The days in Lyris passed like pages in a well-loved book—quiet, familiar, and comforting in their simplicity. Rei spent his mornings helping Mira at the tavern, carrying crates of apples or sweeping the porch, and his afternoons wandering the nearby fields, sketching the wildflowers in a small leather-bound journal. To the townsfolk, he was just Rei, the polite traveler with a gentle smile and a knack for telling stories about far-off lands—stories they assumed were embellished tales from a young dreamer.
But the encounter in the forest lingered in his mind. The mage, Lyria, had returned to Lyris twice since that night, each time asking about Shadow with a mix of curiosity and frustration. Rei played his part perfectly, offering vague rumors he'd "heard" about the mysterious figure, all while deflecting her attention with a warm laugh or a question about her own travels. Lyria was sharp, though—sharper than most. Her amethyst eyes seemed to search his face a little too long, as if she sensed something beneath his ordinary facade.
On the seventh morning since the direwolf incident, Rei sat on his usual bench, nibbling on a piece of Mira's fresh-baked bread. The market square was lively, with merchants shouting about their wares and a bard strumming a lute nearby. Lyria appeared again, this time without her mage's cloak, dressed instead in a simple blue tunic and leather boots. Her silver hair was tied back in a loose braid, making her look less like a powerful sorceress and more like a girl of nineteen or twenty, full of restless energy.
"Morning, Rei," she said, plopping onto the bench beside him without asking. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and fixed him with a sidelong glance. "You're always here, aren't you? Don't you ever get bored?"
Rei chuckled, brushing crumbs from his cloak. "Bored? Nah. There's always something to see in Lyris. New faces, new stories. Besides, Mira's bread is worth sticking around for."
Lyria rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "You're weirdly content for a traveler. Most people your age are out chasing glory or gold."
"Maybe I'm just waiting for the right adventure," Rei said, his tone light but his hazel eyes flickering with something unreadable. "What about you? Still hunting for that Shadow guy?"
Her smile faltered, and she leaned back, crossing her arms. "He's impossible to find. It's like he doesn't exist outside of rumors. But I know he's real. I owe him an apology… and maybe a thank-you." She hesitated, then added softly, "He didn't hurt me, even when he could have. That's not something you forget."
Rei nodded, his expression gentle. "Sounds like he's not the type who sticks around for thanks. Maybe he's just… doing what he thinks is right."
Lyria studied him again, her gaze lingering. "You're strange, Rei. You talk like you understand people like him, but you're just a normal guy, right?"
"As normal as they come," Rei said, flashing a disarming grin. He stood, slinging his satchel over his shoulder. "Come on, let's walk. You look like you need to burn off some of that restless energy."
She laughed, a bright sound that made a few passersby glance their way, and followed him toward the edge of town. As they walked, Rei listened to her stories—tales of her training as a mage, her struggles with the strict rules of her former guild, and her dream of mastering magic that could change the world. There was a spark in her, a mix of determination and vulnerability, that made Rei feel a quiet warmth. He didn't let it show, though. He was just Rei, the listener, the nobody.
But deep down, he wondered how long he could keep her at arm's length before she started piecing things together.
That night, Shadow was needed again. A caravan had gone missing on the road to Calavern, and whispers of bandits—or something worse—spread through Lyris. Under the cover of darkness, Rei slipped into the forest, donning his mask and cloak. As Shadow, he moved like a phantom, his presence so perfectly suppressed that even the owls overhead didn't stir.
He found the caravan in a clearing, its wagons overturned and its guards unconscious but alive. The culprits were no ordinary bandits—a group of rogue mages, their cloaks marked with the same crimson symbols Lyria had mentioned: the Order of the Crimson Veil. They were chanting, their magic coalescing into a swirling portal above the wreckage.
Shadow stepped into the clearing, his black cloak billowing slightly in the night breeze. His aura remained hidden, his presence as unremarkable as a passing shadow. To the mages, he was just a man in a mask—until he spoke.
"Stop," he said, his voice deep and commanding, cutting through their chants like a blade. "Release the captives and leave."
The mages whirled around, their hands glowing with offensive spells. Their leader, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, sneered. "Who's this? Another meddler? You don't even have an aura. You're no threat."
Shadow tilted his head, his mask gleaming faintly under the moonlight. "Last warning."
The mages attacked, hurling fireballs and shards of ice. Shadow moved with effortless grace, dodging each spell with minimal effort. To them, it looked like luck, not skill. In truth, his infinite speed and perfect knowledge let him predict every move before it happened. With a single gesture, he unleashed a pulse of invisible force—not magic, but raw power—knocking the mages to the ground without harming them permanently.
The portal flickered and collapsed. The captives, a family of merchants, were freed from their bindings with a flick of Shadow's hand. They stared at him, awestruck, but he offered no explanation. "Go to Lyris," he said. "You're safe now."
As he turned to leave, the scarred mage spat, "You'll regret crossing the Crimson Veil, Shadow! We'll find you!"
Shadow didn't respond. He vanished into the night, leaving no trace of his power or presence. To the mages, he was just a skilled fighter, nothing more. His secret remained intact.
The next morning, Rei was back at his bench, reading a book on local herbs. Lyria found him again, her expression a mix of excitement and frustration. "You won't believe what happened," she said, sitting beside him. "Shadow struck again! He saved a caravan last night. The merchants are calling him a hero, but no one saw where he went."
Rei raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Sounds like he's keeping busy. You sure you're not chasing a ghost?"
She laughed, nudging his shoulder. "He's real, Rei. I just wish I could figure him out." She paused, then added, "You know, you're easy to talk to. Most guys your age are either bragging about their magic or trying to impress me. You're just… you."
Rei smiled, his heart giving a small, unexpected lurch. "I'm just a traveler, Lyria. Nothing special."
But as she grinned back, her eyes bright with warmth, he felt the first stirrings of something he hadn't expected—a connection, fragile but real. He pushed it down, focusing on the moment. Romance wasn't something he sought, not when his life was split between Rei and Shadow. But Lyria's presence was… nice. More than nice.
Days turned into weeks, and Rei found himself lingering in Lyris longer than planned. Lyria became a regular companion, joining him on walks or dragging him to the market to haggle for trinkets. Their conversations were easy, filled with laughter and shared stories, though Rei was careful to keep his past vague. She was nineteen, he learned, two years older than he appeared, and her fiery spirit balanced her moments of quiet doubt. She was no damsel—she was strong, stubborn, and determined to prove herself. Rei admired that, even if he'd never say it out loud.
One evening, as they sat by a stream outside town, watching the stars reflect on the water, Lyria dropped a bombshell. "I'm leaving for the capital tomorrow," she said, her voice steady but tinged with excitement. "There's a magic academy there—Arcane Crest. They're taking new students, and I want to refine my skills. Maybe figure out what the Crimson Veil is really up to."
Rei's heart sank, though his smile didn't waver. "The capital, huh? Sounds like a big step."
She nodded, tossing a pebble into the stream. "It is. But I need to get stronger. Shadow… he made me realize I've been reckless. I want to learn control, not just power." She glanced at him, her expression softening. "You should come with me, Rei. You're smart, and you've got that traveler's knack. Arcane Crest isn't just for mages—they train adventurers, too. You could fit in."
Rei hesitated. The capital meant attention, politics, and people who might notice things he'd rather keep hidden. But Lyria's hopeful gaze tugged at him, and the mention of the Crimson Veil stirred his curiosity. If they were active in the capital, Shadow might be needed there.
"Maybe," he said finally, his tone light. "I've been meaning to see more of Eldoria. The capital sounds… interesting."
Lyria's face lit up, and she punched his arm playfully. "That's the spirit! We'll be the best team Arcane Crest has ever seen!"
Rei laughed, but inside, he was already planning. The capital would be a new stage, a place to blend in as Rei, the nobody, while keeping Shadow's secrets safe. And maybe, just maybe, he'd let himself enjoy Lyria's company a little longer.