The day finally came for Lucian to leave for the Royal Academy. His family gathered to see him off, with Lady Elara dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Write often, won't you?" she asked, her voice warm with love.
Lucian nodded. "Of course, Mother."
His father, Lord Aldric, patted his shoulder with pride. "Make us proud, Lucian."
Lucian felt a pang he hadn't expected. Despite his old self, he had grown fond of his human family. He gave them a small bow. "I will, Father. Thank you for everything."
As he boarded the carriage, he thought of his plans at the academy. He wanted to observe, to blend in—but also to seek out any powerful magic-users and see how human mages compared to demons.