Dusk slowly descended upon Caelora, tinting the crystal towers and white stone streets with hues of amber. The melody of the city filled the air—street performers, merchants calling out their wares, and the rhythmic clatter of magic carriages blending into one vivid harmony.
Elara walked beside Sylveras, her eyes scanning the rows of inn signs along the main street. In her hand, she clutched a small pouch filled with gold gurtz—the currency of the Urtz Kingdom—given to them by Gorion that very morning.
"If we plan to stay for a whole month, we'll need to be careful," Sylveras said, counting quickly with his fingers. "We only have ten thousand gurtz each."
Elara nodded lightly. "It sounds like a lot… until you see the prices in this city."
She was right. Every time they asked an innkeeper, the answer left them speechless. Even the most modest inns demanded three thousand gurtz per month—and that didn't include warm water or meals.
After nearly an hour of searching, they stopped before a two-story wooden building near the side market. A faded sign swung above the door, engraved with the words: "The Silver Lantern Inn."
"Four thousand gurtz per month," said the innkeeper, a kind elderly woman. "Spacious room, two beds, a private bath. Not luxurious, but comfortable."
Elara glanced at Sylveras, hesitant. "If we share one room… that's two thousand each."
Sylveras nodded immediately. "Better than sleeping on the street, right?"
Elara lowered her gaze, her cheeks faintly pink. "Alright… but we're setting boundaries."
That night, after paying the deposit, they entered their room on the second floor—a simple, clean space with two twin beds placed opposite each other, divided by a small window overlooking the glowing city. Elara took a wide sheet of cloth from her bag and hung it between the beds.
"This is for privacy," she said flatly, though her eyes avoided Sylveras's.
Sylveras gave a small smile. "Of course. No problem."
He placed a small wooden box—the Ardan's Legacy Box—on the table between their beds. It looked plain, yet a faint magical aura shimmered from its surface, as if warning anyone who dared to open it before its time.
Hours passed as they unpacked their belongings and arranged the room. By the time they were done, Caelora was bathed in moonlight. From their window, the spires of the mage towers shimmered with blue radiance, painting the night sky like a sea of stars.
Sylveras sat at the edge of his bed, eyes fixed on the box. "I wonder what's inside this thing," he murmured.
Elara's voice came softly from behind the cloth divider. "I don't know… but I'm sure Ardan entrusted something important to us. Something that's not meant to be opened yet."
Sylveras nodded slowly. "You're right. Until the time comes, we'll guard it carefully."
He looked toward the divider, where her shadow flickered faintly in the candlelight. Their eyes met through the dim glow—briefly, silently—and in that fragile moment, words became unnecessary.
Without thinking, they leaned closer. The world around them grew still; only the sound of their breaths remained. Then, softly—like a whisper carried by the wind—their lips met.
When they parted, both their faces were flushed. Elara quickly turned away, hiding her blush behind her long hair.
Sylveras smiled shyly. "Let's get some rest. Your Sage trial begins tomorrow."
Elara returned a small, shy smile, lying down and turning to face the wall. "Yeah… good night, Sylv."
"Good night, Elara."
The candlelight slowly faded, leaving only the soft glow of Caelora's moon through the window—while silence embraced the two young souls, resting side by side, on the eve of a dawn that would change the course of their world.