The air in the Regulus Library was dense, almost suffocating. It wasn’t just the stale, musty scent of ancient tomes that permeated the space but a deeper, unshakable weight, as if the knowledge within the towering shelves were watching me. Each step I took felt heavier, as though the shadows themselves were pulling me into the abyss.
I followed Rafe and his group from a cautious distance, my movements careful and measured. Their whispers were faint but clear enough to catch fragments of their plans. Every word added a piece to the puzzle, but there were still too many gaps, too many unknowns. My mind raced, trying to connect the dots even as my body moved on autopilot.
The glow of their handheld lanterns bobbed ahead, casting faint silhouettes against the shelves. I stayed low, keeping to the darker paths between rows of forgotten knowledge. Occasionally, my gaze would linger on the spines of the books, each one embossed with cryptic symbols and faded titles. I wondered what forbidden secrets were locked away here—secrets dangerous enough to be sealed from even the academy’s most promising cadets.
Their footsteps echoed faintly in the eerie silence, leading me deeper into the labyrinth. My fingers brushed the hilt of my sword, a subconscious reassurance. The group’s pace slowed as they approached what looked like an archway etched with shimmering runes, its surface faintly pulsing with a dull blue light. The Black Pendant was close; I could feel its presence now, an oppressive hum that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.
From my hiding spot, I observed them closely. Rafe, the self-proclaimed leader, stood confidently, his posture rigid with purpose. His clique moved with a similar air of determination, though some glanced over their shoulders, their nerves betraying their confidence. They were clearly aware of the stakes.
"Stick to the plan," Rafe said, his voice barely a whisper but firm enough to carry authority.
The plan. The phrase gnawed at me. What plan? Did it extend beyond stealing the pendant? Or was this just a single cog in a larger scheme?
The runes on the archway flickered brighter as one of them—a wiry boy I vaguely recognized—produced a key-like device. It shimmered in the dim light, its intricate carvings glowing faintly as it connected with the lock. My grip tightened on my sword. Was now the time to act? Could I take them all by surprise?
But something stopped me. A gut feeling, a nagging voice in the back of my mind urging me to wait. I needed more clarity—more proof. Charging in now would ruin everything. Instead, I shifted slightly, finding a better angle to observe.
The wiry boy inserted the key into a slot near the base of the arch. A faint hum resonated, and the runes flared brighter before dimming entirely. With a low creak, the barrier dissolved, revealing a hidden chamber beyond.
The group moved inside, and I prepared to follow. My heart raced, but my breaths were steady. I couldn't afford to falter now.
As I took a step forward, a faint sound behind me—barely perceptible, like the scrape of a shoe against stone—made me freeze. My pulse quickened, and my senses sharpened. Slowly, I reached for my weapon, shifting my weight to face the threat.
"Who's there?" I hissed under my breath, my voice low but firm.
The shadows around me seemed to deepen, the oppressive silence thickening. I tightened my grip, ready to strike.
Then, from the darkness, a voice—calm, almost amused—answered.
"Been a while since I properly met you, Illiad."
The tone sent a shiver through me. It wasn’t the voice of an enemy, but it wasn’t one I recognized either. My gaze locked on the figure emerging from the gloom, cloaked and enigmatic.
And for the first time since I set foot in Regulus, I wasn’t sure what to do next.
**
The Cloaked Figure Appears
The figure stepped forward, the faint lamplight catching on the edges of his cloak. His movements were deliberate, exuding a quiet confidence that set my nerves on edge. I held my stance, blade half-drawn, ready to defend myself.
"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice low but edged with tension.
The figure chuckled softly, a sound that felt almost out of place in the oppressive silence of the Regulus Library. He stopped a few paces away, the hood of his cloak obscuring most of his features. But there was something about his posture, the way he carried himself—it stirred a strange sense of familiarity in me, though I couldn’t place why.
"You don’t need to draw your weapon," he said, his tone calm yet tinged with amusement. "I’m not here to fight you, Illiad."
The way he said my name sent a jolt through me. There was weight behind it, as though he wasn’t just addressing me in the present but acknowledging something far deeper.
"Who are you?" I repeated, more insistent this time. "And how do you know me?"
He reached up slowly, pulling back the hood of his cloak to reveal his face. The dim light caught the sharp angles of his features, the tousled dark hair, the piercing gaze. My breath caught in my throat.
It was Renar.
Not just someone who resembled him, not a fleeting echo of a memory—Renar, my closest companion from my past life. The tactician who had been by my side through countless battles, whose sharp mind had saved us more times than I could count. The man I’d trusted above all others.
I felt the ground shift beneath me, my mind racing to make sense of it. How? Why? Was this some trick? Some cruel illusion? But the smirk on his face, the spark in his eyes—it was undeniably him.
"You..." My voice faltered, a thousand questions vying for dominance.
He chuckled again, shaking his head. "You can drop the act, Illiad. I know."
"Know what?" I managed to say, though my throat felt tight.
"That you’re a regressor," he said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The words hit me like a physical blow. I took a step back, my hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of my sword. He couldn’t possibly—how could he know?
My silence seemed to amuse him. He crossed his arms, leaning casually against a nearby shelf as though we weren’t standing in the middle of one of the academy’s most forbidden places.
"I figured you’d be more surprised," he said, tilting his head.
"How do you know?" I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Let’s just say you’re not as subtle as you think," he replied with a shrug. "The way you carry yourself, the things you know—most people wouldn’t notice, but I’m not most people."
The weight of his words threatened to crush me. This wasn’t just a chance encounter; Renar had sought me out, had been watching me. But why?
Before I could ask, he held up a hand, stopping me.
"As much as I’d love to catch up, we have more pressing matters," he said, gesturing toward the direction the perpetrators had gone. "You’ve been following them, right? Well, so have I. And let me tell you, they’re about to cause a lot more trouble than you think."
I hesitated, my mind still reeling. I wanted answers, needed them—but he was right. The mission had to come first.
"Fine," I said, forcing myself to focus. "But this isn’t over. You owe me an explanation."
"Deal," he said with a sly grin, already turning to follow the perpetrators. "Now, let’s see if your skills are as sharp as they used to be."
I fell into step behind him, my thoughts a chaotic storm. Renar’s sudden reappearance raised more questions than answers, but for now, I pushed them aside.
We moved silently through the labyrinth of shelves, our shared history unspoken but palpable in the air between us. Whatever his reasons for being here, one thing was clear: Renar wasn’t just here to help me—he was here for a purpose of his own. And I intended to find out what it was.
**
Betrayal
We crept closer, the muffled voices of the perpetrators growing clearer with each step. Renar moved with the same effortless stealth I remembered from our past life, a shadow gliding through the dimly lit aisles of the Regulus Library. His presence was both comforting and disconcerting, but I forced myself to focus.
Ahead of us, the perpetrators stood gathered near an ornately carved iron door—the entrance to the forbidden archives. The leader of the group, Rafe, a lanky cadet with sharp eyes, turned to address the others.
“This is it,” he whispered, pulling a gleaming key from his coat. “With this, we’ll unlock more than just this door—we’ll secure our future.”
The others murmured their agreement, their faces flickering with a mix of excitement and unease. I strained my ears to catch every word, pressing myself against the side of a towering bookshelf. Beside me, Renar was unnervingly calm, as if this was all unfolding exactly as he’d expected.
Then I saw him.
Kalden.
He stepped out from the shadows of the group, his bow slung across his back, his usually composed expression hardened into something I didn’t recognize. He greeted Rafe with a firm handshake, his voice steady as he spoke.
“You’re sure this will work?” Kalden asked, his tone clipped and businesslike.
“Positive,” Rafe replied, holding up the key. “The instructor who gave me this assured us it’s the only one of its kind. The pendant will be ours before the night is over.”
I felt my chest tighten, the weight of betrayal pressing down on me like a vice. Kalden, one of my own teammates, standing there among them, plotting to steal a cursed artifact.
“Kalden,” I muttered under my breath, the name barely audible.
Renar glanced at me, his expression unreadable. He didn’t need to say anything; the look in his eyes told me he’d known all along.
My mind raced, pieces of the puzzle clicking into place. The subtle unease I’d felt around Kalden during training exercises, the way he’d avoided certain topics when we talked. And now this—proof that he wasn’t who he seemed.
“What’s his angle?” I whispered to Renar, keeping my voice low.
“He wants what they all want,” Renar replied, his tone measured. “A way out of poverty. A chance to rise above his station. The nobles promised him that if he helped them, they’d make him one of their own.”
I clenched my fists, anger simmering beneath the surface. “And he believed them? After everything we’ve seen, after how they treat us?”
Renar shrugged, his gaze fixed on the group ahead. “Desperation makes people blind. And Kalden’s desperate.”
As I watched Kalden, a part of me wanted to confront him, to demand an explanation. But another part—the part hardened by my past life—knew there was no point. His choices were his own, and now he’d have to face the consequences.
“Let’s move,” Renar said, his voice breaking through my thoughts.
We advanced cautiously, staying just out of sight as the group unlocked the door and slipped inside. The faint hum of ancient enchantments filled the air as the heavy iron door swung open, revealing the shadowy depths of the forbidden archives.
Kalden was the last to enter, glancing over his shoulder as if sensing someone watching. For a brief moment, our eyes met through the gloom.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
But he didn’t react. He turned and disappeared into the archives, the door creaking shut behind him.
Renar placed a hand on my shoulder, steadying me. “Save your questions for later,” he said quietly. “We’ve got work to do.”
I nodded, though my mind was anything but steady. Kalden’s betrayal felt like a crack in the foundation of everything I’d built since coming to the academy. But I couldn’t let it distract me now.
Together, Renar and I slipped through the door before it sealed completely, our steps soundless against the stone floor. The air inside was heavy with the scent of old parchment and the faint, acrid tang of magic.
Ahead, the group had gathered around a glass case perched on a pedestal. Inside was the Black Pendant, its dark surface gleaming ominously in the flickering torchlight.
As I watched them, my resolve hardened. Kalden’s betrayal was a wound, but it wouldn’t stop me. I’d find a way to stop them, no matter the cost.
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**
The Confrontation
The group stood gathered around the glass case containing the Black Pendant. Rafe and Kalden were at the forefront, examining the intricate runes etched into the pedestal. I stayed hidden in the shadows alongside Renar, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
Rafe whispered something to Kalden, who nodded and pulled a small pouch from his belt. He sprinkled a fine powder over the case, and the runes flared briefly before fading into nothing. The case emitted a low hum as it unlocked, the lid lifting slightly.
“That’s it,” Rafe said, his voice tight with anticipation. “Just a little more, and it’s ours.”
I exchanged a glance with Renar, who gave me a slight nod. I activated a voice recording device that I brought with me for proof. It was time.
We stepped forward, emerging from the shadows with deliberate movements. My voice rang out, firm and sharp.
“Step away from the case.”
The group spun around, their faces ranging from shock to fury. Rafe’s hand instinctively went to the hilt of his dagger, while Kalden’s expression darkened, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.
“Illiad?” Kalden’s voice was a mix of disbelief and irritation. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” I replied, keeping my tone even. “But it’s pretty clear, isn’t it? Stealing an artifact with mind-control abilities? Even you must know how dangerous that is.”
Kalden’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked almost regretful. But the hard set of his eyes told me he’d made his choice.
“You wouldn’t understand,” he said, his voice low. “This isn’t about danger—it’s about survival. Something you’ve never had to worry about.”
“I understand more than you think,” I said, stepping closer. “But this? This isn’t the way. You’re playing right into the nobles’ hands. They’ll use you, then toss you aside when you’re no longer useful.”
Kalden scoffed. “And what am I supposed to do instead? Stay a nobody forever? Watch my family starve while I cling to some idealistic dream of fairness? Wake up, Illiad. The world doesn’t work that way.”
Rafe interrupted, his tone laced with mockery. “Touching little speech, but we don’t have time for this.” He gestured to his group, who began to spread out, weapons at the ready.
“You think you can stop us?” one of them sneered, a burly cadet I recognized as Derren’s lackey. “You’re outnumbered.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Renar said, stepping forward with an air of calm authority. His voice carried a weight that silenced the room. “The two of us are more than enough.”
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with the unspoken challenge. I positioned myself slightly in front of Renar, my eyes locked on Kalden.
“This is your last chance,” I said, my tone cold. “Walk away now, and I’ll forget this ever happened. But if you stay, you’ll have to face me.”
Kalden’s face twisted into a bitter smile. “You always did think you were better than the rest of us. Fine, then. Let’s see if you really are.”
He nocked an arrow in his bow, the tip gleaming with a faint blue aura. Around us, the others activated their own aura-infused weapons, the air crackling with energy.
I felt the familiar surge of my own aura coursing through me, a steady, pulsing strength that grounded me. Renar, too, radiated a quiet power, his stance relaxed but ready.
The room seemed to hold its breath as the first arrow flew.
**
Aura Combat Intensifies
The arrow streaked toward me, its aura-tipped edge glowing with a chilling blue light. I sidestepped, feeling the air ripple as it narrowly missed my shoulder and embedded itself into a bookshelf behind me, splintering wood and scattering books across the floor.
Kalden was fast—faster than I expected. His movements were precise, his aura amplifying his speed and focus. But I wasn’t about to let him dictate the pace of this battle.
I charged forward, summoning my aura to enhance my reflexes and strengthen my body. The glow of my energy enveloped my fists, and with a sharp pivot, I closed the gap between us. Kalden’s bow shifted, and he leapt back, another arrow already nocked and drawn.
“You’re persistent,” he said, loosing the arrow.
This time, I didn’t dodge. I raised my aura-coated arm, deflecting the projectile with a burst of energy. The clash sent sparks flying, and I saw Kalden’s eyes widen slightly.
“You think I’m going to let you off with a warning after this?” I said, advancing with steady determination. “You’ve betrayed everything we’ve worked for.”
His expression hardened, but there was a flicker of doubt behind his defiance.
Before I could press him further, Rafe lunged toward me, wielding a pair of aura-infused daggers. His movements were wild but calculated, each slash aimed to exploit gaps in my defense. I sidestepped his first attack, then parried the second with a quick strike of my own.
Behind me, Renar engaged two of the other cadets, his calm efficiency contrasting sharply with their erratic aggression. His sword glowed faintly with a golden aura, each swing precise and devastating.
“Don’t lose focus, Illiad!” Renar called out, his tone carrying a sharp edge.
“I’ve got this!” I replied, deflecting another of Rafe’s attacks.
Kalden was circling, trying to line up a shot without hitting his allies. I couldn’t let him get the upper hand. With a quick feint, I forced Rafe to overextend, then countered with a solid strike to his ribs, sending him stumbling back.
I turned just in time to see Kalden release another arrow, this one aimed directly at Renar. Acting on instinct, I threw myself into its path, my aura flaring as I intercepted it mid-flight. The impact reverberated through my arm, but I held firm, shattering the arrow with a surge of energy.
“You’re protecting him?” Kalden shouted, his voice filled with frustration. “Why? He’s just like us—just another commoner trying to survive!”
“He’s nothing like you,” I retorted, my voice cold. “He hasn’t sold his soul for a chance at nobility.”
Kalden’s aura flared brighter, his frustration fueling his power. He dropped his bow and drew a short sword from his belt, charging toward me with a ferocity I hadn’t seen before.
Our weapons clashed, the room filling with the sharp sound of metal against metal. Each strike sent ripples of energy through the air, the intensity of our auras creating a palpable pressure.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Renar dispatch one of his opponents with a swift, precise strike. He turned toward the remaining cadets, his presence commanding even in the heat of battle.
“Stand down,” he said, his voice cutting through the chaos. “You’re outmatched.”
But they didn’t listen. Driven by desperation or blind loyalty to their cause, they pressed on, their attacks growing more frenzied.
Kalden fought with the desperation of someone with nothing left to lose. His strikes were wild yet powerful, his aura burning bright with raw determination. But I could see the cracks in his defense, the way his movements grew more reckless as his frustration mounted.
“Why can’t you just understand?” he shouted, his voice cracking. “This is my only chance!”
“And you’ve already thrown it away,” I replied, deflecting his blade and driving him back. “The nobles you’re trying to impress won’t respect you—they’ll use you and discard you the moment you’re no longer useful.”
Kalden hesitated for a fraction of a second, his grip on his sword faltering. It was all the opening I needed. With a quick, decisive strike, I disarmed him, sending his weapon clattering to the floor.
The remaining cadets faltered as well, their confidence shaken by Kalden’s defeat and Renar’s unrelenting assault. The tides had turned, and the outcome of the battle was clear.
**
Apprehending the Traitors and The Aftermath
Kalden slumped against the cold stone wall, his breath ragged and uneven. Around him, his comrades—Rafe and the others—lay in varying states of defeat. The once-pristine library was now a scene of chaos, shelves knocked over and debris scattered across the floor. I let out a slow breath, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly as I lowered my guard.
Renar stepped beside me, his eyes sharp as they swept over the subdued group. He gestured toward Rafe, who still clutched his side, grimacing in pain. “Start talking,” Renar demanded, his tone calm but firm.
There was no immediate answer. The silence stretched, broken only by the faint crackling of a damaged aura crystal on the floor.
“You were willing to risk everything for this,” I said, addressing Kalden directly. “So explain. Who gave you the key? Who put you up to this?”
Kalden remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor. The others were no better—either too afraid or too ashamed to speak.
Renar knelt next to Rafe, the tip of his blade hovering inches from the cadet’s throat. “We’re not playing games here,” he said softly, his voice like the edge of a knife. “You talk, or you’ll regret it.”
“It was...” Rafe stammered, beads of sweat forming on his brow. “An instructor. I don’t know their name. They never showed their face. They just... left the key in a package.”
“And you thought that was enough reason to jeopardize everything?” I shot back, my frustration boiling over. “Do you even understand what you almost unleashed?”
“They promised us... a way out,” Kalden muttered, his voice barely audible.
I turned to him, anger flaring. “A way out of what? Poverty? Being a commoner? Do you think the nobles will ever accept you after this? You’re nothing but pawns to them.”
Kalden flinched at my words but said nothing more. I realized I wasn’t going to get any clearer answers here—not now, at least.
Renar stood, sheathing his weapon. “We’ve got what we need,” he said, holding up the voice recorder. “Let’s take this to someone who can deal with it properly.”
I nodded, stepping back to allow Renar to handle securing the group. Together, we tied their hands with strips of cloth torn from their uniforms, making sure they couldn’t escape.
By the time we reached the headmaster’s office, the weight of the night was pressing down on me. My arms ached, my legs felt like lead, and my mind was still racing with unanswered questions. Renar knocked on the heavy wooden door, and after a moment, a stern voice called out.
“Enter.”
We pushed the door open to find General Darius standing by his desk, his imposing figure silhouetted against the moonlight streaming through the window. His expression was unreadable as his eyes flicked between us and the group of captured cadets we had brought with us.
“What is the meaning of this?” Darius asked, his tone sharp.
Renar stepped forward, placing the voice recorder on the desk. “We caught them attempting to break into the Regulus Library,” he said. “They were after the Black Pendant.”
Darius’s eyes narrowed. “The Black Pendant?” His gaze shifted to the cadets, his displeasure palpable. “Do you have proof of this?”
Renar pressed a button on the recorder, and the room filled with the voices of the culprits. Their plans, their motivations, and their connection to a mysterious instructor all played out in damning clarity. As the recording ended, the weight of what they had done seemed to settle over the room like a heavy fog.
Darius’s expression darkened. He leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. “You have not only betrayed the trust of this academy but endangered the entire kingdom,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “Do you understand the gravity of your actions?”
The cadets said nothing, their silence speaking louder than any words could.
Darius straightened, his gaze cold and unyielding. “Guards!”
Two guards entered the room, their armor clinking softly as they approached.
“Take them to the dungeons,” Darius ordered. “They will remain there until their trial.”
The guards moved quickly, escorting the subdued cadets out of the office. Kalden was the last to leave, his head bowed. For a moment, he hesitated at the door, his gaze flickering toward me. I met his eyes, searching for something—regret, shame, a plea for forgiveness—but whatever it was, it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
When the door closed behind them, the room fell silent.
Darius turned back to us, his expression slightly softer. “You both did well,” he said. “This could have ended much worse.”
I nodded, though I couldn’t shake the lingering bitterness in my chest. “Thank you, sir,” I said quietly.
Renar inclined his head in acknowledgment.
“Get some rest,” Darius said. “You’ve earned it.”
As Renar and I stepped out into the cool night air, the tension that had carried me through the night began to ebb away. The campus was quiet, the chaos of the evening unnoticed by the rest of the academy.
Renar walked beside me, his demeanor calm but thoughtful. After a long stretch of silence, he spoke.
“You held your ground tonight,” he said. “Handled things well.”
“Thanks,” I replied, though my mind was already spinning with questions—about him, about Kalden, about everything that had happened.
Renar glanced at me, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll talk soon. There’s a lot to catch up on.”
I nodded, the weight of his words settling in my chest. For now, I pushed the questions aside, focusing on the simple task of putting one foot in front of the other as we made our way back to the dorms. The night wasn’t over yet—not really.
**
A Walk and Unfinished Business
The night air was cool against my face, carrying with it the faint scent of dew-damp grass and the distant hum of nocturnal insects. Renar and I walked side by side, the rhythmic crunch of our boots against the gravel path the only sound between us. The towering silhouette of the dormitory loomed ahead, its windows glowing faintly in the moonlight.
I should’ve been relieved. The perpetrators were caught, their plans foiled, and the Black Pendant secured. Yet, the weight of unanswered questions settled heavily on my shoulders.
Renar had been quiet since we left the headmaster’s office. For someone who had just assisted in unraveling a dangerous plot, he seemed remarkably composed. I, on the other hand, felt a storm brewing beneath my calm exterior. The revelation that Renar knew about my regression, coupled with Kalden’s betrayal, left my mind spinning.
“Are you going to keep looking at me like that, or are you going to ask your questions?” Renar’s voice broke the silence, his tone carrying a trace of amusement.
I blinked, realizing I’d been glancing at him out of the corner of my eye. “I don’t even know where to start,” I admitted.
“Start wherever you like,” he replied casually, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. “We’ve got time.”
I stopped walking, turning to face him fully. The faint glow of a nearby lamppost illuminated his features—familiar yet distant. “How do you know?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “About... me? About the regression?”
Renar smirked, his expression both infuriatingly smug and deeply comforting. “It wasn’t exactly subtle, Illiad,” he said. “Your combat style, your insights, the way you carry yourself—it’s not something a fresh cadet should possess.”
“You could’ve just chalked it up to talent,” I said, crossing my arms.
“True,” he admitted, “but then there’s the way you look at people, like you already know what they’re capable of. Like you’re seeing ghosts.”
His words hit harder than I expected. I averted my gaze, focusing on the lamppost’s flickering light. “So you guessed?”
“Not guessed,” he said, his tone softening. “I knew.”
“How?” I pressed, stepping closer. “You’ve been keeping an eye on me, haven’t you? Sending those warnings, nudging me in the right direction. Why?”
Renar’s smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. “Because I remember too, Illiad.”
The world seemed to tilt for a moment. I stared at him, trying to process what he had just said. “You... you’re a regressor too?”
He nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and sadness. “I didn’t think I’d see you again—not like this. But when I realized it was you, I couldn’t just stay out of it.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak. My mind raced, piecing together the implications of his words. All this time, I thought I was alone in carrying the burden of my past life. But here he was—Renar, my friend, my tactician—standing beside me once again.
“I...” My throat tightened, the flood of emotions almost overwhelming. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” he said with a small smile. “Not yet, anyway. There’s a lot we need to talk about, but tonight isn’t the time for that.”
I nodded slowly, the weight on my shoulders feeling slightly lighter. “You’re right,” I said. “There’s still too much at stake.”
As we continued walking, a thought nagged at the back of my mind. “Kalden,” I said, breaking the silence. “I still can’t believe he did this.”
Renar’s expression darkened. “Desperation makes people do reckless things,” he said. “And for people like him—commoners looking for a way out—sometimes the promise of power is too tempting to resist.”
“It’s not an excuse,” I said, my voice firm. “We all face challenges. That doesn’t justify betraying everyone around you.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Renar agreed. “But it’s something to remember. Not everyone has your resolve, Illiad. Some people will break under the weight of their circumstances.”
His words lingered as we reached the dormitory entrance. I stopped at the door, turning to face him.
“Renar,” I said, my voice quieter now. “Thank you—for everything.”
He raised an eyebrow. “For saving your life, or for being here at all?”
“Both,” I admitted.
He chuckled, the sound light and genuine. “Get some rest, Illiad. We’ve got a long road ahead.”
As he turned to leave, I watched him disappear into the shadows, his presence like a fleeting memory.
I entered the dorm, the familiar surroundings feeling strangely foreign. The events of the night replayed in my mind as I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor. For the first time in what felt like ages, I wasn’t alone in carrying the weight of my past.
But with that realization came new questions, new uncertainties. Who else might be tied to this tangled web of the past and present? And how far would I have to go to uncover the truth?
One thing was certain—this was just the beginning.