The streets of the city buzzed with activity as I made my way toward the academy. The grand square I had stumbled upon earlier was still bustling with people, but now, I was more focused on finding the academy and the answers it might hold. The map Mira had given me was invaluable, but even with it, navigating this immense city felt like trying to follow a single thread in a labyrinth of paths.
As I walked, I passed through different districts of the city, each one distinct in its character. The hustle of the market district with its colorful stalls was quickly replaced by the quieter, more refined areas closer to the academy. Here, the streets were lined with pristine stone buildings, their facades decorated with banners and flags bearing the insignia of various noble families and schools. The air was different here—more formal, like a sense of purpose hung in the atmosphere, each person walking with an air of determination.
It was as I approached the gates of the academy that I saw them—groups of young men and women, all around my age, dressed in various outfits, some with their faces filled with excitement, others with the stoic expressions of those who had seen far more than they let on. They walked together in clusters, some laughing, others quietly discussing what awaited them inside the academy walls. They were students, like me, though they seemed far more confident in their purpose. It wasn't hard to tell they had been preparing for this day for a long time, possibly even their whole lives.
I watched them for a moment, feeling a pang of nervousness deep in my chest. I had no idea what was expected of me, what I was supposed to do, or if I even belonged here. My journey had been so much different from theirs, more uncertain, more filled with confusion. I didn't have the same purpose, the same drive, but there was something deep inside me—some feeling—that made me believe I had a reason for being here, that this was where I was meant to be.
One of the groups passed by, and a girl with short black hair and strikingly bright blue eyes caught my gaze. She was walking with a tall boy, their conversation animated, but she noticed me looking and gave me a curious glance. I quickly looked away, feeling awkward. But before I could move on, the girl stopped, turning back to face me.
"You're new, aren't you?" she asked, her voice clear and friendly, but there was a note of curiosity there. Her tone wasn't dismissive, but more like a question from someone who was genuinely interested.
I hesitated before answering, unsure of how to explain my situation. "Yes, I just arrived," I said finally, trying to sound confident.
The boy beside her, who had been talking to her just a moment ago, paused as well, sensing the shift in the conversation. He looked me over carefully, his gaze intense but not unfriendly. He was tall, with dark brown hair and a solid, muscular build that made him look as though he had spent years in some form of physical training. His clothes were simple but well-made, the attire of a student.
"You don't look like you're from around here," the boy said, his voice low but with a hint of amusement. "You lost or just visiting?"
I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, their curiosity as palpable as the midday sun hanging in the sky. They were sizing me up, trying to figure out what brought me to the city, what my story was. It was the kind of gaze I was used to back in the village, but this time, it made me feel more out of place than I cared to admit.
"I'm here to learn," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. "I was given directions to the academy."
The girl smiled, an easy, genuine smile that softened the tension. "Well, then, you're in the right place. I'm Lyra," she said, gesturing to herself with a small flourish. "And this is my friend Cassian." She pointed to the boy beside her.
Cassian gave a polite nod, his expression still unreadable. "Nice to meet you," he said, his voice deep and calm.
I nodded in return, introducing myself. "I'm Aether."
Lyra's eyes twinkled as she studied me. "Aether, huh? That's an interesting name. Where are you from?"
I hesitated. How could I explain everything? I didn't remember much from before, not really. I didn't have a real answer to that question, just a vague recollection of the village and the feeling of having been somewhere else long ago.
"I'm from a small village, far from here," I said instead, hoping it would suffice.
Lyra seemed to sense that there was more to the story but didn't press. "Well, you'll fit right in here. The academy's full of people from all over the world. It's one of the best places for training and learning," she said, her tone filled with excitement. "Where are you planning to stay? You can't just wander around the city without a place to rest."
I thought about it for a moment. I had money from Mira, but I hadn't yet figured out where I would stay. I had been too distracted by the city itself to think about it.
"I… don't know," I admitted. "I was planning to find a place to sleep once I figured out where the academy was."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Well, you're in luck. There's a place not far from here, an inn for students. It's a bit modest, but it's clean, and it's close to the academy. We usually stay there when we arrive."
"That's right," Lyra chimed in. "The owner's a kind woman. You can get a room for a reasonable price, and it's safe. We've stayed there every time we've come to the city."
I felt a sense of relief wash over me. At least I wouldn't have to wander the streets, unsure of where to go. "Thank you," I said, grateful for their kindness.
"No problem," Cassian said, offering me a small smile. "We're heading that way now if you want to walk with us."
I nodded and fell into step beside them, walking through the city as they pointed out various landmarks and places of interest. The conversation flowed easily as we made our way through the streets, and I felt a strange sense of belonging begin to take root. For the first time since I had arrived, I didn't feel quite so alone.
Soon, we arrived at a quaint, two-story building tucked between larger stone structures. The sign above the door read "The Scholar's Rest," and there was a warm light spilling out through the windows, casting a welcoming glow onto the street.
Lyra turned to me. "This is it. The owner's a bit of a character, but she's nice. Just tell her you're a student and need a room."
We entered the inn, and the smell of freshly baked bread and roasted meat greeted us. The common room was warm, filled with the low hum of conversation and the clink of mugs and plates. The owner, a stout woman with graying hair tied in a bun, smiled warmly when she saw us.
"Ah, students, I see! Looking for a room?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
Lyra stepped forward. "Yes, please. We're staying for the night, and Aether here needs a room too."
The woman nodded, her eyes twinkling as she gestured to a set of stairs. "Second floor. Rooms are five silver a night. But you've got a good look about you, so I'll give you a discount." She winked and handed over a key to Lyra.
"Thanks," Lyra said, handing me the key. "Here, your room's just down the hall."
I thanked her as I took the key, feeling a small surge of gratitude for their help. As I climbed the stairs and found my room, I couldn't help but feel that, for the first time, I was stepping into something bigger than myself. The academy awaited, and with it, new opportunities, new challenges, and—perhaps—answers to the questions that had haunted me for so long.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and
let out a deep breath, knowing that the journey had only just begun.