* * *
Ed had definitely intended to block the fireball.
However, upon seeing its power, he instinctively flinched and moved out of the way.
Shockingly, the magic that slammed into the ground left a small crater in the training hall, which was sturdy enough to withstand most harsh training.
“How was it?”
When Anakin asked, Ed’s expression was blank, and he struggled to speak.
“How long ago did you say you… started learning magic?”
“One year!”
“And what circle are you… currently?”
“I’m a Third Circle.”
Third Circle.
This was the stage where a mage properly began their journey into magic and actively expanded their mana.
Here, a Circle referred to the class of the vessel that held mana, much like in any fantasy novel.
Naturally, the higher the Circle, the greater the amount of mana one could use, and the more advanced spells became available.
Ed thought to himself.
‘This is ridiculous. At that age, and only after learning for one year, he’s a Third Circle?’
In fact, the sheer volume of his magic power was far beyond that of a Third Circle.
Such talent was something that Ed, a knight for seven years, rarely encountered.
“Hmm. My casting speed is still a bit slow… It takes time to change the formula to a completely different spell.”
Ed instantly knew that Anakin would grow up to be a formidable mage who would make a name for himself in the world.
The rumor that the second young master had a talent for magic was already widespread in the mansion, but he hadn’t expected it to be this significant.
Instead, his beauty was what he was most famous for.
“I am glad that young master is strong.”
“Huh?”
“At least you can knock down most of the Alpha scoundrels who dare approach you.”
“There are probably more people stronger than me, though?”
“…Please avoid showing your face to those who wield greater power or those strong individuals who have made a name for themselves.”
“Uh, okay.”
When Anakin nodded with a reluctant expression, Ed ran his hand through his hair, looking frustrated.
“The world is wide, and there are many crazy people. There are also many insane perverts. And those insane perverts often hold strong power. In my experience, at least.”
“…”
“You must absolutely be wary and careful of nobles like a Count or Marquis, the Elders of the Magic Tower, the Venerables of a school, Cardinals or the Pope. Even members of the Imperial Family.”
At the mention of the Pope and the Imperial Family, Anakin inwardly marvelled.
“I know. I’ve already heard a lot from my brother. Because I’m an Omega.”
“The young Count is too soft on the young master to scold you much… I’m relieved he at least managed to say what needed to be said.”
“Heh! Sir Ed is probably the only person who would talk about Roman hyung like that.”
Anyway, Sir Ed is the only person who speaks his mind without holding back…
The Third Ring within the mana core, which was like a heart.
Mikhail assured him that with this level of talent, he was on par with the elites of his age group.
He had initially learned magic simply to protect himself…
But wasn’t the most certain way to protect oneself to ensure that no one was stronger than you?
However, he knew that this was practically impossible.
The Crown Prince, Leo, and Harca alone were monsters who defied common sense.
He had never even imagined becoming stronger than them with Anakin’s body.
He merely wished not to be so weak or powerless that he couldn’t fend for himself.
“Young Master. The gifts have arrived again today…”
Gifts were arriving daily from the Imperial Palace.
He didn’t know who sent them, but it was probably either the Crown Prince or Leo.
Speaking of which, it had been a long time since he’d seen Leo.
He wished to be remembered as a normal childhood friend, but the presents, which he suspected were from Leo, suggested otherwise.
Expensive jewels and flowers that anyone would find burdensome.
And tucked between them, a short letter saying he was waiting.
Given the inclusion of the white clover that Leo frequently gave him, the owner of this letter was certainly Leo.
In the original novel, Leo grew closer to Anakin around the age of fourteen when Anakin’s beauty began to awaken.
In fact, the start of their relationship was due to Leo’s one-sided interest—like a boy who bullies a classmate he has a crush on.
However, he had no reason to meet Leo now.
He merely predicted that they would eventually meet at some point in his life.
Anakin left the mountain of gifts and headed toward Roman’s office.
He offered a light greeting to the guards whose faces were flushed red, knocked twice, and waited.
A sound soon came from inside.
“Come in.”
A voice weary with fatigue.
It seemed to be because the Descartes family was pursuing a new business venture with Viscount Bilton.
Entering the room, he saw Roman, who still had his eyes fixed on the documents.
Finding the sight familiar, Anakin sat down heavily on the guest sofa without a word, waiting for Roman.
Before long, Roman dipped his pen nib into the ink and looked up.
He thought it was a servant who had come to report work, but this person was arbitrarily settling down in his office while emitting a familiar pheromone.
There was only one person in the mansion who would do this.
His lovely younger brother, Anakin.
“What brings you here? Making such a rare visit.”
Roman took off his glasses and naturally signalled to the attendant nearby.
Understanding the implication, the attendant familiarly left the room and returned a few minutes later with a tray containing a teacup and desserts.
“It couldn’t be to see me. It must be about the letter of recommendation, right?”
“Haha. No…”
Even at fourteen, Anakin’s voice was quite light.
It was exactly the moderate, beautiful tenor described in the novel.
“I came because I missed hyung.”
When he nodded with a serious face, Roman chuckled, got up from his chair, and sat down opposite Anakin.
“That’s nice to hear.”
“But hyung was the busy one. Always holed up in the office. You never even come out unless it’s for training or estate business, do you?”
“Haa. Well… things got a bit complicated. It turns out that a servant of Viscount Bilton, our partner in this drug business, embezzled the ledger.”
Roman pressed his fingers to his temples, closing his eyes in exhaustion.
Then Anakin spoke.
“Shall I help you?”
Roman instantly refused, raising his coffee cup.
“The problem is already being resolved. Besides, I would never make you do such a thing.”
“…I’m not completely a child anymore.”
When Anakin frowned at Roman’s words, Roman ignored him and merely sipped his coffee cup.
“To me, you still look like a little kid who cries at the drop of a hat.”
“No…”
He pouted, feeling wronged, but couldn’t refute Roman’s words.
Yes, it was true that he was a bit teary-eyed, but that was an unavoidable physiological phenomenon.
What could he do about the fact that Anakin was originally a sensitive and timid person?
“Still, I can control my pheromones quite well now.”
“That’s fortunate. If you hadn’t been able to control your pheromones, you would never have been allowed to leave the mansion.”
“…”
Every word was a painful jab.
Still, he had now fully developed as an Omega, possessing a body susceptible to pheromones and capable of becoming pregnant.
Well, even so, he had no plans for that kind of thing yet.
He simply made sure to take his medication regularly to prepare for the heat cycle, the Omega’s periodic estrus.
“I’ve already sent the letter of recommendation to Pasadian. To be honest, I still want to stop you, but I feel like I’d earn your resentment forever if I did.”
The day he announced he would go to Pasadian as soon as he turned fourteen, the family, naturally, went into an uproar.
The Count, the Countess, and even Roman opposed it, but there are no parents who can truly defeat their child…
He wrung the permissions out of everyone through emotional blackmail.
What kind of intense demonstration he staged during that process… is a secret.
“Hyung will be bored without me.”
He smiled brightly and took a bite of a macaron.
Roman propped his chin up and stared intently at Anakin.
For some reason, Roman looked like he wouldn’t even bat an eye if I disappeared…
“Anakin.”
At Roman’s specific tone, the one he used when he wanted something, Anakin automatically sat next to him.
When Roman opened his arms, Anakin nestled into his embrace, resting his head on Roman’s chest.
Roman gently stroked the back of Anakin’s head and whispered softly.
“Come back to the mansion whenever you have time.”
Anakin knew that these small words filled with affection were now Roman’s true feelings.
“Okay.”
As he smiled like a child and rubbed his head against the firm chest, Roman let out a low laugh.
“Having to let you go. I really just want to lock you up.”
Pardon?
At the brutal remark, Anakin’s body stiffened for a moment before he looked up at Roman.
Even from below, the chiseled jawline was as stunning as ever.
“You can’t do that. Hyung is strong, but he’s too weak for me.”
“…”
Roman silently pushed Anakin’s hair to the right.
Then, he stroked Anakin’s soft cheek, which was still covered in fine baby-like down, and spoke.
“Yes.”
Roman, who had once denied it, now readily admitted that he was soft on Anakin.
Ever since Anakin was afraid of him, Roman would show leniency whenever Anakin seemed slightly hurt or on the verge of tears.
Of course, Anakin was more mature than his peers and rarely caused trouble, but he sometimes showed strange stubbornness.
Even the attendants by Roman’s side shook their heads at the cold Roman’s favoritism.
“I will miss you.”
Part of this was also due to the excessively affectionate Anakin.
The inability to give him unwelcome scoldings was mostly because he didn’t want to incur the displeasure of a person like Anakin.
‘When did it become like this?’
Roman looked at the gently smiling Anakin, held him close again, and closed his eyes tightly.
* * *
