintly of old wood and tea, a mix that felt oddly comforting.
Amara sat across from me, looking perfectly at ease on one of the softer sofas. Her posture was straight, her movements deliberate as she raised a porcelain teacup to her lips. The cup looked fragile in her hands, almost out of place in the rugged setting of the fortress. She sipped slowly, her eyes scanning the room with that same composed intensity she always had. Behind her, Commander Celeste stood like a statue, her hands folded behind her back. Even standing still, there was something intimidating about her presence, as though she were always ready to strike.
I sat directly across from Amara, trying to mirror her calm demeanor, though the leather of the sofa creaked under me as I shifted. Beside me was Commander Dyne, his arms resting on the sofa's armrests, his face impassive but his gaze sharp. He'd been silent for most of the meeting, but I could tell he was assessing every word, every look. Liana stood to my right, her usual spot, though I could feel her unease. She hadn't said much since we entered, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she tried to appear invisible.
Amara finally set her cup down on the table, the sound of porcelain meeting the saucer breaking the silence. She leaned back, her piercing green eyes locking onto mine, a faint, unreadable smile tugging at her lips.
"This fortress," she said, her voice calm and measured, "certainly serves its purpose. Practical, fortified...humble. Though, I must admit, I expected something a little more refined, considering its importance."
Commander Dyne met her gaze, his tone even as he replied, "The fortress wasn't built to impress, Lady Amara. Its purpose is survival, not comfort."
Amara let out a soft chuckle, though there was little warmth in it. "Spoken like a true soldier. Function over form—I suppose there's wisdom in that."
Her eyes shifted toward Liana, who immediately stiffened under the attention. "And you," Amara said, tilting her head slightly. "You've been awfully quiet, Liana. Is something on your mind?"
Liana hesitated, her grip tightening on the edge of her skirt. "No, my lady," she said carefully. "I'm simply here to serve Lord Kael."
"Of course," Amara replied, her smile sharpening just a fraction. "As always."
The tension in the room thickened. I could feel it in the way Liana's shoulders tensed, in the subtle change in Celeste's posture as her gaze flicked between us. I wasn't in the mood for Amara's games, not today.
"Let's cut to the chase," I said, leaning forward slightly. "You didn't come all the way here to critique the fortress or make small talk. Why don't you tell us why you're here?"
Amara's eyes snapped back to mine, narrowing just slightly. For a moment, the room felt colder, the faint hum of mana from both commanders almost tangible. Then, after a long pause, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, her hands clasped together.
"Very well," she said, her voice quieter now but no less firm. "Let's talk about why I'm here."
Amara leaned back on the sofa, her fingers lightly drumming against the armrest as she finally spoke. "Father sent me here to verify the information provided by the commander." Her tone was calm, but her words carried an edge of authority. She glanced briefly at Commander Dyne before turning her gaze back to me, her expression impassive yet calculating. "To ensure Liana has indeed awakened healing powers... and to confirm whether you have awakened any powers at all."
Her words were deliberate, and when her sharp green eyes met mine, there was a flicker of mockery in them. That familiar look of condescension—like I was nothing more than an afterthought in her grander plans. My fists clenched instinctively, but I held my tongue, knowing better than to lash out.
Commander Dyne, seated beside me, cleared his throat. His voice was steady, measured. "Lady Amara, I can assure you the reports are accurate. I witnessed it with my own eyes—Liana healing Kael after the incident. You're welcome to verify it yourself if needed."
Amara turned her gaze to the commander, her lips curling into a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It's not that we doubt you, Commander. If anything, Father sent me precisely because he knows you'd never lie about something of this importance." She paused, tilting her head slightly toward Liana. "This is about ensuring that the proper steps are taken. A healer awakening in the family… well, that's not a small matter."
Liana shifted uncomfortably beside me. Her hands clenched into tight fists, and I could see her biting her lower lip, her usual composure faltering. When she finally spoke, her voice was shaky but firm. "What will happen to me if I truly have healing powers?"
Amara's smile widened, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "If it's true, you'll come with me to the main family estate. There, you'll be properly trained and given the resources you deserve. You won't need to stay here, wasting away in this fortress, serving my brother like a mere servant. You can be much more—something he could never hope to be."
Her words were a dagger meant to wound, and I felt the sting of it even as I kept my expression neutral. Anger burned in my chest, hotter than before, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. My fists remained clenched at my sides, the only outlet for my frustration.
Liana, however, froze. Her gaze darted toward me briefly before looking away, shame and hesitation flashing across her face. She bit her lip harder, as if to hold back whatever emotion threatened to surface.
Commander Celeste, who had been silent until now, shifted slightly where she stood beside Amara. Her hand rested on the hilt of her blade, her sharp eyes flickering toward me. It wasn't a gesture of threat but one of readiness—a subtle warning not to escalate the situation.
The room felt suffocating. The weight of unspoken words, the tension crackling in the air—it all hung there, pressing down on me. I could feel Celeste's gaze, Amara's mockery, and Liana's unease all at once. Still, I remained silent, my anger simmering beneath the surface. There was nothing I could say now that wouldn't be twisted or used against me. So I just stared back at Amara, letting my silence speak for itself.
Liana hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice soft but resolute. "What about Master Kael? He has also awakened... and his potential has increased. Will he return to the estate with us?" Her words hung in the air, a small flicker of hope buried beneath her usual demeanor.
Amara turned her gaze toward Liana, her expression unreadable at first. Then, with a faint smirk curling her lips, she answered, "It's not that simple. As you know, Kael was sent here as punishment. Father's decision stands firm—he cannot return without completing the terms of his exile. At most," she added with a casual wave of her hand, "if his awakening proves to be noteworthy, I might be able to recommend reducing the severity of his punishment. But him returning to the estate? That's unlikely."
Her words were followed by a light laugh, not cruel but dismissive, as though the idea itself was amusing. "Besides," she added, her gaze shifting toward me, "I doubt his awakening is as remarkable as you think. S+, you said? Well, compared to someone like me, or even the others in the family, that's hardly worth celebrating." Her laughter was soft but biting, like the subtle jab of a needle.
I didn't react outwardly, though my fists tightened slightly under the table. To Amara, an S+ rank was trivial; to my family, it was merely average. I knew how they thought—anything less than perfection was beneath notice. But that was fine by me. I didn't need their approval or validation.
Inwardly, I welcomed the prospect of remaining here. Returning to the estate would only place more eyes on me, more restrictions on my actions. Here, I had freedom—the time and space to grow stronger without the suffocating expectations of my family. If Amara's words meant they would loosen the leash a little, then that was an opportunity I could use.
Amara's dismissive laughter barely registered as my thoughts drifted to my plans. Staying in the fortress meant I could focus on my goals. Noctharis had been insistent lately, his voice a constant presence in my mind, urging me to train further in mana manipulation. He had a point. If he trained me personally, my growth would be unprecedented. But if my family caught wind of that kind of progress, it would raise too many questions—questions I wasn't ready to answer.
This exile, as much as it was meant to be a punishment, was quickly becoming an opportunity. I glanced at Amara, her expression still one of mild amusement, and Liana, who was biting her lip in frustration. They didn't understand yet. This fortress, this supposed prison, was exactly where I needed to be.
"Fine," I said at last, my voice calm and steady. "I'll stay here and continue my punishment. That's what's expected of me, isn't it?"
Amara raised an eyebrow, surprised at my lack of resistance, but said nothing. Her mockery didn't matter. I had my own plans, and I wasn't about to let anyone interfere. Let them underestimate me. It would only make my eventual rise all the more satisfying.