Cali, the red-haired elf girl with bangs covering her eyes, sat quietly beside Dilhan in the academy's healthcare room. Her mind drifted back to when she first met him, tracing the unexpected friendship that had blossomed between them. He can be so frustrating, she thought, smiling faintly. But there was more to him than his lazy demeanor let on.
She glanced at Dilhan, still dozing on the bed, and began to think about how it all started.
"I can't believe it had been four months since we first came to this academy," She thought about the past, feeling rather nostalgic about the entrance day of Thimoria Academy.
The first time Cali met Dilhan, she was unimpressed. She remembered how he'd slumped into the seat next to her on that first day, looking half-asleep and uninterested. Even when the professor introduced her as one of the most talented from the Warden district, Dilhan had only given a brief nod before turning back to his own world.
In those early days, Cali didn't think much of him. Whenever class ended, he'd pack up and disappear before anyone could talk to him. He rarely joined group activities, ignoring any team efforts the students organized, whether they were training sessions or casual social gatherings.
Cali herself wasn't really a sociable person, as she always avoided those kinds of gatherings. She was an introvert who wanted just a few friends she truly valued, aiming to live her life peacefully while achieving her goal of becoming one of the most talented mages in the academy.
She knew that graduating from Thimoria would put her family, currently on the brink of ruin, in a better position.
I thought he was lazy, she reflected, her eyes tracing his relaxed expression as he slept. Someone I couldn't rely on.
But one day, she noticed something odd. She'd stayed back in the classroom to study, and she saw Dilhan sitting by himself, whispering. It was subtle, but he seemed to be speaking to no one in particular, gesturing as if he were practicing a conversation. Intrigued, she had watched him for a few moments, her curiosity piqued. What was he doing? Practicing? But for what?
She began observing him more closely, and over time, a new side of him emerged. He wasn't just sleeping through classes; he was hiding a side of himself, keeping something just out of sight. Driven by curiosity, Cali decided to talk to him.
"Hey," she'd said one day, sliding into the seat next to him during lunch. "You talk to yourself a lot. Practicing something?"
Dilhan had blinked at her, caught off guard. But instead of brushing her off, he'd smiled, just a little. "Yes, It keeps me entertained because then I know what sort of a person I am or maybe I am just crazy."
She'd found herself smiling too. And from that small exchange, their friendship had taken root, as she found Dilhan interesting.
To her surprise, she found that he was anything but boring. He had unique perspectives, quirky ideas, and was unexpectedly fun to hang out with. He made her laugh and had a cleverness about him she hadn't expected. The more she got to know him, the more she enjoyed his company.
Coming from a commoner background, Cali had always felt somewhat invisible, talented but unrecognized. She'd been used to people overlooking her, assuming she didn't belong in Thimoria. But with Dilhan, it was different. He didn't care about status, and he wasn't impressed by titles. He saw her for who she was, and in him, she found a down-to-earth friend who valued her for herself.
As she sat reminiscing beside him, she suddenly felt Dilhan stirring. His eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at her, blinking.
The first words he murmured were, "Am I seeing an angel?"
Cali let out a small laugh and knocked her knuckles gently against his forehead. "Stop acting stupid," she said, smiling despite herself. "You're just as ridiculous as ever."
Dilhan grinned, rubbing his forehead where she'd knocked him. "Ow, be gentle, Cali. You will hurt my soft and sensitive forehead"
"Please. I know you too well. You're not as timid as you pretend to be. Underneath all that, you're just a cocky boy," she teased, shaking her head at him.
Just then, the school nurse entered, carrying a small stick-like device. She walked over to Dilhan and placed it in his mouth, holding it there while peering through a monocle-like instrument.
She was a woman in her thirties with a dynamite body that could kill anyone with a simple look. She had curves in all the right places, which is why she became popular with the students in academy rather quickly. Most of the female teachers in this academy had the same problem because more mana in their body meant, more beauty.
It wasn't the same for everyone, but mana itself was a mark of purity.
After a moment, she nodded, satisfied. "You're recovering faster than I expected for someone who drained his mana so recklessly," she observed, pulling the device back. "But really, Dilhan, why don't you use this amazing talent of yours for something more... useful?"
Dilhan gave a lazy smile, stretching his arms. "Because then I wouldn't get to see you as often, would I?" He flashed a grin, and Cali rolled her eyes.
The nurse simply raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I'm not interested in flirting with my students, thank you." She turned and left the room, leaving Dilhan and Cali alone once again.
Cali crossed her arms, annoyed. "Really, Dilhan? You had to go and embarrass us both. WHy do you always keep saying things like that?"
Realizing his mistake, Dilhan put up his hands in a calming gesture. "Hey, hey, don't be mad, Cali," he said quickly, his voice softer. "Sorry about that. Just a little joke, okay?"
She stood up, brushing off her skirt. "If you're going to keep messing around, you can have your fun on your own. I'm heading back. Unlike you, I like to listen to lectures."
Dilhan watched her go, his expression shifting to one of regret. "Wait... Cali," he called, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "I didn't mean to upset you."
She paused at the door, glancing back with a slight smile, one that told him she wasn't really mad. It was the kind of smile she gave him when she was playing along, letting him know he hadn't completely ruined things.
Dilhan caught the look, grinning sheepishly as he slumped back onto the cot. Cali... you're too good to me, he thought, feeling the warmth of their friendship settle over him like a familiar, comforting cloak.
***
In the council hall, the air was thick with tension as teachers and advisors gathered, murmuring to one another. The incident involving the mysterious figure "ZeroVeil" had rattled everyone, and the sight of seasoned instructors glancing warily at each other was unusual. At the head of the table sat Principal Eldra, a middle-aged woman with stern features and an air of authority that demanded respect. She sat in composed silence, hands folded as she listened to the staff debate the strange event.
One of the senior instructors, a burly knight named Garth with a scar tracing his jawline, spoke first. "Whoever this 'ZeroVeil' is, he disrupted the academy's entire security. Students heard him everywhere — classrooms, the library, even the training grounds. That kind of access… It's no simple prank."
The elven enchantress Isalyn nodded, her long silver hair cascading over her robes. "I tried tracing the magical signature, but the path was… scattered. It didn't lead to any of the students or staff. Whoever this person is, they're highly skilled in illusion and misdirection."
Another teacher, a dwarf named Brannik, grumbled, "And the amount of mana needed to hold a crystal to power that kind of widespread illusion… no way that's coming from a student. No student should have access to that much power."
Isalyn crossed her arms, frowning. "Agreed. A student using that much mana would have easily died. This ZeroVeil has power equal to one of us adults. I see no purpose in his acts yet, but we will have to see,"
A few more murmurs of agreement sounded around the table. Principal Eldra watched each of them in turn, her eyes narrowing as she considered the information. She'd let them voice their concerns freely, but she could sense the conversation circling.
Finally, she raised a hand, and the room fell silent. "I appreciate each of your insights. This ZeroVeil may indeed be powerful, possibly an illusionist with a skill level beyond our students. But as long as no one has been harmed, there is no immediate danger."
The teachers exchanged uncertain glances. Garth shifted in his seat. "But, Principal Eldra, should we really allow someone to slip through our security without any consequence?"
Eldra gave a slight nod. "Your concern is valid, Garth. However, chasing down every lead would consume resources. For now, we'll focus on reinforcing our security and monitoring for any further disturbances."
She turned her attention to the representatives seated at the far end of the hall, each representing an affiliated kingdom. Her gaze was steady, the hint of a command in her voice.
"Regardless, we must inform our allies of this incident. Our academy hosts many of their esteemed heirs, including princes and princesses. They deserve to be made aware."
The representatives nodded, each one alert and attentive.
She looked to the representative from the Principality of Crekork, a stern-faced human named Lord Harron. "Lord Harron, please send word to the Principality of Crekork."
"Yes, Principal Eldra. I'll inform the royal family immediately," Harron replied with a respectful bow. "We can't afford to take any risks when our most valued and younger generation is learning in this most esteemed academy,"
Next, she moved on to the dwarf from the Tugukhur Union, a warrior named Borak with a braided beard streaked in silver. "Borak, I trust you will inform the Tugukhur Union?"
Borak nodded with a grunt. "Aye, Eldra, they'll be made aware. No tricks or threats are welcome near our young ones. Me young ones learn here too, it is my duty to inform our leaders about this aye."
Next was the representative of the Most Serene Republic of Sealia, an elven diplomat named Lirael, who was seated elegantly. Principal Eldra nodded at her. "The Most Serene Republic of Sealia?"
Lirael's green eyes flashed. "I will notify them at once, Principal Eldra. The Republic will not tolerate such disturbances."
Finally, she addressed the representatives of the Thearchy of Kopastadia, a multi-racial country represented by a dignified half elf ambassador named Cassius. "Cassius, inform the Thearchy of Kopastadia."
Cassius inclined his head respectfully. "Of course. They will be kept fully updated on the matter."
Turning to the representative from the Fludir Theocracy, a woman with a golden sash named Priestess Elara, Eldra concluded, "And the Fludir Theocracy should be informed, Priestess Elara."
Priestess Elara smiled gently. "The Fludir Theocracy values peace, and I will ensure they understand the nature of this… event."
With each representative acknowledging the task, Eldra leaned back, her gaze sweeping over the room once more. "Until we receive further information, we shall continue to observe. This ZeroVeil may intend more pranks, but we will not be caught off guard again. Strengthen your defenses and monitor student movements closely. That is all."
The teachers nodded in agreement, determined expressions on their faces, and began filing out of the room.