The Regressed Heir of Ravencrest

The phantom dragon hung suspended in the air for what felt like an eternity. Its massive golden form coiled slowly through the study’s expanded space, its ethereal wings brushing against mahogany bookshelves that miraculously bent to accommodate its presence without a single tome falling to the floor.

Gradually, the blinding radiance began to dim.

The dragon’s majestic shape thinned, its edges softening like morning mist caught in the rising sun, until it collapsed back into a single, delicate thread of golden energy. The thread spiraled down through the air, settling quietly across Ethan’s palm before vanishing beneath his skin.

The echo of that divine roar was the last to fade, lingering in the quiet pocket dimension long after the phantom itself had disappeared. Finally, the isolated study settled back into absolute silence.

Ethan’s knees buckled.

"Whoa-" Iris caught him before he could hit the floor, steadying him with surprising gentleness given the raw, unfiltered excitement still burning deep in her eyes.

"I’m... fine," Ethan managed to whisper, though his voice was barely more than a breath. His vision swam in dizzying waves from the sheer physical and mental exhaustion of continuously driving his aura and Intent into the mark.

"Sorry, kid. I may have pushed you a little too hard," Iris said softly. She guided him down onto a nearby velvet chaise with a bit more force than the gesture strictly required, casually ignoring his weak attempt to sit up.

Ethan let his head fall back against the plush cushion, staring up at the grand ceiling of the study. He felt faintly disoriented by how quickly the impossible had folded back into the ordinary.

"It seems... you recognized something?" he asked quietly, his eyelids growing heavy.

"That," Iris said, settling into the armchair across from him as her earlier obsessive intensity gave way to something far more thoughtful, "is something I will tell you when the time is right, kid. For now, just know that it’s related to the ruins where your grandfather found the ring."

"Then... did you find what you were looking for, Lady Iris...?" Ethan whispered, his voice fading as exhaustion finally claimed him, and he drifted into a deep sleep.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of the Mage Saint’s lips as she watched the young Ravencrest heir sleep soundly.

Severus... it seems you placed a staggering burden on this child’s shoulders.

Her thoughts drifted back to their final meeting, to the final time she’d seen him, something shifting in her expression as the memory settled over her.

She gazed down at Ethan, her eyes narrowing. I need you to do something for me, child... but the time is not yet right. You are the only one who can pull it off.

Iris thought of the golden dragon’s manifestation, of everything she’d learned while inspecting the artifact- the things she’d chosen to keep from Ethan, and the doubts she still hadn’t resolved even in her own mind.

For now, you simply have to get stronger.

Her thoughts drifted back to the ruins of Drakengrave, to her own search for answers about the ring’s origin, and to the profound, staggering complexity of the magical formation she’d witnessed.

What truly happened to the Ancient Civilization? How could something so advanced fall into ruin?

The playful, childish demeanor she usually wore vanished entirely. In its place sat the Mage Saint-a legendary figure bearing the dark, silent weight of the world’s forgotten horrors.

Valerian Estate - Outside the Study

Five days had passed in the outside world.

Duke Lucas paced back and forth across the stone corridor outside his mother’s private tower. His expression was taut with severe stress, dark circles etched under his eyes from a complete lack of sleep over the past several days.

Lady Estelle stood beside him, holding a soft shawl around her shoulders as she tried to calm her husband down, while Isabella stood nearby, maintaining her composure as she watched her parents.

"What is Mother even doing in there?!" Lucas muttered unlike his usual self the authority he normally carried worn thin by stress. "Did she do something to that kid?!"

"Don’t worry, Lucas. They will come out soon," Lady Estelle reassured him smoothly, repeating the phrase for what felt like the hundredth time.

A few feet away, Rune was curled up on the polished marble floor near Isabella, his ear twitching occasionally as he kept a watchful eye on the sealed archway.

Inside the Mage Saint’s pocket study, an entire week had passed while Ethan slept.

Ethan’s eyelids fluttered open. As his vision cleared, he saw Iris sitting nearby, watching him with a complex emotion he couldn’t quite decipher-a strange, haunting blend of deep sadness and profound hope.

"How long have we actually been in here?" Ethan asked, pushing himself up.

Iris’s expression flickered, something almost sheepish crossing her face for the first time since he had met her in this life. "Ah... about that."

She waved a hand vaguely through the air. "Time moves differently inside this space. It tends to run... generously compared to the outside world. Roughly nine days have passed in here."

Ethan’s eyes widened. "And outside?"

"Five days."

Ethan sat up sharply, the sudden movement sending a brief wave of dizziness through him that he forced down through sheer willpower. "They’ll be worried!"

"Why would they worry?" Iris rose smoothly, looking entirely unbothered. "Though I suppose we should return before my son works himself into an early grave. He does so love his dramatics."

Despite the lingering fatigue, the corner of Ethan’s mouth twitched. Knowing the Duke’s stressed behavior, he had a feeling the Mage Saint’s assessment was entirely accurate.

Ethan slowly stood up, noting that the internal injuries he had sustained from forcing his Intent were completely healed. Iris extended her hand toward him. The moment Ethan took it, the space around them warped, and they vanished from the study.

Woomph.

The spatial barrier dissolved, and warm afternoon light spilled across the archway outside. The muffled, tense sound of Lucas’s voice immediately reached their ears, accompanied by Estelle’s steadying tone.

Lucas turned sharply at the spatial fluctuation, his intense relief instantly warring with visible irritation as his eyes landed first on his mother, then on Ethan trailing behind her. The Duke practically marched over.

"-Five days, Mother! Five entire days, and not a single word-!"

"Do you have any idea," Lucas pressed on, his voice rising, "what has been going through my mind?! If House Ravencrest learns that you are conducting illegal experiments on their heir-"

Iris lifted her hand before the Duke could finish his sentence.

SMACK!

A sharp smack echoed through the corridor as Iris brought her hand down squarely on her son’s head.

"You bastard... If anyone else heard you say that, they’ll actually think I was doing something shady."

"Ouch-! That hurt!" Lucas grimaced, rubbing the back of his head, though he still tried to shoot back. "If you weren’t, then why did you keep him hidden in there for so many days?!"

"Tch! Should I just take back my position as the reigning Duke?" Iris huffed, rolling her eyes. "I truly worry about the future of my grandchildren with you running the House."

Hearing his mother threaten to retake the duchy-which would undoubtedly mean her tormenting him on a daily basis-Lucas instantly shut his mouth, swallowing his remaining protests.

He glanced over at Ethan, suddenly remembering the boy was standing right there, watching the entire exchange. The Duke’s cheeks flushed slightly as he realized his authority and dignity had just been dragged through the mud.

Realizing the awkward position Lady Iris had forced upon the Duke, Ethan stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Please accept my sincere apologies for the worry I have caused you, Lord Lucas, Lady Estelle," Ethan said politely, his voice smooth and respectful. "Lady Iris was only trying to help me."

Lucas and Estelle immediately recognized Ethan’s intention to give the Duke a graceful way out, inwardly appreciating his tact and maturity.

"We are just glad to see you are safe and unhurt, Ethan," Lucas and Estelle said almost in unison.

Iris glanced back at Ethan, a fond, subtle expression crossing her face as she observed how effortlessly he handled the situation.

Down near the floor, Rune perked up, scampering over to Ethan and nudging his leg. A small, subtle smile touched Isabella’s lips as she watched from the side. Ethan bent down, running his fingers through the cub’s soft fur, easing the last remnants of his lingering fatigue.

Meanwhile - The Ravencrest Estate

A dusty travel wagon slowly rolled to a halt in front of the grand gates of the Ravencrest estate.

A young girl stepped down onto the cobblestones. Her fair skin reflected the northern light, her striking sapphire hair fell softly over her shoulders, and her warm amber eyes scanned the estate with deep nostalgia.

The gate guards instantly recognized her, their eyes widening before two of them turned and ran inside to inform Lady Elena and Amelia.

The girl’s smile widened as she looked up at her home, back after nearly five months away.

Within minutes, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the main entrance. Amelia came running down the grand steps with abnormal speed for a girl her age, while Elena followed at a more measured pace toward the courtyard.

"Sister Sarah!" Amelia cried out, leaping into the air the moment she reached her.

Sarah caught the young girl smoothly in her arms, swirling her around with a gentle laugh. "It seems you’re just as energetic as ever."

"Of course I am! You have no idea how much I missed you!"

Warmth spread through Sarah’s chest at those words. She gently caressed Amelia’s soft hair, pulling her close.

Amelia slipped back down onto her feet, her eyes sparkling like stars as she looked up. "Did you bring me gifts?!"

"Of course," Sarah said tapping the girl’s nose. "How could I ever forget to bring gifts for our little princess?"

"Hehehe!" Amelia giggled happily, taking Sarah’s hand and pulling her toward the main hall. "Let’s go! Mother is coming!"

Elena stepped out onto the grand terrace, stopping as the two girls approached. Seeing Sarah standing there safe and sound, a gentle, maternal smile bloomed across her face.

"Have you been well, Sarah?"

"Yes, My Lady," Sarah replied softly.

Elena stepped forward and wrapped Sarah into a warm, comforting embrace. A quiet wave of emotion washed over Sarah, a faint moisture gathering in the corners of her amber eyes.

As they walked back through the familiar stone corridors together, Sarah’s eyes subtly searched the surroundings. But no matter where she looked, she couldn’t spot the person she had been looking forward to seeing the most.

"My Lady..." Sarah asked gently, turning to Elena. "Where is the Young Master?"

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