RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
The days slipped by in a blur of classes and relentless training. Until dusk, we sparred, meditated, endured drills, and absorbed lessons until our muscles screamed and our minds were heavy with exhaustion. Yet even with the grueling pace, I found myself sneaking away during every vacant hour I could manage.
I would slip out quietly, careful not to draw attention, and make my way to the place where the restricted books were kept. Dusty shelves towered above me there, filled with tomes and scrolls that smelled of age and secrecy. Somewhere among those forbidden pages, I hoped to find even the smallest clue about the meithi mnarillazas. No matter how many volumes I searched, though, the answers I sought remained elusive, locked away by barriers stronger than any physical lock. It was as though the knowledge itself was deliberately buried, hidden from curious hands like mine.
Before I knew it, the semester had ended. Exams were finally over, and with them came a long-awaited breath of relief. The night before our sembreak, the five of us gathered in our dorm, sprawled across beds and chairs, talking about what lay ahead.
Lovely and Kate were practically bouncing with excitement—they would return to the human world and spend the break with their families. Allie, ever dutiful, would return to Abracadabra Town to help the Great Crescent Master in his responsibilities as leader and help prepare the warriors for the inevitable war. As for me… I would, of course, return to Mnarr Palace.
Where else could I go?
Oh, the human world. But now is not the right time to go there.
The next morning, our room buzzed with the sounds of packing. Bags were zipped, cloaks folded, and little trinkets tucked away for the journey. We said our goodbyes as the dorm gradually emptied. Lovely and Kate departed first, their praciens alongside them, transported by the academy's teleportation postah to the human world. Allie and Owlice left shortly after Ubeo came to pick them up. The silence that followed felt strange, almost hollow, with their absence echoing in the air.
I had only just returned to the dorm, catching my breath, when a sudden ripple of magic stirred the room. A shimmer of light burst across the floor, and in the blink of an eye, Sister Rona and Natre appeared right before me.
"Shall we go?" she asked, her tone casual, as though materializing unannounced in someone's dorm was the most ordinary thing in the world.
I smiled faintly and nodded. And just like that, we were at Mnarr Palace.
The grand dining hall awaited us, its long tables already laid out with a lavish spread for lunch. Platters of steaming food filled the room with mouthwatering aromas.
I gave my parents a very warm smile.
My stomach grumbled in anticipation, but I paused when I realized everyone else was waiting.
"For whom?" I muttered under my breath.
The answer came soon enough. Footsteps echoed across the polished floor, and then—Justin strode in. My heart gave an odd little skip.
But it wasn't Justin who made my eyes widen.
It was Dylan.
He followed close behind, looking every bit as infuriatingly composed as ever. Our gazes met for the briefest moment, and then—he winked.
My breath hitched, and I immediately tore my eyes away, heat rushing to my cheeks. Unbelievable.
As if that wasn't enough, when I dared glance sideways, I caught Justin grinning at me. His expression was unmistakable—teasing, knowing, like he could see straight through me.
I glared at him in return, but that only made his grin widen.
Forelody's voice rippled through my mind like a mischievous echo. 'Oh… you didn't tell me you had this kind of connection with him, Rhein.'
I stiffened. 'Forelody, shut up.'
'Don't deny it. Your heart just spiked through our bond the second he winked at you. You're practically glowing red right now.'
'I said, stop it!'
I nearly choked on air, my face heating further. My eyes darted toward Dylan, who was taking a seat as if nothing in the world was amiss.
'I am your pracien.' Forelody's amusement wrapped around me like silk.
I gripped the edge of the table so hard my knuckles turned white.
'Shut up or else, I'll roast you and serve you right here on this table.'
Of course, that only made her laugh harder inside my head. And if Forelody wasn't enough to deal with, Justin's grin nearly split his face as he sat across from me. He didn't say a word—not yet—but his eyes glimmered with wicked amusement, as though he knew exactly what had my cheeks burning.
I gripped my spoon so tightly it threatened to bend.
It was then I noticed the weight of several gazes on me. I looked up—and froze.
My parents, the king and queen, sat at the head of the table, their regal composure faltering as they studied me with furrowed brows. The queen's lips pressed thin, her concern clear in her eyes. The king leaned forward slightly, as if trying to decipher what was wrong with me.
Even my sister had stopped mid-bite to stare. Her head tilted, eyes narrowing suspiciously. Audrey, too, watched me with quiet worry.
"Rhein?" Mother asked gently. "Are you unwell? Your face is so red."
I nearly jumped from my seat. "I-I'm fine!" I blurted, waving my hands too quickly, too forcefully. The denial only made the warmth spread deeper across my cheeks.
The queen's eyes softened, unconvinced. "Are you certain? You seem uneasy."
"Yes," Father added, his deep voice laced with quiet authority. "If something is troubling you, Rhein, speak. Don't hide it."
My stomach twisted. Speak? What was I supposed to say? Sorry, Mother, Father, I'm blushing because Dylan winked at me.
No. Absolutely not. I'd rather fling myself into the nearest portal.
"I-it's just the heat," I stammered, tugging at my collar. "The food smells so good it's… overwhelming."
Sister Rona leaned an elbow on the table, smirking. "Overwhelming, huh? That's a new excuse."
Audrey's brow arched delicately. "Perhaps Sister Rhein caught something? A fever?"
"No fever," I said quickly, shaking my head so hard my hair whipped around me.
Across the table, Justin bit back a laugh, his shoulders shaking. Dylan, infuriatingly, wore a calm, unreadable mask—but his lips twitched, like he was fighting to keep from smiling.