She closed the book, frowning deeply.

"It’s something I don’t even know."

Kael stared at the coins in his hand. "I need to investigate it."

"Kael," Cecelia said quietly, "if you’re planning to investigate, at least tell someone. Don’t go

alone."

But Kael was already standing. "I’ll be fine."

"Kael!" she hissed, glancing toward the librarian’s desk. "Keep your voice down!"

Before she could stop him, Kael’s excitement got the better of him. "Ancient coins!" he said aloud, almost shouting.

The entire library fell silent. Dozens of eyes turned toward him.

A professor seated near the corner looked up from his papers and frowned. "Excuse me, but this is a library, young man. No shouting."

Kael froze, then awkwardly bowed. "Sorry, madam."

The professor gave him a disapproving look before returning to her scrolls. Cecelia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Kael gathered the coins and slipped them into his pocket. "Thanks for the help. I’ll return soon."

"Kael, wait—" Cecelia started, but he was already halfway down the stairs.

Outside the Academy

The moment Kael stepped out of the library, he took a deep breath.

(these are the coins used to buy the map fragment of the lost land) Kael thought.

He didn’t even bother reporting to his class or checking with the professors. Without hesitation, Kael strode past the academy gates. The guards noticed him.

"Hey! First-year, where are you heading?" one called.

"Mission review outside the grounds," Kael replied quickly.

The guard nodded, though uncertain. "Be careful. The valley area isn’t fully stable yet."

"The demons are shouting". The guard shouted.

Kael simply nodded and kept walking.

He didn’t plan to wait.

The mana class was still going on.

Cecelia’s eyes weren’t on the lesson.

They were fixed on the window.

Through the glass, she saw a familiar figure walking across the academy courtyard moving with uncharacteristic urgency.

His dark cloak flapped behind him as he cut through the morning crowd.

Her heart skipped.

(That’s... Kael.)

(He was supposed to attend class today.)

(All missions were postponed for the week after the valley cleanup. So why was he walking toward the gates alone?)

"Cecelia?" Professor Orwen’s calm voice pulled her back to the present.

"You seem distracted. Is the exercise too difficult?"

"Oh— uh, no, Professor," she said, shaking her head quickly. "I just... remembered something important."

"Important?" His eyebrow arched.

"Yes, actually." Cecelia took a deep breath and stood up from her seat.

"Professor Orwen, may I go outside for a moment? It’s urgent."

Students turned their heads, surprised — Cecelia never left class midway. She was known for her discipline.

"Urgent, you say?" Orwen studied her face for a moment, sensing she wasn’t lying — but that she was definitely hiding something.

After a pause, he nodded.

"Alright. You may go, but make sure you return soon. We’re beginning the mana convergence section."

"Thank you, Professor," Cecelia said, bowing politely.

As she hurried toward the door, whispers rose behind her.

"What’s with her today?"

"She looked restless."

"Maybe something happened with the first-year hero again," one girl snickered softly.

Cecelia ignored them and stepped into the hallway.

Cecelia tightened her grip on her uniform and began to run.

(Where is he going? Why now?) she thought.

When she reached the courtyard, she spotted him again.

Kael was moving fast, past the fountain where the academy insignia gleamed, heading toward the outer gate.

"Kael!" she almost called out, but stopped herself.

If he was trying to sneak out quietly, yelling his name would only draw attention.

That’s when someone else noticed her — Veyla, one of Cecelia’s classmates.

She leaned against a pillar, smirking.

"Going somewhere, Cecelia?"

Cecelia froze. "Huh? Oh— I just—"

"Hey, aren’t you supposed to attend Orwen classes?"

Veyla tilted her head slightly, following Cecelia’s line of sight.

"I skipped"

Then she saw it — Kael’s back as he passed through the open gates.

Her smirk widened. "Ah. So that’s what this is about. Urgent work, huh? Or urgent Kael?"

Cecelia’s face turned red. "It’s not like that! I just—"

But Veyla laughed lightly, waving her hand.

"Relax. I don’t care. Just don’t get caught sneaking off during class. Orwen might not be as patient next time."

Cecelia didn’t wait to reply. She took off running.

She ran and ran and reached the gate.

"Hey! Hold on!" one of them called out as Kael passed through.

"Mission review outside the grounds!" Kael shouted over his shoulder, showing his student tag briefly before disappearing down the main road.

The guards exchanged uncertain looks but didn’t stop him.

He was, after all, the same student who had survived the demon valley. That alone earned him some leeway.

Moments later, another figure came dashing down the path — Cecelia, breathing hard, trying not to look suspicious. Her cloak billowed behind her.

"Heyyy—" one of the guards shouted, recognizing her. "Miss Cecelia, where are you—"

"Urgent academy matters!" she yelled, running past them.

"Again?" the guard muttered. "What’s with these kids today?"

By the time Cecelia reached the terminal, she saw Kael’s uniform disappearing through one of the terminals.

A flicker of blue light swallowed him whole.

"Wait—!" she gasped, running faster.

She reached the terminal operator’s desk just as the light faded.

"Destination?" the operator asked calmly.

"Elaris City," Cecelia said, panting.

"That’ll be two silver coins," the operator said.

She fumbled in her pouch, handed him the coins, and stepped into the terminal.

Elaris City Terminal

With a flash, she reappeared inside another circle — this time surrounded by tall stone walls and the faint buzz of market chatter outside.

The air smelled different here — dust, spice, and mana residue mixed with the city’s vibrant pulse.

Cecelia quickly looked around. The City was crowded, but she spotted him — Kael — standing a short distance ahead, speaking to the terminal guard and handing over several coins.

"Payment received," the guard said, nodding. Kael gave a brief thanks and began walking toward the exit.

(What are you trying to do, Kael?) Cecelia wondered, slipping behind a stone pillar. She adjusted her hood and followed at a safe distance.

Kael stepped out into the sunlight of Elaris City — a bustling town of merchants, magic smiths, and wandering adventurers.

Colorful banners hung between buildings, and mana crystals powered the floating lanterns that lined the main street.

He blended into the crowd easily.

Cecelia stayed several paces behind, pretending to browse a nearby stall. She kept her hood low, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

But then it happened — Kael turned slightly, his eyes scanning the terminal entrance behind him.

For a brief moment, their gazes met.

Cecelia froze.

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly, recognition flickering in them. But instead of reacting, he simply looked away. He didn’t even slow down.