Just then, Lyra sensed someone watching her. She turned her head and saw a familiar figure standing quietly a short distance away, his hands resting behind his back as he observed her with a gentle smile.
"Theon!" The frustration on her face melted away in an instant, replaced by genuine delight. A bright smile spread across her lips as she hurried toward him, her white cloak fluttering behind her. "Big Brother!" she called happily. "When did you get here?"
Her gloomy expression disappeared almost instantly.
Theon smiled. "I’ve been watching for a while."
Lyra rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly before letting out a small sigh. "I still can’t do it."
"No matter how hard I practice, my fire magic always fails."
She looked down at her hands as though they had betrayed her.
"Everyone says I’m untalented."
"The tutors don’t understand what’s wrong with me either."
"I practice every single day..." Her voice grew softer.
"...but nothing ever changes." Theon’s expression remained calm, though his thoughts were anything but. Untalented...?
After everything the World Archive had shown him He found that hard to believe. Quietly, without drawing Lyra’s attention, he activated the mysterious ability. World Archive A blue screen materialized before his eyes once more
WORLD ARCHIVE
Analyzing target...
Scanning mana flow...
Searching for abnormalities...
Theon kept his gaze on Lyra while the analysis progressed.
Come on... Tell me what’s hidden inside her. The progress bar continued moving. Just as it was about to complete...
"Your Highnesses." A respectful voice interrupted the silence. The blue screen disappeared before revealing its results. Theon blinked.
"...Seriously?" Both siblings turned around.
A royal maid stood several steps away with her head respectfully lowered.
"His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Grand Dining Hall."
"The entire Imperial Family has already gathered."
Theon glanced toward the place where the unfinished screen had vanished.
"...Looks like that’ll have to wait." Lyra smiled and gently tugged on his sleeve. "We shouldn’t keep Father waiting."
Theon nodded. "Let’s go."
The two siblings walked side by side through the palace corridors.
Theon didn’t noticed that the World Archive had stopped its analysis only moments before revealing the truth.
The Imperial Grand Dining Hall was already filled with members of the Imperial Family by the time they arrived.
Theon quietly took in the familiar sight.
At the head of the magnificent table sat Emperor Ragnar Nivaris, the mighty ruler of the Glaciara Empire.
Beside him was the First Empress, Skadi Nivaris, known throughout the empire as the Frost Matriarch.
On the Emperor’s opposite side sat the Second Empress, Ignara Nivaris. The Inferno Queen.
Theon’s gaze slowly moved around the table.
His eldest sister, Princess Astrid, the Ice Rose, carried herself with effortless elegance.
Next sat Prince Styr, the White Wolf, whose calm, unreadable expression rarely betrayed his thoughts.
Beside him was Prince Leif, the Frost Spear, already earning fame as a brilliant military commander despite his young age.
A short distance away, Princess Yrsa, the Winter Witch, remained completely absorbed in the book resting before her, paying little attention to the conversations around her.
Meanwhile, the cheerful Prince Rowan, the Snow Falcon, laughed freely with the palace servants, filling the hall with warmth.
Across from him, Princess Freya, lovingly known as the Snow Saint, quietly poured tea for everyone with her usual gentle smile.
Finally... There.. was Lyra. The youngest princess.
The empire’s beloved Little Snowflake. Completely forgetting her earlier frustration, she happily reached for another dessert as if her failed magic practice had never happened.
The corner of Theon’s lips lifted into a faint smile. Some things never changed.
A gentle clink rang through the Grand Dining Hall as Emperor Ragnar lightly tapped the rim of his crystal glass with a silver spoon. The sound was enough to quiet the room. Conversations came to an end, and every member of the Imperial Family took their seats. Within seconds, silence settled over the hall as all eyes turned toward the Emperor.. The servants stepped back from the table. Every pair of eyes turned toward the head of the hall. Emperor Ragnar Nivaris slowly rose from his seat. The atmosphere instantly became solemn.
His imposing figure alone was enough to command silence.
He looked around the table, his sharp blue eyes resting briefly on each of his children before he finally spoke.
"In seven days..."His calm yet authoritative voice echoed throughout the Grand Dining Hall.
"...we shall celebrate the birthday the second Prince of this great empire Prince Styr Nivaris."
A faint smile appeared on Prince Styr’s usually stoic face before disappearing just as quickly. The Emperor continued.
"A grand royal banquet will be held within the Imperial Palace."
"Nobles from every province of the Glaciara Empire will attend."
"Distinguished guests, high-ranking Nobles and Imperial Knights, Court Mages, ministers, wealthy merchants, and foreign delegates have all been invited."
His gaze swept across the table.
"As members of House Nivaris, each of you will conduct yourselves with the dignity expected of the Imperial Family." "I trust none of you will embarrass the Empire. "Yes, Your Majesty." The princes and princesses answered almost in unison. Theon also nodded respectfully. "I understand."
Outwardly, his expression remained calm. Inwardly...
Great More etiquette... Wonderful.
He had endured enough formal gatherings in both his past life and this one to know exactly what awaited him.
Hours of polite smiles.
Endless greetings.
Conversations he had no interest in having. Still, there was no avoiding it. He is an Imperial Prince afterall.
Some responsibilities simply came with the title.
The family dinner continued peacefully.
Servants moved gracefully around the long table, replacing empty dishes with fresh ones while warm conversations drifted through the hall. Prince Rowan somehow managed to make several maids laugh with one of his stories.
Princess Freya quietly reminded him not to speak with his mouth full.
Princess Yrsa remained immersed in her book, barely looking up except to take an occasional bite of her meal.
Prince Leif discussed military matters with Emperor Ragnar.
Meanwhile, Lyra happily sampled every dessert placed before her. Watching his youngest sister happily eating sweets after worrying so much about her magic only minutes earlier made Theon smile to himself.
She’s already forgotten about it... The thought was strangely comforting.
The following morning, life within the Imperial Palace returned to its usual rhythm. Before sunrise, Theon was already awake. His mornings began with etiquette lessons under the watchful eyes of the royal instructors. Every movement, from the way he greeted a noble to the proper use of dining utensils, had to meet the standards expected of an Imperial Prince.
Although he had retained many memories from his previous life, the customs of the Glaciara Empire were different enough that he couldn’t afford to become careless.
Once the etiquette lesson ended, Captain Voss arrived to oversee his swordsmanship training.
The captain showed no favoritism simply because Theon was royalty.
Again and again, Theon was forced to repeat the same sword forms until every movement became second nature.
"Your footing is unstable."
Captain Voss struck the wooden practice sword against Theon’s with enough force to push him back a step.
"Power means nothing if you cannot maintain your balance."
Theon silently adjusted his stance before trying again.
This time, the captain gave a small nod.
"Better."
After swordsmanship came magic lessons under the Grand Court Magus.
Thanks to the World Archive restricting his mana output, Theon no longer had to worry about accidentally freezing another section of the palace.
Even so, he deliberately held back, pretending to be nothing more than a talented young prince.
The elderly mage watched him with satisfaction.
"Excellent mana control, Your Highness."
Theon simply smiled.
If only you knew...
Later that afternoon, while walking through one of the palace corridors, he spotted Prince Styr standing alone near one of the frost-covered windows.
The memory of their previous confrontation resurfaced in his mind.
Theon approached quietly.
"Theon."
Styr turned to face him, his usually calm expression softening slightly.
"What is it?"
Theon met his brother’s eyes and bowed his head.
"I wanted to apologize." "My words the other day were disrespectful." "I spoke without thinking." For a few moments, Styr simply looked at him.
Then, to Theon’s surprise, he let out a quiet chuckle.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to bring that up." Theon blinked.
"...You were?"
Styr folded his arms across his chest. "I’ll admit, I was angry." "But you’re my little brother."
His voice remained calm, yet there was unmistakable warmth behind it.
"If I held onto every foolish thing you said, I’d be a terrible older brother."
Theon stared at him for a moment before lowering his head once more.
"I’m sorry."
Styr stepped forward and gently rested a hand on Theon’s shoulder.
"Apology accepted."
"But don’t carry everything on your shoulders alone."
"If something is bothering you..."
"...come and talk to me."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"And try not to give Father another reason to scold you."
A quiet laugh escaped Theon.
"I’ll do my best."
"Good."
Styr gave his shoulder a light pat before walking past him.
"Oh... and Theon?" Theon looked back.
"Hmm?"
"I’m glad you’re changing."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then Theon smiled.
"...Thanks, Brother."
Without another word, the two princes continued on their separate ways, the distance between them feeling just a little smaller than before. As the days passed, preparations for Prince Styr’s birthday banquet spread throughout the palace.
Servants hurried through the halls carrying expensive decorations.
Massive ice sculptures were carefully carved by the empire’s finest craftsmen.
Royal tailors worked day and night adjusting ceremonial outfits for every member of the Imperial Family.
Imperial Knights increased security as nobles from distant provinces began arriving in the capital.
Everywhere Theon looked, the palace grew busier.
Whenever his schedule allowed, he slipped away to the Imperial Archives.
The vast library had gradually become one of his favorite places.There, surrounded by towering shelves filled with ancient books, he found something the noisy palace rarely offered.
Peace.
It was also there that he occasionally crossed paths with Princess Yrsa.
Unlike most people, she rarely noticed who entered the library until they disturbed the silence.
One afternoon, she glanced up from an old manuscript and blinked in surprise.
"Theon?"
"You actually enjoy reading?"
Theon smiled.
"I could ask you the same thing."
She closed the book resting on her lap.
"Ancient magic... lost civilizations... forgotten kingdoms..."
Her eyes seemed to brighten as she spoke.
"I’ve always wanted to know what the world was like before the modern era."
Theon listened quietly, careful not to reveal that he possessed an ancient grimoire hidden beneath the floorboards of his room.
Instead, he simply asked questions, allowing her enthusiasm to fill the conversation.
For nearly an hour, the two siblings discussed old legends and historical records before returning to their respective duties.
As the week drew to a close, preparations reached their peak.
The palace had become livelier than ever.
Foreign delegates entered through the main gates each day.
Noble families arrived in luxurious carriages bearing the crests of their houses.
Even the servants seemed to move twice as fast as before.
Then...
The seventh day finally arrived.
As night fell, the Imperial Palace was brighter than ever...
The evening of Prince Styr’s birthday finally arrived.
Every corridor had been decorated with crystal ornaments that reflected the warm golden light of countless enchanted lamps. The Grand Ballroom had been transformed into a breathtaking spectacle. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their shimmering light bathing the hall in a golden glow.
Dozens of floating magical lights drifted gracefully through the air like tiny stars, illuminating every corner of the room.
Magnificent sculptures carved entirely from flawless ice lined the walls. Each masterpiece had been crafted with extraordinary precision, depicting dragons, wolves, phoenixes, and legendary heroes from the empire’s history.
The polished crystal decorations reflected the dancing lights, making the ballroom sparkle as though it had been carved from diamonds.
Elegant music floated through the hall. A royal orchestra played gentle melodies while nobles from across the empire mingled with one another. Laughter mixed with the soft music as ministers discussed politics, merchants negotiated trade, and Court Mages exchanged theories about magic.
High-ranking Imperial Knights stood watch around the ballroom, their polished armor gleaming beneath the chandeliers.
Foreign delegates from neighboring kingdoms had also arrived, each dressed in attire that reflected the customs of their homeland. The celebration had only just begun.
Then—
The massive doors at the entrance slowly swung open.
"The Imperial Family has arrived!"
The announcement echoed across the ballroom.
Every conversation came to an immediate halt.
Hundreds of guests turned toward the entrance.
Emperor Ragnar Nivaris entered first, his presence commanding instant respect.
At his side walked Empress Skadi, the Frost Matriarch, and Empress Ignara, the Inferno Queen.
Behind them followed the Imperial Princes and Princesses in perfect formation.
The hall erupted into thunderous applause.
"Long live His Majesty!"
"Happy Birthday, Prince Styr!"
"May House Nivaris prosper forever!"
The cheers echoed beneath the crystal chandeliers.
Theon maintained a polite smile as he greeted the assembled nobles alongside the rest of his family.
He exchanged formal greetings.
Accepted respectful bows.
Offered courteous replies.
After several minutes...
He quietly slipped away before another group of nobles could surround him.
The moment he reached one of the palace corridors, he let out a long sigh.
"So many people..."
He loosened his shoulders slightly.
"I need some fresh air."
Without another glance behind him, Theon headed toward one of the quiet balconies overlooking the moonlit palace gardens, grateful to escape the noise, if only for a little while.
The moment Theon stepped onto the balcony, the noise of the banquet faded into the background.
A cool night breeze brushed gently against his face, carrying with it the familiar chill of Winter. He drew in a slow breath.
"...Much better."
Below, the palace gardens lay blanketed in untouched snow. Moonlight washed over the winding paths, frozen fountains, and carefully trimmed hedges, giving everything a soft silver glow. For the first time that evening... It was peaceful. Theon rested both hands on the stone railing and lifted his eyes toward the night sky.
The stars glittered above him, countless and distant.
His thoughts gradually drifted back to the ancient tome hidden beneath the floorboards in his room.
"I still haven’t mastered the Ice Barrier..."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"I need to learn how to reduce its output."
The memory of the towering wall of ice rising outside Frostfang Forest replayed vividly in his mind.
He smiled wryly.
"If one ancient spell can create something like that..."
"...then the other spells inside the Tome of Eternal Frost must be even more terrifying.
" The thought was exciting.
And dangerous.
"I need better mana control before I attempt anything else."
Until then, experimenting recklessly would only draw unwanted attention. Just then...
Soft footsteps echoed behind him. Theon turned.
A young girl about his age had quietly stepped onto the balcony. She paused near the doorway, her silver-green hair swaying gently in the cold breeze. Under the moonlight, it shimmered with an almost ethereal beauty.
Her emerald-green eyes were calm, observant, and carried a quiet intelligence. She wore an elegant blue dress that blended naturally with the atmosphere of the royal banquet.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then she offered him a polite smile. "I hope I’m not interrupting." Theon shook his head. "Not at all." She walked over and stood beside him, leaving a respectful distance between them.
Together, they gazed at the moonlit gardens below. After a comfortable silence, she smiled faintly.
"You don’t seem to enjoy parties."
A quiet chuckle escaped Theon.
"They’re too noisy."
The girl’s smile widened.
"I was thinking the same thing."
The tension between two strangers quickly melted away.
Instead of awkward silence, they found themselves exchanging casual conversation. Neither asked intrusive questions. Neither tried to impress the other.
It was simply... easy. After talking for a while, the girl finally introduced herself.
"My name is Selen."
Theon inclined his head politely.
"A pleasure to meet you."
For a few moments, they simply enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Then Theon broke the silence.
"You know..."
Selen turned toward him.
"...disguising your ears doesn’t completely hide the fact that you’re an elf."
Everything changed. The warmth vanished from Selen’s expression. Her eyes widened for only an instant before instinct took over. She leaped backward.
A gentle green wind immediately began circling around her body, lifting strands of her silver-green hair.
Her once-friendly gaze became sharp and cautious.
"What do you mean by that?" Theon didn’t react. Instead, he slowly raised both hands.
"Relax."
"I’m not your enemy."
The wind continued swirling around her. She didn’t lower her guard.
"Then how did you know?" Theon smiled calmly.
"Let’s just say..."
"...I’m good at noticing things."
Selen stared at him in silence. The winter breeze swept across the balcony between them.
Several long seconds passed before she finally released a quiet sigh.
The green wind gradually dispersed.
"...You’re strange."
Theon laughed softly.
"I’ve been told that before."
That unexpected answer caught Selen slightly off guard.
A faint smile almost returned to her face before she pushed it aside. After another moment of hesitation, she spoke again, her voice noticeably quieter.
"I came here because several young elves have disappeared near the human border."
Theon’s expression became more serious.
"Our kingdom believes human nobles may be responsible."
"So..."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"...I disguised myself as a human and came here to gather information."
Theon listened without interrupting. Every word carried genuine concern. This wasn’t a political mission. It was personal. When she finished speaking, silence settled over the balcony once again. Finally, Selen took a step back toward the doorway.
Before leaving, she met Theon’s gaze one last time.
"If you’re involved..."
Her emerald eyes showed no trace of hesitation.
"...I won’t forgive you."
Without waiting for his response, she turned gracefully and disappeared into the brightly lit ballroom.
Theon remained where he stood, watching the doorway long after she had gone.
A small smile slowly formed on his face.
"...Interesting."
As Theon continued gazing at the doorway through which Selen had disappeared, another conversation quietly unfolded inside the grand ballroom.
The celebration carried on without pause.
Elegant music drifted through the hall as nobles laughed over glasses of fine wine. Ministers exchanged quiet conversations, merchants discussed trade, and foreign delegates admired the splendor of the Imperial
Palace.
Amid the lively gathering, Captain Voss made his way through the crowd. His expression was calm, but his pace was purposeful. When he reached the head table, he stopped beside Emperor Ragnar and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
The Emperor acknowledged him with a slight glance, careful not to draw the attention of the guests.
"What is it?"
Captain Voss lowered his voice.
"We have completed our investigation regarding the giant ice wall that appeared outside Frostfang Forest."
The Emperor’s expression remained composed.
"And?"
The captain hesitated for only a moment before continuing.
"Our Court Mages carefully examined the remaining traces of mana."
"They all reached the same conclusion."
He paused.
"The giant ice wall..."
"...was created using Ancient Magic."
For the briefest instant, the Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
It was such a subtle change that no one else would have noticed. A heartbeat later, his calm expression returned.
He casually lifted his crystal glass and took a slow sip, appearing completely unfazed. To everyone watching...
Nothing had changed. But within his mind, countless thoughts collided. Ancient Magic... It hasn’t appeared for over a century. His fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the stem of the glass.
Have the ancient records finally come true? Has another prodigy been born into this world? The questions lingered without answers. His gaze slowly swept across the magnificent ballroom. Nobles continued laughing together, unaware of the weight of the conversation taking place only a few steps away. The orchestra played on, filling the hall with elegant melodies.
Servants moved gracefully between the tables, serving food and drinks with practiced precision. Foreign delegates chatted politely with Imperial ministers. The celebration continued as though nothing had happened.
No one noticed the storm of thoughts hidden behind the Emperor’s calm eyes. After a long silence, Ragnar spoke quietly enough that only Captain Voss could hear.
"Increase the investigation."
Captain Voss straightened.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I want every report from Frostfang Forest brought directly to me."
"Understood."
"And..."
The Emperor’s gaze shifted toward the palace windows, where the moonlight reflected across the snow-covered gardens.
"Do not spread word of Ancient Magic."
Captain Voss nodded immediately.
"As you command."
The Emperor watched the night in silence. Somewhere within his empire... Someone possessed power that should have disappeared from history. Whether that person would become an ally... Or a threat... He intended to find out.
Whoever you are...
Sooner or later...
I will find you.
Captain Voss bowed one final time before quietly disappearing back into the crowd, leaving the Emperor alone with his thoughts.
Meanwhile...
Theon remained on the balcony, his eyes drifting toward the snow-covered gardens below.
The lively sounds of the banquet echoed faintly behind him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Young elves... disappearing near the human border.
Selen’s words lingered in his mind.
Something about the situation didn’t feel right.
If human nobles truly were involved, then whatever was happening was far more serious than a simple border dispute.
He exhaled slowly, the cold air forming a faint mist before him. His gaze settled on the ballroom doors where Selen had disappeared. A faint smile touched his lips before slowly fading.
"...Selen."
He turned back toward the moonlit gardens, allowing the cool night breeze to wash over him.
Somehow...
He knew this wouldn’t be the last time they met.