Warning

"What do you want, Kael?"

"Relax, Haru, can't I just want to talk with a friend?"

Kael was leaning against the wall. Unlike usual, I saw no sign of Mira or Brann, which only made me more uneasy. Where were they? Did Kael really just want to talk?

"So you're really going to join the tournament. I even heard you're training with Lyra."

"Why do you care?"

Kael started taking small steps toward me. He was playing with his crystal in his hand, fiddling with it between his fingers. It was subtle, but the crystal was glowing faintly, as if Kael were slowly activating it.

"You don't have to get so defensive. I just wanted to wish you good luck."

He was plotting something. I just couldn't figure out what it was. Kael was treacherous, so it was better to be prepared for anything. I felt the heat of my crystal in my uniform pocket. If necessary, I could access it easily.

"If that's all, then I guess we're done here," I said, walking away.

Kael stretched out his arm, blocking my path. "Leaving so soon?"

"Just tell me what you want."

"How annoying," Kael sighed. "I just wanted you to understand that this kind of place isn't for people like you."

"People like me?"

Kael hated me. That was a fact. But I had never understood why. Ever since we first met, he has been provoking me. At first, I thought it was because I was new or didn't have prior knowledge of magic. But even after I improved, he still wouldn't leave me alone.

"Magic is pure. It shouldn't be allowed to be manipulated by someone like you, a nobody."

In the end, the root of his hatred was something so shallow? While there were so many interesting things in this world, it seemed that those with regressive mindsets were also common.

I sighed and walked past him, ignoring him completely. That kind of person didn't deserve attention. Sooner or later, they would reap the hatred they sow.

"Let this serve as a lesson for you to learn your place," Kael said just as I passed him.

Immediately after his words, I felt a vibration around me, as if the threads were being manipulated. No, it was something coming toward me at incredible speed. But Kael remained motionless. That menacing aura wasn't coming from him.

I didn't know what it was, but I could feel it approaching. Contrary to what I had thought, I didn't have time to activate my crystal. I had to improvise with the little I had, resorting to what I had learned in training.

I created a translucent barrier behind me. Then I heard a sharp crack. I turned and saw a long object disintegrating in the air like dust. It was a magical arrow.

Kael laughed. I looked around, trying to find the source of the attack, and from a building terrace, my eyes met Mira's before she quickly walked away.

"Not bad," Kael said. "Consider that a small warning."

He turned and disappeared around the corner. I stood frozen, still trying to process it.

They tried to kill me?

I never thought they would go that far. I could feel the fury behind the attack, and if for any reason I had been careless, it could have been fatal.

Maybe this world wasn't as wonderful as I had imagined. I needed to take care of myself. I needed to be prepared. The tournament would be even more complex, where anything could happen, even my death.

***

The days that followed my encounter with Kael served as a warning for me to intensify my training with Lyra and Nina even more. Whenever possible, I was with them, preparing for the tournament that was drawing closer and closer. I knew I had to be ready, physically and mentally.

And to think I had even considered participating without any preparation... Why would Professor Arven suggest I join, knowing I didn't stand a chance the way I was? Or was my study and training part of his plan from the beginning?

In any case, I was doing this for my sister. Of course, I studied magic even on the days I couldn't train with either of them. I needed to do something for her. After all, she was still out there, alone and defenseless, and I had to find her.

I was in the library, immersed in books that might be useful for my research with Professor Arven. But, as expected, there wasn't much about summoning magic that truly helped us. The more I tried to understand that field, the more I thought Arven was a madman for being interested in it.

And the more time I spent there, the more I thought about my sister. How was she doing? I couldn't help but feel guilty about everything that had happened. But if there was the slightest chance to reverse the situation, I would search for it. I had to. I had promised.

The library was silent, which allowed me to focus completely on reading. It was one of the few moments I could think away from the bustle of the students, the training, and Darin.

I'd lose track of time in there. But my body wouldn't, and when the first yawns came, it was a sign that it was getting late. The library had no external windows. The walls were covered with shelves from floor to ceiling. The few clocks were almost hidden, as if the place truly existed outside of time. It was like a prison designed to keep us there.

I didn't hate it tho.

When I left, the corridors were already nearly empty. I headed straight for the dorm, knowing the next day would be even more exhausting. When I opened the door, I found Darin lying down, snoring.

I changed my clothes and lay down. But when I closed my eyes, a voice stopped me from sleeping.

"You awake?"

"Yeah, why?"

Sometimes, Darin talked in his sleep in the middle of the night. Over time, I realized it was involuntary. The next day, when I questioned him, he never remembered what he had said. I even liked those moments. I could ask him things he normally wouldn't dare to say. It was fun.

"Nothing important... just wanted to tell you something."

"Go ahead," I said, turning to see him lying down.

"I just think you should smile once in a while."

I instantly remembered my sister's words. And that clutched at my chest. For a brief moment, I was pulled back to reality.

The reality that I was without her.

"Goodnight, Darin."

That was all I could manage to say.