That day, the atmosphere at Aezrith Academy appeared normal on the surface—but whispers filled the air beneath. Rumors about the "First Pillar," the sudden appearance of royal guardians, and the announcement of a major upcoming exam stirred unease among the students.
Including me.
I was walking alone through the west corridor of the campus, trying to clear my head, when I heard someone call my name from the garden behind the academy's palace.
> "Kael Rynthier."
I turned around. Standing beneath a blooming magnolia tree was a familiar figure—flaming red hair, a second-year student uniform with the royal crest emblazoned on her chest.
Seraphine Valeria Ignis Aezrith.
A princess of the realm. And… the first person who ever made me realize that this world was far more complicated than it seemed.
> "Seraphine?" I approached. "I thought you were still in the capital for royal affairs."
> "I returned this morning," she replied calmly. "I thought you'd come looking for me."
> "I was planning to," I admitted. "There's a lot I want to ask you."
She glanced at the lake, then patted the wooden bench beside her.
> "Then sit. I want to talk to you too."
I took a seat next to her. For a moment, we just sat there, watching the golden sunlight ripple across the lake's surface.
> "The rumors about the First Pillar... they're true, aren't they?" I asked quietly.
> "Yes," she replied without hesitation. "They're not just rumors. It's an official decree. And this week… the third-year students will be deployed to the front lines."
I looked at her, startled.
> "So it's true? They're really going to war? But they're still students. Will they actually be of help?"
> "Yes, they are students. But they're also future protectors of the kingdom. The First Pillar is only activated when high-level threats begin to emerge. And Windorn isn't the only place burning, Kael."
I frowned.
> "There's more?"
> "Three towns near the western border of the Eldoria Forest—where the elves live—were hit by mysterious magical attacks. No neighboring kingdom has claimed responsibility. But the magical symbols left behind… they weren't made by humans."
> "Demons?"
She didn't answer. But her expression said it all.
> "Why hasn't this been made public?" I asked.
> "Because it would spark panic. The war hasn't officially begun. And we… we're not ready."
I drew a deep breath.
> "What about the second-year students? Including you?" I asked carefully.
Seraphine turned toward me.
> "Not yet deployed. But we're being prepared. Soon, some of us will be summoned for confidential military meetings."
> "So it's possible… that after these next two weeks, it'll be your turn?" My voice unconsciously lowered.
> "Maybe." She gave me a faint smile. "Are you worried?"
> "Of course. You were my first real friend here. And more than that... I'm just afraid of losing anyone among us."
> "Including Irelith?" she asked softly, but sharply.
I let out a quiet laugh but said nothing. Seraphine smiled, then changed the topic.
> "You're participating in the exam two weeks from now, right?"
> "Yeah. All of us are. They said it won't be an ordinary exam."
> "Because it's not," Seraphine replied, clutching the edge of her cloak. "It'll be a 'field simulation.' But not just any simulation. Those who stand out… will be evaluated for the 'Elite Unit' program."
> "That's… like a special operations group?" I asked, trying to guess.
> "Exactly. And if you're selected, there's a high chance you'll be involved in royal missions much sooner than your peers."
I furrowed my brow.
> "Seraphine, all of this is happening too fast. We're still just kids… and now we're expected to face the battlefield? I'm not even eighteen yet."
> "In this world, age doesn't always align with responsibility, Kael," she said flatly. "And you know that."
I fell silent for a moment.
> "Are you afraid?" she asked, her eyes gentle.
> "I am. But not of war." I inhaled slowly. "I'm afraid… of failing. Not just failing the exam. But failing to protect the people I call home... including her."
Irelith... I never want to see you fall on the battlefield.
She gazed at me for a while.
> "That's a good mindset… for a future leader."
I raised an eyebrow.
> "A leader? I can't even organize my own study desk."
> "That's exactly why," she chuckled softly. "A real leader isn't perfect. But they know what they want to protect most."
I smiled, though my heart still felt heavy.
> "You'll be fine, Kael," she said quietly. "I believe in you."
> "If you're sent to the front lines first... don't die, okay?"
> "Don't make me regret putting my faith in you," she teased with a smirk.
We fell silent again—but this time, it felt lighter. The sun continued to set, casting a golden-violet hue across the sky and water.
> "Seraphine," I called just before she stood.
> "Hm?"
> "If you already knew all this would happen… why did you stay at the academy?"
She turned, her gaze sharp yet warm.
> "Because I wanted to see… whether the next generation is ready. And I wanted to make sure of one thing."
> "What's that?"
She slowly stood, looking down at me with a small smile.
> "That you're part of the change."
Then, without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away, her silhouette vanishing into the garden's twilight.
I looked up at the sky, now scattered with stars.
This world has truly changed.
And I... must be ready.
That night, after my conversation with Seraphine, I returned to my room with slow steps. But instead of going straight to bed, I sat at my desk and pulled out a blank piece of paper from the drawer.
It had been a while since I last wrote to home. To my mother.
I thought... before everything starts to change, there are things I need to say.
I picked up my pen. Writing slowly.
---
Dear Mother,
My days at the Academy have become heavier, but I'm doing fine. I've learned many things, met many people, and slowly... I'm beginning to understand what it means to be someone others can rely on.
You always told me, "A man is not measured by his strength, but by the courage to be honest with his feelings." I think I finally understand what you meant.
The kingdom is preparing for danger. We—the students—might be involved earlier than expected. But I'm not afraid. I just... want to do what's right.
If this letter reaches you and I haven't come home by then, don't worry. I want you to know that I'll be fighting with a full heart. Because here, I've found people I want to protect.
Including someone who... means a great deal to me.
Kael Rynthier
---
I let out a long breath, then folded the letter neatly. As I glanced outside the window, the night sky was so calm—as if it was hiding all the chaos behind its stars.
A soft knock came at the door.
I opened it. Irelith stood there, wearing a light robe, her silver hair flowing freely over her shoulders.
> "You're still awake?" she asked, her eyes resting gently on mine.
> "Just finished writing a letter," I replied honestly.
She stepped in and sat at the edge of my bed without saying much.
> "I heard you met with Seraphine today."
> "Yeah. We talked for quite a while." I sat beside her. "And it made me realize... how fast everything is changing."
Irelith looked at me—not just as a fellow student, but as someone who... understood my heart.
> "Did she say something about the war?" she asked quietly.
> "Yes. About the senior students. About the 'First Pillar.' And... the possibility that we might follow them one day."
She took my hand.
> "If that time comes, don't leave me behind."
I smiled softly, tightening my grip around hers.
> "I would never leave you, Irelith. You know that, right?"
She nodded.
> "You know," I whispered, "in the middle of all this... you're the one reason I want to keep going."
Her face turned a little red, but she didn't look away.
> "I feel the same way. When I'm with you... I feel like I can survive in a world this harsh."
I looked into her eyes—deep, calm, and filled with something more than words could ever express.
Then I leaned in. Slowly.
She didn't pull back.
And in that nearly breathless space between us, our lips met.
Soft. Warm. Unrushed. But in that kiss was a truth deeper than any vow—that we would protect each other, no matter what came.
When we pulled away, Irelith looked at me, her eyes slightly glistening.
> "That was... my first kiss."
I smiled, brushing her cheek with my thumb.
> "Mine too."
We didn't say anything more that night. We simply sat there, side by side, leaning against the wall, cherishing the quiet before the world demanded our courage again.