The symbol was still there. Carved into the door. Kael stopped in front of it for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on the dark lines forming the same pattern as the one he had found six years earlier in his father's study. An incomplete circle. Three vertical lines. And in the center, a small shape that almost looked like an eye. “Are you planning on standing there all day?” Noah's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. Kael slowly looked away. “No.” “Then why are you staring at that door like it just killed someone?” Kael gave him a neutral look. “It probably can't.” Noah raised an eyebrow. “‘Probably’?” “I said probably.” “Great. Very reassuring.” They continued down the hallway. But Kael took one last look behind him. The door looked completely ordinary. At least, on the surface. ─── The next morning, Asteria was already bustling with activity. The corridors were filled with students. Some were talking about their first classes, others about their families, while a few had already gathered around the most well-known students. Kael walked calmly alongside Noah. “You know,” Noah began, “you could try smiling once in a while.” “Why?” “To look less intimidating.” “I'm not trying to look intimidating.” Noah looked at his red eyes. Then at his perfectly expressionless face. Then at his black clothes. “Yet you're doing a very good job.” Kael didn't answer. A group of students walked past them. “Is that Veyron?” “Yeah.” “The one whose parents died?” “I heard he was there when—” Their voices faded into the distance. Kael simply continued walking. Noah, however, had heard them. “It's starting.” “What?” “The rumors.” Kael shrugged slightly. “They can talk.” “Doesn't it bother you?” “Not really.” Noah looked at him for a few seconds. “Even if it's false?” “Especially if it's false.” Noah gave him a small smile. “I'll admit, that makes sense.” Kael stopped in front of the classroom. “As long as they don't talk about my family or my lands.” Noah's smile faded slightly. He immediately understood. For Kael, some things could be ignored. But not everything. ─── The next class was dedicated to Aura Theory. The professor explained the different ways aura could strengthen the human body. “Aura isn't simply energy meant for combat,” he explained. “It can also improve perception, reaction speed, and physical resistance. However, poor circulation can cause—” A hand was raised. Adrian Rovenhart. “Professor, is it possible to concentrate one's aura into a weapon without losing physical strength?” The professor nodded. “Yes. But it requires advanced mastery.” Adrian glanced toward Kael. “Some students already seem to have remarkable control.” Several eyes turned toward Kael. Kael didn't move. “Veyron.” Adrian smiled. “I simply wonder whether the great heir of House Veyron is really as talented as people say.” Silence. Kael slowly turned his head. “Want to find out?” Adrian straightened. “Perhaps.” “Then ask for a duel.” Noah sighed. “And here we go.” The professor lightly tapped his desk. “That's enough. Duels between students must be approved by a professor.” Adrian smiled. “With pleasure.” Kael turned his attention back to the lesson. As far as he was concerned, the conversation was over. But at the back of the room, a young girl with dark blue hair silently watched the two boys. Lysandra Arven. She had noticed something. Kael hadn't tried to provoke Adrian. He hadn't even seemed angry. He had simply answered. As if the outcome of the duel didn't matter to him at all. Curious, she continued watching him. ─── At the end of classes, Kael received a message. A professor was waiting for him in the hallway. “Kael Veyron?” “Yes.” “The director wants to see you.” “Now?” “Now.” Kael followed the professor. A few minutes later, he found himself standing in front of Alaric D'Aster's office. He knocked. “Come in.” Kael opened the door. The director was sitting behind his desk. Lucian was also in the room. “Kael.” “Uncle.” Lucian gave him a smile. “So? First full day?” “Fine.” “‘Fine’?” “Yes.” Lucian sighed. “Six years of academy, and I can already tell I'm going to have to learn how to interpret every single one of your words.” Alaric stifled a laugh. “Sit down, Kael.” Kael took a seat. The director folded his hands in front of him. “I simply wanted to make sure your arrival was going well.” “Everything is fine.” “The other students?” “They talk.” Alaric frowned slightly. “Rumors?” Kael nodded. “Nothing important.” Lucian, however, was no longer smiling. “What are they saying?” Kael looked at him. “About me.” “Only about you?” Silence. “For now.” Lucian understood. “If anyone goes after your family—” “I know.” Kael stood up. “I can handle it.” Lucian watched him carefully. He knew Kael was telling the truth. But he also knew there were certain things his nephew couldn't simply deal with by ignoring them. Especially that symbol. And what Kael had begun searching for. ─── That night, Kael sat alone in his room. A small lamp illuminated his desk. In front of him was a copy of his father's letter. He had kept it for six years. He knew every word. Every crease. Every detail. “If they discover what we found, they will kill us.” Kael slowly ran his finger over the symbol drawn at the bottom of the letter. The same one as the symbol on the door. His scarlet gaze hardened. “Why here?” He stood up. He took a sheet of paper and drew the symbol from memory. Then, beside it, he added the few pieces of information he had managed to gather since his parents' death. Lorn Forest. Storm. Carriage. No survivors. Accident. He crossed out the last word. Then wrote: Lie? A faint sound came from behind him. Kael turned around. The window was slightly open. The wind made the curtains move. Nothing else. He approached the window and looked out at the courtyard, shrouded in darkness. No one. He was about to close the window when he noticed something. On the outer wall, directly beneath the window, someone had carved a small symbol. The same one. Exactly the same. Kael remained motionless. This time, his expression changed. Only slightly. But enough. Someone knew. Someone knew this symbol. And above all... Someone knew he was looking for it. ─── Several corridors away, a figure moved through the darkness. He stopped in front of a window. A man. Professor Darian Valcroix. He looked out at the courtyard for a few seconds. Then murmured: “He recognized the symbol.” Another man, hidden in the shadows, answered: “Then he's closer to the truth than expected.” Darian slightly clenched his fists. “He must not go any further.” “And if he refuses to stop?” Silence. Then came a cold reply. “Then we'll give him a reason to stop.” In Kael's room, the flame of the lamp flickered. And, for the first time in six years, the past had found his trail again.

His Father's Letter