Aryel carefully unfolded the paper and began to read.
Her eyes lit up, and a faint smile touched her lips.
"Alex has... officially invited all of us to the guild."
Maia bounced lightly in her seat, her eyes sparkling.
"Me too? Really?"
Aryel nodded.
"Yes, you too."
Maia's joy turned into a childlike excitement.
"Nathan," she said gleefully, "I'll get to see Nathan again!"
Kael crossed his arms over his chest.
"You still can't control your powers properly, yet the guild invites you.
And you're happy not about that, but just because you'll see Nathan again?"
Maia frowned at him.
"You're so cruel, Kael. But whatever, you can't make me angry.
What do you know about love anyway, when you can't even see what's right in front of you?"
Vega suddenly interjected, a bit flustered.
"Don't raise your voices. You'll scare Sera…"
At his words, the atmosphere fell silent at once.
Aryel let her gaze sweep over the group, then turned to Sera.
"Come on, let's take Sera to the academy doctor now. Then we'll get her some clean clothes, and Maia, we can wash her together."
As they walked down the wide, stone-paved corridors, Sera clung to Kael's cloak as always.
Her eyes were timid, but her steps felt a little lighter.
Other students turned curious eyes toward the group, especially toward Sera.
When they arrived at the academy infirmary, the faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air.
The doctor sat at his desk, filling out a few forms.
A sliver of sunlight streamed in through the small window, striking the pen holder on the desk and bathing the room in a gentle glow.
Along the wall stood four cots, separated by pale curtains.
The doctor looked up as the group entered.
His gaze immediately settled on Sera.
"Is our patient this little young lady?" he asked with a kind smile.
The doctor appeared to be in his thirties.
His dark brown, wavy hair fell to his shoulders, matching the color of his eyes.
His skin was fair; his posture calm, his voice carrying quiet reassurance.
He rose from his chair and walked to the nearest cot.
Kael, without letting go of Sera's hand, gently helped her onto it.
Sera scanned the surroundings with wide eyes, still clutching Kael tightly.
Aryel approached the doctor and whispered in a tone only he could hear:
"May we speak privately for a moment?"
He nodded and led her into a small room at the back of the infirmary.
The door closed softly.
Inside, Aryel calmly but with emotion explained everything that had happened.
How they had found Sera, the mistreatment she had endured, her lack of proper nutrition.
With every sentence, the doctor's face grew more serious.
"Do we know her age?" he asked finally.
"No," Aryel said.
"We didn't ask, but I doubt she knows herself...
We don't believe she's ever been properly fed.
Mostly stale, moldy bread. And not even every day."
The doctor drew in a deep breath.
"Her real age might not show. Her physical development may be stunted as well. Let's examine her first."
They stepped back into the main room.
When the doctor approached the cot, Sera was still gripping Kael's hand tightly.
Her eyes were huge, filled with both fear and curiosity.
Kael leaned closer, giving her a reassuring nod.
"I'm here," he whispered. Sera gave the slightest nod in return, but didn't let go.
Doctor Serene reached over to the infirmary table, picked up a small colorful candy, and gently held it out toward Sera.
Sera studied the offered hand in surprise.
Then, almost instinctively, she turned her head to look at Kael.
It was as though she couldn't touch the candy without his approval.
Kael smiled.
"You can take it," he said softly.
Then he knelt down beside her.
"This doctor's name is Serene. She'll examine you, but she won't hurt you.
I'll need to let go of your hand for a bit. But I'm here, we're all here. We're not going anywhere."
Sera gave a tiny nod of agreement.
Kael gently released her hand and stepped back a few paces.
Doctor Serene approached with careful, delicate movements.
Sitting on the cot, Sera straightened her little back slightly as the doctor examined her.
Shee noted the bruises on her body, the scars both old and new. She pulled out a stethoscope and listened to her heart and lungs.
Throughout the examination, her face wasn't blank but filled with compassion.
She softened every movement so as not to frighten Sera.
After a brief silence, she spoke in a gentle tone:
"Hello, Sera. I'm Serene, the academy's doctor.
If you allow me, I'd like to ask you a few questions."
Sera gave a small nod.
"I… I'm Sera. You… you can ask."
Her voice was faint, words trembling with pauses.
Serene immediately sensed the tension inside her.
She chose her questions with care:
"Do you know how old you are, sweetheart?"
Sera's eyes dropped at once.
She stared at her fingers, then slowly raised both hands.
"This… this many," she whispered, spreading all her fingers open.
Then she lowered one hand and showed three fingers from the other.
"A… and these… sh-should be it. Grandma once showed me."
As Serene noted carefully, she asked again:
"And who was this grandmother?"
Sera's voice cracked.
"She… she was taking care of me. She was… a little old. She… she helped me escape… I… I hope they didn't hit her too."
Her eyes welled up as she spoke.
Her eyelids trembled.
She tilted her head slightly, closing her eyes tight.
Serene chose not to break the weight of the moment with words.
But her expression said only one thing:
"You're not alone anymore, little one…"
"Tell me, Sera," Serene continued, her voice soft but deep,
"Did they hit you too?"
Sera's pupils widened, her face drained of all color.
She barely managed to whisper:
"Y… yes. Neirin… he always h-hit me."
Her small body shook slightly.
Her hands clenched tightly on her knees.
Her eyes turned hollow, as if the past had resurfaced all over again.
Aryel noticed the shift in Sera's state.
She stepped forward and turned to Serene:
"Maybe we should stop here for today. We can continue tomorrow. What do you think?"
Serene nodded, appreciating Aryel's understanding.
"Of course," she said.
Then she moved to the cupboard beside her desk.
Between glass bottles, dried herbs, and small pouches, she selected a few items.
With delicate motions, she crushed and mixed them in a small mortar.
She handed the dark greenish paste to Aryel.
"Apply this to her wounds after she's washed. Normally, I'd use my healing powers, but… for now, a magical touch might frighten her."
Aryel accepted the remedy carefully.
After a deep breath, Serene went on:
"There is a serious developmental delay. If she really is around thirteen years old, as we suspect… she looks almost like a nine-year-old. And her speech development is quite behind as well. If we push too hard, she might withdraw further."
Her tone was firm yet gentle.
"For now, let's just make sure she's properly fed. Apply this ointment regularly. And bring her to the infirmary every day. That way we can monitor her progress—and perhaps, in time, she'll feel safe enough to tell us more."
As they left the infirmary, Sera clung tightly to Kael's hand, while her other hand gripped Vega's fingers. For the first time, she felt like someone would never let her go. Her steps were small and hesitant, but on her face lingered the faintest trace of peace.
Maia leaned close to Aryel, smiling softly.
"Don't they look just like a family?" she whispered, her eyes glowing.
Aryel thought for a moment, then her lips curved with a subtle seriousness.
"Don't tell them that… it would probably backfire."
Her voice was gentle, but grounded in truth.
Maia chuckled quietly to herself.
"Fair enough…" she murmured.
Afterward, the group split up.
Maia went off to find suitable clothes for Sera.
Kael and Vega headed to the men's bathing area, while Aryel led Sera toward the women's side.
The bathhouse was filled with steam; marble floors glistened under the soft glow of lanterns.
Kneeling down, Aryel carefully poured warm soapy water over the girl's small body, noticing the scars across her back.
Some had scabbed over, others were still faint and raw.
Aryel's chest tightened.
"How long… have you endured this pain?" she thought to herself.
Just then, Maia entered carrying a few pieces of clothing.
"These were the smallest I could find," she said.
The garments were a little big, but they were clean and made of soft fabric.
Sera was still timid, but far calmer than before.
Maia was conjuring colorful bubbles in her palms with small magical touches.
Sera reached out with wide eyes, popping some while laughing in amazement at others.
When she wore her new clothes, the sleeves were a little too long, and the pant legs brushed the floor.
Aryel shook her head slightly.
"Tomorrow we should go shopping," she sighed.
Then she pulled the little girl close.
Wrapped in clean, warm clothes, Sera curled up beside Aryel.
Her eyelids grew heavy.
For the first time, she felt this much peace. And she drifted into a deep sleep.
In the dim light, Aryel glanced at the bed next to her.
Maia was wrapped in a blanket, her eyes still open.
Aryel whispered softly:
"Isn't it heartbreaking? For such a small body to endure so much pain…"
Maia kept her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"Those scars on her back… they tell how long she's been suffering abuse."
A pause followed.
"To endure that much… I couldn't have. I don't know. She really is such a strong girl."
Aryel laid her head on the pillow.
"Absolutely… very strong. I just hope she spends the rest of her life happy."
Her voice softened, her eyes grew heavy.
Both of them drifted to sleep between words. The room was left only with peaceful breaths and the silence of the night.
When the first light of morning filtered through the academy windows, Maia had already gone to class.
Aryel was getting ready for her morning training.
She took Sera along, but first… breakfast was a must.
When they entered the dining hall, Aryel's eyes caught Serin.
She had taken a plate and was wandering among the breakfast tables.
When their eyes met, Aryel smiled.
"Hello, Aryel. You've returned from your mission," said Serin.
"How was it?"
Aryel tilted her head lightly.
"Hello. Compared to the last one, this was quite easy. At least this time we didn't run into anyone transformed."
Serin rolled her eyes a little.
"Um… do you know where Kael is?"
Meanwhile, Sera was gazing in awe at the colorful foods on her plate, unfamiliar but dazzling.
From cheese to jam, she inspected everything one by one.
Her happiness shone across her face.
Aryel turned to Serin.
"Most likely in the training hall with Vega."
Serin asked a little too casually:
"Thanks. And who's this little one?"
Without changing expression, Aryel answered:
"Oh, Sera? Kael's illegitimate child. Didn't you know?"
Serin's eyes widened.
"What? What do you mean? You're joking, right? No way… seriously?"
Just then, the dining hall doors opened.
Kael and Vega entered, arguing heatedly.
Serin's eyes fixed on Kael.
She threw him a sharp, meaningful look.
Kael froze, not understanding why.
Vega, however, flinched the moment he saw Serin.
"Oh no…" he muttered under his breath.
The instant Sera spotted Kael and Vega, she leapt up with joy and ran toward them.
Aryel leaned toward Serin with a sly smile.
"Who knows… am I joking? Why don't you ask him yourself?"
Serin strode toward Kael, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Is this… is this really true?"
Kael was caught completely off guard.
"Is what true?"
"What I heard about Sera!"
Kael sighed deeply.
"Yes… it's true. Very tragic, isn't it?"
Serin's hand suddenly shot up.
She was about to slap Kael when Vega, not even realizing, reflexively stepped in.
He gently caught her wrist.
"What are you doing?"
Serin tried to pull her hand back.
"Why are you interfering, Vega? This has nothing to do with you!"
At that moment, Aryel had walked up to them.
Her face carried an unusual sternness.
"Seriously… did you really believe a seventeen-year-old has an illegitimate child, Serin?"
Serin was left speechless.
Kael, however, stepped forward.
"I don't understand what you're talking about, but… you're scaring Sera. Could you please step away?"
Serin froze.
How had she fallen for such an obvious joke?
Her face turned bright red. She shot Aryel an angry look before turning back to Kael.
She stared at him for a moment, then turned around without a word and walked away.
Sera, meanwhile, was still trying to make sense of what had happened.
Her eyes were wide as she watched it all.
Kael turned back to her.
"You must be hungry, Sera. Come on, let's sit at the table."
When they sat down, everyone turned to their plates.
But Kael fixed his gaze on Aryel.
"What just happened? What did Serin believe?"
Aryel shrugged and explained.
Vega couldn't hold it in—he snickered first, then burst into loud laughter.
He was laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
Kael's face turned red.
He lightly smacked the back of Vega's head.
"You had your fun early this morning, I see. Can we drop the subject now?"
Vega raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why? Are you embarrassed?"
His eyes narrowed.
"Or are you upset that Serene misunderstood?
If you want, you can go after her." His tone had sharpened slightly.
Kael was about to retort when Sera spoke up:
"Kael… what does illegitimate mean?"
A sudden silence fell over the table. Kael's brow twitched; he didn't know what to say. His eyes flicked to Sera, then to Aryel.
Aryel quickly stepped in.
"Oh, it's nothing important, Sera. Just… a strange word, said as part of a joke.
I'll explain later, okay? For now, eat your food."
Sera looked at Aryel with trust and nodded.
Kael let out a deep breath.
It was as if he had surfaced from drowning.
He narrowed his eyes at Vega but said nothing. He didn't want to fight in front of Sera.
He tore a piece of bread and focused on his food. But an invisible tension still lingered in the air.
After the meal, they headed toward the training hall.
This time, Sera was holding Aryel's hand.
Kael and Vega were silent, a faint strain between them.
The training hall was vast;
its white marble floor was reinforced with protective barrier magic.
The magic walls surrounding the arena were meant to shield the spectators and onlookers.
Kael and Vega had already stepped into the field, striking at each other with fast and fierce attacks.
Aryel joined them too; her steps were measured, but she subtly held back.
She wasn't using her full strength, restraining herself to avoid hurting them.
Sera sat in a corner, eyes wide open, watching them.
It was the first time she had witnessed such power up close.
Just then, someone approached her.
With a gentle, soft voice, he spoke:
"Hello, I'm Kaiser," he said, gesturing toward the battlefield. "Their teacher."
Sera flinched but gathered her courage, even though she was alone.
"I… I'm Sera. D-did you t-teach them h-how to use m-magic?"
Kaiser smiled.
"Yes, I did. Would you like me to teach you too?"
Sera's eyes lit up.
Her bright blue gaze sparkled with excitement.
"C-can I… r-really do it t-too?"
Kaiser tilted his head as he spoke:
"Of course. Now, close your eyes… and imagine a light right in the center of your chest."
Sera shut her eyes tight. But she was listening closely.
She knew that light. That warm green glow inside her…
The one she always turned to when she was alone… it almost felt as if it spoke to her.
Maybe that light was what had helped her endure until now.
"A g-green… w-warm light… it's t-there…" she whispered.
Kaiser's eyes widened. Green? Truly? That was rare.
"Now imagine that light… in your palms, Sera."
Sera brought her small hands together, eyes still tightly closed.
She took a deep breath…
And suddenly, a soft, warm, green light burst forth, illuminating the entire hall.
It spread like a wave…
Kael and Vega instantly stopped fighting, staring in shock at the glow.
Aryel's eyes widened. It was as if the whole hall had gone still.
And for the first time, the light within a little girl revealed itself to the world.