Invitation to Velmorian Academy

KNOCK! KNOCK!! KNOCK!!!

Kael groaned, shifting on his small, worn-out bed. His brows furrowed in annoyance as he reached for his outdated phone on the nightstand. 7:00 AM.

Who the hell was knocking at this hour?

His mother hadn't left her room yet, meaning she was still asleep.

His fingers raked through his messy black hair as he threw off the thin blanket and stood up, not bothering to put on a shirt. His toned physique, sculpted from years of hard labor, was evident despite his lean frame.

With a deep sigh, Kael stalked towards the door, his blue eyes cold and unwelcoming.

He unlocked it and pulled it open, revealing a tall, strange-looking man.

The man was clad in a long, dark overcoat, buttoned up neatly. His sharp, defined features carried an air of authority, his piercing silver eyes unreadable. He wasn't smiling, but his face didn't hold hostility either—just pure neutrality.

Kael frowned deeper. Who the hell was this?

"Who are you?" he asked, voice laced with irritation.

The man didn't hesitate. "Zephyr Dravon. Head of Velmorian Academy."

Kael's brows furrowed further. Velmorian Academy? He'd never heard of such a place.

Zephyr's eyes remained fixed on him as he continued, "I have come to offer you admission."

Kael's expression darkened immediately. "I never applied to your school."

"That does not matter. We have been watching your progress. Your grades in high school were exceptional."

Kael sighed in exasperation, already prepared to reject the offer. He didn't care about school, and even if he did, he had no intention of leaving his mother alone.

But before he could utter his refusal, another voice cut in.

"Wait!"

Kael turned his head and found Lyria standing by the hallway, a bright smile on her face.

She looked far too excited.

She had heard everything.

Before Kael could stop her, she stepped forward, gently pushing him aside and beaming at their unexpected visitor.

"Come inside, Mr. Dravon! Please, have a seat."

Kael's scowl deepened as Zephyr inclined his head slightly before stepping into their humble home.

Lyria turned to her son, "Kael, go prepare some tea."

Kael's jaw clenched. Seriously?

He stared at his mother in disbelief, but one look at her hopeful expression made him bite his tongue.

With a frustrated sigh, he turned and walked to the kitchen, leaving his mother and Zephyr alone.

As soon as Kael disappeared into the kitchen, Lyria sat across from Zephyr, her gaze sharp with curiosity.

"Tell me about Velmorian Academy," she asked.

Zephyr met her gaze steadily. "It is a prestigious school that only selects students of great potential."

Lyria nodded, listening intently.

"What do you teach?"

Zephyr paused for the slightest moment before answering. "Many subjects—combat, history, strategy, science. It is designed to shape strong individuals who can survive in a world of… uncertainty."

He had deliberately avoided mentioning magic.

Lyria smiled warmly. "It sounds like an incredible opportunity."

Zephyr gave a curt nod. "It is."

But she noticed something.

The way he spoke—so careful, so precise.

He was hiding something.

But Lyria didn't press further. She already knew Kael wouldn't agree easily, and if she gave him an opportunity to refuse, he would take it without hesitation.

Kael returned shortly after with two cups of tea, placing one in front of Zephyr with an indifferent expression.

Zephyr took a sip, then set the cup down before looking at Kael. "I will return in one week to collect you."

Kael opened his mouth, ready to decline—

But Lyria cut in first.

"No need for that."

Kael's entire body froze.

His head whipped toward his mother, "What?"

Lyria smiled, though her eyes were firm. "He can leave today."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow slightly, "That is sooner than expected."

Kael stared at his mother in shock.

She was… sending him away? Just like that?

"Mom, what the hell are you talking about?" His voice was sharp, edged with disbelief.

Lyria kept smiling, but her hands were clenched into fists on her lap.

She knew Kael too well.

If Zephyr left and gave him a week, Kael would find a way to disappear.

He would refuse, and she might never get him to leave again.

This was her only chance.

Her only chance to give her son a better future.

"Kael," she said softly, "this is your opportunity. You have to go."

Kael clenched his fists.

"No, I don't."

Lyria exhaled slowly. "I want this for you. You deserve more than this small house, this small life."

Kael's throat tightened.

He had spent years working part-time jobs to take care of her.

And now she was asking him to leave?

Zephyr remained silent, simply observing their exchange.

Lyria reached for Kael's hand, her grip weak but firm.

"I know you're afraid to leave me, but I promise I'll be fine."

Kael clenched his jaw.

He didn't care about opportunities.

He didn't care about prestigious schools.

All he cared about was his mother.

And yet… the determination in her eyes made it clear.

She wasn't giving him a choice.

His blue eyes flickered toward Zephyr, hatred burning in them.

"Did you put her up to this?"

Zephyr's expression didn't change. "No. This was her decision."

Kael turned back to his mother, searching her face for any sign of doubt.

There was none.

Lyria was serious.

Kael exhaled sharply, turning away. "Fine. If you want me gone so badly, then I'll leave."

Lyria's eyes softened. "It's not about wanting you gone, Kael. It's about wanting more for you."

But Kael didn't respond.

His fists clenched at his sides as he stormed into his room to pack.

Zephyr watched him disappear, then turned to Lyria.

"You made the right decision."

Lyria forced a smile, but deep inside, her heart was breaking.

She just prayed Kael would one day understand.

•••••••

Kael emerged from his room, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

He was dressed in a black hoodie and ripped jeans, his damp hair carefully styled back. It was obvious he had showered—his skin still carried the faintest sheen of moisture, and the sharp scent of his soap lingered in the air.

But his expression was unreadable.

Cold.

Distant.

His eyes flicked to Lyria for the briefest second before shifting away, his grip tightening around the strap of his bag.

"Let's go," he muttered, walking past her without another glance.

Zephyr inclined his head slightly and followed, but before they could reach the door—

Lyria grabbed Kael's wrist.

"Wait!"

Her voice was trembling.

Kael stilled, his back still turned to her. His entire body was tense.

She could feel it.

Could feel the storm brewing inside him.

But before she could say another word, Kael snapped.

"Why are you doing this?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade.

He turned to face her, his blue eyes burning with something fierce—anger, pain, betrayal.

"After everything I've done for you, after all these years of working my ass off to take care of you—you're just pushing me away like I don't matter?"