The next morning, Kael had packed his things and was waiting, ready to bid farewell to the north's freezing yet welcoming atmosphere. Lyra had also finished getting ready, as she was returning to the academy with him.
Just as they were about to set off, Galm came over to Kael. The stern expression on his face had given way to a fatherly warmth today. In his hand, he held a leather bracelet inscribed with runes.
"Take this, son," said Galm, holding out the bracelet to Kael.
"This isn't just an accessory. Inside is a small core that balances the flow of mana. Should the flames ever threaten to get out of control, this bracelet will absorb the excess energy spilling over without you even noticing, keeping you calm. It has a limited capacity, so don't rely on it too heavily."
As Kael slipped the bracelet onto his wrist, he bowed before his master, Galm.
"Thank you for everything, Master Galm!"
Galm smiled slightly and patted Kael on the shoulder.
"Take care of yourself at the Academy, son..."
Kael and Lyra sat facing each other in the horse-drawn carriage heading toward the Academy. As they watched the passing scenery outside, the atmosphere between them felt a bit different from yesterday's cheerful outing.
"Going back to the academy sometimes takes my breath away," Lyra said, looking out the window.
"I know graduation is still a long way off, but do you ever wonder what you'll do afterward? I mean, once the academy is over... I'm talking about joining the service of some kingdom."
Kael stopped watching the trees outside and turned to Lyra.
"I don't think so," he said honestly.
"Being bound to a king or a council and carrying out their orders... that's not really my thing. I think I'll continue on my own path, as an independent adventurer.
"Independence... That sounds nice. At least you can go wherever you want."
Kael looked at Lyra, who was lost in thought, and asked her the same question.
"What about you?"
"I'm my father's eldest daughter, Kael. After graduation, I have to return to the manor to take over his affairs and continue protecting the art of runes and the northern borders."
"Sometimes it feels like this path has already been laid out—like reading a book knowing the ending."
Kael leaned slightly toward her, noticing the stillness beneath her usual cheerful demeanor.
"You know, Lyra," Kael said, his voice soft yet reassuring.
"Just because you have to follow your father's path doesn't mean you can't carve out your own. Maybe your father taught you magic not just to protect the North, but so that one day you'll be strong enough to find your own freedom."
When Lyra looked up at him, Kael smiled gently.
"Someone like you is too stubborn to be confined within the walls of a mansion. When the time comes, you'll be the one to write the ending of that book. I believe that."
A faint, sincere smile had appeared on Lyra's face. Kael's simple yet clear support had been enough to momentarily ease the sense of confinement she felt inside.
"By the way, I've never mentioned this to you before, but I have another goal..."
Lyra turned her curious gaze toward Kael.
"My mother, Nerya... She's not doing well. There's only one thing that can save her from this illness: a plant called Astra-Lumina. According to my research, this plant grows in the Galthar region."
The cheerful expression on Lyra's face vanished instantly; the seriousness in her eyes made Kael pause for a moment.
"Did you say Galthar!?"
"Kael, do you realize what you're talking about? Galthar is the farthest west in the north—a place where every living thing flees. That region is entirely under the control of dragons and high-level monsters. People don't even dare to mention its name."
"Lyra—"
Just as Kael was about to speak, Lyra cut him off and continued:
"Whenever the Northern Kingdom launched an expedition there, they returned having lost their finest troops. The losses became so severe that, in the end, they found the solution in completely severing that place from the north. The entrance to Galthar was sealed through the collaboration of the kingdom's most powerful mages. Even if you reach it, breaking that seal is impossible!"
"Kael, I'm truly sorry for your mother, but your goal also goes against the kingdom's laws."
Kael fell silent after Lyra's final words. There was no point in arguing or explaining how impossible the seal was. He turned his gaze back out the carriage window.Lyra might have thought he'd given up or been convinced, but storms were raging in Kael's mind. He clenched his fist on his knee and thought to himself:
"Seals, dragons, or the kingdom's laws... None of them matter to me. If that plant is my mother's only hope for salvation,... I'll enter Galthar even if death awaits at the end of the path!"
When they stepped through the academy's massive gates, a familiar face was waiting for them:Rota frowned when he saw the two of them entering together, and even joking around quite intimately.
"You're finally back," Rota said as he walked toward them. His gaze shifted back and forth between Kael and Lyra.
"You two... have you gotten a little too close, or is that just me? It was just a short break—when did you two get so close?"
When Lyra noticed Rota's jealous attitude, she smiled playfully. She squared her shoulders and gently touched Kael's arm.
"Oh, Rota, don't even ask. Kael was my guest for the entire vacation. My father and I treated him so well that at one point I thought he'd never leave. In fact, he's practically an official citizen of the North now."
Rota's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"What!? A guest? Kael, so you stayed at Lyra's house?"
Kael could only sigh at Lyra's brazen attitude.
"I was only there for training, Rota. Lyra's exaggerating."
Rota shot Lyra a sharp look and turned back to Kael.
"Next time, I won't listen to any plans, Kael. If you're going to stay somewhere as a guest, you'll come to our mansion first. I don't get what you found in the cold of the North—our climate is much nicer."
While Lyra stuck her tongue out at Rota, Kael watched this sweet argument between his two friends.
When they entered the classroom, Teacher Vanil walked in with his usual hurried manner and made her way to the podium. She pushed the parchments on the desk aside and looked directly at the students. The noise in the classroom had suddenly stopped; Vanil's serious expression didn't bode well.
"Listen carefully!"
"We've received an official announcement today. A major tournament is being held this year among the five kingdoms. We didn't have such a plan originally, but the Central Kingdom unexpectedly invited the other four kingdoms to participate in the tournament. The five most talented students from each class will be selected and will set off for the Central Kingdom to represent our school."
As a wave of whispers began to spread through the classroom, Vanil raised her voice:
"The tournament will take place in the Central Kingdom's famous vast arena. But here's the most important part: King Arkonis Thal of the Central Kingdom will be there in person."
"Additionally, your opponents won't just be the other kingdoms—the Central Kingdom's own prestigious academy will also be participating in the tournament."
After Vanil's explanation, the atmosphere in the classroom suddenly grew heavy. The name Arkonis Thal had sparked a mix of fear and respect among the students.
"Arkonis Thal? Seriously?" whispered someone from the back row.
The student next to him swallowed hard:
"The real problem is the Central Academy. I heard all the students there are handpicked."
"Why now, then?" asked another voice. "There hasn't been anything like this in years."
Lyra, Rota, and Kael exchanged glances from their seats. Rota's usual confident demeanor had given way to a tense expression.
"The Central Kingdom?" Rota said, lowering her voice. "I've heard that not just anyone can get in—only the most brilliant minds are accepted."
Lyra's expression had also grown serious.
"Facing the students of the Central Academy... They're not just wizards; they're trained like war machines. I don't know if we should be afraid..."
"The King being there could be an opportunity," said Kael.
Rota looked at Kael in astonishment. "An opportunity? They say Kael can turn someone to ash with just a glance. What kind of opportunity are you talking about?"
"Think about it, Rota—we have a chance to see the Central Kingdom, and getting together with those stronger than us would be great experience."
Rota sighed and placed his hand on Kael's shoulder.
"Ah, my friend, you really are such a carefree guy. Sometimes I envy your self-confidence."
The list of selected students was to be announced the next day; that evening, the students at the academy couldn't sleep a wink.