It transpired that the Alkonost had been successfully culled miles away from my location, and thanks to my spurious messages, all three of us had been completely excluded from the spoils.
My messages were intercepted by Pelit, Rimel (who were paired together), and Fulem—who happened to be the closest agents.
"What did you precisely mistake for an Alkonost?" Fulem demanded.
"I became... disoriented, Fulem. I mistook the signature for that of a common sheep," I muttered, feigning discomfort.
My explanation was demonstrably nonsensical, but there was a nearby farm, so Fulem likely filed the incident away as evidence of my general incompetence.
"Fine. The hunt is concluded. Let us return to the Portal," Fulem stated, turning to lead the way.
As he took the lead, we trailed a few feet behind him.
"You mistook a sheep? Riiight. What precisely occurred?" Rimel asked.
"Later, Rimel," I replied quietly.
They understood why conversation was impossible, despite Fulem's feigned indifference. He was absolutely listening, not for any particular reason—simply by habit.
"Do you believe they will be willing to share? I mean, it is a significant catch..." Pelit offered, his expression hopeful—almost naïve.
"My apologies for the lost payday, boys." I apologized.
I felt a genuine pang of guilt. As events unfolded, my rushed message had achieved nothing whatsoever. It would have ended the same way, though to be fair, I had dispatched it before I encountered the actual source of the signal.
"Don't fret about it. Does the school not provide some kind of meal plan or...?" Pelit asked with immediate, practical optimism.
That earned a small chuckle from both of us.
"The Lyceeys is an academy for advanced magic-wielders, mate. Of course, they cover all meals and amenities. It is ensconced inside a hollowed-out mountain, a structure crafted by master Dwarven artisans of the sixth century, or so..."
"Please, Rimel," I pleaded, nearly begging.
Pelit touched his shoulder. "Please."
With that, he was momentarily defeated. And that, miraculously, was the last piece of Lyceeys trivia we ever heard from him, forever and ever and ever.
The Weight of Secrets
The moment we stepped through the Portal and arrived inside The Taj, I was utterly exhausted.
Not merely mentally, having endured the mocking mixed with the raucous celebration of the five agents who secured the Alkonost all the way back, but physically as well. The adrenaline had kept me elevated for a time, but now it drained away, leaving me feeling as though I had taken a brutal beating. Magical exhaustion was a hellish affliction.
The celebration following a successful kill would continue for hours, and it was typically a memorable occasion we would never miss. However, I desperately needed quietude to discuss and rationalize the evening's events.
Inside our room, a heavy silence prevailed. After listening to my full account, the boys were temporarily rendered speechless.
"Any... umm... I have nothing," Pelit surrendered first.
Rimel fared no better. None of his treasured esoterica offered a solution to this problem.
"...I wager your uncle would know something. Did you mention the letter or the warning to him?"
"No. I didn't have the opportunity," I lied seamlessly.
To be honest, I was thinking along the same lines. If anyone had knowledge, it was Marcus; the girl clearly knew him well.
She knew me—my location, and even the schedule of our Border Control hunts.
None of this information was public knowledge.
There were multiple ways to conduct surveillance on a person, even without magic, but why go to the trouble of watching me? Was it truly just the wand-less magic?
She even knew about Leonard and referred to him as my pet—meaning she had been observing me for at least two months, if not longer.
But why?
All these unknowns were intensely irritating. Things were growing murkier the closer we drew to that school.
"Well, there is nothing to be done, then! Right? I mean, let us simply thank our lucky stars she didn't choose to end your school career before it even had a chance to begin."
As usual, Pelit's simplified perspective managed to lighten the tension somewhat.
"He is somewhat correct," Rimel agreed. He retrieved his wand and walked toward the window. "She might be listening to us even now."
He cast a few small circles around the window, which became briefly covered in a light blue hue that faded a second later.
"Now, at least we are assured she cannot eavesdrop."
I gave him a thumbs-up for his quick thinking; it had entirely failed to cross my mind to take precautions against further surveillance.
"I have a feeling we will encounter her soon enough. There is no point in continually pondering her motivations," I said, standing up. "Now, let us get properly drunk. We failed to contribute to the hunt, but I am certain they won't begrudge us the merriment."
We eventually ended up in a brawl with the kill squad, exchanging insults about each other's heritage and educational deficiencies. Someone started a fire, and we managed to demolish most of the furniture in the dining hall—all in all, it was one of our mildest celebrations yet.
Departure
The final days on the mountain were spent in a nostalgic haze, powerful enough to elicit tears even from the strongest, most resilient of men.
On a more serious note, leaving this place was genuinely difficult.
It had not only served as a sanctuary for the misfits and oddballs who somehow found themselves in its vicinity, but it was also the place that granted me peace, confidence, deep friendship, and a crucial shield against the general foolishness of the outside world.
But like all good things, our time here had reached its terminus. Soon, it was September 2nd, the day of our departure.
Those who could not be present had already offered their farewells; the rest of our comrades stood arrayed around us in front of the Portals.
As the destination was calibrated by the Ministry-approved specialist sent specifically for the occasion, we said our goodbyes.
"Listen," Captain Roche pulled me aside as the others spoke their farewells. "Take this. You never know when you'll require it out there."
He handed me a heavy envelope; even a slow-witted man would recognize the presence of a substantial sum of money inside.
"Captain—"
"I don't wish to hear it," he shut down my attempt at refusal. "Take care of one another. Never forget: this is home."
Genuine, heartfelt emotion finally pierced even a cynical soul like myself.
"Thank you... for everything you have done for me."
We shared a brief, awkward embrace. I owed this man a greater debt than I would ever owe anyone else.
"Alright, kid, collect yourself. We are fine, we are fine."
"Yeah." I chuckled, wiping my eyes. "We will be back by Christmas, Cap. We'll celebrate it as we always do."
"Deal." He tapped my shoulder.
Pelit and Rimel, weighted down by heavy backpacks containing all their worldly possessions, joined my side.
"Look after each other. As long as you three remain together, it can never truly be a disaster, right?"
We nodded in unison and waved to all the men who had come out to see us off.
As I stepped through the Portal, I cast one last glance behind me. I was going to miss this place. But the Captain was right: this is home.
We would return.
Arrival
We arrived in the literal middle of nowhere.
I am not exaggerating. It was an empty field—a familiar one, but only to me. A few miles distant, I could see the mountain where the school was supposedly located.
"Where is the school? Did they botch the coordinates?" Rimel asked, scanning the perimeter.
"No. Calm yourselves, boys. We are in the correct location."
I set my backpack on the grass and sat down.
"He is late, as usual. Just relax until he arrives," I instructed, tapping the ground.
They nodded along and took a seat themselves.
I used my pack as a makeshift pillow and enjoyed the warm breeze sweeping over the hill.
"Damn... even the air is sweeter here, isn't it?" Pelit asked, enjoying the view.
"No," I answered immediately.
"Hmm... perhaps for someone who grew up elsewhere. But what Pelit suggests does possess some merit, as in..." Rimel began to elaborate on how the high concentration of magic can unintentionally purify the air and promote health, and his droning began to lull me to sleep.
Until the idiot started poking me.
"What, Pelit!?" I demanded, without opening my eyes.
"Do you think your uncle might decide to freeze us again?" his voice was laced with genuine concern.
"No... I don't know. The man is insufferable, egotistical..."
"Ahem."
Of course, he arrived at that exact moment.
"...but mostly brilliant, and blah, blah, blah. Welcome, Professor."
I sat up, watching my uncle approach with a genuine smile. He was accompanied by two others, whom I did not know, and who gave me hostile looks from the outset. He had brought his fan club. Excellent.
"Welcome home, Ferith."
My friends sprang to their feet so quickly they nearly stumbled again, eager to shake his hand.
"Headmaster... It is an honor to meet you in person. My name is Rimel Liuns, and this is our friend..."
"I can introduce myself," Pelit interrupted, pushing him aside. "Pelit Kowals. I wanted to thank you for granting us the opportunity to study at your academy."
My uncle gave me a look that clearly communicated, Seriously, these two? but he graciously accepted their handshake.
"Please. I should be thanking you for looking after my nephew." He offered a slight bow, which visibly unsettled the duo accompanying him.
"It is nothing, truly..."
Pelit was beaming, and Rimel seemed to be in genuine shock that Marcus had addressed him directly.
I had endured enough of the goofy comedy and gathered myself, walking closer.
"Ah, yes... allow me to introduce my nephew, Ferith. These two are prime examples of the excellence at our school and the leading..."
"What are their names?" I interjected.
"...Um, yes. Milan and her sister, Lor Orlean," he finished quietly under his breath.
Yes, I had a feeling just looking in their eyes—although they looked as if they might happily drown me in a teaspoon—that we were going to be fast friends.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Ferith Aslan."
I hadn't used my family's name in two years. It felt strange to speak it aloud, but I might as well embrace it again.
After all, I was here now.