CHAPTER THIRTEEN: RETURN AFTER SUMMER
"The Prince Has Leveled Up"
đ€ïžÂ Malibu Hills â First Day of School After Summer Break
It was a Monday painted in sunshine.
The morning air carried hints of ocean breeze and fresh-cut grass. Birds chirped from rooftops, and the playground at Malibu Hills Private Academy had erupted into summer-fueled chaos.
Children darted between jungle gyms. Bright backpacks clattered. Ice-cream stories and summer vacation legends were exchanged like prized currency.
And thenâ
A black Rolls-Royce Phantom drifted up the drive.
Not roared. Not parked.
Glided.
Conversation dimmed. A few kids near the entrance slowed, then stopped, eyes fixed on the car.
The back door opened with a soft mechanical whisper.
And Velmir Elvaris stepped out.
đ The Glow-Up
Velmir had always been handsome.
But this was no longer cute, or charming, or innocent.
This was cinematic.
At ten years old (allegedly), he now stood with effortless grace. His tailored uniform fit like it had been made by a silent order of monastic tailors sworn to elegance. A silver pin rested at his collar â subtle, custom-forged.
His hair was darker than before, cut with careful asymmetry. His eyes, silver-blue, caught the light unnaturally â as if refracting starlight itself.
His expression was calm. Regal. Almost amused.
Inside, howeverâŠ
"This is the moment. The reveal. Don't trip. Don't glow. Don't sparkle. Maintain dragon dignity."
đČ Reactions â The Trio Returns
Three heads peeked out from behind the stone pillar near the fountain â Elliot, Mina, and Julian.
Mina gasped, pointing. "He got taller again! That's illegal."
Julian muttered, "That's not a kid. That's a mid-season anime boss pretending to be one."
Elliot squinted. "I swear⊠he glowed for a second. Like a tiny shimmer."
They exchanged a look.
Then bolted.
"VELMIR!" Mina sprinted across the pavement, dragging the other two with her like twin comets.
Velmir turned. Smiled just enough.
"Hello again."
Elliot arrived first. "Dude, where were you all summer?! You vanished like a secret agent on a smoothie sabbatical!"
"I wish," Velmir said, voice light. "I was⊠training."
Julian raised a brow. "Training? Like martial arts? Or the floating-on-a-mountain-top kind?"
Velmir paused.
"âŠYes."
đ In the Classroom â The Aura Has Evolved
The classroom smelled the sameâeraser shavings, dry-erase markers, faint glue stick.
But the atmosphere was different.
Velmir entered without effort. He bowed to the teacher. He offered his extra pencil to a classmate. He corrected a math problem with quiet tact.
Even Ms. Lynn, unfazed by chaos and glitter explosions, blinked when he greeted her with a warm, "Good morning, Miss Lynn."
From behind him, someone whispered:
"That's not a fifth grader. That's a diplomat sent from the future."
đ„âĄïžÂ FLASHBACK â Two Weeks Ago
Underground Simulation Room â Elvaris Estate
Stone. Steel. Magic.
Velmir stood shirtless in the center of the chamber. Wings hidden. Muscles coiled. Palms glowing.
"Great Sage. Begin Elemental Fusion Attempt. Tier 3."
"Acknowledged. FireâPoisonâAir configuration. Warning: unstable."
In one hand, fire â deep crimson. In the other, a toxic mist laced with wind.
He merged them.
BOOM.
The chamber shook. Flames licked the edge of the containment runes.
When the smoke cleared, hovering above his palmâŠ
A violet-edged flame. Alive. Breathing. Whispering heat and venom.
[Skill Acquired: Hellfire Manipulation]
Note: Do not use near kitchens.
Velmir smiled.
Lightning crackled in his other handâcompressed, blackened, humming with speed and silence.
[Skill Acquired: Black Lightning]
Dramatic Effect: 11/10.
He exhaled, satisfied.
"Summer vacation: productive."
𧠠Great Sage Commentary (Back Then)
"Warning: Combining Hellfire and Black Lightning may induce spatial fractures."
"Also: Excessive coolness."
"âŠAcceptable risk," Velmir replied.
đ§Â Back to Present â Lunchtime
The trio gathered under a tree.
Velmir sipped juice from a box. Mina flipped through her tablet. Elliot inhaled a sandwich like it owed him money.
"You still haven't told us what you did," Mina said, frowning.
Velmir tilted his head.
Unlocked eldritch fusion flame, hunted a poison-lizard hybrid, accidentally created a localized black hole for three seconds. Nothing major.
"âŠWatched movies. Learned some chemistry. Played piano."
Julian choked. "A bit of chemistry?! You corrected the teacher on hydrogen bond decay!"
Velmir gave a faint smile. "I have⊠good retention."
"Understatement detected," Elliot muttered.
đ§©Â After School â Departure
As students filtered toward their rides, Velmir walked with Mina and Elliot toward the gate.
"I'm glad you're back," Mina said softly.
"Yeah," Elliot added, nudging him. "The vibe's better with you around."
Velmir stopped for half a breath.
Inside, warmth flickered. Not magic. Just⊠something old. Familiar.
"I'll stay," he said.
"Until what?" Julian called from behind. "The sun explodes?"
Velmir's smile widened just slightly.
"Exactly."
đ That Night â Elvaris Balcony
In his older form now, Velmir stood on the marble balcony, shirt unbuttoned, silver-blue hair brushing the wind.
On one hand: Hellfire â small, contained, smoldering.
On the other: Black Lightning â tight, fast, silent.
The stars above blinked. The ocean murmured below.
"Great Sage."
"Listening, Master."
"âŠToday was good."
"Emotion registered: joy. Social bonds strengthened. Magicule balance optimal. Combat routines ready. SHIELD surveillance pattern noted. No breach yet."
Velmir closed his eyes.
"Let's protect this life. This version. This⊠peace."
"Understood. Updating purpose: not only survival⊠but preservation."
[END OF CHAPTER THIRTEEN]