"Why did you gather us here today, Grandpa Elias?" asked a boy around nineteen named Ryan. He was thin, of average height, with a slightly pale face. They were all standing now inside Grandpa Elias's house.
Elias replied, "I'm not sure myself… but we'll find out soon enough."
There were many more boys in the house than before.
Ivan said to Elias, narrowing his eyes, "Is this about that noble boy?"
The moment the word "noble" was uttered, silence swept through the group.
Before Grandpa Elias could respond, a door upstairs creaked open, and a young man stepped out. He was strikingly handsome, with black hair and deep black eyes. Despite the faint darkness under his eyes—clearly from lack of sleep—his beauty remained undeniable.
He stretched his arms and shouted, "Ah... Even Edward's training wasn't this exhausting. They better appreciate what I've done."
Nevallis noticed the stares from below and muttered, "Oh… You gathered quite a crowd."
Grandpa Elias spoke up, "Well then, time to explain what's going on."
Before Nevallis could respond, Ivan yelled, "Grandpa! Why is that noble boy in our house?"
Elias looked at him sternly and said, "Lower your voice, Ivan. We'll hear from him now."
Nevallis descended the stairs, found a chair, and calmly sat down.
Elias asked, "So, tell me… what exactly have you been doing in that room for the past two weeks?"
Two weeks ago, Nevallis had come to Elias asking for a room upstairs and to gather all the boys he trusted. And now, here they all were.
With a calm smile, Nevallis said simply, "I intend to create the noblest family in the world."
Everyone stared at him blankly. Even Elias looked taken aback.
Ivan shouted, "Are you mocking us, you bastard?!"
Nevallis replied quietly, but with a tone that demanded attention:
"I'm not mocking anyone. I truly intend to form a noble family—the noblest in the world. Not like those fake nobles of the kingdom… but a true noble."
He paused, then continued, "I want to build a family that embodies the true meaning of nobility. But I know those cursed nobles won't allow it."
"That's why there's only one thing I need to make it happen. Just one thing… and that is: power."
He pointed directly at them.
Silence took over the room. Though no one interrupted him, the looks on their faces spoke volumes.
Nevallis repeated, "You will be the foundation of that power."
At that moment, Elias spoke, his tone sharp with anger, "What madness is this? You're telling us you want to start a family that opposes the entire kingdom? And you want us to be part of that nonsense?"
Nevallis answered, "I won't force anyone to join. But I want you to see this as an opportunity. A chance to escape this garbage heap. A chance to stand against the fake nobles. A chance to become the true nobles you always dreamed of becoming."
Some of the boys' eyes lit up at those words—but Elias responded first.
He said, "Pretty words, but they're still just that—words. Do you realize who you're talking to? Teenagers with no power. The oldest here is twenty-two. Enough of this nonsense, Nevallis. You may not know it, but the worst kind of hope… is false hope. Don't plant it in these kids. I don't want them broken even more by chasing a lie."
Elias turned to walk away, making it clear he wouldn't listen to another word.
But Nevallis spoke, his voice calm and confident:
"You may see it as false hope. And maybe it is. But I'm here to turn it into something real."
Elias turned back in frustration, his voice shaking with emotion:
"What do you know to speak with such confidence?! Wake up from your dream! All you see before you are weak, helpless kids. And you? You're just a kid yourself!"
But when he met Nevallis's eyes—those unwavering, determined eyes—it was as if they said:
"Once I decide something… nothing can stop me."
Elias hated those eyes. He clenched his teeth and finally said,
"Fine. I'm listening. Convince me. How do you plan to face armies… with children?"
Nevallis smiled and glanced toward the room he had come from.
Elias followed his gaze with suspicion. "What were you doing in that room?"
Nevallis said, "I created a magical detection circle."
He said it so casually, but the shock on Elias's face revealed just how serious it was.
The boys didn't understand what it meant, but seeing Elias's reaction told them it was something important.
Ivan asked, "Is it something dangerous, Grandpa?"
Elias whispered in disbelief, "A detection circle…?"
"You're joking, right? You're telling me you created a magical detection circle? Even I can't make one!"
Elias, who understood how hard it was to create such a circle, simply couldn't believe it.
"The magic detection circle isn't something just anyone can make. First, you need an elemental magic pen—something only noble magic families have.
Even if you somehow got one, you'd still need pure magic, a vast magical reserve, and incredible mental energy. And you're telling me you just made one?"
Curiosity got the better of Elias. After all, only fifth-rank mages could create such things—and they were incredibly rare.
Nevallis rose from his chair and gestured for Elias to follow. Ivan, Ryan, and a girl around Ivan's age joined them.
The four of them followed Nevallis up the stairs. He opened the door to the room and gestured for them to enter.
They stepped in slowly, but what they saw inside shocked them to their core.
The look in Elias's eyes said it all. A rare expression of sheer disbelief.
Ivan, Ryan, and the girl stood frozen—unable to believe what lay before them.