The corridor was quiet as Sylus walked ahead, his steps steady and unhurried.
Zipporah followed just behind him, her gaze shifting briefly to the figures trailing after them.
Damian moved with composed elegance, hands folded neatly behind his back. Beside him, Asta walked with a looser presence, his eyes wandering with quiet interest.
Zipporah frowned slightly, she hadn't seen them before.
"…Master Sylus," she began carefully, "are they- "
"You'll be introduced shortly," Sylus replied.
They reached the library doors.
Sylus pushed them open and stepped inside.
The library stretched wide and tall, shelves rising toward the ceiling, filled with endless rows of books. Light filtered through the windows, casting long, quiet shadows across the room.
At the center
Kairo stood near a shelf, a book in his hand, though his attention was clearly elsewhere.
"...I'm just saying, there's no way all of this is just theory," he muttered, glancing around.
Near the window, Ren sat with a book open, his posture still, his focus unmoved.
The door opening didn't disturb him. He turned a page.
Kairo noticed first.
"Oh- !"
He straightened.
"Master Sylus is here!"
Sylus walked forward, his gaze passing over them, Zipporah stepped in after him, her eyes scanning quickly.
Ren, Kairo, Then....
A pause.
Sylus stopped.
His gaze remained on the two students for a moment longer than necessary.
"Where is the fourth?" he asked.
Kairo blinked.
"Oh...uh…"
Zipporah spoke.
"She… was here when I left, Master Sylus."
Sylus said nothing.
just then
The library doors creaked open again.
All attention shifted.
A girl stepped in, carefully balancing a tray in her hands.
The soft scent of sugar drifted into the room.
Pastries.
She paused just inside the doorway, glancing at everyone as if only just realizing she had walked into something important.
"Oh... "
She adjusted her hold on the tray, "Sorry… I didn't know you were all already here."
Kairo's eyes lit up instantly, "Wait... are those for us?"
She blinked, "…No."
Then, after a small pause, "…Well... maybe."
Sylus watched her quietly, Zipporah's gaze sharpened slightly.
Ren did not look up, but the page he had been turning… stopped halfway.
Sylus finally spoke, "You are late."
The girl shifted slightly, not looking particularly bothered, "I had to go back to the kitchen," she said simply, lifting the tray a little. "They just came out fresh."
A small pause,Then, almost casually, "I thought it would be a waste not to bring some.... they are fresh."
Silence lingered for a moment
Now all four were present, "Sit wherever you're comfortable."
The tension in the room shifted slightly.
Kairo didn't hesitate, dropping into a chair near the center table, already looking far too relaxed for someone being evaluated.
Ivy moved to one of the softer seats nearby, carefully setting her tray down before taking a seat herself, already reaching for one of the pastries.
Ren chose a seat by the window, just as before, keeping a small distance between himself and the others.
Zipporah sat last, positioning herself where she could see everyone.
Sylus remained standing for a moment, then stepped forward.
"you know who I am, but students... just call me Sir " he said, his tone calm, warmer than before. "I will be overseeing your training isn't not gonna be what 's going on in the fields, you've passed that, " His gaze moved between them, not lingering too long on any one person.
" a minute for introduction, get to know yourselves."
Kairo raised his hand slightly, like he had been waiting for this.
"I'll go first," he said quickly. "I'm Kairo. I don't really like sitting still, and I like figuring things out as I go."
He leaned back slightly, grinning.
"And this place is already way more interesting than I expected."
Ivy glanced at him briefly before speaking.
"I'm Ivy," she said, her voice light and easy. "I like quiet places… and good food." She took a small bite from the pastry in her hand.
"This place has both, so I think I'll be fine."
Ren didn't look up immediately.
A small pause passed before he spoke.
"…Ren."
That was all, then, after a moment, "I prefer to observe before I act. and I wish to get to know you all" His tone was soft, but clear almost timid , Zipporah spoke last.
"Zipporah," she said calmly. "I adapt quickly to new environments."
Her gaze flicked briefly toward Sylus, "And I intend to make the most of this opportunity."
Sylus nodded once.
He stepped slightly to the side, his posture relaxed, but his eyes were not.
Behind him, Damian sat in silence, his gaze moving between each student with quiet precision.
Just… observing.
Sylus's attention returned to them.
"For now," he said, "we'll begin with something simple."
Kairo leaned forward slightly, already interested, Ivy rested her chin lightly against her hand, listening.
Ren remained still, Zipporah watched.
Sylus's voice remained calm as he continued " tell me how you got information about this training and why are you here.. you could have chosen to ignore it, or reject it but you accepted and also tell me why you think you are wealthy to be here"
Zipporah raised her hand, " I came here from a swordsmen clan far beyond to the Tempest mountain, my whole clan consist of swordsmen and women, I got a letter sent by my formal master requesting a retraining for a spot in her team, I couldn't refuse, I specialize in all forms of swords-style combat, I'm confident in my ability and I know I'm going to make it"
Ivy was next " I came from the city of Sabus, it is my birth place, I I also got the captains massage and thought to give it a try, I'm in the fields of digital architecture and I'm a proud student of the captain, and I hope one day we could work together as one team"
it was kairo's turn and he got up while everyone before him didn't. " my name is Kairo once again and I trained under the captain for four years, I was only ten years old when she made me her student, I come from the royal capital at the east district and I'm in the bloodline of the element benders, I was a gifted child, I to got the invitation , and want to give it a shot too, "
the room turned silent and everyone looked at the last person, Ren feeling their stares avoided eye contact while getting up, " I.. ahm.. I grew up in the western mountains, and... I ..ah.. I received the invitation, that's why I'm here"
Sylus sat on the sofa before them and " The captain had some interesting students" he whispered
' it looks like our student have been chosen' Damian chuckled while Sylus closed his eyes
'could this be any more easy' Sylus spoke internally.
' but master, are you sure that's the one you've picked' Damian asked.
' yeah, we were given orders the last time we were here, although we spent many of the days away we did have a meeting, I'm to have expel all but one of my students, but now...'
Damian laughed ' it was easy, the sin given to you and the student you have chosen are a perfect match '
' but not yet, I can't say it yet, for now we wait, after a week then I might say who the student moving on will be '