Two hours remained until Selene's exam when Johana decided to take me to meet, for the first time, her maternal family.
An encounter I never had in my previous life.
When we crossed the doors of the great hall where the Vides were waiting, the first impression hit like a flash:
White hair.
Blue eyes.
Cold, elegant, uniform gazes.
A family whose presence seemed carved from the same winter moonlight.
And amidst that sea of blue and white…
only one person stood out.
Light brown hair.
Honey-colored eyes.
A natural warmth.
Miladiz López, my maternal grandmother.
The single warm tone in the room.
Beside her, firm as a steel pillar, stood Pedro Vides, my grandfather.
Short white hair, neatly trimmed beard, broad shoulders, disciplined gaze.
A few steps behind them, with a tired air, tied-back hair, and glasses hanging from his collar, was Alexander, my mother's older brother—
quiet, observant, analytical.
Johana stepped forward to greet them—
But she didn't get the chance.
A young woman rushed ahead at full speed, smiling with overflowing emotion.
Yeimi Vides López, Johana's younger sister and Cael's twin.
—"Give him to me, give him to me!" she exclaimed.
Before Pedro could even extend his arms, Yeimi snatched me gently but eagerly.
—"My nephew! I finally get to see you!" she cried, hugging me tightly.
Too tightly.
She filled my cheeks and forehead with kisses.
I froze like a block of wood.
"This must be my aunt Yeimi… way too much closeness…"
I pushed lightly, trying to get free.
Johana intervened quickly.
—"Yeimi, honey… he's very sensitive to overly… enthusiastic affection."
—"Ah—sorry," she murmured, though she kept smiling without remorse.
Then Miladiz stepped forward.
She didn't raise her voice.
She didn't exert authority.
She simply extended her arms.
—"Give him to me, Yeimi."
Yeimi obeyed instantly.
Miladiz held me with gentle, almost medicinal warmth.
She brushed my dark hair.
—"His hair… just like Manuel's," she said softly.
Then she lifted my chin to examine my eyes.
—"And that red gaze…
that's from him too.
But the shape of his face… that's yours, Johana."
Pedro approached, studying me carefully.
—"A perfect blend," he said with contained pride.
Johana smiled.
But then asked:
—"Where's Cael?"
Miladiz sighed.
—"Hmph… that lazy boy must be wandering around somewhere."
Just then, the sound of a window sliding open interrupted the room.
Everyone turned.
And there he was:
Cael Vides López, Johana's younger brother and Yeimi's twin,
one leg inside the hall and the other still outside, as if that were the normal way to enter.
—"Mom," he said in an offended tone,
"How can you speak that way about your favorite son?"
Alexander, unfazed, commented:
—"Doors exist, Cael."
—"Yeah, but the window was closer," he replied casually.
Cael approached Pedro, extending an arm.
—"Come on, hand him over."
Pedro complied.
Cael lifted me effortlessly with one arm, observed me closely—
and blurted:
—"Damn… he really does look like Manuel."
WHACK.
Miladiz struck him on the head without hesitation.
—"Language."
—"But it's true!" he complained, rubbing the spot.
He handed me back to Johana.
A different kind of silence filled the room.
Pedro looked at Cael.
Cael at Alexander.
Alexander averted his eyes.
Johana noticed immediately.
Pedro stepped forward.
—"Johana," he said quietly,
"before we leave, there's a matter we should revisit."
She tightened her hold on me, understanding at once.
—"Is it… about 'that'?" she whispered.
Miladiz nodded.
—"Yes, dear. About that."
Alexander murmured:
—"It's better to discuss it calmly… and together.
But not now—after the exam will be the proper moment.
When we're all present."
Pedro placed a firm hand on Johana's shoulder.
—"Bring Manuel and Liora.
We all need to talk."
Johana inhaled deeply.
—"Alright… after the exam."
Cael opened the window again.
—"Come on. Let's not keep the little one waiting."
And so, with a heavy silence among the adults, we all headed to Selene's exam.
---
SELENE'S EXAM — Where Light Reveals the Path
The exam hall carried a solemn aura.
Forty-five people stood around the edges—
allied families, Arias, Vides, Falkenray, and a few reporters.
Selene stepped into the center of the circular platform.
Her small hands trembled slightly.
The instructor announced:
—"Selene Arias. Your Three-Year Exam begins now."
---
PHYSICAL TEST — The Body Before Power
1. Balance
A line of light appeared on the floor.
—"Walk," the instructor ordered.
Selene moved forward.
The light reacted beneath her feet as if it recognized her.
Her steps were firm, almost instinctive.
Rhysair Falkenray smiled faintly.
—"The wind is already watching her," he murmured.
Pedro Arias added:
—"Natural control."
---
2. Reflexes
Ten flashes surrounded Selene.
She had to touch them before they vanished.
FLASH!
Selene touched the first effortlessly.
FLASH–FLASH!
She turned, reached another.
Missed one.
Adjusted.
Hit three in a row.
Alexander commented:
—"Quick adaptation."
Cael:
—"Above average. Good."
---
3. Coordination
Two floating spheres moved around her.
—"Follow their rhythm," the instructor said.
Selene made a light hop and touched one.
Spun around and reached the other.
Liora covered her mouth, holding back a squeal of emotion.
—"Balance: high.
Reflexes: above average.
Coordination: high," the instructor announced.
Selene breathed deeply, ready for what truly mattered.
---
MANA TEST — The Decisive Moment
The hall dimmed.
Only Selene remained illuminated.
—"Breathe," the instructor said.
"Don't force your mana. Let it come."
Selene closed her eyes.
Her lashes trembled.
She inhaled…
exhaled…
And then—
A glow formed between her hands.
A faint spark at first…
Then a perfect, vibrant green sphere, like a whisper of wind itself.
Rhysair Falkenray watched it form with quiet intensity.
A slight smile curved his lips.
—"The wind has recognized her."
Aralyn added:
—"Beautiful affinity."
Manuel remained silent, his eyes bright.
But something else happened.
A heartbeat later, the sphere shivered.
White threads of light began spreading over the green sphere,
layering themselves like a delicate veil.
The wind's vivid green became enveloped in a soft white film that pulsed with its own rhythm—
different, deeper, more intimate… more visceral.
Aura.
Aura in its early stage.
A ripple of murmurs swept across the hall.
The instructor's eyes widened.
—"Unusual… extremely unusual…"
Cael leaned forward for the first time.
—"Definitely not just wind."
Pedro narrowed his gaze.
—"A hybrid."
Silvia whispered:
—"What a surprise…"
Selene, unaware of the stir she caused, simply tried to keep the sphere steady.
---
The Time
5 seconds.
8.
12.
15.
17 seconds.
The sphere dissolved into soft light.
---
EXAM RESULTS
The instructor raised the crystal.
—"Results of Selene Arias' Exam: • Stable flow: high
• Elemental affinity: Wind
• Aura: early stage
• Total stability: 17 seconds
• Path: Hybrid"
The Falkenray family exchanged proud looks.
Rhysair declared:
—"A true heir of the wind."
Pedro Arias crossed his arms, satisfied.
—"Excellent beginning."
Cael said:
—"Very good."
And for him, that was high praise.
Selene stepped down from the platform with a shy, glowing smile.
She had shined.
And everyone had witnessed it.