Coming-of-Age Ceremony

My Coming-of-Age Ceremony was a lively affair. As Fili's only son and the man prophesied to save Demacia, I drew nearly every powerful figure in Silver City, the king included.

The famous swordmaster Fiora of the Laurent Family naturally couldn't miss the occasion. For once, she wasn't wearing her training clothes. Instead, she wore a sea-blue evening gown, and the servants had carefully styled her short hair. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

I went up to the king to greet him and ask about Prince Jarvan. His answer surprised me.

"Since losing to you in that duel, I haven't seen him again. He was probably so ashamed of his own inadequacy that he went off to hone his skills. It's a good thing for a young man to do."

The prince had run away? Could this journey of self-improvement be what turned him into a celebrated hero?

If the lore was right, he'd also met Dragonblood Warrior Sivir. I never expected to be the one who set all of this in motion. How interesting!

Garen had also come to offer his congratulations on behalf of House of Lightshield, along with his ever-present little shadow, Lux. She wore a pink gown today, looking like a princess at a ball.

"Happy birthday, Leivo! You're an adult now. You're two months older than me, so I guess I'll have to call you big brother. It's too bad you'll be serving in the army when I come of age, so you won't be able to congratulate me."

"Don't worry. If there's no fighting, I'll definitely come back for your ceremony!"

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Lux was delighted. Already innocent and lively by nature, she was now as cute and endearing as a little bird that had just learned to fly.

When I looked at Garen, I noticed a hint of amusement in his eyes. I had no idea what he was thinking. Then he called me aside and spoke frankly.

"What do you think of Lux?"

"She's very beautiful, and she knows her way around social etiquette. She certainly lives up to her status as a young lady of House of Lightshield."

"And do you like her?"

"I think everyone likes her, don't they, General Garen?"

"Hahaha! When this war is over, if you return safely, I'll ask Lord Fili for her hand. You two are a perfect match!"

So Garen was trying to bring the two of us together!

"Brother, what are you talking about? Lord Fili is looking for you!"

Lux had spotted us from a distance and called Garen over, leaving me at a loss.

Winning the heart of a beauty as stunning as Lux was the dream of many, but I wasn't one of them.

In my eyes, she was just a pretty girl, no different from a piece of fine jade or a flower.

Fortunately, Garen had said after the war. I had plenty of time to figure out how to turn him down.

Sage Tabor had also arrived with a group. I hadn't expected someone so old to come in person to my Coming-of-Age Ceremony. He shuffled toward me on trembling legs, bearing a gift and a prophecy.

"Child of the Laurent Family... the Gods... have once again brought me... a revelation... about you: a lonely warrior... fights, while an enraged giant... wails."

"Esteemed Sage Tabor, what does that mean?"

"I don't... know. The words mean what they say. The lonely warrior... must be you. As for the enraged giant... I don't know. It must have something to do with... the Giant Stone. That's the gift I'm... giving you."

The old man struggled to get just those two short sentences out.

With some difficulty, he pulled a small box from his pocket.

"This stone... is the Tabor Family's... treasured heirloom, passed down... for generations. Our ancestors said... it held... a secret, but... after all these years, no one... has discovered it. So... I'm giving it to you. I hope you can... figure something out."

It took Sage Tabor quite a while to say those few words.

The Giant Stone he gave me was a crystal-clear, perfectly round stone. It was very pretty. Despite its name, it was only about the size of an egg, and it came in a delicate little box. I thanked him, closed the box, and handed it to Noviya.

There were nearly a thousand other gifts, large and small. I didn't know any of the people who'd brought them, so I brushed them off with a few polite words. Even so, it took the entire morning.

The ceremony began at noon. I recited the oath of loyalty to Demacia and my family, which I'd long since memorized. Then Fili gave me a ring set with an emerald. At last, amid everyone's cheers, the dull ceremony came to an end.

Next came the feast and the ball. Fiora took me around to toast the esteemed guests and introduce me to them, though I had no intention of remembering who they were.

By the time the feast was over and all the guests had left, it was already dusk. I was about to go back inside when I noticed a carriage parked near the gate. It hadn't left, and I had no idea why.

The carriage was small and elegant, drawn by a little white horse. Its coat was pure white, without a single spot. It was beautiful!

I was wondering whose carriage it was when a little head suddenly poked out. It was Lux.

"Lux? Why didn't you go back with General Garen?"

"Can you come up, Leivo? I have a couple of things to tell you."

She looked gloomy. I didn't know what had happened, so I climbed into the carriage. "What's the matter?"

"Two things. First, thank you for keeping my secret—that I can use magic. Second... well, my brother drank too much today, and I think I heard him talking about arranging a marriage between our families. Between you and me. Would you agree to it?"

I didn't know why Lux was asking, or what kind of answer she wanted to hear. But my feelings wouldn't change.

"I don't want to get married yet. I only want to protect Demacia. For now, I think we're better off as friends."

Lux looked disappointed at first, but then she brightened.

"Oh, I see... That's right. I think we're better off as friends too. My foolish brother was just making things up. By the way, Leivo, I heard you won't leave until the day after tomorrow. Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?"

"Of course. It'd be my pleasure."

"Great. I'll head back now and come pick you up tomorrow."

"But where's your driver?"

"You didn't know? My Angel is very clever. She understands what I say, so I don't need a driver."

The little white horse gave a neigh at her mistress's praise, looking very proud, as if she really could understand human speech.

Since that was the case, there was nothing to worry about. I watched Lux leave, then went back inside to rest.

She arrived as promised early the next morning and had Noviya call me out.

"Hi, Leivo!"

"Morning, Lux. Where are we going?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Come on!"