The Asteria library was almost empty at that hour. Morning light streamed through the enormous windows, settling over the long wooden tables. Kael was sitting alone in a corner of the room. Several old books were stacked in front of him. He had spent most of the morning searching for information about the great noble families of Eldoria. More specifically, families whose inherited magic was considered unusual. He slowly turned another page. Nothing. Another page. Nothing. And another. Still nothing. Kael closed the book. He looked at the volumes scattered across the table. The symbol he had found the previous night did not resemble any noble emblem he knew. And yet, he had the strange feeling that he had seen it before. As though something in his mind was trying to recognize it. He picked up another book. The Magical Foundations of Eldoria. He opened it. A few seconds later, a voice spoke from behind him. “Are you looking for something specific?” Kael looked up. A young girl stood on the other side of the table. Her long midnight-blue hair fell loosely over her shoulders. Her very light blue, almost silver eyes studied the book in front of Kael with curiosity. Kael recognized her. Lysandra Arven. The young mage he had noticed during class. “Maybe.” She looked at the stack of books. “You look like you’ve been searching for a while.” “A few hours.” “And you haven’t found anything?” “Not yet.” Lysandra pulled out a chair. “May I?” Kael gave a slight nod. She sat down. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Lysandra looked at the title of the book. The Magical Foundations of Eldoria… She raised her eyes toward Kael. “You’re interested in the ancient families?” “Among other things.” “You’re looking for something related to inherited magic?” Kael stared at her. She had hit the mark. “Why ask that?” Lysandra shrugged. “Because that’s the section you seem to be looking at the most.” Kael glanced at the book. She was right. “You observe a lot.” “So do you.” Silence. Kael returned to his reading. Lysandra smiled slightly. “Alright.” She opened her own book. This time, they worked in silence. But contrary to what Kael had expected, Lysandra’s presence didn’t bother him. She didn’t ask unnecessary questions. She didn’t try to look over his shoulder. And most importantly, she didn’t seem intimidated by him. After a few minutes, Lysandra turned a page. “You know…” Kael slightly raised his eyes. “There’s a section about unusual inheritances in this book.” She pointed to the book he was holding. “Near the end of the fourth chapter.” Kael immediately opened the indicated pages. Lysandra smiled. “See?” Kael quickly scanned the lines. Then his gaze stopped. One sentence. Some inheritances must remain asleep. The same phrase. He turned the page. But the next paragraph had been torn away. “Again…” Lysandra frowned. “Again what?” Kael didn’t answer. He studied the torn edge. The page had been deliberately removed. He was almost certain of it. Lysandra noticed his expression. “Is it connected to what you’re looking for?” “Yes.” She watched him for a few seconds. “You’re not going to ask me to leave?” “Why would I?” “Because you clearly don’t want to talk about this investigation.” Kael gently closed the book. “I never said you had to leave.” A small smile appeared on Lysandra’s face. “Good.” She returned to her book. “Then I’m staying.” Kael went back to his research. And, for the first time since arriving at Asteria, he didn’t feel completely alone in the face of the mystery. ─── A few hours later, Noah entered the library. He looked around the room. Then he spotted Kael. He stopped. Kael was sitting at a table with Lysandra. Noah blinked. Once. Twice. Then he smiled. “Oh.” Kael looked up. “What?” “Nothing.” Noah walked over. He looked at Lysandra. Then Kael. “Absolutely nothing.” Lysandra raised an eyebrow. “Is he always like this?” “Yes,” Kael replied. “I see.” Noah placed his things on the table. “Did you find anything?” Kael showed him the book. Noah leaned closer. His expression immediately changed. “The symbol?” Kael nodded. “And a sentence similar to the one I found yesterday.” Noah quickly read it. His exceptional memory allowed him to retain the lines almost immediately. “Wait.” He took out a sheet of paper. “I’ve seen this wording before.” Kael raised his head. “Where?” Noah thought for a moment. “In an old record I looked through with my father.” He wrote down a few words. “It wasn’t exactly the same symbol, but the description was similar.” Lysandra leaned closer. “You remember all that?” Noah smiled. “I remember almost everything I read.” Kael looked at him. “Almost?” “Don’t exaggerate.” Lysandra gave a small laugh. “You two are always together?” Noah answered immediately: “Unfortunately.” Kael sighed. “He doesn’t know how to leave.” “I’m your best friend.” “That’s exactly the problem.” Noah placed a hand over his heart. “I’m hurt.” Lysandra laughed again. Kael watched them for a few seconds. Then his gaze returned to the book. But this time, something had changed. There were three of them. And they finally had a lead. ─── The next day, classes resumed normally. During the lesson on spell structure, the professor explained the different stages required to create a stable spell. Shape. Intent. Amount of mana. Stability. Activation. Kael followed every explanation carefully. He wrote quickly in his notebook. His glasses rested on his nose as he reread a formula. A few seats away, Lysandra looked up. She remained silent for several seconds. With his glasses, Kael seemed different. Still calm. Still serious. But there was something softer about his appearance when he was focused on his studies. Lysandra quickly looked away. Focus. She returned to her notes. The girl sitting beside her noticed. “Are you alright?” “Yes.” “You were looking at Veyron.” Lysandra answered without thinking: “I was looking at the board.” Her classmate looked at the board. Then at Lysandra. “The board is behind you.” Silence. Lysandra stared at her notebook. “…” “I see.” “Shut up.” The girl smiled. Across the room, Noah had noticed the scene. He looked at Lysandra. Then Kael. Then Lysandra again. A smile appeared on his face. But, for once, he decided to keep it to himself. For now. ─── At the end of class, Kael packed his things. He took off his glasses and carefully placed them inside their case. Noah approached him. “You know you’ve been getting a lot of looks today?” Kael looked up. “No.” “Yes.” “Why?” Noah thought for a moment. “I don’t know.” He smiled. “Maybe people are just starting to realize you’re less intimidating when you wear glasses.” Kael stared at him. “I’m not intimidating.” Noah burst out laughing. “Of course.” Before Kael could answer, a professor entered the room. “Veyron.” Kael turned. “Yes?” “The director wants to see you.” Noah watched his expression. “Again?” Kael put his last book away. “Apparently.” ─── Alaric D’Aster’s office was quiet. When Kael entered, the director was standing near the window. Lucian was sitting in an armchair. “You again,” Kael said. Lucian placed a hand over his heart. “What joy to see you again.” “You were at our house three days ago.” “Three days is a long time.” Alaric suppressed a laugh. “You two are always entertaining to watch together.” Kael sat down. “Why did you ask me to come?” Alaric’s smile faded slightly. “We’ve received several reports concerning the rumors circulating around the academy.” Kael remained calm. “I know.” Lucian crossed his arms. “And you still don’t plan to do anything?” “No.” “Even if they become more serious?” Kael looked up. “That depends on what they say.” Alaric paused. “Some people are claiming that your parents’ deaths were not an accident.” Silence fell. Kael didn’t move. But his gaze changed slightly. “Who started the rumor?” “We don’t know yet.” Kael thought for a few seconds. “Then I’ll do nothing.” Lucian studied him carefully. “You’re sure?” “Yes.” Kael stood. “A rumor without evidence is still just a rumor.” He headed toward the door. Then stopped. “But if someone starts threatening the people of Veyron…” He turned his head slightly. “Then it will be different.” Alaric slowly nodded. “I thought so.” Kael left the room. Silence settled over the office. Lucian looked toward the door. “He looks more and more like his father.” Alaric gently shook his head. “No.” Lucian looked at him. Alaric smiled. “He looks like himself.” ─── When Kael returned to the library, Noah and Lysandra were still there. Noah looked up. “So?” “The rumors are continuing.” Lysandra frowned slightly. “About your parents?” Kael nodded. “Yes.” She hesitated. Then asked: “Do you think they’re coming from someone specific?” “Yes.” Noah put his book down. “Someone who wants you to react.” “Probably.” Kael sat down. He looked at the symbol between them. “But I still don’t know why.” Lysandra studied the drawing. “Maybe the answer is in Veyron history.” Kael turned toward her. “Why?” “Because the symbol seems connected to an inheritance.” She placed a finger on the sentence they had found in the book. “And you told me this symbol appeared among your father’s things.” Kael remained silent. Noah looked at him. “She’s right.” Kael picked up the book. “Then we search further.” Lysandra smiled. “Together?” Kael looked at her. Then at Noah. “Together.” For the first time, he truly accepted someone’s help in his investigation. And he still had no idea how much that decision would change his life. ─── Meanwhile, in a dark room, a sheet of paper was placed on a table. A report. Three names were written on it. Kael Veyron. Noah Valerian. Lysandra Arven. A hand stopped over the last name. “They’re starting to search together.” A voice answered from the shadows: “Then separate them.” Silence. Then: “Before they discover what really happened in Lorn Forest.” The paper was slowly folded. And somewhere inside Asteria, someone had already begun preparing their first real trial.

The Girl with Midnight-Blue Hair