The familiar scent of myrrh and oranges surrounded Hongjoong's senses upon stepping into the spire. The heavy purple carpets under their feet cushioned their steps to near silence and magical flames burnt in the crystals along the dark corridors. Hongjoong associated the scent with home. The expensive curtains tied to the frames of each doorway, the familiars slinking around. Students in their dark novice robes dashed past, some daring peeks at the majestic seraph in their midst, but they quickly averted their eyes when they noticed Hongjoong's overpowering magic around San.

Immediately, he spotted a dozen things that bothered him. A not properly trained kobold familiar mopping the room of a recruit's room, the stench of burnt potions lingering in the air and distantly, some plant dying in their herb garden because someone didn't care for it properly. Usually when he visited, Hongjoong used his time to even out the shortcomings inside the spire. Both so he wouldn't be stressed by them and so things kept their flow. He had to remind himself occasionally that not everyone had the same determination and talent as him. Some were lazy and while that was intolerable to Hongjoong, it only stressed them more to tend to additional tasks.

Today, he made an increased effort not to care. Others would scold the novices in his place.

"Let's eat first. My room is over here," Hongjoong invited San, who lit up the corridor with his obnoxious sunny glow. He disrupted the temperature and energy fields of the area, so Hongjoong was quick to usher him behind his door, where special wards made sure Hongjoong's spells wouldn't throw the tower off balance.

The twins peered around his room with awe. They knew Hongjoong's cave was the most filled of them all, ever-busy and constantly rearranging itself, depending on the books and potion ingredients he needed. They liked to explore shiny crystals and stare at books written in old tongues trying to make sense of the symbols.

Now, with all these new things to explore, they rushed off immediately while Hongjoong cleared his sitting table from books so San could take a seat there.

"What's that?" Fiorello asked eagerly, peering at the jars and crystals Hongjoong kept on his shelves. Their eager wings knocked something down, but Hongjoong's magic caught it to put it back in place before it could touch the carpet (yet another purpose for its thickness.) When the twins sheepishly peered back at him, Hongjoong sighed at their curiosity. It was good, but not in these surroundings. Seonghwa once had to learn the same.

They had the curiosity from him.

"A magical sphere containing a demon that eats little kids," Hongjoong told them and the two screeched, holding onto each other as they backed away in fear.

San patted his lap to lure them away from the mage's precious stash.

"Come here, you two. Hongjoong promised some good food. What are we having?"

The twins hurried over and Hongjoong unearthed another chair from a pile of cloaks so the twins could sit with San. So long as they stayed there, they would be safe. But he could trust San with that vigilance.

"You only eat bird meat, don't you?" Hongjoong checked as he flicked through a book of recipes he could conjure from the ingredients around the spire and prepare with magic. He wouldn't claim the title of a cook, but he could make fresh food. Many mages sustained themselves with spells and artefacts, but that wouldn't work for everyone.

San hummed in response and a moment later, Hongjoong found what he had been searching for. He arranged a chapter specifically to list the delicious foods the members of this big family would enjoy. Not that San ever tried this, but Hongjoong was confident.

His hands flicked through the air, reaching into the kitchen to grab some plates off a shelf and place them in front of him. The kids watched with big eyes as his magic shredded carrots and cooked meat, placing mushrooms and glassy clear noodles alongside it. The sauce was made from the resin of a lemon tree, carrying that special citrus note.

It wasn't too uncommon compared to what they usually ate, since San only experimented so much. But it smelled good, so the twins were excited when he was done and brought the plates over, one carried by a third arm while a fourth reached through space to grab some sweet cherry juice for them.

Honoured by the service, San bowed his head when Hongjoong placed the meal in front of them. He added some dessert, a small cake made of shaved milk and darkberries. A personal favourite which he loved as a child.

"Here, extra vegetables for the kids, just to torment them," he presented when their eyes gleamed at the feast and San gladly accepted the silverware from Hongjoong's extra hand. His magic tingled with the seraph's warm touch.

"Aodhán most loathe you," the seraph chuckled as he handed the kids their spoons. A snap of Hongjoong's fingers provided them with napkins tucked into their collars. It was easier to magic stains out of clothing, but San requested actual table manners.

"He learned to comply," the mage replied sinisterly as the twins looked devastated at the vegetables and mushrooms that took over half of their plates while San got more meat.

"I haaate vegetables. Can I skip them? Why do I have to eat them when you don't, father?" Lonan suffered, quick to complain, since Morana and Wooyoung did it a lot.

But San sent them a stern look, reminding them to be grateful for what they received.

"Try them first. See how they taste with magic," he suggested, and the twins whined, but their elven side was curious enough. They gingerly tried the smallest bites, and their faces lit up a moment later.

Hongjoong's lips pulled into a smirk.

"Oh! Delicious! Give me yours!" Fiorello argued, shovelling food into his mouth while also trying to steal Lonan's portion. His twin was just as quick in stuffing his cheeks.

"No, these are mine!"

Glad to have resolved it, Hongjoong glanced at San, subtly trying to gauge a reaction on his face. Most of the joy on his features reflected the twins and seeing them squabble over their food. Hongjoong tried to catch the smaller quirks, any lick across his lips as he also tried a bite.

But the damn angel was too poised, almost more so than Seonghwa. Or perhaps Hongjoong had just learned how to interpret the slight tilt to the elf's ears when he was excited, the sparkle in his eyes and the subtle crooked grin when he was smug on the inside.

"It's good," San surprised him and Hongjoong dragged his eyes away. He couldn't deny it; he liked a mystery. A challenge. Wooyoung was fun since he was so honest, but that also made him boring to push around after a while.

Nonchalant, Hongjoong turned, tailcoats whipping.

"As expected. I'll leave you to it and talk to my people. They will find your presence suspicious." His heels were already on the way to the door, not lingering now that the family ate happily.

But San's voice held him back. The seraph frowned, only ever frowning all day long, and his spoon had sunken. Not even delicious food could lure him from his sense of duty. But who was Hongjoong trying to fool? Seonghwa was the only exception for San in many cases as well.

"Are you sure? I can support you," San protested immediately, but Hongjoong rolled his eyes at him.

"Believe me, mages don't listen to the morally uptight. Enjoy your food. I'll be back soon," he said, slipping outside before San got to protest. His wards locked into place, shrouding them in safety so no one would bother them. A mage made easy work of a sword, so it was better to be safe than sorry. Hongjoong never forgave himself for that one mage spy who sold out a back door into the Crystal Palace to Yongguk. Without that one person, everything that happened back then might have been prevented. All the pain, the terror. Seonghwa losing everything he had, parting from them. San's hand. Their friends and Seonghwa's family.

One mage was enough to throw them out of balance. So Hongjoong took no risks.

Hence, he assembled his people alone. Spoke his piece without allowing them to even contemplate the seraphim were trying to push their decision. His magic thrummed through the entire tower, hundreds of floors down. Alerted everyone, teachers holding class and novices rolling lazily in bed. The most important would gather, but everyone else would listen in. And if they had something to say, they could send their messages or familiars to Hongjoong.

By the time Hongjoong marched for the centre room of the tower on this floor, every free magister and grand mage had assembled. The arch mages were with him, closest to him in position and ever jealous of the difference in power. When Hongjoong stepped onto the gallery to look out over the room below, he ignored their haughty stares.

It wasn't about who called the shots. The spire was much too powerful and trained people of many origins and abilities. One single mage couldn't rule them all.

But his title carried the power of the strongest. Putting him above all others. Mocked those who were not yet on the same level and created a new standard they held themselves to. Within the spire, their competition was healthy. It kept them going in their studies and learning. Others were not near as patient, using foul play, but that magic would never get them to the top. Too many past demon possessions for anyone to roll with it.

Hongjoong braced his hands on the stone railing to look out over his people. Studied their tense faces as they quietly expected him to speak so they could return to their business.

"As many of you already know, Moon Emperor Seonghwa is alive," Hongjoong began, keeping his voice level. Mages weren't easily shocked. There were many ways to bring someone back from the dead. The bigger surprise was making it public knowledge.

"We felt the stars shift. What does this mean? What secrets have you been keeping?" An astronomer spoke up and Hongjoong scoffed at the poor wording.

"None that are of your concern. Our opinion is asked to determine the future of the empire and elect a new ruler. I expect volunteers to join me in the forests of the Cliffs of Zephyr to accommodate our visitors and keep order. I will personally supervise every application and there will be bonus points for those who help," Hongjoong offered, and a tickle of his magic immediately alerted him that the first messages came flying in. Some liked an outing outside the tower, some liked the bonus points, and the rest were the same faces who already helped with the elves, curious now to see where this would go (and greedy for the points.)

"The emperor will be there? We heard of his mission against the orcs," Magister Rufus spoke up and Hongjoong struck him with an appraising look. Rufus hadn't made trouble before, so Hongjoong doubted the question was risky, hence he lay his cards open. No sense in lying to mages.

"Yes, you may witness him there, so we must ensure safety. I will oversee the gathering."

It was a warning for anyone who might listen in with bad intent. With Yongguk dead, the usurpers no longer had a figurehead. No more orcs craved his flesh, and no dwarves put out a bounty. They were safer than ever, but somewhere, some bastard always gained something from killing a royal. So Hongjoong would make sure Seonghwa was protected.

"Any more questions?" He asked, brief and to the point whenever he had to bother them. He glanced across their assembled faces, found some of them inquisitive, but they would need to wait until the gathering to get answers.

Satisfied, Hongjoong pushed off the railing.

"Good. Dismissed."

Most flocked away, the novices going back to work or babbling with each other about whether they wanted to attend the meeting. Hongjoong would have plenty of helpers, but more were always welcome.

Hungry for details, his magisters swarmed at him, ready to ask a million questions about the aftermath of the elves and Seonghwa's current plans. With a sigh, Hongjoong accepted his fate and entertained their greed for knowledge.