By Thursday of that pivotal week, the academy's rhythm had begun to feel less alien to Kael. He was still driven by the cold fire of vengeance for Lyra, but the routine, the rigorous training, and the unwavering presence of Arion and Seraphina provided a semblance of stability. In the sparring yards, his speed sharpened; in the elemental chambers, his control over air, fire, and water showed faint signs of improvement, though mastering the volatile surges of thunder still proved a persistent challenge.
Aether, his loyal wyrmling, was always nearby, a quiet, watchful presence. It would often rest on Kael's desk during lectures, or circle softly above his head in outdoor practice areas. Other students were endlessly fascinated by the creature, some brave enough to offer a cautious hand for it to sniff, others simply content to observe from a distance. Its unusual intelligence and the subtle shimmer of its dark scales were noted, but its true nature remained a secret to all but Kael himself.
It was on a blustery Friday afternoon, during their Magical Creature Bonds class, that the academy's greatest secret-keeper would begin to unravel Aether's mystery. The class was led by Professor Aerion, the silver-haired mage Kael had noticed at the orientation. Today, her eyes, usually gentle, held a keen, focused intensity as she lectured.
"Students," Professor Aerion began, her voice a soft, compelling hum that cut through the rustle of robes and the scratching of quills, "we often speak of 'pets,' but a true magical bond is far more profound. It is not ownership; it is companionship. A unique merging of spirits, an echo of one's very soul in another living being."
She moved gracefully between the desks, her gaze sweeping over the students, occasionally resting on a bonded creature—a small, feathered owl perched on a student's shoulder, a shimmering fish in an enchanted globe beside another. "And in the rarest, deepest of these bonds," she continued, "the connection transcends mere empathy. It allows for a sharing of thoughts, a flow of understanding that is more than words. A mental communion that links bond-mate and companion in a way few can truly fathom."
Her eyes, sharp and ancient, then settled on Kael, and by extension, on Aether, who was perched serenely on his desk, observing the class with an unnervingly intelligent gaze. The subtle, multi-colored glow that often rippled beneath Aether's scales seemed to intensify. Professor Aerion stopped speaking, her head tilted, her gaze piercing. She took a slow, deliberate step closer, then another, until she stood directly before Kael's desk.
A hush fell over the classroom.
"By the Ancients..." Professor Aerion breathed, her voice filled with awe. She reached out a gnarled hand, not quite touching Aether, but holding it open. Aether, instead of shying away, leaned into her presence, its tiny chest vibrating with a low, almost purring sound. As it did, the elemental shimmer across its scales became undeniable: a flash of vibrant blue like lightning, then a streak of fiery orange, a fluid ripple of aquamarine, and the unmistakable crackle of nascent electricity.
Professor Aerion's eyes widened, her weathered face transforming from focused interest to profound awe. She looked from Aether to Kael, then back to the creature, her gaze piercing the very veil of its form. "This... this is no mere wyrmling, Prince Kael. This is a dragon."
The word hung in the air, immense and impossible, hitting Kael with the force of a physical blow. A collective gasp erupted from the students. Arion, beside him, stiffened, his jaw dropping. Seraphina's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock and wonder.
"A dragon?" Kael finally managed, the word feeling utterly surreal on his tongue. He looked at Aether, who nudged his cheek, its small, ancient eyes filled with a knowing affection.
"Indeed," Professor Aerion affirmed, her voice ringing with certainty. "A true, Multi-Elemental Dragon. One of the rarest, most powerful, most ancient bonds in all the world." She turned to face the stunned class, her voice rising in intensity. "There are only a handful of creatures capable of forging such profound, world-altering bonds. We speak of the noble Unicorns, whose pure spirit can shatter darkness; the majestic Griffins, whose loyalty is as fierce as their talons; and the mighty Elemental Great Beasts, like the Solaran Fire Lions. These are the pinnacle of companionship."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the stunned faces, then returned to Kael and the impossibly real dragon on his desk. "But the bond with a true dragon, especially a Multi-Elemental Dragon like yours, Prince Kael, is beyond even these. It is a bond of primordial power, a resonance with the very essence of creation. Such creatures choose their companions not by chance, but by a shared soul, a mirroring of elemental affinity that is almost unheard of. Your innate connection to fire, water, air, and thunder sings to Aether's core."
The class ended abruptly, dissolving into a cacophony of stunned whispers and excited murmurs. Students pointed, their gazes fixed on Kael and Aether. Kael himself felt a profound shift within him. The wyrmling he had cherished, the comfort in his darkest hour, was a creature of legend. His grief for Lyra was still a searing wound, but now, a new, monumental purpose had been laid bare. With Aether, his dragon, his companion, by his side, the very scales of destiny had just tilted