SHATTERED REALM: FORGOTTEN ECHOES

She waited on the other side, where a long corridor stretched, and when he entered, she closed the door behind him.

"Wait a moment," she said, then moved to stand in front of him.

After a moment, the space split in two, and a portal opened up.

She paused at the entrance, then turned to look at him. "It won't be getting any bigger. The Rector said you should be able to manage."

She left before he could say anything. Though he had nothing to say.

He didn't need any further explanation to understand what she meant by that.

It wasn't that the portal couldn't be made larger for him to fit.

It simply meant Ilthane didn't want him to continue to explore in this large form. It drew too much attention and caused discomfort.

He could hold this form for as long as he wanted, but it sometimes became uncomfortable.

Gently, he placed Mozrael on the ground and then stood aside.

The darkness peeled off, flowing from his body like a thick liquid, quickly evaporating into smoke and leaving him as he was.

As the last shred of wolf presence left him, he didn't just feel lighter.

He felt like someone was stepping away from him. It was like the wolf was now having a stronger presence of its own.

And it unsettled him more than the chaos when facing Elira.

It felt strange and was the first time he felt that way.

Is the power getting stronger or is it's... He shook his head I have to ask Mai about this.

As he prepared to enter the portal, he could still hear noise from behind.

It seemed they still couldn't accept the truth.

What greeted Aramith the moment he entered was a strong gust of wind and the smell of grass under the sun.

His ears perked up as he heard the sound of crashing waves off in the distance somewhere.

Before him, Ilthane stood facing away, and the girl knelt beside him.

"You were expecting something smaller," Ilthane said when he turned to see the hidden words in Aramith's eyes.

And he wasn't wrong.

Aramith had been expecting an office since they were in school. Or any room at least.

Anyone in his position would certainly think that if they were told to reduce their size.

A large island of green was not part of his expectations in the slightest. Looking around, he couldn't see an end in sight.

Is this a realm? His realm?

It seemed limitless, offering a calming sensation of freedom and the helplessness of no escape all at the same time.

"You should put her down there and come. The ground is comfortable."

Aramith gently placed Mozrael down, making sure she was in a comfortable position.

"Go and be by her side," Ilthane commanded gently.

The girl nodded and went to kneel by Mozrael's side without a word.

Ilthane walked away, Aramith following him.

"This place is not a special realm. It is just an Island to the far west. No one comes here, so it remains a safe space."

It made sense now. The place didn't have that odd air like a realm did, so this made sense.

They walked some more in silence.

"You are the son of Henndar Virellian, King of the Vermillion kingdom," he started.

Aramith wasn't surprised, as this was leaked by Elira.

"Banned for disrespecting your father in front of several representatives."

The wind grew stronger and died out.

"Doing that is something immensely stupid."

He glanced at Aramith.

"I was stupid then," Aramith said.

"Indeed," Ilthane agreed.

"But I am no longer the same immature boy," Aramith said, but Ilthane shook his head.

"Don't confuse stupidity with immaturity. You are still immature if you're saying things like that."

Aramith couldn't read him well enough to know whether he was just being smart about his words or also insulting him.

"She's here."

Lynnor just stepped right through, grinning from ear to ear.

"So you made it, kid."

But Aramith did not welcome her with a smile. And he didn't hide the ugly frown on his face.

"What's with that look? It's making you ugly." She made a disgusted expression.

"I don't know what happened between you two, but you should show your gratitude, Aramith. She's the one who told me of your trouble in the fog. She saved you just as much as I did."

He's serious, Aramith noticed.

Ilthane had this air about him that made you want to respect him. He just seemed to deserve respect rather than command it, and for that reason, he thanked Lynnor.

"I have a question."

Ilthane nodded.

"I know you are the rector, and she is a tutor here, so how is it that she asks you to do something and you accept so easily?"

It bothered Aramith. From the way they interacted, it was almost like Lynnor was on the same rank as Father Ilthane in the Academy.

"So you noticed," Ilthane said flatly, while Lynnor stood grinning beside him.

Aramith nodded.

"I am the rector of the school, and she is just a tutor, as you said. The only difference between Lynnor and other tutors," he paused

",is that she does whatever she wants, and I have no control over that. As long as it doesn't affect the academy too much."

Too much? SO there's a limit to what she's allowed to do. But she can't be stopped.

"And to answer your unasked question."

Unasked/ What question?

"The reason why I agreed to help you two is forty percent because I'm interested in what you are capable of, and also because she agreed to take you two as her students."

Ilthane observed for any reaction.

"You don't seem surprised. So you already expected her to take you in?"

Aramith nodded.

The only reason we're here is because of her in the first place.

"Lynnor hasn't taken any students under her wing for five years now, even though she's the best we have. And for her to want you two so badly, I know you have great potential."

Lynnor winked at Aramith, but he didn't bat an eye.

"Now for the other matter."

Aramith noticed the way his tone changed. This sounded like something very serious.

"In a week, we will be sending out a few students to stand in for the annual inter-school contest of strength. You and Mozrael will be going as well."

"What?"

Lynnor's eyes popped wide, but Ilthane ignored her.

Annual inter-school contest of strength?

It sounded vaguely familiar.

But—

One week? Why?

"By then, she should have recovered fully. She's only exhausted from expending too much energy. Tomorrow, she should be awake."

"They're my students. I should have a say in this." Lynnor didn't seem too happy about this decision.

"And what if they are? Which house do they belong to?" Ilthane asked.

Aramith was getting more confused, but he wasn't given any room to ask questions.

"Even if they are in your house, still—Ah, fine! Do whatever you want!"

She turned to Aramith. "I hope you don't start hating and crying."

But Aramith was still frowning at her.

"If you think what I said in the hall will make people hate you, this is going to make more people jealous of you."

So you knew and yet you said that.

"So do you agree?" Ilthane asked Aramith finally.

"You can decide not to do it, but I recommend you accept this. It's a good way to learn how to fight without being forced. And I promised you would keep you safe."

He seems honest.

"Can I think about it before deciding?"

Ilthane shook his head. "Today, I will be submitting my names of students. Agree or disagree."

Aramith wasn't sure if there were any problems with it. And why was Lynnor so against it?

He hated it, but he had to ask her.

"IS there any problem with this?" He asked.

"You have no idea," she started with an ominous tone.

This seems serious.

"The sun is so strong there, it will ruin my skin! Can you believe that? It's so harsh on my perfect skin!" She caressed her arm like it was a beloved pet cat.

"..."

Her skin? That was her problem???

Ilthane seemed unbothered about this. He expected it already.

"So what is your decision, Aramith?" He asked finally.

Lynnor stomped. "You can't possibl—"

"I accept," Aramith ended it.

"No! Arrgh! You'll regret this!" She left the place.

She's still the same crazy Lynnor from before. He couldn't believe her worry was about her skin. Couldn't she use an umbrella? She's even a cultivator. She could just protect her skin easily.

But then, another matter of greater importance settled in his mind. Lynnor's behavior just now almost made him forget it.

"You seem rather disturbed. And this isn't about the competition."

Aramith was surprised Ilthane noticed so quickly. But he had to ask.

"Was Lynnor the only one in charge of the entrance exam?"

Ilthane noticed how freely he called Lynnor without any titles, but didn't pursue the matter.

He nodded as an answer to Aramith's question.

"Why did you allow her to let so many people die?" Aramith didn't hide his emotions and openly frowned as he asked.

It was true that the world was harsh and people died even in an exam or a competition.

But the way Lynnor made so many people end up dying was just wrong. And she even joked about it as well.

He didn't think much of it as well, but he now wanted to know if Sylvia and Aris had made it or not.

He didn't think much of it when they first arrived, so he didn't check for them among the survivors.

"You are mistaken, Aramith. You think I didn't stop her because I decided to let her do as she wanted." He shook his head gently. "I didn't find anything wrong with her methods."

"So you agree with her methods."

"The mistake made by all of you was how you interpreted Lynnor's words. She never told anyone to kill another. You were only to take their keys."

It was true. She only said attack the other teams.

"But even you killed quite a few. Though I noticed it was because you sensed their bloodlust."

Aramith didn't reply.

"I have no issue with that. You expected me to save them?"

A rhetorical question.

He continued. "If I save them, then the selection is flawed. I would be tampering with natural consequences. And that would produce weak future leaders. It was unfortunate, and I wish they had survived, but altering outcome would destroy purpose."

So that's how you think. His analytical way of seeing things made him frightening, yet it intrigued Aramith more than it unsettled him.

It felt as if Ilthane wasn't just being harsh for its own sake, but preparing for something—as though a very unpleasant storm was coming, and only the strongest could be allowed through the gate.

In his eyes, Lynnor wasn't being cruel. She was simply creating a scenario to reveal natural hierarchy.

He'd gained a little more understanding of how Ilthane's mind worked. But he was still a distance from understanding him properly.

"Since that is settled, I will send you to your room." He glanced back at Mozrael. "Or you would prefer two separate rooms?"

Aramith contemplated for a moment. Each offer was okay and had nothing troubling about it. But he wasn't sure why Ilthane asked that, then changed his mind after.

"I prefer if you decide."

"Very well then."

Seven days.

That isn't nearly enough time to prepare for a contest.