"Does everyone in the manor know about my Zeal?"
Lyra shook her head. She told Aeneas that aside from her and Anastasia, three people knew. Donos, Arsen, and Lois. The latter figured it out herself. Lois noticed discrepancies in Lyra's words whenever she would ask what Aeneas's illness was. In the end, Lois was the one who brought it up to their mother saying she figured it out. Seeing that Aeneas became a bit saddened when he realized that his brother knew all along, Lyra further said that she pleaded to Arsen not to tell him and that Arsen kept asking her to tell Aeneas about his Zeal every time they talked.
"How about Aunt Crisa? Or Yri? Elu?"
"As far as I could tell, they believe that you have a rare illness in your right eye."
"Ah…" Aeneas paused, "Oh right, Tiri and Nene knew about my Zeal."
Lyra jolted and turned to Aeneas, "Did anybody else see it?"
The boy shook his head and told his mother not to worry since he knew that he must not brandish the Zeal of a forgotten God. Aeneas also told both Tiriara and Neoma to not tell anyone, and he trusts that they wouldn't, like how they kept Neoma's Zeal from the Great Wolf a secret.
Lyra made a sigh of relief and told Aeneas that he did great.
"So… will I get to meet the old man in the morrow?"
"He… He laid out some conditions if you decided to learn from him."
"What conditions?"
First, Lyra told Aeneas the old man's name, Silas Sylvanus, and his role in Laochyro. Then, she explained what Silas said. When Aeneas turns fifteen, he must enroll in the World Academy aiming to join the Order Against Chaos after being taught by Silas, and he must live with him for months or more than a year so he can train him.
"Oh…" Aeneas muttered. He knew that enrolling in the academy to join Decatris's Order would mean that he would sever his patriotic ties to his kingdom, and would never be able to serve as a Panteran knight together with his brother.
"To be honest, I also don't want you to go to a place where I cannot guarantee your safety. If it's my decision, I'd like for you to remain here with us."
Aeneas stared at the ground. He felt conflicted and couldn't say anything back to his mother.
Lyra smiled, she took a deep breath before speaking again.
"That old man was strong, I could tell just from our first meeting. He assured me that no harm would befall you as long as he was there. And for some reason, I believe him." Lyra wrapped her arms around her son's shoulder and then kissed him on the head, "It's your decision. I know it's not enough of an apology for hiding the truth from you but moving forward, I will support whatever you decide," she continued.
Aeneas smiled, "I'll give it some thought, mother. You will be the first to know if I decided what to do."
Lyra caressed the boy's hair and gave him another kiss, "I'm always proud of you. Your father would've been as proud if he saw how much his youngest son had grown."
His mother's words made Aeneas's smile wider. He stood up and excused himself. Lyra told him to go tell his aunt Ana to come back so they could continue their conversation.
When Aeneas left the room, he saw Arsen standing beside the door. He was leaning on the wall with his arms crossed.
"Brother? You were eavesdropping?" Aeneas asked.
Arsen placed his hand on top of his little brother's head, "Forgive me, little brother, I was worried," Arsen smiled, "But, I guess it was for nothing."
The moment Arsen saw Aeneas's expression when he got back from the Chronis manor with Neoma and Tiriara, he knew that there was something heavy lingering in his mind. A few tricky questions later, Tiriara accidentally revealed that they'd found out about his Zeal. Worried that it would lead to a big fight between his mother and younger brother, Arsen decided to stand behind Lyra's door to de-escalate the situation if needed.
"I understand why you didn't tell me."
Arsen disheveled the boy's hair, "I know," he replied.
"Then, I'll take my leave."
As Aeneas was walking away from him, Arsen spoke, "You don't need to be a Panteran knight. Just follow your heart. I know it'll be more dangerous, but you can do it. Go stop the maddened beasts and save the world, baby brother. Do not worry about everyone, I am here."
Aeneas's eyes widened. He gulped before looking back at his brother. Then, he faced him, and with all his heart showed him his gratitude with a Panteran bow.
Tiriara and Neoma were sitting in the living room of the Caspius Manor's main residence. They were anxious, and Tiriara was even more worried about revealing the secret to the first person who asked about it. Even though Arsen told them that he already knew about it, they couldn't help but feel uneasy. As a way to appease her stress, Tiriara was munching on the fruits and snacks Yri and Crisa prepared for them while they waited for Aeneas. While Neoma was eating slowly with the black egg resting in her lap.
Neoma stood up and raised the black egg she was holding, "Aenie!" She called.
"Oh, you two were there, I thought you'd be in my room."
"Well, Aunt Crisa and sister Yri prepared food for us," Neoma paused, "We're also worried because you were angry and Tiri told your broth–"
Tiriara let go of the food in her hands and jumped to cover Neoma's mouth.
"N–no one told anyone," Tiriara turned to Neoma, "Right?!"
Neoma blinked a couple of times. She answered, "R–right!" As soon as Tiriara removed her hand from Neoma's mouth.
Aeneas chuckled, "I already knew that my brother must have heard it from you," he said.
Tiriara had a huge sigh of relief. She laughed aloud before saying, "You should have said sooner. I could've eaten without worrying," she said.
"I'm still disappointed. How could you reveal a secret just hours later?"
"Oh come on, your brother tricked me. Forget it, bygones, you know?"
Aeneas was surprised that Tiriara knew the word 'bygones' and used it correctly.
Now eating without worries, "So, how did it go? Did you have a fight with your mother?" Tiriara asked.
"Are you okay, Aenie?" Neoma also asked.
Aeneas smiled. He said that he and Lyra talked it out and had come to an understanding. The boy walked closer to the two girls, he looked around to see if there was anyone close to them. After not seeing anyone, he sat and spoke further.
"Mother knows an old man in Laochyro who has the same Zeal as me," Aeneas whispered.
"Really?!" Tiriara blurted.
Aeneas placed his index finger in front of his lips and shushed Tiriara.
"Ah. Sorry…" Tiriara mouthed.
"Are you going to meet him?" Neoma asked. Her eyes were sparkling with curiosity.
Aeneas smiled, "The thing is…"
In his brief way, Aeneas explained to the two about the conditions that Silas said to Lyra. His words were concise so even Tiriara and Neoma understood it quickly.
The two became silent. Neoma turned to Tiriara who was staring at Aeneas with a disappointed expression.
After a few seconds, Tiriara broke the silence with a question, "You're leaving?"
Aeneas's smile turned wistful, "I'm still unsure," the boy touched his right eye, "But, thinking about it now… I think I will. There's a lot I want to know."
Tiriara's lips started to quiver, "Can't you just learn from him then come back? I'll go with you," she said.
"As I said earlier, it was the old man's condition for him to take me as his student."
"But… How about being a knight? Did you just not care for that anymore?"
Aeneas scratched the back of his head, "Mother said that she could tell the old man was strong. If I could learn from him, I'd be able to join the Order Against Chaos. I guess I'd still be a knight, just not in Pantera."
Tiriara glared at Aeneas, "After all the words you said earlier you'll just leave me and Nene behind? I thought we were friends?" she said.
Neoma was already teary-eyed when she heard Tiriara's reply.
"We'll always be friends. But… It is something I need to do. For the first time, I could see what fate wants with me."
Tiriara rubbed the forming tears away from her eyes, "Fine, leave. Go find some other friends to play with. I don't even like you that much, you're just a stupid idiot acting smart."
"Tiri!" Neoma blurted. She sniffed her tears away, asking Aeneas not to leave.
Aeneas sighed. He told the two that according to his mother, the World Academy might start accepting a lot of students starting next year. Anyone fifteen years of age and above could apply.
"I will go to the Academy once I turn fifteen."
Tiriara sniffled, "So what?"
With a smile, "It'd be great if I could see you both there."