Kael hadn't even made it through breakfast before some noble tried to pick a duel over "improper robe etiquette."
He ignored them, of course. Just like he ignored the squad of whispering girls tracking his every step, and the instructor who tried handing him a five-page essay on "noble conduct in shared spaces." It was too early for drama. And Kael's tolerance for nonsense hadn't recharged overnight.
So he ducked out of the main hall, following the only person who didn't drain his soul.
"Wait up," Kael called, his voice low but steady.
Lira turned, her small frame silhouetted against the academy gardens behind her. Her soft silver hair fluttered in the breeze. "Oh! Kael…"
She smiled—nervous at first, but genuine when she met his gaze.
"You didn't eat again," she said gently. "You'll get sick."
Kael gave a lazy shrug. "That would finally get me a day off."
Lira pouted a little, the tiniest crease on her lips. "That's not funny."
He smirked. "A little funny."
They walked side by side under a glowing tree whose leaves shimmered with enchantments. A quiet moment. Peaceful. But Kael knew better.
"You've been avoiding people again," Lira said softly.
"Correction: I've been avoiding idiots."
She didn't laugh. Instead, she looked down, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "I… understand. It's hard to be seen, when people already decided what you are."
Kael glanced sideways. "They giving you trouble again?"
Lira hesitated. "Just words."
Words could wound. Kael knew that better than most.
"You tell me if it gets worse," he said. "I'll make sure they develop a sudden, mysterious fear of library ghosts."
Lira blinked. "There are library ghosts?"
Kael smiled. "There will be."
That made her giggle—quiet and soft, like wind chimes in the distance.
---
Elsewhere
A shadow moved across an upper balcony of the Academy's East Tower.
Masked, cloaked, and still as stone, the figure whispered into a communication rune.
> "He spoke to her again."
A second voice answered, emotionless. > "Continue observation. The signs are converging."
> "And the token?"
> "Not yet. Let him carry it. The Spiral watches."
---
Back to Kael and Lira
They had wandered farther than they meant to, ending up behind the Arcane Arena ruins. Vines grew between shattered stone pillars, and magical residue still hummed faintly beneath their feet.
"Hey," Kael said, turning to face her. "What did you want to be… before all this academy nonsense?"
Lira blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"
"No, the statue behind you. Yes, you."
She gave a shy smile. "A storyweaver. My village had this old woman who used magic to create illusions from fairy tales. She made everyone forget their worries, just for a little while."
Kael imagined it: illusions of dragons dancing in the sky, forests made of light, heroic figures wrapped in glowing legends.
"Sounds better than noble drama," he said.
"I think so too," she nodded.
He noticed her voice always sounded like she was afraid of saying too much—like the world had punished her before for speaking out loud.
And yet, around him, she always spoke.
---
Enter Renly, the Prince
"Oi! Am I interrupting a romantic moment or is this the sulky club meeting again?"
Kael groaned. "Renly…"
Prince Renly Valciel vaulted over a broken wall and landed with a loud thud. His princely robe was crooked, and he was definitely eating a sandwich he'd stolen from the faculty kitchen.
"Good news," Renly said cheerfully. "I've decided to make myself your sidekick."
Kael squinted. "That implies I accepted having a mainkick."
"Exactly!" Renly grinned. "I'll handle the jokes, food theft, and heroic last-minute distractions when you're in trouble."
Lira smiled faintly. "You seem… very energetic."
"I'm also devastatingly handsome," Renly added, flexing dramatically.
Kael looked at Lira. "See? This is what nobility usually looks like."
"I thought they were more serious," Lira replied.
"I'm the disappointing one," Renly said proudly.
---
Final Scene
As they turned back toward the main building, Kael glanced over his shoulder—something in the air felt different.
A breeze passed over them. Cold. Heavy.
Lira shivered.
"Strange…" she murmured. "Something's… watching."
Kael reached into his pocket. The token pulsed, faintly warm.
He said nothing.
He didn't know what it meant.
Not yet.
But he had a feeling naps were going to be even harder to come by.
---