Nathan Evenhart:

  Returning to the academy was always a bustling time, with students excited and eager to get back to their studies. We traveled by carriage through the vast forest surrounding the academy, a deliberately isoted area to protect the knowledge and students from prying eyes. Syvis, Kinue, Chloe, Her Highness Alice, and Edmund were with me, exchanging specutions about what the first lesson after the holidays would be like.

  "Probably something innovative, just like st time," suggested Edmund.

  Kinue, ever reserved, expined that the curriculum was shuffled to prevent uppercssmen from giving hints to the lower years.As we disembarked from the carriage, an aerial spectacle caught our attention. Asalons, winged creatures resembling Pegasi, nded while knights in imposing armor dismounted. Among them was Sebastian Bke, a member of the student council and Alice's fiancé.

  "Sebastian," Alice said, clicking her tongue in irritation.

  He announced that the council would be requiring even more weekly meetings, as many members were in their final year, and the uppercssmen, like us, would soon take over the positions.

  I sighed. My free time would diminish even further.

  In the cssroom, an auditorium-like structure, Professor Adrihna began her introduction. To our surprise, she announced that the lesson would not be about elves but one of the rarest forms of magic: Soul Golems.

  "Today, we will talk about summoner mages and their creatures, the Soul Golems," Adrihna announced, capturing everyone's attention.

  The professor began by expining the three categories of mages: Transmitters, Emitters, and Summoners, emphasizing that Summoners were the only ones with a more vibrant and conscious Mana Gem. According to her, the Mana Gem could create a completely formed being out of mana— a Soul Golem.

  She went on to detail the differences between a Soul Golem and the Bestial Form of demi-humans, with the help of Director Victoria. According to them, while the Soul Golem was a separate creature that needed to be summoned, the Bestial Form was the demi-human's own physical transformation into that creature, with the original body stored in the Mana Gem while assuming the bestial form. This is why demi-humans did not have summoner mages, as those with the Bestial Form were equivalent to humans and elves who possessed a Soul Golem.

  The director expined that demi-humans with a Bestial Form were born as their creature and only assumed their humanoid form months ter. These students went through a period of instability when they turned 15, as their second body attempted to emerge, causing involuntary transformations and a ck of control.

  "That's why students with a Bestial Form cannot leave the academy without my consent," Victoria said, pointing to her niece Thyra, who turned red when mentioned.

  As for the Soul Golems, Adrihna expined that there were four phases: Awakening, Communication, Summoning, and Domination. The Awakening phase occurred when the mage began to sense the presence of their Mana Gem, usually during moments of intense trauma or pure talent. Chloe, my cousin, was an example of someone who awakened their Soul Golem very early, both due to talent and the harsh environment we grew up in.The next phase, Communication, involved an emotional connection with the Mana Gem. Feelings were transted into thoughts and intuitions. However, reaching the point of summoning or dominating the Soul Golem was the true challenge.

  "You have two options," Adrihna expined seriously. "Be friends with your Soul Golem or fight to the death with it."

  This part made the entire room hold its breath. The professor expined that the Golem was a pure manifestation of the mage's soul and abilities, but not always willing to cooperate.

  “The Golem will try to kill its creator if it considers them weak or unworthy. And yes, it is a fight to the death,” Adrihna concluded.

  I felt a shiver run down my spine upon hearing that. Chronos, my very own Soul Golem, was living proof of the danger these creatures posed. I had tried to summon him twice, and both times I almost died. Chronos was the manifestation of my Special Eyes, a being who commanded all elements, while, upon summoning him, I lost access to those powers, remaining restricted to just thunder and wind.

  Adrihna saved me from death both times, but the second time, Chronos had learned and grown even stronger. She herself confessed that if I tried a third time, she wasn't sure she could save me.

  “Therefore,” Adrihna continued, “the battle between the mage and their Golem must be direct and personal. No interference can occur. It’s a life-or-death duel, and if there’s any interference, the Soul Golem will never be tamed.”

  Looking at Cyl, who was sleeping in my p in her moon panther form, I thought about how different she was. She was an animal being who had a humanoid form, which I saw when she was Sisika, and she also possessed a bestial form. Wherever she came from, there was a pce with very powerful beings. With a biology entirely different from that of a human, even her magical side was distinct. Cyl didn’t have a Mana Gem. Perhaps her Mana Gem were her eyes.

  The css continued, and Director Victoria supplemented by expining how the same concept applied to demi-humans. Upon reaching maturity, they were overtaken by primitive urges and needed to master their transformations to maintain control.

  “But don’t think that a power like this comes without a price,” Professor Adrihna expined, her voice echoing firmly through the room. “Soul Golems or demi-human transformations can only be maintained for a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes. This limit is not a matter of skill but exhaustion.”She paused briefly, allowing the students to absorb the information.

  “There are, indeed, highly experienced mages who can extend this time. However, it takes years of practice and complete mastery over one’s Mana Gem. Even for these rare individuals, maintaining the active form is a constant challenge, as the power continuously and intensely consumes mana.”

  The professor walked slowly, her serious gaze passing over the attentive faces of the students.

  “While the Soul Golem or the bestial form is active, the gem is forced to operate at its limits, draining magical energy brutally. When the time runs out, the mage finds themselves in a state of extreme exhaustion, both in mana and physically. It’s as if every muscle has been forced beyond its limit.”

  Director Victoria raised one hand and conjured a small fme over her fingers.

  “A mage in this state can’t even cast simple spells… or take a few steps without colpsing to the ground. That’s why these forms are used only as a st resort, when all other options have been exhausted and the mage is ready to sacrifice everything for victory.”

  Silence hung in the room as the students absorbed the weight of the lesson.

  At the end of the css, Adrihna’s words echoed in my mind. Summon or Dominate. If the Soul Golem is a part born from the mage's soul, Chronos was born from my fury as a general. A time when Icarus... was a name no one dared to utter.

  Katherine Evenhart:

  I was walking through the streets of Apsalon, enjoying the calm weather while doing some shopping. It was rare to have a peaceful moment like this. Despite the city being exclusive to the nobility, which allowed me to walk freely without formal escorts, I knew there were guards nearby, just not as visible.

  "Lady Katherine, do you need anything?" asked Martha, always attentive at my side.

  "Everything's fine, just looking at some fruits."

  I enjoyed personally picking a few things, especially the ones Nathan preferred. It was a small gesture, but preparing something special for when he came to spend the weekend at the mansion was the way I found to stay close, even now that he was growing up so quickly.

  I had also passed by a few clothing stores and, well... I ended up buying some baby clothes. I knew it was still early to think about grandchildren, but the idea of having little ones around, of being able to spoil them and take care of them, warmed my heart. Since the internal issues with the nobility of the duchy were resolved, I finally felt like I could rex.

  I was at peace.

  Well… almost.

  I noticed a few women who seemed to always be around, speaking quietly and changing positions as I walked. It was obvious. I knew this pattern. Margaery had sent disguised servants to work in some stores in the city, especially to keep close surveilnce on Nathan and Chloe when they came to the shopping district. After that incident with the assassin...

  I felt the familiar tightness in my chest, a silent, persistent pain.

  It's over, Katherine… our babies are safe.

  I repeated to myself, trying to calm my thoughts. I took a deep breath. I had decided to use everything I had to protect my family.

  Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the street.

  “BAM!”

  The loud sound startled the pedestrians, making them step back. Before I could even understand what was happening, three women appeared and surrounded me in a perfect circle, each with a drawn knife.

  “Sorry!” yelled a man ahead. “My sound crystal interfered, my deepest apologies for the scare!”

  Relief and embarrassment filled the air as the shock dissipated.

  The women surrounding me slowly lowered their weapons, but still remained alert. When I looked at Martha, she also had a knife in hand, her gaze sharp and focused, ready to strike at any threat.

  Upon realizing it was just an accident, she visibly flushed and lowered the bde.

  “Sorry, Lady Katherine... I know you asked me to come alone, but... the order is to protect you with full force.”

  The three women bowed, lowering their heads in unison.

  "Apologies, Lady Katherine."

  I sighed, shaking my head, a tired smile on my lips.

  “It’s alright, girls... I’ve accepted my situation.” I joked, but deep down, I knew this was the new reality. Full security... at any cost.

  ***

  After the outing, we returned to the mansion. I knew Margaery had had an important meeting with a representative from the Elven King, so as soon as I crossed the entrance, I went straight to her office.

  The room was a mix of organized chaos. Papers, maps, and seals were scattered across her rge dark wooden desk. The office was connected to a small dungeon in the basement, where more confidential files were stored. Among the papers, I recognized a few pages reted to our family trees—both mine and the Evenhart’s.

  All of this was part of a delicate and diplomatic process that had been consuming our energy for months. We needed to present Nathan’s entire lineage history so that he could finally be exonerated from the diplomatic crimes his very existence caused. It had to be shown that it was merely a coincidence that both families had married in my generation and his father’s. Nathan was a diplomatic anomaly—an heir to a ducal house in a human kingdom, while his elven lineage directly connected him to the royal family of the elves, which vioted an ancient pact forged two thousand years ago.

  This pact existed to prevent two kingdoms from uniting and subjugating the third, or for the royalty to infiltrate a noble member into another territory to seize power from within.

  "So? Any news?" I asked eagerly as I entered the office, barely able to contain my restlessness.

  Margaery looked up from the documents and smiled tiredly, yet satisfied.

  "It's all on track to be resolved. At the upcoming meeting in Apsalon, the majesties of the three kingdoms and the king of the new fourth kingdom will be present. The representative of the elven kingdom assured me that the lioness queen of the demi-human kingdom understands the situation and has granted the 'royal pardon'. Nathan is officially cleared of all accusations."

  I felt relief wash over my chest, a weight that had seemed to press down on me for weeks suddenly lifting.

  "That's... that's good, right?" I asked, still needing Margaery to confirm, even though I already knew the answer.

  "Not just good, Katie. This is the best possible scenario. Nathan's identity remains confidential, so no one knows who he really is, and that's the greatest protection we could have."

  I let out a long sigh of relief.

  "And the human kingdom?"

  Margaery's expression grew more serious as she shook her head.

  "The royal family only knows that Nathan is a high-ranking elven noble. For now, they’ll believe he's a descendant of one of the elven dukes. This week, there will be an official conversation to reveal his royal lineage, but his true identity will still be kept secret. Only on the official day of his presentation, with both majesties present, will the truth be fully revealed, and the agreement concluded. Even Chloe will be required to act as the duchy’s representative, after all, she is his Duchess."

  I understood what Margie said, but at the same time, I didn’t fully comprehend it.

  "Is this good or bad, Margie?" I asked, my voice betraying my anxiety.

  She sighed deeply and assumed her usual calm, calcuting tone.

  "There will be some concessions. The elven kingdom will likely reduce some import taxes and perhaps provide more healing mages to the human kingdom... but overall, this is a positive thing. They also couldn’t propose commercial agreements without consulting the demi-human kingdom first. What’s happening now is a formalization: Nathan, you, and Kinue will be officially recognized as members of the elven royalty. The humans will understand that the elven kingdom just wants to maintain peace, especially with the new trade agreements. In the end, they won't have many options but to accept. After all, you already exist. It would be different if it were an attempt to unite the kingdoms through a political marriage. In your case, that’s already happened. You belong to both the human and the elven realms."

  She paused as if giving me a moment to process her words.

  "Don't worry, everything will work out. Publicly, the Asalon family will still be celebrated as the 'heroes' for bringing back the 'lost children'."

  I sat down in the chair, feeling the weight of months of tension finally ease a bit. It had been truly agonizing tely, but it seemed like the end of this nightmare was finally near.

  "There will be an important meeting on this day, including representatives from the other half of the continent. It's a rare occasion, so the kings will be present in Apsalon. The elven king has to handle this situation personally—sending a representative would be a diplomatic insult."

  I nodded, absorbing the expnation. Even though the problem wasn't completely solved yet, just being so close to resolution was a relief... although the anxiety still gnawed at me.

  "Cheer up, Katie. It's almost over. Well... you might have to go through a lengthy process in the elven kingdom during the next holidays, but that part isn't for me to deal with."

  I blinked in surprise.

  "What do you mean?"

  Margie smiled slightly, clearly amused by my reaction.

  "Oh, did you think it would all end here? You’ll have to visit your home. You’ll have to go to the Elven Pace and officially present yourselves as part of the royal family. I imagine there will be a long line of important figures eager to meet you—especially our silver-haired High Elf hybrid."

  I let out a nervous ugh, feeling the weight of it all slowly creeping back.

  "Things have been so intense these past few months… I completely forgot about that," I admitted.

  Margie chuckled, giving me that knowing look—like she already foresaw what was coming.

  "Now stop stalling. Come on, we have a lot of documents to review… Your Highness, Katherine Evenhart Rhiannon."

  I rolled my eyes but ended up smiling, finally feeling a flicker of hope at the end of all this bureaucracy.