The church courtyard was packed, but Jessica kept her voice steady.
"Alex, breathe. Don't overthink it," she said, adjusting his collar. "Just do what you can. No one expects a miracle."
Regis nodded beside her, arms folded. "She's right. Go in, get it done, and walk out. Simple."
Alex exhaled slowly. "I'll try."
"You don't need to try," Jessica said. "Just act like yourself."
The bell rang — the signal for the Spirit Gate trial.
Jessica nudged him. "Go. We'll be watching."
Alex walked toward the Spirit Gate — a tall arch of stone humming with spirit energy — while Jessica and Regis turned back toward the viewing platform. But halfway there, Regis slowed his pace.
Jessica noticed. "You coming?"
Regis forced a casual shrug. "Yeah… go ahead. I'll catch up. Toilet."
Jessica gave him a suspicious look. "Really?"
"Do you want details?" Regis deadpanned.
She groaned. "Fine. Hurry up."
Once she disappeared into the crowd, Regis's expression dropped — all casualness gone.
A voice came from the shadow of the inner hall.
"Still lying with the same stupid excuses, I see."
Regis turned. High Priest Marco stepped out, robes trailing, expression sharp.
Regis sighed. "Long time no see, old man."
Marco's eyes narrowed. "Don't act relaxed. You ignored everything I told you months ago."
Regis didn't respond. Marco continued.
"I told you to isolate the boy. Keep him away from nobles. Keep him away from eyes that ask too many questions."
His voice tightened. "Instead, you let Jessica adopt him into a noble family."
Regis met his gaze without flinching. "And what? Leave him to rot in that place?"
"Regis," Marco said quietly, "we both know why the orphanage burned. We both know what caused it. And we both know what he is capable of."
Regis looked away. "I know."
Marco stepped closer. "Do you think the nobles won't notice? Do you think the Ironheart blood will hide everything? That boy carries something no bloodline can erase."
Regis's jaw tightened. "But he's safer with them than anywhere else."
"Safer from the public, maybe." Marco narrowed his eyes. "But not from the Crown of Avys."
Regis didn't answer.
Marco folded his arms. "We watched him for years. We know his power. We know what happened ten years ago. But even now, even after everything, I still don't know the whole truth about that kid."
Regis muttered, "Same."
Marco's tone dropped even lower. "If anyone else figures it out, they will not spare him. Not nobles. Not priests. Not even the royal factions. That's why you were told to keep him hidden."
Regis ran a hand through his hair. "Too late now. He's already stepping into the Spirit Gate."
Marco exhaled. "Then all we can do is watch. And pray he doesn't show too much."
Regis smirked faintly. "You praying? That's new."
Marco glared. "Shut up and follow me."
The two walked toward the viewing chamber — silent, tense, carrying years of secrets between them — as Alex stepped into the glowing Spirit Gate and the air inside the church shifted.