—Well… I love your hugs, but we can't stay like this all day —I laughed softly.
—You're right —she said, pulling away slightly, a little flushed.
The atmosphere lightened a bit.
—This afternoon I'm going to the Magical Organization building. They're finally going to tell me what my power is.
—It's true! You're turning fifteen —her eyes widened slightly—. With everything going on… I forgot. Happy birthday. Do you want me to get you something?
I shook my head.
—No need. I don't need anything… although —I glanced at her, smiling— another hug wouldn't hurt.
—Ah, of course… —she replied with a faint smile— First you complain and now you're asking for more. Typical you…
Still, she came closer and hugged me again.
Shorter this time.
But just as warm.
—Well, I should go —I said, pulling away— I need to get ready for the examination. Thanks for coming… I'm sure my brother would've liked seeing you here.
I waved them off.
The others started leaving.
Helen didn't.
When I began walking, I noticed her steps behind me.
—I'll come with you —she said— I've got nothing to do right now.
I looked at her for a second.
—I'm going home.
—Perfect —she replied without hesitation— I haven't been there in a while.
I didn't think too much about it.
We started walking.
The same path as before.
But this time… it didn't feel the same.
Having her next to me made everything a bit easier.
Quieter.
More… bearable.
We arrived home.
We went inside together.
For a moment, I thought about how strange it all was.
We looked like some kind of couple coming back after a long day.
A ridiculous thought.
Or maybe not.
I didn't want to stay in the main room.
Too many memories.
—Should we go to my room? —I asked.
—Sure.
We sat on the bed.
A small silence followed.
—Hey, Helen… —I started— I didn't ask before, but… where have you been these days? I haven't seen you much.
—I've been helping my parents —she answered casually— And you weren't exactly available either…
She smiled.
I smiled back.
—Fair enough.
Then she looked around the room.
Her eyes stopped on something.
The necklace.
The one she had given me years ago.
—Ah… you still have it —she said.
Her tone shifted slightly.
—I thought you would've thrown it away.
I frowned a little.
—Why would I do that? I keep it because I care about it.
—Right… —she replied— Even though you never wear it…
She said it lightly, but something underneath it felt different.
Hard to pinpoint.
—Fine, fine… I'll wear it —I said, standing up.
I picked it up and tried to put it on, but I couldn't fasten it properly.
—Wait —she said, stepping closer— I'll help you.
She stood behind me.
I felt her breath on my neck.
Her fingers brushing my skin.
Too close.
—There —she murmured.
I turned.
—It suits you —she added— You look really good.
—Thanks —I replied, smiling— Now we match.
For a second…
She just stared at me.
Silently.
…then quickly looked away.
This time her eyes landed on the training sword.
—You used to train with Elijah using that sword, right?
—Yeah.
She stayed looking at it for a few seconds.
—I'm sorry… —she murmured— I wish I could've done something.
I shook my head slowly.
—You wouldn't have been able to do anything. No one could. It's Aether's fault. He killed him.
A short silence.
—Are you sure about that? —she asked finally.
I frowned.
—They said it was natural causes…
—Helen —I cut in— You know that doesn't make sense.
She didn't answer.
—You saw him —I insisted— That day. You know what it felt like being near him.
She pressed her lips slightly together.
—I'm not saying it wasn't him… —she said calmly— I'm just saying we don't know for sure.
That annoyed me more than I expected.
I sighed.
—Fine… then listen —I lowered my voice— I'm going to tell you something I shouldn't tell anyone. And you can't tell anyone. Understood?
Helen nodded immediately.
—Okay.
—These past two days… I wasn't in an inn.
Her eyes widened slightly.
—Then where?
—I was in the palace. The guards took me there. And the king… spoke to me.
That got her attention immediately.
—The king? Why?
I looked at her directly.
—He gave me a mission.
I hesitated.
—No… an opportunity.
I swallowed.
—To avenge my brother's death.
Silence grew heavier.
—I have to kill Aether.
Helen didn't respond right away.
—Kill him…? —she repeated quietly.
—Yes.
—And why would the king ask you to do that?
—Because he knows what happened. He said Aether killed him.
She lowered her gaze slightly.
—And when will you do it?
—I don't know. I'm waiting for instructions.
She stayed silent.
Too long.
—Ren… —she finally said— you should think about this carefully.
—What?
—It's dangerous. Very dangerous.
—Of course it is.
—No… I don't think you understand —she added— It's not just a fight. It's… something else.
—What do you mean?
She hesitated.
—That you could lose… much more than you think.
Silence again.
Heavier this time.
—Well… —she suddenly said, standing up— you should rest.
I blinked.
—You're leaving already?
—Yeah. I've got things to do.
She avoided my gaze a little.
—See you, Ren.
Before I could answer, she was already gone.
I stayed alone.
Again.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
And for the first time since everything started…
Doubt appeared.
What if…?
What if Aether didn't kill my brother?
What if Helen was right?
What if I shouldn't do this?
Even so… I had already accepted the king's mission.
So what now? Could I back out?
Too many questions.
And no answers.
But I didn't have time to think much longer.
It was already late, and I still had to go to the examination.
I quickly put on my shoes and left the house almost running.
The building wasn't far. I had been there before.
Small. Discreet.
Nothing like the rest of the city. While Luminalia shone in gold tones, this place was white with dark blue details. Cold. Serious. Almost isolated.
I reached the door and knocked.
It didn't take long for it to open.
A tall man with a stern look stared at me silently, waiting.
—My name is Ren Draven. I've just turned fifteen… I'm here for the examination.
—Ren Draven…? —he repeated.
His expression changed immediately.
—I'm sorry about your brother. Come in.
I nodded.
—Thank you.
I entered.
Inside, the space was large but empty.
There was only one room.
Inside, there were already several people. Four boys and two girls, about my age. Some were talking. Others waited in silence.
For a second I thought about approaching them.
Saying something.
But I didn't.
I didn't feel like it.
Or maybe… I just didn't know how.
So I stayed aside.
Waiting.
The low murmur in the room felt uncomfortable. Like we were all there for the same reason, but no one wanted to admit it.
After a while, an older man appeared.
His hair was already turning white, though some of its original color remained. His presence carried authority, but not in an aggressive way.
Just… command.
—Hello everyone —he began, looking at the group— Welcome to the Luminalia Magical Organization.
He paused slightly.
—And first of all… happy fifteenth birthday. From today on, things change.
Some of us shifted uneasily.
—I know many of you already have an idea of your power —he continued— but this is where we confirm it.
He folded his hands behind his back.
—This test will not only reveal your ability. It will also determine your rank… and something more important: your potential.
Several people tensed.
—Ranks go from F to S. F is the lowest. S… the highest. The higher your rank, the greater your magical capacity.
He paused, letting it sink in.
—Until now, you've been at Luminalia School, learning basics. History, rules, theory… —he waved a hand dismissively— That's over.
His gaze sharpened slightly.
—From here on, each of you will follow your own path.
He began walking slowly.
—If we detect strong potential, you will be recommended to one of the kingdom's magical schools, each specialized in different abilities.
He stopped.
—For example… some of you may have seen Reid Thorne in the tournament.
A few murmurs.
—His thread manipulation led him to Valerion, a school specialized in that type of magic.
He looked around at us.
—The same will happen with you… if you prove worthy.
Silence.
—Any questions?
No one spoke.
—Good… the first one, come in.
He called a name I didn't catch.
A boy stepped forward confidently. Chin high. As if he already knew the result.
The door closed behind him.
We waited.
Minutes passed.
The door opened again.
He came out.
But he wasn't the same.
His posture had collapsed. His gaze was empty.
He walked straight toward the exit without looking at anyone.
No one asked anything.
No one dared.
—Next.
Another name.
Another boy went in.
The same thing happened.
Again and again.
They went in full of hope…
and came out silent.
The atmosphere grew heavier each time.
Until…
—Ren Draven.
My name.
My chest tightened.
My turn.