Kayian didn't sleep the entire night. He sat at his desk, running through the arguments that would convince Rector Verius. He had no proof—only knowledge of the future that he could not reveal. He had to find words that would make the powerful fifth‑rank Flame mage believe in a threat coming from his own Council.
At dawn, he left his room. The dormitory corridors were empty. Only somewhere in the distance could footsteps of a duty instructor be heard. Kayian headed toward the Academy's central tower—the Archons' Tower, where the Rector's office was located.
At the entrance, he was stopped by a guard—a third‑rank Earth mage in a black robe.
"The Rector does not receive visitors without an appointment. Come back after noon."
"It's urgent," Kayian said, keeping his voice calm but firm. "Tell him Kayian Wellstream requests an audience on a matter concerning a student's safety."
The guard sized him up. A first‑year student, two first‑rank schools, yesterday's final loser. His lips curled into a smirk.
"All students think their business is the most important. Come back when you've learned to make an appointment."
Kayian stepped forward, and at that moment the system issued a warning:
[Presence of high-level magic detected. Source: top floor of the tower.]
The door behind the guard opened, and Rector Verius himself appeared in the doorway. He was without his robe, in simple gray attire, but his presence made the air tremble with barely restrained power.
"I sense Shadow and Lightning magic," he said, looking at Kayian. "And something else. Something deeply hidden. Enter, young Wellstream."
The guard retreated, lowering his gaze in confusion. Kayian walked inside.
The Rector's office turned out to be a vast circular hall at the top of the tower. The walls were covered with maps, scrolls, artifacts. In the center stood a massive ebony desk piled with papers. Through the tall windows, the entire Academy was visible—white buildings, snow-covered trees, the tiny figures of students hurrying to their classes.
Verius sat in his chair, gesturing for Kayian to take the seat opposite.
"Speak. And do not waste my time."
Kayian sat, holding the Rector's heavy gaze. He knew: lies would not work here. But the full truth was not an option either.
"Tomorrow, the Council of Archons intends to offer Selena Arkwood individual training," he began. "If she refuses, she will be in danger. I want you to take her under your personal protection."
Verius's face didn't change. Only an eyebrow rose slightly.
"How do you know the Council's plans? And why do you think I should intervene?"
"I have… sources," Kayian replied. "Sources I trust. Selena Arkwood is a third‑rank Spirit mage. She is not merely talented—she is unique. If the Council gains control over her, they will use her as a weapon. If she refuses, they will eliminate her to keep her from falling to their enemies."
"All this sounds like hearsay." Verius folded his hands on the desk. "The Academy is no place for political games. At least, I strive to keep it that way."
"But you know that isn't true," Kayian countered. "You know the Council has been using the Academy for its own purposes for a long time. Selena is neither the first nor the last."
Verius regarded him for a long moment. Something flickered in his eyes—surprise, perhaps respect.
"You are bold, young Wellstream. Or reckless." He leaned back in his chair. "Let us say I agree. What do you offer in return?"
Kayian paused. He hadn't expected the Rector to bargain.
"What do you want?"
"Information." Verius leaned forward. "How do you know the Council's plans? Who is your source? And most importantly—what are you hiding behind the mask of a weak student?"
The question hung in the air. Kayian felt the system pulsing on his wrist, ready to issue a warning. He could not tell the truth. But neither could he stay silent.
"My source is a man who calls himself Crow," he said after a long pause. "I don't know who he is. He appears when he wants and vanishes the same way. He warned me about Selena and said that only you could protect her."
"Crow." Verius repeated, tension entering his voice. "A Keeper of Time."
"You know him?"
"I know of such beings." The Rector rose and walked to the window. "The Keepers of Time are entities that watch over the integrity of timelines. They do not interfere in mortal affairs unless something threatens the very fabric of reality."
He turned, his gaze growing heavy.
"If Crow has taken an interest in you and Selena, then the events around you have moved beyond ordinary political intrigue. What have you done, Wellstream?"
Kayian felt his heart beat faster. The Rector was close to the truth. Too close.
"I only want to protect my family and friends," he answered. "Isn't that enough to draw the attention of those who watch over fates?"
Verius studied him for a long time, then slowly nodded.
"Very well. I will take Selena Arkwood under my protection. But I have one condition."
"What is it?"
"You will become my personal student."
Kayian was taken aback. Personal student to the Rector—that was not merely a privilege. It was a public declaration of patronage. It would make him visible, draw the attention he had been so carefully avoiding.
"Why would you want that?" he asked.
"Because I want to understand what you are," Verius answered honestly. "You are a first‑year student with two first‑rank schools, yet you speak like a battle‑hardened politician. You know of the Keepers of Time, of whom most mages have never even heard. And inside you hides a power you carefully conceal. I want to know what that power is."
Kayian clenched his teeth. To refuse meant losing protection for Selena. To agree meant stepping out of the shadows earlier than planned.
He chose a third path.
"I agree to become your student," he said, "but on one condition. You will not interrogate me about my secrets. I will show you my abilities when I am ready. And you give me your word that Selena's protection will not depend on my agreement."
Verius smiled. For the first time during their conversation, something like genuine emotion appeared on his face.
"Bargaining with the Rector?" He shook his head. "You are either mad or a genius. Very well. I agree. Selena's protection will be guaranteed regardless of your decision. And you—you will be my student. And when the time comes, you will tell me the truth."
Kayian rose and bowed.
"Thank you, Rector."
"Don't thank me." Verius returned to his desk and picked up a quill. "If what you said about Selena is true, we have little time. Go, bring her. I will accept their offer before they have a chance to make their move."
Kayian left the office. His heart pounded, but a strange feeling grew within him—not triumph, but certainty. He had taken the first step toward forming an alliance with someone who could become his strongest ally.
A surprise awaited him in the corridor.
Selena stood against the wall, her back pressed to the cold stone. Her face was pale, her eyes wide.
"I heard everything," she whispered. "I came to tell you they moved the meeting to today. One o'clock."
Kayian looked at the clock on the wall. Two hours remained until noon.
"We have time," he said. "Come."
He took her hand and led her back to the Rector's office. Her fingers were cold, but she did not resist.
When they entered, Verius was already writing something on parchment.
"Selena Arkwood," he said without looking up. "I have heard of your potential. And I have heard you have reasons to fear for your safety."
"Yes, Rector," Selena's voice trembled, but she held firm.
"From this moment, you are under my personal protection." Verius set down the quill and raised his eyes. "No one—neither a Council member, nor an aristocrat, nor the Emperor himself—will touch you while you are at the Academy. This I promise you."
Selena swayed, and Kayian caught her elbow.
"Thank you," she breathed.
"Do not thank me." Verius nodded toward Kayian. "He is the one who risked his reputation for you."
They left the tower into the fresh snowfall. Selena walked in silence, and only when they had gone far enough did she stop.
"Kayian," she said, tears in her voice. "Why did you do this? You said you didn't want to draw attention. And now you've become the Rector's personal student. The whole world will be watching you."
"I know," he replied, gazing at the falling snow. "But sometimes, to win a war, you have to sacrifice a tactical advantage. You are worth it."
She looked at him for a long moment, and in her green eyes something flickered that Kayian had not expected to see—not gratitude, not fear, but something deeper.
"You are a very strange person, Kayian Wellstream," she whispered.
"I know," he said with a faint smile. "Come. Our first lesson with the Rector awaits. They say he shows no mercy to his students."
They walked along the snow-covered path, and Kayian felt the system pulsing on his wrist, issuing a new message:
[Temporal line deviation: Selena Arkwood — status changed to "under Rector's protection." Survivability +35%.]
[Fate Points awarded: 100.]
[Level 2 achieved! New functions unlocked: Fate Log, Basic Connection Analysis.]
Kayian smiled inwardly. One hundred points and a new level. Stepping out of the shadows was beginning to bear fruit.
But deep down, he knew: this was only the beginning. Now that he had become the Rector's personal student, his enemies would move faster and more aggressively.
He looked at the tower where Verius remained and thought: I hope I was not wrong to trust you.
The snow kept falling, covering the tracks, but time had already begun to flow along a new course.