Chapter 19: Coffee, Codes, and Carbon Fiber
"There's no such thing as a quiet morning when you're part dragon, part anomaly, and full drama."
🌅 Scene 1: The Morning After
Sunlight spilled lazily across the stone floors of Elvaris Mansion, touching the edges of obsidian counters and velvet drapes like a careful hand smoothing everything back into focus. The air held a faint citrus note from the night before—remnants of glowing lanterns and perfume from guests long departed.
In the stillness of the oversized kitchen, Velmir Elvaris stood barefoot, flipping a slice of vanilla-cinnamon French toast with unnervingly perfect wrist control. The scent of caramelized sugar and browned butter hung in the air like a warm memory.
His pale blue hair—disheveled into a soft half-knot—framed a face that looked far too serene for someone who'd hosted half the West Coast's elite the night before.
"Great Sage," Velmir said aloud, "status?"
Great Sage: Body well-rested. Mana levels at 87%. Sugar tolerance exceeded optimal range. Mental state: Decaffeinated but smug.
"Smug? I'm literally flipping toast."
Exactly. Smugly.
Velmir grinned and plated the toast beside a black ceramic mug of freshly brewed dark roast—courtesy of Viera's integrated espresso array.
He took a slow sip, exhaled, and murmured, "Let's pretend today will be boring."
📦 Scene 2: The Gift — From Natasha
He'd barely settled into his usual spot near the glass-wall window when Viera arrived with a package no larger than a paperback.
"This was left at the eastern gate during the night," she said, tone uncharacteristically neutral. "Signature pattern: Agent Natasha Romanoff."
Velmir took the box and opened it carefully.
Inside, nestled in soft black cloth, lay a simple USB drive—no casing, no seal, no protection spell.
Just a folded note in sharp, clean handwriting:
"Figured you'd want to hear this directly. Use it wisely. —N.R."
Velmir raised an eyebrow. "How very her."
He walked to the wall console, inserted the drive, and waited.
The screen flickered to life—no password screen, no firewall challenge.
Just Nick Fury, sitting in a dark office, backlit by the ominous glow of a SHIELD emblem.
🕶️ Scene 3: Fury's Message
"Mr. Elvaris," Fury said, voice smooth and calculated, "You don't officially exist, yet somehow your name's found its way into noble bloodlines, property records, financial markets, and a suspicious number of academic awards."
Velmir blinked. "Did he just… compliment my background checks?"
"You're not a threat. Yet. But I don't like unscheduled surprises, and you're an anomaly wrapped in cashmere and confidentiality."
Fury leaned forward.
"I'm extending an invitation. We talk—civilly. In person. Coordinates enclosed. No agents. No weapons. Just clarity."
The screen cut to black.
Velmir stared at the reflection of himself in the dark glass for a long moment.
Then slowly, he smiled.
"Great Sage?"
Yes, Velmir.
"He speaks like a man who keeps a rocket launcher under his pillow."
Observation confirmed. Respect threshold: high.
📨 Scene 4: The Invitation
Later, seated beside the koi pond, Velmir dictated while Viera transcribed.
"Viera, send a message back to both Director Fury and Agent Romanoff. Formal tone. Cordial. Invite them to the estate—main receiving chamber. One week from today. Afternoon tea."
"Message body?" Viera asked.
Velmir tapped his chin. "Hmm. Lead with a quote. Something like: 'I believe all good conversations start with honesty… or cake.' And end it with: 'I promise the tea won't explode.'"
Viera raised one perfectly simulated eyebrow. "Shall I include a waiver?"
"Only if it makes them nervous."
🚿 Scene 5: Getting Ready for School
Fresh from a shower and clad in charcoal-gray with silver cuff buttons, Velmir adjusted the fold of his shirt sleeves and examined himself in the mirror.
Sharp. Immaculate. Calm.
His reflection stared back—eyes faintly glowing with restrained power, hair tied back like a princeling who'd wandered out of a fantasy novel and learned sarcasm along the way.
"Still look too good to be real," he muttered.
Great Sage: Alert: Ego inflation detected. Adjust humility threshold?
"Please. I'm still the same boy who tripped over a fern and apologized to it."
Correction: You later burned the fern's sibling in a magic accident.
"We do not speak of Fernando the Second."
🚗 Scene 6: School Arrival — All Eyes On Him
The matte-black Gallardo pulled into the school driveway with a purr loud enough to silence conversation but soft enough to be elegant.
Heads turned. Phones rose. Someone gasped audibly.
As the gull-wing doors rose, Velmir stepped out—all cool confidence, silver-rimmed sunglasses, and smooth steps across polished pavement.
A few girls shrieked and tried to hide behind lockers.
And waiting by the front gate, already foot-tapping and arms crossed, was Mina Alcott.
"YOU DROVE A LAMBORGHINI TO SCHOOL."
Velmir removed his sunglasses with one hand. "Naturally."
"What happened to 'blending in'?"
"I am blending. With the wind."
From behind her, Julian muttered, "That's not humble. That's meta-humble."
"You're both just jealous," Velmir said as he walked past them. "Let me have my main character moment."
🎒 Scene 7: In the Halls Again
The sun filtered through wide glass skylights as Velmir strode down the halls. Classmates waved. Some whispered. A few offered nervous smiles and too-formal greetings.
He smiled back, calm, warm, unreadable.
Inside, however—
"This is absurdly fun," he whispered.
Great Sage: You enjoy the attention. Noted. Social integration: accelerating. Emotional response: gleeful mischief.
"It's my slice-of-life arc. Let me be charming."
And the tea party invitation to two of Earth's most dangerous spies?
Velmir paused at his locker, the corners of his lips twitching.
"That's next week's plot."
✅ End of Chapter 19: Coffee, Codes, and Carbon Fiber