Chapter 14 – Guardians of the Veils

The Shadows of the Records

The following morning, while the rest of the students headed off to a physical combat class, Ethan made his way to the Central Library of the Valmere Academy. The building, with its ancient architecture, featured columns draped in ivy and stained-glass windows that bathed the light in soft hues. Inside, the silence was dense, almost sacred.

He knew exactly what he was looking for: anything related to the symbol of the circle with the eye, or the words left behind by his father.

After hours immersed in dusty tomes, his efforts were rewarded. A book, nearly forgotten at the back of a shelf, revealed a short but direct chapter.

"Order of the Guardians of the Veils"

> "They existed before the great wars among tamers. Their purpose was not power, but the protection of forgotten knowledge. They cared for the Hidden Sanctuaries, the Circles of Harmony, and the Fragments of Equilibrium. Almost all have vanished. But their traces… still live among us."

An Occult Inheritance

The symbol described in the chapter was the same as the one on the stone that Ethan now hid beneath his floorboards. Further down in the text, a highlighted name caught his attention like a spark in the darkness:

Lorian Ward.

His father.

Ethan's heart raced. The citation was brief, almost faded:

> "Lorian Ward, last known possessor of one of the Fragments. Silenced after the incident in the Obscure Vale. Record classification: restricted."

He closed the book slowly, taking a deep breath. Now, there was no more doubt.

His father was not merely an eccentric researcher. He had been part—perhaps a crucial piece—of that forgotten order. And the Fragments that Ethan now sought could be linked to a greater balance that encompassed the world itself.

An Unexpected Interruption

As he left the library, a shadow crossed his path. It was Asha, a student from the Tactical Class, known for her reserved demeanor and for working with a rare crossbow, the Moonlit Shadow-Crow—a swift, intelligent creature that was almost always silent at her side.

"You've been asking too many questions," she said bluntly.

Ethan stared at her, surprised.

"And you're listening too much."

She smiled enigmatically.

"I hear what matters. And you're getting involved in things that were buried for a reason. The Guardians did not fail. They were silenced."

A heavy silence passed between them for several seconds.

"If you want to live… don't search for the other Fragments," she added, before turning her back and disappearing among the shelves.

The Crow spread its wings silently, vanishing along with her.

Between Warnings and Determination

Back in his dormitory, Ethan sat in silence. His hands rested on the notebook where he had drawn the fragmented map. Asha's words echoed in his mind, but instead of deterring him, they ignited an even stronger flame.

Someone did not want this truth to come to light. And because of that… he had to continue.

Conclusion

In the stillness of the night, Ethan devised a plan. He knew that the other fragments would be hidden in ancient places, perhaps protected by trials, guardians… or traps.

And if there were others like Asha watching his every move, it was time to cease being just a curious onlooker.

It was time to prepare himself as a true heir to the legacy left for him.