Dust settled in slow, swirling tendrils, drifting through the chamber like dying embers. Adrian's chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, his lungs burning as if he had swallowed the storm itself. Every muscle ached, and despite it all, a smile curved his lips.

  He tilted his head back against the stone, the coolness seeping into his skin, grounding him in the aftermath. I did it.

  The silence stretched, brittle and charged, until a soft pulse rippled through the space, making the fine hairs on his arms stand on end. Adrian’s gaze snapped to the center of the chamber.

  Where Darius had stood, fragments of golden light stirred. The glow wavered before slowly coalescing into elegant, curling script suspended in the air. The letters shimmered, tracing themselves into being, each stroke imbued with the same ethereal radiance as the runes that had once powered this place.

  Adrian pushed himself upright, ignoring the dull protest of his body. His brows drew together as his eyes traced the words forming before him.

  Congratulations,

  Reading this message means that you have successfully done what many have failed to do. You have managed to overcome so much just to be here, and for that, I commend you, Initiate.

  There is much yet ahead, many trials left to face. But if you hold fast to the lessons learned here, you may yet carve your place in history.

  May your life be in eternal service to the kingdom, as mine has been. Now go forth, and may fortune favor your steps.

  — Darius Venn

  The glow of the inscription bathed the chamber in a quiet luminescence, the golden light reflecting in Adrian’s wide eyes. He exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the message settle over him. Darius Venn… whoever you were, I hope you died knowing that you were an outstanding mage. In a different life, I would have loved to speak to you.

  Adrian exhaled, watching as the final letters settled into place before dissolving. He wasn’t sure what he had expected, but for a lingering specter of some long-forgotten mage, Darius Venn had left behind something almost… personal.

  For a moment, he simply stood there, absorbing the weight of the message. Then, a deep rumble echoed through the chamber, followed by the grinding of stone against stone. Adrian snapped his gaze toward the far end of the room as a section of the wall shifted, ancient mechanisms stirring to life. A tall archway slowly unveiled itself, a passage yawning open into the unknown.

  He sighed, shaking his head with a wry grin. “Of course."

  With one last glance at the space where Darius had once stood, Adrian turned away and pressed forward. But the moment he stepped through, the world shifted.

  The ruined battleground melted away, swallowed by an unseen force, and in its place, a long, spiraling staircase stretched before him, winding upward. Seriously? This isn't going to be very pleasant.

  His gaze traced the length of the stairs, his stomach sinking as he realized just how far they climbed. A hundred steps? Maybe more. Probably more. A groan rumbled in his chest as he rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to move. You’d think with all the magic in this place, they could’ve just made a damn teleportation circle instead,

  Despite his grumbling, he climbed. The narrow passage swallowed sound, save for the rhythmic echo of his footsteps, the soft scuff of leather against stone. Glowing runes flickered along the walls, their pale light stretching his shadow long and distorted across the steps.

  Step after step. Breath after breath. Minutes dragged before the top finally came into view.

  Adrian exhaled sharply as he reached the landing, pressing his palm against the heavy set of doors blocking his path. With a slight groan, he pushed the doors open, revealing the chamber beyond.

  His breath hitched. The chamber stretched wide, its circular expanse crowned by a soaring domed ceiling, where interwoven patterns of arcane light traced intricate designs across the smooth surface.

  And at its center, waiting with an unmistakable air of poise and amusement, stood Myrael Faesbane. Seems like she's been waiting for me for quite some time.

  She regarded him with quiet interest, her lips curving ever so slightly as she tilted her head. “Well now, that was quite the show.”

  Adrian let out a slow breath, the last remnants of tension slipping from his shoulders. "You were watching?"

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  "Obviously, I had to make sure that you were safe."

  "Oh? Something tells me that wasn't the real reason you were watching."

  "Semantics, my dear Adrian. We should instead be more concerned with things of… greater importance."

  Adrian exhaled sharply as he stepped further into the chamber. "You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say throwing a twelve-year-old into a death trial is a little much, even for you."

  Myrael let out a soft, throaty chuckle, tipping her head slightly as she folded her arms. "Oh, come now, dear boy. You didn’t think we’d let just anyone wander these halls without proving themselves first, did you? Besides, you handled yourself admirably."

  Adrian huffed, rubbing his aching shoulder. Yeah, tell that to my legs. "Right. Admirable."

  "Jests aside, Adrian, you impressed me. That trial you just went through was meant for mages far older than yourself."

  "Well, didn’t really have a choice, did I?"

  "Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong," Myrael mused, stepping closer. "Plenty of would-be prodigies rely solely on their gifts, certain that raw strength alone will see them through. Most of them don’t make it far. You, however, are something different."

  Adrian hesitated, then let out a slow breath. Different. Right. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

  Then, as if sensing his unease, Myrael’s expression shifted back into something entirely too amused. "Now then, since you managed to entertain me, I suppose I should reward you properly."

  Before he could protest, she flicked her wrist, and something small and metallic materialized in her palm: a ring. That thing is definitely imbued with magic of some kind, though it's hard to tell what exactly just from looking at it.

  Adrian eyed it warily. It was simple, made of dark, polished metal, its surface etched with faint runes that shimmered in the dim light. He glanced up at her. "Okay. What’s the catch?"

  She feigned offense, pressing a hand to her chest. "Catch? Do you think so little of my generosity?"

  He gave her a flat look. "Yes."

  Her laughter was rich with amusement. "Oh, Adrian, you wound me." She extended the ring toward him, the metal catching the light as it twirled between her fingers. "No tricks. Consider it a gift."

  Adrian didn’t move to take it just yet, narrowing his eyes. "What does it do?"

  Myrael’s smirk widened. "That’s a secret."

  He stared at her. She stared back, utterly unrepentant.

  "You do realize that’s the worst possible answer you could’ve given me, right?"

  "Is it? Or does it just make you more curious?"

  He muttered something under his breath but took the ring anyway, rolling it between his fingers. If nothing else, at least I don't feel anything malicious in this ring.

  As he slipped it into his pocket, Myrael clapped her hands together. "Now, as much as I do enjoy our conversations, I believe you have somewhere to be."

  Adrian blinked. "Huh?"

  "Lunch, dear boy. Unless, of course, you’d rather stay here with me instead."

  Adrian exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple."What about the Disciplinary Committee thing?"

  "Ah, yes. We'll settle that tomorrow in my office."

  "So, I survive a trial, and instead of giving me answers, you just push it off?"

  "Patience, Adrian." Myrael said, wagging a finger at him. "You’ll find that answers are best given when one has had time to rest and eat. Otherwise, they’re wasted on exhaustion."

  "That sounds like an excuse."

  "And yet, you’ll be at my office tomorrow anyway."

  Adrian groaned, rubbing his face. "Fine. But if I have to climb another stupid staircase to get there, I’m setting this whole place on fire."

  Myrael’s laughter followed him as he turned to leave. "Do try not to, dear. The janitors have enough to clean up as it is."

  ***

  The Academy Main Cafeteria - Lunchtime.

  The scent of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and something vaguely sweet drifted through the air, coaxing a sharp pang of hunger from his stomach. He hadn’t realized just how starved he was until now. Survive a death trial, get a mystery ring, and the grand prize? Lunch. At least I didn’t have to fight a ghost for this one.

  Weaving through the bustling tables, he grabbed a tray and filled it with food—roast chicken, buttered greens, and a thick slice of dark bread slathered with spiced honey. It was more than he usually took, but after everything he’d been through today, he figured he’d earned it.

  Tray in hand, his gaze swept across the hall, scanning for a place to sit. Then he spotted them.

  Kael, Alisha, Zuri, and Xenon sat gathered around one of the longer tables, their meals already halfway eaten. The group took notice of him at nearly the same moment, though their reactions varied.

  Kael lifted a hand in a casual wave. Xenon, seated beside him, offered a small smile, dipping his head in acknowledgment. Alisha brightened immediately, waving enthusiastically. Zuri, however, only smirked, her sharp violet gaze locking onto his like she had already guessed exactly where he had been.

  Adrian made his way over, sliding his tray onto the table as he sat down across from Kael. He barely had a chance to take a bite before Kael leaned in slightly, his head tilting in that way that said he was already piecing things together. "Where have you been? You vanished suddenly, and now you show up looking like you've been through a storm."

  Adrian swallowed his first bite of food and sighed, rolling his shoulder to shake out some of the lingering stiffness. "Long story."

  Kael grinned. "Good thing we’ve got time."