The boys in the training camp were swinging their blades in vertical slashes, under the watchful eye of General Howard.
It had only been two days. They weren't yet experts, but there was a sense of more confidence, more discipline, in their eyes.
Meanwhile, Captain Edward watched from afar until a soldier approached him.
"Are you still watching them, Captain? They honestly don't seem that special to me."
"Indeed. They're inexperienced," the captain replied.
The soldier chuckled. "That's what I thought. General Howard brags about them as if they were potential heroes, but I'd say their only potential is to be dead weight."
"Felix, don't forget: Howard is training them. He sees things the rest of us don't," the captain said coldly.
"Yes, yes, I know. That's why I won't underestimate them... but that doesn't mean I'll respect them."
Felix walked away. "See you, Captain!"
The captain kept his eyes fixed on the boys, especially on Enea, with a smile that boded ill.
...
Later that night, Enea lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"I can't sleep..."
He sat up. "I think I'll disturb the others..."
He left his room and went to Leon's door, but stopped before knocking. He looked around. The hallway was empty...
He hesitated for a few seconds, then began to walk. Let's do a little exploring.
He wandered through the dark corridors of the castle. No discoveries, just corridors and shadows.
How boring... — he thought, sighing.
After a few steps, he noticed a staircase leading up into the darkness.
"Another floor? I've never seen it before..."
Suddenly, a light appeared at the end of the hallway.
"Shit, someone's coming..." Then he looked at the stairs. "There's no time to hesitate."
He ran up the stairs, finding himself on another floor, completely in darkness.
"This castle never ends..."
Then footsteps were heard below.
"I swear I heard someone on the stairs!" said a male voice.
"Yes, of course..." another replied, dripping with sarcasm.
Again!? — thought Enea, running to find a door, until finally one opened.
Perfect! — He slipped inside and stopped.
Before him stretched an enormous library.
Even a library?
He began exploring the tall shelves filled with books.
"Maybe I'll borrow a couple..." he muttered.
But his progress was halted halfway across the room, blocked by a metal gate.
"A gate...? Don't tell me that's where they keep the forbidden books," he muttered with a wry smile.
Enea checked to see if he could open it, then peered into the darkness and sensed a strange, disturbing presence. "What the hell..."
A sudden gust of icy wind hit him, slamming the windows and knocking over his books.
The noise startled him. Shit!
The door swung open.
"See! I told you there was someone in here!" said a soldier, entering with his companion.
"Henry, don't exaggerate. It was just the wind!"
They walked all the way to the gate but found no one.
"See? There's no one here!"
"Impossible..." Henry muttered, frowning.
"There's no one," said the other, patting him on the shoulder. "You just need to rest, buddy! Haha."
"Yeah, maybe..."
As the two talked, Aeneas slipped back in through the open window and made his way silently to the door.
Thank goodness the wind opened those windows...
He ran outside and headed straight for the stairs.
I'll come back another time. — He tucked a book under his shirt. — For now, that's enough.
He reached the end and checked both sides of the corridor. There was no one around.
He calmly walked back to his room, unaware that, on the other side of the castle, in a shadowy corridor, a pair of gray eyes were following him.
"I see you..." Felix whispered with a mischievous smile.