The next day, the Imperial Academy of Asteria was even busier than it had been the day before. The departure for L-03 was scheduled for the following morning. Preparations had already begun in the main courtyard. Horses were being led toward the temporary stables set up near the gates. Crates containing magical equipment were being loaded onto several wagons. The Imperial Knights were checking their mounts while the Imperial Guard carried out one final inspection of the surrounding area. Farther away, several members of the Black Raven Order were discussing things with the Imperial Knights. Darius stood at the center of the group. He was holding a map of the territory. “We'll take this route.” An Imperial Knight studied the path. “It passes through a wooded area.” “Yes.” “Risk of an ambush?” Darius looked up. “Possible.” Captain Alaric Thorne approached. “In that case, we'll change the formation as we approach the forest.” Darius nodded. “The Black Ravens will take the lead.” Alaric thought for a moment. “The Imperial Knights will remain around Their Highnesses.” “That makes sense.” “And the Imperial Guard will secure the rear and the flanks.” Darius folded the map. “Perfect.” They went their separate ways. A few meters away, Kael was watching the scene. He was already wearing his long dark coat. His black hair fell over his shoulders, and his glasses rested on his nose as he read through a file. Lysandra approached from behind. “Are you working again?” Kael didn't immediately look up. “I'm checking the information on L-03.” “You didn't get much sleep.” “I slept.” “How long?” Kael paused. “Enough.” Lysandra smiled. “Darius already gave me that answer.” Kael finally looked up. “Did you two plan this?” “No.” She stopped beside him. “But you both have the same bad habit.” Kael closed the file. “Which is?” “Pretending you're fine even when you're tired.” He looked at her for a few seconds. Then a faint smile appeared. “I'm fine.” “I know.” Lysandra looked toward Nyxara, who was lying a few meters away. “Is she coming tomorrow too?” “Yes.” “Like this?” Kael followed her gaze. “Probably.” Noah arrived at that moment. “I hope she stays small.” Kael looked at him. “Why?” Noah pointed toward Nyxara. “Because I prefer it when she isn't the size of a building.” Adrian, who was walking behind him, raised an eyebrow. “You've already seen her true form, right?” “Yeah. Like everyone else.” “Then why say that?” Noah thought about it. “Instinct.” Kael shook his head slightly. “You think too much.” “That's exactly what Lysandra just accused you of.” “I didn't accuse him of anything.” “Not yet.” Adrian sighed. “You're impossible.” Kael put the file away. “Come on. The Prince is supposed to meet us in a few minutes.” --- The Imperial Family was going to carry out one final inspection of the convoy before departure. The group headed toward the gardens, where the various escorts had gathered. Crown Prince Lucien and Princess Elara arrived accompanied by several Imperial Knights. Captain Alaric walked beside them. Several members of the Imperial Guard followed at a distance. Kael joined them with Darius, Gareth, Silas, and Rowan. Nyxara walked calmly at his side. The Princess immediately noticed the Nocterys. “She looks even more impressive today.” Kael glanced down at Nyxara. “She’s watching you.” Elara smiled. “I think I'm starting to like her.” Noah muttered behind them: “I'd rather wait a few more years before saying that.” Lysandra gave him a light nudge. “She can hear you.” Noah looked at Nyxara. The Nocterys slowly turned her head toward him. “I take it back.” Adrian stifled a laugh. The Prince smiled slightly. “I assume you're all used to having her around.” Darius answered: “More or less.” Kael placed a hand on Nyxara's head. She didn't move. Several nobles accompanying the convoy watched the scene from a distance. Most seemed intrigued. Some were clearly wary. Others simply seemed fascinated. Then a young noble approached. He wore the colors of a minor Imperial house. His gaze remained fixed on Nyxara. “Is that really the legendary Nocterys?” Kael turned toward him. “Yes.” The noble smiled. “She seems much more docile than the stories make her sound.” Darius raised an eyebrow slightly. Kael, however, remained perfectly calm. “She is calm.” The noble stepped closer. Nyxara opened her eyes. Kael noticed immediately. “I advise you not to touch her.” The noble stopped. “I only wanted to greet her.” “You can talk to her.” “She won't understand me.” Kael looked at Nyxara. “She understands perfectly.” The noble hesitated. Then he smiled. “In that case…” He slowly reached toward Nyxara's head. Kael didn't move. “I warned you.” The noble's fingers drew closer. Just a few centimeters from her fur, Nyxara suddenly raised her head. Her red eyes locked onto him. The movement was so fast that the noble instinctively stepped back. Nyxara slightly bared her fangs. No attack. No growl. Just a warning. An invisible pressure briefly swept through the air. The noble's hair lifted slightly. He froze. Several people around them had stopped talking. The Imperial Knights watched the scene. Darius hadn't even put a hand on his weapon. He knew Nyxara had no intention of hurting anyone. The noble slowly withdrew his hand. “I…” Kael looked at him. “She warned you.” “She can't speak.” “She doesn't need to.” Silence followed. Princess Elara slightly turned her face to hide a smile. The Prince, meanwhile, remained perfectly serious. The noble bowed his head slightly. “I understand.” Nyxara closed her mouth. Her expression returned to almost complete indifference. Noah quietly whispered: “I think she just saved you from a very bad idea.” The noble shot him a look. Noah straightened. “I meant that respectfully.” Adrian shook his head. Lysandra smiled. Kael gently placed a hand against Nyxara's neck. “It's all right.” The Nocterys calmed completely. The noble looked at Kael. “She really is impressive.” “Yes.” “And she obeys you?” Kael thought for a moment. “That's not really how it works.” That answer caught the Princess's attention. “What do you mean?” Kael turned toward her. “Nyxara doesn't obey me because she's forced to.” He looked at the Nocterys. “She chooses to stay with me.” The Princess smiled softly. “I prefer that answer.” --- A little later, the group left the courtyard and headed into the gardens. The sun was high in the sky. The various members of the convoy were using the remaining hours before departure to check their equipment. The nobles remained close to their attendants. The Imperial Knights discussed their formation. The Imperial Guard watched the boundaries of the grounds. The Black Ravens, meanwhile, were mainly keeping an eye on the surroundings. Kael walked calmly with the Imperial Family. Lucien looked over the different groups. “Everything seems ready.” Alaric nodded. “There are still a few details.” The Princess looked around. “I'd like to see the gardens before we leave.” Kael replied: “They're open.” They continued walking. Nyxara followed Kael. She seemed particularly calm. After a few minutes, Elara stopped. She looked at the Nocterys. “Kael.” He turned. “Yes?” “Can she really change size?” Kael looked at Nyxara. “Yes.” The Princess looked at the creature curiously. “And she can choose to do it herself?” “Yes.” Elara remained silent for a few seconds. Then she smiled. “I'd really like to see it.” Kael looked around. The garden was large enough. The guards were present. Darius was a few meters away. The Imperial Knights were nearby as well. He looked at Nyxara. “Do you want to return to your full size?” The Nocterys slowly raised her head. Her red eyes met Kael's. She remained still for a few seconds. Then she stood. Her body began to grow. Slowly. Her black fur expanded. Her shoulders rose. Her legs became longer. Her long tail unfolded behind her. The small horns on her head grew slightly. The midnight-blue highlights in her fur became much more visible beneath the sunlight. Within seconds, the small creature that had been accompanying Kael was gone. In her place stood an imposing Nocterys. Large. Majestic. Silent. Her red eyes calmly surveyed everyone around her. Silence fell. The Imperial Knights instinctively took defensive positions. Several Imperial Guards reached for their weapons. Darius immediately raised a hand. “Don't move.” The soldiers hesitated. Alaric looked at the creature. Then at Kael. Kael hadn't moved. He simply stood beside Nyxara. “She won't attack you.” Alaric remained alert. “You're certain?” Kael looked up at Nyxara. She was perfectly still. “Yes.” Darius added calmly: “If she wanted to attack, you would've already realized it.” Alaric didn't answer. But he signaled to his men to remain in position without drawing their weapons. The Prince looked at Nyxara with an impressed expression. The Princess's eyes, meanwhile, were shining. “She's beautiful.” Kael smiled faintly. “I know.” Nyxara slightly turned her head toward the Princess. Then she took a few steps closer. The guards immediately tensed. Kael didn't move. Nyxara stopped in front of Elara. The difference in size was impressive. The Princess slowly looked up. Nyxara lowered her head. Their eyes met. Then the Nocterys lowered herself slightly. As if she wanted to lessen the distance between them. Elara smiled. “She recognizes me.” Kael nodded. “Yes.” The Princess slowly extended her hand. Nyxara briefly sniffed it. Then she stepped back. Not out of distrust. Simply because she was done. Elara laughed softly. “Okay.” Noah watched the scene with his mouth hanging open. “I take back everything I said.” Adrian looked at him. “That's rare.” “She’s huge.” Lysandra smiled. “You're only realizing that now?” Noah pointed at Nyxara. “I knew she was big. Just not this big.” Kael turned toward him. “You wanted to see her true form.” “Yes.” “Well?” Noah looked at the Nocterys. “I slightly regret it.” Darius burst out laughing. --- A little farther away, the same noble who had tried to touch Nyxara a few minutes earlier watched the scene. His expression had changed. He was looking at the Nocterys with much more respect. When she walked past him, he instinctively took a step back. Nyxara stopped. She turned her head toward him. The noble froze. Kael noticed. “She remembers you.” The noble swallowed. “I… figured.” Nyxara eventually turned her head away. The noble exhaled. Noah walked over to him. “She’s nice.” The noble looked at him. “Are you making fun of me?” “No.” Noah thought for a moment. “Well… a little.” Adrian placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let him breathe.” Noah walked away. --- Then Lysandra approached. She hadn't spoken since Nyxara had transformed. She looked at the Nocterys with a calm expression. Kael noticed her hesitation. “You can come closer.” Lysandra looked at Kael. “Are you sure?” “Yes.” She slowly approached. Nyxara turned her head toward her. Lysandra stopped a few steps away. She slowly raised her hand. Nyxara didn't move. Kael watched the scene. “Go ahead.” Lysandra stepped closer. Then she gently placed her hand against Nyxara's fur. The Nocterys remained perfectly still. Then, slowly, she lowered her head. Lysandra ran her fingers between her ears. Nyxara slightly closed her eyes. A stunned silence spread through the group. Even several Imperial Knights watched the scene in surprise. Princess Elara smiled. “She accepts her.” Kael nodded. “Yes.” Lysandra continued gently stroking her fur. “She's much softer than I expected.” Kael smiled. “Only with certain people.” Lysandra looked up at him. “So I'm one of the privileged ones?” Kael remained silent for a second. Then he answered: “Apparently.” A small smile appeared on Lysandra's face. Noah looked at Adrian. “Did you see that?” “Yes.” “She really lets her do that.” “Yes.” Noah looked at Kael. “Can I try too?” Kael turned toward him. “No.” “Why?” Kael pointed toward Nyxara. “She already knows you.” Noah's mouth fell open. Lysandra burst out laughing. Adrian turned away to hide his smile. Darius, meanwhile, was openly laughing. “That'll teach you.” Noah crossed his arms. “That's not fair.” Nyxara opened one eye. Noah immediately fell silent. “I withdraw my complaint.” Kael shook his head. But his smile remained. --- The scene had attracted the attention of many nobles. Some were already whispering among themselves. The legendary Nocterys. The ancestral creature bound to House Veyron. She had rejected one noble's attempt to approach her. She had accepted the Princess. And now she was allowing Lysandra to touch her as though they had known each other for years. The rumors would probably begin before they even left. Kael paid no attention to them. He simply watched Nyxara. She seemed perfectly content. Lysandra eventually withdrew her hand. “Thank you.” Nyxara opened her eyes again. Then she gently brought her muzzle closer to Lysandra. A silent response. Lysandra smiled. Kael watched the scene for a few seconds. Something inside him relaxed. Nyxara had known his family long before Lysandra had entered his life. And yet, she had accepted her. Without explanation. Without hesitation. That probably meant more to Kael than he wanted to admit. Darius watched him briefly. He noticed his expression. But said nothing. --- When the sun began to descend, Nyxara finally returned to her smaller form. Her enormous body gradually shrank until she returned to her usual size. She calmly went back to Kael's side. Noah looked at her. “This is much less intimidating.” Kael stared at him. “You know she can still hear you, right?” Noah looked at Nyxara. She was staring at him. “Yes.” He sighed. “I really need to learn to think before I speak.” Adrian gave him a light pat on the shoulder. “That would be a first.” Noah protested. “Hey!” The Princess laughed softly. Even the Prince smiled. For a few moments, the tension surrounding the mission seemed to disappear. But Kael knew it would return. Tomorrow morning, they would leave Asteria. They would cross several Imperial territories. Eventually, they would reach the region where L-03 was located. And somewhere out there might be part of the truth his father had been searching for. Kael looked toward the academy gates. Darius came to stand beside him. “Thinking about tomorrow?” “Yes.” “Are you worried?” Darius immediately understood. “The others?” Kael nodded slightly. “The Prince. The Princess. Noah. Lysandra. Adrian. The men.” Darius remained silent. Then he smiled. “You haven't changed.” Kael turned his head. “Is that supposed to be reassuring?” “Yes.” Darius looked at the people around them. “You always worry about everyone else before yourself.” Kael didn't answer. Then Nyxara came and stood against his leg. Kael looked down. He gently placed a hand on her head. “At least you don't make my life more complicated.” Nyxara slightly swished her tail. Darius burst out laughing. “She literally just contradicted you.” Kael sighed. “I should've kept my mouth shut.” In the distance, the academy bells rang. Departure was approaching. And tomorrow, the Imperial convoy would leave Asteria for L-03. This time, no one knew what they would find there. But one thing was certain. They would not be alone. Someone had been watching them. Someone knew about V-17. Someone knew about L-03. And somewhere in the shadows, someone was waiting for their arrival.

Nyxara’s True Form