The world was still. The sky cleared as the sun rose high, its golden rays sharing warmth and ease after the chaos.
Chast sat in the shallow water, letting the stream brush against his skin. His magic had quieted, yet his body still trembled—like sparks of energy refused to rest inside him. The sensation was foreign, unrecognizable. Awakening his magic had been the last thing he expected to happen today.
His emotions were calm... but uncertain. He was deep in thought, trying to piece everything together to make sense of what has been bothering him.
Around him, the professors and the Empyreals kept their distance, silently watching him while giving him space.
Their eyes remained fixed on Chast, who sat quietly in the stream, while their low voices carried fragments of tension. Zayn sat apart from them—Quiet, broken, yet relieved that Chast was safe.
"He saw everything. That was too much for him to handle," Professor Sylverynth said, her tone calm but her voice sharp with fury. Her eyes flickered with concern and anxiety.
"I agree," Clainee Aurelthys added softly, a deep ache in her chest. "But it wasn't only him."
Their gazes shifted toward Zayn, who sat far from them, staring up at the sky—lost in thought.
They sighed heavily, shoulders slumping. They all knew Zayn was hurting. He was hurting most of all.
"Everything was a mystery... until now," Blith Ignivarre murmured, sorrow lacing his words like fading light. "He's drowning in regret—and blaming himself."
"But how did she disappear?" Professor Valkiery asked, confusion flickering in her eyes.
No one replied. The question hung between them like a riddle with no answer.
Chast listened silently. Though they were far away, he could hear every word.
There's only one who can answer that, he thought. He already knew who it was.
"We'll save that for another time," Jacob Benguet said, glancing at Chast. "For now, let's focus on the boy."
The others nodded. One matter at a time.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" Professor Valkiery's voice trembled slightly. "He must be broken inside."
He surely was.
"But that sorrow awakened his magic—it triggered something powerful in him," Blith replied with a small, comforting smile.
"Then what about him?" Professor Morrwynn asked, motioning toward Zayn.
They all turned to look. Zayn still sat in silence, his expression unreadable, his pain almost tangible. Their shoulders sank lower, each of them carrying a fraction of his burden.
"He'll get through it," A familiar voice said from afar.
Then their attention shifted to Chast was walking toward them. Soaked from head to toe, water dripping from his clothes, but his steps steady.
"He always does. He's fought battles, led the Empyreals, carried the Academy through war... he'll survive this too." Chast added.
Their eyes widened. He looked different.
His aura pulsed stronger, more dominant. His emerald eyes shone brighter than ever, and his hair had turned into ash brown.
"Thank you," Chast said softly, bowing his head. "For not leaving me alone." A radiant smile broke across his face—warm enough to light the whole chamber.
He turned toward Zayn. "My old man needs someone right now," he said, his tone gentle.
The professors fell silent, jaws slack, struck by his words.
Then they chuckled, shaking their heads.
"This kid is stronger than Zayn," Blith joked, earning laughter from the others.
"Hey, boss!" Chast called joyfully, patting Zayn on the back as soon as he arrived.
Zayn looked up, brows knitting. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking on you," Chast said, sitting on the grass beside him. "You might be crying again like a kid."
Zayn smirked. "Look who's talking. Weren't you the one bawling your eyes out like your toy got stolen?"
The air around them softened. The breeze brushed against their faces, light and serene.
Chast laughed, shaking his head. "I was broken, you know."
Their laughter slowly faded, giving way to silence again.
"She's fine," Chast said quietly, voice calm and reassuring.
Zayn nodded with a faint smile, but the words didn't ease his pain. The worry still lingered.
"Let's go back to the Academy," Zayn said finally, standing up. He offered his hand.
Chast tapped it aside, standing on his own. "I can stand by myself. I'm not a kid anymore." He chuckled.
Zayn hissed under his breath, brushing the dirt from his robe. Chast did the same.
Together, they walked back toward the professors and High Celestials—shoulders side by side, smiles faint but real.
"See? That kid's stronger than the old man," Blith joked under his breath, drawing out the words old man just to tease.
The others chuckled, the sound light and relieving after the heaviness of earlier. They began walking forward, meeting the two gentlemen halfway.
"All good?" Xian asked, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
Chast grinned and raised a hand, flashing a thumbs-up in response.
"Let's go back," Zayn said simply and with a snap of his fingers, he and Chast vanished in a shimmer of light.
One by one, the others followed — disappearing into thin air, until the forest stood silent again, touched only by the whisper of the stream and the warmth of the sun above.
Zayn and Chast appeared in front of Chast's dorm door.
"Take a rest, and take tomorrow off," Zayn ordered.
"What? But why?" Chast's eyes widened, his voice rising in protest. "No! I'm coming!"
"No buts." Zayn's tone cut through the air — sharp and commanding. "You're done with your resonance training. Let your team finish theirs first. Then you can join."
Chast dragged his fingers through his damp hair, hissing in frustration. "No! I want to come!"
Zayn's jaw tightened. Irritation flashed in his eyes — the kind that silenced even the bravest. "I said no." His voice carried that same authority — the unmistakable power of the High Celestial leader that everyone feared.
Chast flinched, instinctively stepping back. His knees trembled before he forced himself to breathe.
"You just awakened your power," Zayn continued, his voice softening but still firm. "You need time. You need to prepare because your next training will be harder."
Honestly, Zayn was just worried about Chast. He could let him attend class tomorrow to observe, but the next session would take place inside the Mirror of Chambers — and Zayn feared it might trigger him again.
He sighed, shoulders dropping. "Fine," he muttered, defeated.
Zayn nodded slightly, relief flickering behind his stern expression. "Good. Rest, Chast. You've earned it."
As Zayn turned to leave, Chast leaned against the doorframe, watching him disappear into thin air. Despite the frustration burning in his chest, a grin flashed on his face.
See you tomorrow!
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
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