Foolish Soldier: Reborn With A Broken Limit.

Chapter 10: A Toast

The lesson ended. Orin gathered his notes and dismissed the class with a wave. Students began filtering out. Soren stood. Elaine was beside him, stacking her parchments.

Rudeus was blocking the aisle.

He wasn't moving. He was leaning against a bench, his vast halo pressing outward with casual indifference. The other students had to step around him. He didn't seem to notice. Or care.

Soren tried to pass. Rudeus shoved him back.

"Still playing soldier, Vail? I've heard about the garrison yard. Running drills with city guards. How noble." He grinned. "A man with no halo swinging a wooden sword. What's next? A blind man learning to read?"

A few students laughed. Elaine stiffened beside him. Soren tried to move past. Rudeus shoved him again.

"You've been different lately. Taller. Broader. Almost like you've been doing something with yourself." He tilted his head. "But that can't be right. A still Stone doesn't change. A still Stone doesn't improve. A still Stone just sits there. Doing nothing. Being nothing."

Soren met his eyes. "You're in my way."

"Am I?" Rudeus shoved him again. Harder. "You should do something about it then."

Soren moved.

A pivot. A sweep. Rudeus hit the floor. His back slammed against the stone. The sound echoed through the hall. Someone gasped. Someone else laughed—nervous, cut short. A few others joined. But not everyone. Some students just watched. Silent. Their eyes on Soren with something that wasn't amusement.

They'd seen the changes. The way he walked now. The way his shoulders sat back. The way he'd stopped staring out windows and started looking at people like he was measuring them. A month ago, Rudeus mocking Soren Vail was a joke everyone had heard before. Today it was different. Today Soren had put him on the ground. And some of them—not many, but enough—weren't laughing.

Rudeus stared up at him. The silence stretched.

Then he laughed. Not a kind laugh. Something sharper. He got up on his own. Brushed dust from his tunic. His halo was pressing outward—vast, effortless—but he didn't attack. He just looked at Soren like he was seeing something new.

"A month ago you wouldn't have had the nerve," Rudeus said quietly. "Now look at you."

He walked out. The other students parted for him. No one spoke.

Elaine was still staring at Soren. Her parchments were scattered across the floor. She didn't pick them up.

They walked out together. The temple district was bright with afternoon sun. Elaine didn't speak until they were past the square.

"That was either the bravest thing I've ever seen or the stupidest," she said.

"He was in my way."

"He's going to remember that. Rudeus doesn't lose. Not publicly. Not to anyone. And definitely not to you."

Soren said nothing.

She stepped in front of him. Blocked his path. "He's not like Bran, you know. He'll come at you when you're not expecting it. And he won't just use words next time."

"I know."

"Do you?" She held his gaze. "He felt something back there. When he hit the floor. I saw his face. He's not embarrassed. He's curious."

Soren looked at her. He could see the worry was in her eyes.

"I'll be careful," he said.

"You always say that."

"I always mean it."

She shook her head. Didn't push. She never pushed. That was the thing about Elaine. She drew the line and waited for him to cross it.

"Fine," she said. "But when he comes for you—and he will—don't expect him to fight fair. He's an Aldebaran. They don't have to."

She turned and walked toward the worksite. Soren stood alone in the afternoon sun.

Dinner was loud.

The Vail estate was alive with noise. Servants hurried between the kitchen and the dining hall. Plates were being set. Wine was being poured. Maren was directing the preparations with quiet efficiency. Even Bran seemed alert.

Soren took his seat at the far end of the table. Aldric was already there. His back was straight. His hands were flat on the table. He looked like a man about to walk into battle.

Rordan entered last. He didn't sit. He stood at the head of the table, one hand resting on the back of his chair. His eyes swept the room. Maren. Aldric. Bran. Soren.

"I have news," he said.

The room went quiet.

"The Merchant Guild has agreed to sponsor Aldric in the Tournaments next month."

Maren's hand went to her mouth. Aldric exhaled. Bran didn't move.

Rordan continued. "This is a significant opportunity. Not just for Aldric. For this family. The Vanguard will be watching. If Aldric performs well—if he proves himself exceptional—he could be offered a place among them. A Vail in the Vanguard. Do you understand what that means?"

Everyone understood.

"For too long this family has been defined by trade. By textiles. By the whims of the great houses who buy our cloth and dictate our prices." Rordan's voice was steady. "A seat in the Vanguard changes that. It gives us standing. Influence. Greater prospects."

He raised his glass. "To Aldric."

Everyone drank. Soren lifted his glass. The wine was bitter.

Maren was beaming. Aldric looked proud and terrified in equal measure. Bran was staring at Soren.

Not at Aldric. Not at their father. At Soren.

Soren met his eyes across the table. Bran's expression was unreadable. He knew. He knew Soren had a halo. He knew Soren was stronger than Aldric. He knew this toast was built on a lie. And he said nothing.

He just held the gaze. Patient. Waiting.

The dinner continued. Plates were served. Maren talked about the Tournaments. Aldric talked about his training. Rordan talked about the future. Soren ate in silence. Bran watched.

Soren climbed the stairs after dinner. The hallway was dark. He passed Bran's door. Closed. He passed Aldric's door. Closed. He reached his own room and pushed it open.

The jug on the table was full. Mira had filled it while he was out. The same jug he'd shattered a month ago. His mother must have replaced it.

He sat on the edge of the bed. Pressed his palm against his chest. The pulse answered. Surging. Steady.

Aldric was competing in the Tournaments. Rudeus was curious. Bran was watching. Gerath knew. Kael knew. Elaine was waiting.

The net was tightening.

Soren lay back. Stared at the ceiling.

Figure out your story before someone else figures it out for you.

He closed his eyes. Didn't sleep.