He was already imagining it—Nyx in that thin black gown.
What a sight that would be, he thought, a wave of excitement rushing through him, as he slipped out of the room as quietly as he had entered.
But just as he was about to walk away, a soft voice froze him in place.
"Young master."
His heart nearly stopped. He turned around quickly, eyes wide in panic.
There stood Ellie, the housemaid, dressed in her usual plain brown gown, her expression as calm and warm as always.
She looked at him with gentle eyes, like she always had since he was little.
He stared at her for a moment, but as her smile remained unchanging, his panic began to settle.
Ellie saw him not as a boy going through his mother's drawer for a provocative gown, but simply as young Kael. The innocent child who used to sneak cookies before dinner and hide behind her gown during thunderstorms.
Ellie tilted her head slightly. "Did you need something, dear?"
Kael shook his head, offering the most natural smile he could muster. "No, just… looking for something my mother asked for."
She nodded, satisfied with the answer, and turned to walk away.
And just like that, the danger passed. He turned back and continued on his way, clutching the gown under his arm like a lifeline.
He slipped quietly back into his room, but his anticipation was cut off as he saw the room empty. Nyx wasn't there.
He sighed in disappointment.
She had a habit of wandering, though never far. The seal on her restricted her movements to the boundaries of their home.
He walked over to his drawer and carefully tucked the gown away. Then he settled on the floor, crossing his legs and closing his eyes.
His breathing slowed, and soon the soft hum of mana filled the air. He had been training diligently each day.
The progress was visible, even to him.
His core was fully stabilized now, just as Nyx had instructed. All that remained was to absorb mana steadily, until the time came when he felt the fullness and the next breakthrough revealed itself.
Hours slipped by like water, and he was completely immersed—until a sharp knock echoed from the direction of the front door.
"Who is it?" he murmured, his eyes fluttering open. He turned his gaze out the window.
Outside, standing under the golden light of the afternoon sun, were a girl and a boy around his age. Laughing, chatting, completely at ease with one another.
Kael's face lit up.
"Eva… Aren…"
Those two were his childhood friends—partners in mischief, adventure, and dream-sharing.
The three of them had spent countless days running barefoot, racing under the skies, and talking late into the evening about the lives they hoped to lead.
It had been a while since they had come by, but seeing them now brought a warmth to his heart.
Kael stood, and walked toward the door. Opening the door, he greeted, "Hey there."
Eva's face instantly lit up, her dark hair swaying gently in the breeze. "Took you long enough, Kael. What were you doing?"
She looked especially pretty today—sunlight catching in her eyes, that playful glint he had always found charming.
Before Kael could answer, Aren joined in with a grin, "Don't tell me you were doing something naughty in there, Kael."
Eva's cheeks flushed instantly. She turned and smacked the back of Aren's head. "Shut up, Aren! Don't be gross."
Kael chuckled at the familiar exchange. "Relax, I was just napping."
Eva stepped forward and pulled at his arm. "Well, you can sleep all you want later. Come on, follow us. We found something."
Kael blinked, curiosity rising. "Found something? What did you find?"
Aren followed after them, hands behind his head. "It's a surprise. But you'll love it."
With that, the trio was off, just like old times.
After several minutes of walking through the woods, they stepped deeper into the forest. The trees here were hauntingly tall, casting long shadows that flickered eerily in the sunlight.
Kael glanced around uneasily. "Is this safe?" he asked, lowering his voice.
Aren put his arms around Kael's shoulder, grinning. "Chill, brother. Of course it's safe. We have been through worse, remember?"
Eva, leading the way, was practically bouncing with excitement. She had always been the most adventurous of the three. She would drag Kael and Aren into all sorts of trouble since they were little.
Kael still remembered one particular day, when a monkey-like mana beast had attacked them from the treetops. They screamed, and ran until their legs gave out.
He chuckled softly at the memory, but Eva's voice snapped him back to the present.
"There it is!"
Kael followed her gaze. Up ahead lay the remnants of something ancient.
A ruined structure half-swallowed by nature—crumbling stone walls, collapsed pillars, and vines weaving through broken structure.
The central building, though mostly destroyed, had a single but big, shadowed entrance.
Kael felt a chill crawl down his spine. "This place... wasn't here before, was it?"
Eva turned to face Kael. "Exactly. That's what makes it exciting."