Two days passed. At Asteria, classes had returned to their usual rhythm. And yet, Kael was having trouble finding the sense of normalcy he'd known before returning to the Veyron estate. There were too many things on his mind. V-17. L-03. House Rovenhart. Darian Valcroix. And, above all, the sentence that kept coming back to him. Don't let him discover L-03. Kael slowly closed the file in front of him. He was sitting at the back of the library, near a window overlooking the inner courtyard. Around him, several students were studying in silence. He had spent the last hour going through the documents the director had given him. Nothing particularly useful. The Imperial mission was presented as a research and inspection operation. Several ancient magical structures were to be examined in a region that had once belonged to the Empire. There was no mention of L-03. No mention of V-17. No mention of his father. And yet, Kael knew it wasn't a coincidence. He rested two fingers against his forehead. They're hiding something. The question was who. The Empire? House Rovenhart? Darian? Or several people at once? He hated situations like this. Not because they were dangerous. But because he didn't have enough information. A voice pulled him out of his thoughts. — Are you planning to stare at that file until it answers you? Kael looked up. Adrian stood in front of the table. Noah was right behind him. Lysandra accompanied them. Kael closed the file. — Maybe. Noah immediately sat down in the chair beside him. — Bad news. — What? — Our theory teacher just announced a test. Kael looked at him. — When? — Tomorrow. — You haven't studied at all. — I'd rather say I haven't started yet. Adrian sighed. — That's exactly the same thing. — Psychologically, it's different. Lysandra smiled. Kael shook his head slightly. For a few seconds, the atmosphere felt almost normal again. And he realized just how much he appreciated that. Then Adrian's eyes moved toward the file. — Is that for the Imperial mission? Kael nodded. — Yes. — Do you know where it's taking place? — Not exactly yet. Noah leaned over the file. — I thought it was just an official trip. Kael looked at him. — An official trip involving several noble families, the Imperial administration, and probably soldiers. Noah thought about it. — So... an official trip. Lysandra laughed softly. Adrian shook his head. — You'll never change. — I hope not. Kael reopened the file. — It's going to be more important than expected. Lysandra watched him. — Because of the Imperial family? Kael looked up. — You've heard they're coming? — My father received an official invitation. Kael nodded. — The Crown Prince and Princess will be there. Noah immediately straightened. — Wait. He looked at Kael. — The Crown Prince? — Yes. — And the Princess? — Yes. Noah remained silent for a few seconds. — I take back everything I said. Adrian raised an eyebrow. — About what? — This mission is much more important than I thought. Kael gave him a faint smile. — Finally. --- Later that day, the students gathered on the training grounds. The combat teacher had organized exercises in groups of four. Kael ended up with Noah, Lysandra, and Adrian. A fairly balanced formation. At least in theory. — I already have a feeling this is going to end badly, Noah muttered. Kael looked at him. — Why? — Because you're in my group. — That's supposed to be reassuring. — Exactly. Lysandra smiled. The teacher raised his hand. — First phase: defense. A barrier appeared around the training grounds. — Magical projectiles will be launched at irregular intervals. You must protect your group without leaving the designated area. Noah raised his hand. — And what happens if we fail? — You start again. Noah immediately lowered his hand. — I had another question. — Ask it. — Never mind. The teacher sighed. Then snapped his fingers. The first projectile appeared. Kael focused. A flash of light suddenly crossed the field. Lysandra raised her arm. A blue barrier appeared in front of her. The projectile struck the magical surface and dispersed. — Left! Adrian shouted. Kael turned. Two more projectiles came toward them. He extended his hand. A wave of dark aura pushed the first one away. The second passed just above his shoulder. Noah ducked. — Did it really have to pass that close? — Yes, Kael replied. — I prefer theoretical classes. A third projectile came straight toward Noah. Adrian intercepted it. — Focus. — I am focused! — You were looking somewhere else. — I was observing the environment. Kael sighed. Then something changed. He sensed a presence. Not on the training field. Farther away. In the stands. A very faint aura. Almost imperceptible. Kael turned his head slightly. No one. Only a few students. And yet, the sensation remained. I know that aura. Another projectile came toward him. Kael destroyed it without even looking. Lysandra noticed. — Kael? He immediately returned his attention to the exercise. — Nothing. She watched him for a few seconds. Then nodded. She knew he didn't want to talk. But Kael didn't forget that feeling. --- At the end of the class, the students gradually left the training grounds. Kael stayed behind for a few moments. He looked toward the stands. Still nothing. Then a figure appeared at the other end of the courtyard. Darian Valcroix. The professor was crossing the courtyard with several documents under his arm. Kael followed him with his eyes. Their gazes met. Darian stopped for a fraction of a second. Then continued walking. Kael remained still. He had no proof. Only a feeling. But lately, his instincts had rarely been completely wrong. Behind him, Adrian approached. — Are you coming? Kael looked away. — Yes. They left the training grounds. --- A few minutes later, Darian entered an empty classroom. He closed the door. His expression changed immediately. He placed the documents on the desk. Then pulled a small folded sheet of paper from his pocket. The symbol was drawn on it. The incomplete circle. The vertical line. And beneath the symbol, three characters. L-03. Darian remained silent. Then someone knocked on the door. Three times. Darian immediately put the paper away. — Come in. The door opened. A man in an Imperial uniform entered. He inclined his head slightly. — Professor Valcroix. — Do you have something? The man took out a black envelope. — A message concerning the Imperial mission. Darian took the envelope. He broke the seal. He read the message. His expression remained perfectly neutral. But his fingers tightened slightly around the paper. — The Imperial Family will be present? — The Crown Prince and Princess, yes. Darian remained silent. — And their escort? — An Imperial Knight unit has already been assigned. The Imperial Guard will also be responsible for general security. Darian folded the message. — And the mission? — Everything is confirmed. — The Patriarch of House Veyron? The man hesitated. — He will participate. Darian remained silent. Then he murmured: — Of course. The man waited. — Should I inform Duke Rovenhart that Kael Veyron has already started searching? Darian slowly raised his eyes. — No. — Why? A faint smile appeared on his face. — Because Cassian already knows. --- The next morning, the academy was unusually busy. Several Imperial Knights had just arrived in the main courtyard. Their armor bore the colors of the Imperial Family. They moved with perfect discipline, inspecting the entrances, buildings, and routes planned for the arrival of the Crown Prince and Princess. Members of the Imperial Guard accompanied them. The students watched the scene with curiosity. Noah was among them. — They're really here. Lysandra looked at the knights. — They must be preparing for the Imperial Family's arrival. Adrian crossed his arms. — Their security will probably be reinforced during the mission. Kael silently watched the courtyard. The Imperial Knights weren't there simply to make an impression. He understood that immediately. Their training was different from that of the Black Raven knights. More rigorous. More formal. But the looks they directed toward the buildings showed that they weren't overlooking anything. Darius, who had just joined Kael, noticed where he was looking. — They're efficient. Kael nodded. — Yes. An Imperial Knight approached. He stopped a few meters away and saluted. — Patriarch Veyron. Kael answered with a slight nod. — Knight. — I am Captain Alaric Thorne, commander of the advance escort for the Crown Prince and Princess. Darius discreetly studied the man. — Have you worked with House Veyron before? Alaric shook his head. — Not directly. Then he looked at Kael. — But your reputation precedes you. Kael said nothing. Alaric continued: — During the mission, the Imperial Knights will be responsible for the direct protection of the Imperial Family. The Imperial Guard will handle the outer areas. Darius nodded. — And the Black Raven Order? — Your Order will, of course, retain its autonomy. The captain paused. — I'd rather have our men cooperate than get in each other's way. A faint smile appeared on Kael's face. — I agree. Alaric saluted again. — In that case, we'll work together properly. He left. Noah waited until he was far enough away. — He looked serious. Darius answered: — He's an Imperial captain. Noah nodded. — Right. He thought for a moment. — I prefer Darius when he's in a good mood. Darius looked at him. — I can change my mind. Noah immediately stepped back. — I didn't say anything. Kael let out a faint laugh. --- An hour later, Kael received a summons. A preparatory meeting had been arranged in the director's office. When he entered, Lucian was already there. The director was standing behind his desk. Several Imperial representatives stood beside him. Captain Alaric Thorne was there as well. Kael stopped. — You wanted to see me? The director nodded. — Yes. The mission is approaching. Kael sat down. — I've read the file. — And? — It's missing information. One of the Imperial representatives exchanged a glance with the other. The director remained calm. — Such as? Kael placed the file on the table. — The exact origin of the structures we're going to investigate. Silence. — They're ancient, one of the men replied. — That's not an answer. Lucian watched his nephew. Kael had spoken calmly. But there was no doubt in his tone. The representative folded his hands. — Some information will be provided on site. Kael looked at him. — Why? — Because certain documents are classified. Kael leaned back slightly in his chair. Again. Always the same words. Classified. Confidential. Later. On site. It usually meant someone had decided it was better that he didn't know something. — Who decided on the classification? he asked. The director intervened. — Kael. He met his gaze. — This isn't the time to start a diplomatic conflict. Kael remained silent. Then nodded. — Very well. He had no intention of provoking anyone. Not yet. But he had already made a decision. He would find the documents before the mission. --- As they left the meeting, Lucian walked beside him. — You're going to search the archives. It wasn't a question. Kael looked ahead. — Yes. — You know that's probably forbidden. — I know. Lucian sighed. — You really take after your father. Kael slowed down. — You say that a lot. — Because it's true. Kael remained silent for a few seconds. Then he asked: — You knew he had worked on Lorn? Lucian didn't answer immediately. — I knew he was interested in it. — That's not the same thing. — No. Kael turned his head toward him. — You knew he had a connection to V-17? Lucian stopped. This time, his expression changed. Very slightly. But Kael saw it. — Why are you asking me that? — Because I need to know how much you already knew. Lucian looked down the corridor. Then answered quietly: — Less than you think. Kael nodded. He believed him. But he also knew Lucian wasn't telling him everything. Not yet. --- That night, the Asteria library was almost empty. Kael waited until the last students had left the room. Then he made his way toward the Imperial archives section. He took out the copy of the Rovenhart document he'd brought from the estate. REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO THE WESTERN ARCHIVES — HOUSE ROVENHART. He studied the document. The date was old. Much older than Adrian Rovenhart's birth. Kael placed the document on the table. Then he opened a register. He searched the name. Rovenhart. Several entries appeared. He continued. Then he found something. An access request. A second. Then a third. All connected to the same area. Western Sector. Kael felt his attention sharpen. He turned the page. A handwritten note appeared in the margin. He read it. Access denied by House Veyron. Another sentence appeared just below it. Request renewed after the Patriarch's disappearance. Kael froze. After my father's disappearance? He reread the sentence. Then a third line appeared beneath the dust. He gently ran his finger over it. Official reason: historical research. Kael gave a faint smile. — Of course. He continued. Then his expression changed. A fourth line had been added later. File transferred. No destination. No name. Only an Imperial seal. Kael leaned closer. Beside the seal was a small symbol. The same incomplete circle. The same vertical line. His heart quickened slightly. They had this symbol. He closed the register. Not violently. Carefully. He didn't want to attract attention. Then he heard footsteps. Kael looked up. A figure appeared between the bookshelves. Darian Valcroix. He stopped a few meters away. The two men stared at each other. For several seconds, neither spoke. Darian looked at the register. Then the document. Then Kael. — Archives are rarely interesting at this hour. Kael calmly closed the file. — I could say the same about your late-night walks. Darian gave him a faint smile. — I'm a professor. — I'm a student. — I know. Kael stood. — Were you looking for something? — No. — Neither was I. Silence fell again. Darian stepped slightly aside. — Good evening, Patriarch Veyron. Kael walked past him. — Good evening, Professor Valcroix. They went their separate ways. But Kael didn't look back. He didn't need to. He knew one thing now. Darian knew he was searching. And Darian probably knew why. --- Later, in an isolated room within the academy, Darian placed another document on a table. This time, it was an old copy of the Western Archives. Only one sentence was visible. ORIGIN THREE — LOCATION: L-03. Darian raised his eyes. A voice echoed from the shadows. — Did he find the file? Darian answered: — Part of it. — And Cassian? — He'll be present during the mission. Silence. Then the voice asked: — Does the Patriarch of House Veyron know about L-03? Darian looked at the document. — Not yet. — Then stop him from reaching it. Darian remained still. — And if he discovers the truth? The figure in the shadows didn't answer immediately. Then it simply said: — Then we'll have to see what the heir does when he understands why his father died. Darian slowly raised his eyes. This time, there was no amusement in his expression. — You're going too far. The figure disappeared into the darkness. Darian remained alone. He looked at the document once more. Then murmured: — Kael Veyron... He knew time was beginning to run out. And in two weeks, several great houses would be gathered for the same Imperial mission. Among them: House Veyron. House Rovenhart. House Valenne. And, above all, the Imperial Family itself. The Crown Prince. The Princess. Their Imperial Knights. The Imperial Guard. All of them would converge on the same place. And somewhere in the forgotten lands of the Empire... L-03 was waiting.

The Imperial Mission