Lira left Elion's office with her heart still pounding, the Grandmaster's words echoing inside her. The key felt heavy in her hand, yet it was no longer just a burden—it was a promise, a direction. She tucked it safely away and stepped into the familiar halls of the academy, her thoughts already drifting to the two people she trusted most.
She found Maelin and Patricia near the courtyard, the afternoon light spilling across the stones as they laughed softly together. For a moment, Lira simply watched them—her friends, her anchors in a world that seemed to grow larger and more mysterious each day. Then she moved forward.
"Lira!" Patricia's eyes lit up the instant she saw her. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Lira without hesitation. Maelin followed, smiling, and the three of them soon found themselves in a tangle of arms and warmth, Fluffy weaving between their feet with a happy little mew.
