The hall was quiet as the last of the students trickled out, murmurs and questions buzzing through the air like insects at dusk.
But neither Advait nor Viaan lingered.
They both left the practice hall in opposite directions, walking into the golden light of afternoon with too many thoughts and no words. Their footsteps echoed differently—but their hearts beat in time.
✦ The Whisper After
Later, in the mess hall, someone nudged Viaan's shoulder.
"Hey, what was that earlier?" a boy from Stormshade asked. "Your fire trick—did you plan that with Luna?"
Viaan blinked. "What?"
"You synced. Everyone saw it. That's rare, man. And freaky."
"I didn't plan anything," Viaan muttered, and grabbed his tray, suddenly annoyed.
Elsewhere, Advait sat quietly with a book he wasn't reading. Two Lunaris students whispered nearby.
"His light matched Solaris flame energy? That shouldn't be possible."
"He didn't even flinch. Like he expected it."
Advait turned the page, though his eyes hadn't moved.
He felt… restless. As if something inside him had turned and was now pressing against the walls of his chest.
✦ Restless Evening
That night, Viaan sat by the window in his room, legs drawn up, chin resting on his knees. The pendant lay in his hand again—warm, faintly humming.
He didn't know why he hadn't thrown it out.
Didn't know why he always reached for it when he felt…
Alone.
Across the tower, Advait stood at his window too, holding the worn wooden shard between two fingers like a question he couldn't answer.
They both looked up at the same moon.
They both whispered the same name into the silence of the night.
"Ashara…"
"Rael…"
✦ The Announcement
The next morning, the students gathered once more in the open training circle.
Mistress Calisya stood before them, this time joined by another instructor—Master Kael, sharp-eyed and silent.
"You've all completed your first aura trials," Calisya began. "Now we move forward."
She lifted a stone tablet. With a flick of her hand, glowing lines formed in the air above her.
"Your next phase of training will require partners. You will be placed in pairs or small units, based on potential compatibility—not friendship, not preference."
Eyes widened across the circle. Some students were already whispering predictions, hoping for friends, dreading rivals.
Calisya continued, her tone final. "This decision is binding."
One by one, names appeared in glowing gold script in the sky.
✦ The Moment
Viaan read quickly, eyes flicking through the list.
Then his jaw dropped.
"Viaan Sola & Advait Luna"
He blinked, then looked around.
Advait had already seen it. His face remained unreadable—but his fingers curled at his sides.
They didn't speak.
Not when they made eye contact. Not when they stood in the same square of space. Not even when the other students looked on in curiosity or quiet shock.
But as they stood side by side, for the first time, the faintest ripple passed through the air.
As if the world had inhaled.
And was waiting to see what would happen when they finally exhaled—together.
✦ A Step Closer
Later, when the crowd dispersed, Calisya gestured them into a small stone courtyard lined with trees and wind-chimes.
"A moment alone before training begins," she said. "You'll need it."
And then she left.
Viaan shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking on his heels.
"So... guess it's you and me now."
Advait looked at him quietly, then nodded once. "Apparently."
A pause.
The breeze stirred the chimes. Neither spoke.
Then Viaan tilted his head, softer this time. "Do you think that... thing yesterday was real? The aura thing?"
Advait's answer was quiet. "Yes."
"Yeah." Viaan's voice dropped to almost a whisper. "Me too."
Another pause.
For a moment, their eyes locked—and held.
And in that silence, something shifted.
Not loudly. Not brightly.
But undeniably.