Chapter 49 – The Morning After
The soft glow of morning sunlight filtered through the dormitory windows, casting golden streaks across the stone walls. A gentle breeze drifted in, carrying the crisp scent of the academy gardens.
Lyrian lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His body ached.
Every muscle protested as he shifted slightly, a sharp reminder of the one-sided beating he had endured the night before.
Varos.
The name repeated in his mind.
He had heard the rumors. A Transcendent—an elite among elites. Some said he had surpassed human limits, others whispered that he was once a war hero who had disappeared from history.
And yet, he had been here all along.
Watching.
Lyrian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. Why would someone like that bother with him?
He had lost completely. Overwhelmingly. But—
It wasn't just a loss.
Varos had dissected him. Read every movement. Exploited every weakness as if he had been studying Lyrian for years.
And that meant one thing.
There was so much more for him to learn.
His fingers clenched against the sheets.
He had to find him again.
With renewed determination, Lyrian sat up, wincing slightly at the soreness in his ribs. He pushed off the bed, stretching out his stiff limbs, before grabbing his boots and slipping them on.
A knock at the door.
He turned, still fastening his straps, as the door swung open to reveal Dorian standing in the doorway.
The taller boy eyed him, an amused smirk forming. "You look like someone ran you over."
Lyrian exhaled. "Close enough."
Dorian stepped inside, leaning against the wall. "You seen Reynard? We were supposed to go somewhere today, but I can't find him."
Lyrian shook his head. "No, haven't seen him."
Dorian frowned slightly, then shrugged. "Figures. He's probably off dealing with whatever noble nonsense he gets dragged into."
There was a pause before his sharp gaze flickered back to Lyrian.
"You're heading somewhere?"
Lyrian grabbed his cloak, fastening it. "Yeah."
Dorian's smirk returned. "You're always running around."
Lyrian didn't reply, moving past him.
As he stepped out into the hallway, Dorian called after him.
"Try not to die from whatever you're doing."
Lyrian smirked slightly, glancing over his shoulder. "No promises."
Then, he was gone.
His destination was clear.
Varos.
He needed to find him. And this time, he wouldn't leave empty-handed.