For the next few days, he didn't do much. He did nothing but relax. No assassins tried to kill him. He spent his days lying under the sunlight, enjoying life. He couldn't remember the last time he was able to just breathe—to exist without worrying about war.
But he would spend most of his time next to his mother's grave, telling her about his time as Arthur. He would tell her about the time he met someone who looked like her—and happened to be his mother. All his adventures. The battles he fought and how he came out victorious. He told her about the best and worst parts.
Sometimes, the breeze would move the flowers around him, and for a second… it felt like she was listening.
Just like that, weeks passed, and he was only able to tell her a portion of his life.
He sat under the tree next to her.
"I won't be able to visit for a while, Mother."
He paused.
"Not that I don't want to… it's because I have an exam tomorrow. To enter the best academy in the world."
He looked up at the sky, trying to prevent his tears from falling.
"Yeah, it was all Elaine. And yes, she's been looking after me—so don't worry."
A soft breeze passed through the branches, and the leaves slowly fell on to the ground.
He smiled.
"You don't have to worry about me anymore."
He stood up.
"You raised me well."
As he walked away, he turned.
"Watch me rise to the top, where my name will be remembered, respected, and feared."
He walked toward Elizabeth, who had been following him nonstop. For some reason, she wouldn't leave his sight.
He approached her.
"Ready?"
She gave a small nod, then got to her feet, and they started walking back toward the mansion. Elaine was already waiting by the entrance.
Without any words, but a smile on her face, she handed him an entrance pass.
"So it's time."
She embraced him, holding him tightly.
"Yea, don't let me down now, or else Father will be upset at me."
"Don't worry, sister."
After a while, she let him go, as he was about to ask Elizabeth if she was ready.
He glanced at her. She was still in her maid uniform.
"Go change into something normal."
Their eyes met for a second, but she didn't say anything. She just turned and walked toward the smaller house on the left.
Now it was just him and Elaine.
"Thank you, sister."
She froze for a moment. She just stared at him—like she couldn't understand why he cared about her so much.
"You have really taken liken to Elizabeth?" she asked. Her voice was soft and filled with curiosity.
He didn't say anything for a moment. The words wouldn't come out of his mouth. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His tone was quiet enough for only she could hear.
"She reminds me of someone I knew."
His voice was calm but had a hint of pain behind it. As if thinking about it brought that pain back to the surface. Even thinking about her name hurt.
He didn't say anything else. Just quiet. He opened his eyes to see Elaine. She looked at him like she felt his pain through his words. The smile she had was gone, leaving behind an expression that said she wished she hadn't asked that question.
He smiled softly.
Elaine stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm sorry, Sylas."
He didn't say anything. He just stood still, closed his eyes, letting her hold him. Letting the weight of everything fall off his shoulders.
He is no longer Arthur. He is Sylas. And this time… he wouldn't make the same mistake he did as Arthur.
He stepped back away from her, slowly. Then raised Excalibur.
"Don't worry, sister," he said quietly. "This time… I'll rebuild this kingdom my way."
He paused. His voice filled with power.
"I will rise once again—
and reclaim what's mine."
She froze in place, but his words carried some weight. The sound around them disappeared. The wind stopped howling.
Her knees almost dropped. Not by fear—but by instinct. Something inside her wanted to kneel. To swear loyalty. To the man standing in front of her.
It was silent until Elizabeth showed up. She wore a tight black top with a light silver breastplate. She wore fitted pants filled with armor plating, except for the joint areas.
He looked at her.
"You look like you are ready for battle."
She didn't say anything. She just placed her head down.
He let out a soft laugh.
"Okay, sister. We are ready."
He wondered how they would travel, so he asked, "How will we get there?" He looked around, saw a carriage. "By horse?"
She laughed.
"It's way too far. It will take many days to get there."
He tilted his head.
"Then how?"
She grinned.
"You will see."
Elaine took them out into town on a horse carriage. The streets blurred past as they rode around the town. They all sat there quiet, only the sound of hooves and the carriage rattling on the road. Sylas sat on the opposite side from Elizabeth. Elaine sat next to him.
He couldn't keep his eyes off her. The memories he suppressed all flooded back when Elaine asked him that question. He wondered to himself why she looked so much like her. His eyes met hers once. Twice. Each time, she quickly looked down.
Eventually, the carriage stopped near a large stairwell. It looked like a normal entrance in the middle of a busy open area. Around it were many stores and markets. People walked around. The smell of food filled the air. People were trying to make a living. In front of them was a gate that led underground. There were guards stationed at the front of the gate.
To enter, you needed a special permit. Only those who had been accepted… or those holding an exam pass.
Elaine stepped forward and showed her pass. The guard looked at them before stepping aside.
They walked deeper underground.
And there it was—the train. Elaine explained it to him—how this is called a train and only picks up students from their nation to the academy.
It was long, massive like a serpent. Steam hissed from underneath.
Before leaving, Elaine handed them two tickets with seat numbers and told them to wait until the train stopped at the last stop. There, the Vanguard Academy is located.
"You won't come with us?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I can't. Only the examinees."
She hugged him.
"Make me proud."
He smiled widely, and then they entered the train and sat in their seats.
As the doors closed and the engine hissed—