Winter came to Aetheria like a silent assassin.
The massive blue energy barrier that separated the Academy from the outside world weakened the snowstorms, but it could not stop the cold. The emerald forests were now covered by a white shroud. The waterfalls had frozen, and enormous icicles hung from the roofs of the floating towers.
A full month had passed since Aeliana left.
For Eray, that month felt like a strange ceasefire.
He walked through the snow-covered inner courtyard of the Academy, watching his breath turn into mist. Instead of the gray Academy cloak, he wore the thick black fur-lined mantle that had been left in his room by Aeliana's order.
He was not alone.
On his right walked Junia, her nose red from the cold, buried deep inside her cloak.On his left walked Seraphina, moving like a statue untouched by winter, as if the cold could not reach her. Snowflakes landed on her boots without melting.
"Your blood…" Seraphina said, lifting her nose slightly and inhaling."It flows slower today, Eray. Cold slows humans down. But for Vampires… it only makes us hungrier."
Junia shot her a sharp look."Stop smelling him," she said coldly. "He's not your dinner."
Seraphina laughed softly. The sound was clear and sharp, like ice cracking."Not yet, dear. Not yet."
During that month, Seraphina had become Eray's unofficial shadow instructor.
Aeliana had taught him almost nothing. Seraphina, however, had shown him many forms of magic and power. Vampires were naturally gifted with mana, equal to—perhaps even beyond—the Elves.
They trained together every morning. Sometimes Junia and other Vampires joined as well. Eray had come to realize that Vampires were not as terrifying as he once believed.
At that moment, a group of Dwarves blocked their path.
They wore thick furs, but the jewels braided into their beards and fingers still shone. One of them, red-bearded and broad-shouldered, bumped into Eray on purpose.
"Move aside, long-legs," the Dwarf grumbled."Even Elf women aren't as soft as you."
Eray did not stumble. He had learned to plant his feet firmly.
"Careful, Master Thorin," Eray said calmly."You wouldn't want to slip on the ice and break that magnificent beard."
The Dwarf stopped and turned around.
His eyes narrowed, but when he noticed Seraphina beside Eray and her dangerous smile, he chose not to reach for his axe.
"Hmph," he snorted."Refugee brat. Looks like you can talk without hiding behind the Princess's skirts."
He spat on the ground and walked away with his companions, grumbling.
"I like them," Eray said, watching them leave."At least they're honest. They say their hatred to your face."
"Not everyone can handle honesty," Seraphina replied, linking her arm with Eray's. Her nails pressed into his arm even through the mantle.
"By the way, have you heard the news? Ravens arrived from the border."
Eray slowed."What news?"
"The Imperial front…" Seraphina lowered her voice."It's getting worse. That's why Aeliana has been gone so long. Rumors say the King is considering sending her to the front lines."
A knot formed in Eray's stomach.
If Aeliana went to the front, that meant freedom. He should have welcomed the idea.
But that strange, unhealthy bond inside him didn't like it at all.
"Then she might not return," Junia said, hope in her voice.
"Or," Seraphina said, fixing her red eyes on Eray,"she might take you with her."
Class time was approaching.
"Lord Sung's class," Eray said, trying to change the subject."Mana arts. If I'm late, he'll threaten me again."
As they walked toward the classroom, Eray looked up at the sky.
Between the gray clouds, a single predatory creature circled.
Not a hawk.A Wyvern.
And it was descending directly toward the Academy's administrative tower, the Director's office. Its rider wore royal armor.
Eray felt his Raider instincts sound the alarm.
That quiet, monotonous month was over.
By the afternoon, a massive crowd had gathered in front of the Academy's announcement board.
The messenger who arrived on the Wyvern had brought more than bad news.
A huge parchment, sealed in gold, was magically affixed to the stone wall. Glowing letters read:
EASTERN KINGDOMS TOURNAMENT
Against the shadow of chaos, we gather the brightest blades of light.To raise the morale of the Allied Kingdoms and determine future champions,a grand tournament will be held in Orizon, the Golden City of the East.
Rules:
Participation will be in teams of three.
Only the "Young Generation" (Academy students) may enter.
Rewards: Selections from the Royal Treasury, Ancient Artifacts, and Rank Advancement.
Eray, Junia, and Seraphina read from the back of the crowd.
"Young generation?" Junia frowned."I haven't seen an Elf under three hundred here. Even that fool Kaelen is over a hundred."
Seraphina laughed."Oh, sweet girl. For Elves, a hundred and twenty is like a baby who just lost their milk teeth. Don't compare it to human years. For them, 'youth' is almost eternal."
Then she turned to Eray, her eyes shining.
"But this is an opportunity. Orizon is the center of trade and chaos. If you want to escape, it's a better option than that forest."
Eray read the final line.
Aetheria Academy will participate with selected students. Those who wish to join must prepare within three days.
"Escape?" Eray said quietly."Maybe. But first, I want to see how far we can go in this tournament. The rewards include Ancient Artifacts. There might even be a dimensional gate key."
Seraphina placed a hand on his shoulder."Then our team is decided. One Vampire and two refugees."
Junia smiled."Not a bad team."
Three days later, the Academy's vast courtyard had turned into an airbase.
The cold was sharp enough to bite into bone. Snow fell in violent gusts, but no one seemed to care. Dozens of Wyverns waited on the ground, and just as many circled in the air.
These creatures were far larger than horses. Their leather-like wings were folded, their long tails coiled across the snow. Steam poured from their mouths, forming gray clouds in the freezing air.
Each Wyvern had an armored rider. Behind them were passenger saddles secured with thick leather straps.
"Exciting, isn't it?" Seraphina said, standing beside a black Wyvern ridden by her kin.
Eray and Junia were guided toward a gray-scaled Wyvern that looked especially aggressive.
Eray helped Junia mount. Her hands trembled—not from fear, but from the cold. Eray sat behind her and fastened the straps.
The rider shouted from beneath heavy furs:"Hold tight! We're flying straight into the storm!"
"Ready?" Eray asked near Junia's ear.
Junia turned to him, her eyes burning with determination."As long as we leave this cage, I'm ready to go to hell itself."
Horns sounded. Some Wyverns took off while others landed to replace them. The beating of wings drowned out the wind.
First the front line rose. Then the group carrying Eray followed.
That sudden pulling sensation twisted his stomach. The ground vanished beneath them. The snow-covered Academy shrank, smaller and smaller, until it became a white dot.
When they rose above the clouds, Eray took a deep breath.
The air was freezing—but it smelled like freedom.
They were heading east.Toward war, politics, and perhaps a ticket home.
Aeliana was not there.
But Eray knew one thing for certain:
No matter where he went, the Princess's shadow would follow.