Snow covered the island of Agnos in a light that felt almost unreal. The sky, a soft white, spread a glow that made the rooftops, windows, and campus flagstones sparkle. The air was cold but not hostile. It was a festive cold, the kind that reddens cheeks and turns every breath into a small, cheerful plume.

  That morning, the Academy no longer felt like its usual place of study. Everything breathed of year’s end and winter excitement. The students who had stayed behind moved about in small groups, arms full of parcels, decorated boxes, or carefully folded fabrics. Many spoke with anticipation about the evening’s banquet. Others hurried toward the dance hall, where rehearsals for the final ball had already begun.

  For the celebration, most of the decorations were made by the students themselves. The most skilled with paper folded intricate garlands. The most patient carved small wooden figurines. Others gathered pine branches to make wreaths tied with simple twine. The mages conjured translucent glass globes holding packed snow or dried flowers. Each decoration told the story of the hand that had made it.

  The walkways were adorned with ribbons of midnight-blue and silver cloth, knotted around benches, stair railings, and stone pillars. Nothing extravagant, but everything carried sincere joy. The luminous engravings already present in the courtyard and corridors cast their warm, steady light, giving the impression that the Academy had been specially illuminated for the festival.

  Among those who had not returned home for the festivities, some escorted parents who had come for the occasion. Laughter rose from group to group, mingling with the smell of warm bread drifting out of the dining hall. The Academy was breathing celebration.

  On the steps leading to the Great Library, Sylaria paused for a moment to look around. Her pale cloak stood out against the snow, and a few flakes clung to her lilac hair. Her eyes shone with restrained excitement.

  — It feels like everyone can finally breathe. Like the whole Academy has suddenly become lighter all at once, she said in wonder.

  Beside her, Nahira tightened her coat and adjusted her scarf. Her dark hair was braided higher than usual so it wouldn’t bother her during the day.

  — That’s what happens when the year is over. No more classes, no more effort to hold on to lessons, no more stressed professors. All that’s left is the celebration, the dancing, and desserts in dangerously large quantities.

  A little behind them, Arimélia fastened her leather gloves, making sure the seams sat properly. She wore her winter uniform in impeccable order, but a faint smile softened her features. Her apple-green eyes wandered over the courtyard with curiosity.

  — You’re speaking from experience, I assume.

  — Absolutely. Third time for me.

  They watched the parents—their elegant coats, the greetings exchanged, the warm embraces.

  — There are more families than I expected, Arimélia commented.

  — Only the ones who can afford it or dare it, given the weather, Nahira clarified.

  Sylaria turned to her.

  — Your parents aren’t coming.

  Nahira shook her head gently.

  — No. They can’t afford it, and they don’t like traveling in winter anyway. They still sent me a letter and enough to treat myself in town, she replied calmly, as if she were stating a simple fact rather than voicing a grievance.

  — Not for me either. They’re too busy preparing the celebration in the capital, and I didn’t feel like going back with my cousin. They would probably have put me to work, Sylaria added.

  Arimélia validated the princess’s concerns with a nod.

  — What about the other two? Sylaria asked.

  — Loyd never talks about his family, and Elwyn doesn’t exactly deny their absence. We’ll see, Nahira answered.

  A bell from one of the towers rang out, echoing sharply through the cold air. The three young women exchanged a look, then started toward the Great Library.

  Inside, warmth wrapped around them at once. The luminous engravings on the walls cast a golden glow, brighter than usual. The shelves, though unchanged, looked almost decorative—more backdrop than workplace. Small tables had been cleared near the hall so visitors could wait for their children out of the cold.

  Elwyn was already there, leaning against a railing, a closed notebook in his hand. He wore a dark coat over his uniform, and his raven-wing hair cut sharply through the ambient light. He watched the comings and goings with a calm gaze.

  Loyd joined him in long strides, shaking a few flakes from his shoulders. His cheeks, reddened by the cold, suggested he had crossed half the campus without slowing down.

  — I just saw the courtyard. It’s like a market. New cloaks everywhere, and people staring at the towers like they’re legendary fortresses.

  — I thought you didn’t like crowds, Elwyn replied.

  — Usually I don’t. But this is different. They’re not armed to the teeth, and they’re happy to be here.

  Loyd lifted a hand toward the three girls approaching.

  — Hey, over here.

  Sylaria quickened her pace, her cloak trailing behind her.

  — So, did you see how many people there are? There’ll definitely be pastries from several kingdoms, she said with enthusiasm.

  Loyd looked delighted.

  — As long as they fill the plates, I’m good.

  Nahira teased him with a look.

  — You’re going to try to taste everything that exists again.

  — If I can’t manage it this year, there’s always next year.

  Arimélia, meanwhile, was watching a point behind them. Her attention had snagged on a group entering through the library doors. Parents who were clearly well-off, but without ostentation. A tall man in a thick coat, his face weathered but open, walked with a steady stride. Beside him, a woman with dark ash-gray hair pulled into a simple bun moved calmly, hands covered in fur-lined gloves. Between them, a small silhouette with long dark ash-gray hair trotted along with bright excitement, wrapped in a coat too long that flapped against her legs.

  The little girl looked up in turn at the arches, the luminous engravings, then the shelves, with unrestrained admiration.

  — Wow. It’s even bigger than in his letters, she said in a lively voice.

  Arimélia blinked. Elwyn froze for a fraction of a second. His fingers loosened around his notebook, then he straightened, leaving the railing. The shadow of a smile stretched across his features.

  When the little girl finally spotted him, her eyes lit up immediately.

  — Elwyn.

  She started running toward him, nearly slipping on the polished floor. The too-long coat caught her for an instant, but she tugged it free with an impatient gesture. The young boy took a few steps to meet her, bent slightly, and caught her in his arms. She threw herself against him with all the momentum of someone who had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He held her gently.

  — You’ve grown, he noted.

  — You too, but you’re still taller than me, she replied, letting go to look at him, hands on her hips.

  Her eyes shone with a mix of pride and excitement. She turned toward the man and woman who had joined them. The man stepped forward and placed a hand on Elwyn’s shoulder. His smile was frank, almost radiant despite the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

  — So this is where they teach you to scare the whole world with your head buried in books.

  Elwyn gave a thin, warm smile.

  — Hello, Father—Volden.

  — You look well. That’s a relief, the man replied in an amused tone.

  The woman, smaller, stopped a step away. Her blue eyes assessed Elwyn with a gentle but piercing gaze—the gaze of someone who sees what others miss.

  — You haven’t had too much trouble.

  — Hello, Mother—Ophélia. I’m fine.

  The little girl turned toward the group of friends who had stayed slightly back.

  — Those are your friends, right?

  Sylaria startled slightly, then put on a radiant smile.

  — Yes, Elwyn confirmed.

  He turned to them.

  — This is Volden and Ophélia, my parents. And Le?na, my little sister.

  The words slipped out naturally.

  Sylaria curtsied with grace.

  — Pleased to meet you. I’m Sylaria.

  Ophélia blinked, studying her for a second.

  — You’re very well-mannered. You can tell a royal family’s education, she said with an amused smile.

  Sylaria answered with a small laugh.

  — Thank you.

  Loyd gave a respectful nod.

  — Loyd. Nice to meet you. I try to keep your son in one piece.

  Volden immediately recognized the lineage of the Divinity of War in Loyd’s blood-red hair and silver eyes, but chose not to say anything and simply burst into laughter.

  — Good luck. He managed to worry me to death several times before he even got here. I’m counting on you to take over.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Nahira, who had stayed slightly behind, stepped forward in her usual calm.

  — Nahira. Pleased to meet you.

  Ophélia inclined her head.

  — Elwyn mentioned dependable companions in his letters. It’s reassuring to see them in person.

  She turned toward Arimélia, who had remained a little more discreet.

  — And you, you are…

  Arimélia straightened her shoulders slightly and bowed politely.

  — Arimélia.

  Le?na had stepped forward again, excited by the new faces. But when she lifted her eyes to Arimélia and noticed the fine scales, the elegant structure of her horns, and the reptilian gleam of her pupils, she stopped short. Her eyes went wide like two winter moons.

  — You’re a dragon.

  Arimélia blinked, surprised but amused.

  — Half-dragon, yes.

  Le?na brought her hands to her mouth, trying to stifle a cry of admiration.

  — Elwyn loves dragons.

  Her tone carried absolute certainty, as if she had just revealed a crucial secret.

  Elwyn simply smiled.

  — That’s true.

  Loyd nodded with the air of a veteran.

  — He knows more about them than anyone in the Academy.

  Le?na took two steps toward Arimélia, dazzled.

  — You’re so beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone like you. Your eyes, and your horns, and your scales. You look like one of his stories, alive.

  Arimélia felt a slight flutter in her throat, a mix of surprise and a pleasant embarrassment.

  — Thank you. That’s very kind.

  Her voice was softer than usual, a hint of warmth passing through her despite herself.

  Nahira leaned closer to Sylaria.

  — She adopted her in ten seconds.

  Sylaria smiled.

  — Arimélia often has that effect when people aren’t afraid.

  Le?na wasn’t finished.

  — Can you fly? Or breathe fire? Or scare people by roaring?

  Each question was thrown out with the pure, sincere enthusiasm of a child standing before a living legend.

  Arimélia stayed perfectly calm, but a rare, almost tender smile curved her lips.

  — I don’t breathe fire, but I have an acid breath. I can fly. And I don’t scare people when I roar. I think.

  Le?na opened her mouth wide, captivated.

  — You’re incredible. I want to become like you.

  Sylaria laughed softly.

  — I think you should settle for being yourself. That will be more than enough, Elwyn replied gently.

  Volden placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.

  — Besides, becoming a dragon is very tiring. And I’m not sure your mother would agree.

  — I’m sure I could manage, Le?na insisted.

  Arimélia leaned slightly toward her, her scales catching the library’s amber light.

  — Then I’ll help you. To become someone strong. Not a dragon. But you.

  Le?na stared for a second, then nodded solemnly.

  — Okay.

  Ophélia watched the scene with a peaceful smile.

  — I understand why you get along with her, Elwyn. There’s gentleness in her gestures, even when she doesn’t say much.

  Arimélia looked away, a little flustered but honored.

  — That’s why we all appreciate her, Elwyn said simply.

  Le?na was already tugging on Arimélia’s sleeve before turning to Sylaria and her lilac hair braided like a crown.

  — You’re a princess, she asked seriously.

  Sylaria hesitated, surprised. Then she laughed softly.

  — Uh… yes.

  — I knew it, the little girl exclaimed.

  Loyd leaned down to Elwyn’s height, voice low.

  — Your sister is dangerous.

  — I know. And she just got here.

  A movement made them all turn toward the entrance.

  More families were coming in—some nobles with confident strides, well-dressed merchants, and mages in cloaks heavy with embroidery. Voices blended into a warm murmur.

  — We came early on purpose. That way we don’t get lost in the crowd, Volden explained.

  — And I wanted to see the library when it isn’t too full. You wrote to me that it was huge, Le?na added, spinning in place.

  Sylaria smiled.

  — Then you’re going to be satisfied.

  — We can show her the upper gallery. From up there, you can see the whole hall, Nahira suggested.

  Ophélia nodded.

  — I already know the way. But I’m happy to let you show her. It’ll give her one more memory.

  Elwyn glanced at the luminous engravings. He knew the rest of the day would be full.

  — We have a bit of time before the preparations. We can do the tour now, then you can rest a little in the guest room afterward.

  — They gave us a room? Le?na asked, suddenly very attentive.

  — Yes. One big and comfortable enough for the three of us. They know how to host people here, Volden replied.

  Ophélia gestured to Elwyn.

  — I’ll go up later. Show her whatever you want. I’m going to quickly greet one or two former professors before they get swarmed by parents.

  She exchanged a knowing look with him. A look that said she didn’t need guidance to find her bearings again.

  Le?na grabbed Elwyn’s hand.

  — Come on. Show me the place where you spend all your time studying.

  — I don’t spend all my time here, he protested weakly.

  Loyd coughed conspicuously.

  — Ahem.

  Nahira raised an eyebrow.

  — Of course.

  Sylaria smiled, eyes sparkling.

  — We believe you.

  Arimélia merely sketched a faint smile and said nothing.

  The small group set off toward the stairs, Le?na trotting in the middle and firing a thousand questions about everything she saw. The sound of their footsteps mingled with other families, the murmur of conversations, and the rustle of coats.

  Once they were partway up, Le?na stopped almost every step to stare at something—a painting, a lamp, a rolling ladder, or a student passing by with a stack of books taller than he was.

  — Do they really need all that to study? she whispered.

  — Yes. Everything one can learn in this world is here, Nahira replied.

  Le?na kept watching the student with the pile of books.

  — He’s going to fall, she stated, eyes wide.

  — Probably, Loyd murmured bluntly.

  — He won’t fall. He’s used to it, Nahira corrected.

  — He will fall, Loyd repeated with conviction.

  — You’re awful, Arimélia sighed.

  — I want to study here too one day, the little girl declared with fierce certainty.

  — You’ll still have to wait three years for that, Elwyn told her.

  She puffed out her cheeks.

  — You’ll be done by then.

  — I know, but that’s how it is, he said, gently running a hand through her hair.

  They crossed the remaining three floors of the block and finally reached the circular balcony. Le?na stopped dead. Her eyes widened like gemstones under the golden light.

  The Great Library spread beneath their feet in all its majesty, and dozens of hanging lamps formed an artificial starry sky.

  — It’s huge, Le?na breathed.

  — And you’ve only seen the first block of floors, Loyd replied.

  — How many are there?

  — Seven, counting the dome, Nahira explained.

  Le?na blinked several times, overwhelmed, then lifted her arms as if she could embrace the entire room.

  — I want to live here.

  Arimélia gave a sincere smile.

  — I understand you.

  They walked along the balcony while Elwyn pointed out the various structures belonging to the Academy.

  When the tour was done, Le?na leaned toward Elwyn.

  — So this is where you write your letters.

  — I write in my room, just before I go to bed.

  — You write fast, and I think you write nicely. Mother says so too, she added, warmth flashing in her eyes.

  — That’s kind. Thank you.

  — Do you think I’ll be able to do it too one day?

  — As long as you keep working hard, there’s no reason you won’t.

  They continued the visit, heading toward one of the study towers.

  Le?na ran along the bridge leading to the tower, dazzled by the fine engravings on the arches. Sylaria explained their meaning to her gently. Arimélia added practical details about how certain places were used. From up there, Nahira watched students accompanied by their parents, committing various reactions to memory as if she meant to recall them later. Loyd followed, amused, commenting under his breath each time the little girl nearly tripped over her too-long coat.

  Everything unfolded with a simple, happy lightness.

  When they entered the tower, the door had just opened onto two familiar figures. Ophélia was returning from greeting the professors, accompanied by Professor Caria, still strict-looking but more relaxed than usual.

  Ophélia smiled when she saw her son surrounded by his friends, then motioned them closer.

  — This building hasn’t changed. The classrooms are exactly as I remember them.

  Le?na immediately tugged on her mother’s sleeve.

  — Mother, can you tell what you did when you were a student? You said you did something naughty.

  Ophélia froze for a second. Her gaze slid to Elwyn, who had no idea what was coming.

  — Something naughty, Arimélia repeated, tilting her head slightly.

  — A big one, Professor Caria added.

  Ophélia let out a resigned but amused sigh.

  — Fine. I suppose it would come out sooner or later.

  Nahira narrowed her eyes, intrigued. Sylaria stepped closer, curious. Loyd crossed his arms, a predatory grin at the corner of his mouth.

  Ophélia took a deep breath.

  — Let’s say I was studying elemental magic at the time, and one day I tried to create an elemental sphere. A fairly simple exercise. In theory.

  — A fire sphere, Professor Caria specified.

  — Exactly. Except mine got away from me. I never understood how it gained so much speed.

  Arimélia’s eyes went wide.

  — It took off on its own.

  — I was practicing outside the walls and, all of a sudden, it shot off. Into the sky. In an arc. And it finished its flight in a wall of the south-east tower.

  A stunned silence settled.

  — You destroyed part of the building? Loyd asked, dumbfounded.

  — A section of wall, yes. The stones burst like glass. The Divinity Ogme still remembers.

  — And he isn’t the only one. I remind you it was my class, Caria added.

  Elwyn pressed his lips together slightly to hold back a smile.

  — And you weren’t expelled? Sylaria asked.

  — Thankfully, since the towers are linked to the Great Library, the Divinity Ogme could repair the damage quickly. I only got two months of punishment cleaning every classroom in the tower. An unforgettable lesson in humility.

  Sylaria burst out laughing.

  — That’s unbelievable. You really managed to do that.

  — I’m not proud of it. But even mistakes sometimes become precious memories, Ophélia admitted.

  Le?na puffed out her chest.

  — I’ll do better. I won’t break anything.

  Volden came up behind her, arms crossed, teasing.

  — I’ll believe it when I see it.

  Le?na made a face, which drew a smile from the group.

  The family then headed to the guest dormitory, located just behind the Great Library. It looked like the other dormitories, but the rooms were more richly decorated and more comfortable.

  Elwyn opened the door and let Le?na go in first. She dashed inside with the energy of a kitten discovering new territory.

  — Oh, the bed is huge. I can roll around in it.

  — No, Ophélia sighed, already exhausted.

  Volden hung his coat on a stand.

  — We’ll be fine here. It’s more comfortable than I expected.

  The guest room was spacious and pleasantly warm, lit by the soft glow of several engraved lamps. The walls, lined with dark wood paneling carved with fine detail, gave the room an old, reassuring charm. A wide bed with thick blankets occupied the center, covered with plush cushions in warm tones.

  Near the window, a small round table held a carafe of water and a few pieces of fruit. Beneath their feet, a thick, soft rug muffled footsteps.

  Everything gave an impression of discreet comfort, as though every detail had been designed to welcome passing visitors with dignity.

  — I’ll let you settle in. I’m really glad you could come, Elwyn said.

  Ophélia stepped closer and placed a hand on his cheek.

  — We would never miss a celebration where you’re present. Not after so long without seeing you.

  Volden nodded, a softened smile at the corner of his mouth.

  — Enjoy your friends as much as you want. We have the banquet tonight. We’ll meet there.

  — But I want to stay with you, Le?na protested softly.

  — We know, sweetheart. But the trip was long. Rest a little, and you can spend all the time you want with your brother this afternoon, Volden replied with endless gentleness.

  — Okay…

  They exchanged a few more words before Elwyn left them to rest and closed the door silently.

  Nahira was waiting in the corridor, arms crossed, an amused smile at the corner of her lips.

  — There’s something different about you when you’re with them. You seem more… human.

  — Maybe because they gave back something I’d lost.

  She smiled softly.

  — A family.

  He nodded.

  — Yes.

  Then they rejoined the others and, together, headed back toward the main courtyard to help with the festival preparations.