They finally emerged onto the surface.
Dominic slowed and looked around. Towering trees surrounded them, their canopies filtering soft sunlight onto thick undergrowth. Ferns, moss, and familiar shrubs crowded the forest floor.
He recognized the vegetation at once. This was still the western woods near his home, just deeper than he had ever gone before.
"We're still close," he said quietly to himself.
Felix glanced at him. "Where's your home?"
"Near the western woods, outside the city," Dominic answered.
Felix hummed. "Not too far from here. Your family hunters?"
"My grandpa is."
Felix nodded, then asked, "What about your parents?"
"Died," Dominic replied simply.
Felix's expression softened immediately. Dominic noticed it and shook his head. "It's okay. I don't really think about it anymore."
That was true. The loss had long since settled into something dull and distant. Sometimes he missed them, but it didn't hurt the way it used to.
Felix let out a quiet sigh. "Alright. I'll take you home."
They started walking through the forest. Felix collapsed his glaive back into its compact form and slipped it beneath his cloak.
The trees closed in around them as they moved, branches creaking softly in the breeze. Neither of them spoke much.
Before long, two figures emerged from between the trees ahead.
Both men wore dark cloaks, with leather armor visible beneath. On the clasp of each cloak was an insignia Dominic recognized immediately. The mark of the Arcanists of the Scarlet Council.
Dominic's eyes widened slightly. Council Arcanists rarely handled routine patrols. If they were here, something serious must have happened.
"Hello there," Felix greeted with an easy smile.
The two Arcanists relaxed when they saw him. One of them chuckled. "Just come out?"
"Yeah," Felix replied. He placed a hand lightly on Dominic's shoulder. "This is my new student. He needed to learn a few things, so I brought him along."
The Arcanists studied Dominic closely. Normally, a child wandering this close to the Labyrinth would have earned a harsh reprimand. With Felix present, they said nothing.
"Find anything?" one of them asked.
"Oh, yeah," Felix said, smiling wider. "Something very interesting. It'll be quite useful for my research."
The two Arcanists exchanged a glance and nodded.
"If you, the genius Felix, say it's interesting, then it must be interesting indeed," one of them said. "You always find the interesting stuff that borders on dangerous."
Felix laughed. Then asked. "What are you two doing out here?"
"We're checking an anomaly detected last night," the other Arcanist replied. "We didn't find anything, though."
"What kind of anomaly?" Felix asked.
"Signs of… an Archetype… energy leak. That's why we rushed here. Fortunately, it seems to be a false alarm."
Felix nodded slowly, appearing thoughtful. His eyes flicked toward Dominic for just a brief moment before he spoke again.
"Good. Let's hope it stays that way," Felix said.
The two Arcanists visibly relaxed. After a short exchange of farewells, they headed deeper into the woods to continue their patrol.
Felix turned in the opposite direction, and Dominic followed him, the forest closing in behind them as they walked toward home.
"They didn't find the anomaly…" Dominic said quietly, more to himself than to Felix.
Felix glanced at him as they walked. "That's a good thing. Archetype-type energy is deadly. Always deadly. Just like I told you."
"Yeah…" Dominic murmured.
Felix studied him for a few seconds, his gaze lingering as if weighing an unspoken thought. In the end, he said nothing.
They continued through the woods until the trees thinned and a familiar dirt road came into view.
Dominic's steps slowed as his heart lifted. Ahead, partially hidden by shrubs and low branches, stood his house.
Felix stopped and reached beneath his shirt. He pulled out a necklace and held it out to Dominic.
"Take this," he said. "It's a token. With it, you'll be able to enter the Crimson Arcanum Academy without trouble."
Dominic accepted it carefully. The necklace was simple but unmistakably refined. A dark silver chain held a small hexagonal pendant etched with fine geometric lines that shimmered faintly when light touched them. The metal felt warm in his palm.
"This must be expensive," he thought. It was clearly valuable, but the thought of stealing it never even crossed Dominic's mind.
"You're giving this to me?" Dominic asked.
Felix nodded. "So you can enter easily."
Dominic's face lit up. He clenched the pendant gently, then looked up with a genuine smile.
"Remember," Felix said, his tone turning firm, "the admission is three months from now. During that time, you need to get familiar with your Signature. You can't read runes yet, so you don't need to go to the library to read about it. Meditate. Focus on your ether circulation."
He continued without pause. "Don't go near the Labyrinth anymore. You won't be as lucky as you were last night. And don't listen to any strange voices. You understand?"
Dominic nodded quickly. "I understand."
"Good."
Dominic hesitated, then asked, "When do I start working?"
"Later," Felix replied.
"What do I need to prepare for the Academy?"
"Something to write with. But don't bring too many books. You'll be doing a lot of practical work," Felix said. "Most importantly, understand your Signature and learn how ether moves in your body."
Dominic nodded again, then frowned slightly. "Why are you telling me all this?"
Felix smiled, his eyes carrying a meaning Dominic couldn't quite grasp. "Because you'll be helping with my research."
Dominic didn't fully understand, but he nodded anyway.
Felix gave a brief wave and turned away, disappearing back down the road.
Dominic stood there for a moment, then headed toward his house.
His grandfather rushed out the moment he saw him, worry written across his weathered face.
Dominic spoke quickly, explaining that he had gone with a man from the Academy. He showed the necklace as proof.
His grandfather frowned deeply, then exhaled in relief.
"You scared me," the old man muttered.
Dominic smiled faintly, clutching the pendant beneath his shirt. It felt like his life wouldn't be as bleak as he thought. Entering the Academy would be his first step to reach higher status.
Only good things would happen in the Academy, right? After all, it was the place for scholars.
—