Choosen by Goddess Hela, I became the Silent Death.

Somewhere in the Kingdom of Eldhaven, within the ancient halls of the Lightbringer Stronghold—

A soldier strode briskly down a torch-lit corridor, carrying a sealed letter stamped with the Lightbringer crest. He stopped before a heavy oak door and knocked three times in quick succession.

"Lord Merlin," he called, voice steady, "a letter for you. It's from Lord Arthur."

The door creaked open. Merlin, tall and severe in his scholar's robes, took the letter without a word and gestured for the soldier to leave.

The young man bowed low, then hurried back down the hallway until his footsteps faded into silence.

Merlin closed the door, locked it with a soft click, and moved to his desk. He broke the wax seal with deliberate care.

Unfolding the parchment, he began to read:

Dear Father,

I hope you are well. All is quiet in the kingdom, for the most part. But there is urgent news I must share. The pact with the Rivenhart family was dissolved a few days ago. Ash has entered Ironholt—and he is not alone. His companions are…interesting, to say the least.

More importantly, he caused quite a commotion at the registry. In front of a hall full of witnesses, the boy used the Lightpiercer Fang.

Merlin's eyes widened, the letter trembling slightly in his hand.

Then he laughed—low at first, then louder, the sound echoing off the stone walls.

"It seems the Lightbringers still have an heir," he murmured, wonder in his voice. "We have not lost all hope after all."

His fist came down on the desk with a sharp thud.

"I knew it," he whispered fiercely. "Seraphine was right to protect that child. She always refused to abandon him."

His eyes gleamed with purpose as he folded the letter carefully.

"I will see him myself."

At Ironholt

Ash held the letter of acceptance in his hands, feeling the weight of it.

"All I need to do now is take the examination, correct, Sir Lance?"

"You are right, Lord Ash." Sir Lance hesitated, his gaze thoughtful. "If I may…there is something I'd like to ask you."

Ash glanced at him curiously. "Of course. Is it urgent? We can speak inside the room if you prefer."

"Yes," Lance said quietly. "That would be best."

At the Inn

Ash walked straight toward his room, Sir Lance following behind. As they passed, Licia stepped out of her door, her face brightening when she saw them.

"I see you're in good spirits, little Ash," she teased.

Ash grinned. "I am. The registration is finished—only the exam stands in my way."

"Good news." Licia nodded approvingly. "I'm sure you'll do well." She glanced down the hall. "I'll see you at dinner. I need to visit an associate of mine here in Ironholt."

Ash raised an eyebrow, his tone mischievous.

"Oh? Care to tell me who this associate is?"

A faint blush colored Licia's cheeks. "He's with the Order of the Wyrm. I was going to tell him about you—about how you saved me, and how I ended up your elder sister instead of…well, just your mother's companion." She pouted dramatically.

Just then, Marianna appeared in the doorway, drawn by the commotion."Ash," she called softly, and stepped forward to hug him. Her embrace was warm and reassuring."Congratulations. I heard your registration was accepted."

Ash smiled, hugging her back. "Yes, Mother—it was."

Marianna hugged him tighter, as if she never wanted to let go.

Ash turned to Licia with a gentler expression."And to answer your question, Licia…I've always thought of you as my sister. Mother Marianna is my mother, and you—you were always family."

Licia sighed in mock defeat, though her eyes were shining. "Fine. But I'm still going to tell him about you."

Before Ash could reply, she turned on her heel and hurried off. He watched her go, wondering if her associate was the same knight he had faced earlier. Then he shrugged. The Order of the Wyrm was vast—surely it was just coincidence.

He turned back to Marianna.

"Mother, I have something to discuss privately with Sir Lance. I'll see you at dinner."

Marianna nodded, brushing a hand over his cheek before she returned to her room.

In Ash's Room

Once inside, Ash raised a hand and deployed a sound barrier that shimmered briefly before vanishing from sight.

"Now," he said, turning to Lance, "what was it you wanted to speak about? Is it about the Lightbringer sword style?"

Sir Lance's eyes widened. "H-how did you know that was my question?"

Ash chuckled. "It was a bluff—but it seems I was right."

He set the letter on the desk, then met Lance's gaze steadily."Sit down. I think you deserve to know everything."

And so Ash began to explain—about his mother, the pact that had bound his life to the Rivenharts, and the inheritance that had always been his birthright.

Sir Lance stared at him, stunned."So, Lord Ash…am I right to assume you were the true culprit behind Lord Varrick's death?"

Ash nodded without hesitation.

"Does Lady Marianna know about this?"

He nodded again.

Lance exhaled, sinking into a chair with a heavy sense of responsibility. He was sworn to protect Lady Marianna—and if Ash was her son, then protecting his secrets was part of that duty.

After a long moment of silence, Ash tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes."Now my turn to ask a question. Sir Lance—which Order were you from?"

A shadow crossed Lance's expression."I am a knight of the Order of the Veil," he said quietly. "And I recognized that dark power you used. It is very much like the shadows we wield to carry out assassinations."

Ash felt a spark of intrigue ignite in his chest. He rose abruptly, an idea already forming in his mind."I see. Interesting…"

Sir Lance hesitated, studying him closely."Lord Ash…so you truly possess affinities with both Light and Darkness—as well as Wind. Yet you still chose to keep that hidden?"

Ash smiled faintly, his eyes steady."I don't intend to use the power of Darkness while serving in the Order of Knights," he said. "But yes…I will use it when the time comes."

Sir Lance inclined his head, accepting the answer.

Without another word, Ash turned and strode from the room, his thoughts already focused on what lay ahead in Ironholt's arena.

At the Arena

Emily was standing beside the examiner, deep in conversation, when she caught sight of Ash approaching. She cleared her throat quickly."Sir Marcus—that's him," she murmured. "The boy I told you about. His name is Ash. He has affinities with Light and Wind…and he used the Lightbringer sword style in the registry."

Marcus turned to look at her, his brow lifting."Is that true?"

Emily nodded. "I saw it with my own eyes."

As Ash reached them, Marcus stepped forward and handed him a folded parchment sealed with the Knight's insignia."Candidate Ash, you are hereby accepted into the Order of Knights," Marcus declared, his voice firm but friendly. "You are exempted from the examination. You may now choose your faction and submit your form here."

Ash blinked, then let out a disappointed sigh."Really? You're no fun. I was hoping to spar with some extraordinary knight today."

Marcus chuckled. "Ash, when word spread you demonstrated a Lightbringer form, that alone was enough. A duel would be…redundant."

Ash's expression softened, and he smiled wryly."My full name used to be Rivenhart," he said quietly. "But now it's just Ash. Soon enough, I'll have a new name worthy of remembering."

Marcus regarded him with an approving smile."I like your spirit, kid. I'm Marcus—examiner for this intake. It's good to meet you."

"The feeling is mutual, Sir Marcus."

Ash took the form, quickly ticking Order of the Light as his first preference and Order of the Veil as the second. He handed the form back with a respectful bow.

Then, catching Emily's eye, he winked playfully. Her cheeks flushed pink as she ducked her head to hide her smile.

Morning came, bright and cold, with sunlight streaming through the shutters. A crisp knock sounded at the door, and a courier in the Knight's livery handed Ash an official parchment bearing the Order's seal.

Breaking it open, he read:

"Candidate Ash has been formally accepted into the Order of the Light. The candidate is hereby summoned to the Head Office to discuss and confirm the preference to join the Order of the Veil as a secondary designation."

Ash felt a slow, steady smile spread across his face.

This was it—the first step on the road to reclaiming everything he had lost, and to forging a legacy worthy of the Lightbringer name.

His journey had truly begun.