The light from the sky-tree shimmered like silver fireflies drifting in midair, cascading down across the white-stoned pathways of the Garden of Testing. After the trial concluded, students were scattered across the field—some whispering in awe, others bitter in silence.
Nocth sat alone beneath a flowering jadevine, eyes still faintly glowing, a soft hum thrumming beneath his skin. The veins that lined his arms flickered intermittently like living constellations—twelve now. Each formed vein pulsed gently, drawing tiny motes of spiritual energy from the atmosphere.
He couldn't see it himself, but if one with advanced eye techniques observed closely, they would witness the faint formation of a tenth vein cluster—the mark of a hidden monstrosity.
And yet... Nocth still felt weak.
His breaths came slower than usual. His limbs, though calm, trembled with exhaustion. What his opponents had perceived as graceful control was, in fact, born of instinct and chaos—a storm dancing in rhythm, barely contained.
The academy elders had not interfered, nor had they praised. But some eyes—hidden ones—had been watching. Especially hers.
A little distance away, beneath an arched pavilion wrapped in moonlotus vines, Shae' stood in silent observation. Her lilac eyes shimmered under her veil, her posture elegant as ever. A playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
She turned to a tall male disciple beside her—one of the outer circle elites—who had been foolishly trailing her since the garden assembly.
"Do your eyes ache?" she asked, voice soft as silk.
The male blinked, confused. "Wh-what?"
"I mean…" she glanced toward Nocth, "from staring too hard at someone beyond your reach."
He flushed, misunderstanding her entirely.
Shae' chuckled—a velvety sound that turned several heads. But in the next moment, her expression hardened.
"You thought I was speaking of myself?" she said with a honey-sweet tone. "I meant him." She pointed subtly toward Nocth.
The male disciple scoffed. "Him? That common boy?"
In a blink, a cold pulse of her Level 2 Vein Initiate aura snapped toward the disciple's chest. Though hidden from the watching crowd, it left him gasping for breath.
"Careful." Shae's eyes narrowed, smile gone. "Your tongue might be your ruin."
---Back at the courtyard, Nocth rose as Imius approached, dragging two water gourds in each hand.
"You broke the Garden's silence, kid," Imius smirked, handing one gourd over. "Next time, do it after breakfast."
Nocth chuckled softly. "I wasn't trying to."
"Exactly," said a voice behind them.
Shae'.
She walked closer, slow and measured. Even the air felt more refined when she was near. A few younger students stumbled trying not to stare. She stood before Nocth and leaned slightly, her voice laced with amusement.
"You looked like a lost cub trying to mimic a lion today," she said.
Imius laughed, while Nocth looked down in slight embarrassment.
"But…" Shae' leaned closer, her scent like frost-kissed roses. "It was oddly... impressive."
Nocth met her eyes—those ethereal, dangerous eyes. Something stirred in his chest. Not fear. Not admiration. Something far more confusing.
He turned away, unsure.
Shae' turned too, her voice more teasing now. "Careful, Nocth. Some hearts don't know how to remain untouched."
Meanwhile, Ezrel, who had watched everything from the opposite side of the garden, clenched his fists behind his back. His gaze burned not just with jealousy—but with calculation.
Behind him stood two other disciples—one from the weakest of the Nine Clans, House Dreviir, and his cousin, Varhen Dreviir, the First Elder's youngest grandchild.
"Soon," Ezrel whispered, "he'll fall."