The celebration from the Trials didn't last long.
By the next morning, the Academy's bell tolled three times—a sound reserved for council summons and emergencies.
Students whispered nervously across the halls as guards sealed off the arena. Cracks still shimmered faintly on the ground where Tharen's corruption had bled through.
Kaela walked beside Aiden, her expression thoughtful. "It shouldn't have been possible. The barrier was self-contained. For an external force to infect it means—"
"Someone inside helped," Aiden finished. His tone was quiet but certain.
Ciel folded her arms, her silver eyes glinting. "Then we find who. If Tharen's infection has reached the Academy, no one is safe."
Before they could continue, the corridor's doors opened with a low hum. A tall figure entered—robes of midnight blue trailing behind, faint golden runes pulsing along the hem. His hair was dark, streaked with silver, and his eyes seemed to hold galaxies within them.
Professor Selian followed him closely. "Everyone, this is Professor Veylan Arctis. He'll be assisting with dimensional containment studies and… the investigation of yesterday's incident."
---
Veylan's gaze moved across the hall until it settled on Aiden. For a moment, the air around them thickened—as if the world itself held its breath.
"You're the one who resonated with the Rift energy," Veylan said quietly. His voice was smooth, almost melodic, yet carried an undertone of danger. "Interesting."
Aiden hesitated. "You could sense that?"
"I could feel it the moment I arrived on campus," Veylan replied. "Your magic hums between worlds. That's not something you can hide from me."
Kaela shifted protectively closer, her lattice flickering. "Professor, with respect, Aiden doesn't owe you any explanations."
Veylan smiled faintly. "Of course. But knowledge is protection—and ignorance is death. You'd do well to remember that."
Ciel stepped forward, her aura flaring just enough to remind him whose family she came from. "We'll remember when it matters. For now, keep your distance from my brother."
Veylan's smile widened. "Oh, I'm certain fate won't let me."
---
Later that afternoon, the council meeting convened in the crystal amphitheater. The seven senior professors discussed the corrupted barrier in hushed tones.
"The Crimson resonance in the combat dome was artificial," Selian explained. "It mimicked Rift energy perfectly but lacked the chaotic pulse. Someone tried to summon the corruption, not simply channel it."
Lord Ravel Valcor stood among them, arms crossed. "If Tharen's influence spreads further, Elyndra itself could fracture. The balance between dimensions is already fragile."
Veylan's voice cut through the chamber. "Then perhaps we need someone who can bridge both sides of the veil." His eyes flicked toward Aiden, who was seated quietly near the edge.
Ravel's gaze sharpened. "You're suggesting we use my son as a conduit?"
"Not use," Veylan corrected. "Train. If he already resonates with both energies, he may be the only one capable of closing future breaches."
The room fell silent.
Finally, Ravel said, "He will train—but under my supervision. If he's to face that power, it will not be alone."
---
When the meeting ended, Aiden found Kaela and Ciel waiting outside.
Kaela's expression was calm but worried. "So they want to train you with Rift energy. That's dangerous."
"I don't have a choice," Aiden said quietly. "If Tharen's power keeps spreading, I'll have to learn to fight it from the inside."
Ciel stepped closer, her tone protective but softer than usual. "Then I'll make sure no one pushes you too far. Especially that new professor."
Kaela smirked faintly. "Careful, Ciel. You sound jealous."
Ciel's silver eyes flashed. "I'm cautious. Not jealous."
Aiden sighed. "Please, both of you—can we not turn this into a duel?"
That earned a reluctant laugh from Kaela and an eye-roll from Ciel.
---
Training began at dusk. The arena was repaired and silent except for the hum of containment wards.
Veylan stood at the center, waiting. "We'll start simple. I want you to draw out your starlight energy—then touch the residual Rift signature left from yesterday's battle."
Aiden swallowed hard but did as told. Lyria shimmered into being, glowing softly. When he extended it toward the faint crimson scar in the air, the two energies met with a crack of lightning.
Pain lanced through him—brief but sharp. Images flashed across his mind: endless darkness, Tharen's eyes, the scream of breaking worlds.
Kaela shouted his name, rushing forward, but Veylan raised a hand. "Wait! Look."
The clash steadied. Starlight and Rift energy intertwined like two threads, not fighting—but forming a pattern. Aiden's aura expanded, glowing white-blue with streaks of crimson.
"It's stabilizing…" Veylan murmured. "Remarkable. He's not rejecting it. He's balancing it."
Ciel's expression softened with both pride and worry. "He's burning himself out."
Veylan lowered his hand. "Then you'll need to keep him anchored."
Kaela placed her palm on Aiden's shoulder, her lattice linking with his aura. Ciel followed, their combined energy merging around him. The three lights—violet, silver, and starlight—wove together, sealing the unstable resonance until it dimmed safely.
Aiden collapsed to one knee, breathing hard but alive. "I… did it?"
Veylan smiled, faintly approving. "You did. And you've proven what I suspected—you're the bridge between worlds, Aiden Valcor. But every bridge can be crossed from both directions."
---
Later, as the others left, Aiden lingered in the quiet arena. The stars overhead glimmered brighter than usual.
Ciel joined him, her tone gentler now. "You scared me again, you know."
He smiled weakly. "Seems to be a habit."
Kaela appeared on his other side, arms folded but eyes warm. "Whatever happens, you're not facing it alone. Not anymore."
For a rare moment, Ciel didn't argue. She simply nodded.
Above them, faint ripples of red light flickered across the night sky—remnants of something watching.
Tharen's whisper slid faintly through the wind: 'A bridge, indeed. And soon, I will cross it.'