Three Months Later
The steady rhythm of academy life had finally settled in. Three months had passed since Leon and Mikel stepped through the gates of the Aetherion Institute, and the initial whirlwind of confusion had slowly given way to routine. The once-daunting training grounds and lecture halls now felt familiar, though their challenges hadn't lessened.
For Leon, progress was a slow, uphill climb. Each day was a test of his patience and persistence as he struggled to keep up with the demands of the academy. But despite his shortcomings, he had begun to form connections with some of his classmates.
It started with Rurik.
Rurik had been the first to truly warm to Leon. Quiet and serious, the young dwarf had a knack for crafting that left most of the other students in awe. Though their bond started with awkward exchanges during group assignments, it grew over late-night study sessions in the dormitory.
Then came Fiona.
The blonde-haired girl had a sharp tongue and an even sharper mind. Her talent for magical theory was unmatched in their year, and her straightforward nature often left Mikel sputtering for a comeback. It was Fiona who first insisted that Leon stop beating himself up over his slow progress, her no-nonsense approach cutting through his doubts like a blade.
And finally, Talin.
A lanky boy with a penchant for storytelling, Talin wasn't particularly skilled in any area of magic, but his ability to weave a tale could leave even the most exhausted students captivated. Leon often found himself laughing at Talin's absurd, exaggerated stories after a long day of training.
Together, they formed an unlikely group that met each evening in the dormitory's common room, a place that had become their refuge from the pressures of the academy.
The crackling warmth of the enchanted hearth filled the common room as students gathered in their usual spots. Leon sat at one of the long tables, his notebook open to a page of rune sequences that seemed to blur together no matter how hard he focused.
"Stop staring at it like it's going to solve itself," Fiona said, glancing up from her own notes. "Runes aren't that complicated. You just have to memorize the patterns."
"Easy for you to say," Leon muttered, his brow furrowing.
"It's not about being easy," Fiona replied with a smirk. "It's about not being terrible at it."
Before Leon could respond, Talin plopped down beside him, a mischievous grin plastered across his face.
"You'll never guess what happened during crafting class today," Talin began, leaning forward as if about to share a great secret.
Fiona rolled her eyes. "If it's another one of your ridiculous stories—"
"This one's true!" Talin insisted. "Rurik can back me up."
From the other end of the table, Rurik grunted without looking up from the intricate rune-inscribed bracelet he was working on.
"See?" Talin said, gesturing dramatically. "Even Rurik agrees!"
"What am I agreeing to?" Rurik asked flatly.
"That you accidentally enchanted a chair to chase someone around the workshop," Talin said, his grin widening.
Rurik scowled. "It wasn't chasing anyone. It just... moved unexpectedly."
"Right," Talin said, laughing. "Moved unexpectedly in circles around the room for five minutes."
The group burst into laughter, even Fiona cracking a small smile.
Mikel leaned back in his chair, tossing a rubber ball into the air as the others talked. He chimed in here and there, his usual wit and bravado subdued.
Leon glanced at him, puzzled by his uncharacteristic quietness. It didn't take long to figure out the reason.
Across the room, Lyra sat alone, flipping through a book with the calm focus that seemed to define her every movement. Her dark ears twitched slightly as she turned a page, her golden eyes scanning the text with unwavering attention.
Mikel's gaze lingered on her, though he quickly looked away whenever she glanced in their direction.
Leon raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Mikel said quickly, sitting up straighter. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Leon followed his gaze to Lyra, realization dawning. He smirked faintly.
"Nothing," Leon said, turning back to his notebook. "You're just... quieter than usual."
"I'm always quiet," Mikel said, leaning back with exaggerated casualness.
Talin overheard and snorted. "Sure you are. Like a rampaging wyvern."
"Shut up, Talin," Mikel muttered, his ears reddening slightly.
Leon shook his head, hiding his smile.
Later that evening, after the common room had emptied out, Leon lingered by the window, staring out at the moonlit campus. The soft glow of enchanted lanterns illuminated the cobblestone paths, their warm light reflecting off the still water of the nearby fountain.
He thought back to his first days at the academy, when the weight of his inadequacies had felt like an impossible burden. He still struggled, still stumbled, but he wasn't alone anymore.
Behind him, Mikel flopped onto the couch, stretching out with a satisfied sigh.
"You're thinking again," Mikel said, his tone teasing. "Careful, Leon. Too much thinking isn't good for you."
Leon smiled faintly. "Just... reflecting."
"Yeah?" Mikel asked, propping himself up on his elbows. "What about?"
Leon hesitated, then said, "How different things feel now."
Mikel raised an eyebrow. "In a good way or a bad way?"
"A good way," Leon said quietly. "Mostly."
Mikel grinned. "Of course it's a good way. You've got me to keep things interesting."
Leon rolled his eyes but didn't argue.