Vyom took a deep breath, wiping every trace of fear from his face.
As a Grand Elder, he knew that if news got out that the spirit inside the seal had stirred, panic would sweep through the entire kingdom. The Council and other factions would see it as a sign of weakness and try to seize power.
With a slight magical gesture, he made the shattered glass pieces vanish.
The air in the room was still heavy with the oppressive energy that had been felt just moments ago. The seal isn't broken... not yet, he reassured himself, but the deep lines of worry on his forehead told a different story.
Vyom clasped his hands behind his back and began walking toward the dark corridor that led directly to the chamber of the Main Seal.
He didn't use any torch or magical light; he knew every stone in this place like the back of his own hand.
He stopped before the heavy stone door, which was covered in ancient carvings. A faint blue glow from his magic touched the engravings. The seal was silent, but Vyom knew this silence was nothing but a deception. He placed his hand on the cold stone and sank his consciousness into the depths.
There was no physical movement, yet there was a strange resonance—as if an old memory had just passed through.
Vyom stepped back, his eyes narrowing. He couldn't understand how the arrival of a 'no-magic' boy could be linked to this disturbance, but as a experience himself, he didn't believe in coincidences. He knew there was something strange about that child, but was it enough to wake an evil spirit?
"I will see for myself what is hidden in the depths," he commanded the darkness.
"Without telling anyone. Without making a sound."
This was the very darkness left behind by the person who had originally imprisoned the evil spirit here.
He decided that for the next few days, he would personally monitor the seal and secretly analyze every move the boy made—watching from a distance, like a hunter watching his prey.
In an instant, Elder Vyom vanished into thin air, as if he had never been there at all.
Back in the guest house.
Lucian rested his elbow on the desk, his chin balanced lightly in his palm as he stared at the hovering spirit before him. The little creature had grown calmer now, its glow steady rather than flickering nervously as it had been earlier.
Outside the window, a sudden gust of wind surged through the towering trees of Sylverin, making the forest shiver. The branches rustled violently for a moment before falling into a dead silence once again.
Lucian gazed into the dark woods beyond the glass. His expression shifted. He felt something... different. He frowned slightly.
The spirit hovering above the desk was the first to react. Its glow abruptly dimmed.
Lucian noticed it instantly. "What?"
Out on a tree, there was something strange—like a black shadow. At first glance, it looked like a human draped in a dark curtain, with a terrifying dark aura bleeding from its body and seeping into the ground beneath the trees. Its presence was so overwhelming that beads of sweat began to roll down Lucian's skin.
His eyes widened, locked onto the figure. He felt a bizarre sensation, as if something had crawled into his very eyes. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't; his gaze was frozen.
His legs trembled. He tried to scramble backward, but the chair slipped, and he went crashing down to the floor.
Thud.
No sound. Nothing.
Suddenly, Lucian—who had just fallen—blinked his eyes open.
He found himself sitting back at the table, exactly as he was before he had ever looked out the window. He bolted upright and stared toward that same tree, but there was nothing there. It was as if it had never existed, as if what he saw was merely a cruel trick of the mind. The village was as silent as it had always been.
But Lucian knew. He was certain he had seen something. He had felt that presence.
For a moment, his breath hitched in his throat. He turned around to check on the spirit, but the sprite was gone. It had vanished into thin air. He furrowed his brows, deep in thought.
"Is this some kind of nightmare.?" He rubbed his eyes and blinked several times.
Everything seemed normal again. He took a deep, shaky breath.
Lucian Ravencrest finally closed his notebook and stood from the desk. He stretched his arms lazily before glancing once more toward the dark forest outside.
"Where did that sprite vanish to so suddenly?" he murmured to himself. "Perhaps it felt it too... and fled out of fear."
Lucian looked at the Anomaly book, then at his notes.
"Enough studying for tonight."
He blew out the enchanted lamp. The room fell into darkness.
And as Lucian lay down upon the bed, the forest wind whispered softly through the branches of Sylvarin—carrying with it the faint echo of something ancient that had begun to awaken far below the earth.
Morning came slowly to Sylvarin.
The first light of dawn did not arrive all at once. Instead, it slipped gently through the towering forest, pale silver rays weaving between the branches of ancient trees before touching the rooftops of the village. Dew clung to the leaves, and the soft glow of the enchanted flowers that had illuminated the night gradually faded as the sun began its quiet ascent beyond the eastern hills.
The village stirred awake.
The spirits were once again drifting lazily between the branches, their faint glow lingering in the air like scattered stars fading into the daylight.
The thin wooden walkways connecting the guest houses creaked softly as servants and attendants began their morning chores.
Inside the guest house, the young guests of Sylvarin slowly stirred awake.
Some stretched sleepily, while others whispered excitedly about the events of the previous day.
But in a particular room near the end of the hallway, Lucian Ravencrest had been awake long before the first light of dawn reached his window. He hadn't been able to sleep properly, his mind consumed by the effort to make sense of that strange incident. That dark shadow continued to loom in the back of his mind.
He sat once more at the small wooden desk, though this time, instead of the library books, his own notebook lay open before him. He had filled it with notes from the Book of Magic Anomalies to begin his revision.
He opened it and started to read.
Lucian tapped the tip of his pen against the page, deep in thought.
"Observation One," he murmured softly. "Spirits respond to magical resonance."
He moved on to the next line.
"Observation Two..."
Lucian paused.
"...Spirits flee when exposed to unstable resonance."
Lucian placed the notebook back on the table and let out a long yawn. The lack of sleep from the previous night was starting to weigh on him, making his body feel heavy and weak.
He began to stretch his stiff muscles before turning toward the washroom to freshen up.
Suddenly, there was a light knock on the door.
Lucian glanced toward it, his expression filled with lethargy.
"Yeah?" he answered in an annoyed voice.
The door opened slowly.
Finn Ashwood was standing there, leaning casually against the frame. He crossed his arms and peeked into the room.
"Looks like you're up early," Finn said with a teasing smirk.
Lucian raised his eyelids tiredly. "You're awake too, aren't you?"
Finn smiled. "Fair point."
He stepped inside, his eyes drifting toward the desk cluttered with notes.
"…Looks like you've been studying all night. You've even made some notes. Interesting?"
Lucian shrugged. "What else am I even supposed to do? By the way... you really should learn to ask for permission before entering someone's room."
Finn walked closer, skimming through the papers. "You really like this stuff, don't you?"
Lucian's gaze followed Finn's to the scattered diagrams and scribbles. "I just enjoy understanding how things work."
Finn leaned against the desk. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, the other kids are still arguing over who saw the most spirits yesterday."
Lucian nodded calmly. "Sounds productive."
Finn let out a soft chuckle. "You're weird, you know that?"
Lucian tilted his head slightly. "So I've been told."
"You're good with words, I'll give you that," Finn added, glancing around the room one last time before speaking again.
"Breakfast is starting soon."
Lucian stood straight, stretching his arms over his head. "Hmm, I'll be there. But... do you really think I should come?"
Finn looked at him with surprise, then flashed a mischievous smile. "Well, you have to come. You can't exactly stay hungry, can you? You don't seem very excited about today."
Lucian turned and moved back toward the table. He picked up one of the books and neatly placed it back onto the stack.
"Should I be?"
Finn shrugged his shoulders. "Yesterday was nothing special.
Today is when your proper training actually begins."
Lucian thought about it for a moment. Then, a faint smile played on his lips. "Fine then. I suppose I'll have to show up."
Lucian headed toward the washroom. Behind him, Finn pushed off the table and started walking toward the exit.
Lucian paused and looked back as Finn was leaving. "By the way... what exactly are they planning to teach us today that's so special?"
Finn didn't say a word. He simply gave a small nod with a mysterious smile and disappeared down the hall.
Lucian watched him go for a second before finally stepping into the washroom.
The Elder calmly gestured toward the table. "Sit."
As the other children gathered around the long wooden tables, Lucian took his seat directly opposite the Elder, with Lyra sitting down right beside him. For a while, the hall was filled with the soft sounds of breakfast.
Yet, beneath the peaceful atmosphere, Vyom Precious continued to watch the young prince with silent curiosity.
He could sense two distinct, conflicting auras clashing within Lucian—a flow of energy strong enough to catch anyone's attention.
Meanwhile, Lucian noticed something too.
Breakfast in Sylvarin was unlike the formal meals served within the marble halls of great kingdoms.
There were no servants standing stiffly beside chairs, no silver goblets engraved with noble crests, and no rigid etiquette forcing children to sit silently while elders spoke. Instead, the dining courtyard felt warm and strangely alive.
Long wooden tables stretched beneath the wide canopy of ancient branches, their surfaces filled with simple but hearty food—fresh bread still warm from the ovens, bowls of forest berries glistening with morning dew, steaming herbal broths, and honey gathered from enchanted hives hidden somewhere deep within the forest.
The air carried the comforting scent of baked grain and pine resin.
Birds moved between the branches overhead, their soft calls blending with the quiet conversations of the gathered children.
Lucian, sitting next to Lyra, tore a small piece of bread, watching the activity around him with mild curiosity.
Across the table, several kids were still boasting about the previous day's events with over-the-top excitement.
"I swear, the Dragon looked right at me before choosing her!" one boy claimed.
"Impossible. It didn't even glance your way," another argued.
"I saw it breathe fire!" the first boy added with an air of superiority.
"It did not breathe fire," Lyra muttered, lowering her head, clearly embarrassed by the constant attention. Still, she did her best to respond politely whenever someone addressed her.
Lucian noticed the tension immediately. Without looking at her, he said softly, "You can just ignore them."
Lyra looked at him. "But... they're just excited."
"Yes," Lucian dipped a piece of bread into his bowl. "And they'll stay excited for the next three days."
Lyra blinked. "Three days?"
Lucian nodded calmly. "Usually, that's how long these things last."
Finn, sitting across from them, chuckled.
"He's not wrong."
Maisie glanced at the children, noticing the rowdy conversation. "Everyone should finish their food instead of dwelling on yesterday's tales," she said firmly. "Princess Ravencrest will have plenty of time to discuss her book later."
The group gradually quieted down, though many cast curious glances at Lyra as they returned to their meals.
For a few moments, the courtyard returned to the quiet rhythm of breakfast.
Then, Grand Elder Vyom Precious rose slowly from his seat at the head of the table. The slight scrape of his chair against the wooden floor was enough to command everyone's attention.
The Elder's calm gaze swept over the gathered students. "Today," he said softly, "your real lessons begin."
The children sat up straight. Some leaned forward eagerly; others exchanged nervous glances.
"Yesterday, you saw the spirits," he continued, gesturing toward the forest. "Today, you will begin to learn how to speak with them."
A whisper of excitement rippled through the group. Lucian rested his chin on his palm.
"Now that sounds promising."
"Usually, spirits don't use words," the Elder explained. "They express themselves through emotions—fear, joy, anger. But for those not yet connected to magic, there is a deeper path. Every human has soul energy, and sprites can amplify that energy manifold. To become a powerful magician, you must learn to communicate with them."
A girl raised her hand. "But Elder, how do we talk to them if they don't speak?"
Another boy added, "We haven't heard a single sprite say anything since we arrived!"
Vyom Precious gave a serene smile. "You must understand each other's nature. If you are calm, seek a Water or Wind sprite. Start with small spirits that match your own temperament.
The Elder looked at all the children, his face showing curiosity to know more.
You must meditate, feel their energy merging with yours. Once your energies become one, you can speak through the mind. No lips, no words—just thought."
"Keep in mind that a single sprite can possess more than one elemental nature. That's why I suggest you start with the smaller ones—find a sprite whose spirit resonates with your own. It makes the bond much stronger."
The children were stunned.
Most had never heard of such a thing.
As the Elder clapped his hands, commanding everyone to finish lunch and follow Maisie and Finn for practice.
Lucian looked away, clearly displeased with the Elder's behavior. The way the old man constantly watched him felt all too familiar—it made him feel like he was back among those noble families from the novels, the ones who always looked down on others with judgmental eyes.
Beside him, Lyra was practically frozen in joy.
She had stopped eating, a small crumb of food stuck to her cheek, her eyes sparkling like stars. She was already dreaming of playing with her sprite and giving it a name.
Lucian looked at her, making a "What happened to her?" face, and gently wiped her cheek with a handkerchief. Lyra didn't even notice; she was lost in her own world.
"The training grounds are ready," Maisie announced, pointing toward a forest path.
"Follow us."
The group surged forward with renewed energy. Lucian followed at the back, his pace slow and deliberate. Lyra walked beside him.
"Are you excited?" she asked softly.
Lucian considered the question. "Curious. Are you excited?"
Lyra grabbed his hand, flashing a brilliant smile and showing off her book. "I am beyond excited!"
Lucian gave her a small smile. Usually, that's how it is, he thought. Knowledge brings excitement, especially to children.
Finally, the path opened into a wide, circular clearing. In the center were stone platforms arranged in a specific pattern, their surfaces glowing with faint runes.
"Welcome to the Spirit Grounds," Finn said, spreading his arms wide.
Tiny spirits were already floating among the trees like drifting lanterns. Maisie began dividing the students into groups.
"You will go to the platforms one by one. Sit quietly, and let the spirits come to you if they wish."
Finn added with a smirk, "Don't get too confident. It takes some people days to succeed. I wouldn't want your hearts to break on the first try."
He laughed loudly, causing several kids to lose their confidence. Maisie, annoyed, promptly smacked the back of Finn's head.
"Stop talking!" she snapped. "If you disturb them again, I'll pull your own sprite out!"
Seeing their senior get scolded turned the mood back to normal.
The kids burst into laughter, their motivation returning. Lucian watched the scene with his hands behind his head.
"Lyra bit her lip, trying not to laugh at her senior, but a giggle escaped anyway."—she burst out laughing too.
"The one who was laughing at us is now being laughed at!" she giggled.
Seeing her so happy, a genuine smile finally touched Lucian's face.
An abyss-like black mouth suddenly tore open across his back. It had no teeth, no tongue—just a void of pure darkness. From its depth, a thick, invisible black liquid began to seep out, spilling onto the ground.
Lucian stiffened, a sudden, inexplicable chill crawling up his spine as he felt something deeply 'wrong' happening right behind him.
From the heart of the dense, dark forest, an invisible chain forged from pure black aura surged forward like a striking serpent. It lunged toward the void on Lucian's back, plunging straight into the gaping black mouth.
As if it had caught its prey, the mouth slammed shut, clamping down firmly on the spectral chain.
The liquid stopped, the void vanished, but the weight of that invisible tether remained, anchoring Lucian to something hidden deep within the woods.