The dining hall of Aldaria Academy of Magic was an impressive hall, with a vaulted ceiling supported by marble columns carved with arcane symbols. Stained-glass windows filtered the sunlight, casting multicolored patterns onto the long, polished oak tables. The aroma of freshly baked bread and exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the lively chatter of hundreds of students.
Logan, Blake, and Kassia found a spot at the end of one of the tables, far enough from the other students to talk with some privacy. Their plates were filled with a variety of foods—golden loaves of bread, fresh fruit, and a type of stew Logan didn't recognize, but which smelled divine.
"So," Blake began, cutting a piece of bread, "what did you think of the History of Magic class?"
Kassia rolled her eyes, brushing a strand of blond hair from her face. "That idiot from Eryndark almost made me lose my composure. How dare he say the Arcane Beasts are monsters? It's like spitting on everything we know to be true."
"You almost jumped down his throat," Logan observed with a half-smile. "I thought I was going to have to hold you back."
"And I would have let you," Blake added, pointing his fork at Kassia. "That Marcus fellow deserved a lesson."
Logan took a bite of a sweet red fruit, chewing thoughtfully. "What intrigued me was Professor Nyrel. Did you notice how he seemed to… know things?" He lowered his voice. "And that book he gave me…"
"What book?" Kassia asked, leaning forward with interest. Logan glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "An old book, untitled. I haven't had time to look at it yet, but…" "He knows," Blake whispered, his blue eyes narrowing. "About you and… you know."
Logan nodded, feeling a shiver run down his spine. "I think so. But how? And why give me the book?" "Maybe he wants to help," Kassia suggested, though her tone didn't sound very convinced. "Or maybe he's testing you."
"Either way, we need to be careful," Logan concluded, lowering his voice even more. "We don't know who we can trust here." "Except each other," Blake affirmed, placing his hand on the table. Kassia placed hers on top, and Logan completed the gesture. "Always," Logan agreed, feeling the warmth of their friendship calm his fears.
When they finished eating, they stood up to head to their next class. As they walked through the Academy's stone corridors, Logan noticed a group of students approaching. There were four of them—two young men and two young women—all wearing the Academy uniform, but with slight variations indicating their diverse origins.
"Hey, you're from Sky Reaper, right?" called one of the young men, tall and slender, with wavy brown hair and bright green eyes. "I'm Elian Thornbrook, from Luminia," the young human introduced himself with a warm smile.
He pointed to his companions, introducing them one by one: "This is Nyx Moonshadow," he indicated an elf of ethereal beauty, with skin as white as porcelain, golden hair cascading to her waist, and eyes as deep blue as crystal lakes. Her delicately pointed ears emerged through the silky strands, adorned with small silver earrings. "Darian Emberforge," he continued, pointing to a sturdy young man with a short red beard and muscular arms. The half-dwarf displayed the characteristic strength of his paternal lineage in his calloused hands and firm stance, though his height betrayed the human blood inherited from his mother. "And Lyra Starfall," he concluded, indicating a young human woman of delicate appearance, with hair as black as night and violet eyes that seemed to hold the mystery of the stars.
"Pleasure," Logan replied, extending his hand. "I'm Logan Black, and these are Blake Frost and Kassia Grey."
"We know who you are," said Nyx, with a light musical accent typical of northern elves. Her deep blue eyes shone. "Everyone knows."
"Great," Blake murmured, rolling his eyes. "Just what we needed."
"Don't worry," Darian quickly added, his deep voice contrasting with his friendly smile. He had the typical build of a blacksmith, with calloused hands and a stance suggesting physical strength. "We're not here to flatter or gossip. Actually, we wanted to know if you've also had problems with those idiots from Eryndark."
"Why do you ask?" Kassia questioned, crossing her arms.
Lyra sighed, her voice soft as silk. "They've been… difficult. Especially with anyone who isn't human or comes from realms allied with Sky Reaper."
"Difficult is an understatement," Nyx interrupted, her deep blue eyes flashing with indignation. "Last night, a group of them cornered Darian in the east corridor and called him an 'aberrant half-blood.' As if they were the superior race or something."
Darian shrugged, though it was clear the incident had bothered him. "I'm half-dwarf, half-human. In Ironhold, nobody cares about that. But here…"
"It's ridiculous," Elian added, running a hand through his wavy hair. "I thought the Academy was supposed to be neutral ground, where these rivalries wouldn't exist."
Logan exchanged a look with Blake and Kassia before replying. "We've also had our… encounters with them. In History class, one of them practically spat on Sky Reaper's tradition regarding the Arcane Beasts."
"Marcus Steelheart," Lyra said, nodding. "He's the worst of them. Son of some important Eryndark noble, from what I hear."
"We're thinking of forming a study group," Elian explained, leaning forward enthusiastically. "You know, to help each other out. And maybe… protect each other too."
"A study group?" Blake repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"It's not just that," said Nyx, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "We've been hearing rumors… about what's happening beyond the borders. The war between Frostgard and Eryndark, the Arcane Hunters…"
Logan felt his heart accelerate. They knew more than they let on. "And what does that have to do with us?" he asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.
"You're from Sky Reaper," Darian replied, as if that explained everything. "And we're not idiots. We know something big is happening, something that goes beyond a simple territorial dispute."
"We want to be prepared," Lyra concluded, her violet eyes meeting Logan's with surprising intensity. "And we think you do too."
There was a moment of silence as Logan considered their words. He looked at Blake and Kassia, who seemed equally thoughtful. "We'll think about it," he finally said. "But right now, we need to get to Basic Magic class."
"Us too," Elian smiled. "Can we go together?" Logan nodded, and the group proceeded through the Academy corridors. As they walked, he couldn't help but notice how Nyx and Blake seemed to hit it off instantly, or how Darian seemed fascinated by Kassia's stories about Sky Reaper. Lyra walked silently beside Logan, occasionally asking perceptive questions about the previous class.
There was something comforting about being with them, Logan thought. As if, somehow, they were destined to meet.