The burial ground felt frozen in time, with only the soft rustling of wind through the trees breaking the heavy silence. Atticus stood beside Magnus, his heart aching with the weight of Magnus's story.
"She said to tell you that it's not your fault."
The stillness that followed was suffocating, almost unbearable. Magnus didn't move, but a subtle shift in his expression revealed how deeply Freya's words had affected him.
His weathered face softened as a smile tugged at his lips, filled with both sorrow and the tiniest hint of warmth.
"That's just like her," he finally murmured, his voice low and quiet, unlike the powerful man he was known to be.
Atticus managed a small smile in return. "Yeah."
They stood in silence once more, neither rushing to speak. It was a rare moment of peace, one they both completely embraced. After this, only battles awaited.
After what felt like an eternity, Atticus spoke again, his tone more focused, finally getting to the point.
"Look… only Grandma Freya could probably get you to leave here, but unfortunately, she's not here anymore. And she told me something else before she left." Atticus paused, glancing at his grandfather. "She told me to make sure I kick the other Apexes' butts, and I plan on doing just that. But I'm going to need all the help I can get."
Magnus remained silent, his gaze still fixed on Freya's tombstone. His smile faded into a look of contemplation, and Atticus knew he wasn't going to get an answer right away. The man was still finding it hard to let go.
With one last look at his grandfather, Atticus quietly turned and left the burial grounds, leaving Magnus to his thoughts.
As Atticus walked through the estate, the usual bustle surrounded him. People were training, talking, and preparing for the day, but he barely paid attention.
Mornings in the Ravenstein estate were different from the others. People were already up, and different training sessions were underway, some so intense that they had even trained through the night.
His mind was still clouded by the visit to the burial grounds, though his resolve had already strengthened. He knew what his next steps were.
Suddenly, his senses sharpened as he felt something flying toward him at high speed. Without thinking, his right hand shot up, his fingers snapping around a small projectile just before it could strike his head.
He lowered his hand to see the tip of a wooden blade between his fingers.
"Looks like the years I spent training you weren't wasted," a familiar voice called out.
Atticus smiled, turning to see Sirius, Lyanna, Nathan, and a group of Ravenstein family members approaching him.
"You couldn't even catch a 16-year-old kid off guard. Old age must suck, huh?" Atticus remarked with a smirk.
"Pfft," Nathan barely contained his laughter as he shot Sirius a mocking look.
Sirius rolled his eyes and shot a glare at Nathan, who was still chuckling. "You're one to talk, Chubby."
"Sorry, sorry," Nathan said, failing to suppress his grin. "But the kid's got a point—you are getting old."
Sirius clicked his tongue in irritation and turned his attention back to Atticus, narrowing his eyes. "Looks like someone still needs a lesson in manners."
"Blame my first master when I was five. All he could do was rant. I couldn't help picking it up."
Sirius's mouth twitched, but before he could respond, Nathan jumped in. "So, kid, have you made your choice?"
Atticus raised an eyebrow. "Choice?"
Lyanna stepped forward with a smile. "The news about your talent has spread, and practically all the families of Sector 3 are swarming the estate with offers. There's a small army of young girls trying to lock down the unparalleled talent of the Ravensteins." She gestured vaguely behind her, as if the estate was teeming with them.
Atticus shrugged, unphased. "I expected as much. I'll just have Mom refuse all of them." His tone was cold and detached, his eyes distant.
Lyanna grinned, clearly pleased with his response. "I knew I liked you for a reason. Ruthless. Just like me."
She waved her hand, and a young woman who had been standing at the back stepped forward. Isolde.
"This is my daughter, Isolde," Lyanna said. "She's single, very calm, and would support you well. She's also really good at pleasu—"
"Mom," Isolde interrupted, her voice as cold as ice. Her gaze remained fixed on Atticus, but it was clear she was not amused by her mother's antics.
Lyanna waved her off without even looking at her. "So, what do you say?"
Atticus blinked, caught off guard. The area fell silent as he tried to gather his thoughts, but before he could speak, Lyanna continued.
"Or if you prefer an older woman, I wouldn't mind stepping in mysel—"
"Mom!" Isolde finally snapped, turning towards Lyanna.
Nathan was no longer holding back his laughter, clutching his sides as he howled. Even Sirius, usually serious and stoic, couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Atticus, however, was stunned into silence. The whole situation had escalated beyond his control, and he wasn't sure how to respond.
He glanced at Isolde, who looked as though she wanted to disappear into the ground, and then back at Lyanna, who was completely unfazed by her daughter's mortification.
The other Ravensteins behind the trio, who were all master- to master+ ranks and dressed for training, watched the scene with amusement and amazement. It was rare to see a 16-year-old speaking so casually with the Three Stars, let alone bantering with them, even though he was the family head's son. They couldn't help but focus on Atticus Ravenstein, the boy in question.
As they did, many immediately averted their gazes. His presence was overwhelming and intense, and beyond that, the pressure of his will, unknowingly exerted on his surroundings, was immense.
The grandmasters close to him seemed unaffected, but the master ranks were different.
Only one thought appeared in their heads: everything they had heard about his exploits was true.
Everyone alive and present in the Ravenstein estate during the war and attack had seen what happened. As days passed, the news spread.
Initially, many claimed it was a lie, but it didn't take long for the higher-ups to confirm it. Word soon spread that the only son of the family head, Atticus Ravenstein, was a genius like none the human domain had ever seen.
It sent shockwaves through the Ravenstein ranks, and soon enough, the other families started hearing the news.
They each went through the same shock. However, considering the news came from the so-called madmen of the human domain—a family that valued strength and honor above all—the others quickly believed it, and, as expected, immediately acted.
Sirius clapped Atticus on the back, his grin widening. "Welcome back, kid. Payback feels good, doesn't it?"
Atticus could only shake his head, a small smile forming despite himself.