The moon lingered low over Whimwood Preacademy as its towers stood in shadow, still reeling from the chaos of the recent assault. Though silence had returned, its presence was uneasy. Beneath the ancient stones, tension twisted through the hearts of those who bore the battle’s burden.

  Kagami sat in the Headmaster’s private chamber, the air stiff with arcane weight. Books floated in orderly rhythm behind Alric Vaelthorne, headmaster of Whimwood and wielder of power beyond what even most seasoned mages could dream of. Elias stood behind Kagami, quiet. Master Rivel, her arms crossed, watched intently.

  Alric’s voice broke the stillness. “Your power, Kagami,” he said, tone measured but firm, “attracts danger like fire to dry brush. These ‘dark triads’ have seen what you are. The students of this academy have now become colteral."

  Kagami’s head lowered, gaze fixed on the cold marble floor. Guilt weighed on him like lead.

  “From this day,” Alric continued, “Elias will remain your permanent monitor.”

  Kagami felt a flicker of hope. That was manageable.

  “And,” Alric said, gaze hardening, “you are hereby expelled from Whimwood Preacademy.”

  The words dropped like thunder. Rivel's breath hitched. Elias’s eyes narrowed.

  “What?” Kagami whispered, disbelief in his voice.

  Alric leaned forward, staff gently thudding against the ground. “This is not punishment. Whimwood is where children learn to mold their magic, where magical sparks learn to breathe. But you, Kagami, are a storm. If another attack like this occurs, those children will not survive."

  “Then what do you want me to do?” Kagami asked, lifting his head.

  The Headmaster gestured with a flick of his hand, a parchment floating toward Kagami. The crimson wax bore the seal of a mountain-dragon sigil.

  “Drakemount Academy,” Alric announced. “Where real mages rise. Where you will not be the outlier—but challenged, supported, and watched. Elias was once a student there. He can vouch for their strength. If the dark forces come again, you will not stand alone.”

  Rivel exhaled, her resistance waning. He gave Kagami a nod. “It may be time, boy.”

  Kagami clutched the letter. Fire stirred in his gut. He wasn’t done learning, and now he had a new stage.

  That evening, Kagami met with Minna, Iren, and Leo. The news struck them like a sudden winter gust.

  “You’re leaving?” Minna asked, voice cracking.

  Kagami nodded. “Drakemount is where I need to go. But this isn’t goodbye. It’s just the next path.”

  Leo, frowning, pced a hand on Kagami’s shoulder. “Then we better catch up. You’re not ditching us in strength forever.”

  They shared one st training session that night. Water walked, trees climbed, and ughter mingled with solemn promises. Kagami watched them from the hill, Elias at his side.

  “They’ll grow,” Elias said. “You lit the fire.”

  Kagami smirked. “Then let’s see what Drakemount can teach me.”

  Far away, within a cavern aglow with violet crystals, a council gathered in shadow. The elf men’s wounds had been treated. The Howlthorn werewolf that had fled now knelt.

  A robed figure stood before them. His aura darkened the stones around him.

  “Kagami is being moved,” the robed figure said. “To Drakemount. Our opportunity has shifted.”

  Another voice, older, growled from the dark. “Drakemount has its own shadows.”

  The first figure turned toward a map glowing on the wall—a depiction of the magical realms, a hidden sigil pulsing behind the name "Drakemount."

  “Let us see if he can survive what lies beneath the mountain.”