The next morning, Asteria Imperial Academy seemed to have a different atmosphere. Nothing had really changed. The same corridors. The same classrooms. The same professors. And yet, ever since the announcement of the imperial visit, the students had found something new to talk about. In the dining hall, almost every conversation revolved around the same subject. “I heard the Crown Prince is coming.” “I heard the princess will be here too.” “They’re apparently staying for several days.” “Do you think we’ll get to talk to them?” Noah looked up from his plate. “Personally, I have a much more important question.” Kael, sitting across from him, continued eating. “What?” “Do they eat like we do?” Lysandra looked at him. “What do you mean?” “I don’t know. Maybe at the Imperial Court, they have much fancier meals.” Adrian sighed. “They’re human, Noah.” “I know.” “Then they eat.” “You don’t know that.” Kael raised his eyes slightly. “I can confirm that they eat.” Noah turned toward him. “Have you met them before?” Kael paused. For a second. Then he answered, “No.” Noah frowned. “Then how can you confirm it?” Kael calmly returned to his meal. “Because I assume they’re human.” Lysandra covered a laugh. Adrian shook his head. “He got you.” “I hate when he does that.” Kael said nothing. There was, however, the faintest hint of amusement in his expression. --- After lunch, the students were sent to the main courtyard. Preparations for the imperial visit had already begun. Imperial banners were being hung across the academy walls. Imperial knights had arrived that morning to secure certain areas of the academy. Even the professors seemed more attentive than usual. Kael watched the newcomers from the steps. Their armor was different from that of the Black Raven knights. Lighter. More ceremonial. But their discipline was obvious. A short distance away, an imperial officer was giving instructions. Kael watched him for several seconds. “They’re bringing a lot of people,” Adrian remarked. “Yes.” Lysandra stood beside Kael. “The Imperial Court probably doesn’t want to take any chances.” Kael nodded. “Not during a visit like this.” Noah came up behind them. “I heard they’re going to inspect the training grounds.” Kael turned toward him. “Why?” “Because they want to see the best students.” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Who told you that?” “A second-year student.” “And you believed him?” “Absolutely.” Adrian sighed. “Why?” “Because he sounded convincing.” Kael shook his head. “That’s an interesting method of reasoning.” “Thanks.” “That wasn’t a compliment.” “I’m taking it anyway.” --- That afternoon was devoted to a special training session. The professors wanted the students to be capable of demonstrating their abilities in front of the imperial representatives. Kael found himself paired with Adrian on the training grounds. The combat instructor explained the rules. “No real combat. I want control. The imperial visitors aren’t here to watch a war.” Noah raised his hand. “Even if someone deserves to be beaten up?” The professor stared at him for a long moment. “Especially then.” A few students laughed. Noah slowly lowered his hand. “Understood.” Kael stood opposite Adrian. “Ready?” “Yes.” Adrian concentrated his aura. Kael did the same. The first exchange was quick. Adrian moved forward. Kael blocked his attack, pivoted, and placed a hand against his shoulder. “Got you.” Adrian stepped back. “Again.” This time, he changed his entire approach. He didn't try to attack directly. Instead, he forced Kael backward. Kael followed the movement. Then stepped to the side. Adrian tried to adjust his trajectory. Too late. Kael caught his wrist and used his momentum to throw him off balance. Adrian managed to recover. “You’re getting annoying.” “You’re only noticing now?” Adrian smiled. “No.” They resumed. Around them, several students watched the exchange. Lysandra stood a little farther away. Noah was beside her. “Think he’ll win?” “Kael?” “Yeah.” “Are you seriously asking?” Noah thought about it. “No.” He looked at Adrian. “But I like giving him a chance.” Lysandra smiled. The professor eventually stopped the exercise. “That’s enough.” Kael released his aura. Adrian did the same. “Good,” the professor said. “You’ve all improved since the beginning of the year. Keep working.” Kael walked back toward his friends. Lysandra held out a bottle of water. “Here.” He took it. “Thanks.” Noah watched the exchange. Then looked at Adrian. Adrian noticed. “What?” “Nothing.” “You’re thinking.” “I’m always thinking.” “That’s worrying.” Noah smiled. “I’m just starting to notice a few things.” Kael looked at him. “You think too much.” “You’re one to talk.” Kael gave him a look. Noah immediately raised both hands. “Okay. I’m done.” --- The day was almost over when Kael made his way to the archives. This time, he was alone. The great hall was nearly empty. He approached the door. A-02. The marking was no longer visible. Kael placed his hand against the frame. Nothing. He waited. Still nothing. He removed his hand. Then he heard a sound. Click. Kael turned. A thin line of light appeared across the floor. It slowly moved forward. A red pattern spread across the stone tiles. Then part of the wall began to vibrate. Kael remained still. The line stopped in front of a bookshelf. He approached it. The books looked completely ordinary. He slowly ran his fingers across their covers. Nothing. Then he felt resistance. One of the books wouldn't move like the others. Kael pulled it. The entire bookshelf moved backward several inches. A dark passage appeared behind it. Kael said nothing. He didn't enter. Not yet. He simply looked into the opening. A staircase descended— No. It went upward. Kael frowned slightly. “The second level…” A faint red light appeared above the stairs. A-02 — PARTIAL ACCESS Then a second line appeared. AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED Kael remained still. “What authorization?” There was no answer. He heard footsteps behind him. Kael turned immediately. Lucian stood at the entrance to the archives. His expression changed the moment he saw the passage. “Kael.” “You knew this was here?” Lucian didn't answer. Kael stared at him. “Lucian.” His uncle sighed. “I knew A-02 existed.” “But you never told me.” “Because I didn't know if it still worked.” Kael gestured toward the staircase. “It works.” “I can see that.” Lucian approached. He studied the inscriptions. His expression became more serious. “Don't go up.” Kael turned toward him. “Why?” “Because we don't know what's up there.” “That’s exactly why I want to see.” “Kael.” “You've already told me that several times.” Lucian remained silent. Then he answered, “The last time your father tried to access this level, he wasn't alone.” Kael froze. “You were there?” Lucian looked at the staircase. “No.” He paused. “But I saw what happened afterward.” Kael's expression hardened. “What happened?” Lucian didn't answer immediately. “Your father stopped talking about this level.” “Why?” “I don't know.” Kael narrowed his eyes. “You're lying.” Lucian looked at him. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Then Lucian looked away. “I'm not lying.” “You're hiding something from me.” “Yes.” Kael remained silent. “Why?” Lucian placed a hand against the wall. “Because some things are dangerous to know before you're ready to face them.” Kael looked at the staircase. “I’m ready.” “You think you are.” The answer irritated Kael slightly. But he didn't let his aura react. He slowly breathed in. Then stepped back. “Fine.” Lucian looked surprised. “You're not going to argue?” “Not today.” A faint smile appeared on Lucian's face. “That might be the first good decision you've made regarding these archives.” Kael gave him a look. “I'm already starting to regret being reasonable.” Lucian laughed softly. They closed the passage. The bookshelf slid back into place. A-02 disappeared. But Kael now knew something he hadn't understood before. His father had tried to reach this level. And something had stopped him. --- That evening, Kael found Lysandra in the gardens. Nyxara was beside her. This time, she was in her smaller form. Kael approached. Nyxara immediately raised her head. She stood. Then quietly walked away. Kael watched her leave. Lysandra smiled. “She’s doing it again.” “Yes.” “She’s leaving us alone.” “Apparently.” “She really is intelligent.” “Far too intelligent.” Lysandra sat down beside him. “Did you find something in the archives?” Kael thought for a moment. “Yes.” “And is it dangerous?” “Probably.” She looked at him. “Do you want to talk about it?” Kael remained silent. Then answered, “Not yet.” Lysandra simply nodded. “Okay.” Kael glanced at her. “You’re not going to ask questions?” “You’ll tell me when you're ready.” He said nothing. This time, his expression softened slightly. “Thanks.” Lysandra smiled. “See? I can be reasonable.” “It happens sometimes.” “Kael.” “I’m joking.” She lightly bumped his shoulder. Kael let out a small laugh. They remained there for several minutes. Then a familiar voice came from behind them. “Am I interrupting?” Kael and Lysandra turned. Noah stood a few meters away. “Yes,” Kael answered. “Too bad.” He walked over. “I have important information.” Kael sighed. “What?” Noah put on a mysterious expression. “I found out who might be accompanying the Crown Prince during the visit.” Lysandra raised an eyebrow. “How?” “I overheard two professors talking.” Kael waited. Noah smiled. “A young princess.” Lysandra raised an eyebrow. “And?” “She’s apparently around our age.” Kael looked at him. “You’re making something up again.” “Not this time.” Noah pulled out a small sheet of paper. “Her name is written here.” He handed it over. Kael took it. A name was written on the document. Princess Elara Astren. Kael studied the name for a few seconds. Astren. The Imperial Family. He handed the paper back to Noah. “It changes nothing.” Noah stared at him. “You don't seem impressed.” “Why would I be?” “Because a princess is coming to our academy.” Kael shrugged. “She’s a person.” Lysandra smiled. “That pretty much sums up Kael.” Noah sighed. “You’re both impossible.” A short distance away, Nyxara watched them. Then she turned her head. The sun had almost disappeared behind the towers. At the other end of the academy, behind an ancient door no one paid attention to anymore, the A-02 system was still waiting. And in a few weeks, the Imperial Family would arrive at Asteria. For the first time in a very long while, two things were about to meet. The academy's old history. And the power of the Empire.

The Second Level