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The week had progressed in a strange rhythm for Kaelen. Walking the same corridors every morning, sitting in the same classrooms, and facing Amanda in the training hall… At first, it seemed ordinary, but the small details gradually began to accumulate in his mind.
The drops of sweat falling on the stone floor of the training hall had become increasingly familiar. The time spent with Amanda had initially been just a learning exercise. Yet as the days went by, even the silence between them started to carry meaning.
Amanda was as eager as ever. With her magic staff in hand, she hurled light spells at Kaelen, but most of the time they either missed or proved insufficient. Kaelen, agile and quick, dodged the attacks and then paused to explain her mistakes. He didn't speak like a teacher, more like a comrade—honest and strict.
"The form of the spell doesn't matter, Amanda," he had said one day after an attack. "What matters is your aiming habit. Your eyes must decide before your hand does."
Amanda had slumped to the ground, grumbling. "It's impossible to move like you."
"I'm not that fast."
Kaelen had smiled. "Then stop trying to be fast. Play with thought. Leave some openings and let your enemy strike where you want."
Three days a week passed this way. But there was something else that had caught Kaelen's attention: Estelle.
Every other day, Estelle would appear in a shadowed corner of the hall. She didn't utter a word, nor offer a greeting. She sat silently, observed, and suddenly got up and left. Her presence left a sharp imprint in Kaelen's mind. He had not expected her to act this way. Yet understanding what she was thinking was impossible.
Most of the students spent the week working in their own spaces. The academy was full of classes, individual training sessions, and group activities. There were dormitories, a large library, simulation rooms, and magical laboratories designed specifically for the students. Yet in Kaelen's eyes, the people within this structure drew more attention than the building itself.
Olivia and Liam had briefly returned home. "There's some business in Africa, and my family needs me," Olivia had said before leaving. "I'll be back here in a few months."
Since then, Kaelen had heard nothing from them. As for Sofia and Arnold, he had no idea. Both had withdrawn to their corners; Sofia, especially, seemed to have disappeared into the shadows after being admitted to the academy. No greetings, no interactions. This didn't mean she had stopped training. Being from the Lyons family, she had begun learning from the best instructors.
Amid all this, Kaelen's daily routine remained unchanged. He woke early, trained with Amanda, then spent afternoons in the library reading mana theories and battle strategies. After dark, he retired to his room, jotting notes in a small notebook beside his bed: spell forms, weak points, tricks he had learned. Much of what he read was things he already knew, yet there was never too much knowledge.
When the week ended, shedding its last leaf, the day had not yet broken. The arched stone entrance of Eldorian Academy was shrouded in morning mist, the silver walls surrounding the courtyard giving off a muted shine in the cold light. The sky was gray, hesitant between rising and staying. A light wind blew, but even it seemed cautious in the morning stillness.
Kaelen had arrived at the gates on time. He had his black coat collar raised, hands in his pockets. His hair was messy, and his eyes bore traces of sleeplessness. But his expression was clear: ready for the mission.
Leaning against one of the marble pillars along the wall was Estelle, as quiet as the morning itself. The hood of her gray cloak was up, and a long, elegant magic bag rested on her back. Her red hair seemed to glimmer in the sunlight. Though he couldn't see her eyes, Kaelen could feel her carefully sensing the surroundings. As always, she had successfully blended her presence into the shadows.
"It's really hard for her not to draw attention," he muttered.
Kaelen waited silently beside her for a few minutes. Estelle did not speak.
After a while, Kaelen turned with a frustrated grunt.
"You know," he said, trying to sound cheerful, "people usually try to get to know each other before a mission. They… use words. Form sentences. Spending a day with you… is a bit intimidating, because you refuse to speak."
No answer came.
Kaelen glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Estelle hadn't even turned her head.
"Alright, silence is a virtue or whatever… but at least saying your name wouldn't hurt," he murmured, then sighed. "Admit it, I'm going to be the only one talking the whole time, aren't I? Whatever."
At that moment, the distant sound of an engine cut through the morning mist.
Kaelen lifted his head.
From down the road, a black vehicle emerged in the dim gray light, gradually becoming distinct. Its polished body reflected light like a mirror, the dark windows revealing nothing of the inside. With every movement, the ground seemed to yield to it, and even the cobblestones beneath its tires went silently.
The limousine came to a slow stop in front of the academy gate. When the engine fell silent, the world once again sank into quiet.
The driver's door opened. A man in a suit stepped out, glanced around briefly, then moved to the rear door, opening it with care.
A man descended.
Derick.
Tall and upright, the silver embroidery on the shoulder of his black jacket immediately marking him as a council member. He was in his late thirties; his brown eyes were firm but warm. His dark chestnut hair was neatly cut. A faint beard adorned his chin; not long, but prominent enough. He carried an air of tired wisdom and determination born of habitual responsibility.
Kaelen straightened involuntarily. Estelle did not move a step.
"You must be Kaelen," Derick said, his voice echoing smoothly in the cool morning air.
"Yes, sir," Kaelen replied with a slight bow. "You must be Council Wizard Derick."
"Drop the formalities," Derick said with a slight smile. "Calling me 'sir' makes me feel old. Just Derick is enough."
Kaelen nodded slightly, tension easing just a little.
Derick turned his gaze to Estelle.
"You're like a wall of concentration as always," he said. "But at least you're here. That counts. Your father warned me in case you didn't come. Just your presence is something."
Estelle gave a slight nod. Still no words.
"Alright," Derick said, gesturing to the limousine. "Get in. The road is long. We'll take you to those who passed through the teleportation portal."
Kaelen moved with Estelle toward the back seat. Once the door closed, the limousine started moving again.
Inside, there were soft leather seats, panel lamps glowing dimly, shelves framed in dark wood. In a small compartment, small bottles of tea and fruit juices were lined up. A holographic screen sat in the middle, currently turned off. The vehicle was silent, the engine noise barely perceptible.
"Tea and juice?"
Kaelen leaned back into his seat.
"Isn't this a bit too luxurious?" he asked, his voice tinged with mild sarcasm.
Derick smiled. "The Council budget doesn't care about such things. At your age, I would have enjoyed them. Besides, for this assignment in Menas, you shouldn't be picky about meals."
Kaelen nodded. "I don't know anything about that place. First time going."
"If you're observant, you'll learn a lot," Derick said. "I've been there four years. The scope of the mission darkens a little each year."
"Four years?" Kaelen asked. "Does your family live with you there?"
A spark appeared in Derick's eyes. He smiled lightly.
"Yes. My wife and our little girl. Her name is Iren. She turned four this year."
Kaelen narrowed his eyes slightly. "Wasn't it hard to take your family to such a place?"
"It was," Derick said honestly. "But that's the nature of this job. We don't get to choose where danger lies. Only who we bring with us."
Kaelen nodded. A few seconds of silence passed.
"What do we know about the mission?" he asked finally.
Derick leaned back. "There have been increasing mana disturbances in Menas' slums. Minor disappearances, oddly-shaped creatures… voices echoing in people's dreams. None of this makes it into official reports. The Council just says 'check it out.' Likely a corrupted type of monster has appeared. Rare as it is, this time the impact is somewhat significant."
Kaelen frowned. "Is this a reconnaissance mission or an intervention?"
Derick inclined his head. "For now, observation. But always keep your bag stocked with weapons. Especially in this city."
Kaelen nodded. "I've brought everything I need."
Derick's eyes turned to Estelle. "I'm not worried about you. But still, stay with Kaelen. He's new; you're experienced."
Estelle merely nodded.
Kaelen was starting to get annoyed at Estelle's silence. He would spend an entire day on this mission with her, yet she had not uttered a word.
"Meeting you is… truly a different experience," Kaelen said, turning to Estelle. "But don't worry, one day I'll get you to speak."
No reply.
Derick laughed. "Good luck, kid. Estelle is famous for her silence. Some in the Council even call her 'The Language of Shadows.'"
Kaelen shrugged. "Shadows enjoy talking to me."
Derick laughed again.
As the gray morning slowly gave way to noon, the limousine silently continued toward Menas. And Kaelen felt that something was approaching, an uncertain but inevitable step about to be taken.
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