Nobility's Friendship

In the story Sylas told Eno, he was "unable to prevent the birth of this tragedy."

But in reality, Sylas was the one who killed people—even though it was manslaughter at the time.

Furthermore, Sylas had concealed a portion of his abilities. This portion had been examined and explored by the Magic Seekers, unearthed, and presented in written reports before Lux.

Sylas had hidden his ability to consume and utilize Magic Power.

In Sylas's confession, he did not admit to these things. In his "onboarding report," his description of his abilities was vague, such as "can see magic auras" and "can sense and interact with magic."

However, Sylas clearly didn't know that the Magic Seekers had a deep understanding of Nullstone. When his warden apprehended the little girl, they used a Grey Mark Nullstone specifically designed to absorb Magic Power. Yet, judging from the broken fragments of Nullstone left at the scene, the Grey Mark Nullstone had not failed.

This meant that it wasn't the little girl who killed the Magic Seeker and her father, then died from a Magic Power surge.

It was Sylas who came into contact with the little girl, and then the berserk Magic Power surged uncontrollably into his body, ultimately causing that terrible explosion.

Based on the report's findings, Sylas likely didn't do it intentionally.

It was precisely because of this judgment that his punishment was ultimately set as life imprisonment, on the charge of manslaughter.

The verdict itself was not the issue.

But behind the verdict, there was a huge problem!

Why did a child who committed manslaughter become a terrorist in the eyes of the public?

Lux initially thought it was because he had killed Magic Seekers.

However, Sylas's case file also documented another related case—before that Magic Power explosion, his trusted warden had died due to a conflict.

In comparison, the nature of that conflict was more severe, and Magic Seekers had died. It was unequivocally intentional homicide, yet almost no one in Demacia knew about it.

Upon discovering this, Lux immediately sensed that something was wrong.

At that moment, she suddenly thought of her own considerable fame when she was in Silvermine City.

Behind such "hot-button events," there was likely more to it than met the eye!

So, the question arose.

Why did Sylas become a hot topic?

Thinking from the perspective of the nobility... Lux could only find one possibility.

It was to prevent Sylas from saying things he shouldn't.

People would believe a child who committed manslaughter.

But no one would believe the words of a notorious murderer!

Don't forget, Sylas could see Magic Power, and he was well aware of the relationship between the nobility and magic. To ensure he couldn't leak this secret, he was branded as an "absolutely evil mage" when the warrant was issued.

This way, no one would believe anything he said, even if he spoke out while on the run.

And so, Sylas successfully became a household name in Demacia. After his arrest, this "household name" also saved his life, as according to Demacian law, minors were not sentenced to death.

Having figured out the cause and effect, Lux leaned back in her chair, feeling weary. The past events were indeed too heavy—objectively speaking, Sylas was quite innocent at the time. The main cause of this tragedy was Demacia's inappropriate anti-magic system.

However, judging by Sylas's current state, it seemed that prolonged imprisonment had made him much more extreme. Lux didn't even know if she should help him... Wait, something's not right!

With that thought, Lux suddenly realized a very serious problem.

Could Eno be in danger if she was Sylas's "cellmate"?

Sylas was serving a life sentence, so he wouldn't leak those secrets, and his life or death was irrelevant.

But Eno wasn't—she might completely hear these secrets from Sylas and take them out after her sentence was served!

Lux knew the weight of those secrets!

"Karya!" Realizing this, Lux quickly organized the case files, put them away, and hurried out of the Magic Seekers' archive, resting her hand on her dress sword. "I feel like something's not right!"

"You're only just realizing something's wrong, Lux? You're a bit slow," Karya sighed. "Child, I'm very disappointed in you—"

"Now is not the time for jokes!" Lux was practically hopping with anxiety. "Why didn't you remind me sooner?"

"I already told you when we were in Silvermine City," Karya said in an innocent tone. "Remember, 'When the conflict erupts, you will find everything becoming insane.' Were you prepared?"

"This is too insane!" Even though Lux had repeatedly thought she had seen the bottom line of the nobility, at this moment, she still felt a chill run down her spine. "What do they plan to do to Eno?"

"Cut their losses," Karya calmly gave Lux the answer she least wanted to hear. "Regarding this matter, I suggest you have a chat with your dear aunt."

"Aunt?" Lux was dumbfounded. "What does she have to do with this— Wait!"

"You figured it out? You're quite quick," Karya clicked her tongue. "This Ms. Tiana is a very decisive person—anyone called a model of nobility is no simple individual."

Hurrying back to Crown Guard Manor, Lux asked a servant and soon found Tiana in the study.

"You're back?" Tiana, who was reading a travelogue, glanced at her niece before gently putting down her book. "Went to the Nullstone Prison again?"

"What's going on with Eno?" Lux looked up, her eyes fixed on Tiana. "She's next to that notorious Sylas!"

"It's the juvenile detention center," Tiana smiled slightly, appearing unconcerned. "Sylas was also a juvenile offender—it's normal for her to be held there."

"But Sylas is more than just a juvenile offender!" Lux tried hard to suppress her impatience. "He holds many secrets of the Magic Seekers regarding magic!"

"Oh, you discovered that?" Tiana was stunned for a moment, then broke into a relieved smile. "It's only been half a month—darling, you've surprised me again."

Surprise?

What was a surprise for Tiana was pure fright for Lux—her premonition had come true, and things had indeed developed to the worst possible extent.

"My dear, I agree with some of your views," Tiana said, noticing Lux's bewilderment. She reached out, removed Lux's headband, and gently smoothed Lux's long golden hair. "What was that little girl's name… Eno? She's a good child, but she's not on the same path as you."

"So—"

"So friendships should be born in appropriate places, like between you and Miss Sona—your friendship is widely praised." Tiana fixed Lux's slightly messy hair and put the headband back on. "Considering you are the future of the Crown Guard family, you shouldn't associate too closely with those commoners."

"...Is that the only reason?"

"I can understand your disappointment with those useless relatives." Tiana patted Lux's shoulder and said earnestly, "But among the nobility, there are also sensible people like Dili!"

"Dili is not a sensible person!" Lux gritted her teeth. "He defected so quickly because his son discovered I wasn't at the inn—"

"I know that." Tiana nodded, smiling slightly without a care. "He confessed that to me—but you should understand, it's really nothing."

"...He's no different from those scoundrels." Lux finally couldn't help raising her voice. "Deceiving superiors and bullying subordinates, just as filthy!"

"There's a big difference; he's perceptive and knows the rules." Tiana shook her head, appearing helpless at her niece's stubbornness. "That's his value."

Her aunt's words left Lux speechless—on the surface, she looked like she was just thinking, but inside, a storm was raging.

Dili was no different from those nobles in Silvermine City who were fined and trembled in fear!

Lux could tolerate the complex etiquette of the nobility, as it was at most a meaningless, harmless act.

She couldn't tolerate Dili escaping punishment simply because he followed the rules and knew who to align himself with—she could overlook Dili's schemes against her, but she couldn't accept Dili rising through the ranks because of it!

More importantly, these words came from the mouth of the aunt she respected the most!

"This goes against justice..." Lux could only try her best to protest. "How can this be?"

"Nobles associate with nobles, and commoners with commoners; this is Demacia's justice." Tiana didn't hide her attitude. "My dear, you've gotten too close to that little girl named Eno."

"But Eno is innocent..." Lux pursed her lips and whispered her final plea. "She doesn't know anything..."

"From your performance, she already knows." Tiana shook her head. "This is the law of Demacia, silly child—at your age, many people develop feelings they shouldn't. In fact, I'm glad you just made an inappropriate friend and didn't fall too deeply in love; that would be a real trouble."

"..."

"Twelve is an age full of emotions; I understand very well." Tiana looked down at the silent Lux. "Therefore, I hope you can sever those inappropriate bonds—my dear, you are the most talented child I've ever seen. Don't dwell on meaningless things; relax, and everything will be alright."

"..."

"The Magic Seekers will handle everything." Tiana picked up her book again. "My dear, don't be sad; time will heal your pain."