A Capital Day

The morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Everglade residence in Ashavel, casting a warm glow over the expansive rooms. Kael stood in the main hall, his eyes drifting over the rich tapestries that adorned the walls, their intricate designs telling stories of noble deeds and battles long past. His mind, however, was elsewhere. The capital felt like a different world from the village life he had known as Kael, and even further from the heavenly heights of his past as an angel. Now, standing in a place filled with history and power, he couldn't help but feel slightly out of place.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Turning, he saw Thorne, his face as stern as ever, flanked by two soldiers. They were preparing for their return journey to the Everglade Dukedom, their time in the capital concluded.

"We're heading back now," Thorne announced, his voice gruff but not unkind. "We'll leave you here to look after the young Lady Elowen's affairs. I trust you can handle it."

Kael nodded, clasping the soldier's arm in a gesture of respect. "Safe travels, Thorne. We'll manage things on our end."

Thorne gave him a final look, one that seemed to communicate both caution and a strange sense of trust. He nodded, then turned to the other soldiers, leading them out of the estate and towards their horses. In moments, the clatter of hooves echoed in the courtyard as the Everglade soldiers began their journey back home, leaving Kael, the twins, and Rebecca behind.

Rebecca stood by the doorway, watching the soldiers depart with mild interest. She hadn't spoken much since arriving with Elowen the previous evening. The initial tension between her and the rest of the group was palpable, but that seemed to dissipate as she stepped forward with a warm smile.

"So," Rebecca began, her voice chipper, "we have a couple of days before anything serious happens. Elowen left us with some coin, so we can explore a bit. The capital's huge, and trust me, there's plenty to see. We should make the most of it before we have to report to the Mage Association."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "I was thinking of using the time to train."

Rebecca laughed and waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, come on! There will be plenty of time for training. This is Ashavel, the heart of the kingdom! You can't just stand around brooding and swinging a sword the whole time."

Before Kael could protest, Aria and Lyra, the twins, appeared by Rebecca's side, their faces lighting up at the mention of exploring the city.

"She's right, you know," Aria chimed in, her fiery red hair catching the sunlight as she crossed her arms. "This is our chance to enjoy some freedom before things get hectic."

"We should take a look around the markets," Lyra added softly, her smile mischievous. "After all, we'll need supplies for the boarding house at the academy."

Rebecca's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Exactly! We'll have plenty to do at Aetherium, once things get underway, but right now, we're free. Come on, Kael! You're coming with us whether you like it or not."

"What of Harlem, he should be willing to follow you guys." He refuted, trying to deflect the attention from himself.

Unfortunately his words were left on deaf ears, and even if his pleas were heard, they would still rather pick a fellow commoner like themselves, than try to interact with a noble

Kael tried to protest, but before he could get another word out, Rebecca linked her arm with his and started pulling him towards the door. Aria and Lyra followed suit, giggling as they fell in line behind them. Kael sighed but couldn't help a small smile. Maybe a break wouldn't be so bad after all.

***

The streets of Ashavel were alive with activity as the group made their way from the Everglade residence and into the heart of the capital. Merchants lined the streets, their stalls overflowing with colorful fabrics, trinkets, and wares from every corner of the kingdom. The smell of fresh bread, roasted meats, and spices filled the air, mingling with the scent of flowers from nearby gardens. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting the bustling city in a warm glow.

Rebecca led the group through the winding streets, pointing out various landmarks as they went. "That over there is the Grand Library," she said, gesturing to a massive stone building with towering columns. "It's one of the largest collections of knowledge in the kingdom. If you ever need to research magic or history, that's the place to go."

Kael glanced at the building, intrigued despite himself. As an angel, knowledge had been at his fingertips, but here in this world, he was beginning to realize that there was much he still didn't know.

"And over there," Rebecca continued, "is the Garden of the Ancients. It's said that some of the oldest trees in the kingdom are planted there, from seeds carried across the lands by ancient mages."

Aria and Lyra both gasped in awe as they passed by the garden's ornate gates, which were entwined with ivy and blooming flowers. Kael, on the other hand, was still focused on his surroundings, trying to keep track of all the new places they were visiting.

"Shall we head to the markets?" Lyra suggested, tugging on Kael's sleeve. "I hear they have everything—potions, magical artifacts, clothing, and even enchanted items."

"Sounds perfect!" Rebecca agreed, steering the group towards the market district.

The market was unlike anything Kael had ever seen. It was an explosion of colors, sounds, and scents, with vendors calling out to potential customers, offering their goods in loud, enthusiastic voices. Stalls overflowed with exotic fruits, spices, and magical trinkets. One vendor even had a small stand of glowing crystals that pulsed with a soft light, catching the attention of passersby.

Rebecca led the charge, diving headfirst into the market with the kind of energy that made it impossible for the others to lag behind. She darted from stall to stall, inspecting wares, haggling over prices, and laughing with the shopkeepers as if she had been a regular here for years.

"Look at this!" she exclaimed, holding up a polished silver dagger with an ornate hilt. "Isn't it beautiful? It's enchanted too—perfect for a quick defense in a pinch."

Kael watched as she handled the blade with ease, her confidence evident. Despite the tragedy of her past, Rebecca had a lightness to her, a resilience that shone through as she led them around the city.

Aria and Lyra, too, were caught up in the excitement. The twins gravitated towards a stall selling enchanted scarves that shimmered in the sunlight, the patterns shifting as the fabric moved.

"We could use these at the academy," Aria suggested, wrapping one of the scarves around her neck with a grin. "What do you think, Lyra?"

Lyra nodded, running her fingers over the delicate material. "Definitely. They're stylish and practical."

Kael tried to remain aloof, but their excitement was infectious. He found himself studying some of the enchanted items as well, considering how they might be useful during training or battle. A few of the merchants tried to catch his attention, offering deals on magical rings or amulets, but Kael politely declined, keeping his focus on the group.

After what felt like hours of browsing, haggling, and exploring the various stalls, Rebecca finally declared it was time for a break. They found a cozy tavern near the edge of the market district, where they settled into a corner table with mugs of cider and plates of fresh bread and cheese.

"This is nice," Lyra said softly, leaning back in her chair. "It's been a while since we've been able to relax like this."

Aria nodded in agreement. "The academy will be intense, so we might as well enjoy ourselves now."

Kael, though still feeling out of place in such a lively environment, couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the group. They were all different, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, but together, they formed a surprisingly cohesive unit.

Rebecca took a long sip of her cider before turning to Kael with a grin. "See? Isn't this better than swinging a sword in some dusty training yard?"

Kael chuckled despite himself. "I suppose I can admit it's a nice change of pace."

The conversation flowed easily after that, with Rebecca regaling them with stories of her adventures in the capital and the twins sharing their excitement for the upcoming academy life. Kael found himself relaxing more than he had expected, enjoying the easy banter and the warmth of the tavern.

After their meal, the group continued their tour of the capital, visiting the Garden of the Ancients and the Grand Library that Rebecca had pointed out earlier. The library, in particular, captured Kael's attention, its vast halls filled with shelves that stretched up to the ceiling, laden with ancient tomes and scrolls. He could spend days here, he realized, just absorbing the knowledge stored within these walls.

As the sun began to set, casting the city in a golden hue, Rebecca led them to the final stop on their tour—the Mage Association building.

It stood at the center of the city, a breathtaking structure of marble and glass, its spires reaching high into the sky. The building glowed with an ethereal light, as if it were infused with magic itself. The courtyard in front of the building was vast, with fountains and statues depicting legendary mages of old. The air around the building seemed to hum with energy, as though the very ground beneath their feet was alive with the magic that flowed through the city.

"This is it," Rebecca said softly, her voice filled with awe. "The Mage Association. This is where we'll begin the next chapter of our lives."

The twins were equally mesmerized, their eyes wide as they took in the magnificent sight. Aria, usually quick with a witty remark, was silent for once, her mouth slightly agape at the grandeur of the building. Lyra, always the quieter of the two, seemed equally lost in the awe of the moment, her gaze tracing the intricate carvings that adorned the entrance to the Mage Association.

Kael stood beside them, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the building. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, both in his life as Kael and in his memories as Decidit. The entire structure pulsed with power, its sheer presence demanding attention. There was something about it, a sense of authority and knowledge beyond anything he had encountered so far in this new life. This was a place where the greatest mages gathered, where the secrets of magic were kept, and where Kael would have to tread carefully.

"I knew it was impressive," Rebecca said, breaking the silence, "but seeing it in person… it's overwhelming."

Kael nodded, though his mind was already preparing for what lay ahead. This was the center of magic, and Elowen had entrusted him to come here, to learn, and to protect her interests. Yet a part of him knew that his journey was far from simple, that there were far greater forces at work—forces that he had yet to fully understand.

The group stood there for several moments, taking in the sight before them. The Mage Association building was alive with people now, students and masters alike moving through the entrance, their robes billowing in the evening breeze. Some carried books, others were deep in conversation.

"Well," Aria said, her voice finally breaking through the silence, "we've got two days before we have to come back here, so we should make the most of it."

Lyra, still lost in thought, nodded absently. "It'll be strange, being part of something so… grand."

Rebecca chuckled. "Strange is right. But this is it—the place where we all take the next step forward. It's both exciting and terrifying at the same time."

Kael glanced at the others, noting the mixture of anticipation and anxiety on their faces.

"We'll be fine," He said quietly, offering them a rare smile, in an attempt to ease the tension.

Rebecca smiled back, though there was still a touch of uncertainty in her eyes. "We'll stick together. No matter what happens in there, we're not alone."

Deep down, Rebecca's words carried the weight of a quiet yearning. She had spent months trying to patch the gaping hole left by her family's betrayal, a wound that no amount of strength or resolve could truly heal. Each new bond, every alliance she forged, was her way of seeking the connection she had lost—a desperate attempt to fill the void with something real, something that wouldn't shatter beneath the weight of lies. To her, this fragile unity was more than just survival—it was hope.

The twins exchanged glances, their unspoken bond clear as ever. They nodded in agreement, though both seemed to share the same apprehension. The Academy was not just a place of learning—it was a place where alliances were forged, where the strong grew stronger, and the weak were left behind. The stakes were higher than they could have imagined.

"We should get back to the residence," Rebecca finally said, looking up at the darkening sky. "Tomorrow's our last day before we report here, and we should use it wisely."

The group turned away from the Mage Association, their footsteps heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead. Kael glanced back one last time, his eyes lingering on the towering spires. He had faced greater challenges before, and he knew that this, too, was just the beginning.

As they made their way back through the streets of Ashavel, the city had already begun to transform with the coming night. Lanterns flickered to life along the streets, casting warm pools of light that illuminated the cobblestones beneath their feet. The chatter of the market had faded, replaced by the more subdued hum of evening life. Tavern doors swung open, letting bursts of laughter and music escape into the night air, while the scents of roasted meats and fresh bread wafted through the streets.

Despite the quiet of the night, Kael could feel the weight of the city around him. There was power here, hidden beneath the surface, and it wasn't just in the Mage Association building.

His gaze lingered on the distant silhouette of the royal district, its towering spires piercing the night sky like silent sentinels. The pressure emanating from that direction was suffocating, an invisible force that prickled his skin and set his nerves on edge. "Miara," he whispered, his voice steady despite the unease creeping into his chest. "What is there?" The System's reply was curt, almost reluctant. [We're too far to discern anything precise.] Kael's jaw tightened. Whatever lay at the heart of Ashavel wasn't just power—it was a reminder of how small he still was in the shadow of giants.

As they approached the Everglade residence, the group slowed, their earlier excitement tempered by the reality of what lay ahead.