Kael had never been one to be easily impressed, especially not by the ordinary people of Thormans village. But as he sat across from Saria, listening to her shyly reveal her family's true identity, he found himself struck speechless. His mind struggled to process the information, as if it were a puzzle with too many pieces.
"Saria, you're... you're actually a noble?" he asked, still trying to wrap his head around the revelation.
She blushed deeply, her fingers twisting nervously around the hem of her shirt. "Well, not exactly a noble in the usual sense. My family's branch is more... distant. But yes, we're offshoots of one of the major houses in Caervorne Dominion."
Kael stared at her, his disbelief growing with each word. He had known Saria for years now—ever since he was brought into the village—but never once did he suspect that her quiet nature and simple, humble demeanor were hiding such an extraordinary truth.
Nobility. That word alone carried such weight in Virela, the central continent. Nobles were the ones who shaped kingdoms, those who held the true power. Their bloodlines ran deep in the veins of history. To be born a noble, or even to be backed by one, was the highest honor one could achieve.
And yet, Saria—the girl he had known as the quiet, beautiful, and kind-hearted girl of the village—was, in essence, a noble. The knowledge left Kael dumbfounded. He glanced at her again, his eyes studying her, trying to find the telltale signs of nobility in her features.
But there were no elaborate dresses, no servants at her beck and call, no proud title stamped in her name. Just a simple village girl who had never cared for the trappings of power.
It was a lot to digest, and Kael found his thoughts racing. His mind kept playing back the images of Saria—the way she'd carried herself with such grace, how she had never once let the teasing of the other village girls get to her, how she had never tried to elevate herself above others, despite being more than capable of doing so.
In a way, it made sense. Her kindness, her unassuming nature, the way she simply didn't care for status or privilege—it was all starting to fit together. But still, the idea of her being nobility felt... surreal.
"Saria," Kael murmured, his voice tinged with admiration, "I never knew. All this time, I thought you were just... Saria from the village."
She looked down, her face flushing deeper, and for the first time, Kael saw a hint of vulnerability in her. "I never wanted anyone to know," she said softly. "I didn't want people to treat me differently, or think I was above them just because of my family. I didn't want to stand out. So, I kept it a secret. I didn't even tell you."
Kael nodded slowly, understanding now why Saria had always preferred to stay out of the spotlight. Despite her lineage, she had chosen a life of quiet simplicity, avoiding the spotlight and the advantages that came with her noble ties. It was a rare thing, in a world where so many would give anything to wield the power of noble blood.
He looked at her again, this time with a newfound respect. The Saria he had known—strong, independent, unbothered by the opinions of others—was even more remarkable in this new light. It was as if the very nobility that lay hidden within her had only served to make her more humble, not less.
"I can't believe it," Kael finally said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You're a noble, and yet you've been living like one of us... That's... amazing."
Saria smiled shyly, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and self-consciousness. "I guess. But I don't really care about all the titles or money. I care about... other things. Things that are more important." She paused, glancing away for a moment, before looking back at him. "That's why I want to go to the academy, Kael. To learn more about magic, to help people... to make a difference."
Her words hit him harder than he expected. He had always known Saria as someone who cared deeply about others, but hearing her speak of it with such sincerity—such conviction—made Kael feel a warmth in his chest that he hadn't anticipated.
For the first time, he truly saw Saria for who she was—not just as the girl from the village, but as someone who carried within her the potential for something much greater. The realization struck Kael like a bolt of lightning.
"Maybe you can help me, too," Kael said quietly, almost to himself, his thoughts drifting back to his own struggles and uncertainties about magic. "Maybe... maybe we could learn together. Find our place in all of this."
Saria's smile deepened, and she gave him a gentle nod. "I'd like that, Kael. Maybe we'll both find something we've been looking for."
The moment lingered between them, a silent understanding passing through the air. It was a strange feeling for Kael, this new depth to his relationship with Saria. He had always seen her as a friend, but now, seeing her in this light, he realized just how much more she meant to him.
Her presence had always been comforting, a sense of stability in the chaos of his life. But now, with the world of magic opening up before them, Kael found himself drawn even closer to her. Perhaps it was more than just friendship that was beginning to blossom.
"Kael," Saria suddenly said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I was thinking... since the academy will start soon, why don't you walk with me to the river? I want to clear my head. You can come too, if you want."
Kael blinked, surprised by the invitation. He had always refused to spend time with her outside of the village before, his reasons wrapped in his own insecurities and self-doubt. But this time, something was different. This time, he didn't hesitate. He didn't refuse.
"Sure," he said, standing up with a small, genuine smile. "I'd like that."
As they walked together toward the river, Kael found himself feeling lighter than he had in days. There was something about Saria's presence—her easy way of making everything feel like it was going to be okay—that made him believe, just for a moment, that maybe his future wasn't as uncertain as it had seemed.
And maybe, just maybe, the path to the magic academy wasn't something he had to face alone.