The sun hung low in the sky as Kalem stepped out of the alley, adjusting his coat. Despite the weight of Tavrin's information, he forced himself to relax. The Blood Nights were approaching, but until the first knife was drawn, life at the Academy carried on. And today, that meant keeping his head down, getting back to work, and making sure his friends didn't notice anything was off.
He strolled toward the market district, passing bustling stalls filled with merchants hawking exotic spices, enchanted trinkets, and fresh produce. His stomach growled, reminding him that he had been too busy planning and working to eat a proper meal.
"Kalem!"
A familiar voice called out, and he turned to see Lyra waving from a street corner. She was standing beside Jhaeros, who held a small wooden cage with a rather annoyed-looking lizard inside. Nara stood nearby, arms crossed, looking impatient.
"Where have you been?" Lyra asked, tilting her head. "We were going to grab some food."
Kalem smiled. "Handling some business. What's with the lizard?"
Jhaeros lifted the cage slightly. "A rare breed. It secretes an alchemical resin that enhances fire-based enchantments. I thought Lyra might find it useful."
Lyra nodded enthusiastically. "It's a living ingredient! If I can study its properties, I might be able to make something new."
Kalem chuckled. "So, this is what you do on your days off? Kidnap lizards?"
Jhaeros smirked. "Rescue, not kidnap. And it's a fair trade—I got it from an herbalist in exchange for helping him track some runaway goats."
Nara groaned. "Enough about the lizard. Can we eat now?"
The four of them found a quiet tavern, settling into a wooden booth while the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air. Kalem took a deep breath, allowing himself a rare moment of peace.
As they ate, the conversation turned to their studies.
"I heard Professor Aldric is planning another combat assessment soon," Nara muttered between bites of spiced lamb. "Apparently, it's going to be a team-based skirmish."
Kalem raised an eyebrow. "Who are the teams?"
"Not sure yet," Jhaeros said. "But given how they usually test us, it'll likely be random."
Lyra tapped her fingers against the table. "I hope it's not too soon. I still need to refine my latest potion."
Kalem took a sip of his drink, considering his own preparations. His recent work with resonance crystals had been promising, but he still hadn't tested their full combat potential. A controlled spar at the Academy would be a good place to experiment—before he had to rely on them in a real fight.
Their conversation shifted to more mundane topics—rumors about second-year students, the latest faculty disagreements, and a recent bet between students over whether someone could drink an entire cauldron of energy elixir without passing out. (Apparently, the answer was no.)
For a little while, the outside world and its dangers faded. It was a normal evening, filled with laughter, good food, and friendly arguments.
But as they left the tavern and the cold night air settled in, Kalem felt the weight of reality creeping back. The Academy still stood tall, its towers illuminated against the dark sky, but somewhere beyond those walls, unseen forces were moving.
Tomorrow, he would go back to work. Back to crafting, studying, and preparing.
For now, though, he let himself enjoy the walk home, the quiet chatter of his friends keeping the night at bay.