The door to the nurse's office opened with a soft creak as Aevion and Liora stepped inside. The faint scent of herbs and antiseptics hung in the air, a stark contrast to the lingering tension still gnawing at their nerves.
Liora moved without hesitation, testing her ankle carefully. The swelling and pain that had plagued her moments ago were gone — the healing stone's power had worked faster than anyone expected. A small, relieved smile flickered across her face, but she kept her usual calm composure.
The nurse, a gentle woman with sharp eyes, watched them silently before stepping forward. Aevion placed the small stone carefully on the counter between them.
"This is the sacred healing stone you retrieved?" she asked, voice steady but edged with awe.
Aevion nodded. "It healed Liora's ankle almost instantly."
The nurse reached out, holding the stone reverently. "This will help many. Thank you for bringing it back safely."
Liora bowed her head slightly, then turned her gaze toward the window, where pale light sifted through the glass. "I can walk without trouble now," she said quietly. "I'll be able to keep up with classes."
The nurse smiled softly, setting the stone into a secure wooden box. "Use your strength wisely. And remember, true healing sometimes comes from patience as well."
Aevion said nothing but felt the weight of those words settle around him like a quiet burden.
When Liora stood, she was steady on her feet — her usual poise unshaken. Without a word, she headed toward the door, the urgency of school pulling her away.
Aevion watched her leave, then turned his steps toward the hall. The distant chatter of students floated faintly on the air — conversations about upcoming forge classes weaving through the corridors like threads of anticipation.
His fingers brushed the edge of the healing stone's box, now safe in the nurse's care. Though the stone was gone, its impact lingered — a reminder of the dangers lurking beyond the academy's walls, and the fragile threads binding them all.
The halls grew quiet as Aevion approached his dormitory, the flickering torchlight casting elongated shadows against the stone. He paused before the heavy wooden door, the silence inside promising a moment of solitude.
Pushing it open, he stepped inside. The familiar smell of aged books and worn leather greeted him, a quiet comfort amid the storm of memories and responsibilities.
Closing the door softly behind him, Aevion exhaled, the faintest crease of resolve tugging at his lips.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he could afford this rare stillness — a brief, fragile peace.
Two days had passed since the quiet return from the ruins. The healing stone had been handed to the school nurse, who carefully locked it away in a secured chamber reserved for rare and powerful artifacts. Liora's ankle was now fully healed, the lingering pain and stiffness replaced by a renewed strength she hadn't felt in weeks. The ruins felt like a distant memory, yet their weight remained in the silence between her and Aevion.
They met again in the academy's central courtyard as morning light spilled over the stone pathways and towering spires. Liora approached quietly, her footsteps steady but light, her expression unreadable. Aevion was already there, leaning casually against the edge of a fountain, his silver hair catching the light, eyes sharp and focused.
No need for words. Their shared experiences spoke volumes. The air between them was thick with a calm tension — anticipation for the upcoming forge class, and unspoken acknowledgment of the trials yet to come.
Without breaking eye contact, Aevion pushed off the fountain's edge and motioned toward the training grounds nearby. The sprawling field was already alive with sounds of clashing steel and the occasional shout of exertion. Students sparred, practiced spells, and honed their skills under the watchful eyes of instructors.
"This is where it really starts," Aevion said quietly, voice low and steady.
Liora nodded once, folding her arms as they moved through the crowd. The path was familiar, but each step seemed heavier with meaning. They passed groups of students whispering about the forge class, their excitement barely contained. The forging of one's weapon was no mere lesson — it was a rite of passage.
At the center of the training grounds stood a seasoned instructor, his presence commanding and unyielding. His armor was marked with the insignia of the academy's elite trainers, and his sharp eyes flicked to Aevion as they approached.
"You'll face me first," the instructor said bluntly, his tone neither welcoming nor hostile.
Aevion's gaze did not waver. "Understood."
The duel began without ceremony. The instructor struck first, a flurry of precise, powerful blows meant to test Aevion's reflexes and control. Aevion moved with an almost detached grace, parrying and dodging, every motion measured and calculated. The clash of steel rang through the air, drawing the attention of nearby students.
Despite the instructor's experience, Aevion remained cool and collected, analyzing each move, searching for an opening. But the instructor was no novice — his attacks were relentless and refined, pushing Aevion to react faster than he had in days.
Eventually, the duel ended with Aevion yielding, stepping back with a slight nod of respect. The instructor allowed a rare smirk, impressed by the young man's composure and potential.
"Not bad," the instructor admitted. "You've got skill, but you've still got much to learn."
Aevion's face remained unreadable, the cool mask unbroken. "I'm here to learn."
As the duel concluded, Liora stepped forward, her gaze steady on Aevion. No words passed between them, but the unspoken agreement was clear — the forge awaited, and with it, a new chapter of their journey.
They walked together toward the ancient forge room, its heavy doors etched with glowing runes, humming faintly with latent energy. Aevion reached out, steadying himself on the worn handle. The moment was thick with anticipation.
With a slow, deliberate breath, he pushed the door open, stepping into the radiant heat and blinding light of the forge, where his true trial was about to begin.