Rise of Tyrus

"I thought Igneal was playing a prank on me, but you actually came!"

Fiona gave Tyrus a quick hug as soon as he exited the carriage.

"It gets colder every day and you're wearing that?" Igneal commented.

"Quiet down, boy. I can wear whatever I want. It's way too early for your antics."

Ignoring Fiona's comment, Igneal turned to his servants. "We'll be at the library. Yeven, prepare a meal for three and bring it there. Sir Wayne, you can join us once you've put the horses and carriage in the stables."

"Yes, Young Master," they said together. With a quickness, they departed to conduct their business.

Fiona arched an eyebrow and said," The library? What could you possibly want to do there?"

"That is none of your concern. Now run along and leave us alone. I don't want some pest disturbing us."

"Yeah, no. I've lived here way longer than you have, so this is practically my home you're living in. I'm sure Aunt Selena would agree you cannot boss anyone around other than Sir Wayne and the servants."

A scowl appeared on Igneal's face, but surprisingly enough, he offered no retort. The Lockhart just turned on his heels and began climbing the steps. Tyrus guessed he was leading them toward the library, so he followed along, and so did Fiona. Tyrus didn't know why Igneal wanted to go there, so he hoped none of this would turn into something stupid.

Igneal opened the grand double doors leading inside the manor and stepped in. What greeted Tyrus was a massive space with spiral, grand stairs that stretched up to the second floor.

Other than that, the place was quite barren, to say the least. Compared to the imperial palace that was filled with paintings and furniture, so far the place looked quite plain. A few plants here and there were present, but no vases or other ornaments were visible other than a dangling light source above their heads. What he did like were the dark colors of the walls, as it matched the manor's outward appearance.

Tyrus didn't dwell on the thought and instead followed Igneal up the stairs, who was walking at a brisk pace. Once on the second floor, there were two corridors on opposite ends and a wide door in the middle. Igneal went left and led them down a long hall with a carpet that was soft with each step. Sunshine poured through windows, giving the floor a shiny sheen.

As they walked, Tyrus looked to Fiona. "Are you okay from yesterday? It looked like you went through a lot yesterday."

Fiona grinned and proudly flexed an arm. "I feel amazing. When I was at the palace, they gave me this incredible drink that completely rejuvenated my body. And would you believe it tasted just like honey! It's quite surprising considering the potions I usually drink are quite bitter. The ones they have at the imperial palace are on a whole other level."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. The food there tasted better than anything I've ever had before. They're unlike the stuff I eat at taverns or prepare myself in the wild. I already miss their beds and looking around the palace."

"Fair warning, don't expect that same quality here," Fiona said. "I'm sure you already noticed the lack of furniture and decorations. Aunt Selena isn't the type to worry about the little things. I mean, it's not like she's even here that much, anyway. It's just me, the servants, and that idiot over there who already he acts like he owns the place."

Igneal frowned. "If it were up to me, I'd have already furnished this manor that would greatly mirror the splendor of home at Lockhart territory. But Aunt Selena has refused each of my requests, insisting that I ask my sister to make any drastic changes."

"Well, yeah? I've lived here longer than you have, so that grants me more privileges than you. Even an idiot like you should know this."

"You know, this is the second time you've called me an idiot, and I'm beginning to think your vocabulary is severely lacking," Igneal said.

"Or that no other word suits you better," she retorted.

And just like that, the two began bickering like two wolves fighting over prey. The only difference was, instead of fighting physically, they fought using words. Not wanting to get between the sibling fight, Tyrus just stayed quiet and looked out the window. A view of residences with arched roofs over the manor gate filled his vision.

After some time, the two finally stopped arguing, settling with glares and much needed silence. Then, Igneal slowed his stride and stopped in front of a door. Without any ceremony, he opened it and entered. Tyrus slipped quietly into the manor’s library, the door closing behind him with a soft click.

The room was cozy and intimate. The scent of aged paper and leather was strong, more concentrated in the close quarters. Bookshelves lined the walls, well within reach, filled with neatly arranged books of various colors. A single window above allowed a shaft of light to filter in, casting a warm glow over the room.

In the center of the space was a simple, round table, its surface polished to a high sheen. A few books were scattered across it, as if someone had left in a hurry. A comfortable armchair, its cushions well-worn from years of use, was positioned nearby, invitingly close to the small hearth where ash and logs remained.

Tyrus walked to the nearest shelf and inspected his surroundings. He noticed each area was categorized into their own sections. The one before him had the word history, while others were bestiaries, to name a few.

Curious, Tyrus pulled a hefty book out titled 'The History of the Lethos Empire' and flipped it open, skimming through its contents. He set the book back into its proper place once he was done and looked at another called 'The Great Lineages.' His eyes shot up at the title.

"Hey, Igneal. Are these books what you wanted to show me?"

Igneal was at the far end of the room, scanning a shelf labeled Lockhart. "I thought it would interest you greatly if you were to learn a thing or two on whatever subject you prefer. You do know how to read, correct?"

Tyrus frowned. "Of course I can read. What made you think I couldn't?"

"Just checking," Igneal said.

The Lockhart walked over to the hearth. With a swipe of his hand, a spark erupted, igniting the wood inside and creating a small blaze. The fire warmed the air, taking the chill away from the room.

"During the deliberation, you mentioned you lack memories before your time in Lethos. It seemed like you knew little of Lethos and the Beastfolk Kingdom—your origins. Worst of all, you've never heard of the Lockhart name. So, I had a brilliant idea: what if reading up on the Beastfolk Kingdom could jog your memory?"

"You thought of that?" Fiona asked, who had already seated herself. "I don't know whether to be happy that you thought of someone else well-being or concerned that the thought came from a brat like you."

"You think too less of me," Igneal said, looking directly at Fiona. "Wouldn't it be logical to think that reading about his roots is beneficial? He might as well learn more about the Great Lineages and why nobles and commoners alike respect them. Us."

Igneal made a good few points, and Tyrus couldn't help but give the Lockhart a nod. It wouldn't hurt to read a book or two about the Beastfolk Kingdom. He used to hate being reminded about anything Beastfolk related, but after everything he went through and the mysteries piling up by the day, seeking answers didn't seem like a bad idea.

There were a few things he wanted to read about, which would be anything related to the Beastfolk, artifacts, and magic, if possible. Maybe knowing more about the elements would help him with his affinity and grow stronger.

Tyrus grabbed the book that interested him so far and sat down at the table. The book was leather-bound, with a black cover that bore the title 'The Great Lineages,' written in gold lettering. It was also worn down given the faded print and frayed edges, so it must've been a few years old or so. Also, the book itself was quite thick, and there was even a section that labeled different chapters of the book.

The book wasn't particularly thick, nor was it too small. There were about seven chapters, each one dedicated to what Tyrus assumed were the Surnames of the Great Lineages: Lockhart, Aduna, Crohn, Eldrathus, Drauths, Black Tiger, and Numicht. Only two of these names were recognizable, while the others were complete strangers.

These must be surnames if Lockhart is here. I can see why they just put Black Tiger with the others since they lack a surname.

"While you do some research, I'll just sit here and read this quietly in the corner."

Fiona rose from her seat and walked off. Tyrus caught a glimpse of a red cover she tucked in her arm labeled 'Sir Mautry and His Courtesan'. The title confused him, but he shook it off and focused his attention back to his own. As he flipped through the first few pages, he read the first few lines.

The Great Lineages were more than just families; they represented the very essence of power, embodying a mastery of the elements that surpassed ordinary sorcerers.

Already the book made it sound like members of the Great Lineages were gods or something. It was a bit exaggerated, but the fact that the Lockharts were powerful was no lie. Though it was a short demonstration of her magic mastery, Tyrus had seen what Selena was capable of. Silent casting a whirlwind of flames that reached great heights was probably not a simple thing to do. And since he had already met Family Head Lockhart, who was more powerful than Selena, then that meant there was some truth to what the book was saying.

Each lineage, with a history as ancient as the world itself, bore in its bloodline a legacy of sorcery that had profoundly influenced the course of history. Being born into one of these families meant inheriting the extraordinary abilities of the most infamous sorcerers to have ever graced the earth. It was a weighty cloak of power and responsibility that could never be cast aside.

Tyrus would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued by the book's beginning. As quick as one would snap their fingers, his attention was hooked, and he had a lot of time on his hand. So, wasting no time, Tyrus flipped to the chapter pertaining to the Lockharts'.

Descendants of the first fire affinity sorcerer to reach the grandmaster stage, whose flames had once set the world ablaze, the Lockhart name is feared and respected in equal measure. Their flames burned hotter and longer than any other, and they were said to be able to conjure firestorms that could consume entire cities. Sorcerer Bolus Lockhart was among the few to claim stake in the Great Lineages.

Grandmaster stage? The only stages Tyrus knew of were fledgling, apprentice, adept, and advanced. Did that mean the grandmaster stage stood above advanced? This Bolus guy must've been unimaginably powerful to reach a stage higher than an Advanced Sorcerer. Tyrus knew that there were many aspects of sorcerers and their rankings that he still knew very little about. He wondered if one of the books he had could provide some clarity on the matter.

First of his name, Bolus Lockhart and, among others, assisted Emperor Alvis in his glorious conquest to establish an empire that spanned across Dharmere. It was thanks to Bolus Lockhart and Nasha Aduna that they conquered the Northern Mountains, a place inhabited by the snow giants. Amid scorching flames that mirrored a dragon's fury and icy waters as piercing as steel, the two sorcerers embarked on a relentless onslaught where they slew Hoarfrost, the towering Father of Giants, and his kin.

Tyrus couldn't avert his eyes even if he wanted to and continued reading with bated breath.

Emperor Alvis had gifted these two sorcerers their own territory to command; Nasha Aduna was given the base of the Northern Mountains, while Bolus Lockhart was granted land south of Valier Forest and east of Ironworks. With land rich with lumber and close to major hubs of commerce, Bolus Lockhart established territory swimming in wealth, thus bolstering the Lockhart name.

Over the years, many family heads made significant contributions to the reputation of the Lockhart name. Following in his father's footsteps, Flamen, the second of his title, became the first to fully capitalize on the vast Lockhart territory.

He gathered a group of men in search of employment and put them to work in various lumber mills, open-pit mines, and caves. Under his guidance, these manufacturing facilities produced and exported an abundant supply of wood and iron, which not only benefited the Lockhart family but also bolstered the military power of the empire during the Grand Conquest.

Tyrus has recently noticed that the topic of the Grand Conquest has been brought up a few times. Whether it was in conversations with Igneal or while reading the book, it became clear to Tyrus that the Grand Conquest was a significant event. Based on the book's contents, it seemed like the Lockhart family name played a crucial role in the expansion of the Lethos' empire. Perhaps there was a map in the library that Tyrus could examine to gain a better understanding of the empire's vastness and maybe surrounding countries. He had a general idea of where the important ones stood thanks to the map Fiona showed him at the guild.

Tyrus read on about the exploits of each Lockhart Family Head, their accomplishments, and what they did for the Lockhart family. The third family head named Crane was a bit of a wildcard. He was a young sorcerer, brother to Flamen and also the most reckless of the bunch. Instead of building the Lockhart fortune, Crane was more interested in gambling and seeking exotic women—whatever that meant.

It wasn't long before the fourth family head, daughter of the second, overtook her uncle through cunning and ruthlessness, taking Crane's position as family head and banishing him to some faraway island called the Volcano Isle.

From that point forward, the Lockhart lineage persisted, eventually leading to its latest successor: Kleine Lockhart, also known as the hat thief. As soon as Tyrus identified the man being mentioned in the book, he grimaced and swiftly turned to the following section that held his anticipation. He harbored no interest in delving into the hat thief's exploits.

As he continued to flip through the book, he couldn't help but notice the sheer number of pages he was going through. After a few moments that seemed to stretch on forever, he finally reached the end of the book. However, what he discovered next took him completely by surprise.

There weren't that many pages dedicated to the black tiger family. The darn section only had about two pages worth of information to get through while Lockhart had a whopping sixteen! The difference between the two was astounding. Even worse was that the contents were uncertain, more or less.

The text discussed the typical details of a family made up entirely of black tigers with a strong lightning affinity. What sets them apart from others is that their family leader is not called a "family head" but rather holds the prestigious title of King of Beastfolk, in accordance with the rules of the kingdom. That meant out of the rest of the Great Lineages, the one that oversees the rest of the family for the black tigers rules an entire kingdom.

However, apart from that, the rest of the information seemed to show that the writer lacked confidence in their knowledge of the black tiger family history. It was mentioned that the current ruler of the black tigers was King Murus, along with his predecessors. Additionally, there was a brief mention of how the black tigers had earned their place among the Great Lineages, as their strength was said to be comparable to that of the other lineages.

The other families hesitated initially, but they were afraid of the potential consequences that might've occurred. The black tigers would have interpreted it as a sign of disrespect, thus tarnishing the relationship between Lethos and the king. Since Lethos was still growing as an empire, the last thing the emperor would want was to make an enemy of the black tiger family.

Following that, the details became scarce, providing little to no additional understanding about the black tigers or even Tyrus's background. The only information provided was the location of the kingdom, the physical appearance of the black tigers, and the fact that the family only chooses the strongest individuals among them. This rule closely resembled the way beasts battled to determine the pack's leader. Everything that Tyrus already knew.

He closed the book with a sign and peered upward at the window. The sunlight filtering through had grown dimmer, and the sky outside was painted a shade of orange. Time had gone by quickly, and before he knew it, the sun had begun its descent, and the day was coming to a close.

Tyrus hadn't realized it before, but the food had already arrived. At the edge of the table, two plates stacked with steaming-hot dishes were placed side by side. It seemed like the cook had made a dish that consisted of meat and a pile of green leaves topped with some sort of sauce.

"Oh, I see you're done reading your book. You should really eat before the food gets cold." Fiona was the first to speak, her voice snapping Tyrus out of his stupor.

Fiona stood up from her corner, grunting as she did. She stretched her arms high above her head, shuffling over to the table.

"You look annoyed. Was the book that bad?"

Tyrus touched his face, feeling his mouth had turned downward. "I mean, it was fine, just not what I was looking for. The stuff in the book about the black tigers is information I already know. The writer knew all about the Lockhart and probably the other families, yet nothing about the black tigers."

"Maybe the writer just knew nothing about the black tiger family. I heard that the black tigers are the hardest to find out about because they stay within the Beastfolk Kingdom, only leaving when ordered to. Oh, and that they aren't inclined to tell the world about their personal affairs."

"I guess that makes sense," Tyrus said. "Anyway, what were you reading?"

Fiona's cheeks blushed as she spoke. "This? It's called Sir Mautry and the Courtesan. It's a story about a knight who falls in love with a woman that... spreads her love around. However, she doesn't love him back. Despite this, he tries everything to win her over, even though his peers oppose. It's a really beautiful story."

"What a weird book," Igneal said from the same spot. He had a bored look on his face. "What kind of knight would risk their title and respect from peers and friends for someone who doesn't care? Why would you read something so unrealistic?"

Fiona snorted. "Like you would understand if I tried to explain it to you. And who says it's unrealistic? You just haven't experienced love yet."

"And you have?" Igneal said with a smirk. He turned to Tyrus. "You've been reading for a while now. The sun's already setting. What will you do now?"

Tyrus thought about it for a moment. "I'll stay here and keep reading. The bestiary section looks fun to read about."

Fiona smiled and said, "Aren't you the scholar? Well, I won't stop you from enjoying your time here. I'll be retreating to my room for the time being. If you need me, ask one of the servants and they'll take you to me."

She proceeded with a step forward, but then paused and glanced back. "Oh, and before I depart, just remember: disregard the words of those arrogant nobles. They're an ignorant lot. Regardless of being Beastfolk or not, you will forever remain Tyrus to us; a cherished friend embraced wholeheartedly. I'm sure Grant and Reo said something similar."

Tyrus could feel the corners of his mouth lift. "Thank you, Fiona."

She nodded and walked off, exiting the room and shutting the door behind her.

Tyrus was genuinely grateful to have people like Fiona, Grant, and Reo in his life. Who knows what could have happened if they hadn't embraced him wholeheartedly? Perhaps he would still be residing in Valier Forest, secluded from others as he honed his physical and magical abilities.

Well, he still dedicates himself to that, but now he doesn't feel the pangs of loneliness, knowing that there are people out there who genuinely care for him. This realization only fuels his determination to become stronger, not just for his own sake, but for the sake of those who have shown him such kindness.

"You have a creepy look on your face," Igneal pointed out. "Also, eat what the servants have prepared. It's considered rude in Lockhart territory to let ingredients go to waste."

Tyrus gave him a curt nod and ate a lukewarm strip of meat as he reached for another book.