***Hyperion Empire***

***Imperial Throne Room***

A silver haired man dressed in a gown embroidered in gold and white sat atop a rather plain looking dark brown throne. Adjacent to him, sat a beautiful and heavily pregnant raven haired woman with piercing violet eyes on a throne much like his own, both looking down at the short armored man giving his report.

“...leaving new heirs for each House appropriately, with House Rinehart themselves being blessed with twins. All children appearing to be healthy and mana capable.” finished the short man.

Queen Consort Ariel Granitas elected to speak first, “Thank you for your hard work. You are dismissed.”

The man kneeled once again like he did when he entered, and left the throne room.

Ariel continued, “Well this is indeed joyous news. Why don’t we take some of the money out of the treasury to partake in a celebration? The Empire can definitely use news like this to boost citizen morale and serve as a reminder to enemies. We may even invite the House families to the capital for a proper reception. It has been so long since we’ve all been together and I am sure everyone being able to reacquaint themselves with each other will be good for all. We can even-”

Emperor Tyrus Granitas noticed her pause to breathe and decided if he was going to stop his pregnant and overly-emotional wife this was his chance to strike, “While I do agree this is cause for celebration, I do not believe it is wise to invite all the Houses to the capital so soon. There are no doubt enemies plotting with this news and assassins are to be expected. Having all the heirs brought to one place at the same time will no doubt bring disaster. The Houses are no doubt settling things down and heading back to normalcy. Besides, you haven’t even given birth yet.”

Ariel crinkled her nose and looked at her husband with a pout. Tyrus had a point, but she longed to see her best friend Sophia again and that cute daughter of hers. Not to mention the shy little Ria Arshan, who she quite enjoyed teasing. Ariel’s son left after reaching the age of twenty and went out to explore the world. Like all future heads of House Granitas, he needed to have experiences with just him and his partner alone and with no assistance. She wouldn’t admit it openly, but with her son and friends gone and the Empire at it’s longest time of peace on record, she was incredibly bored.

There were silver-linings, like no one dying and the Imperial family becoming more wealthy with the peace. But in all honesty, that was nothing compared to the fact she was about to have another child.

That should be at least ten years of busy work! Finally something to do!

***Soltain City***

~~~Skylar Soltain POV~~~

I grunted in pain as I hit the dirt of the courtyard hard. My opponent is superior to me in strength atleast, but I doubt that’s all. Before I would grab my spear again I looked at the man beating me into the ground with no remorse. My eyes widened as I noticed his feet.

He hasn’t even moved yet! This is ridiculous!

“Again.” My grandpa spoke clearly and with authority. Wearing his usual black cloak with a golden fur hood, except with no armor underneath. Whenever we practiced physical training and endurance he always turned on his scary side. He would always say that there is no room for mistakes in battle, and when I sparred with him, every mistake I made would be answered with pain and dirt in my face. I also knew if I didn’t grab my spear soon he would strike me while I am down, for “no serious enemy will wait for you to recover.” So I grabbed my weapon and began channeling light magic through the pole to the head, focusing on the tip and the sharp edges specifically.

My weapon began to vibrate and strengthen, but more importantly the head now had a slim beam of golden light coating the edges and point. My grandpa is apparently a master of mana weapon and physical strengthening. Before the Empire was formed, he developed the technique of channeling mana through his weapons and coating them in the golden light of our family. The weapon becomes much more durable and far more deadly. Depending on the strength of the user, the weapon could cut through even the most powerful of spells or even deploy a golden wave of light just from a simple slash. The problem is the quality of the weapon also limits the user, so both strong materials and a strong wielder are needed to push the limits of light channeling. I am sure there is more cool stuff my grandpa can do but whenever I ask he says, “Girl you're still not ready for better techniques.”

Also there's the fact that this spear is just a training spear and won't last much longer with my mana pushing through it.

My grandpa's hard-blue eyes glance over the spear head and then back at me. “Oh so you're going to get serious now girl? Then show me something new. Because I am starting to think you aren’t quite ready for the capital or that griffin partner yet. Maybe next year?”

I know not to respond to my grandpa’s thoughts. On the outside I am as cool as ice, not even moving from my offensive spear stance. Although on the inside, I am mad.

I couldn't care less if I go to the Academy or not. I am sure Mother has taught me more than enough and I would be fine continuing to learn from her. But I really want a griffin partner, and no one is going to stop me from getting one.

I break stance and circle around him, he is actually cocky enough to remain standing in the exact same spot and doesn’t even turn his head to face me. Well strong as he is, I know for a fact that he can’t see me behind him so he’s going to be forced to rely on his other senses. He’s giving me an advantage, small at it is against someone like him, but, “in battle one must make use of every possible advantage.”

I charge mana through my legs and shoot towards his back. I thrust my spear tip forward towards his lower upper body. In the blink of an eye, I now realize grandpa is facing me. Our entire session, he has never used a weapon, like before he still uses the mithril metal guards protecting his forearms. Another advantage, as he only has protection inside arms reach and thus leaves his lower body exposed.

He readies to use his arms to block another attack and seems to have recognized my target. As I get closer, I feint my attacking his upper body and as expected, he blocks and deflects my spear to his right side. I use this opportunity to channel as much mana as I can through my arms and at the butt end of my weapon. I slide the weapon down and strike full force towards his groin. The wind behind my weapon builds in pressure as I slice through the air.

Grandpa realizes that my true attack wasn’t with the spear head and jumps in a bright flash. Moving from where the butt-end of my spear aimed now standing behind me. I stood in a daze realizing what just happened. My spear now in shambles from the amount of power forced through the base.

“God’s above! I had you! Fighting you isn’t fair at all! How can you be that fast?!”

“That was good girl. You made me use my own movement technique to dodge that blow. A regular mortal man would have died instantly.”

“That doesn’t help at all! Sparring against you is like battling against a super-fast mountain or something!”

“Be that as it may, you have forced me to use my own creation and it only makes sense you should be rewarded for that victory. Next time we train I will begin teaching you some more House offensive magic. I think that’s enough today, your mother told me the Satele’s will be arriving soon anyways. The even have their new babe with them.”

Auntie’s baby?! Another cute little brother?!

“Really? When?”

“I am sure they will be here by daybreak, so you don’t have a lot of time to clean yourself up and get breakfast before they arrive.”

I looked down at my body and noticed I really was dirty. I even had a couple bruises on my arms and one on my leg. I quickly channeled light magic through my left hand, just like how my father taught me, and began healing my wounds. As I got the bruise on my leg, the glow on my left hand fizzled out and faded.

I'm out of magic? How didn’t I notice earlier?

I tried to stand up but found myself collapsing from mana exhaustion. I really need to start training my body for what happens once I run out of mana.

As if reading my thoughts, my grandpa picked me up and said, “Perhaps will also start your post mana exhaustion training too before you leave. You will most likely have to continue it yourself while you're at the capital. I suggest looking for a training partner. I’ll bring you to your room and have Mary arrange for some food brought up to you.”

“Thanks Grandpa.”

---Daybreak---

I walked out of my room feeling much better than how I felt when I entered. My mana reserves are still low, but with a little rest and some food there not completely depleted like they were. I’d have to thank the cooks for such a good breakfast when I get the chance.

Im wearing a plain light blue loose fitting dress that reaches my ankles. It was particularly chilly this morning and is still cold outside. Plus, the only people visiting are Uncle William and Auntie Joan, so appearances don’t really matter for this reunion.

I walked down the the main dining room inside the castle and found everyone talking at the table. My mother appeared to be holding a sleeping infant I didn’t recognize, and I can see my aunt holding Max. Max is an excitable little baby and is looking all over the room at the bright chandeliers and then back at my aunt’s golden eyes. He seems to like her, and is trying to grab at her face seemingly attempting to catch her shiny orbs. I continued to stroll up to my family and entered hearing range.”

“...managed to have two babies within just a decade. Your like baby making machine, popping out such cute children.”

My mother continued to hold for what I can guess is my infant cousin, and he lay asleep even as everyone in the room continued to talk, unperturbed by the noise.

“I’ll admit that I was surprised that after thirty years of trying Jacob and I would be blessed with two children in a decade. But I am very happy because of it.” she smiled down at the boy in her arms. “Arthur here is quite simple, does he only sleep?”

“Yes! So far he has only decided to wake up when he is hungry or needs to go to the bathroom. Sometimes he just goes in his sleep and will sit in his own filth until I smell it. He seems to be quite the sloth, but I would be lying if I said he was difficult to care for. Even with Will in that lab of his all day.”

Said man attempted to defend himself, “You have told me repeatedly you don’t need my help right now! I will gladly keep him with me and watch him while I work down in the lab.”

“He is a baby! I will not let you keep him in that hellhole longer then he needs to be. Growing up around broken minds and bodies is surely not something a child should be partaking in.”

It was at this point Max noticed my approach. He pointed at me and did his best attempt at a scream, bringing everyone’s attention to me.

“Hello Uncle, Auntie, how was your trip over?” I said as I approached my aunt and gave her a hug. I took Max out of her arms and let him play with my shiny hair.

She proceeded to respond, “It was quiet. Although I am sure I have told you all how cold I get up here especially with it still snowing and all. Now how are you little Sky? Are you ready to head to the capital?”

“I still don’t see why I need to leave for the Academy. Mother has taught me plenty in academics and my magic only get’s better with practice.”

“Ah… it’s more of a political thing. As a future leader of the Empire, they want you to be at least familiar with the capital, plus you meet other people your age from all around Hyperion.”

My mother even chimed in, “My friend Ariel will be there too, Do you remember her? I am sure she will assist you with anything you may need and all. Her being Queen can be quite helpful too.”

“How can I forget the Queen? As much as I struggle with the other Houses and their prominent members I think I’m pretty familiar with the Imperial Family.”

“Good, then you should be fine.”

I sat down next to my aunt and allowed Max to continue to play with my hair.

Aunt Joan took a sip of her wine and then looked at my father. Wait. Wine in the morning? I looked around and noticed all the adults were drinking wine. The baby party must be starting early.

She put down her cup and put on her politics mask, much like my mothers, “Jacob, while were here, I am going to need to ask you for a favor.”

My dad gestured for her to continue, “Anything, how can we help?”

“Well I am sure you're aware of growing demands with the population boom so I am just going to cut to the chase. Can we borrow some of your griffin riders for aerial reconnaissance? Expanding farmland has brought us closer to the forests and the beasts that reside in them. I have hired adventurers out for both guarding the farmers and clearing magic beasts inside the forests, but it is hard to spot where the larger hordes and nests are from the ground. If you could spare a few of your men to aid in our expansion I would greatly appreciate it.”

“That’s it? You got so serious for a moment I thought you were to ask for the entire army. Jacob why don’t we just give her some of the younger recruits for the time being? I am sure a little time in the skies with their partners and practice relaying correspondence will be good for them.” My mother spoke before my father could reply.

Dad nodded, “Joan are you okay with that?”

“That’s perfect! Thanks for helping us out you two.”

“Not a problem. What else is family for?”