King Hadrian's voice echoed through the square like a blade drawn in moonlight.
"In three days' time, there will be a demonstration. A sparring, between our chosen Ætherbound…
…and the girl who survived Blazewind and a Demon."
The crowd gasped.
My stomach flipped.
Kate, somewhere in the crowd, muttered under her breath, "Dramatic much."
Back in the square, Rōko's voice was flat as stone. "He's gonna charge for entry, isn't he."
Salem exhaled. "Easily. A seat will always be a ton of gold with stuff like this."
"I hate this place."
Fay's mana flared up, wounded. "I'm technically a noble, you know…"
"You don't count," Rōko said.
"I—what?! Why not?!"
"You don't brag and you're nice. Oh and you don't treat common people differently. Totally a breath of fresh air."
Fay's laugh was bright. "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said, to like anyone."
"Don't get used to it, or I'll make you spar me."
"No complaints from me." Fay said still laughing
⸻
The stage began to clear.
Most of the Ætherbound peeled off to their handlers or entourages. We? We just walked.
Julius still had me wrapped piggyback-style like I was some problematic relic he was carrying to containment.
"You sound annoyed, I could just walk, you know," I said lazily, chin on his shoulder.
"You jumped on me."
"You caught me."
"Unfortunately."
Kate walked beside us, casually bumping Julius with her elbow. "So, planning to stay upright during the spar? Or gonna do another dramatic leap into someone's arms?"
"Depends," I said. "Will Lumos catch me?"
Julius groaned. "I'm going to push you into a puddle."
"Hi hi, Jealous"
Salem trailed behind, quiet but present, her mana coiled with quiet restraint, like she was holding back something far too big for her body. She walked close enough that I could feel her warmth. Always steady. Always her.
I slid off Julius finally, and almost before I could straighten up, Salem was there, arm ghosting near my waist, ready to catch me.
I didn't take it.
Not yet.
That was when I felt the shift — two signatures, clean and composed, cutting through the square's buzz like a scalpel.
Dr. Lorre.
And Lirael.
"Lirael," I said, smiling. "You've gotten strong."
She let out a breath, surprised. "You… still remember me?"
"You tried healing my leg when I was seven. You were nervous."
"I was," she said softly. "And not very good."
"You are now," I said. "You feel like someone who could stop a plague."
Lirael flushed. "Thank you."
Dr. Lorre approached with that same measured calm she always had. "Annabel. I didn't get to check your bond after the scroll tournament. May i?
Salem stiffened slightly. "…Me?"
"Yes, you," Dr. Lorre said gently. "If that's alright."
Salem gave a slow nod.
Dr. Lorre reached out, her magic brushing gently across her. I could feel the resonance shift — just enough to test bloodlines, mana affinity, vessel weight.
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen," Salem said.
"Demonborn?"
"Yeah."
"Interesting. You're very strong. Have you ever measured yourself against Annabel?"
Salem hesitated. "We used to… i guess. We don't fight each other anymore."
"Could you win?"
She glanced toward me. "I don't think that's the right question."
Dr. Lorre gave a small, satisfied smile. "Fair answer."
There was a beat of silence.
Then I tilted my head and said, "Also, you're really pretty."
Salem's mana did something. Like a sun exploding inward.
"I—what—I mean—Annabel—"
Everyone around us laughed. Even Kate's aura pulsed with mirth.
Julius raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you blind? How would you know that?"
I smirked. "I've felt her face all over. I know she's beautiful."
Salem made a noise somewhere between a dying animal and a shy schoolgirl.
"You can't just say things like that," she whispered, clearly short-circuiting.
"Why not?" I teased.
Her aura pulsed wildly. Kate laughed harder.
Julius shook his head. "She's not gonna survive you."
"She'll be fine"
Then, gently, Salem touched my elbow.
"Can I…?" she murmured. "If you don't want to walk, I can carry you. Since Julius was carrying you."
This time, I didn't hesitate.
I let her pull me close.
Her arm wrapped around me like a promise, firm, warm, and terrifyingly gentle.
Julius spoke up. "So. This sparring match."
"Gonna be a mess," Kate said cheerfully.
I sighed. "Not my fault."
"You're literally going to fight the most powerful chosen mages on the continent."
"Well, one of them."
"Doesn't make it better," Julius muttered. "Honestly, I'm not even sure I'm caught up to Lumos back before he got Ætherbound. But strong enough now to hold against a greater devil? Sure. Barely."
Kate whistled low. "That's terrifying."
"Welcome to our lives," Lirael said.
Fay, Rōko, William, and Alven joined us by the gates, outlines familiar and warm.
Rōko crossed her arms. "So. Did the healer lady just do a full demon inspection in the middle of a public square?"
"She was nice about it," Salem said.
"She's got a license," I added.
William's mana dipped in a polite bow. "Good to see you again, Dr. Lorre. Julius. And Lirael."
Lirael stepped forward, voice gentling. "You've grown."
Her mana pointed directly toward him — not to the group. Just him.
William gave a small smile. "Lady Lirael. It's good to see you again."
Dr. Lorre nodded once. "Prince."
Before anything else could be said, Rōko smacked him in the back of the head.
"No need to be formal with this idiot. Royalty or not."
William sighed. "Thank you, Rōko. I was really enjoying the moment."
"Yeah, well, you don't get those anymore."
Kate muttered, "Public figure problems."
Lirael laughed. "He was less dramatic when he was ten."
"No way i don't believe that." Fay said.
"That's definitely a lie." Alven murmured
William sighed again. "I hate this group."
"You love this group," Rōko corrected.
"Also true," he muttered.
⸻
Dr. Lorre checked a slim timepiece. "We should be going. If I don't stop him, Beren's going to get every noble on all 3 continents to get to see this spar."
"I hate this place," Rōko said again.
"You say that," Kate replied, "but you're totally keeping that golden badge, you found in the crowd…aren't you."
"Shut up."
I turned toward Dr. Lorre as her hand briefly brushed my shoulder — a small, grounding gesture.
"You've grown well, Annabel," she said.
I smiled faintly. "I try."
"Keep terrifying the right people."
"I'll do my best!"
I gave her a hug "thank you, Dr. Lorre."
Then she and Lirael peeled away, light and calm and clean, vanishing into the blurring crowd.
We turned toward the looming castle gates — all mana-threaded wards and heavy stone glamour.
Our footsteps echoed on the polished path.
Three days.
Fifteen Ætherbound.
And whatever it was that I had become.
Not stage zero. Not yet. I might be chosen in some way, but i'm not like them.
Just my prodigy potential and my demon bond.
But maybe…
just maybe…
that would be enough.