The next morning, Kael woke up before the daylight had fully reached his windows. He remained still for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling. Beneath the Crown. Those three words had been circling through his mind since the previous evening. He slowly sat up and reached for the document he had left on his desk. The symbol was still there, almost invisible beneath the old ink. He had spent part of the night searching through the archives available to students. The Crown Crypt really existed. But unlike what he had initially imagined, it was not simply an abandoned room. It was part of the oldest structures of the castle. And access to it was forbidden. Kael placed the document in front of him. Why would his parents have left that clue? He already knew the most obvious answer. Because they had discovered something. What bothered him was that the symbol did not seem to have been added recently. It belonged to something much older. Kael carefully put the document inside his coat. He wasn't going to rush into the crypt. Not yet. If there really was something down there, he first needed to understand why the place had been forbidden. He left his room and headed toward the library. --- Asteria was already bustling with activity. Students moved through the corridors, some discussing their classes while others hurried so they wouldn't be late. Kael was walking calmly when a voice called out behind him. — Kael, wait for me! He turned around. Lysandra caught up with him, a few strands of her dark-blue hair falling across her eyes. — Do you always walk this fast in the morning? Kael looked at her. — I don't walk fast. She stared at him for a few seconds. — You just crossed three corridors while I was trying to catch up with you. Kael thought about it. — Then perhaps you should walk faster. Lysandra sighed, although a smile appeared on her face. — You could at least pretend to feel guilty. — I could. — And? — I don't feel like it. She shook her head. — You're really impossible. They continued walking together. After a few seconds, Lysandra noticed his expression. — You were thinking about all of this again last night, weren't you? Kael didn't answer immediately. — Yes. — The message? — Among other things. Lysandra remained silent for a moment. — Are you planning to keep searching on your own? Kael slightly turned his head toward her. — I didn't say that. — You don't have to. I'm starting to understand how you work. He gave her an almost amused look. — That's dangerous. — Why? — Because you might eventually understand things I'd rather keep to myself. Lysandra slowed down slightly. — I'm not asking you to tell me everything. But if someone is threatening you, I'd rather know what's happening. Kael didn't answer right away. Then he said calmly: — I'll be careful. — That's not exactly what I asked. — It's the only promise I can make. Lysandra looked at him for a few seconds before giving him a small smile. — Fine. For now, that'll be enough. --- The library was almost empty. Kael headed straight for the historical section. He already knew most of the books he had consulted the previous day, but this time he was looking for something specific. The Crown Crypt. After several minutes, he finally found a book bound in black leather. Ancient Chronicles of Asteria. Kael opened it. The first pages spoke about the construction of the academy, the Imperial Family, and the first generations of mages who had studied at Asteria. Then he found a mention. «“The original foundations of the castle were built upon an older structure, certain sections of which were later sealed.”» Kael continued reading. Several pages later, he found another passage. «“Access to the lower levels was forbidden by imperial decree following the Incident of the Crown.”» He stopped. The Incident of the Crown. That name had not appeared in any of the documents he had read before. Kael quickly turned the pages. He found another mention. But several lines had been deliberately scratched away. His eyebrows narrowed. — More erased records... A voice sounded behind him. — You seem to have a particular talent for finding documents students aren't supposed to read. Kael immediately closed the book. Lucian stood several meters behind him. His expression was calm. But there was something different in his eyes. Kael noticed it immediately. — You knew about the Crown Crypt? Lucian remained silent. Then he approached. — Where did you hear that name? — I'm asking you a question. — And I'm asking you one too. Kael held his gaze. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Finally, Lucian sighed. — Yes. I know about the place. Kael's attention sharpened. — Why have you never told me? Lucian looked around before sitting at the table. — Because some things have to be discovered at the right time. — My parents died investigating something. You knew they were searching for the truth. You knew they had discovered something. And now I find a clue leading to a forbidden crypt. His voice remained calm. But his eyes did not. — So explain to me why I should wait. Lucian remained silent. Then he answered: — Because I'm not certain that the people who killed your parents have stopped watching this matter. Kael went still. — You think they know I'm searching? — I think they might. Kael immediately thought of the message. Stop looking. Lucian noticed his expression. — Someone threatened you? Kael hesitated. He finally took the piece of paper from his coat and placed it in front of his uncle. Lucian read it. His expression hardened. — How long have you had this? — Since yesterday morning. — And you didn't tell me? — I wanted to understand who left it first. Lucian rubbed a hand over his face. — Kael... — I know. — No. You don't understand. Lucian lowered his voice. — If someone managed to enter that part of the castle without being noticed, they aren't simply another student. Kael remained silent. — You think it's a professor? — I don't know. — A noble? — Perhaps. — Someone from the Imperial Family? Lucian raised his eyes. — Don't take your assumptions too far. Kael frowned slightly. — Then give me something concrete. Lucian looked at the old book. — Several decades ago, something happened beneath the castle. After that, access to the lower levels was forbidden. — What happened? Lucian hesitated. — I can't tell you. Kael stared at him. — Because you don't know? — Because I only know part of the story. That answer surprised Kael. Lucian continued: — And that part isn't enough to understand what is actually down there. Kael looked at the book. — Did my parents go there? Lucian didn't answer. But his silence was enough. Kael understood. — They entered the crypt. Lucian closed his eyes for a moment. — I don't know if they entered it. — But you know they were looking for something connected to it. — Yes. For the first time in a long while, Kael felt as though he was truly getting closer to the truth. — What were they looking for? Lucian looked directly into his eyes. — That's precisely what I don't want you to discover on your own. --- After leaving the library, Kael returned to class. He barely listened during the first part of the lesson. His thoughts kept returning to his conversation with Lucian. His parents might have investigated the crypt. The symbol was ancient. Someone was threatening him. And now he knew that Lucian was still hiding part of the truth from him. When the lesson ended, Kael gathered his things. Lysandra was waiting outside the classroom. — Your uncle talked to you? Kael looked at her. — How do you know that? — I saw the two of you together in the library. — Are you spying on me now? — I was simply passing by. Kael raised an eyebrow. — Of course. Lysandra smiled. — So? What did he tell you? Kael hesitated. He could tell her. But he didn't want to involve her any further. — He confirmed that the Crown Crypt exists. Lysandra's smile disappeared. — The crypt you mentioned yesterday? — Yes. — And you're planning to go there? Kael remained silent. Lysandra crossed her arms. — Kael. — I need to know what's down there. — And what if it's dangerous? — Then I'll be careful. — You just said that again. Kael gave her a faint smile. — This time, I mean it. She stared at him for several seconds. Then she sighed. — Fine. But if you decide to go, tell me. Kael looked at her. — Why? — Because you're not the only one who can take risks to discover the truth. He remained silent. Then he answered: — All right. Lysandra looked slightly surprised. — You actually agree? — Yes. — Without arguing? — You're starting to become annoying when you're right. She smiled. — I'll take that as a compliment. --- That evening, Kael returned to his room. He placed the book he had borrowed on his desk. Beside it, he placed the black crystal fragment. Then his father's document. He stared at the three objects. The same symbol. The same clue. And now, a new name. The Crown Crypt. Kael took his communication crystal. He hesitated for a few seconds before activating it. Black light appeared. Ethan's face formed inside the magical circle. — Do you know what time it is? — Yes. — And you still called me? — I need to ask you something. Ethan sighed. — I already have a feeling I'm not going to like this conversation. Kael showed him the symbol. Ethan's expression immediately changed. — Where did you find that? — At Asteria. Ethan remained silent. — Ethan? — I know that symbol. Kael straightened. — You already told me that. — No. Not exactly. Ethan glanced around, as though checking that no one could hear him. — When we were children, I saw that symbol on some of Father's documents. — What documents? — I don't remember exactly. But there were several. Father always kept them separate from everything else. Kael felt tension building in his chest. — Do you remember anything else? Ethan thought for a moment. — Yes. He looked directly at Kael. — One time, I heard Father talking to someone. They were talking about a place beneath a crown. Kael froze. — A crown? — That's what he said. A heavy silence settled between them. Kael looked at the book on his desk. Beneath the Crown. It wasn't a coincidence. — Ethan... — Don't tell me you're planning to go there. Kael didn't answer. Ethan closed his eyes. — Kael, listen to me. If Father and Mother were really searching for that place, then they had a reason. And if they died shortly afterward... He stopped. — I don't want you making the same mistake. Kael lowered his eyes. — I'm not planning to die. — That's not what I mean. Ethan sighed. — You know exactly what I mean. Kael remained silent. Then he answered calmly: — I'll find the truth. Ethan looked at him for several seconds. — Then don't search for it alone. The communication faded. Kael remained standing in front of the crystal. He then looked toward the window. In the distance, Asteria's towers stood against the night sky. Somewhere beneath them was a part of the castle almost no one could reach. A part his parents might have searched for. And someone clearly wanted him to stop asking questions. Kael picked up the black crystal fragment. The symbol on it seemed almost to glow beneath the moonlight. He closed his hand around it. This time, he wouldn't rush. First, he would discover how to enter the Crown Crypt. And above all... who had decided to seal it.