Several days passed without incident. At Asteria, the days returned to their usual rhythm. Magic classes in the morning, training in the afternoon, homework in the evening. For Kael, there was something strangely comforting about this routine. Since arriving at the academy, every peaceful period had eventually been followed by some unsettling discovery. Yet this time, nothing seemed to disturb his daily life. And he was beginning to get used to it. That morning, Kael was crossing the central courtyard with a book tucked under his arm when he saw Noah running toward him. “Kael!” Kael stopped. Noah reached him, slightly out of breath. “I have extremely important information.” “Did you forget another assignment?” “No.” “Did you lose something?” “No.” Kael stared at him for a few seconds. “Then?” Noah placed his hands on his hips. “The strategy professor just announced a special activity.” Kael raised an eyebrow. “What kind of activity?” “A mission simulation.” This time, Kael looked interested. Noah smiled. “And apparently, the groups will be chosen at random.” “So?” “So I might get separated from you guys.” Kael remained silent. “That’s your important information?” “For me, yes.” A voice behind them interrupted. “He’s being dramatic.” Lysandra joined them. Noah turned around. “I am never dramatic.” “You shouted Kael’s name across the entire courtyard.” “That was necessary.” Kael sighed. “What is a mission simulation?” Lysandra answered. “A practical scenario. The professor gives us an objective, partial information, and several restrictions. We have to come up with a strategy before taking action.” “So something serious,” Kael concluded. “Exactly.” Noah raised one finger. “And, most importantly, something where I can shine.” Lysandra looked at him. “You already failed a negotiation simulation because you tried to convince a professor to give you extra points.” “That was a strategy.” “It didn’t work.” “It was a misunderstood strategy.” Kael gave a faint smile. Together, they headed toward their classroom. --- The strategy professor was already waiting for them. Several closed files were arranged on his desk. When he entered, the conversations gradually stopped. “Today,” he announced, “we’re going to change our usual learning method.” He placed the files on his desk. “You will have to solve a complete situation.” Several students straightened in their seats. “Each group will receive a different mission. You will have three hours to analyze the information, establish a plan, and accomplish your objective.” He paused. “You will be evaluated on your ability to make decisions under pressure.” A murmur spread through the classroom. “The groups will consist of four people.” The professor began drawing names. Kael waited. Noah silently prayed. Lysandra watched the list carefully. Adrian, sitting several rows away, remained perfectly calm. “Group Four.” The professor checked his register. “Kael Veyron.” Several students immediately turned toward him. “Adrian Falken.” Adrian looked up. “Lysandra.” She smiled slightly. Then the professor added: “Noah.” Noah raised both arms. “YES!” Several students laughed. The professor stared at him. “Is there a problem?” Noah immediately lowered his arms. “None, Professor.” Kael looked at the other three. They had ended up together. Adrian stood and joined their table. “This should be interesting.” Noah sat down. “With the four of us? Obviously.” Lysandra smiled. “Just try not to make everything more complicated.” “I make no promises.” Kael opened the file. “Shall we begin?” Adrian nodded. --- The scenario concerned a small town located on the kingdom’s border. A caravan carrying important supplies had to travel through a wooded region. Reports indicated that a group of bandits might attempt to intercept it. But the information was contradictory. Some reports mentioned six men. Others claimed there were more than fifteen. A third source stated that the bandits might not even be responsible for the attacks. The professor had also provided them with a map. Kael studied it carefully. “The information doesn't match.” Adrian moved closer. “That’s intentional.” “Yes.” Noah frowned. “Why?” Adrian answered: “Because the real difficulty probably isn't the fighting.” Kael nodded. “It’s a strategy simulation.” Lysandra placed a finger on the map. “Look here.” She pointed toward an old bridge. “If someone wanted to attack the caravan, this would be the ideal location.” “Too obvious,” Kael replied. Adrian examined the surrounding area. “There’s a second route.” Noah leaned over the map. “This one?” “Yes.” Kael thought for a moment. “It’s longer, but it would allow the caravan to avoid the bridge.” Lysandra frowned slightly. “Then why use the bridge?” Kael looked at the map. Then at the reports. Then back at the map. “Because the caravan has no choice.” Adrian understood. “The terrain.” Kael nodded. “The second route is unsuitable for heavy vehicles.” Noah looked between the two of them. “So we know where the attack will happen.” “Maybe,” Kael replied. Adrian crossed his arms. “You think there’s something else.” “The reports.” Kael placed three sheets side by side. “The number of bandits changes depending on the witness. But the description of the terrain is always identical.” Lysandra understood. “The witnesses saw the same thing.” “Yes.” Adrian leaned closer to the documents. “So the number of enemies probably isn't the important variable.” Kael nodded. “Exactly.” Noah looked at the three of them. “I have a feeling you’re about to find something complicated again.” “We’ve only just started,” Lysandra replied. --- An hour later, their plan was ready. Lysandra would observe the surroundings from a distance using her magic. Adrian and Kael would take positions near the bridge. Noah would remain with the caravan. Their objective wasn't to defeat the supposed bandits. They had to discover the true nature of the threat. When the simulation began, everything went normally. For nearly twenty minutes. Then Lysandra sent a signal. Kael raised his head. A brief flash of light appeared above the trees. “Something’s coming,” Adrian announced. Kael watched the road. Three figures appeared. Then five. Then eight. Noah, who had remained near the caravan, immediately took position. “They’re coming!” The figures approached. But they didn't look like bandits. They wore simple clothing and carried crates. Adrian frowned. “Merchants?” Kael observed their formation. “No.” “How do you know?” “They aren't looking at the road.” Adrian understood. They were watching the surroundings. An attack was imminent. “They’re acting as bait,” Lysandra murmured. Kael nodded. “Exactly.” A noise sounded behind them. Noah turned around. A second group had appeared. This time, the figures were armed. “We found the real threat,” Noah said. Kael drew his weapon. “Not yet.” He looked at the group. Then the caravan. Then the false merchants. An idea crossed his mind. “Adrian.” “Yes?” “How many people are in the caravan?” Adrian looked. “Twelve.” “And how many crates?” “Twenty-two.” Kael narrowed his eyes. “Too many.” Lysandra understood. “The mission isn't about protecting the caravan.” “No.” Kael looked at the crates. “It’s about discovering what they’re carrying.” The group fell silent. Then Noah smiled. “I like this mission much more now.” --- The simulation took a different turn. Rather than confronting the enemies directly, they decided to let them advance. Adrian drew their attention toward the bridge. Lysandra created an illusion farther down the road. Noah pretended to panic among the merchants. Meanwhile, Kael quietly circled around the caravan. He reached the crates. One of them bore a seal. He examined it. It wasn't a military seal. Nor did it belong to a noble house. It was simply a merchant's mark. Kael opened the crate. It contained ordinary stones. He opened a second. The same thing. A third. Still nothing. Then he noticed something. A slightly smaller crate. Kael opened it. Inside was a small case. He lifted it. The professor had clearly planned this stage. Kael opened the case. A sheet of paper appeared. Mission Report. Kael smiled faintly. They had found the real objective. --- When the three hours were over, all the groups returned to the classroom. The professor remained silent for a few seconds after collecting their reports. Then he looked at their group. “You achieved the best result.” Noah straightened proudly. “I knew it.” The professor ignored him. “Your greatest merit wasn't finding the case.” He looked at Kael. “You understood that the situation had been designed to make you fight too early.” Then he turned to Adrian. “You correctly identified the contradictions in the reports.” Then to Lysandra: “You used your magic without wasting your energy.” Finally, he looked at Noah. “And you managed to improvise without compromising the mission.” Noah smiled. “I knew I was indispensable.” “Don't exaggerate.” The students laughed. Even Kael allowed himself a faint smile. --- After class, they stepped into the courtyard. Noah raised his arms. “I propose that we celebrate our victory.” Adrian asked: “With what?” “I don't know.” Lysandra answered: “So you're proposing something without knowing what it is.” “That’s the point.” Kael shook his head slightly. Adrian looked at him. “You're smiling.” Kael turned toward him. “No.” “Yes, you are.” “No.” Noah immediately joined in. “I can confirm it. He smiled.” Kael looked at Noah. “Traitor.” Noah burst out laughing. Lysandra smiled as well. For a few seconds, Kael simply stood there, surrounded by his friends. No secrets. No danger. Nothing from the past to confront. Just them. He didn't know it yet, but moments like this would become more and more precious. Because somewhere, in a forgotten part of Asteria, something was still watching. But today, it could wait. For once, Kael had something else to think about. His friends.

The Bonds We Build