Time had slipped by faster than they would have thought, and the bell rang for the meal. Its clear chime carried over snow and stone.

  Sylaria lifted her head.

  — We should go to the dining hall. The kitchens must have started serving already.

  Loyd drew a deep breath.

  — I can confirm that. I can smell meat all the way into the courtyard.

  Nahira gave a discreet smile.

  — I was just thinking your pace suddenly picked up.

  They went back to the dormitory to fetch Volden, Ophélia, and Le?na. The last one opened the door before Elwyn even had time to knock.

  — Are we eating? she asked at once.

  — Yes. The dining hall just opened, Elwyn replied.

  Le?na let out a small victory cry, grabbed her coat, and pulled on her boots without wasting a second. Ophélia adjusted hers, then checked that the little girl was bundled properly. Volden closed the door behind them.

  They walked to the dining hall together.

  The air was thick with comforting smells: warm bread, steaming soup, slow-simmered dishes. Families were coming in by groups, guided by their children. Laughter was already echoing inside.

  Ophélia studied the building’s fa?ade and a smile slipped out.

  — That hasn’t changed either. I feel like I could find my place again just by walking in.

  — Did you have a favorite spot? Sylaria asked.

  — Not really. As long as there wasn’t a draft at my back, I could sit anywhere.

  Nahira breathed, under her voice.

  — That sounds exactly like something Elwyn would do.

  Loyd flicked a small smile.

  — Must run in the family, then.

  They stepped into the great hall.

  The dining hall had been prepared for the day. The usual long tables were there, covered with white cloths on which someone had placed bouquets of pine branches and red berries in simple terracotta vases.

  A warm buzz filled the space. Adult voices mingled with students’, creating an atmosphere that felt familiar and reassuring.

  They found an empty table at the back, where they could see snow falling beyond the opposite windows. The group took up the entire length. Elwyn let Le?na sit between him and Nahira, while Volden and Ophélia sat across from them. Sylaria sat beside Nahira, and Loyd and Arimélia took places near Volden, completing the rectangle.

  A third-year student—assigned to serve for the occasion—brought them plates already filled: winter stew, roasted vegetables, bread still warm. A simple meal, but generous.

  Le?na leaned over her plate.

  — Is it like this every day? she whispered.

  — No. Usually we serve ourselves. Today they’re making an effort so the parents don’t have to stand in line, Elwyn answered.

  — That’s too bad. I would’ve liked to serve myself.

  Sylaria smiled.

  — I think you’ll be able to take more bread, at least.

  Ophélia examined the plates with a professional eye.

  — The portions are good. The balance is good. They’re doing well.

  Nahira’s expression brightened with amusement.

  — You analyze food here, too.

  — Healer’s reflex. When you’ve seen too many adventurers eat badly, you start looking at plates differently.

  Volden bit into his bread.

  — As long as it fills the stomach, it’s perfect.

  Le?na was already tackling her stew with remarkable focus. She savored every bite as if the dish were a reward.

  — It’s better than at home, she announced very seriously.

  Ophélia raised an eyebrow.

  — I’ll take that as a personal insult.

  The little girl froze, then corrected herself immediately.

  — No. I mean… it’s different. Here, it tastes like the place.

  Volden stifled a laugh.

  — Good save.

  The conversation drifted naturally to life at the Academy.

  — How are the professors this year? Ophélia asked.

  — Demanding, but fair. And the pace is more intense than it was with Uvina, Elwyn replied.

  Volden turned to Loyd.

  — And you’re holding up at that level?

  — I’m fine. As long as I can move, I can keep going. The theory classes are long, but Elwyn helps me review when I need it. And the professors appreciate it when you make an effort.

  Nahira lifted her eyes briefly.

  — He won’t say it, but he’s improving. He’s made progress with writing assignments.

  Loyd put on a mock-offended look.

  — You say that like I write like a wild beast.

  — You wrote like someone dictating to his dulled sword, she corrected.

  Sylaria bit into a piece of bread to hide her smile.

  Ophélia turned to Arimélia.

  — And you—how do you find the Academy?

  The half-dragon straightened a little, hands resting on either side of her plate.

  — It’s impressive. I’m truly grateful to be able to study here.

  — You look diligent. Elwyn tends to draw people who work well, Ophélia replied.

  — Mostly I’m the one benefiting from everyone else’s seriousness, Loyd cut in.

  Nahira interrupted him evenly.

  — You mostly benefit from the fact that you and Elwyn are close enough for him to stop you from backsliding in class.

  Le?na was watching them all closely, as if she wanted to keep every word.

  Then, without warning, she turned to Sylaria.

  — And you, you’re a princess, but you’re here like a normal person.

  Sylaria froze for a moment.

  — Yes. That’s the point of the Academy. We come here as students. Not as a princess, or as… anything else.

  — You like it.

  Sylaria thought for a second, then nodded.

  — Yes. Here, I have friends who talk to me because I’m me. Not because I’m someone important’s daughter.

  Le?na smiled, completely certain.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  — I think you’re important because you’re kind.

  Sylaria’s cheeks pinked. Arimélia looked away, a discreet smile on her lips. Nahira flicked a brief glance at Elwyn, who was watching the scene with quiet calm.

  Volden tilted his head slightly toward him.

  — See? You’re not the only one making a good impression.

  Elwyn shook his head softly.

  — I’m not doing anything in particular.

  — You’re living. That’s more than enough, Volden replied.

  The meal continued in a warm atmosphere. The discussion wandered to Elwyn’s home village. Volden recounted the story of the Chaos boar attack, and Ophélia spoke about a stubborn patient who refused to stay in bed and always ended up fainting. Le?na explained how hard she was working on writing and reading, like Elwyn once had.

  — You already read a lot back then, Sylaria remarked.

  — Less than now. Here, I read because it’s necessary. Back there, I read because I didn’t know what else to do, Elwyn replied.

  A soft silence settled. It wasn’t emptiness—more like a quiet respect for what each of them carried behind them.

  Ophélia chose to break it with a lighter tone.

  — In any case, I’m reassured. You’re well surrounded.

  She looked from Loyd to Nahira to Sylaria to Arimélia.

  — You look out for each other. It shows.

  Nahira gave a half-smile.

  — Let’s say trouble finds us easily.

  — Then we might as well face it together, Loyd added.

  — And besides… we want everyone to stay in one piece, Sylaria concluded.

  Arimélia lowered her eyes slightly, then lifted them again.

  — That matters a lot, indeed.

  Le?na had finished a while ago and was eyeing the breadbasket. Volden gave her an extra piece without a word. She thanked him with a grin full of crumbs.

  As the meal came to an end, families began leaving the dining hall. Some went to rest, others prepared for the evening. Plates were cleared slowly. The buzz grew lighter.

  Ophélia stood first.

  — We’ll spend a little time with you before we go back up to rest for the evening.

  — I’ll come get you then, Elwyn said.

  Volden gave him a brief hug.

  — No need to rush. We’re not as young as you are anymore.

  Le?na rose onto her toes, grabbed her brother around the neck, and hung there with comic determination.

  — You’re not allowed to leave without me.

  — Promise, he replied, lifting her slightly off the ground.

  They walked together toward the exit.

  The dining hall emptied gradually, leaving behind only the smell of warm bread and spiced soup. Outside, Elwyn drew in the winter air—sharp and clean. The wind came in light gusts, sometimes lifting a glittering powder of snow.

  Le?na kept her hand in his, determined not to let go again. Volden and Ophélia walked behind, taking in the Academy with quiet curiosity, caught between old memories and new discoveries. Around them, families and students dispersed, all carried by the soft excitement of the celebration.

  — Where are we going now? Le?na asked with her usual energy.

  Nahira tilted her head toward her.

  — We haven’t shown you the labyrinth yet.

  — The labyrinth, Le?na repeated, suddenly captivated.

  Arimélia pointed behind the guest dormitory, where tall hedges of deep green rose.

  — It’s just behind.

  They went around the building, and the labyrinth appeared—its vegetal walls standing like a small fortress of greenery despite winter. The hedges, trimmed with remarkable precision, rose more than two meters high and stretched into winding corridors.

  Le?na opened her eyes wide.

  — It looks like a castle made of plants, she said, awed.

  Nahira nodded.

  — In a way. The Academy’s gardener changes it every day. He uses very fine magic—terrain-shaping magic—to move the plants without damaging them.

  Elwyn added, simply.

  — Mister Harold takes care of all the plants at the Academy. And he also manages the boys’ dormitory.

  Le?na’s mouth fell open, fascinated.

  — So… it’s not a magic labyrinth.

  — No. Nothing here changes on its own. It’s the work of a patient, extremely gifted mage, Arimélia replied.

  They stepped into the entrance.

  The moment they took a few steps, the atmosphere shifted. The tall hedge walls absorbed outside sounds, creating a sudden sense of isolation.

  — It’s huge. How do we know where to go? Le?na asked.

  Loyd gave a small smile.

  — We don’t. We explore and improvise. You only get lost if you panic.

  Elwyn looked at him.

  — And you remember how your last trip went.

  — He got lost, Nahira said.

  — I said if you panic, not if you think, Loyd shot back.

  Arimélia muffled a laugh behind her scarf.

  They kept moving.

  At each intersection, Elwyn studied the shapes of the cuts, Arimélia analyzed the curves of the branches, Sylaria followed attentively. Le?na trotted between them, amazed by everything.

  Ophélia smiled softly.

  — Oh, I see. It’s exactly like before. The bushes are trimmed in a way that subtly guides the eye without you noticing.

  Volden looked around.

  — I just see green walls that all look the same.

  — That’s because you don’t have an eye for it, Ophélia replied with a smile.

  They turned right, then left, then right again.

  Le?na tipped her face up toward the hedges.

  — But how does the gardener remember all of this?

  — He doesn’t remember. He creates, Elwyn said.

  — He creates an ephemeral work of art, Nahira added.

  After several minutes of winding corridors, turns, and small deviations, they suddenly emerged into a brighter area.

  Elwyn slowed.

  — We’re close to the center.

  — I want to see, Le?na said, speeding up.

  They stepped into the heart of the labyrinth.

  The little girl stopped, mouth open.

  — It’s… beautiful.

  The center formed a small circular garden. A delicately carved stone fountain murmured, clear water sliding over reliefs and creating a soothing music. Four perfectly polished stone benches surrounded the fountain. Around them, despite the winter, flowers maintained by magic formed vivid crowns of color.

  Arimélia drew a deep breath.

  — I never get tired of it. This place is a haven.

  — It is, Ophélia confirmed. I used to come here often when I was a student. I rested here… and sometimes I hid here.

  Le?na turned to her, scandalized.

  — You hid.

  Ophélia smiled.

  — Just a little.

  Le?na spun in place.

  — I want to come here every day.

  — You’ll have to wait a little longer, Elwyn replied, ruffling her hair.

  She puffed out her cheeks, then burst out laughing.

  Volden sat on one of the benches, enjoying the calm.

  — This place really feels like you. Quiet and calm, but with something unpredictable somewhere in it, he said to Elwyn.

  Loyd leaned back against a hedge, his coat crackling faintly with frost. A mischievous smile stretched his lips.

  — I’ll admit it. It’s a perfect place to find underwear, isn’t it.

  The world seemed to freeze for a second.

  Elwyn blinked slowly, suddenly very tired.

  — Loyd.

  Arimélia, who had been watching the fountain a moment before, stiffened. A rosy warmth climbed to her cheeks despite the cold. She discreetly cleared her throat and looked away as if the fountain had suddenly become fascinating.

  Le?na frowned, sincerely intrigued.

  — You found… what.

  — Nothing very interesting, Elwyn replied too quickly.

  — It was a bag full of women’s underwear, Loyd added blandly.

  — Loyd, Elwyn sighed, his exasperation perfectly audible.

  Sylaria covered her mouth with one hand to hold back a laugh. Nahira rolled her eyes, caught between amusement and dismay.

  — Why were there underwear here? Le?na asked, very seriously.

  Ophélia very slowly put a hand to her forehead.

  — Loyd…

  Volden crossed his arms, obvious amusement in his eyes.

  — So that’s the unpredictable part.

  Elwyn inhaled like someone gathering his patience.

  — I can explain.

  Loyd raised a hand, dramatic.

  — No. Let me.

  He adopted the tone of an overly pleased narrator.

  — He was chasing a very fast creature through this labyrinth, using his ethereal movement. He found it hiding under one of the benches. With the bag it had just stolen from the girls’ dormitory.

  Silence fell. Thick. Appalled.

  Arimélia closed her eyes for a brief moment. A very discreet breath slipped from her.

  Sylaria looked away, biting the inside of her cheek not to laugh.

  — By the Seven… Nahira muttered.

  Le?na, on the other hand, stayed perfectly serious.

  — So… the monster stole them.

  — Yes, Elwyn said.

  Loyd nodded with comically solemn gravity.

  — And he brought them back to Vice-Headmistress Nalinaya. He was delighted.

  — I wasn’t especially delighted. I only did my duty, Elwyn corrected.

  — Very delighted, Loyd insisted.

  Arimélia looked away even more, her face still warm.

  Sylaria, unable to hold it in, let out a small laugh.

  Le?na summarized, with implacable logic.

  — So you hunt creatures that steal underwear.

  — And since it was caught, there hasn’t been another incident, Elwyn added.

  — For now, Loyd murmured, dramatic.

  Elwyn closed his eyes for a second.

  — We really need to stop talking about this.

  Ophélia lifted her hands, as if to restore some semblance of order.

  — Fine. The important thing is that no one was hurt and the belongings were returned.

  She carefully avoided meeting the half-dragon’s eyes.

  Volden nodded.

  — And that you weren’t falsely accused. That’s the main thing. But…

  A smile escaped him.

  — That’s the kind of story that stays in the family for a long time. Especially since, knowing you, you must remember every detail precisely.

  A burst of laughter rose from the group—the first one truly unrestrained since the visit began. The silent snow, the peaceful fountain, and the calm atmosphere at the labyrinth’s heart made that laughter echo like a warm breath in winter.

  The tension dissolved at once.

  Volden gave Loyd’s shoulder a light tap, amused.

  — You know, you have a gift for making any situation memorable.

  — I do what I can, Loyd replied, proud as a peacock.

  They lingered a moment, each enjoying the calm in their own way.

  Then Elwyn stood.

  — We should go. The day is moving on, and night falls fast in winter.

  Volden nodded.

  — And we need to stop by the training arena before we head back up.

  Le?na’s eyes went wide.

  — There’s an arena.

  — You’ll see, Elwyn replied. It’s a very different place from this.

  They left the labyrinth’s center, retracing the green corridors sculpted by the gardener’s patient work, and stepped back out into the sharp winter air, ready for the rest of the visit.

  The small group walked along the buildings, leaving the labyrinth area to head toward the Academy’s entrance. The wind blew gently, carrying the smells of snow and damp wood. Le?na skipped at the front of the group, impatient to discover this new place.