New Bonds

Chapter 7: New Bonds

The mornings at the Celestial Academy were quieter in the Special Admission Division. Aeryn had quickly grown used to the solitude, finding it a mixed blessing. While it offered her the chance to focus, it also reminded her of how far removed she was from the central hub of the Academy where Selene and the other Elites thrived.

It had been weeks since Aeryn had begun her studies, and the only interactions she had with Selene were brief exchanges between classes. Their once-frequent conversations had dwindled into polite nods and passing words. Aeryn told herself it didn't bother her, that this separation was necessary for her growth. But the ache in her chest told another story.

The Academy's sprawling library became her sanctuary. The towering shelves of ancient texts, the soft glow of enchanted lanterns, and the hushed whispers of knowledge seekers made it the perfect escape. It was here that she first met Kael.

Aeryn was buried in a tome on elemental fusion when she heard the faint sound of humming. Glancing up, she spotted a tall figure with unruly auburn hair and an easy smile, casually flipping through a thick volume of spell theory. He seemed out of place, his relaxed demeanor contrasting sharply with the usual rigid postures of the Academy's students.

"Not a fan of the heavy stuff, huh?" he said, catching her gaze and nodding toward the dense text in her hands.

Aeryn blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "It's... interesting," she replied cautiously.

Kael chuckled and set his book down. "Interesting is a kind way to describe it. I'm Kael, by the way. And you must be Aeryn—the Special Admission everyone's whispering about."

Her stomach twisted at his words, but his tone lacked the malice she had grown accustomed to. Instead, it was laced with genuine curiosity.

"I didn't realize I was that well-known," she said dryly.

Kael grinned. "Oh, you're famous. But don't worry, I'm not here to judge. I'm in the Special Division too."

Aeryn's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't seen him in any of her classes. Sensing her confusion, Kael added, "I'm technically in the Advanced Placement track, but they shuffle me around sometimes. Guess I'm not good at following rules."

His easygoing nature was disarming, and before she knew it, they were talking about everything from the peculiarities of the Academy to the absurdity of rankings. For the first time in weeks, Aeryn felt a semblance of normalcy.

Kael quickly became a fixture in Aeryn's life. His presence was like a gust of fresh air, lightening the heaviness that had settled around her. They practiced together in the evenings, often turning the courtyard into their personal training ground. Kael's abilities with wind manipulation were impressive, his control precise yet fluid.

"You're holding back," he commented one evening, watching as Aeryn conjured a modest flame.

"I'm not," she argued, though her hesitation was evident.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "You are. You're afraid of what you might unleash. But trust me, the only way to grow is to let go."

His words stayed with her, and over time, Aeryn found herself pushing her limits. The flames she summoned burned brighter, danced higher, and began to respond to her will in ways they hadn't before. The pendant she wore seemed to resonate with her newfound determination, its warmth a constant encouragement.

One evening, as they practiced, Aeryn felt an unusual surge in her magic. She reached deep within, drawing on emotions she had buried for years. The flames she conjured roared to life, forming a protective ring around her. The display was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"Now that's more like it," Kael said, his voice tinged with admiration.

But Aeryn's control faltered, and the flames began to spiral out of her grasp. Kael reacted quickly, summoning a gust of wind to disperse the fire. Panting, Aeryn fell to her knees, the pendant pulsing faintly against her chest.

"You've got serious potential," Kael said, offering her a hand. "But you've got to respect the power too."

Aeryn nodded, her resolve hardening. She would master this—no matter how long it took.

Not everyone was pleased with Aeryn's progress—or her new companionship.

Selene's days in the Elite Division were a whirlwind of rigorous training and high expectations. Her name carried weight, and with it came the burden of perfection. But even amidst the demands of her schedule, she found herself glancing at the courtyard from her tower window, her eyes drawn to the figure of Aeryn laughing with Kael.

It wasn't jealousy, she told herself. It was concern.

Selene first encountered Kael during a rare break between her classes. Spotting him in the dining hall, she approached with her usual composed demeanor.

"You're Kael," she stated rather than asked, her tone cool.

Kael looked up from his meal, his smile unfaltering. "And you're Selene D'Aramore. The Academy's shining star. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Selene ignored the playful sarcasm. "You've been spending a lot of time with Aeryn."

Kael leaned back, studying her with an amused glint in his eye. "Is that a problem?"

"I need to know your intentions," Selene said bluntly. "Aeryn is—"

"She's stronger than you think," Kael interrupted, his tone turning serious. "And if you're worried I'm here to harm her, you're mistaken. I'm just a friend."

Selene frowned, unused to being interrupted. But there was something in Kael's gaze that made her pause. It wasn't defiance—it was understanding.

"She doesn't need saving," Kael added softly. "She needs support."

Selene said nothing, her thoughts a tangle of guilt and frustration. When she finally left, Kael's words lingered in her mind.

Aeryn was in the library when Selene approached her, the silence between them heavy.

"You've made a new friend," Selene remarked, her voice devoid of its usual warmth.

Aeryn glanced up, her brow furrowing. "Is that a problem?"

Selene hesitated. "No. I just... wanted to make sure he's trustworthy."

Aeryn closed her book, her expression unreadable. "Kael's been nothing but kind to me. Something I can't say for most people here."

The words stung, and Selene's composure faltered for a moment. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't mean to—"

"It's fine," Aeryn interrupted, though her tone suggested otherwise. "I'm used to it."

Selene wanted to say more, to explain herself, but the distance between them felt insurmountable. Instead, she simply nodded and left, the weight of her unspoken words heavy on her shoulders.

As Aeryn watched her go, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. For all her progress, for all the bonds she was beginning to form, the scars of her past still lingered, casting shadows over her newfound strength.

In the days that followed, Aeryn and Kael's friendship continued to blossom. But so too did Selene's determination. She would protect Aeryn—not out of obligation, but out of something she couldn't yet put into words.