The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family - Chapter 214

Chapter 214: Silent Birthday
“The decision of this council is as follows,” Roman continued, his voice carrying the weight of imperial authority. “In consideration of both bloodline claims and the unprecedented nature of the situation, custody of Klaus Lionhart shall be divided.”

Alexandra’s breath caught. Divided custody was virtually unheard of in matters of bloodline inheritance—a solution so rarely implemented that many considered it merely theoretical.

“The physical recovery and care of Klaus Lionhart will remain under Lionhart supervision, here at the main estate,” Roman declared, his eyes briefly meeting Reizhor’s across the chamber. “However, the Beast Emperor shall be granted equal authority in all decisions regarding treatment protocols and healing approaches.”

Murmurs rippled through the attendants at the chamber’s edges. Reizhor’s expression remained carefully neutral, though something flickered in his golden eyes—not quite satisfaction, not quite disappointment.

“Furthermore,” Roman continued, “should Klaus Lionhart regain consciousness, a second determination shall be made regarding his ongoing education and training in both bloodline arts. Until such time, both the Lionhart family and the Beast Emperor shall have equal visitation and consultation rights.”

Queen Sylvana leaned forward slightly. “And what of the matter regarding his status as a potential Apostle? The texts suggest special considerations.”

“Monitoring of his condition as it relates to the entity Gluttony shall be a shared responsibility,” Roman replied. “Any changes in status must be immediately reported to all members of this council.”

“Acceptable,” Empress Lirelle nodded, the metal circlet in her silver-white hair catching the light. “The continental implications extend beyond family considerations.”

The Beast Emperor rose from his bone throne, his massive form commanding immediate attention. “While I accept this division of authority, I must note a practical constraint. The treatment methodologies I propose require rare components, some of which have not been seen since the Third Age.” His golden eyes fixed on Roman. “My researchers estimate a considerable time will be needed to locate and prepare these materials.”

Roman’s expression remained impassive. “What timeframe do you anticipate?”

“A minimum of one year,” Reizhor stated. “Perhaps longer, depending on the difficulty of acquiring certain extinct botanical specimens.”

A ripple of surprise passed through the chamber. Such a delay was unprecedented for a matter of this importance.

“The boy’s condition is stable but unchanged,” Reizhor continued before anyone could object. “The Ethereal Confluence’s work has prevented further deterioration. This gives us the time needed to properly prepare a treatment with genuine hope of success, rather than hasty interventions that risk further damage.”

Roman studied his counterpart, clearly weighing the sincerity of this claim against potential hidden motives. “Very well. The Lionhart family will continue current stabilization protocols during this research period. You will provide quarterly reports on your progress.”

“Agreed,” Reizhor nodded. “I will leave a small contingent of my personal staff to monitor the boy’s condition and continue preliminary research.”

“This council is adjourned,” Roman announced, rising from his throne of ice. “We shall reconvene when the Beast Emperor’s preparations are complete or should significant changes in Klaus Lionhart’s condition warrant immediate action.”

As the monarchs stood, the atmosphere in the chamber shifted—energies that had been held in careful check during the formal proceedings now swirled more freely. The circle broke as attendants moved forward to escort their respective rulers.

Alexandra remained at the center, waiting to be dismissed, when she sensed someone approach. Turning, she found Reizhor standing before her, his immense height forcing her to look up to meet his gaze.

“You described what happened at Northwatch with unusual precision,” the Beast Emperor rumbled, his voice pitched for her ears alone. “But I sense there were details you chose not to share.”

Alexandra maintained her composure despite the intimidating proximity of the legendary ruler. “I shared what I witnessed, Emperor Reizhor.”

His golden eyes, so reminiscent of Elisabeth’s, studied her face with predatory intensity. “You know more about my grandson than you revealed today. Knowledge that might prove critical to his recovery.”

It wasn’t a question, and Alexandra offered no denial. Instead, she said simply, “My loyalty is to Klaus.”

Something like approval flickered across Reizhor’s fierce features. “Loyalty is a trait the Raikra bloodline values highly. Perhaps there is more of your aunt in you than appears at first glance.” He stepped back, his massive form seeming to fill the space around him. “We will speak again in due time. A year is but a moment when measured against the life of one with potential such as his.”

With that cryptic statement, he turned and departed, his attendants closing around him like a living shadow.

*

*

*

One month later, Alexandra stood outside the Frost Chamber, a small package carefully wrapped in blue paper tucked under her arm. The guards at the entrance nodded respectfully as she approached.

“Lady Alexandra,” one acknowledged. “Here to see the young master again?”

“Yes,” she replied simply. “Is anyone else with him?”

“Lady Elisabeth arrived a short while ago. Lord Raphael completed his morning examination and departed.”

Alexandra nodded her thanks and entered the chamber. Inside, the perpetual twilight created by the frost crystals remained unchanged, bathing everything in soft blue-white light. Klaus lay on the raised platform at the center, still and unresponsive as he had been since their return from Northwatch. The preservation runes pulsed gently around him, maintaining the stasis that kept his physical condition stable.

Elisabeth sat beside the platform, one hand resting on Klaus’s, the other curved protectively around her growing belly. She looked up as Alexandra entered, offering a tired smile.

“Alexandra. I’d hoped you would come today.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Alexandra replied, approaching the platform. “Thirteen years old today. Not how any of us imagined he would spend it.”

She placed the small package at the foot of the platform—a ritual she knew was meaningless to Klaus in his current state, but important for those who waited for his return.

Elisabeth’s gaze softened as she looked at her son’s still face. “I’ve been telling him stories about his early birthdays. Do you remember his fifth? When he insisted on having the Sword Selection Ceremony on his birthday?”

Alexandra smiled faintly. “He was so determined. Uncle Ludovic thought it was too soon, but Klaus wouldn’t be deterred.”

“He’s always been that way. Determined beyond reason.” Elisabeth’s voice caught slightly. “I just never imagined his determination would lead him here.”

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the only sound the soft humming of the preservation runes. Alexandra studied Klaus’s face, searching for any sign of change. The Ethereal Confluence’s stabilization had prevented further deterioration of his fragmented consciousness, but had brought him no closer to awakening.

“My father’s researchers arrived yesterday,” Elisabeth said finally, breaking the silence. “They’ve taken samples and measurements, but they say the actual treatment development will take months, possibly longer.”

“Do you believe that’s the real reason for the delay?” Alexandra asked carefully.

Elisabeth sighed, her free hand absently stroking her belly. “With my father, there are always layers of purpose. Perhaps he truly needs time to develop an effective treatment. Or perhaps he’s seeking leverage, or waiting for some cosmic alignment, or simply asserting his authority by making Roman wait.”

Alexandra considered this. “The Beast Emperor seemed genuinely concerned for Klaus. Despite everything else.”

“He is,” Elisabeth acknowledged. “In his way. But Reizhor Raikra has never allowed sentiment to overrule strategy. Whatever treatment he eventually proposes will serve multiple purposes beyond merely helping Klaus.”

Alexandra hesitated, then asked the question that had been on her mind since the council’s decision. “Why did you never tell Klaus about his connection to the Beast Emperor?”

A shadow passed over Elisabeth’s face. “There is… history between my father and me. When I chose to remain with Ludovic after his core shattered, when I refused to return to my father’s domain…” She shook her head. “Reizhor Raikra is not a man who accepts defiance easily, even from his only daughter.”

“But surely Klaus deserved to know?”

“Perhaps,” Elisabeth admitted. “But knowledge of his dual bloodline would have complicated his path. The Lionhart training was challenging enough without adding the expectations of the Beast Emperor lineage.”

She looked down at her pregnant belly, a protective hand cradling the new life growing there. “I wanted him to find his own way, free from the weight of competing legacies.”

Alexandra understood the sentiment, though she wondered if Klaus’s path might have been easier had he known the truth of his heritage earlier. Would proper training in both family traditions have better prepared him for what happened at Northwatch? Might it have given him additional defenses against Gluttony’s possession?

Questions without answers, at least for now.

“How is Dudu?” she asked, changing the subject.

Elisabeth’s expression softened slightly. “Growing stronger each day, though still distressed by Klaus’s condition. The handlers my father left behind observe it constantly, documenting its development.”

“It seems unusually intelligent,” Alexandra noted, recalling her few interactions with the beast.

“More than even my father anticipated, I believe.” Elisabeth’s golden eyes, so like Reizhor’s, held a hint of pride. “Klaus always had a gift for seeing potential others missed.”

A soft chime echoed through the chamber—the signal that their allotted visitation time was ending. The Ethereal Confluence had established strict protocols to maintain the stability of Klaus’s condition, including limited exposure to outside influences.

Elisabeth rose reluctantly, placing a gentle kiss on Klaus’s forehead. “Happy birthday, my son,” she whispered. “Find your way back to us.”

As they turned to leave, Alexandra cast one final glance back at the motionless figure on the platform. For a moment—so brief she might have imagined it—she thought she saw a flicker of darkness pass across Klaus’s face, like a shadow that existed independent of the chamber’s lighting.

When she blinked, it was gone.

Outside the Frost Chamber, Elisabeth pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, though the corridor wasn’t particularly cold. “Will you continue to observe my father’s researchers?”

“Yes,” Alexandra confirmed. “Roman has assigned me to monitor their activities and report directly to him.”

Elisabeth nodded, unsurprised. “Watch carefully, then. My father plays a long game, always. And despite the council’s decision, his priority will be what benefits the Raikra bloodline, not necessarily what’s best for Klaus.”

As they parted ways—Elisabeth returning to the Annex Mansion, Alexandra to her assigned quarters in the main estate—neither noticed the faint tremor that passed through the floor beneath their feet, nor the momentary fluctuation in the frost crystals lining the corridor walls.

Deep within the Frost Chamber, beneath layers of preservation runes and healing enchantments, Klaus Lionhart’s consciousness stirred. Not awakening, not yet emerging from the fractured state that had held him since Northwatch, but shifting—like a dreamer turning in troubled sleep, moving from one dream to another.

And in the depths of that fragmented mind, memories began to surface. Not memories of Klaus Lionhart, son of Elisabeth and Ludovic. But older memories, from a life lived before.

Memories of Klaus Zagerfield, the mage who had died and somehow returned…..