Kael spent the evening walking the edge of Wrenvale, the sun dipping behind distant hills in hues of gold and rose. The visit from Erion and Mira had stirred something in him—not quite jealousy, but a tug of longing. Mira had a path, a future mapped out. And he… was still finding his footing.
He returned to the village square, where Mira was seated on a low stone bench near the well, idly practicing light manipulation. Threads of golden light swirled between her fingers, delicate and warm.
Kael hesitated, then approached.
"That's Lightweaving?" he asked softly.
Mira looked up and nodded. "Beginner level. I'm still learning control."
"It's beautiful," he admitted, watching as the threads danced in the air.
She smiled, and this time didn't blush. "You've got magic too, don't you?"
"Yeah. Minor Teleport and Omni-Vision."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "Omni-Vision? That's rare. I've only read about it in theory—no one at the capital has it. What stage?"
"Beginner," Kael said. "Only just recently. It's… difficult to explain."
"Then don't," she said with a wink. "Most magic is."
They sat in silence a moment longer. It wasn't awkward. It was… comfortable.
"I don't know what I'm doing," Kael finally admitted. "I've been figuring it out as I go. Helping where I can. Learning things. But I feel like I'm chasing a world that already left me behind."
Mira looked at him, then down at her hands. "You know, most people at the academy have had tutors since they were five. I've had one since I was seven. But skill and understanding—they're not the same thing."
She paused, gathering the light into a tiny sun between her palms.
"Understanding comes from life," she continued. "From pain, survival, choice. You've already done more with your skills than most first-year students ever will. Don't let anyone tell you you're behind. You're just… taking a different road."
Kael nodded, the words sinking in deeper than he expected.
From across the square, Balen watched them with folded arms and a knowing look.
Later that night, Kael lay in bed and opened his interface.
---
Name: Kael
Level: 27
Strength: 35
Intelligence: 100
Dexterity: 25
Perception: 45
Endurance: 25
Willpower: 45
Agility: 25
Skills:
Minor Teleport (Beginner)
Omni-Vision (Beginner)
Available Stat Points: 0
System Quests:
[No active quests]
---
He stared at the screen.
Mira was right. He wasn't behind.
He was just getting started.