Chapter 26: Whispers of the Symposium

Chapter 26: Whispers of the Symposium

The day of the Annual Magic Symposium arrived, bringing with it a mix of excitement and tension. Students bustled about, their robes pristine and spells practiced to perfection. For Aetrial, it was another opportunity to prove herself—quietly, if possible. She adjusted her cloak, the hood shielding her features, and sighed.

“Let’s just get this over with,” she muttered under her breath.

---

A Gathering of Talent

The symposium grounds were a spectacle. Floating spell diagrams hovered above booths, magical artifacts shimmered under enchanted lights, and visitors from all corners of the kingdom strolled through. The Ranolf name preceded her arrival, and the moment Aetrial stepped into the crowd, whispers began.

“Is that him?”

“The Ranolf heir is here!”

“I heard his dark magic is terrifying.”

Despite their words, none dared approach. It wasn’t just her family’s legacy—it was what she had shown recently. The mastery of a dark magic barrier spell so effortlessly cast had cemented her as someone not to be trifled with.

Aetrial kept her hood low, her golden hair pinned up beneath it to maintain her guise. She moved with a quiet confidence, though inwardly, she was rolling her eyes at the murmurs.

---

Cain Observes

From a high balcony, Cain leaned against the railing, watching the crowd below. His crimson eyes scanned the sea of students and guests, locking onto Aetrial as she navigated the symposium.

“There he is again,” Cain murmured, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

A shadowy figure emerged beside him, bowing low. “My lord, do you wish me to investigate further?”

Cain waved a dismissive hand. “Not yet. The Ranolf heir is fascinating, but I’ll unravel his secrets myself. For now, just observe.”

The shadow melted into the darkness as Cain’s gaze remained fixed on Aetrial.

---

The Performance

When Aetrial’s name was announced, the crowd grew silent, a mix of anticipation and unease filling the air. She stepped onto the stage, her cloak billowing slightly in the breeze. Her hood cast a shadow over her face, but her presence alone was enough to command attention.

She raised her hands, summoning a delicate thread of magic. Shadows and light intertwined, forming intricate patterns in the air. The spell grew in complexity, each movement precise, until it culminated in a radiant display of controlled chaos—a swirling vortex of shadow magic edged with luminescent light.

The crowd erupted into applause, though the tension lingered.

---

Cain’s Observation Deepens

From his vantage point, Cain narrowed his eyes. Something about Aetrial’s demeanor struck him as odd. The way she moved, the subtle elegance in her gestures, and the faint softness in her expressions didn’t align with the rumors of the infamous Ranolf heir.

“Either he’s hiding more than his magic,” Cain muttered, “or I’m missing something crucial.”

---

An Unsettling Encounter

After her performance, Aetrial slipped away from the crowd, seeking a moment of solitude. She found herself at the edge of the symposium grounds, where an oak tree provided some much-needed shade.

Before she could catch her breath, footsteps approached. Turning, she saw Cain standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

“You have a habit of disappearing after grand performances,” he said, his tone light but probing.

Aetrial frowned. “And you have a habit of showing up uninvited.”

Cain chuckled, taking a step closer. “You intrigue me, Ranolf. There’s something about you that doesn’t fit.”

She stiffened slightly, her hand brushing against her cloak. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Cain studied her closely. His sharp eyes caught the faintest details—the refined lines of her face, the subtle grace in her posture. It didn’t add up to the brash, arrogant image the rumors painted of Aetrial Ranolf.

“I suppose I’ll leave it at that,” he said, turning slightly, though his curiosity only deepened.

---

The Revelation

As Aetrial walked away, Cain remained under the oak tree, his gaze thoughtful. His shadow flickered, and a dark figure emerged, bowing low.

“My lord,” the figure began, its voice low and respectful, “I’ve uncovered something peculiar.”

Cain arched an eyebrow, motioning for the figure to continue.

“The Ranolf heir’s records indicate he was always regarded as a man—hot-tempered, arrogant, and abrasive. Yet his current behavior contradicts everything written about him. His mannerisms, speech, and even the way he carries himself—it’s as if we’re looking at a completely different person.”

Cain’s eyes narrowed. “Different? Elaborate.”

The shadow hesitated. “It’s not just a change in attitude. It’s as though this Aetrial Ranolf doesn’t match the original entirely. There are... inconsistencies that can’t be explained away by personality shifts. His appearance, for one, seems softer—more delicate—than even old records suggest.”

Cain’s lips curled into a slow smirk, though a flicker of genuine surprise lingered in his eyes. “You’re saying Ranolf… is not what he claims?”

The shadow bowed. “I suspect he might not even be male, my lord.”

Cain’s smirk faltered for the briefest moment, replaced by a sharp intake of breath. “A woman, masquerading as a man? How unexpected... and intriguing.”

“Shall we act on this information, my lord?”

Cain shook his head, his gaze drifting back toward the direction Aetrial had gone. “Not yet. Let her continue her charade. It makes the game far more interesting.”

The shadow disappeared, leaving Cain alone with his thoughts. A part of him was intrigued, but another part couldn’t help but wonder: Why would Aetrial Ranolf—a member of one of the most prestigious families—hide her true identity?