Eight months had passed since the ceasefire with Belenor. Hendrix had been busy, gathering forces and forging alliances, but peace was never meant to last.
Now, an announcement stirred the quiet routines of the Crescent Academy of Arcane Arts.
The main parade ground, where all formal assemblies took place, was filled with students. The three divisions of the Academy had gathered: the Junior Division, the Senior Division, and the Cadets' Division.
Standing atop the stage, the Dean's voice rang out clearly:
"The Patriarch of the Citadel has formally requested support. Due to recent Belenorian infiltrations in the northern and central coastal regions, we are dispatching a small force of cadets and instructors.
As always, the Crescent Academy will stand by the Clans whether by producing warriors or resisting threats directly.
A specialised unit has been selected by teacher recommendation. Some high-achieving students from the Senior Division will accompany them not to fight, but to observe and gain real battlefield experience."
The Crescent Academy was no ordinary school. It held a territory of its own, independent from the three Clans and maintained a small but elite standing force. Located in the central Crescent, it bordered both the Clan Citadel and Clan Velmoras
Most students lived in dorms within the Academy walls, but Larsen Zergos was different. His home stood on the outskirts of the Citadel, near the Academy. He was what they called a day scholar, a rarity in the Cadets' Division. However, some junior students from elite houses would routinely travel to and from their homes, even on regular class days, using air boards.
Air boards were a common luxury among the wealthy. They operated using the Air magic of the rider. The board itself didn't generate magic; instead, its structure was built to channel and shape the air manipulated by the user. Through carefully crafted air vents, balance channels, and stabilising curves, the board allowed the riders to generate lift, steer, and maintain altitude.
Larsen, however, walked.
The Dean continued:
"The mission party will include the following cadets and students:
Selene Zergos from House Zergos – Third-Year Cadet, among the finest this Academy has ever produced.
Kael Veradis from House Veradis – Third-Year Cadet, brilliant and disciplined.
Fiona Sorrel from House Sorrel – Second-Year Cadet.
Bran Varak from House Varak – Second-Year Cadet.
As the First Year Cadets prepare for their Internal Ranking Trials next month, they will not participate in the mission.
The following students from the Senior Division will accompany the mission for observation:
Roen Marek, Third-Year Senior Division
Aren Marek, Third-Year Senior Division
Olivia Elric, Second-Year Senior Division
Angela Tavern, Second-Year Senior Division
Larsen Zergos, First-Year Senior Division
Mark Rowan, First-Year Senior Division"
___
In class, Samuel turned to Larsen with a grin.
"Congratulations, Larsen."
"Belenor and Belenorians, huh?" Larsen muttered, still processing the announcement. "I've heard about them… Uncle Hendrix has been fighting them for years now."
He looked at Samuel. "Do you know anything about the Belenorians? What do they actually want?"
Samuel shrugged. "Not much, really. I heard they were once part of Ezkabel like, officially. But then something happened, their people went mad, and Ezkabel couldn't keep control. They pulled back. Belenor even fought against Ezkabel for a while… but then gave up. Realised they were too powerful. So now, they've been fixated on us. The Eastern Crescent. Especially the Citadel."
"And… do they use some kind of darker variant of the new magic?" Larsen asked, hesitating slightly.
"Yeah, that's what I've heard," Samuel said, leaning in. "Something twisted."
Larsen nodded. "Well… I'm glad we're not the ones fighting. Not yet."
"Same. That's a hard job," Samuel said, with a half-laugh. "I'll say it, I'm glad I don't have to go."
"Nah, it'll be fine," Larsen replied, though his voice didn't sound so sure.
"Still… people say nasty things about Belenorians."
"Yeah," Larsen agreed quietly. "I've heard some, too."
Just then, the classroom door creaked open and their instructor, Master Halvern, walked in, his boots echoing sharply against the floor. The murmurs died down instantly.
"I assume rumours have already begun," Halvern said, dropping a pile of scrolls on the desk. "Whispers of the Belenorians, their madness, the so-called dark magic…"
He looked around the room, eyes sharp. "Half of it is fear. The other half is ignorance. If you rely on stories told by frightened commoners, you'll never understand the enemy."
Samuel exchanged a look with Larsen.
"Do not underestimate them," Halvern continued. "But don't romanticise them either. Madness is not strength, it's a crack in the mind. Learn to recognise it. That's the first lesson for those of you going to observe the Northern mission."
His gaze lingered briefly on Larsen, then moved on.
"Now, open your texts. Let's begin."
____
In her class, Fiona Sorrel sat among her friends, a little too excited for her own good.
"Oh my God, I can't believe I got recommended for this mission," she said, practically hugging her book. "And on top of that, Selene and Kael are joining us? This is insane."
One of her friends leaned in with a smirk. "Ohhh, so that's why you're glowing today. Kael's going to be there?"
Fiona rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "That's not why."
"Girl, you've had a thing for him since we met you," another one chimed in. "Don't even lie. You blush every time he walks past."
"I do not," Fiona said, looking away, cheeks already turning red.
"You do," they all said at once, laughing.
"Well," Fiona mumbled, straightening her hair, "It's just that he is kind of… powerful."
"And dreamy," someone added.
Fiona shook her head, trying to hold back a grin. "Let me have my moment. I'm just excited, alright? I'm finally going on a real mission and with the two top cadets in the whole Academy. I just want to do well."
Her friends grinned. "Don't worry. You'll do fine. Just don't faint if Kael talks to you."
Fiona covered her face with both hands. "You guys are the worst."
They all laughed, and somewhere deep down, Fiona knew… they weren't entirely wrong.