"Sit, sit!" Eli insisted, pulling chairs closer as Mara fussed over Adrian, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulders.
"Look at you! You've grown taller! And… your glasses?" Mara's eyes narrowed, then widened further. "Adrian… your eyes… are you…?"
Adrian offered a genuine, reassuring smile. "Ascended. Yes. I'm a Knight now."
Eli let out a low whistle, clapping Adrian on the back hard enough to make him sway.
"By the stars, lad! That's our boy!" Pride radiated from both foster parents, momentarily eclipsing their surprise at his sudden appearance.
The questions came in a torrent then, overlapping and eager. "What made you return so early?" Mara asked. "Is everything alright? We weren't expecting you for weeks!"
"The Capital… what was it like?" Eli also asked. "The Academy? The city? Did you meet any nobles?"
Adrian settled back, the worn wood of the chair comforting. He answered patiently, weaving tales of everything.
