"Aurelia Resonance Academy"
named after the legendary First Conductor, Aurelia, who was said to have drawn harmony out of chaos when the world's music first fractured. It's the most prestigious academy for harmonics and echoes alike, but also ruthless in its demands.
The journey ended with the sound of bells. Not ordinary bells, these sang with layered tones that rippled across the horizon, each note reverberating through Kael's bones like the sky itself was a cathedral.
He stood at the crest of the hill, sweat on his neck from the days of brutal training, and stared down at the valley below.
The Academy wasn't just a school. It was a fortress of sound.
Tall white walls curved in spirals instead of straight lines, like the edges of a massive harp. From its gates stretched roads paved in black stone that shimmered faintly, pulsing as if with a heartbeat. Beyond those gates rose towers of different shapes, each resonating with faint musical hums, flutes, violins, drums, voices. The very air was alive, as though countless songs mingled together in an endless symphony.
Kael swallowed. So this is Aurelia Resonance Academy…
"Like it?" Brann asked, clapping him on the back hard enough to make him stumble. The mercenary's grin was as wide as always. "Nothing like a giant nest full of prodigies to make a kid like you feel very, very small."
Kael gave him a look, half irritated, half terrified. "That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"Better? No. Amused? Absolutely." Brann winked and strolled ahead, whistling like they weren't walking into a place where Kael could be torn apart with a flick of someone's instrument.
Selene, the hooded girl, trailed behind them, silent as a shadow. She'd barely spoken since the last day of training, but when Kael glanced back, he caught her sharp eyes studying the walls, the gates, the guards. Not a flicker of nervousness.
Lyra walked close beside him, her harp case slung over her shoulder. Her steps were steady, her chin raised, she belonged here. Every strand of her presence told Kael this was her world. He felt, once again, like an outsider tagging along.
At the gates, the guards stopped them. Both wore uniforms etched with golden staff-lines and carried resonance-blades at their sides. Their eyes skimmed over the group, lingering on Kael a moment too long.
"Names," one said flatly.
Lyra stepped forward first. "Lyra Harpsong."
The guard's expression flickered, recognition, respect, maybe even wariness. He nodded sharply.
Brann gave his name next, followed by Selene. When Kael's turn came, he hesitated. His mouth felt dry. "Kael." He almost added a surname, but stopped. He didn't have one worth giving.
The guard's brows pulled slightly together. "Echo?"
Kael nodded once, the word like a weight on his chest.
The guard didn't say anything else. Just turned and waved them through.
Inside the gates, Kael stopped breathing for a moment.
The courtyard was alive with sound. Students clustered in groups, their instruments gleaming in the sun. A boy plucked a lute string and the air rippled like heat over sand. A girl sang a single note and flowers sprouted instantly from the cracks in the stone path. Another pair sparred, drum against flute, their resonance colliding like fists and blades.
Kael's heart thumped. He clutched the flute Lyra had given him, suddenly aware of how fragile he was compared to the others. His silence was nothing like this, no beauty, no spectacle. Just… emptiness.
Lyra leaned close. "Don't stare too much. You'll draw eyes you don't want."
"Too late," Brann muttered, nudging him. Kael followed his gaze and saw a cluster of students already watching them, whispers passing between them.
One boy in particular stood apart from the group, tall, dressed in crimson robes embroidered with gold notes. His violin rested casually in his hand, but his smile was sharp, predatory.
"Well, well," the boy said, walking over. His voice carried easily over the courtyard chatter. "If it isn't Lyra Harpsong, gracing us with her return. And… what's this? You've brought a pet echo?"
Kael froze. The words cut sharper than any blade.
Brann's grin widened. "Oh, this'll be fun."
Lyra's eyes narrowed. "Watch your tongue, Rian."
Rian. The name stirred whispers among the students nearby. Clearly, he wasn't just anyone.
Rian's smirk didn't waver. He glanced at Kael, eyes gleaming. "Careful, Lyra. Pets can bite. Though… I wonder if this one even knows how."
Something inside Kael stirred, fear, anger, shame all tangled together. The whispers grew louder, pressing against him like a tide. His hand clenched tighter around the flute. He wanted them to stop. Just stop.
And then
The courtyard sound stuttered. For a heartbeat, every note, every chord, every whisper… paused.
Kael's stomach dropped.
Rian's smile faltered. His violin string hummed oddly, like something unseen had pressed fingers against it.
The silence lasted only an instant before the music of the Academy resumed, but the weight of it lingered.
Lyra's eyes darted to Kael, sharp with both alarm and warning. Brann let out a low whistle.
Rian's smile returned, though tighter now. "Interesting," he said softly, eyes never leaving Kael. "Very… interesting."
Kael's heart pounded as the realization sank in. He had slipped. And in a place like Aurelia Academy, one slip could be enough to get him killed.