Angelic Predator:Trust Me, I'm Sane

{Elarion, Age 6 – POV}

Six.

Almost seven.

It had been three years since Marcus Bridgelin walked into my life with a book in one hand and a basket of pastries in the other.

Three years since Danny threw a rock at a tree, missed, and hit me instead—then asked me to be his friend.

I'd grown taller. Stronger. Sharper.

But more than that… I'd grown quieter.

Not the cold, empty kind of quiet I used to carry—but the kind that came from watching the sun set with someone beside you. The kind that comes from peace you never trusted, but secretly needed.

That was something I missed every day, such peaceful days with no role to play for me.

But I know, nothing remains forever, just like these fleeting moments of- peace.

---

My lessons were ending soon.

Marcus had taught me everything I didn't already know—politics, literature, foreign languages, noble law, and the refined logic of strategy.

I acted like I listened but I planned further in my mind, sharpening my senses even when we were just sitting in the classroom, I could hear the chirping of birds from far away and the footsteps of people even if light.

Wasting time? Not on my watch.

Ofcourse I won't act ignorant, I still reviewed them all since I was out of touch but as always I am sharp in thse things, so I only needed a review not all over again.

Sharpening my senses also took part in it.

And;

Danny, despite being two years older and a commoner, had often joined in. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

And now, Marcus stood in front of me in the private study, the last book closed in his hand.

> "You've completed the entire curriculum, Elarion," he said, voice calm but heavy. "Your official education under me ends this week."

> "I know," I replied.

No celebration. No childish joy.

Just acknowledgment.

> "You're far beyond your age. Probably beyond me in a few years," he added with a proud, bittersweet smile.

> "I'm already ahead," I said, not arrogantly—just stating fact.

He laughed softly. "You are."

But his eyes lingered on me with a small gentle smile.

I didn't ask why.

---

Danny found out by accident.

He burst into the study with a half-finished map in his hand and froze when he saw the packed bookshelf and the closed ink jars.

> "Wait... you're done?" he asked, blinking.

> "Yes."

He stood in silence, then walked up to me and shoved the map into my hands.

> "Then take this. It's my final test for you. Use it to invade my imaginary kingdom and win."

I looked at it.

> "There's no border weakness drawn."

> "Exactly. You'll have to find it. Like the real world."

I folded the map carefully.

> "I will."

---

On the last day, I didn't speak much.

Marcus and I stood in the garden behind the manor where he'd first taught me sword grips using twigs. He handed me a leather-bound book—empty pages.

> "A journal," he said. "In case you ever want to write your own story instead of just learning others."

I took it without a word.

> "Thank you."

> "You're welcome," he said gently. "You're not just a student to me, Elarion. You're... someone I'm proud of. No matter what you become."

That caught me off guard. Just for a second.

But I nodded.

---

Later, Danny snuck in while I was sharpening my blade and dropped a bag of round white stones on the table.

> "Memory stones. Each one has a tiny drawing on it. You'll find out what each one means later."

> "You made these?"

> "Yeah. Don't lose them. I know you don't like people knowing your feelings, so I made them for you instead."

I stared at the stones.

One had a cloud.

Another had a sword with a sheath.

A third had a rabbit.

And the last one was a cracked stone which attracted my attention towards it.

Danny grinned.

> "You'll know which one is for what moment when the time comes."

I didn't say thank you.

But I didn't throw them away either.

---

That night, I sat on the roof alone with the journal in my lap and Danny's stones beside me.

I didn't write anything.

Just looked at the stars.

> Six years old. Soon seven.

This was the peaceful part of the story. The part I never had before.

It's about to end.

Soon.

The Bloodgate Trial awaits me.

I smiled not happy not sad but a cunning smile. Everything is fine yet, can't let my guard down now, can I??

---