I departed the Blackwood mansion later in the day with Kael seated beside me in the carriage. The young man looked noticeably different from when I'd first found him - cleaner, better fed, and carrying himself with growing confidence despite his humble origins.
His ice-affinity awakening had progressed well under the basic training regimen my father had arranged, and he'd reached Elite rank through dedicated practice and the resources provided. Still, sitting in a luxury carriage heading toward the kingdom's most prestigious academy clearly made him aware of how far he'd come from his previous hell.
"How are you feeling about tomorrow's examination?" I asked as the carriage rolled smoothly through the duchy roads toward the capital.
Kael was quiet for a moment, staring out the window at the passing countryside. "Good, but nervous."
The honesty was refreshing. Most people in his position would try to project false bravado or excessive confidence to impress their patron.
