The path winding down the mountain glowed faintly in the soft afternoon sun, leaves rustling in a gentle breeze. Lyra, still flushed from the intense training, was practically bouncing beside Selene.
"That was amazing! I never thought I could hold a spell that long!" she gushed, brushing her windswept hair behind her ear. "You're the best teacher I've ever met."
Selene—Celeste behind the illusion—smiled faintly, keeping her gaze ahead. "You improved quickly. Keep practicing, and you'll be even stronger."
As they descended the final curve, heading toward the edge of the forest near the institute, two familiar figures appeared on the path ahead—Auren and Kael, deep in conversation.
The moment Auren's eyes landed on Selene, his stride slowed. Something about her… the gleam in her eyes, the soft curve of her jaw, even the way she stood—it was familiar.
He narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.
"Have we met before?" he asked, tilting his head, his fiery-red hair catching the light. "You look… strangely familiar. Like someone I've seen… long ago."
Selene's heart lurched. She kept her expression calm, voice steady. "I'm just a traveler. Perhaps you passed by me somewhere."
Auren studied her carefully, suspicion flickering behind his eyes, but he eventually nodded. "Maybe. Or maybe I just have a good memory for faces."
Before he could ask more, a sharp hum filled the air.
A holographic sigil of the Headmaster shimmered above them, his deep voice echoing across the grounds:
"All students and faculty are requested to gather immediately at the Grand Auditorium. This is an urgent announcement."
Lyra jumped. "That's weird… another announcement so soon?"
Selene took the chance to dip her head. "I should be on my way. Good luck."
"Wait—" Auren started, but Selene was already turning down a side trail, disappearing into the dense trees like a whisper.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Odd woman."
Lyra, clutching her training satchel, still flushed from excitement, didn't say a word. But a small, almost invisible smile curled at her lips.
The three of them—Auren, Kael, and Lyra—resumed their pace toward the institute, the afternoon sun casting long shadows behind them.
And in the forest, hidden by bark and leaf, Celeste leaned against a tree, breath catching in her throat.
That stare…
Those eyes…
Auren had almost remembered her.
The boy she once met under a silver moon when they were young—before their paths were torn apart by duty and blood.
Her hand curled into a fist.
"Not yet," she whispered to herself. "Not now."
She straightened her cloak and headed the other way, vanishing into the trees as if she had never been there at all.