Thomas adjusted the strap of his leather satchel as he walked down the cobblestone path toward Millhaven's library. The afternoon sun cast dappled shadows through the oak trees that lined the route, creating a pleasant atmosphere that matched his current mood. His morning training session with Master Kellor had gone exceptionally well—he'd finally managed to maintain a sustained lightning arc for over thirty seconds without losing control.
Progress, he thought with satisfaction. Real, measurable improvement.
As the future village chief, Thomas had always been expected to excel in his attribute development. The position came with responsibilities that extended beyond simple leadership—he would need to be capable of defending Millhaven if circumstances required it. His grandfather, the current village chief, had made that clear from an early age.
"A leader who can't protect his people isn't a leader at all," the old man had said countless times during Thomas's childhood. "Lightning magic is powerful, but it's only as useful as the person wielding it."
The library came into view as he rounded the bend, its stone facade looking particularly welcoming in the afternoon light. Thomas had developed a genuine appreciation for the building's quiet atmosphere and extensive collection over the years. Unlike some of his peers who found reading tedious, Thomas understood that knowledge was just as important as magical power when it came to effective leadership.
Today's mission was research-focused. Master Kellor had mentioned some advanced lightning manipulation techniques that were supposedly documented in historical texts, and Thomas was eager to find references that might help him push his attribute development further. The conventional training methods were useful, but Thomas had always been encouraged to seek out additional knowledge wherever he could find it.
The village elders expect excellence, he reminded himself. And excellence requires going beyond the basics.
As Thomas approached the library's heavy wooden doors, he caught sight of movement through one of the large windows. Someone was sitting at the reading table near the northeast corner—the spot that got the best natural light during afternoon hours. Even from this distance, Thomas could recognize the figure.
Aeon, he realized with interest. The new arrival with the interesting attribute.
Thomas paused in his approach, studying the scene through the window more carefully. Aeon was surrounded by several thick volumes that looked like they covered political and historical topics rather than magical theory. But more intriguingly, the younger boy's posture suggested he wasn't simply reading—he appeared to be in some kind of distress.
That's not the look of someone learning about trade routes, Thomas observed with growing interest. That's the look of someone who just discovered something that changes everything.
As the future village chief, Thomas had been trained to notice details that others might miss. His grandfather had spent years teaching him to read people's expressions, to understand the subtle signs that indicated when someone was dealing with information that went beyond their comfort zone.
He's terrified, Thomas realized. Whatever he found in those books has completely shaken him.
The observation triggered a series of thoughts that had been developing in the back of Thomas's mind ever since Aeon's arrival in Millhaven. The younger boy possessed an attribute that Master Kellor had described as "unprecedented" and "potentially revolutionary." His testing results had been unusual enough that even the experienced instructor seemed intrigued by the possibilities.
Rare attributes often come with exceptional capabilities, Thomas mused, remembering lessons from his political education. And exceptional capabilities can be valuable assets when properly directed.
The reality of Thomas's future position was that he would eventually need people he could trust completely—individuals whose loyalty was absolute and whose abilities complemented his own leadership strengths. Lightning magic was powerful, but it was primarily offensive in nature. Having access to someone with defensive or utility capabilities could provide strategic advantages that pure attack power couldn't match.
Aeon's barriers completely stopped Master Kellor's test attacks, Thomas remembered. That's not just defensive capability—that's perfect protection when applied correctly.
More importantly, Aeon was young enough that proper guidance could shape his development in directions that would be mutually beneficial. Unlike adults who came to Millhaven with established loyalties and complicated histories, someone Aeon's age could potentially be molded into exactly the kind of trusted ally that effective leadership required.
He's an outsider with no existing connections, Thomas thought, considering the political implications. No family obligations, no pre-existing loyalties to competing interests. If handled correctly, his primary allegiance could be to Millhaven itself—and to its leadership.
The strategic possibilities were fascinating. Someone with truly exceptional defensive capabilities, combined with absolute loyalty and no competing obligations, could serve as both personal protection and a valuable asset in the kinds of delicate situations that village leadership occasionally required.
Guards and advisors chosen from within the village have family connections that can create conflicts of interest, Thomas reflected, drawing on lessons his grandfather had taught him about the complexities of local politics. But someone like Aeon, properly cultivated, could have undivided loyalty.
There was also the question of Aeon's current psychological state. Whatever he had discovered in those books had clearly shaken him badly, which suggested that he was dealing with information that made him feel vulnerable or threatened. People in that kind of situation often appreciated having someone strong and reliable to turn to for guidance and protection.
If I approach this correctly, I could position myself as the person he turns to when he needs help, Thomas realized. Someone who provides stability and direction when his world feels uncertain.
The timing seemed almost perfect. Aeon was new to Millhaven, clearly intelligent enough to understand complex political information, possessed an unprecedented attribute, and was currently in a state of mind where he would likely appreciate having a knowledgeable ally.
Building that kind of relationship takes time and careful handling, Thomas reminded himself. But the foundation could be established right now, while he's feeling uncertain and in need of guidance.
Beyond the strategic considerations, Thomas was genuinely curious about what Aeon had discovered. The books he was reading appeared to be general references about inter-realm politics and the Valerian Empire—not the kind of material that typically caused profound psychological distress in casual readers.
Unless he's not a casual reader, Thomas thought with growing interest. Unless there's something about his background that makes this information personally relevant in ways that aren't immediately obvious.
The possibility added another layer of intrigue to the situation. If Aeon had some kind of connection to the broader political landscape—if his reaction to the material was based on personal knowledge rather than general shock—then cultivating a relationship with him could provide access to information and perspectives that would be valuable for future village leadership.
Either way, this is an opportunity, Thomas concluded. Either to build a relationship with someone who could become a valuable ally, or to gather information about something that's clearly significant enough to cause this kind of reaction.
Thomas could see that Aeon's hands were visibly trembling as he stared at whatever passage had captured his attention. The younger boy's breathing appeared shallow and rapid, and there was a pallor to his complexion that suggested he might be fighting off nausea.
He's completely overwhelmed, Thomas observed. This is exactly the right moment to establish myself as someone he can turn to for support and guidance.
The approach would need to be carefully calibrated. Too direct an inquiry might seem invasive or threatening, but appearing completely oblivious to his obvious distress would miss the opportunity to position himself as perceptive and concerned. The goal was to come across as someone who noticed important details but could be trusted with sensitive information.
Start with genuine concern, establish myself as someone who understands that the world can be more complicated and dangerous than it appears, Thomas planned. Then see how much he's willing to share and adjust accordingly.
As Thomas pushed through the library's heavy wooden doors, he nodded politely to Librarian Oswald but kept his primary focus on Aeon's table. The younger boy was so absorbed in whatever he was reading that he hadn't noticed Thomas's arrival, which suggested that whatever information he was processing was consuming his complete attention.
Perfect timing, Thomas thought, gathering his resolve and beginning to walk toward Aeon's table. Let's see what kind of opportunity this really represents.