A week had passed since her return to Valon, but the feeling hadn't left her.

That quiet pull in her chest—the same one that had stopped her from flying straight to Thorne territory.

Elyra stood in the courtyard garden behind the dorms, the morning breeze brushing through her braid. Students were trickling back into the academy after the Hunt, their voices echoing faintly across the marble paths. Life was returning to normal—or at least pretending to.

But she couldn't shake it.

'Something's coming. I don't know what, but if I leave now… I'll miss it.'

Her instincts had never failed her. Not once. And though every fiber of her wanted to go to Noel—to see him, to make sure he was alright—something deeper told her to wait.

She exhaled softly, tilting her face toward the light filtering through the courtyard arches. "You're testing my patience again, Noel," she muttered, half amused, half uneasy.

From where she stood, she could see the faint shimmer of the city's skyline beyond the academy walls—the Imperial Castle in the distance, its golden banners rippling against the wind. Even from here, it radiated power and order, yet Elyra couldn't ignore the tension that clung to the air lately.

Her hand brushed against the silver chain at her neck, a gift from her mother. "One week," she murmured to herself. "Just one more. If nothing happens by then, I'm coming for you."

The sound of footsteps behind her broke her thoughts. She turned slightly, recognizing the light rhythm immediately.

Charlotte.

Elyra smiled faintly, brushing invisible dust from her uniform before heading toward her friend.

The dormitory café wasn't crowded—just the soft clink of cups and the distant hum of mana lamps keeping the place warm. Morning light poured through the high windows, painting the floor in gold.

Charlotte was already there, sitting by the window with her usual bright smile and a cup of tea in hand. Her hazel hair shimmered softly under the sun—the effect of the Sancta Veil still active.

Elyra's face brightened the moment she saw her. "Charlotte!"

Charlotte looked up, her eyes lighting instantly. She stood from her seat with a laugh and practically rushed over. "Elyra! Finally!"

The two met halfway, and without thinking, Charlotte pulled her into a hug. It was soft, familiar, full of that warmth that Elyra didn't get from many people.

Elyra chuckled under her breath, patting her back. "Still a hugger, huh?"

"Of course," Charlotte said, grinning as they pulled apart. "It's been forever since Tharvaldur. How have you've been?"

Elyra smirked, sliding into the seat across from her. "Busy. Family matters. You know how my father gets."

Charlotte rolled her eyes, sitting back down. "Overprotective noble dads… I think that's universal."

"Yours just happens to be the literal Pope of the world," Elyra teased.

Charlotte laughed—a bright, genuine sound. "Touché. But I'm glad to see you. You look… lighter."

"Lighter?" Elyra arched a brow. "You make it sound like I was miserable."

Charlotte's smile softened. "I mean it. You look happy. Peaceful. I'm guessing Noel has something to do with that?"

Elyra's lips curved into a sly grin. "Maybe. He's hard to ignore, after all."

Charlotte leaned her chin on her hand, eyes half-playful, half-fond. "Tell me about it. Between the two of us, I think he's doomed."

Elyra snorted. "Oh, absolutely."

For a moment, both girls laughed together—the sound light and genuine, a small echo of calm after everything they'd survived.

Then Charlotte's tone shifted slightly, thoughtful. "Still… something feels off lately. Father Orthran said the mana currents have been strange. Like the world's shifting."

Elyra's smile faded, her expression sharpening. "I've felt it too. My intuition hasn't been wrong before."

Charlotte's eyes flickered with concern. "Is it about Noel?"

Elyra met her gaze and nodded faintly. "Who else would it be?"

Charlotte smiled, though there was a trace of worry beneath it. "Then let's hope he's safe. He always finds a way, doesn't he?"

Elyra exhaled slowly. "Yeah… he always does."

The door creaked open, and a soft, familiar voice followed.

"Elena!" Charlotte's face lit up instantly, her smile wide and genuine.

Elena von Lestaria stepped into the room with her usual calm poise—silver hair cascading down her shoulders, amber eyes carrying that serene glow. She gave a polite nod. "It's good to see you both again."

Elyra smirked lightly, crossing her arms. "About time you showed up, elf. We were starting to think you got stuck in the mountains."

Elena rolled her eyes, sitting beside them. "Hardly. I was finishing some things after the Hunt."

Charlotte leaned forward curiously. "Oh, right! The Hunt of Inheritance! We never got the full results—how did it go?"

Elena's lips curved into a small smile. "It went well… for some more than others."

Elyra arched an eyebrow. "Meaning?"

Elena exhaled softly. "Noel won. First place."

The room fell silent for a heartbeat. Both Elyra and Charlotte blinked, exchanging a look of disbelief.

Elyra was the first to speak. "He won? Wait—he actually beat everyone?"

Elena nodded. "He did. By a landslide, too. I saw it with my own eyes."

Charlotte's jaw dropped slightly, then a bright smile broke through. "That's incredible! Noel really doesn't stop, does he?"

Elyra grinned faintly, pride flickering behind her eyes. "That idiot. He probably didn't even rest once."

"You're not wrong," Elena replied. "He fought for twenty-four hours straight. The drones captured everything."

The playful atmosphere dimmed when she added quietly, "He's still in his family's territory now. The Thorne lands."

Elyra tilted her head. "Why not come back with the others?"

Elena hesitated. "He said something about to happen. That he needed to handle it."

Charlotte frowned. "That sounds like him."

Elyra's gaze sharpened. "Which is exactly the problem. He keeps trying to carry everything by himself." She leaned back, exhaling. "I want to go after him… but something tells me I shouldn't yet."

Elena's eyes flicked between them, then softened. "Actually, before you think about leaving… there's something important we need to talk about."

Charlotte blinked. "Something important?"

Elyra raised an eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Elena looked toward the door, her tone steady but serious.

"You'll understand when she gets here."

The door opened again.

Selene entered, her blue hair slightly tousled from the wind, cyan eyes unwavering as they met the three gazes waiting for her.

"Elena," she greeted quietly. Then her eyes turned to the others. "Elyra. Charlotte."

Elyra leaned back, curious. "So you're the one we've been waiting for?"

Selene gave a single nod. No hesitation. "Yes."

Charlotte tilted her head. "And… what's this about?"

Selene took a slow breath, then spoke with her usual composure, though her voice carried a faint tremor beneath.

"I like Noel."

The room went utterly still.

Charlotte blinked, processing. Elena just sighed softly—she'd expected it.

Elyra, meanwhile, felt her heartbeat steady, then quicken. Her lips parted slightly as a thought echoed in her mind.

'So this was it… the feeling I couldn't shake.'

Selene met their eyes again, her tone quiet but firm.

"I'm not asking for permission. I just thought you should hear it from me."

Elyra exhaled, a small, almost knowing smile curling at her lips.

'Figures… intuition never fails me.'

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