It seemed at last the long-awaited days had arrived — the days when the Year Five chosen ones would stand before the younger years and give their all-important speeches about familiars. These speeches weren't just another ritual; they marked the moment younger students truly glimpsed the magic waiting for them, the moment the academy's future bondholders were inspired and guided.
The chosen ones of Year Five had decided to handle it carefully. Instead of cramming speeches for three entire years' worth of students into a single exhausting day, they'd opted for something slower — one year group per day, stretched across three days. It was smarter that way, really. Such things shouldn't be rushed. It was far better to take time and ensure even the most nervous first year could absorb what was said, rather than speeding through so quickly that nobody understood a thing.
And, truth be told, the chosen ones themselves didn't seem eager to hurry either. They knew the weight of this task — how many future dreams it would shape — and they were in no mood to reduce it to some box to tick off on their duties.
The first day: Year Threes
At last, the first of the three days dawned — the day dedicated to the third years. Sunlight flooded the academy's great marble hall, catching on floating motes of dust that shimmered like tiny fairies. Banners of the Child of Lights hung from vaulted arches.
The third-year students arrived early. Their excited chatter filled the air, as if none of them could quite stay calm. Many had spent the previous night wide awake, replaying stories they'd heard from older siblings or dorm mates. This was the day they would formally learn how to secure their own familiars — the day the doors to new power, new partnerships, would truly open.
Every single Child of Lights of Year Five was there, lined up at the head of the hall in their dignified uniforms, cloaks edged with gold thread that caught the morning light. Even the Year Three chosen ones attended. After all, they were next in line to take up these same roles — and today they were allowed to simply watch, to learn how to carry themselves for next year.
The speeches themselves were careful and thoughtful, each chosen one taking their turn to share the weight and wonder of bonding with a familiar. There were moments of laughter, of solemn nods, of wide eyes sparkling at whispered possibilities.
When it all finally wound down, the students filed out again, many of them still buzzing, comparing the kinds of creatures they hoped might choose them.
Out in the corridor, Shanny let out a quiet sigh of relief. "One year done… two more to go," she muttered. Her eyes darted sideways toward Luke, who stood slightly apart, his posture straight as ever but his expression hard to read.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "So… what's the plan for the next two days? The same order, yes?"
Luke didn't immediately answer. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if listening to some private thought. Only then did he nod once, curtly. "Yes. Next the second years, then finally the first."
Shanny watched him closely. Something about the tension in his shoulders made her uneasy.
The second day: Year Twos
The next morning dawned just as brilliantly, and the second years poured into the hall, practically vibrating with anticipation. If the third years had been eager, the second years were downright feverish. They had spent their first grueling year proving themselves, slogging through endless magical theory and rigorous combat drills. Now they finally stood on the threshold of earning their familiars.
"Familiars, ahh…" one boy whispered dreamily to the friend next to him, eyes half-closed like he was picturing himself on some grand battlefield. "Another step toward my dream."
His friend snorted. "Dream bigger. You'll be lucky if your familiar isn't a pond frog."
Both burst into quiet giggles, unable to hide the truth: it was less about what they'd summon, and more about simply reaching that stage at all.
This time too, the Year Five chosen ones handled it gracefully. They patiently answered dozens of questions — some smart, some naive — offering calm reassurances that even the most anxious students found comforting. It felt almost like a festival by the end of it, a warm shared excitement that brightened every corner of the hall.
When it was finally done and the hall emptied out again, Luke and Shanny found themselves alone by one of the tall windows. The afternoon sun slanted across Luke's face, highlighting the faint smudges under his eyes.
"Luke," Shanny started cautiously, "we're all set for the first years tomorrow, yes? Should I prepare the final notices?"
But Luke didn't look at her. Instead, he closed his eyes briefly, taking in a slow, deep breath that didn't seem to ease any of his inner strain. When he opened them again, they were unsettlingly blank.
"Reschedule it," he said at last, voice too calm. "Push it to the day after tomorrow."
Shanny blinked. "What? Why? Luke, these speeches aren't even physically taxing. You're scaring me a little — that face looks like you're planning a murder."
Luke didn't smile. He only gathered his papers with deliberate care. "Just do it, Shanny."
Shanny swallowed, a cold bead of worry rolling down her spine. What is he thinking?
Suddenly, like a bolt of realization, Aether's image popped into her mind. That bright, clueless grin. Those fidgety hands always busy with cogs and wires.
"Don't tell me…" she whispered. "He's going to do something to Aether tomorrow."
Luke was already walking away, but as he passed, she thought she heard a faint mumble slip from his lips, accompanied by the ghost of a smile.
"Just you wait, Aether Ryens."
Shanny's heart sank. I was careless, she thought. I let his blank expression distract me from seeing what he was plotting.
Meanwhile: oblivious Aether
While all of this scheming and shifting of schedules unfolded, Aether himself was completely absorbed in his own world. Deep inside the Mechanical Lab, he sat cross-legged on a cluttered workbench surrounded by half-finished automata. The air hummed with mana, the scent of heated metal sharp in his nose.
"Huff… man, this is tiring," he muttered, stretching his aching arms before immediately bending back over his project. "But worth it. I gotta rack up more merit points."
Aether flashed a grin at no one in particular. "Even if I've got everything I could want already… it never hurts to prepare for surprises. And this? This is making me stronger. Just look at these gears. Twice as sturdy as last term's."
He held up a small glittering mechanism — a delicate sphere inscribed with runes, tiny pistons quietly whirring inside. His heart swelled with satisfaction.
Far outside the lab's heavy oak doors, news of the rescheduled speeches swept through the academy like wildfire. Notices flared to life on the enchanted announcement boards in every corridor. Students read them aloud to each other in excited groups.
Everyone knew.
Except Aether.
Finally: the day after tomorrow
At last, the day came when the first years would finally gather. The great hall was packed. Rows of students squirmed on the benches, bright-eyed, nervously smoothing uniforms, whispering guesses about what the Child of Lights would say.
The Year Five chosen ones made a dramatic entrance, sweeping in through the main doors, cloaks fluttering behind them. Luke walked at the front, expression serene, movements perfectly measured. He looked every inch the elegant president — which only made hearts flutter harder.
A ripple of excited chatter broke out instantly.
"Isn't the president so handsome?"
"Yeah, he totally is."
"Do you think he's single?"
"Oh gods, why would he ever look at you?"
"You never know! Maybe he likes short girls with loud laughs!"
"Well, I still prefer Aether…"
"Honestly? Same. He's everyone's favorite."
Shanny heard it all with a tight, forced smile. Even now they're gossiping about Aether. They don't realize he might be walking into something he's not prepared for.
Luke stepped up to the dais and raised his hand. The crowd settled instantly. His clear voice rolled through the hall.
"I think most of you know why we've called you here today — you Year Ones, and even the non-mages among you. But allow me to explain more fully. Many of you are unaware of the true reasons behind this ceremony."
He paused, gaze sweeping over the wide-eyed students. Then he smiled faintly. "This year's familiar choosing is different from any before. From now on, all students will be allowed to bring their familiars into the academy grounds. This is a privilege — and a challenge. And I am here to ensure you understand every part of it."
Excited murmurs swelled again. The idea of strolling these grand halls with a bonded familiar by one's side — it was more than a dream. It was the mark of finally belonging to the world of true magic.
Then, just as everyone was leaning in, eager for details, Luke's expression shifted.
"But before we begin…" he said, voice taking on an odd softness. "There's someone I'd like to meet."
The hall instantly erupted.
"Who? Who's he talking about?"
"Maybe one of the chosen ones from Year Three?"
"No way. If it were them, he'd have spoken ages ago."
"Then who…?"
Luke let them squirm, savoring the hush that fell when he finally continued. "I've heard there's a student here capable of crafting mechanisms that rival the work of our third years. That alone is remarkable."
Heads turned in every direction. A few students were already squealing, having guessed the name.
"I believe his name is… Aether Ryens."
The reaction was electric.
"Oh my gods, two handsome geniuses in one place!"
"This is going to be amazing."
"Tch. That smug bastard Aether — stealing attention again."
Shanny's stomach twisted. Luke really did it. He singled Aether out before the entire hall. But… where is that fool?
She scanned every row, but Aether was nowhere to be found. Panic rose in her throat.
Luke was clearly expecting him to step forward. His smile began to falter. "What? He's… not here to attend today's speech?"
Whispers broke out immediately. Students craned their necks, hoping to spot a familiar blond head. But Aether, oblivious as ever, was still probably back in the Mechanical Lab, hunched over his newest project, humming to himself and utterly clueless about the storm waiting outside those heavy doors.
Shanny pressed her lips into a thin line. Maybe it's a blessing you missed this, Aether. For your own good.
Meanwhile, Luke's eyes darkened just a fraction. His calm mask slipped, just for a heartbeat — and that was enough to tell Shanny that whatever was coming next, it wouldn't be simple.