The days that followed returned to an almost ordinary rhythm. After several weeks during which the Imperial Academy of Asteria had been shaken by strange events, that normality felt strangely pleasant. The students talked more about training than rumors. The professors had resumed their usual lessons. Even the knights of the Order of the Black Raven seemed to have blended into the academy's scenery, although their presence still attracted quite a few curious looks. Kael, meanwhile, had returned to his usual routine. Classes in the morning. Training in the afternoon. The library whenever he needed some peace and quiet. And Noah, who always found a way to disturb that peace. “You know what I've noticed?” Kael continued reading without looking up. “No.” “You answer much faster when you already know my comment is going to be annoying.” Lysandra, sitting across from them, stifled a laugh. They were sitting in a quiet corner of the library after their strategy class. Several books were open in front of them, but Noah seemed to have given up on any attempt to actually study several minutes ago. Kael turned a page. “Maybe it's because I know your comments.” “That's proof of our friendship.” “That's mostly proof of my patience.” “Same thing.” “Absolutely not.” Lysandra smiled. “You two are impossible.” Noah leaned toward her. “See? Even she agrees.” “She was talking about you.” “Betrayal.” Kael allowed himself a faint smile. Something had changed between them over the past few days. Nothing dramatic. But things seemed easier. Adrian had naturally started joining the group during certain classes. Noah had already included him in several conversations without even realizing it. Lysandra regularly exchanged strategies with him during combat exercises. And Kael... Kael was beginning to appreciate his presence. Adrian never tried to force anything. He didn't ask questions he knew Kael didn't want to answer. He observed. He understood. And most importantly, he never pretended to know something he didn't. A rare quality at Asteria. The bell announced the end of their break. Noah abruptly closed his book. “Finally.” Kael looked at the cover. “You didn't read anything.” “I was thinking.” “About what?” “The best way to survive the next training session.” “And?” “I found nothing.” Lysandra shook her head. “That doesn't surprise me at all.” --- That afternoon's training focused on close-quarters combat. The students gathered in the large training yard, where several circles had been drawn across the ground. The professor explained the rules. “Today, there will be no rankings. No competition between classes. I only want to see how well you can adapt to an opponent you're not used to.” Noah looked at Kael. “So we're supposed to fight someone we don't know?” “That's exactly what he just said.” “I was hoping you'd translate for me.” Kael sighed. The groups began forming. This time, Adrian ended up in the same circle as Kael. They looked at each other for a few seconds. “Looks like we're lucky,” Adrian remarked. “Or not.” “You're going to analyze my movements before attacking again, aren't you?” “Probably.” Adrian smiled. “At least you're honest.” The signal sounded. The first exchange was quick. Adrian attacked directly, his aura concentrated around his arm. Kael dodged with ease, pivoted, and tried to strike him in the shoulder. Adrian ducked just in time. He counterattacked. Kael blocked. Their auras collided briefly. Both stepped back. “Not bad,” Adrian said. “You're not bad either.” “That was almost a compliment.” “Don't exaggerate.” Adrian attacked again. This time, Kael had to genuinely concentrate. Adrian wasn't particularly fast. But he was constantly thinking. Every movement seemed designed to test Kael's reaction. He changed angles. Feinted. Backed away whenever he realized an attack was too risky. Kael eventually understood his fighting pattern. He waited. Adrian attacked. Kael dodged. Then, at the last moment, he placed his foot behind Adrian's and used his own momentum against him. Adrian landed on his back. The entire circle heard the impact. Silence. Then Noah shouted from the neighboring circle: “ADRIAN!” Adrian raised one hand from the ground. “I'm fine.” Noah burst out laughing. Kael offered Adrian his hand. Adrian took it and stood up. “You let me come toward you.” “Yes.” “You knew I was going to do that.” “Yes.” Adrian stared at him. “That's annoying.” “I know.” This time, even Adrian laughed. --- After training, the students began leaving the yard. Kael remained behind for a few minutes. He had noticed that his aura had been more stable over the past few days. Since the incident with the nobles, he had been paying closer attention to what he felt. Not only his anger. Everything. Fear. Irritation. Fatigue. Memories. He had understood something important: his power did not react only when he lost control. It could also react to things he kept buried deep inside. He didn't like that thought. “You're thinking too much again.” Kael turned around. Darius stood a few meters away. His armor was gone. He was simply wearing his usual dark uniform, his hair slightly disheveled after several hours of patrol. “You should try not to listen to my thoughts.” “I don't need to listen to them. Your face gives you away.” Kael raised an eyebrow. “Since when?” “Since we were eight.” “You were already annoying at eight.” “And you were already too serious.” Darius stepped closer. He studied Kael for a few seconds. “You okay?” Kael nodded. “Yes.” Darius didn't answer immediately. He knew Kael well enough to recognize when that “yes” actually meant yes. This time, it seemed genuine. “Good.” Kael was about to leave when Darius gently caught a strand of his hair. “They've gotten long.” Kael looked at him. “You're only noticing now?” “I noticed before.” “Then why mention it now?” “Because you wouldn't let me touch them.” Kael sighed. “You're really annoying.” Darius smiled. “I know.” Kael didn't move when Darius gently ran his hand through his hair. The gesture was simple. Natural. Almost childish. There was nothing military about the scene. No hierarchy. No titles. No orders. Just two people who had known each other for so long that silence between them had never been uncomfortable. Darius carefully moved a strand back into place. “You should let it grow even longer.” “Why?” “It suits you.” Kael gave a quiet laugh. “Now you're giving me fashion advice.” “I've always given you my opinion. You just never listen.” “Because it's rarely useful.” “Cruel.” Kael shook his head. Then he sat down on the bench beside the training field. Darius remained standing for a few seconds before sitting beside him. “You know,” Darius said eventually, “Ethan asked me to protect you.” “I know.” “But I'm not here only for that.” Kael turned his head slightly toward him. Darius stared out at the training field. “I'm here because I want to know how you're doing. Not just whether someone is trying to attack you.” Kael remained silent. Then he answered: “I'm fine.” Darius smiled. “This time, I believe you.” They remained like that for a while. At the other end of the courtyard, someone had just stopped. Adrian. He had forgotten his book on a bench and had come back to get it. He noticed Kael and Darius. He stopped. What he saw was very different from the image he usually had of Kael. Not the cold and distant patriarch. Not the exceptionally talented student everyone watched. Not the boy whose aura had made several students step back. Just Kael. Sitting quietly beside someone he had known since childhood. Darius ran a hand through his hair again, saying something Adrian couldn't hear. Kael replied. Darius burst out laughing. Adrian remained silent. He could have called out to them. He could have made his presence known. But he didn't. He simply picked up his book and left. Still, the image stayed with him. He had just discovered another side of Kael Veyron. A side very few people seemed to know. --- When Adrian rejoined Noah and Lysandra in the corridor, Noah immediately looked at him. “Where were you?” “I forgot my book.” “Did you find it?” Adrian held up the book. “Yes.” Noah smiled. “Why do you look like that?” “Like what?” Lysandra studied Adrian for a few seconds. “You look surprised.” He hesitated. Then shook his head. “Nothing important.” He didn't say anything else. What he had seen wasn't his to share. So he would keep it to himself. Maybe one day, Kael himself would show him that side of him. Not because Adrian had asked for it. But because Kael trusted him enough to. For now, that was enough. --- At the same time, back in the courtyard, Kael looked at Darius. “You knew Adrian was there?” Darius smiled. “Yes.” Kael narrowed his eyes. “And you didn't tell me?” “Why would I?” “He saw us.” “So?” Kael thought about it. Then shrugged slightly. “Nothing.” Darius smiled. “Exactly.” For once, Kael didn't try to hide that side of himself. He didn't need to.

The Side No One Sees