The shadow wolf lay stretched beneath the old cedar, its dark fur glistening faintly as the moonlight spilled through the canopy. Kael sat cross-legged nearby, tossing a small stick toward it. The wolf caught it lazily in its teeth and set it down again, more a game of acknowledgment than true fetch. Liora leaned back against the tree trunk, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Hard to believe," Kael said, watching the wolf blink slowly, "that just a few hours ago, I would've thought of this thing as nothing but trouble."
"That's because you think like most people in the city," Liora replied softly. "Danger first, understanding second." She reached over and stroked the wolf's neck. "Sometimes, you find something—or someone—that doesn't fit the rules you thought you knew."
Kael chuckled faintly. "You make it sound like a riddle."
"It is," she said simply.
For a while, they just sat there, listening to the gentle rustle of leaves. Then Kael pushed himself up with a reluctant sigh. "We should head back. If the patrols catch us this far out, we'll have more than detention waiting."
Liora nodded, brushing stray leaves from her skirt. "Alright. Let's not make trouble for the wolf either. If anyone sees it, they might not listen to me."
The wolf stood as if it understood, padding silently alongside them until they reached the edge of the forest. It stopped there, as though bound by an invisible border. Kael gave it a final nod. "We'll be back," he promised.
The Next Day – Astral Academy
The morning sun poured through the tall windows of Wing A's main classroom, lighting the neat rows of desks and the faint shimmer of mana runes engraved along the walls. Kael sat near the middle, chin propped on his hand as the instructor droned on about elemental synergy theory.
"Pairing elemental affinities in combat," Professor Arvin was saying, "is as much about rhythm as it is about raw force. A wind-user and fire-user, for example, can create devastating tempests—but without control, they will just as quickly burn themselves out."
Kael scribbled a few notes, though his mind wandered to last night's moonlit forest. A shadow wolf—tame, calm, intelligent. It didn't fit anything the academy's textbooks claimed about monsters.
Beside him, a fellow student leaned over. "Kael, you in there? You've been staring at your notebook for ten minutes."
Kael smirked faintly. "Just… thinking about a match strategy."
"Strategy, huh?" the boy said with a grin. "Because you've got a spar against that lightning specialist tomorrow. People are saying you'll be lucky to land a single hit."
Kael didn't answer, just let the grin linger.
The class rolled on. Arvin posed questions, called on students, occasionally tossing a harmless mana spark to anyone caught not paying attention. When the bell rang, conversations erupted immediately.
Near the door, a group of students was excitedly talking about yesterday's matches. "Did you see the duel between Kael and that boy from Wing B? Kael's counter was insane."
"Yeah, but Wing B guy was holding back."
"Still—Kael's speed surprised everyone."
Kael slipped past them without comment, heading for the open courtyard. Liora was already there, seated under the shade of an elm, a book resting on her lap.
"You were quiet in class," she observed.
"Just thinking," Kael said, sitting down across from her. "About last night."
Liora's lips curved slightly. "You want to see him again."
"Maybe." He glanced toward the gates. "You?"
"I was thinking the same thing," she admitted.
Back to the Forest
The late afternoon sun dipped low as they reached the treeline again. The wolf was there, waiting in the same spot as if it had never moved. Its ears perked at the sight of them, tail swishing once in quiet recognition.
Kael crouched. "Miss us?"
The wolf stepped forward, brushing its side against his arm. Liora smiled faintly, then tossed a twig toward it. This time, the wolf bounded after it, the dark blur moving like liquid shadow.
"Friendly match?" Kael suggested.
Liora tilted her head. "Against him? You'll lose."
"That's the point."
They took turns testing the wolf—Kael dashing in with quick feints, Liora weaving with light steps. The wolf was faster than either of them, but its strikes were playful, never meant to harm. By the time they stopped, both Kael and Liora were grinning.
Kael knelt, resting a hand on the wolf's neck. "You're… not just strong. You're careful. You know exactly how much strength to use."
The wolf blinked, leaning into his touch. Liora joined them, her voice gentle. "That's why not all monsters are the same."
Kael nodded slowly. "Yeah. I get it now."
The forest's light was fading again. They rose, sharing a glance that needed no words. Tomorrow would bring new matches, new lessons, maybe new doubts—but for now, they had a friend in the shadows.