The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow through the arched windows of the Everglade Library. The warm light bathed the rows of bookshelves in golden hues, contrasting with the cool silence of the room. Kael sat at a secluded table, surrounded by books and scrolls, his brow furrowed as he scoured every page. Hours had passed unnoticed, and the faint scent of parchment filled the air.
Across the room, Miss Maria, the librarian, glanced at Kael from behind her desk. She had been observing him for some time now, impressed by his quiet determination. Finally, as the clock struck the hour, she rose from her chair and approached him, her footsteps muffled against the thick carpet.
"Kael, the library is closing," she said gently. "If you'd like to continue reading, you'll need to come back tomorrow."
Kael blinked, momentarily pulled from his thoughts. His golden eyes flickered in the dim light as he looked up at her.
"Ah, thank you, Miss Maria," he said, his voice slightly hoarse from disuse. "I'll leave now."
He began gathering the scattered books into a neat stack, his movements slow as if reluctant to part from them. Miss Maria watched him with a faint smile, then returned to her desk to tidy up.
Outside, the evening air was crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and the distant hum of crickets. The sky above was a blend of orange and purple, with stars beginning to peek through. Kael walked back to his room, his mind still swimming with the wealth of information he had uncovered.
***
Kael opened the door to his room, expecting the familiar solitude, but instead, he found his mother, Helen, waiting for him. She sat on the edge of his bed, her arms crossed and her expression a mixture of anger and relief.
"Where have you been, young man?" she demanded, her voice sharp but tinged with worry.
Kael froze, unsure how to respond. He hadn't anticipated her presence, nor her concern.
"I was... in the library," he finally said, his tone cautious.
Helen's features softened slightly, but her worry remained evident.
"I went to check on you this morning, and you weren't here. Do you know how worried I was? After everything that's happened..." Her voice broke, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "I thought you might have done something reckless again, or run away."
Her words struck a chord in Kael. He felt a pang of guilt, though his fragmented memories made it difficult to fully grasp the weight of her emotions. He could see the sincerity in her eyes, the fear of losing him.
"I'm sorry, Mother," he said softly. "I'll be more careful."
Helen studied him closely, her sharp gaze noting the subtle changes in his appearance. His posture was straighter, his build more defined, and his golden eyes seemed to gleam with a strange intensity.
"You've changed, Kael," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "Your eyes, your body... what's happening to you?"
Kael hesitated, crafting an explanation that wouldn't raise further questions.
"It's... just some unusual effects from my recent struggles," he said, forcing a small smile. "Nothing to worry about."
Helen frowned, clearly unconvinced, but she chose not to press the matter. Instead, she sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Fine. But don't think I'm letting this go. We'll talk about it later."
After a brief but firm hug, she left the room, leaving Kael alone with his thoughts once more.
***
Kael sat on his bed, gazing out the window at the stars that now filled the night sky. The world outside seemed peaceful, but he knew better. The storm brewing beneath the surface was undeniable, and the fragile calm he now lived in was nothing more than an illusion.
"Staying still isn't an option," he muttered to himself.
The weight of his fractured memories and the knowledge he had gained pressed heavily on him. He knew he couldn't rely solely on the scattered fragments of his past. If he wanted to survive—and perhaps even thrive—he needed to act.
Deciding to focus on what he knew best, Kael resolved to train. Swordsmanship and physical strength had served him well in his previous life, and he was confident they would serve him again.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll join the knights in their training," he said aloud, his resolve hardening.
With that thought firmly planted in his mind, he lay down, exhaustion finally pulling him into a restless sleep.
***
Kael awoke before dawn, his determination unwavering. By the time the first light of day began to creep over the horizon, he was already at the training grounds. The air was crisp, and his breath formed small clouds as he began his routine.
Push-ups, sit-ups, squats—Kael moved through each exercise with precision, his muscles working steadily to shake off the stiffness of sleep. When the sun began to rise, he transitioned to running laps around the grounds, his pace quick and steady.
By the time Thorne, the head knight instructor, and the other knights arrived, Kael was drenched in sweat but still pushing himself through another set of exercises.
Thorne raised an eyebrow as he approached.
"Well, you're up early," he said, his tone gruff but not unkind. "What brings you here, boy?"
Kael stood, catching his breath.
"I want to train with the knights," he said, his voice steady. "If you'll have me, that is."
The knights exchanged glances, some amused, others curious.
"You've got spirit," Thorne said after a moment. "All right, join the drills. Let's see what you're made of."
The drills were grueling, but Kael kept up. His determination and the echoes of his past life's experience carried him through, earning him the respect of the knights.
When it came time for sword training, he was handed a wooden sword and paired with one of the trainees. As they began sparring, Kael's movements were fluid and precise, drawing the attention of those around him.
"This... this is your first time wielding a sword?" his opponent asked, panting.
Kael nodded, hiding the smirk threatening to form.
"Beginner's luck, I guess," he said.
But Thorne wasn't fooled. The instructor's keen eyes caught the subtle nuances of Kael's technique, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the boy than met the eye.
For the next eight days, Kael threw himself into training. He quickly became a favorite among the knights, his dedication and skill earning their respect.
***
Meanwhile, Elowen sat cross-legged on her bed, a large translucent gem glowing faintly blue in her hands. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she focused her energy into the gem, her brow furrowed in concentration.
The door to her chambers opened quietly, and Aria, one of her twin maids, stepped inside, a letter in hand. Seeing her mistress deep in meditation, she waited patiently by the door.
Hours later, Elowen finally let out a sigh and wiped her face with a towel. She noticed Aria and gestured for her to approach.
"What is it?" she asked.
Aria bowed and handed her the letter, with a wax stamp of a Snowflake made of swords.
The sight of the Everglade family crest made Elowen's stomach tighten. Breaking the seal, she unfolded the letter and read its contents.
---
You will be attending the Aetherium Academy this coming September. Select three guards and two servants below the age of 18 to assist you. Do not bring shame to the Everglade name.
– Duke Alistair Everglade
---
A bitter laugh escaped her lips, but it was quickly replaced by a tear she hastily wiped away.
"Not even a hello," she muttered. "How is my daughter doing?"
Shaking her head, she turned to Aria.
"You and Lyra awakened recently, right?" she asked trying to distract herself from how hurt she was.
"Yes, ma'am, but our proficiency is low." Aria said feeling dispirited by their lack of talent
"That's fine. Take these books and start studying in your free time. We leave for the academy in September. Prepare yourselves."
She handed the letter to Aria.
"And, give this to Mother." she continued.
As Aria left, Elowen collapsed back onto her bed, exhaustion pulling at her.
"I raised my expectations for no reason. Tomorrow, I'll scout for some guards. Maybe that boy from the Bentons..."
Her voice trailed off as she drifted into sleep, tired from the meditation.