The other dukes, standing a short distance away, exchanged uneasy glances. They could hardly believe what they had just witnessed.
The sheer destruction and magnitude of the attack Julian unleashed were far beyond anything they had expected to see from a veteran mage let alone from someone young like Julian.
Whispers rippled through them as their minds raced with questions.
“How can a mage so young wield such devastating power?” one duke muttered under his breath, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Another nodded, his face pale. “That level… it surpasses even the might of an Arch Mage. This… this is something else entirely.”
Their expressions mirrored a growing sense of worry and awe. They had come to respect Julian’s talents, but this was on a scale they had never anticipated.
It was as if they were witnessing a force that no one, not even the most experienced among them, could control. The realization that Julian had tapped into such power left them questioning not only his abilities but what it might mean for the future.
Duke Alden, his face etched with confusion, asked, “What are you saying, Julian? How could you release such power? What is your realm?”
Julian, despite his injuries, laughed softly and replied, “Father, I have reached the Sacred Mage realm.”
Alden’s brow furrowed even more. “But that power… it touched the threshold of an Archmage’s strength. How is that possible?”
Julian’s smile lingered, though his body was clearly exhausted. “It’s not just about the realm, Father. The technique I used… it combines two forces that push me beyond my current limits.”
Alden stared at his son, realizing just how dangerous and powerful Julian had become, a mixture of pride and concern welling within him.
Julian, still catching his breath, looked at his father and said, “As you can see, I can’t fully control it yet. Just using it once… I nearly died.”
He glanced down at his battered arms and bloodied body, the toll of the attack clear.
Duke Alden’s face grew more serious, concern deepening in his eyes. “You pushed yourself too far, Julian. That kind of power… it’s not something to use recklessly.”
Julian nodded, his smile fading slightly. “I know, Father.”
Although Julian had openly revealed that he had reached the Sacred Mage realm, the dukes and duchesses exchanged uneasy glances.
They all understood that the power he had just displayed went beyond their understanding, something even they had to fear.
The intensity of his attack and the sheer destruction left in its wake showed a potential far beyond the Sacred Mage realm, touching a level that could challenge even the Arch Mages.
In that moment, they realized that Julian was no longer just a talented young mage, he had become someone whose power could shake the entire magical hierarchy.
The queen stood at a distance, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. Unlike the others, whose faces were filled with concern or astonishment, her gaze held a cold, unexplainable disgust.
It was as though she wasn’t looking at her grandson, but at an enemy. Her lips pressed into a thin line, betraying no emotion other than a deep-seated disdain that simmered just beneath the surface.
While everyone else marveled at Julian’s power, the queen’s expression remained hard, as though his strength was a threat, not a triumph.
The queen’s hand curled into a tight fist, her knuckles turning white as she watched Julian. Her anger was barely contained, simmering just beneath the surface.
The tension in her posture betrayed her inner turmoil, her eyes fixed on Julian with a cold, piercing stare. It was clear that the display of his immense power had triggered something deep within her, something far darker than mere disapproval.
The sight of her grandson, wounded but smiling after unleashing such destructive force, only seemed to fuel her anger further.
Duke Alden and Regina excused themselves as the duke carried Julian. The onlookers too, soon made way to their own castle.
As Duke Alden carried Julian into his room, the sight that greeted them was unexpected. Julia and Isabel were nestled together in his bed, their peaceful expressions contrasting sharply with the chaos of the outside world.
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the two girls, their bodies intertwined as if seeking peace in each other.
Alden carefully laid Julian down on the bed beside them, ensuring not to disturb their slumber. He couldn’t help but feel a mixture of concern and confusion, what kind of situation had Julian found himself in?
As he observed the scene, Alden’s mind raced with thoughts of responsibility, power, and the consequences of Julian’s actions.
He glanced back at his son, the bloodied yet smiling face of a young man who had just tapped into a boarder of untamed power, and felt a tightening in his chest.
Would this newfound strength lead to more chaos, or could it be harnessed for the good of their family and kingdom?
Regina entered the room just in time to catch the sight of Julian, Julia, and Isabel all together. A soft smile spread across her face as she looked at her son, who had grown in ways she could hardly comprehend.
With a teasing tone, she said, “My son has grown. Look at you, Julian, not just in strength but panionship as well.”
She approached the bed, her gaze softening as she observed the peacefulness of Julia and Isabel.
“Though I must say, you certainly know how to keep interesting company,” she added with a playful wink.
Regina’s heart swelled with a mix of pride and maternal instinct, even amid the chaos surrounding them. She could see that Julian was no longer just a boy; he was becoming a man, with ambitions and power that could shape their world.