Time seemed to flow at a smooth pace. Perhaps our post-tension state from the Shadow Clan led to more peaceful moments.

Although things didn’t go as planned, they didn’t go terribly either. Thanks to High Priestess Zydrae’s interference, the worst-case scenario never came to pass. Also, King Maxwell made his support even more clear that night. Things just petered out from there.

I realized what they were genuinely attempting to do that night. Since they pointedly ignored me, they must have been trying to get Dad to admit to his wrongdoings and get him to come forward willingly. After all, if he accepted his “punishment” of his own free will, then nobody could step in.

Regardless, the Shadow Clan doesn’t appear to be making any moves, on the surface, at least. I’ve rallied support both externally and internally, and I don’t see a world in which the Shadow Clan comes after my father again unless they are willing to pay a heavy price.

Naturally, that doesn’t mean I’m content and sitting on my thumbs. Lin has agreed to help, but even she can only do her best. The Shadow Clan is a tight-knit group, and infiltrating their inner circle is all but impossible, especially for a Human. So Lin can only scrape out surface-level information until she gets an insider, something her family hasn’t accomplished in hundreds of years.

Honestly, I’m hoping the clan just takes this as a loss and runs away with their tail between their legs. But that’s only a dream. Even though the clan might not do anything drastic, that doesn’t mean they won’t do anything.

After all, Elves can wait a few hundred years if need be. But for the time being, I’m trying not to worry about it. Or at least not let unnecessary worries consume my life. Because despite this relative peace, over the last week or so since the event, things have been…weird.

At first, it seemed like a genuine question my father asked me, and I thought nothing of it. But Mom asked me something odd as well. And Dad looped back around to ask me a similar question, only for that cycle to repeat a few more times.

And even this morning…

“Have you been drinking lots of water, Kal? Staying hydrated is important,” my father asked me as the fireplace in the dining room crackled.

I finished feeding Mila a bite of her breakfast and looked over at him with narrowed eyes. “Yes, I am. I always do. You know that I do. So why are you asking me?” I questioned.

Dad flinched at my question. Of course, it was a little rude of me to say it in such a way, but I was beyond curious. This wasn’t the first or even the second time he’s asked me something similar.

And the weird part is my father and mother should know precisely what I was eating and how much I was consuming. It wasn’t uncommon for me to share two or even three meals a day with one of them. After all, Sylvia, Mila, and I had temporarily moved into this house for the winter.

I also trained and refueled my body with them as well, and they always knew how much water I drank. Well, maybe not an exact amount, but they knew for sure it was a lot.

“Well, it’s nothing important…can I not ask how my son is doing?” he chuckled.

And that was a question dodge if I’ve even seen one. His asking these questions once or twice is one thing, maybe even a coincidence. However, Mom and Dad asking dozens or so of these types of questions was a pattern.

“Then why don’t you ask Mila those questions, mmm?”

Mila let out a small yawn, and her sleepy uninterested eyes scanned the room. Today was one of my rest days, so I didn’t go to the morning workouts with everyone. I wish I could sleep in, but my body’s internal clock was set, so I woke up and ended up waking Mila up with me.

Well, I wouldn’t say she is awake. It’s like only half of her brain is turned on right now.

Dad smiled softly and raised an eyebrow at me. “I think she is still sleeping, and you are just feeding another person's sleepy mouth.”

“You aren’t wrong,” I mumbled.

Dad went back to eating his food, but I wasn’t about to let him slip by. So I continued to stare into him and even imagined staring into his very soul. I suppose I could actually do that, but I didn’t want a splitting headache and to go blind.

Eventually, Dad’s amethyst eyes slowly met mine.”Are you…maybe busy tonight, Kal?”

Busy?

“No, I don’t have any plans today. That’s the point of a rest day. Why?”

“Then tonight I’m going to need—well, not really need, but I want you to come with me. Can you take a shower and leave your hair wet? Oh, and drink lots of water throughout the day,” he asked, his voice turning a bit more serious.

“Of course,” I said with a slight nod.

I wond—

Thunk.

I looked over to my side to find Mila’s head resting against the table. Unfortunately, her internal morning battery had run out instead of getting recharged, so it was off to dreamland for her.

Dad and I just chuckled in the dining room.

—

Once Dad made that request of me, I felt I knew what he was asking. The only thing that made me second guess was his following conditions and all the questions about my personal health.

First, he wanted me to not only leave my hair wet for tonight but to leave the house for the day and not return for some time. This posed a problem as I had no plans of going anywhere. And now that winter was in full swing going places was a challenge.

Even with the wards protecting the city and the school, the snow on the ground was thick, sometimes even at shin level in more open areas. Bowen really needed to upgrade the walkways with the same runes that melted the snow on the roadways. Those seemed to have more power. The cold winter wind was also frigid and had long since passed the comfortable stage. The purple trees that blanketed the university were being crushed under the weight of a sea of white.

Well, at least I was able to count on him being around.

Even with winter break, Sylas was still in his dorm, studying and working like a madman. Lin wasn’t home, and I managed to walk into the front door, open the door to his mess of a room, sit down in a dust-covered chair, and watch him for thirty minutes before he even realized my presence.

I wish I were trying to be sneaky, but I made no such attempts. And even when Sylas realized I was there, he ignored me and maintained his train of thought. It was at least an hour before he spoke above a mumble to me. And when he finally did…

‘Can you get me some water? And throw some more wood on the fire…please?’

I could only sigh. Even the last part seemed like he had forgotten his manners. But, nevertheless, I did as he asked, and once I finished, I looked over his shoulder at his work.

I tried to read his gibberish handwriting, but it was illegible at best and a foreign language at worst. The books thrown about the room didn’t help me understand anything either, and there were so many reagents, plants, and metal scraps that I couldn’t tell what from what. As for the smell…

I’d rather forget it.

I worried for the poor guy and tried to get him to take a break, but he just brushed my concerns away and started mumbling about how he was close. All I could do was shrug my shoulders helplessly. The man was on a mission to change the world of medicine for people without light magic. Many sleepless nights would be needed for him to accomplish such a lofty goal now and in the future.

I took my leave and left him some dried rations and water from my ring. Then, since it was barely past midday, I decided to pay a visit to another friend. So I trudged through the snow to the ordinary student dorms and let out a deep breath. The building was nice and toasty, and the firewood smell spread throughout the entire place.

There were only a few students here and there, most of them lounging about in front of a fireplace with casual clothes on. Since the winter break was here, most people returned home to be with their families or temporarily stayed in the city since the school’s facilities would be shut down for the break. But some had nowhere to go, so they stayed in the dorms.

Winter in Luminar was a time for family and relaxation. Unfortunately, since going outside was brutal and uneventful, it meant that most people stayed cooped up inside. So I had hoped he would be willing to spend a bit of time with me, but…

‘What do you want? It’s too damn early for you to be knocking, man.’

That’s what the groggy Varnir said to me when he answered the door with his wild bed hair and tired, baggy eyes. Of course, I tried to defend myself, explaining that it was just past midday, but Varnir wanted nothing to do with me. Unlike me, he had gone and trained this morning and was catching up on sleep. I wanted to ask him why he was here instead of at the encampment, but…I never got the chance.

And although that’s what he told me, I don’t think somebody can catch up on something when they have plenty in the bank. But I didn’t vocalize that to him, knowing it would only make him angry and that if the man wanted to sleep, then I’d let him sleep. So I left the grumpy Varnir in search of someone else.

A vague thought of visiting Lauren and Ren crossed my mind, but I struck that one down the moment it came to me. Not that I didn’t want to see them or anything. It’s just that I knew they weren’t in their dorm room. They had already said they would go to the palace for winter to spend time as a family. Bishop and Ren always ran to the school for their morning warm-up.

So…I trudged through the white powder all the way across campus. It was a long walk in the cold, but I finally made it. And for the first time, I was greeted by someone who at least managed to smile at me and not shoo me away.

The nurse behind the desk wore a thick winter coat and bowed to me. I simply signed my name and made my way to the rooms. I already knew the path, so it didn’t take long for me to reach her room. But what surprised me was the laughter I heard seeping out.

I gave the door a customary knock to announce my presence, and Jen’s hoarse voice told me that I could come in. I was about to greet her, but I was met with a surprise. Sitting in a chair next to her bed and glaring at me with a slightly annoyed look was Padraic

‘What are you doing here now of all times?’

When he asked me that, I recounted my story and mentioned how I thought I would visit with Jen for a while. But the moment I uttered those words, I got the sinking feeling that I wasn’t welcome in that place. Padraic let out a few inaudible grumbles and basically poked me out of the room.

Naturally, I asked him why he was acting that way, and he flat-out told me that I would ‘murder the mood that he worked so hard to build.’ I told him I had no such plans and looked to Jen for some backup, but even she smiled wryly at me. Clearly, she had no intention of supporting me, and I was promptly ushered out of the room by a grumbling Dwarf.

I was in and out of place in less than twenty minutes…today was just not my lucky day.

—

A part of me was tempted to go into town, but I knew that would be for naught as well. Ciki’s salon would be closed, and so would the Silver Wolverine. Bella and Veme, who were usually in town, were also gone on the mission I sent them on, so nobody was there for me.

At this point, I could have made my way up to the palace, but…I already saw King Maxwell enough as it is. I can only handle so much of him, and if I showed up under the pretense of meeting Lauren or Ren, he was bound to show up. Maybe with fists at the ready. I didn’t need that in my life right now…

So with nothing better to do, I returned home feeling slightly defeated. I could spend some time with Sylvia or even Cerila, but they were both gone when I checked their rooms. Even my room was empty.

It’s like everyone is avoiding me like I’m harboring a plague or something.

I was about to retire to my room to relax when I bumped into somebody, quite literally at that. I was in my head, not paying attention to my surroundings at all, and nearly knocked over Dallin. Thankfully, I reacted faster, grabbed him, and straightened him out before he tipped over.

“Sorry, Dallin, I wasn’t paying attention,” I apologized.

Instead of getting mad at me, he beamed me an ear-to-ear smile that melted my heart. “It’s okay. It didn’t even hurt,” he said softly.

Ah…what a kind and benevolent little brother.

Dallin patted me on the stomach a few times. “Your stomach is so hard. Why is it like that?” He patted his stomach with a complicated expression. “Mine is so soft…”

An angel in disguise, and he doesn’t even know it.

“I work a lot. I enjoy honing my body,” I told him. “And don’t be down on yourself, Dallin. If anything, you are bigger than I was at your age.”

Dallin mulled over what I said momentarily and let out a slight hum. “Does that mean I can be like you?”

It’s a roll of the dice, but…if he took more from Dad than I did, then he could easily surpass me.

“If you work hard, absolutely. You might be able to surpass me one day,” I told him honestly. “But I don’t plan on letting you.”

Dallin frowned at that but in a playful way. “That’s not nice…but can you teach me?”

He looked up at me with big golden eyes. His pleading look was quite adorable, but I just ended up laughing. “Maybe when you get a bit older, okay? Anyway, why are you roaming about,” I asked, changing the subject.

A smile returned to his face, and even a hint of excitement showed. “I’m studying with Grandpa! But I went and got some water, so now I’m going back!” he said with a grin.

“I see. You must enjoy studying with Grandpa. Has he been teaching you a lot?” I asked, motioning for us to start walking.

“Mhm! Grandpa sure knows a lot, so it’s always fun. I like it,” he said with a giggle.

“That’s good. Is Mila paying attention to her studies?”

Dallin hummed again and shrugged his shoulders. “I think so. She tries really hard.”

Ah, that’s good to hear.

I can’t always be with Mila, so Grandpa has taken it upon himself to teach her every other day along with Dallin. From what I could see, it appeared to be fruitful for her. At least I felt that she was learning steadily with Grandpa’s assistance. It also helped that she had somebody to learn with that was around the same age as her.

“So, Brother—”

“Dallin! Dallin!?” a high-pitched voice screamed out into the halls.

Dallin flinched slightly and poked me in the side. “Open the door, please, before Rose—”

Before either of us could open the door, it shot open. Mila rushed out the door and ran straight into me, hugging me by my legs. It seemed she finally woke up and was in a much better mood. I patted her on the head, and together the three of us made our way into the study—the voice calling for Dallin still echoing in the halls.

The crackling of the fireplace led to a cozy feeling, and the small space meant that the room was quite warm. I had the urge to just melt into a chair, but that also disappeared as I saw a sour-looking old man staring at me.

“Is there a problem, Grandpa?” I asked, confused.

“Yeah, you. Now scram,” Grandpa huffed as he crossed his arms across his chest and beard.

I…what have I done wrong today? Did I piss some god off or something?

Perhaps seeing my confusion, he just shook his head. “As you can clearly see, you are a distraction. It only took your scent to make Mila jump out of her seat and decimate the atmosphere I’ve been working so hard to foster.”

“I…it’s not that bad,” I grumbled.

Grandpa sighed and rubbed his face with his slim wrinkly fingers. “But it is. Not everyone is like you or was like you when you were a young boy. Being able to focus and concentrate on a task for hours on end at the age of four or five isn’t normal.”

Well—he has a point…

“Now make yourself scarce,” Grandpa said with a wave of his hand.

The door swung open violently behind me, and a little girl with curly brown hair and piercing blue eyes stood in the doorway. “There you are, Dallin! Why did you run away this morning?! You didn’t even get to try on the red dress!” she yelled.

Grandpa rolled his eyes and ran a tired hand through his beard and face. Not wanting to derail this mess any more than I had, I left without a fuss, much to Mila’s and Dallin’s complaints. It was hard to refute Grandpa’s claim when even their reactions supported his words.

So with my day being absolutely wasted and apparently only being a nuisance to everyone around me, I retired to my room and tried to take a nap.

Of course, I failed that task as well. So maybe I’m a bit nervous about what’s to come.

—

Sundown was right around the corner, so I slipped into the shower and made sure to leave my hair wet. It was a bit uncomfortable leaving it like that, but it’s what I was asked to do, so I obliged.

I shuffled through the house to find Dad. But oddly enough, I ran into him outside, talking to another familiar face. Bowen greeted me with a nod as I marveled at the construction that he had undoubtedly finished in a single day. To say the least, I wasn’t expecting something like this.

In the backyard was a giant stone tent that was modeled after the same tent I had seen in the Shadow Clan’s encampment. It was the spitting image of the Shaman’s tent, made out of brown earth instead of fabric. There was even a hole in the center, letting out black smoke.

Bowen walked past me and patted me on the shoulder. “Happy birthday, Kaladin. Although I’ve been told it’s a bit early,” he chuckled.

Ah, so I was right.

“Thank you, but did you make all of this by yourself?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

As far as I knew, no one in my family could use earth magic, especially to this degree. I wondered if Bowen was a Grandmaster earth mage or, at the very least, a Master.

He looked over his shoulder and grinned. “I did, but it was nothing much. Just consider it a gift.” Bowen nodded at my father and waved goodbye to me. “It’s a shame I can’t watch, but I won’t intrude any longer. I’ll come around in a few days and tear this all down for you.”

“Thanks, Bowen, we appreciate it,” Dad said earnestly.

Bowen just chuckled as he walked away. “I did the easy part. You still have a long night ahead of you.”

A long night? Is braiding my hair going to take hours or something? Come to think of it, the only thing I know about this coming-of-age ceremony is the braiding of hair…

“Are you ready, son?” Dad asked with a warm smile.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”