The bell of the Imperial Academy of Asteria rang throughout the courtyard. Kael calmly closed his book. Around him, the students gradually left the classroom. Some were already complaining about the assignment their teacher had just given them, while others were still discussing the inter-class training exercise. Kael put his things away in his bag. “You know,” Noah began, appearing beside him, “I’m starting to think the teachers have something against us.” Kael looked up. “Why?” “Because they give us homework right after making us run around for two hours.” Lysandra, who had just joined them, stifled a laugh. “It’s probably because you spend half your time talking during class.” Noah placed a hand over his heart. “What an unfair accusation.” “You were talking five minutes ago.” “I was discussing something extremely important.” “Such as?” Noah hesitated. “I don’t remember anymore.” Lysandra shook her head, amused. Kael calmly put his last pen away. These moments had somehow become familiar. Classes. Meals. Training. Conversations about nothing important. For several weeks, his life had been filled with hidden passages, ancient archives, knights, and questions no one seemed willing to answer. Now, a part of him almost enjoyed this ordinary routine. Almost. “Are you coming to eat with us?” Lysandra asked. Kael nodded. “Yes.” Noah smiled. “Perfect. I heard they’re serving something good today.” “You say that every day,” Lysandra pointed out. “And I keep hoping.” They left the classroom together. --- The dining hall was particularly lively. Conversations blended with the sounds of cutlery and the movements of students. Kael sat down with Noah and Lysandra. A few moments later, Adrian arrived with his tray. He looked at the table. “Is there still a seat?” Noah immediately gestured for him to sit. “Of course.” Adrian took the seat across from Kael. The conversation resumed almost naturally. They talked about their classes first, then about the upcoming training. “The combat instructor said we’ll be doing exercises in smaller groups,” Adrian explained. “Again?” Noah asked. “Apparently.” “I thought we had just survived the inter-class trial.” Adrian shrugged. “That’s probably exactly why.” Noah sighed. “I’m starting to understand why the older students say the first year at Asteria is exhausting.” Kael continued eating calmly. “You’re only realizing that now?” “I was trying to stay optimistic.” Lysandra smiled. “That’s brave.” “Thank you.” A comfortable silence settled over the table. Then Adrian looked at Kael. “By the way.” Kael raised his eyes. “What?” “I’ve been thinking about what happened during the trial.” Noah turned toward him. “Again?” “Not the incident itself.” Adrian paused. “What you did afterward.” Kael waited. “You could have taken all the responsibility yourself. Instead, you made sure everyone understood what they had to do.” Noah frowned. “He’s complimenting you.” “I noticed.” “That’s rare.” Adrian ignored the comment. “I just thought that… before that trial, I didn’t really know what kind of person you were.” Kael remained silent. “Now, I’m starting to get an idea.” “And?” Adrian gave him a faint smile. “You’re much more complicated than people say.” Noah burst out laughing. “That, I can confirm.” Kael sighed. “Thank you for the analysis.” “You’re welcome.” Lysandra watched them with a small smile. She had noticed something. Adrian was no longer trying to understand Kael simply out of curiosity. He was simply getting to know him. That was different. --- That afternoon, the students gathered on one of the training grounds. This time, the instructor had prepared a series of aura exercises. No competition. No rankings. Simply control. “Today,” the instructor announced, “we’ll be working on the circulation of aura through the body.” A small glowing sphere appeared above his palm. “Most beginners make the same mistake. They think aura has to be accumulated before it can be used.” The sphere slowly changed shape. “That is incorrect.” The students watched attentively. “Aura must circulate. It should follow the movement rather than precede it.” Kael listened carefully. He liked this kind of lesson more than he cared to admit. Theory made it possible to understand what the body naturally did. And understanding his own power had become particularly important since the incident in the corridor. “Pair up!” the instructor ordered. “One attacks with low intensity. The other blocks without counterattacking. Your only goal is to maintain a stable flow.” The groups began forming. Noah paired up with another student. Lysandra was assigned to a young mage from their class. Adrian eventually found himself standing opposite Kael. He raised a hand. “We’re doing this seriously?” “Obviously.” “Wrong answer.” Kael raised an eyebrow. Adrian smiled. “I’m kidding.” They began. Adrian concentrated his aura around his arm. A faint glow traveled across his muscles. Kael did the same. The first movement was simple. Adrian struck. Kael blocked. Then he stepped back. The second exchange was faster. Adrian suddenly changed his angle. Kael followed. Their movements remained controlled. The instructor moved between the groups, correcting the students. “Slower, Falken.” Adrian slowed down. “Veyron, don’t block using only your arm.” Kael adjusted his stance. “Understood.” A few seconds later, the instructor moved on to the next group. Adrian exhaled. “He’s always watching us.” “That’s his job.” “You have no sense of humor.” “I know.” Adrian smiled. They continued. This time, Adrian attempted a feint. Kael spotted it immediately. He pivoted and placed a hand against Adrian’s shoulder. “Got you.” Adrian froze. “Seriously?” “You left your right side open.” “I wanted to see if you’d notice.” “Bad excuse.” “I’m starting to regret complimenting you at lunch.” Kael gave the faintest smile. Adrian noticed. He said nothing. But he was beginning to understand that these small changes were probably more important than they appeared. --- After class, the students returned toward the main buildings. Noah walked beside Kael. “I’m hungry.” “You ate three hours ago.” “Exactly.” Lysandra sighed. “How are you always hungry?” “Natural talent.” Adrian walked a little behind them. Then he stopped. “I need to go to the library.” Noah turned around. “To study?” “Yes.” “You’re really strange.” “Thank you.” Adrian looked at Kael. “Are you coming?” Kael thought for a few seconds. He did need a book. “All right.” Noah looked betrayed. “You’re abandoning me?” Lysandra gave him a small tap on the arm. “You’ll survive.” “I’m not sure about that.” They went their separate ways in the corridor. --- The library was much quieter than the rest of the academy. Adrian walked along the shelves before pulling out a book on defensive techniques. Kael, meanwhile, searched for a manual on the resonance between aura and magic. They worked side by side for quite some time. Without really speaking. The silence wasn't uncomfortable. Adrian eventually closed his book. “You read a lot.” Kael didn't look up. “I need to understand certain things.” “Your powers?” Kael paused for a moment. Then he answered: “Among other things.” Adrian asked no further questions. He simply reopened his book. Kael briefly looked at him. That was probably what he appreciated most about Adrian. He knew when to stop. --- When Kael finally left the library, the sun was beginning to sink behind the towers of Asteria. He walked through a gallery overlooking the gardens. Through the large windows, he saw several Black Raven knights making their rounds. Darius was among them. Kael stopped for a few seconds. Even from a distance, he immediately recognized his stride. Darius was speaking with Gareth Riven. He wore his dark uniform and maintained the serious expression he almost always adopted when surrounded by the other knights. Then, as though he had sensed Kael's gaze, Darius slightly turned his head. Their eyes met. Kael simply raised a hand. Darius responded with a brief military salute. No words. No unnecessary gesture. To everyone else, it was merely an exchange between a patriarch and one of his commanders. But Kael knew what it really meant. I saw you. Everything's fine. He continued on his way. --- Later that evening, Kael found himself alone in his room. He opened his textbook. The room was silent. For once, nothing strange disturbed his thoughts. No unfamiliar aura. No hidden passage. No new clue. He read several pages. Then he stopped. The small metal plate discovered during the inter-class trial was sitting on the edge of his desk. He had retrieved it after asking permission to study it. There were no visible markings on it. Kael turned it over. Still nothing. He set it aside. He wasn't going to spend the entire night searching for an answer that might not even exist yet. For now, he had something else to do. He picked up his book again. A few minutes later, someone knocked on his door. “Come in.” The door opened. Darius appeared. He had abandoned his military expression. “You're still working?” Kael removed his glasses. “A little.” Darius looked at the desk. “You know there's something called sleep, right?” “I've heard of it.” “Fascinating.” Kael put his book away. Darius approached and gently ruffled his hair. “You haven't changed.” Kael gave him an unimpressed look. “Neither have you.” “That's false. I've become much more impressive.” “Of course.” Darius smiled. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Then Darius looked toward the window. “Nothing strange today?” Kael shook his head. “No.” “Good.” He paused. “Enjoy it.” Kael immediately understood. He simply nodded. That night, there was no mystery to solve and no danger to face. Only a nearly normal day at Asteria. And, for the first time in a long while, Kael realized that he didn't hate this normality. He didn't know how long it would last. But for now, it was enough.

A Nearly Normal Day