Even as the Verblade household tore itself apart from within, my studies could not stop. That was the nature of being born soul-bound in a bloodstained legacy.
Yet, the path ahead was barren.
The knowledge of soul-bound magic was as rare as the ones born with it. The scarcity of scrolls, of teachings, of even whispered myths, gnawed at me. Day after day, I stared at the same three books — the only tomes in the entire Verblade library that even mentioned my kind.
Frustration swelled like a storm.
I slammed the book shut.
Then I yelled — not out of rage, but from desperation.
"Seriously?! How can there be only three books about soul-bound magic in the entire mighty Verblade family?!"
The doors creaked open. The butler entered in his usual silent grace, though his brow furrowed slightly.
"Is something the matter, young master?"
I turned to him, my voice trembling on the edge of tears.
"Only three books? What am I supposed to understand with three books?!"
He bowed slightly, unfazed.
"There is nothing I can do about that, I'm afraid. However, if you speak with Master Cadeon, he might be able to guide you."
"My brother? Why would he know? He's a Verblade too — he shouldn't understand anything about magic."
"They say he learned a few things while commanding the army during the war. But do not let Lord Cauron find out — his condition is already... unstable."
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a strange mix of hope and sorrow.
"Alright. I'll go see him."
I found Cadeon sparring in the training grounds with our sister, steel ringing out like music between them. I stood quietly, watching their graceful rhythm — until my presence was finally noticed.
"What brings you here, Andre?" my sister asked, tilting her head.
"Actually… I'd like to speak to my brother in private, if that's okay," I said, mustering a sweet tone.
She smiled, her eyes lighting up, and left us without a word.
"So then," said Cadeon, sheathing his sword, "what makes my little brother bold enough to interrupt my training?"
"I don't understand anything about soul-bound magic. The library only has three books on it. It's impossible to master something so rare with so little."
Cadeon's expression softened. He looked away for a moment, sighing.
"I know, Andre. I know. But with the current state of the family, I'm afraid to take you to Ulsar."
"Then I'll make do with these three for now. But if we don't go within six months, it'll be too late. Even if I'm soul-bound, I won't be able to use magic at all. I'd train by instinct if I could, but… not while Father's around."
He chuckled lightly — not out of joy, but from disbelief.
"It's not normal for someone your age to be this wise. You're far too understanding, Andre. You don't have to carry the weight of this family. Let yourself breathe. Be a child, for once. I'll take the burden if it gets too heavy."
I looked up at him.
"I'm not afraid. You said Father tried to kill me because of the curse — so it wasn't his will, right?"
Cadeon paused. His gaze darkened.
"That… is complicated. But you deserve the truth. It's time you learned of the Verblade Prophecy."
I blinked.
"The what?"
"A prophecy spoken by the God of Fate himself — Alshvar. Only ten living beings have ever seen him. He's said to be the ancient spirit behind every founder of every land. And he gave only one prophecy — one with two paths."
I swallowed.
"What does it say?"
Cadeon looked at me, and his voice carried the weight of something ancient:
"One day, a child born stained with blood
Shall uncover the truth of the Verblades and their madness
Shall be soul-bound, and forge a magic of their own
Shall either save the Verblades from their madness…
Or betray them entirely."
My heart stopped.
"That prophecy… It sounds like me…"
"Exactly," he said. "The 'stained with blood' — it's likely your crimson hair. Father fears you are the traitor mentioned in the prophecy. But I, our sister, even the butler — we believe you are the one who will save us."
He stood, his voice more certain than I'd ever heard it.
"If I wait six months to take you to Ulsar, there won't be time to teach you anything. Be ready in two weeks. I'll get Father's permission. We'll spend a full year in the Ulsar Empire."
"A whole year? Isn't that too long? What about my practical training?"
"We'll continue there. Ulsar has neutral grounds — and training areas designed to withstand anything."
"Even magic?"
"Especially magic. Verblade lands weren't built for it. But Ulsar welcomes all forms of training."
I smiled for the first time in days.
"Then once I've mastered these three books… let's set out."
Cadeon smiled back.
"We will, Andre."
All that remained now… was Father.
And Cadeon would face that storm for me.