LYRA VESPER POV:
The sun was still low in the sky when I woke up. Morning light spilled gently into my room, reflecting off the tapestries that displayed the Vesper family crest. I stretched, feeling every muscle awaken slowly, savoring the calm of the early day.
'Another day… and Kael will be waiting for me at the academy,' I thought, a mix of nervousness and excitement settling in my chest.
I rose from bed and approached my wardrobe, carefully selecting my uniform. Every detail had to be perfect: the light blue fabric, the golden ribbon at the collar, and the discreet brooch of the Vesper family pinned over my chest. It wasn't just about appearance — it was a symbol of my family's prestige and the responsibility I carried to uphold it.
As I dressed, I remembered the arrangement our families had made long ago. Kael and I had been betrothed since childhood — a marriage intended to strengthen the alliance between two of the most powerful families on the continent.
'I don't care much for politics… but Kael is impressive. Strong, confident, intelligent…' I thought, adjusting the golden ribbon. 'I just hope I don't disappoint my family… or him.'
After getting ready, I went down for breakfast. The aroma of freshly baked bread and ripe fruit filled the Vesper dining hall. I ate slowly, savoring each bite while mentally rehearsing the day ahead.
'The first entrance exam… Kael must be excited,' I thought.
When I finished, I draped a light cloak over my shoulders and stepped outside, walking through the busy streets of the human district toward the academy. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of flowers and herbs sold by merchants. The clatter of carts and the distant chatter of people mixed with birdsong, creating a strangely comforting atmosphere.
As I neared the academy gates, I saw Kael in the distance. He was talking to a boy whose eyes were covered by a blindfold, yet his posture was firm and composed. The first thing that caught my attention was his mana — dark, dense, unlike anything I had ever sensed before.
'Darkness…' I thought, frowning slightly. The energy was rare, and the way it pulsed around him hinted at both strength and control.
My gaze followed him closely. His jet-black hair shone like polished obsidian in the sunlight, giving him a mysterious yet elegant aura. I could tell talent when I saw it — and this young man had something extraordinary.
Even from a distance, my experience allowed me to notice more than just appearances. For a fleeting instant, almost imperceptible, I glimpsed his true eyes beneath the blindfold. Just a brief glance, but it made my breath catch.
'What did I just see?' I wondered, keeping my composure yet feeling a flicker of surprise. 'Eyes like that… they belong to the Shisui. But they've been extinct for centuries…'
I said nothing aloud, maintaining a neutral expression, though my heart raced. Something about this young man was not just rare — it was impossible. And yet there he was, standing in front of me.
Kael laughed, apparently unaware of my attention. His confident, upright posture contrasted sharply with the enigmatic aura of the black-haired boy. A quiet pang of pride stirred in me for being promised to someone so strong, but curiosity about the other youth was irresistible.
I quickened my pace, moving close enough to catch fragments of their conversation. They spoke about the entrance exam, speculating on what challenges awaited them. Kael seemed excited, while the black-haired boy remained silent, carefully observing everything around him.
'Interesting… he doesn't seem intimidated, even by someone like Kael,' I thought, analyzing each of his movements with trained eyes.
As we approached the main courtyard, the center of the field came into view. Combat mannequins were aligned, ready to test every candidate. The anticipation was palpable — students gathered in small groups, whispering about strategies and who might be the strongest contenders.
I kept my distance, watching Kael and the mysterious young man. My mind was racing, yet my heart refused to ignore that fleeting glimpse of his eyes.
'If this is really what I think… he shouldn't even be here.'
I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. My duty as Lyra Vesper was to remain composed. Still, a quiet voice inside me warned that this encounter would not be fleeting.
Kael finally noticed me and waved with a wide smile. I returned it, careful not to betray the intense curiosity that gripped me.
As we approached the starting point for the test, an odd sensation ran down my spine. That young man, this Arven, seemed to carry something far greater than himself. Something ancient. Dangerous, yet fascinating.
'I need to keep an eye on him…' I thought, maintaining my poise, hiding the storm of questions inside me. 'If he really is a Shisui… everything is about to change.'
The courtyard was ready. The murmur of students rose again, instructors took their positions, and the entrance exam was about to begin. But even in that moment, my gaze kept returning to him, and the question remained:
'What exactly did I see in his eyes?'