The journey back to the academy was smooth and swift. Serelyth had returned at dawn, her great wings stirring the morning mist into silver ribbons as she landed in the clearing. Her eyes gleamed as she saw the bundles of carefully wrapped plants, vials of collected seeds, and the faint shimmer of relic energy still clinging to Lira and Sylvara.
"You've done well," Serelyth said, shifting into her humanoid form for a moment. "The forest seems to like you." She offered a faint smile toward Sylvara, who still looked awestruck by everything she'd seen. "Are you ready for your first flight?"
Sylvara glanced at Lira, her heart pounding in her chest, but she nodded eagerly. "I've never flown before."
"Then you'll remember this day for a long time," Serelyth replied.
