The three weeks Kael spent at Lady Seraphina's estate were nothing short of transformative.
Every moment seemed designed to push him beyond his limits, sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of the world he was about to face.
Each morning began with rigorous training under Captain Elric, a man whose bark matched his bite. Kael sparred against seasoned soldiers, swinging his sword until his arms felt like they would fall off.
"Keep your guard up!" Elric shouted, his wooden practice blade arcing toward Kael.
Kael deflected the strike, the force of the impact rattling his arms. Sweat poured down his face, but he refused to yield.
"Good," Elric said with a nod. "But don't rely on strength alone. Your footwork needs to be sharper. Without it, you're just waiting to fall."
Kael reset his stance, his movements became more deliberate. The ache in his muscles was relentless, but the determination in his chest burned hotter.
Neo's voice chimed in his mind, amused but encouraging. "He's right, you know. You rely on your fragment a lot. You move like a drunk ox sometimes."
Kael muttered under his breath, "Thanks for the encouragement."
By the end of the first week, Kael's reflexes had improved dramatically. He learned to anticipate Elric's movements, focusing not just on the attacks but the intent behind them. It wasn't just about surviving a fight; it was about controlling it, aiming to kill that was the only way to win in a battle.
Even more challenging was his time with Ignis, the fragment weapon gifted to him.
"The fragment inside the blade is alive in its own way," Evelyn, who loved to study fragment tools since they were first invented two and a half months ago, explained during one session. "Feel its rhythm. Let it guide you."
Kael closed his eyes, gripping Ignis firmly. At first, he felt nothing but the weapons' weight. But as he focused, the hum grew stronger, syncing with the pulse in his hand. When he swung the blade, the air shimmered, and a fiery trail burned faintly in its wake.
"Better," Evelyn said, her eyes narrowing as she watched him. "But remember—power without control is a curse. Precision over brute force, always."
Kael spent hours channeling the fragment's energy, shaping each strike with intent. The connection between him and Ignis deepened with every session, the weapon seemingly becoming an extension of himself.
Neo, who seemed uncharacteristically quiet during these moments, spoke only to offer insights when Kael struggled. "Think of Ignis as a partner, not a tool. Work with it, and it'll never fail you."
Afternoons were spent honing his understanding of his own fragment. Lady Seraphina who loved to study the fragments and owned the huge library in the estate, often guided these sessions, her expertise shedding light on its enigmatic nature.
"Your fragment doesn't seem offensive," she said one day, watching Kael practice. "It amplifies. It seems to create what is most needed at the time. Like a power of creation but only creates what you need and not what you want."
Kael experimented with this harmony, learning to subtly influence those around him. It made him seem like a natural leader. He could rally the guards' morale during their drills or create a sense of calm in tense situations.
However, the destructive potential of his fragment remained elusive.
He remembered the energy surge he'd unleashed against the Skybreakers, the raw force that had overwhelmed his enemies. Replicating it proved difficult, the power slipping from his grasp whenever he tried to force it.
"You're approaching it wrong," Neo said after yet another failed attempt. "Your fragment doesn't respond to force—it responds to purpose. Why you use it matters more than how."
Her words lingered in Kael's mind, and by the second week, he managed a breakthrough. Channeling his intent, he summoned a controlled burst of energy. The shockwave rippled through the training grounds, powerful but precise.
And when he wasn't training, Kael buried himself in the library. The book The Night the Stars Fell seemed to always be with him, its pages filled with knowledge about fragments and the celestial event that had reshaped the world.
He learned of the first fragment wielders and the wars their power had ignited, wars that had ultimately shaped the kingdom's current structure.
But the book also hinted at darker truths—secrets about corruption and those who sought to exploit the fragments for their own gain.
Kael's perspective on fragments shifted. They weren't just tools or weapons—they were echoes of a greater force, a responsibility he couldn't take lightly.
On the eve of his final week at the estate, Neo spoke to him with a tone he'd never heard before—hesitant, almost sorrowful.
"Kael," she began, "there's something I need to tell you."
Kael set the book aside, sensing the gravity in her voice. "What is it?"
"I have celestial duties to attend to," she said slowly. "Duties that will take me far from here. I might not be able to speak to you for some time."
Kael's chest tightened. "How long?"
There was a pause, as if Neo was choosing her words carefully. "In your time... weeks, maybe months. Perhaps... longer."
Kael stared at the floor, the thought of losing Neo's guidance weighing heavily on him. "Why now? Why leave when I need you most?"
"Because something is wrong," Neo admitted. "The balance of the celestial realm is fragile. We need all the help we can get to restore it. And I must report what we've uncovered about the Void Bandits."
Kael clenched his fists. "And what about me? What if—"
"You don't need me," Neo interrupted, her tone firm. "You've grown, Kael. You've proven your strength. Trust yourself."
Her words were meant to comfort, but they only deepened Kael's unease. "Will you come back?"
"I'll try," Neo replied softly. "But no matter what happens, remember this: you're never alone. The stars watch over you, even when I cannot."
The next morning, Neo's beautiful and melodic voice was gone.
The two weeks passed in a blur, and the day of Kael's departure arrived. The roads had been cleared by the main guards, making travel safe once more.
As Kael prepared to leave, Lady Seraphina, the ministers, and several guards gathered to bid him farewell.
"You've accomplished much in a short time," Seraphina said, her tone warm but proud. "Raven Town will not forget you, Kael Reed."
Kael bowed his head. "Thank you—for everything. I'll carry what I've learned here with me."
Elric stepped forward, clapping Kael on the shoulder. "Don't let those academy brats push you around. Show them what you're made of."
Kael smiled faintly. "I'll do my best."
As the carriage rolled away from the estate, Kael glanced back at the faces that had become familiar to him. Their figures grew smaller in the distance, but their lessons stayed with him.
They had housed him for over two weeks, given him new clothing and essentials, a weapon and a means to enter a very prestigious institution. He would forever be grateful.
The forest loomed ahead, its dense trees casting long shadows over the path.
As they moved deeper the air grew heavy, the usual sounds of wildlife eerily absent.
Kael rested a hand on Ignis, his senses becoming sharp. His fragment vibrated faintly, warning him of something amiss.
From the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of movement among the trees.
"Driver," Kael called out, his voice steady. "Stop the carriage."
The driver obeyed, pulling the horses to a halt. Kael stepped out, his eyes scanning the darkened woods.
"What is it?" the driver asked nervously.
Kael didn't answer. His hand tightened around Ignis as he peered into the shadows. Something was out there—something powerful.