Chapter 39 - The Return
The final page of the expedition report slid across the Headmistress's desk.
She read it once more before closing the folder.
The quiet sound echoed through the office.
"That concludes the report."
Three members of Black Crest stood before the large desk.
Kaelen remained as composed as ever.
Riven looked as though he'd rather be anywhere else.
Erix simply waited.
"The northern expedition has been successfully completed."
The Head of the academy looked at Kaelen.
"Your team performed well."
"Thank you, Headmistress."
"The remaining expedition group has yet to return."
His gaze shifted briefly toward the window overlooking the dark academy grounds.
"They're expected before dawn."
Kaelen nodded.
"We'll inform them once they arrive."
"Good."
The Headmistress folded her hands.
"You're dismissed."
The three students bowed respectfully before leaving the office.
The corridor outside was almost empty.
Only a handful of lanterns remained lit along the stone walls.
Seren and Lucian were waiting for them.
Riven stretched the moment they stepped outside.
"...I swear reports get longer every year."
"They don't."
Lucien replied.
"You just pay less attention."
"I pay plenty of attention."
Seren laughed.
"To the snacks on the table."
"There were snacks?"
"...Exactly."
Kaelen simply continued walking.
The familiar exchange followed naturally behind him.
"...Valehart."
Erix stopped.
Mrs. Bradmore stood a short distance away.
"...Professor."
"The rest of you may leave."
Kaelen looked toward him.
"We'll wait."
Erix nodded once.
The others continued down the corridor.
Their voices gradually faded.
"You'll resume Ashbourne's training tomorrow morning."
"...Understood."
Bradmore studied him briefly.
"Her practical evaluation has been suspended."
"...Reason?"
"Professor Aldric discovered she was unable to materialize Astral during the examination."
She offered no further explanation.
Erix understood she would if it were necessary.
"The matter became known among the students."
"...I see."
"Her condition remains unchanged."
"...Then the training schedule remains unchanged."
"It does."
A brief silence settled between them.
"...Anything further, Professor?"
"No."
"Be at the training hall at the usual time."
"...Understood."
He inclined his head.
"Good evening, Professor."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Bradmore watched him disappear down the corridor before leaving herself.
The Black Crest room felt strangely familiar after a week away.
Weapons rested neatly against the wall.
Mission records remained stacked exactly where Kaelen had left them.
Nothing had changed.
Riven dropped face-first onto one of the sofas.
"I'm not moving."
Seren shut the door behind them.
"You've been saying that for the last ten minutes."
"And I still mean it."
Lucien walked to the cabinet and poured himself a glass of water.
"You'll recover the moment dinner arrives."
"...Don't ruin the illusion."
Kaelen placed several mission folders onto the table.
"The remaining expedition group should arrive before sunrise."
"They're cutting it close."
Seren commented.
"They know the schedule."
Kaelen answered calmly.
"They'll be here."
Riven turned his head slightly.
"I'm just glad our part's finished."
Seren nodded.
Lucien took a sip of water.
"I prefer paperwork."
Riven stared at him.
"...You need help."
"I've been told."
The room fell into a comfortable silence.
Moments later...
The door opened again.
Erix stepped inside.
Seren glanced over.
"Bradmore finally let you go?"
"...Yes."
"And?"
Erix removed his gloves.
"They're resuming Ashbourne's training tomorrow."
"The first-year?"
Riven asked.
"...She survived?"
Seren folded his arms.
"I'm honestly a little impressed."
"Professor Bradmore's training isn't exactly pleasant."
Kaelen looked up from the documents.
"No."
"It isn't."
Lucien rested his glass on the table.
"You're assuming she had a choice."
Seren laughed quietly.
"...Fair point."
Riven shook his head.
"I would've quit."
"You would've complained."
Seren corrected.
"I would've complained while quitting."
"...Now that's believable."
Even Kaelen allowed the faintest smile before returning to the reports.
The conversation drifted toward the expedition instead.
Route changes.
Supply shortages.
A tree that collapsed on the cargo beneath Riven.
Seren insisted he had exaggerated.
Lucien claimed Rivan's version was particularly believable.
For a while...
Everything felt normal again.
Across the academy...
Lyra quietly unlocked the dormitory door.
The room was dark.
Amy still hadn't returned.
She placed her bag beside her desk before slowly removing the athletic tape wrapped around her palms.
The skin beneath was still tender.
Bradmore's lessons had left their mark.
Tomorrow...
Training would resume.
She wasn't sure whether that thought was comforting...
Or exhausting.
Perhaps both.
After changing into more comfortable clothes, she walked over to the window.
The academy lay beneath a quiet night sky.
Most dormitory windows had already gone dark.
Only the occasional lantern illuminated the stone pathways.
A cool breeze drifted inside.
Peaceful.
For the first time in days...
The academy almost felt normal.
Then—
Far beyond the western side of the campus...
Several formation lights briefly flickered.
One.
Then another.
Then several more.
Lyra frowned.
"...?"
The lights weren't part of the usual patrol routes.
She leaned forward slightly.
Dark silhouettes moved beyond the academy wall.
Too far away to distinguish.
Whatever was happening...
It was taking place well beyond the areas students were normally allowed to enter.
Several instructors stood waiting.
The outer barrier shimmered.
Just for a moment.
Then a narrow opening appeared.
The silhouettes passed through.
The barrier immediately sealed again.
Within seconds...
The lights disappeared.
The western side of the academy returned to darkness.
Lyra stared for another few moments.
Nothing else happened.
"...Probably academy business."
She closed the window.
Pulled the curtains shut.
And climbed into bed.
Outside...
The academy slept peacefully.
Beyond the western tower...
The night remained silent.
Whatever had entered the academy...
Vanished without a trace.