Chapter 2 — The Capital SORRISO

  Useless. Pathetic. Failure. Those words clung to me like mud, even as sweat dripped during endless training.

  No matter how hard I tried… why couldn’t I be like my brothers? Why, even as the son of the Thunderous Phantom, did I feel made only of shadow and shame?

  As I raised the wooden staff for the hundredth time, I could hear the familiar mocking laughter in the distance.

  — Hahaha! We’ve told you before, Lukas! — scoffed Maycon. — It’s useless! — No matter how hard you try, — Lyncon added — you’ll never manifest aura or master the sword. — You’re not even fit to be a mage. Face it: you were born a mistake.

  Maicon and Lyncon. My brothers. My tormentors.

  — Don’t you have anything better to do? — I muttered, not looking at them. — Oh, we do! — Maicon laughed. — We’re here to remind you every day what a failure you are!

  But it doesn’t matter. Even if they mock me, shove me, beat me… I refuse to give up.

  Then… a sudden wind cut through the air. *Whoosh!* A rosy gust scattered dust and leaves around us.

  — HEY! — Maicon shouted, covering his eyes. — What is this dust?!

  — You never learn, do you? — said a voice that warmed my heart.

  Leli. My younger sister. Twelve years old. Aura as pink as dawn. And the only one who truly saw me.

  — What are you doing to Lukas again? — She crossed her arms, eyes sharp. — Uh… we were just… — Maicon glanced away. — Encouraging him! — Lyncon tried to disguise, sweating. — He needs more training, right? We’re brothers! Hahaha…

  — Tch… — Leli sighed. — Brothers of who, exactly? Shame?

  Both paled. — We’re leaving! — they said in unison, vanishing before she put them in the dirt again.

  She looked at me, serious. — Are you alright?

  I nodded, awkward. — Thanks. But I could’ve handled it…

  — Sure. I saw you handling it pretty well… with your face almost on the ground, — she smirked. — Leli… — Relax. I didn’t come just to save you. I have news. — What is it?

  She leaned closer, eyes sparkling with mischief. — You’re the first to know: I’ve been accepted into the Delos Academy!

  I froze. — D-Delos? Already? But… you’re only twelve!

  — Prodigies have no age, brother! — She grinned. — Our eldest sister recommended me, and Luiz — you know, the perfect brother — pulled some strings too. They say the Headmaster owed him a favor after an incident in Bragan?a.

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  — That’s… amazing. Really. Congratulations.

  Her smile softened for a moment. — But you… you’re sad inside, aren’t you?

  — I… I just wish I could be strong too. At least a little. Just enough not to be the family’s embarrassment. Not the only one… who achieved nothing.

  She stared firmly at me. — Those idiots only bully you because they’re jealous. They don’t have anything of Father. Not in looks. Not in heart. But you… you’re the living copy of Kyros in his prime.

  — Only on the outside. — Maybe. But who knows… — She smirked. — Maybe one day they’ll call you the Thunderous Phantom… or the Black Thunder?

  — Stop it, Leli. You’re teasing me. — A little. But I also mean it.

  She turned and started walking away, her rosy aura still glowing like magic dust around her.

  — Hey, Leli… why do you always protect me?

  She stopped. — Because you’re my brother. And I believe in you… even when you don’t believe in yourself. If you ever need me, send a letter. I’ll come back to save you. Hahaha!

  And she was gone.

  I was left alone in the training field. The staff in my hand. My fists trembling. That girl… she surpassed me long ago. And yet… she still looks at me as if I were someone important.

  But I’ll get stronger. Wait for me, sister. I’ll surpass them all. I’ll become the greatest Patriarch this family has ever seen. Even after I die… no one will surpass me.

  The next Thunderous Phantom. Or the Black Thunder. Doesn’t sound too bad. Yeah! Straight to the top. I’ll carve my mark into history.

  That’s when I heard hurried footsteps.

  — Young master Lukas! — shouted Le?ncio, breathless. — What’s all this commotion?

  — Your father… requests your presence immediately.

  My eyes widened. — M-My presence? The Patriarch called me?

  — Yes, sir. He awaits in the throne hall. — But… why? — I don’t know, but the castle is in an uproar. Today is the Festival of Capital Sorriso, after all.

  I took a deep breath. My heart pounded like a war drum. My father… called for me. For the first time in years.

  — Take me to him.

  End of Chapter 2