Rain fell relentlessly over the Veyron estate. For three days, the sky had been covered by thick black clouds, and the mountains surrounding the territory seemed to have disappeared behind a curtain of mist. In the manor's grand living room, a boy sat in front of an enormous window. He was ten years old. His black hair was slightly tousled, and his red eyes carefully watched the road winding between the trees. Kael Veyron was waiting. His father was supposed to return that evening. He had promised him. “You’re going to end up going through the window if you keep staring at it like that.” Kael turned around. His brother was lying on the sofa behind him. Ethan was thirteen and held an open book in his hands. Well... He was supposed to be reading. For almost an hour, he had been staring at the same page. Kael stared at him for a few seconds. “Father was supposed to be back before nightfall.” “I know.” “He’s late.” Ethan closed his book. “He was probably held up by the rain.” Kael turned back toward the window. “Father is never late.” Ethan fell silent. It was true. Their father was the head of House Veyron. He was strict about schedules, appointments, and responsibilities. But he was also someone who always kept his promises. “He’ll come back,” Ethan finally said. Kael nodded. “Yes.” He smiled. A small, innocent smile. “He’ll probably bring me something again.” Ethan smiled back. “He’s already brought you enough things.” “Not enough.” “You’re difficult.” “I’m his favorite.” Ethan placed a hand over his heart, wearing a falsely wounded expression. “After everything I’ve done for you...” Kael burst out laughing. For a few seconds, the storm outside seemed to disappear. Then the living room doors opened. A man hurried inside. It was the head of the guards. His face was pale. Kael’s smile disappeared. Ethan immediately sat up. “What happened?” The guard didn’t answer. He looked at the two brothers. Then he bowed deeply. “I’m sorry.” Ethan stood up. “Sorry for what?” The guard swallowed. “Master Veyron’s carriage was found near Lorn Forest.” Kael slowly climbed down from his chair. “Where are my parents?” The guard lowered his eyes. “They...” He stopped. Kael waited. “They’re dead.” Silence fell. Ethan stood completely still. “No.” The guard slightly raised his head. “Master Ethan...” “No.” Ethan shook his head. “You’re mistaken.” Kael continued staring at the guard. “How?” “The carriage left the road during the storm.” “Why?” “The horses supposedly panicked.” Kael frowned slightly. “Why?” The guard hesitated. “We don’t know.” Kael didn’t understand. He looked at Ethan. His brother had stopped speaking. He was simply standing there. As if he could no longer move. Kael walked toward him. “Ethan...” His brother immediately placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry.” His voice trembled. “They must have made a mistake.” Kael nodded. “Yes.” He smiled faintly. “They made a mistake.” But no one confirmed his words. ─── The following days passed like a dream. Kael didn't cry. He didn't understand why. The adults around him cried. The servants spoke in hushed voices. Nobles came to offer their condolences. Everyone repeated the same thing. An accident. A terrible accident. The carriage had left the road. The horses had panicked. The rain had made the road dangerous. That was all. At least, that was what the official report said. But someone didn't believe it. Lucian Veyron. Kael's father's younger brother. He arrived at the estate the following morning. Kael knew him well. Lucian was usually a cheerful person, but that day, his expression was different. He knelt in front of Kael. “How are you?” Kael thought for a moment. “Fine.” Lucian looked at him for a long time. “You don't have to pretend with me.” Kael lowered his eyes. “I’m not pretending.” Lucian didn't answer. He simply placed a hand on Kael's head. “All right.” Then he looked at Ethan. The boy had remained silent ever since the announcement. Lucian opened his arms. Ethan hesitated for a few seconds before stepping forward. Lucian pulled him into a hug. And for the first time since their parents' death, Ethan cried. Kael watched them. He still didn't understand. Why was Ethan crying? Why did all the adults have that expression on their faces? Why weren't his parents coming home? He looked out the window. The rain was still falling. ─── The funeral took place three days later. Kael stood in front of his parents' graves. He wore a black suit that was far too large for him. Beside him, Ethan said nothing. Lucian stood behind them. Farther away, several nobles spoke quietly among themselves. Kael heard one sentence. “What a tragedy...” Then another. “A regrettable accident.” Once again. Accident. Kael looked at the graves. He didn't yet know why. But something inside him refused to accept that word. ─── That night, Kael woke up. The manor was silent. He left his room and walked down the hallway. His father's study door was slightly open. Kael stepped inside. He knew this room well. He had spent many hours there with his father. There were dozens of books on the shelves. Maps. Documents. Magical objects. Kael approached the desk. Then he noticed something. A small sheet of paper was sticking out from behind a bookshelf. He pulled it out. It was a letter. His father's seal was still intact. Kael stared at it for a long moment. Then he opened it. There were only a few lines. He read them. His expression changed. He read them again. Then a third time. One sentence was written in the middle of the page. “If they discover what we found, they will kill us.” Kael stood completely still. A sound came from behind him. He turned around sharply. No one. Only the wind. He looked at the letter again. Something had changed. He didn't know what. He didn't know who “they” were. He didn't know what his parents had discovered. But he knew one thing. This might not have been an accident. ─── The door slowly opened. Ethan appeared in the doorway. “Kael?” Kael immediately hid the letter behind his back. “What are you doing here?” Ethan looked at him. “I could ask you the same thing.” Kael hesitated. Then he handed him the letter. Ethan read it. His expression became serious. “Where did you find this?” “Here.” “You can't tell anyone about this.” “Not even Lucian?” Ethan thought for a moment. “Especially not just anyone.” Kael frowned. “Why?” Ethan looked at the letter. “Because we don't know who ‘they’ are.” He took his little brother's hand. “But we'll find out.” Kael looked up. “Do you really think they didn't have an accident?” Ethan remained silent. Then he answered, “I don't know.” He squeezed Kael's hand. “But I promise you, we'll discover the truth.” Kael nodded. It was the last night he ever looked at the world the same way. ─── Six years later. The sun was rising over the Veyron estate. Kael stood in front of a mirror. His black hair fell over his face. His red eyes stared back at his reflection. They no longer held anything of the gaze of the little boy who had once waited for his father by the window. They were calm. Cold. Almost lifeless. There was a knock at the door. “Come in.” Ethan entered. He was nineteen now. “Are you ready?” “Yes.” Ethan looked at the Asteria uniform. “First year at the Imperial Academy.” Kael adjusted his collar. “Yes.” Ethan smiled. “Do you remember when you wanted to become a knight?” Kael looked at him. “I was ten.” “You wanted to protect everyone.” Kael remained silent. Then his gaze fell on the old letter stored inside a drawer. “I changed my goal.” Ethan followed his gaze. “You still plan on finding the truth?” “Until the very end.” Ethan sighed. “I figured.” He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. “Then become strong enough to come back alive.” Kael smiled slightly. “You worry too much.” “And you don't worry enough.” They left the room together. At the end of the hallway, Lucian was waiting for them. “Finally!” Kael raised an eyebrow. “You're early.” “I’m a professor. I set an example.” Ethan snorted. “Since when?” “Since I just decided it.” Lucian placed a hand on Kael's head. “Asteria is enormous. You'll meet a lot of people. Some will be interesting. Others will be unbearable.” “I've already met some.” Lucian burst out laughing. “I see you haven't changed.” Kael smiled. But Lucian watched his red eyes for a few seconds. His smile faded slightly. He knew something. Something Kael didn't know yet. Something concerning the power sleeping within him. “Kael.” The boy turned around. “Yes?” Lucian hesitated. Then he smiled again. “Nothing. Good luck.” The carriage left the estate. Kael watched the manor disappear behind him. Ahead of him stood Asteria Academy. Years of study. Battles. Friends. Enemies. Secrets. And somewhere at the end of that road... The truth about the night his parents had died. Kael closed his eyes. He didn't know it yet. But someone at Asteria already knew his name. And that person was waiting for his arrival.

The Accident