The day of the Imperial arrival finally came. Since dawn, the Imperial Academy of Asteria seemed to have taken on an entirely different atmosphere. Imperial banners had been hung along the walls of the main courtyard. Servants moved through the corridors carrying documents, decorations, and additional equipment. Guards had been stationed in front of the main entrances. The Imperial Knights occupied the most important access points. As for the Imperial Guard, they had established several security perimeters around the academy. Everyone knew that the Crown Prince and Princess would arrive in the afternoon. Even the students seemed quieter than usual. Or at least, they were trying to be. Noah was leaning against a window overlooking the courtyard. He had been watching the soldiers inspect the grounds for several minutes. “There are even more guards than yesterday.” Adrian, standing beside him, looked outside. “That’s normal.” “I know.” Noah pointed toward a group wearing silver armor. “Those are the Imperial Knights?” “Yes.” He then pointed toward several men positioned near the gates. “And those?” “The Imperial Guard.” Noah crossed his arms. “So, basically, if someone sneezes suspiciously, they get arrested?” Lysandra stifled a laugh. “You’re exaggerating.” Adrian shook his head. “Not by that much.” A few meters away, Kael stood in front of another window. He wasn't looking at the Imperial guards. His attention was focused on the courtyard. Several figures dressed in black had just entered. The Black Raven Order. Darius was walking at the front. Behind him were three high-ranking officers of the Order. Gareth Riven. Silas Arden. And Rowan Hale. All three were among the most important officers in the Black Raven Order. Their presence alone was enough to lower the volume of several conversations. They moved with almost complete silence. No unnecessary gestures. No pointless words. No display of force. They didn't need one. Their reputation spoke for them. Noah watched them. Then he looked at Kael. Then back at the knights. “Your men are terrifying.” Kael turned his head slightly. “They're just standing there.” “Exactly.” Lysandra smiled. Adrian studied the four members of the Black Raven Order carefully. “They're different from the Imperial Knights.” Kael nodded. “Their responsibilities aren't the same.” “And neither are their reputations.” Kael didn't answer. Noah leaned slightly toward him. “Do they always look like people who could go into battle at a moment's notice?” Kael looked back toward the courtyard. “Probably because they've already done it.” Noah fell silent. “Okay.” Lysandra laughed softly. At that moment, Darius looked up toward the building. His gaze met Kael's through the window. He gave him a brief nod. Kael returned it. Nothing more. But the message was clear. Everything was ready. --- By late afternoon, the academy's grand reception hall had been prepared. The Imperial Family was to be officially welcomed there before the meeting concerning the mission. Several major noble families were already present. House Valenne had sent several representatives. Other families had also made the journey. House Rovenhart had arrived shortly before the Imperial procession. Duke Cassian Rovenhart stood among the nobles, speaking quietly with two Imperial representatives. Kael noticed him immediately. Cassian appeared perfectly calm. Perhaps too calm. Their eyes met briefly. Neither smiled. Then the duke returned to his conversation. Kael didn't react. Darius stood a few steps behind him. Gareth, Silas, and Rowan were slightly farther back. They weren't surrounding Kael. They didn't need to. Their mere presence made it clear that the patriarch of House Veyron had not come alone. Nyxara was lying beside Kael. Her black fur almost blended into the shadows of the hall. Her midnight-blue highlights were barely visible beneath the light of the great chandeliers. Her red eyes were half-closed. She seemed completely relaxed. But she was watching everything. Every movement. Every person. Every change in the room. Several nobles had already noticed her. Most had chosen not to approach. Noah leaned toward Lysandra. “Does she always look that scary?” Lysandra looked at Nyxara. “She’s usually calm.” Noah looked at the Nocterys again. “That’s not what I asked.” Adrian almost smiled. “You should probably stop staring at her.” “I’m not staring.” Nyxara slowly opened one eye. Noah immediately looked away. “Okay.” Adrian nodded. “Good decision.” Kael had heard them. He didn't turn around. A faint smile did, however, appear on his face. --- The doors at the back of the hall suddenly opened. Silence immediately fell. An Imperial herald stepped forward. “His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Lucien Arclight.” A second voice rang out. “Her Imperial Highness, Princess Elara Arclight.” The Imperial Knights entered first. Their silver-and-blue armor reflected the light of the chandeliers as they advanced in perfect formation. Several members of the Imperial Guard appeared behind them. Then the Crown Prince and Princess entered the hall. All the nobles bowed. Kael did the same. Nyxara simply remained still at his side. The formal greetings began. The academy director stepped forward first. Then came representatives of the various noble houses. The Prince exchanged a few words with several of them. The Princess did the same. Everything was perfectly organized. Perfectly controlled. After a few minutes, the conversations slowly resumed. The atmosphere had relaxed slightly. Then the great doors opened again. This time, no herald announced anyone's arrival. Darius entered first. The conversations gradually grew quieter. Behind him came Gareth Riven. Then Silas Arden. Then Rowan Hale. Four members of the Black Raven Order. Some nobles recognized them immediately. Others simply recognized the black emblem on their uniforms. A few whispers spread through the hall. Then Kael entered. Nyxara walked at his side. The effect was immediate. The last conversations stopped. Not all at once. One after another. A noble at the back of the hall lowered his voice. Another straightened. Several Imperial guards instinctively became more alert. Even some of the Imperial Knights turned their heads. Kael didn't react. He simply continued walking. His long dark coat followed his movements slightly. His black hair fell over his shoulders. His red-and-black earrings briefly caught the light. His red eyes remained calm behind his glasses. Nyxara moved without making a sound. Darius followed a few steps behind. Gareth, Silas, and Rowan remained in formation. No weapons were drawn. No one threatened anyone. And yet, the atmosphere of the hall had completely changed. A few moments earlier, this had been an Imperial reception. Now, everyone suddenly seemed aware of the presence of House Veyron. Its patriarch. Its Order. Its knights. And the legendary creature walking beside him. Kael reached the center of the hall. He stopped. The Crown Prince watched him. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Then Kael respectfully bowed his head. “Your Imperial Highness.” The Prince inclined his head slightly. “Patriarch Veyron.” Kael straightened. The Princess studied him for a few seconds. Then her gaze settled on Nyxara. Her expression changed slightly. “And I assume this is Nyxara.” Kael briefly lowered his eyes. Nyxara was already looking at the Princess. “Yes.” The Princess cautiously took a step forward. Nyxara didn't move. She simply watched her. “She’s beautiful.” Kael nodded. “She usually doesn't allow strangers to approach her.” The Princess stopped. “I understand.” Nyxara continued staring at her. For several seconds, no one spoke. Then the Nocterys slowly lowered her head. A smile appeared on the Princess's face. “I'll take that as a good sign.” Kael's expression softened slightly. “Probably.” The Prince then looked at Darius and the three officers behind him. “Your escort is impressive.” Darius stepped forward and bowed. “Darius Valen, second-in-command of the Black Raven Order.” Gareth followed. “Gareth Riven.” Silas inclined his head slightly. “Silas Arden.” Rowan did the same. “Rowan Hale.” The Prince looked at them one after another. “I know your names.” Darius remained silent. The Prince turned his attention back to Kael. “I assume they'll be accompanying us during the mission.” “They will.” Captain Alaric Thorne, responsible for the advance escort of the Imperial Family, stepped forward as well. His gaze briefly swept over the four members of the Black Raven Order. There was no hostility in his eyes. Only professional assessment. “We need to coordinate the security arrangements before departure.” Darius nodded. “Of course.” Alaric continued. “The Imperial Knights will remain responsible for Their Highnesses' direct protection.” Darius nodded. “Understood.” “The Imperial Guard will secure the outer areas and establish the main perimeter.” Kael calmly spoke. “And the Black Raven Order will retain its own chain of command.” Alaric looked at Kael. “Exactly.” A brief silence followed. Then the captain extended his hand toward Darius. “I'd rather have our men cooperate than get in each other's way.” Darius shook his hand. “So would I.” The two men exchanged a look. They didn't need to say anything else. They understood each other. --- Farther across the hall, Noah had watched the entire exchange. He leaned toward Lysandra. “Did you see what happened when Kael walked in?” Lysandra nodded. “Yes.” “The whole room changed.” Adrian crossed his arms. “People recognized the Veyron delegation.” Noah shook his head. “No. It was more than that.” He looked at Kael. “It’s like everyone suddenly remembered that he wasn't just our friend.” Lysandra followed his gaze. Kael was calmly speaking with the Prince. Nyxara remained at his side. Darius and the three high-ranking Black Raven officers stood behind him. “He's the patriarch,” Lysandra murmured. Adrian nodded. “And the Supreme Commander of the Black Raven Order.” Noah swallowed. “When you put it like that, I suddenly understand why people are intimidated.” Lysandra smiled. “You didn't know?” “I knew.” Noah paused. “I just forget sometimes.” Adrian gave him a look. “Probably because Kael acts like a normal person around us.” Noah nodded. “Exactly.” --- At the other end of the hall, Duke Cassian Rovenhart had remained silent. His gaze was fixed on Kael. Then it moved to Darius. Gareth. Silas. Rowan. And finally Nyxara. The duke's expression didn't change. But his gaze became slightly more cautious. The Veyrons were here. And they had not come alone. Kael noticed that he was watching him. Their eyes met. Cassian politely inclined his head. Kael returned the gesture. Nothing more. But neither of them immediately looked away. Then the Crown Prince spoke again. “Patriarch Veyron.” Kael turned toward him. “Yes?” “I've heard that House Veyron has some experience with ancient magical sites.” Kael remained cautious. “We have some.” “Then I believe your presence will be valuable during this mission.” “I'll do what I can.” The Princess smiled. “Are you always this serious?” Kael looked at her. “Am I not supposed to be?” She laughed softly. “Not all the time.” Kael seemed slightly surprised. Then a faint smile appeared on his face. “I'll keep that in mind.” The Prince noticed the exchange. So did several nobles nearby. The tension in the hall eased slightly. Only slightly. But enough. Nyxara suddenly raised her head. Her ears moved. Kael noticed immediately. He turned his eyes toward the entrance. Nothing. Then Nyxara's gaze shifted toward one of the upper balconies. Kael followed her gaze. Someone was standing there. A man wearing the academy's dark uniform. He was watching the hall. He was watching Kael. The moment their eyes met, the man looked away. Kael frowned slightly. Darius noticed. “Is something wrong?” Kael continued looking at the balcony. “Nothing.” Darius followed his gaze. The balcony was empty. He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You sure?” Kael nodded. “For now.” Nyxara continued staring at the place where the man had disappeared. Kael gently placed a hand against her neck. “It's okay.” The Nocterys relaxed slightly. But she didn't stop watching the balcony. Kael turned his attention back toward the Imperial Family. The mission would begin in two days. The Crown Prince. The Princess. The Imperial Knights. The Imperial Guard. House Veyron. House Valenne. House Rovenhart. The Black Raven Order. They would all soon be heading toward the same region. Toward L-03. And Kael had the feeling that someone was already waiting for them there. Someone who knew exactly what the Veyron heir had begun searching for. He cast one last glance toward the balcony. This time, no one was there. But the feeling remained. The mission hadn't even begun yet. And someone was already watching them.

The Imperial Arrival