The portal opened in the entrance hall of the Ainsworth mansion without any prior warning, tearing the air with a scarlet ripple mixed with small threads of green mana. The late afternoon light crossed the tall windows, spreading golden reflections across the polished floor, but for an instant, everything was swallowed by the glow of the portal. Two maids passing by with a tray of tea and some documents let out small startled cries, retreating almost at the same time.
Kael stepped through first, with the naturalness of someone who had completely lost any sense of what was considered a polite entrance. Sylphie appeared right beside him, clinging to his arm with an almost possessive calm, her long white hair falling over her shoulder and her green eyes observing the mansion with warm curiosity. The contrast between her presence and the unstable magic of the portal made the maids freeze for one second longer than they should have.
Then they recognized Kael.
Both bowed immediately.
