***Hyperion Empire***

***Soltain City***

"Jacob what are we doing wrong? I feel like I am failing as a mother."

"In all honesty honey he reminds me a lot of how you were when we first met. Like it was only you versus the world. It took me quite a bit of time to garner your attention, even then I was a bit threatened by you."

Sophia made a cute pout at her husband's response. "Yes, yes, we know which side of the family this part of his personality originated from, but personality is largely based off experiences. I was rather hostile with others because of my father and relationships with people who I let get close to me. Lots of confrontations growing up and he has had far less than I. I want to believe I'm missing or forgetting something."

"This isn't either of your faults. You did a fine job with the girl and I am sure we can find a solution to our current problem. The incident at the garrison is not something easily forgotten. Right now, he is simply not mature enough to be a leader. I believe that he needs to work on his humility, I will not continue to train a child in something that requires trust and respect for everyone involved. He may never develop the proper qualities to lead on the battlefield, at least not the qualities I would expect from a Soltain commander." The general said, voicing his true thoughts.

"What about Arthur and Kana? How were they doing with the recruits otherwise?" Jacob asked.

"I will not allow the other two be stunted by the actions of the boy. They will continue their training accordingly. As for Max, he will come for weapons training in the morning but we must decide on something to amend his current issues, or at least mitigate them." the general replied.

"I've noticed my son seems to think commoners beneath him? Although this isn't unheard of amongst nobles, I believe we should start there. Like Sophia said, our personalities are formed from our experiences, the boy has plenty of time to grow and undergo experience that may change who he is forever. I suggest we just create some of those experiences for him ourselves."

"I will leave the boy's immediate future to his parents. Though I want him ready to head north with the other two before autumn. Training is great, but actual battle situations tend to be the best teacher. Fight or flight as they say."

"You can't be serious!? When you took Skylar to the north she was nine and I thought it was a bad idea. You can't truly expect me to agree to allow you to take three seven year olds to fight?"

"The entire goal of the trio coming to our house was combat training. That requires actual combat."

Sophia knew her husband and father in law could fight for hours about this subject. She thought it best to intervene before it got out of hand. She placed her hand on Jacob's arm and looked towards the general. "We can worry about that at another date. Father, thank you for helping us but Jacob and I need to discuss our son's punishment."

"Very well. Until tomorrow." The eldest man nodded and left the study.

"Actually my dear I think I have a pretty good plan for what to do with Max. You are welcome to wash your hands of the matter and let me take over with our sons reeducation."

Sophia looked up to her husband incredulously. The silence in the room seemed to stretch on for what felt like eternity to Jacob.

"Well are you going to tell me what that plan is?"

"I think not my dear. You've had all your time with the boy and I think it's my turn. Besides, I know how you love surprises."

"You're playing a very dangerous game darling, but I will concede this time. I can't wait to see the fruits of your 'pretty good' plan."

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The young Max woke up on a couch with a throbbing headache. He looked towards the windows in the room to see it was actually almost sunset and realized he's been out for a while.

What happened? The last thing he could remember was the spar and then here he was, waking up in an unrecognizable room with an incredibly painful bruise. He knew he was in the castle, but the room was rather unfamiliar to him.

"You're finally awake."

Max turned to the source of the voice to find his own father working on a desk filled with papers. Max rarely talked with his father. He liked his father and knew he was a good man but they simply barely talked compared to how much time he spent with his mother. His father was the Lord of the province, and was often busy because of that. Max only consistently saw him at dinner, alongside the rest of the family.

"What happened?"

The older man finished up the sentence he was writing and looked up at his injured son. A large bruise showing itself on the top of his head. He elected not to heal it as an additional punishment.

"You lost control and almost killed a Soltain citizen. Knight Lieutenant Lancaster claimed you would not stop the magic you were using even when ordered. The report goes on saying one of your friends took the chance to incapacitate you. I am also curious on what exactly you did to the man? Blocking his ability to breathe? I can't say I've ever heard of something like that before."

"It's rather simple when the person has no magic resistance training. I'll only get better with it as I get stronger. I'm glad to hear it worked though. He was not killed right?"

"The man lived. But your actions have hurt our standing amongst our citizens. Our family is well liked because of our loyalty and fair treatment to out people, it has been like that long before I was born. You have stained our reputation and have scared some of our citizens. For that you will be punished."

"What!? He was just a peasant? The knight lady said we could do anything in the spar as long as it wasn't lethal, the man lived!"

"That response alone is enough for changes to be made. The man was a free citizen of our Soltain province and your actions were a direct front to his life. For now, you will no longer participate in the leadership training with the other two heirs, my father thinks you to immature to be a leader and based off this conversation I am inclined to agree with him. Starting tomorrow after weapons training you will work, as an apprentice more specifically."

"An apprentice?"

"Yes, until you go to the academy, I will have you working under, as you so aptly put it, a 'peasant'. You will do what he or she says and you will be living with them until I deem otherwise. I suggest you begin packing tonight, you will leave after weapons training tomorrow morning. A word of advice from now on, humility will go a long way with others. Do you have any questions?"

Max recognized that his father had everything already decided and complaining would only hurt himself. That didn't stop his curiosity about the future though. "Can I still see my friends? Also, who am I supposed to be working for?"

Jacob smiled at that. His son at least could recognize when he was wrong and knew not to press matters out of his control. There was hope for the boy yet. "The other two young heirs will remain at the castle, if you wish to see them outside of morning training, you will have to ask your new master. As for who he or she is, you will find out tomorrow. You may close the door on your way out."

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Silvia Nerenthan used to have a toilsome life. As an elf who grew up during the corrupt rule of the nineteenth Nytos King, she underwent some harrowing experiences. From watching the death of her own parents and being forcibly conscripted as a mage of the kingdom, to living life over ten years on the run after absconding from her post as a pawn to the Nytos Royal Family. Life was indeed toilsome.

Settling down in a small town inside the borders of the Magic Union, she decided to live life as a modest enchanter and pass the days peacefully. When she reached her thirties, she fell in love with a bear of a man who happened to be the softest person she ever met. Everyone in town liked him, and rightfully so. Though he was a human, she found his calming and reliable personality to be an extremely attractive quality and after a few attempts on his side, they began dating exclusively.

After they got married, the happy couple found out Silvia was pregnant and she eventually gave birth to a son. Time passed, and their son Faelln evidently left to explore the world and forge his own path. They were happy for him, but Silvia reasoned that he would visit when he could.

Her longevity was a blessing and a curse, and as time passed Silvia was forced to watch her husband grow and wither with age. At eighty-two years, she buried her husband and never saw her son since he left. She was alone, and there was no way she would remain in a town that only reminded her of what she once had. Telling the villagers of her departure, she let them know that she would head further east towards Imir and eventually the Hyperion Empire. Enchanters were a profession needed all over, and Hyperion was known for its equal treatment amongst its citizens and was as far away from the Elven Kingdom as possible, save leaving the entire continent.

After months of caravan hopping, Silvia eventually arrived at Soltain City. She wanted to keep pressing east towards the Arshan province until she observed the massive pine forests that surrounded the city. The smell of the air reminded her of when she use to play hide and seek with her mother in the forest behind her house. It was refreshing, and had her reminiscent. Electing to stay the night in the city, she observed all the happy faces of the people she passed.

They were celebrating, and she evidently learned that the Lady of the province gave birth to a son. Silvia was confused, why did the citizens care about the affairs of the nobles? As she continued to follow streets to the nearest inn, Silvia noticed a sign reading ‘Soltain School’. Taking a quick peek at the window she read a sign for a need of more teachers to instruct children of all ages. Now she was even more skeptical, the nobles provided education for it’s citizens? That was nothing like how the nobles she knew of acted, especially out west.

The next day after she left the inn, Silvia passed the large building reading ‘Soltain School’ and decided to look inside. Walking inside she noticed a rather large woman behind a desk and reading a book. Looking to her right she observed a class with seemed to be five or six year old kids learning how to read. This was interesting.

“May I help you?”

Silvia turned to the woman behind the desk and smiled. “I noticed you were hiring teachers. I would like to apply for a teaching position.”

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The young Max walked alongside the maid Mary on one of the streets in the city. He was carrying a rather large pack and still had his greatsword hanging off his back, the sheathe tapping the ground under him between steps.

The pair eventually reached a small two story stone building with a sign that read ‘Nerenthan Enchanting’ and didn’t particularly stand out. Walking inside, they noticed shelves of various enchanting tools, scripts, weapons, and armors. A bell chimed as they entered, and a white haired women who looked to be in her twenties turned to face them. Max eyes immediately fell on her long and pointy ears.

An elf!

He had never seen an elf before, but he learned enough to know what to look for to identify one. The ears were the most obvious difference between humans. She had amber eyes which seemed to absorb the light in the room and her skin was was only a few shades darker then her hair. The rather plain brown shirt and grey pants not even retracting from the overall beauty she was exuding.

“Are you him?”

Max, openly staring at the beautiful woman in front of him, was in a daze. Mary choose to answer the question instead, “This is Max, he will be your apprentice until he is old enough to attend the Imperial Academy, the Lord appreciates your assistance in guiding the boy and says you are free to work him as you see fit. He will also be sure to compensate you appropriately for your help.”

Silvia nodded, “Please make sure he does. Alright boy from now on you will only call me Master unless I say otherwise.” She tossed a broom to him which Max instinctively caught. “Throw your stuff in the back and start sweeping out front.”

Max did as he was told and after finishing asked his new teacher, “Are you going to teach me how to enchant? None of my immediate family really know how but I want to learn.”

Silvia continued organizing the shelves and answered without a beat, “I won’t be teaching you anything until I work you awhile. I heard about what you did to Benjamin. He’s from this area and you had his mother worried sick. She’s a friend of mine and if I don’t make you pay for it I wouldn’t be able to look her in the eyes ever again. If you are finished with sweeping outside I have some errands I want you to run.”

Looking back at it now Max realized he really messed up with what he did to his sparring opponent. Although he was still a peasant, he was from his city and never actually tried to pick a fight with him. Max just wanted to show off and is now paying for it. He guessed he would just have to try dangerous stuff like that for actual enemies. After all, being outcasted by his family didn’t feel very good.