Lyra followed Aldric through the long corridor outside the Assessment Chamber. Her legs still shook from the vision, and her palms felt cold despite the heat that always lingered beneath her skin now.
Aldric didn't speak as they walked.
Which was almost worse than him talking.
They passed tall glass windows showing the academy's massive courtyard. Students practiced spells that shimmered in the air whirlwinds, water streams, pebbles levitating in perfect spirals. The sight was breathtaking.
And terrifying.
These students had control.
Lyra had none.
Aldric stopped before a tall silver-framed door.
"This will be your dormitory," he said.
Lyra almost stumbled.
"My… dormitory?"
"Of course." He gave her a brief nod. "You'll be living here for the school year like every other student."
Lyra peered nervously at the door.
"But… I don't even have an affinity."
He fixed her with a steady look.
"You have a power that surpasses affinities."
She wasn't sure that made her feel better.
Aldric pushed open the door.
Inside was a cozy, small room ,wooden shelves, a narrow bed, a window overlooking the courtyard, and a simple desk. It wasn't fancy… but it was hers.
Lyra touched the bedframe lightly.
"I've never lived away from home."
"Most first-year students haven't." Aldric stepped back toward the hall. "Get some rest. Tomorrow morning, you'll meet your instructors and be given your schedules."
Lyra nodded. "And… the Calamity… if he appears again…?"
Aldric's eyes softened with something like concern.
"Call me immediately," he said. "Do not face anything alone."
He stepped out, then paused.
"And Lyra? Remember this."
She looked up.
"Crimson power doesn't choose lightly.
If it chose you… there is a reason."
The door closed.
Lyra stood alone in her new room, his words echoing in her chest.
A reason.
But was it a good one… or a terrible one?
Hours Later…
Lyra sat on the bed, trying to calm her racing mind.
The vision,the voice.
The Calamity's ember eyes.
She wrapped her arms around herself.
"What if he comes back…?"
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft ping against the door.
She jumped.
Ping.
Ping-ping.
Someone was knocking fast, impatient, excited.
Lyra hesitated before opening it a crack.
A boy about her age stood outside, grinning widely, carrying a stack of books that looked two seconds away from toppling. He had ruffled sandy-blonde hair, round glasses, and ink-stains on his fingers.
"Hi!" he said immediately. "Are you the new student? The special one? I'm Aerin...Aerin Solwind ,Air Affinity, Class A, top marks in magical theory …well, except for transmorphic equations, but that's a long story, anyway....HI!"
Lyra blinked.
He talked like a fast wind.
"I… um… hello," she managed.
Aerin pushed his glasses up. "Headmaster Aldric asked me to bring you some books. Basics of Academy Life, Introduction to Runes, Map of Campus, stuff like that."
Lyra opened the door wider, surprised. "He sent you?"
"Yep! I'm his teaching assistant for the year. Well, unofficially. I mostly organize his notes and trip over furniture, but it counts."
Lyra almost laughed.
Almost.
Aerin stepped inside without waiting to be invited, looking around curiously.
"Nice room! Oh your window faces the east courtyard! Great sunlight in the morning, terrible during exams if you sit by the glass everyone complains about heatstroke—oh! And also, don't leave cookies on the desk. The pixie-birds steal them."
Lyra's eyebrows shot up. "The… what?"
Aerin pointed out the window. "Pixie-birds. Tiny. Sparkly. Evil."
Lyra shook her head. "This school is… different."
"Oh, you have no idea." Aerin plopped the books on her desk. "Anyway! Welcome to Emberveil."
He smiled bright, friendly, and without the fear the villagers had shown her.
Lyra relaxed a little.
Then Aerin lowered his voice.
"So… I heard it was the Headmaster himself who brought you here."
Lyra froze.
Why did he sound curious?
Did he know something?
Aerin continued, "He rarely does that. Only students with… unusual circumstances."
She felt the crimson fire stir faintly inside her chest.
"W-What kind of unusual?" she asked nervously.
Aerin shrugged. "Special power, rare affinity, weird spell reactions stuff like that! But don't worry, you're not the first mysterious case."
Lyra let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Aerin didn't know about the crimson flame.
He didn't know about the Calamity.
Good.
She needed to keep it that way.
Aerin checked the time crystal embedded in his sleeve.
"Ah! I gotta go. Class meeting in ten minutes."
He opened the door, then paused.
"Lyra?"
She looked up.
"If anyone gives you trouble," he said seriously, "I'll show you the shortcuts to avoid them. Emberveil's full of hidden hallways. And I know them all."
Lyra blinked. "Thank you… Aerin."
He flashed a grin.
"See you tomorrow!"
The door shut behind him.
Lyra leaned back against it, letting out a long breath.
A friend or something close to one.
Maybe life at Emberveil wouldn't be all fear and danger.
But as she turned toward the window, she noticed something strange.
A single red ember floated in the air beside her bed.
Just one,Soft ,Faint
Glowing like a heartbeat.
Lyra backed away, breath caught in her throat.
"No… not now…"
The ember pulsed,then dissolved.
The Calamity wasn't gone.
He had found her again.
And he was still watching.