The road to Aetherion was longer than Kael had expected.
Not because of distance alone—
But because the world did not unfold all at once.
It revealed itself piece by piece.
—
The first village he passed through was smaller than Vareth.
Quiet.
Simple.
Nothing unfamiliar.
The second—
Larger.
Busier.
More people.
More movement.
More voices.
By the third, Kael began to understand something.
Vareth wasn't the center of anything.
It was just… one of many.
—
By the time the city came into view, the difference was undeniable.
Stone walls rose high, far beyond anything he had seen before. Guards stood at the entrance, armored and alert, their presence alone enough to slow the flow of travelers.
Kael approached with steady steps.
"Name and purpose," one of the guards said.
His voice was firm.
Routine.
"…Kael," he replied. "Traveling."
The guard studied him briefly.
His clothes.
His posture.
Then nodded.
"Move along."
Kael stepped past the gates.
And the world changed.
—
The city was loud.
Not chaotic—
But alive.
Voices overlapped. Footsteps echoed against stone. Merchants called out, selling goods Kael had never seen before.
Weapons.
Cloth.
Strange tools.
Everything moved.
Everything felt faster.
Kael walked carefully, his eyes taking in everything without lingering too long.
So this is a city…
And yet—
Something told him this wasn't even close to the largest.
—
A sudden movement cut through his thoughts.
A figure dashed past him.
Fast.
Too fast.
A hand clutched tightly around something small—
A pouch.
Behind him—
"Stop!"
A voice rang out.
Clear.
Sharp.
Kael turned.
A girl moved through the crowd with surprising speed, her expression calm but focused. Behind her, a boy followed, pushing through people without hesitation.
Both—
Well-dressed.
Not overly extravagant.
But clearly not commoners.
The thief weaved through the crowd, trying to create distance.
Kael watched for a fraction of a second.
Then moved.
—
The world narrowed.
The noise faded.
Only movement remained.
The thief cut left—
Kael adjusted.
A step.
A shift.
Timing.
The man turned again—
And ran straight into him.
Kael's hand shot forward.
Grip.
Twist.
The thief's momentum broke instantly.
He stumbled—
Fell.
The pouch slipped from his hand.
Silence rippled briefly through the space.
Kael didn't release him immediately.
His grip remained firm.
Controlled.
"…Got you," he said quietly.
Footsteps approached.
The girl reached them first.
Her breathing steady.
Her gaze sharp.
She picked up the pouch quickly, checking its contents.
"…Nothing missing," she said.
The boy arrived moments later, slightly out of breath but smiling.
"Well—that saves us trouble."
Kael released the thief, pushing him aside.
The man scrambled to his feet—
Then ran.
No one stopped him.
It wasn't worth it.
The boy looked at Kael, studying him with open curiosity.
"…That was fast."
Kael shrugged slightly.
"He ran in a straight line."
The boy laughed.
"I like that answer."
The girl stepped forward.
"…Thank you," she said.
Her tone was calm.
But sincere.
Kael nodded once.
"…Be more careful."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"You're heading somewhere," the boy said.
Not a question.
An observation.
Kael glanced at him.
"…Yes."
"Aetherion?" he asked.
Kael paused.
Then nodded.
"…Same here," the boy said, grinning slightly. "Entrance exam."
The girl sighed softly.
"…Aren."
"Right."
He straightened.
"Aren Valen."
Kael met his gaze.
"…Kael."
"Just Kael?"
"Yes."
Aren didn't press further.
Instead, he gestured around them.
"First time in a city?"
Kael nodded.
"…It shows a little," Aren said.
Kael didn't deny it.
"…This isn't even a large one," Seris added.
Kael looked at her.
"…It isn't?"
She shook her head.
"This is nothing compared to the capital."
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Then how big is the capital?"
Aren chuckled.
"Big enough that you won't see the end of it in a day."
That—
Was hard to imagine.
Kael glanced around again.
If this wasn't large—
Then the world was far bigger than he had thought.
"And Aetherion?" he asked.
Seris answered this time.
"…It doesn't belong to any city."
Kael looked at her.
"It stands on its own land," she continued. "Independent. Larger than most territories."
Aren crossed his arms.
"And not just humans go there."
Kael's attention sharpened.
"…What do you mean?"
"Elves," Aren said casually. "Dwarves. Sometimes even beastkin."
Kael's gaze shifted slightly.
"…Different species?"
Seris nodded.
"If they have talent, they're accepted."
Silence followed.
Not uncomfortable.
But thoughtful.
So it's not just about humans…
That made the academy feel—
Even bigger.
"…Then you're both nobles," Kael said.
Aren blinked.
"…That obvious?"
"Yes."
Seris didn't deny it.
"…Does it matter?" she asked.
Kael shook his head.
"No."
Aren smiled slightly.
"Good. Because it doesn't to us either."
That—
Was unexpected.
Kael studied them briefly.
Then looked ahead.
"…The road continues from here?"
Aren nodded.
"Yeah. Same direction."
A brief pause.
Then—
"…Then we travel together," Aren said.
Not a question.
A decision.
Kael didn't respond immediately.
But he didn't refuse either.
Seris turned slightly, already beginning to walk.
"…We shouldn't waste time."
Kael followed.
Not because he trusted them.
Not yet.
But because—
Their destination was the same.
And ahead—
Far beyond the city—
Aetherion awaited.
Larger than anything he had imagined.
And now—
Closer than ever before.