The morning sun spilled across the Royal Academy courtyard, glinting off the floating mana nodes Lucien had "accidentally" scattered everywhere. Birds twittered nervously, probably regretting their life choices, as small bursts of mana fizzed harmlessly around them.
Lucien sat perched atop a hovering parasol, legs crossed, one hand holding a teacup, the other lazily flipping through a notebook that seemed to write itself.
"Rorio," he said, eyes sparkling, "watch closely. Fate is about to trip over its own feet."
Rorio, sprawled out beside him, yawned and licked his paw. "Mostly predictable. Slightly explosive. Excellent ratio. Can I have a biscuit now?"
"Soon, my dear scholar," Lucien said with a wink. "But first… spectacle."
Down in the courtyard, Aria was pacing like a volcano about to erupt. "I cannot believe he just left my town like that! Talking about prophecies and destiny, then disappearing like he was late for tea!"
Kellen hovered awkwardly, balancing on a small water jet. "Uh… he does have that heroic look. Like, shiny armor, dramatic hair… You know the type."
Myra floated gracefully beside him, adjusting her wind currents to keep her hair out of her face. "He looks… unreasonably calm. Almost annoyingly competent."
Rorio barked. "Mostly competent. Slightly smug. Snack-worthy."
From the other end of the courtyard, Ryn Althas appeared, walking with the casual confidence of someone who believed the world owed him a polite bow—and maybe a cookie. He stopped mid-step, eyes scanning the chaos Lucien had orchestrated. Then, casually, he spotted Aria.
"Ah," he said softly, "the fire mage from my last visit. Still… intimidating."
Aria spun around, flames crackling along her fingers. "Intimidating? I'm intimidating? You disappeared on me after lecturing me about destiny, and now you show up all smug like this?!"
Ryn raised a single, perfectly arched eyebrow. "I had… important errands. Very important."
"Errands?" Aria spluttered, sparks flying in erratic little bursts. "Like running away?"
Meanwhile, Lucien's fingers twitched, and suddenly, the floating nodes in the arena began to wobble dangerously. A fire node spun toward Kellen, who instinctively conjured a water shield… only to slip on his own protective bubble and somersault into Myra's wind tornado. She spun wildly, barely avoiding a collision with a rogue ice shard Darius had launched to practice precision.
"Perfect," Lucien murmured, sipping his tea. "Chaos, embarrassment, mild property damage… and laughter. The ingredients for growth."
Rorio barked, tail wagging. "Mostly hilarious. Slightly humiliating. Excellent snack ratio."
Aria, face red and hair slightly singed, lunged toward a spinning fire node—but Ryn moved faster, using a silver-blue shield to redirect it. The force of the collision sent both of them skidding backward onto the same platform, feet dangerously close to the edge.
"Watch your step!" Aria snapped, though her heart thumped faster than it had in weeks.
"I'm… watching," Ryn said smoothly, extending a hand to steady her. Their fingers brushed, and for a fraction of a second, the world seemed to pause. Aria's cheeks flared like a bonfire.
"Don't think that gives you an excuse!" she shouted, though her tone wavered.
Lucien clapped once, slow and deliberate, and a small, harmless burst of glittering mana rained down around them. "Ah… subtle chemistry, accidental contact, and heightened tension. Excellent."
Rorio tilted his head. "Mostly flammable. Slightly romantic. Snacks afterward?"
Kellen, having righted himself from three near-fatal tumbles, muttered, "I just… I just don't understand how they make that look effortless."
Myra, still spinning gracefully in the air, gave a small nod. "It's… impressive. And mildly terrifying."
Even Darius, standing stoically on the sidelines, couldn't hide the tiny twitch of a smile.
Lucien leaned back on his parasol, swirling tea. "Observe, Rorio. Fate, when paired with chaos and a hint of attraction, produces… pure entertainment."
Rorio yawned. "Mostly entertaining. Slightly heartwarming. Excellent snack ratio."
Suddenly, a stray fire node spun too close to a stack of magical crates. Lucien raised an eyebrow, pretending mild concern, and flicked a finger. The crate exploded in a harmless puff of smoke, revealing… a perfectly toasted loaf of bread.
"Ah," Lucien said with mock seriousness, "always plan for snacks. Even in the midst of destiny."
Aria groaned, half in exasperation and half in admiration. "You two are impossible."
Ryn chuckled softly, eyes glinting like silver stars. "I might start believing fate has a sense of humor."
Lucien sipped his tea again, watching the sparks, the blushes, and the chaotic ballet of elements and personalities unfold. "Yes, indeed… very humorous. And deliciously unpredictable. Tomorrow, we will raise the stakes."
Rorio barked happily. "Mostly chaos. Slightly romantic. Snacks later?"
"Always," Lucien said, eyes gleaming, swirling the golden tea. "Always."
Lucien leaned back, Rorio at his side, savoring the perfect blend of mischief, magical growth, and the faint sparks of a romance that was just beginning to ignite.