Makoto's Pov

It had been a few days since Arthur's awakening, and our house was louder than ever. Mom was still fussing over the scorch marks in the yard, while Dad couldn't stop grinning whenever he mentioned the explosion. He'd even started calling Arthur a "natural prodigy" whenever neighbors or visitors came by.

And Arthur? He wasn't being obnoxious about it—he was too young to even know how—but he was glowing. Not literally anymore, but the pride in his eyes and the excitement in his voice made it impossible to forget what had happened.

Meanwhile, I was still... me.

I sat in the corner of the living room, pretending to read one of the books I'd picked up from Dad's study. It was about mana theory, something way too advanced for a four-year-old, but I figured I'd give it a try.

Arthur was in the middle of the room, sitting cross-legged with Mom and Dad watching. A faint shimmer surrounded him as he concentrated, his tiny hands held out in front of him. After a moment, a wisp of golden light flickered to life above his palms, swirling in lazy circles.

Mom clapped her hands together, her smile bright enough to rival the glow. "That's amazing, Arthur! You're already controlling your mana so well!"

Arthur's grin stretched from ear to ear. "Strong?" he asked, looking up at Dad.

Dad laughed, ruffling his hair. "Yeah, kiddo. You're strong."

I clenched my jaw and lowered my eyes back to the book, though the words blurred together.

It wasn't like I hadn't tried. Every night since the explosion, I'd snuck out to the yard after everyone else had gone to bed. I'd meditated until my legs went numb, forcing myself to focus, to try harder.

But nothing.

Not even a flicker.

Arthur glanced my way, his golden eyes wide with excitement. "Makoto! Come play!" he called, his voice light and cheerful.

I looked up, startled. "Huh?"

"Magic!" he said, gesturing to the tiny light still spinning above his hands. "I show!"

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "You're doing great, Arthur. You don't need me for that."

Arthur frowned, tilting his head in confusion. But before he could press further, Dad swooped him up into his arms. "Let your brother read, buddy. He'll join you when he's ready."

Arthur giggled as Dad spun him around, his laughter echoing through the room.

I turned back to my book, though my chest felt heavy. It wasn't that I didn't want to join him. I just didn't want to be reminded—again—of how far behind I was.

"Makoto," Mom's voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up to see her kneeling beside me, her gaze soft.

"You've been so quiet," she said, brushing a hand over my hair. "Are you feeling okay?"

I nodded quickly, avoiding her eyes. "I'm fine, Mom."

She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. Instead, she pulled me into a gentle hug. "You know, everyone has their own time to shine. Just because Arthur's awakened now doesn't mean you're any less special."

Her words were kind, but they didn't stop the knot in my stomach from tightening. I wanted to believe her—I really did. But as I looked over her shoulder at Arthur, who was now summoning tiny sparks of light that made Dad laugh, all I could feel was the shadow of his light pressing down on me.

I closed my eyes, trying to push the feeling away. One day, I told myself. One day, I'll catch up!

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Arthur's Pov

Makoto was quiet again. It wasn't unusual—my brother always seemed lost in thought, especially since the day I awakened my mana core. But even though he tried to hide it, I could see the tension in his small frame.

It reminded me of some of the people I'd once ruled as a king. Those who carried burdens they didn't want to share, silently struggled while the world moved on without them.

"Arthur, you'll get dizzy if I keep spinning you," Father said, chuckling as he slowed his movements.

I nodded solemnly, my golden eyes flicking toward Makoto. "Papa," I said softly, "Makoto's upset."

Father blinked, surprised by the seriousness of my tone. "What makes you say that, champ?"

I gestured subtly toward my brother, who sat curled up with one of his books in the corner. His small hands gripped the pages tightly, his face half-hidden behind the cover.

Father followed my gaze, his smile faltering. "He's probably just thinking. Makoto does that a lot."

I didn't answer right away, mulling over his words. Yes, Makoto was thoughtful, but there was more to it than that. I could feel it—a faint tension in the air whenever he was near me lately.

"Maybe he feels left behind," I murmured, more to myself than to Father.

Father tilted his head, his usual playful demeanor replaced with quiet curiosity. "What do you mean, Arthur?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I wriggled out of his grasp and landed lightly on my feet. "I'll speak with him," I said, walking toward Makoto with as much dignity as a four-year-old could muster.

Makoto didn't look up as I approached, his gaze fixed on the book in his lap. I sat down beside him, crossing my legs and resting my hands neatly on my knees.

"Makoto," I said, my voice calm and steady. "Why are you avoiding me?"

He flinched slightly, but he didn't answer right away. After a moment, he sighed and closed the book, his dark eyes meeting mine. "I'm not avoiding you," he said quietly.

"You are," I replied, unwavering. "You've been distant since my awakening. Why?"

He hesitated, his small fingers gripping the edges of the book tightly. "I... I don't know," he admitted, though the conflicted look in his eyes told me otherwise.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "It's okay to tell me," I said softly. "I'm your brother. I won't judge you."

Makoto's shoulders slumped slightly, the tension in his frame loosening. "I just..." He glanced away, his voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'll never catch up to you."

His words hit me harder than I expected. For all his quietness, I hadn't realized just how deeply he'd been affected by my progress.

"Makoto," I said firmly, making him look at me again. "Your time will come. Not everyone awakens at the same moment, and that's okay. I've seen people who take longer to grow but shine brighter than anyone else when they do."

His eyes widened slightly, a spark of hope flickering within them.

"Besides," I added with a small smile, "it's not a race. You're my brother, not my rival. We'll grow stronger together."

Makoto's expression softened, the tension in his body easing a little more. "Thanks, Arthur," he mumbled, looking down at his lap.

I reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, Makoto. Don't forget that."

For the first time in days, he smiled—a small, hesitant smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Behind us, Mother and Father watched quietly, their expressions warm. I didn't need to hear their words to know they were proud of both of us.

For now, that was enough.

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Makoto's Pov

The conversation at the dinner table was still ongoing, and my attention was now fully trapped in the debate between Mom and Dad. Arthur was munching on a piece of bread with a look of pure curiosity on his face, unaware of the seriousness of their discussion.

Dad was still pushing for the idea of sending Arthur to Xyrus City. "I really think it's time we start looking into finding a tutor for Arthur who can really push him. With his progress, he'll need the best guidance to maximize his potential."

Mom frowned, shaking her head. "Reynolds, we just... we just sent Arthur through a huge change, awakening his mana core. I'm worried about pushing him too quickly. Xyrus City is a lot to take in, and he's still so young. He should have more time to adjust, to enjoy being a child."

Dad crossed his arms, giving her a pointed look. "Alice, you saw what Arthur is capable of! This is a huge opportunity for him—why wait? We need to give him the best chances to succeed, and Xyrus is the place for that. The tutors there are world-class, and Arthur deserves the best."

Mom's expression remained resolute, but there was a shadow of concern in her eyes. "I just don't know, Reynolds. Xyrus City is too overwhelming for someone as young as Arthur. And I can't help but feel like it's too much too soon."

Arthur looked up, his blue eyes blinking innocently as he tried to keep up with the conversation. "Xyrus City? What's that, Papa?"

Dad smiled, tousling Arthur's hair with a laugh. "It's a big city, Arthur. The best place for you to find great teachers and resources for your magic studies. It's where the most talented mages in the world go."

Arthur seemed excited at the idea, his cheeks lighting up with a wide grin. "I'll be the best mage! I can go to Xyrus City?"

Mom bit her lip, glancing nervously at Dad. "Reynolds, it's not just about finding a good tutor. I'm really worried about the pace. Arthur's still adjusting to his awakening. We should give him more time to explore, to discover his own interests. This is a lot to throw at him so soon."

Dad raised an eyebrow, trying to gently persuade her. "Alice, I understand your concerns, but we need to be realistic. Arthur's talent... it's clear, and it's our job to help him reach his full potential. Xyrus will provide the support and guidance he needs."

Mom shook her head, looking between Dad and Arthur with a soft, pleading gaze. "Reynolds, it's still so soon. Arthur just awakened his mana core; we should be focusing on helping him adjust, on giving him time. He'll have plenty of opportunities later."

Dad sighed, pressing his hands together as he looked at Arthur. "Alice, Arthur's potential is immense. We can't just let it go to waste. With the right training, Arthur could be unstoppable. We have to consider what's best for him, even if it means a bit of pressure now."

Arthur, meanwhile, was still beaming, obviously excited at the prospect of going to Xyrus City. "I'll be really strong! Makoto too, right, Makoto?" he said, glancing at me with a bright smile.

I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral, though the idea of Arthur leaving was still sinking in.

Mom noticed, and her voice turned soft and concerned. "Arthur, sweetheart, it's not as simple as just sending you to Xyrus. We're still figuring out what's best for you. You're still adjusting to everything, and Xyrus City can be a lot. We need to take it one step at a time."

Arthur blinked, his face scrunching up in confusion. "But I want to go! I want to be a great mage!"

The dinner table was quiet for a few moments, the air thick with the weight of the conversation. I could feel my parents still processing everything, the tension hanging between them as they weighed their options. The mention of Xyrus, Arthur, and my own progress seemed to fill the room, and I could feel the heat of their expectations pressing down on me like an invisible weight.

Finally, after a long silence, Mom sighed and placed her hands on the table. "Alright," she said, her voice softer but resolute, "we'll go to Xyrus. But not to send Arthur off to the Royal Academy just yet. We'll find him a suitable tutor for now, someone who can guide him in the basics of magic."

Dad looked satisfied, but there was a note of concern in his eyes. "I'm still not thrilled about not being able to give Arthur the very best, but I see your point. And we can always make decisions later as he grows older."

Mom nodded. "Yes. We'll stay in Xyrus for a while, settle in, and see what the right path for both of them will be."

Arthur, who had been watching them with a mix of curiosity and impatience, finally spoke up. "And we go together, right? All of us?"

Mom and Dad exchanged a quick glance, then both smiled warmly at Arthur. "Yes, Arthur," Dad said with a soft chuckle. "We'll go together. You, Makoto, and us. And we'll all find the best way forward."

I looked up, and despite my anxiety about my own situation, I felt a small sense of relief. Maybe being in Xyrus wasn't such a bad idea. At least there I wouldn't feel so out of place... right?

"But we won't be going alone," Mom added, her gaze shifting toward the doorway as if waiting for someone to appear. "We'll be traveling with a few old friends of ours."

I tilted my head. "Old friends?" I asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Dad replied, his tone warm as he turned toward me. "Remember the Twinhorns?"

I blinked, trying to place the name. Then it clicked—Mom and Dad had mentioned them once or twice before. They were two old adventurers who had fought alongside my parents during their younger days. They'd been close, almost like family, and now they lived in Xyrus, though I'd never met them.

"The Twinhorns," Mom confirmed with a smile. "They're coming with us. They've been keeping an eye on things in Xyrus, and we thought it would be safer for all of us if we traveled with some familiar faces."

Dad grinned. "That's right. It'll be good to have their help with the move. They know the city well and can help us settle in."

Arthur's eyes lit up at the mention of the Twinhorns. "Are they nice? Can I play with them?"

Mom chuckled. "They're nice enough, but they're adventurers. They'll probably be too busy to play. But you can definitely talk to them. They'll be good company on the road."

I didn't say much, though I was curious about the Twinhorns. They sounded like interesting people. I wondered how they would fit into this new chapter of our lives in Xyrus.

Mom and Dad continued discussing the details of the trip, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like things were starting to come together. Xyrus wasn't just a distant dream for Arthur—it would be a fresh start for all of us. A place where we could grow, where our futures could begin to take shape.

Even if I wasn't sure where I fit into all of this yet, I was determined to keep moving forward. And with Arthur by my side maybe I could find my own way.

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An: That's all for this chapter, sorry if forgot some details. When I'm writing this, I just go off from memory. Don't really like following the source material too much, because I just wanna change stuff. So it doesn't destroy or make plotholes for future development.

I'm on a roll right now, bro I'm literally doing college classes while writing fanfic chapters. I count classes as more of my free time rn, cause when there's no class. I have to do my final assignments. Expect next week to be 0 updates...maybe 

As always if you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to vote and leave some comments. Also if you have any suggestions or criticisms, do tell me. 

That's all from me!

SEE YAAA

(2496 Words)