After several hours of joint lectures and training, Kael and Zaros finally had the opportunity to visit the clothing shop that Zaros had recommended.

  It was tucked away in a quieter part of the grounds, not located in the academy’s main commercial area.

  As they walked, Kael voiced his doubts.

  “Are you sure this shop has the kind of clothes I’m looking for?”

  Zaros smirked. “Trust me. It’s hidden, but the quality is excellent, and it's cheap for what it offers. Only a few students know about it, but among them, it has a solid reputation.”

  Kael still looked unconvinced. “But can a shop like this really compete with the others if it’s so unknown?”

  Zaros glanced at him sideways. "Since when are you interested in the academy's economy?" He shrugged. "Besides, it doesn't matter. The academy subsidizes all shops. They function regardless of revenue.”

  Kael blinked. "I've never heard of that before. So competition isn’t really necessary here.”

  "The well-being of the students comes first," Zaros replied casually. "Everything else is secondary."

  Kael let out a low whistle. "The academy must have powerful sponsors for a system like that to work."

  Zaros chuckled. "You have no idea."

  They continued walking and talking about the day’s lectures and sword training until they reached the shop. From the outside, the building was unremarkable. Almost disappointing.

  But the moment Kael stepped inside, his impression changed completely.

  The room was filled with clothes—garments for every occasion. There was seasonal wear, casual outfits, formal attire, and even high-class pieces. The prices varied widely, but the quality was unmistakable.

  They wandered into the men’s section and began to browse quietly.

  "You're right," Kael finally admitted, stopping in front of a suit that closely resembled the one he had admired earlier. "This place is impressive. The prices are actually reasonable, too.”

  Zaros laughed. “Glad you like it.” He pointed toward another section. "I'll be over there if you need me."

  Kael nodded and continued browsing alone, comparing cuts and fabrics, until a gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts.

  “May I help you?”

  Startled, Kael turned around and saw a middle-aged woman standing nearby. A name tag on her chest read "Lillian."

  "Uh, yes, I'm looking for—" He stopped mid-sentence.

  Standing before him was Mal.

  The same woman who had sat at the table with the Unspoken.

  Kael opened his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it. Her tone was perfectly professional.

  "Dear customer, I kindly ask that you not disturb the other patrons. Please follow me. I believe I have something that might suit you."

  Without waiting for a response, she turned and led him behind a partially concealed wall.

  Once they were in a quiet corner, hidden from view, she faced him again.

  "Here," she said softly, gesturing toward a suit hanging nearby.

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  It was white, pure and elegant. The same shade as his hair.

  "It was chosen based on the opinion of someone who knows you well."

  Kael stared at the suit, still too stunned to comment on the color.

  "Isn't it risky for you to operate inside the academy like this?" he finally asked.

  Mal smiled gently. "I worked here long before I joined the Unspoken."

  Seeing his questioning look, she shook her head. "I'd like to explain more, but that isn't my purpose tonight. What you seek will be waiting for you in your room.”

  Her expression softened again as she stepped back into her role.

  "I hope my service was satisfactory."

  With that, she returned to the main hall.

  Kael watched her leave, his thoughts racing.

  So something awaits me. Something meant to guide my next step.

  "All right," he muttered as he lifted the white suit. A quiet chuckle escaped him. "That's... bold."

  He paid for the suit and waited for Zaros. When Zaros finished shopping, they left together, joking and promising to see each others outfits at the ball.

  They parted ways near Zaros’s dormitory, exchanged their usual handshake, and Kael headed back alone, feeling excited but wary.

  As he walked, Bereon’s words echoed in his mind:

  You won’t expect our way of communication.

  "What am I supposed to expect?" Kael wondered quietly. "A riddle?"

  He reached his room, opened the door, and stepped inside.

  He closed the door, turned around, and dropped the suit from his hands as his thoughts went completely blank.

  On the windowsill where Kael always sat was Astra, waiting for him. Ausma rested calmly in her lap, and the moonlight wrapped around her like a quiet vow. For a moment, Kael couldn’t process her presence.

  She looked exactly as he remembered. The same pale composure and distant calm that concealed emotions only he had ever seen. Her dark eyes fixed on him, deep and unreadable like twin voids, pulling him in.

  A thousand feelings rushed through him, but only one mattered:

  He had missed her.

  Silence filled the room, broken only by the soft rustling of Ausma’s feathers. Kael stirred at last, opening his mouth—then closing it again.

  "I...I—"

  The words failed him, collapsing before they could take shape.

  "You fought well," Astra said at last. Her voice was calm and steady yet gentle. "You can be proud of yourself."

  Kael swallowed and finally met her gaze. Until now, he hadn’t been able to do that.

  "Thank you," he replied quietly, his shoulders relaxing. "I tried to do the same reckless thing you did."

  A faint smile touched her lips.

  "I didn't see it myself, but Nora described the fight. It sounded confusing.”

  Then, more softly: "And brilliant."

  Kael chuckled, then grew serious.

  "Astra, I know this might not be the right moment, but I regret what I said to you. I blamed you for things that weren't your fault. I became the very thing I despise."

  She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she turned her gaze to the moon hanging high above the academy.

  "Do you think humans can overcome their limits and reach the moon?" she asked quietly. "Or are they destined to remain on the ground forever?"

  Kael followed her gaze.

  "I think," he said after a moment, "that before overcoming their limits, people must decide if what lies beyond is truly worth reaching."

  Astra let out a soft laugh.

  "That's an interesting answer."

  She turned back to him.

  "You've changed since the last time we spoke."

  She stood up, gently placing Ausma back on the windowsill, and stepped closer until she was standing directly in front of him. She withdrew a familiar notebook from her coat.

  Kael froze.

  Before he could speak, she shook her head and smiled faintly.

  “I know you better than you think.”

  She pressed the notebook lightly against his chest.

  "I felt everything in these pages—your guilt, your regret, your closeness, and your distance. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”

  Her hand cupped his cheek.

  "You made mistakes. That doesn’t mean you deserve to be consumed by them. I forgave you long before we met again.”

  Warmth filled Kael’s chest.

  "Thank you," he whispered. "I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that."

  She stepped back and the distance returned. Her expression was composed once again.

  "I know you still have questions," she said. "But I'm here as one of the Unspoken to tell you one thing only."

  Her eyes sharpened.

  “Be ready.”

  Kael nodded.

  “When does it begin?”

  "In three days," she replied. "That will be our final meeting before the theft. You’ll learn everything then.”

  “Why not send a letter?” Kael asked.

  “No,” Astra said firmly. "What I'm about to tell you cannot be written."

  She took a slow breath.

  "There is a hidden passage beneath the academy. It's a tunnel known only to the Unspoken. It connects the outer district directly to these grounds.”

  Kael’s eyes widened as realization struck.

  "So that's how they plan to enter."

  "Everything will be explained at the meeting," Astra said. "For now, you must remain here. Leaving openly would draw too much attention.”

  She leaned closer and whispered the location into his ear.

  Kael stiffened.

  "That place is far too dangerous. We can’t use it.”

  Astra didn’t respond.

  She moved to the window and opened it. Before Kael could speak, she stepped into the night. The window closed softly behind her, leaving only moonlight—and unanswered questions.