The next morning, the Imperial Academy of Asteria was already bustling with activity. In the corridors, students hurried toward their classrooms, some still half-asleep, others enthusiastically discussing their first classes. Kael, however, walked calmly. His black-and-silver uniform was perfectly fitted. His black hair fell slightly over his face, and his scarlet eyes scanned the corridors with the same quiet attentiveness as the day before. Beside him, Noah was openly yawning. “I hate morning classes.” Kael continued walking. “You say that every morning.” “Because every morning starts too early.” “It’s eight o’clock.” “Exactly.” Kael sighed slightly. They turned into a corridor. A few students stepped aside as they passed. Noah noticed immediately. “You know they're still afraid of you, right?” “Yes.” “And it still doesn't bother you?” “No.” Noah smiled. “Impressive.” Kael raised an eyebrow slightly. “What?” “Nothing. I was just wondering how long you could keep ignoring everyone.” “As long as necessary.” Noah was about to answer when a female voice interrupted them. “Veyron.” Kael turned around. Lysandra Arven stood a few meters behind them. Her long, dark-blue hair framed her face, and her very light eyes watched Kael with curiosity. “Arven.” “You forgot your book.” She held out a book to him. Kael looked down. It was the one he had left in the theory classroom the day before. “Thank you.” He took the book. Lysandra remained silent for a few seconds. Then she asked: “Do you always do that?” “Do what?” “Read several chapters ahead.” Noah immediately intervened. “Yes.” Kael gave him a look. “You didn't have to answer.” “I know.” Lysandra gave a slight smile. “I understand better why the professor noticed you yesterday.” “It isn't important.” “To you, perhaps.” Kael didn't answer. Lysandra looked at his book. “Are you studying advanced mana control theory?” “Yes.” “We haven't studied that part yet.” “I know.” She looked at him for a few seconds. “You're really strange.” Noah burst out laughing. “Thank you! Finally, someone said it!” “Noah.” “What?” “Be quiet.” “There. That's exactly what I was talking about.” Lysandra laughed softly. Kael simply continued walking. But this time, she walked with them. ─── The first class of the day was dedicated to mana manipulation. The professor placed several crystals in front of the students. “Today, we're going to measure your precision. Not your power.” A few students looked disappointed. “A large amount of mana means nothing if you're incapable of controlling it.” The professor pointed to the first student. The student placed a hand on the crystal. A faint blue light appeared. “Acceptable control.” Then another student. And another. When it was Kael's turn, the room fell silent. He simply placed two fingers on the crystal. The light appeared. Stable. Perfectly uniform. The professor frowned slightly. “Continue.” Kael gradually increased his flow of mana. The crystal shone brighter. Still perfectly stable. Then something changed. The light trembled. For a fraction of a second. Kael immediately removed his hand. The crystal returned to normal. The professor stared at him. “Mr. Veyron.” “Yes?” “Did you feel something?” Kael looked at the crystal. “Resistance.” “Resistance?” “Yes.” The professor approached. He examined the crystal. Then he turned it over. A small dark mark was visible on its surface. Almost invisible. Kael narrowed his eyes. He knew that mark. The same symbol. The one from his father's letter. ─── At the end of class, Kael remained in the room for a few seconds. Noah was waiting for him in the hallway. “Are you coming?” Kael was still looking at the crystal. “Go ahead.” Noah immediately understood. “You saw something.” “Yes.” “The symbol?” Kael slowly turned his head toward him. Noah sighed. “I've known you for too long.” Kael approached the crystal. “It was hidden.” “Someone put it there?” “Probably.” Noah examined the mark. His expression changed. He wasn't joking anymore. “You think they knew you were going to arrive?” Kael remained silent. Then he answered: “I think they were hoping I'd notice it.” Noah frowned. “Why?” Kael ran his finger above the mark without touching it. “To see if I would investigate.” Silence settled between them. Noah crossed his arms. “So they're watching us.” “Maybe.” “And that doesn't worry you?” Kael raised his eyes. “No.” “Of course.” Noah sighed. “One day, you're really going to give me a heart attack.” Kael put his book away. “You're being dramatic.” “And you never dramatize enough.” They left the classroom. But behind them, the crystal remained slightly cracked. ─── Later that day, Kael went to the library. He needed information. Not magic. Not combat. Archives. He walked through several shelves before finding a section dedicated to the ancient noble families. He pulled out a book. The Founding Houses of Eldoria. He opened it. Veyron. Arven. Valerian. Rovenhart. Several pages passed. Kael stopped at an old illustration. A symbol appeared at the bottom of the page. The same one. His heart sped up slightly. He turned the page. A sentence was written beneath the illustration. “Some inheritances must never be awakened.” Kael stared at the words. Then a voice behind him whispered: “Are you looking for something specific?” He turned around. Lysandra. She was holding several books against her chest. “Not particularly.” “You're a bad liar.” Kael looked at her. “I'm not lying.” “Then you're hiding something.” “...” Lysandra didn't seem interested in forcing him to talk. She simply placed her books on the table. “You don't have to tell me.” Kael watched her expression. Then he slowly closed the book. “Thank you.” Lysandra smiled. “You're welcome.” She sat down across from him. “But if you find something interesting, tell me.” Kael raised an eyebrow slightly. “Why?” “Because now I'm curious.” A brief silence passed between them. Then Noah appeared between two bookshelves. “Ah. There you are.” He looked at Kael. Then Lysandra. Then the books. “Am I interrupting?” “Yes,” Kael answered. “Perfect.” Noah immediately sat down. Lysandra laughed. And for the first time since arriving at Asteria, Kael almost felt as though he had a normal life. Almost. Because at that exact moment, in another part of the academy... Professor Darian Valcroix closed a file. Inside was a copy of the same symbol. He looked out the window. “He found it.” A voice answered behind him: “Then?” Darian remained silent for a few seconds. “He's beginning to understand.” “And the power?” Darian tightened his grip on the file slightly. “It hasn't manifested.” Silence. Then the voice spoke again. “For now.” Darian looked at the buildings of Asteria. “For now.” Outside, a bell rang. The day continued. But something had changed. Kael Veyron was no longer simply a new student. He had become a threat to those who had spent six years burying the truth. And now... they were going to start acting.

An Anomaly