Lyrian Vaelthorn's POV
The meal was unlike anything we had ever tasted before. The spirits, whoever they were, had prepared a feast fit for nobles. It was strange watching the plates float in midair, the food being served by unseen hands. Historias—or rather, Historias Eras—sat at the head of the table, watching us eat with an amused expression. The way he spoke and carried himself… there was something almost regal about him. But what truly unsettled me was the sheer number of spirits at his command.
The others didn't seem too concerned. Darian was too busy stuffing his face, Reyna was lost in thought, and Cailan was trying to balance a spoon on his nose. I sighed, shaking my head. Even if we wanted to question him further, our exhaustion weighed heavier than our curiosity.
Once dinner was over, Historias leaned back in his chair. "I assume you all need rest. The castle has plenty of rooms. The spirits have prepared everything for you—baths, clothes, beds. Feel free to explore, but be careful. This place is vast."
There was a strange glint in his eyes when he said that, but I didn't press further.
Reyna Aster's POV
After bathing and changing into fresh clothes, I wandered the halls of the castle, taking in every intricate detail. The interior was breathtaking—ornate chandeliers, golden sconces casting warm light, polished marble floors reflecting the grandeur of the place. The walls were lined with ancient paintings and weapons, and though the castle was massive, there wasn't a speck of dust.
It didn't feel abandoned. It felt… lived in.
I ran my fingers along a beautifully carved bookshelf. Who was this Historias Eras? The name alone felt significant. The moment he introduced himself, I noticed the flicker of hesitation in his voice. He was hiding something. But what?
"Still awake?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
I turned to see Historias standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, watching me with mild amusement. I scowled. "You walk too quietly."
He chuckled. "Habit."
I hesitated before asking, "You're really named Historias Eras?"
He arched an eyebrow. "Why? Do you doubt me?"
I hesitated. "It's just… you have the same name as the founder of Castellas Academy."
His expression remained unreadable. "Coincidence, perhaps."
Darian Albrecht's POV
I leaned against the balcony, staring up at the night sky. The air here was different—clean, crisp, almost magical. This castle was like something out of a legend.
Cailan joined me, looking as relaxed as ever. "You think he's lying?" he asked casually.
"About what?"
"The whole 'just some guy living in a castle' thing."
I scoffed. "Obviously."
Cailan grinned. "Yeah. But did you see his face when we mentioned Castellas? He knows something."
I nodded. "Then we just have to wait for him to slip up."
Just as I said that, the sound of footsteps echoed behind us.
Historias Everglen's POV
I had planned to go straight to my quarters, but the castle had been too quiet. I had spent centuries alone here, but now, with these children running around, the silence felt heavier than usual. I found myself drawn to them—watching them explore, listening to their whispered conversations.
They were talking about Castellas Academy.
Of course they were. The academy I built. The academy I abandoned.
I stepped forward, clearing my throat. "It's been quite a while since I've heard someone talk about Castellas."
All eyes turned to me.
"What do you mean?" Lyrian asked, sharp as ever.
I shrugged. "It's been a long time since I last visited civilization. I was curious about how things have changed."
Reyna narrowed her eyes. "You sound like you've been gone for centuries."
I smiled. "Maybe I have."
Historias Everglen's POV
The conversation had taken an interesting turn. It wasn't every day I got to hear about Castellas Academy from the perspective of young students. Things had certainly changed over the centuries, but the structure remained similar—admissions through sponsorship, recommendation, scholarship, and so on.
I leaned back in my chair, eyeing them with curiosity. "So, what electives did you all choose?"
They looked at each other before answering.
Lyrian Vaelthorn's POV
I hesitated for a moment, but seeing no harm in answering, I spoke first. "I chose Runecrafting and Magic Theory. My family has always emphasized magical knowledge, and I figured it would be useful."
Historias gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "Runecrafting is an ancient art. It takes patience and precision."
I frowned. His tone wasn't that of a curious outsider—it was as if he spoke from personal experience.
Reyna chimed in next. "I took Elemental Combat and Alchemy. I wanted to be more versatile, and alchemy seemed like a useful skill."
Historias tilted his head. "Alchemy is a good choice. It teaches more than just potion-making—it's about understanding the flow of mana in all things."
He was right, of course. But the way he said it… again, too knowledgeable.
Darian Albrecht's POV
I crossed my arms. "I went with Aura Mastery and Weapon Arts. Not really interested in complicated magic formulas. I prefer straightforward combat."
Historias smirked. "A good warrior must understand his own aura before he can wield it efficiently. You'll find that brute force alone isn't enough at higher levels."
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "You talk like you know a lot about combat."
He shrugged. "I've seen my fair share."
Right. That was vague.
Cailan Rhyne's POV
I leaned forward. "I took Beast Taming and Spirit Magic. Figured I'd let nature do the fighting for me."
Historias chuckled. "An interesting combination. You'll need a strong will to command both spirits and beasts. They don't listen easily."
I grinned. "I'll manage."
Reyna Aster's POV
Something was off about him. The way he spoke, the way he knew so much about every subject, even the way he watched us. It was like he already knew the academy inside out.
I crossed my arms. "You're quite knowledgeable for someone who's been living alone in a forest."
He smiled, but there was something unreadable behind his golden eyes. "You pick up things when you live long enough."
Before I could press further, he stood up.
"It's late. You should all rest. Tomorrow, you can decide what to do next."
Just like that, the conversation ended.
I wasn't sure about a lot of things, but one thing was certain.
Historias Eras was hiding something.
..........
Historias Everglen's POV
As the conversation drifted towards Castellas Academy, I found myself listening with interest. It had been a long time since I'd last set foot there, but it seemed the systems in place hadn't changed much.
I glanced at the children, all of them bright-eyed and full of dreams. I had to admit—there was something refreshing about their enthusiasm.
"How did you all get into Castellas?" I asked, my voice casual as I rested my chin on my hand.
They exchanged glances before answering.
"I got in through sponsorship," Lyrian said with a shrug. "My family's influence helped secure my spot, but I still had to meet the academy's base requirements. The entrance exams weren't exactly easy."
That wasn't surprising. Many noble houses used sponsorships to send their children to Castellas, ensuring their names carried weight among future generations.
"Sponsorships are common among noble houses," I mused. "It ensures a steady flow of elites into the academy."
Lyrian frowned slightly, as if my words had struck a nerve.
"My father's an alchemist," Reyna chimed in. "I got in through a recommendation letter from one of the academy's professors. I still had to pass the entrance exam, though."
So, she had been recognized by a faculty member. Castellas didn't take just anyone on a recommendation. That meant she had talent.
"That means you were worth recognizing," I said, nodding. "The academy wouldn't extend a recommendation unless you had potential."
She blinked at me, her expression curious. Had I said too much?
Darian leaned back in his chair. "I got in through a scholarship. Had to go through the entrance trials. They really put us through hell—combat trials, magic efficiency tests, and a mental fortitude assessment."
I raised an eyebrow. The academy's scholarship trials were notoriously difficult. Only those with exceptional skill and determination could pass.
"Scholarship students often become some of the strongest," I noted. "You had to prove yourself. That says a lot."
Darian narrowed his eyes slightly at me.
"I got in through general admission," Cailan admitted. "I passed the standard test, but I wasn't sponsored or recommended. Just had to show that I had potential."
A simple but respectable path. However, what intrigued me was his chosen disciplines.
"And yet, you chose both Beast Taming and Spirit Magic," I pointed out. "That's an ambitious combination."
Cailan grinned. "What can I say? I like challenges."
I leaned back, considering their words.
Despite coming from different backgrounds, all of them had made it into Castellas through their own means. It was admirable, in a way.
Still… their arrival in Everglen Forest troubled me.
Perhaps it was mere coincidence.
Or perhaps something deeper was at play.
Either way, I would keep an eye on them.
............