Chapter 22

Adrelo adjusted the bookbag slung over his shoulder as he scanned the towering shelves of the academy library. The alchemy section wasn’t far, and he finally spotted the book he needed on a high shelf. Reaching up, he barely managed to touch its spine when another hand brushed against his.

He froze.

"Looking for the same book?"

Elias’s soft, lilting voice broke the silence. The sudden sound startled Adrelo, but the familiarity of it made him relax slightly. He turned his head just enough to confirm it was indeed Elias, his delicate features framed by the soft glow of the afternoon light filtering through the library windows.

Realizing their awkward position, Elias's hand still hovering just above his own, Adrelo quickly retracted his arm, muttering something about reaching for the wrong book. Elias chuckled, a sound so innocent it somehow made the situation even more embarrassing for Adrelo.

"Good afternoon, Adrelo," Elias greeted warmly, his hand now withdrawing the book Adrelo had been reaching for.

"Afternoon," Adrelo replied, clearing his throat and attempting to look unfazed.

“Were you looking for this?” Elias asked, holding up the book.

Adrelo nodded. “Yeah, for the alchemy assignment.”

Elias handed it to him without hesitation.

“I already finished that one, so take it.”

Adrelo muttered his thanks, tucking the book under his arm as they began chatting in hushed tones.

Elias tilted his head thoughtfully.

“By the way, did you hear? The princes, along with Cielros Nevrine and Xaviel Raventhorn, just left for the north.”

Adrelo raised an eyebrow, feigning disinterest.

“Oh? Didn’t know that.”

“They’ll be meeting the heads of the northern academies,”

Elias said, his tone light but tinged with admiration.

“It’s a tradition, apparently. A sign of strength and unity between schools before the Eirwinter Trials.”

Adrelo hummed, glancing away as though the news didn’t faze him. Internally, however, his thoughts were racing.

Of course, they’re off to prepare for the trials. Meanwhile, I’m just here in the library... Typical.

Elias chuckled softly at Adrelo’s nonchalance.

“You’re not really into these things, are you?”

“Not really,” Adrelo lied smoothly.

Elias smiled but didn’t press further. Instead, his expression brightened.

“Oh! I almost forgot—I’ve been learning to play the lyre lately.”

“The lyre?” Adrelo echoed, momentarily distracted from his thoughts.

“Yes,” Elias said, nodding enthusiastically.

“It’s my first time trying it, and it’s... fascinating. A certain someone has been teaching me.”

“Someone?” Adrelo asked, raising an eyebrow.

“My music professor,” Elias said with a fond smile.

“He’s incredible. His talent with instruments is... mesmerizing. I’ve never met someone so skilled before.”

Adrelo froze. The pieces clicked together in his mind like a puzzle he didn’t want to solve. The music professor?

Suddenly, fragments of the original novel resurfaced. Adrelo remembered how Elias had developed a deep admiration and, eventually, feelings for his music professor. It had been a subtle but crucial subplot in the novel, especially when it led to the female lead’s heartbreak.

So it’s already happening, huh?

Adrelo glanced at Elias, who was now animatedly describing the professor’s expertise and charm. The look in his eyes was telling—bright and filled with admiration.

Adrelo grimaced internally. Great. Just great. Not only is he falling for someone years older, but that someone is also his professor. Is this some kind of poetic irony?

He tried to recall the professor’s description from the novel. Unfortunately, the details were fuzzy, save for the fact that the professor was talented, charming, and according to many characters in the story—dangerously captivating.

“Adrelo?”

Elias’s gentle tap on his shoulder pulled him from his spiraling thoughts.

“Huh? What?” Adrelo blinked, realizing he’d been staring at Elias with what must have been a deeply perplexed expression.

“Are you okay?” Elias asked, tilting his head in concern.

Adrelo hesitated, then shook his head.

“Yeah. Just... lost in thought.”

Elias smiled, clearly unconvinced but unwilling to press further.

Adrelo, meanwhile, found himself studying Elias’s ethereal face, the soft curve of his jaw, the delicate sweep of his lashes. He couldn’t help but think about how someone so young and radiant could end up falling for a professor. Sure, the professor was likely handsome, but still... The age gap, the imbalance of power—it was all so wrong.

And dangerous, Adrelo thought grimly.

His gaze drifted to Elias’s innocent smile, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably. He hated to admit it, but he was already beginning to dread the idea of meeting this professor.

Elias tilted his head.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re looking at me like I’ve said something strange.”

Adrelo quickly looked away, muttering, “It’s nothing.”

The conversation drifted to lighter topics as they continued to browse the library, but Adrelo couldn’t shake the unease lingering in the back of his mind.

Just don’t get involved, Adrelo, he told himself firmly. This isn’t your story.

But as he listened to Elias’s soft laughter, he couldn’t help but feel that, somehow, it already was.

****

Adrelo adjusted his seat as he entered the large lecture hall, the air buzzing with an undercurrent of excitement. Today’s lesson was one he’d been eagerly awaiting: ancient mystical creatures. Though his interest stemmed from his fascination with the new and fantastical world he now lived in, it also carried an edge of longing—these creatures symbolized the kind of power and recognition he’d never had.

Professor Elvriam, a tall elf with an ageless face framed by long, golden hair, stepped to the center of the room. His voice, smooth yet commanding, immediately captured the students’ attention.

"Today, we delve into the realm of ancient mystical creatures," he began, pacing slowly.

"Beings older than time itself, imbued with magic that predates humanity’s understanding. These creatures have shaped kingdoms, destroyed empires, and forged bonds with powerful bloodlines."

He gestured with his wand, and a series of vibrant images appeared midair, each depicting a different creature.

“Let us begin with the Aurenfyr, a serpent of fire and light born from the volcanic depths of Mount Celestia. The Aurenfyr can control molten flames, and its venom is said to ignite anything it touches. Legend has it that the first emperor of Breneille subdued one, thus earning the title of ‘Eternal Flame.’”

Adrelo’s eyes widened as the image of the blazing serpent coiled and hissed before dissipating into sparks.

“Next, the Vyregriff,” the professor continued, summoning the image of a sleek, black griffin with piercing violet eyes.

“Hailing from the Midnight Wastes, the Vyregriff can traverse dimensions and cloak itself in shadows, rendering it invisible. It is the guardian of secrets, often bound to scholars and archivists seeking forbidden knowledge.”

The class murmured in awe, but the professor pressed on.

“The Eldrosprig, a creature of pure nature, is native to the Eternal Forest. It resembles a great stag, but its antlers bloom with enchanted flowers that heal all ailments within their reach. Eldrosprigs are elusive, choosing their allies carefully—usually druids or healers.”

Adrelo leaned forward, enraptured, as Professor Elvriam conjured yet another creature.

“The Thalvrix, also known as the ‘Sky Sovereign,’ is a colossal bird whose wings are said to generate storms. They reside in the uncharted Tempest Isles and only bond with individuals of unyielding will.”

As more creatures were introduced—the crystalline Luminaris that could manipulate light, the wolf-like Eclipsen that devoured nightmares, and the serpent-dragon hybrid Myralith capable of bending reality—Adrelo found himself imagining the kind of power these creatures possessed.

But then the professor mentioned something that struck a personal chord.

“Of course, there are families who have forged unbreakable bonds with these creatures,” Professor Elvriam said.

“The practice of Arkhaen Communion—the ability to control and communicate with mystical creatures—is exceedingly rare, passed down through bloodlines or earned through sheer strength of will.”

Adrelo stiffened. Arkhaen Communion. The term immediately brought his youngest brother, Adrienn Dierre, to mind.

Adrienn had always been hailed as a prodigy, his natural affinity for Arkhaen Communion making him the pride of the Dierre family. As a child, Adrienn had tamed lesser magical beasts effortlessly, but his most remarkable feat was his bond with their family’s ancient creature.

The Froschymir.

Adrelo could still picture it—a massive, wolf-like beast with a sleek, silver body that shimmered like freshly fallen snow under the moonlight. Its eyes glowed icy blue, and its claws were crystalline, capable of freezing anything they touched. Despite its deadly appearance, the Froschymir carried itself with an air of nobility, embodying the cold ruthlessness of the Dierre family.

The Froschymir had existed for centuries, serving as a symbol of their family’s power. It only chose the most capable member to form a bond with, and that member was Adrienn.

Adrelo’s chest tightened as memories flooded back. The pride in his parents’ faces as they watched Adrienn command the Froschymir.

The endless praise showered upon his younger brother. The complete and utter indifference they showed Adrelo, who lacked any extraordinary ability or potential.

His hand clenched the edge of his desk.

He had no magical gift, no bond with a mythical creature, and no place in the spotlight of their family’s legacy.

Adrienn had everything, talent, charm, and the undying favor of their parents.

Adrelo took a deep breath, forcing himself to let go of the bitterness clawing at his heart.

“Now,” Professor Elvriam continued, oblivious to Adrelo’s inner turmoil,

“it is important to note that these bonds are not mere chance. Creatures like the Froschymir, Vyregriff, and others align themselves with those who resonate with their essence. They serve not just as allies but as reflections of their partner's strengths—and weaknesses.”

Adrelo tried to focus on the lecture, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Adrienn.

Why does it still hurt? he wondered. I’ve already accepted that I’m just an ordinary nobody compared to them.

His heart ached despite his efforts to suppress the emotions. Swallowing hard, he straightened his back and forced himself to pay attention to the lesson. He would not allow himself to dwell on the past, not here, not now.

Adrelo gritted his teeth and wrote down every detail the professor said, determined to bury the ache beneath knowledge.

****

Adrelo gazed out the window, the moonlight casting a silvery glow over the quiet campus. The gentle rustling of leaves and the cool breeze seemed to beckon him, a silent companion to his restless thoughts.

Unable to resist the urge to soothe his heart, he began to sing softly, his voice lilting and filled with emotion.

“𝑶𝒉, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒗𝒂𝒔,

𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔,

𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅

𝒃𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔.

𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅,

𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍,

𝑰 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒐 𝒐𝒇 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔,

𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍.

𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒐𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔,

𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕,

𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒚

𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒕 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔,

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓,

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒎𝒆,

𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓.

𝑶𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆

𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆,

𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒕𝒉,

𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆.

𝒀𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈,

𝒔𝒐𝒇𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆,

𝑨 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆

𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒆.

𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒐𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔,

𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕,

𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒚

𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒕 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔,

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓,

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒎𝒆,

𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕,

𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒚 𝒄𝒓𝒚,

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅

𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒃𝒚,

𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕,

𝑨 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘,

𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒘.

𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒐𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔,

𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕,

𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒚

𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒕 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕.

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔,

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓,

𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒎𝒆,

𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓.

𝑺𝒐 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔

𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒆𝒔,

𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔

𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔.

𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕,

𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍,

𝑰 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆,

𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉, 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍.”

****

As the last note drifted into the air, Adrelo closed his eyes, his heart feeling just a little lighter. The quiet seemed to embrace him, as though the night itself had heard his song and offered its comfort.