I fell silent.
Had our future really changed?
—How… has it changed exactly? —I asked, uneasy.
Tarin shook his head slightly.
—I'm not sure. You know I still can't see anything clearly… it's more like a feeling.
I frowned.
—A feeling?
Tarin looked out over the city, resting his hands on the railing.
—Before, when I tried to see our future… it was different.
He paused.
—It was… bright.
His voice lowered.
—It made me feel good. Like everything was going to turn out fine, no matter what.
I swallowed.
—And now?
Tarin took a few seconds before answering.
—Now… it's dark.
The wind picked up.
—And when I try to see it… I feel the same thing I felt when I saw that man.
A chill ran down my spine.
This time, I said nothing.
—Do you see now why we should tell your brother? —he insisted.
I clenched my fists.
—Even so… I don't want to worry him.
I lowered my gaze.
—I want him to make it into the Court.
Tarin looked at me, frustration clear on his face.
—Ren…
I cut him off.
—Listen.
I looked at him directly.
—When Elijah finishes the exam… and gets into the Court…
I paused briefly.
—I'll tell him everything.
Tarin hesitated.
It showed.
—By then, he'll be able to focus on this —I added.
Silence settled between us again.
Finally, he sighed.
—Alright…
He looked at me intently.
—But promise me you will.
I nodded.
—I promise.
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
The following days were… calm.
Too calm.
We went on with our lives as if nothing had happened.
The group kept meeting up.
The laughter returned.
So did the conversations.
I trained with my brother every day.
And, as always…
I was the one cooking.
Everything seemed to have gone back to normal.
As if that man…
had never existed.
As if it had all just been a bad feeling.
But deep down…
I knew it wasn't.
No one said it.
But we all felt it.
A few days before the exam…
a letter arrived at our house.
The seal was official.
We opened it right there.
It stated that the exam instructions would be announced publicly in the city's main square.
Anyone could attend.
But only mages of rank A or higher could participate.
My brother suggested I go with him.
That way, I could hear the instructions too.
I accepted without thinking twice.
As we approached the square, the murmur of the crowd grew louder.
Even from a distance, you could see how packed it was.
When we arrived, I noticed something.
I recognized many faces.
Too many.
The kind of faces you know you've seen before… but can't quite place.
I stepped a little closer to Elijah.
—There aren't many people who are going to participate.
He raised an eyebrow.
—Why do you say that?
—Because I recognize a lot of them… but I don't see many strong ones.
Elijah scanned the crowd calmly, as if analyzing each person.
—That makes sense.
—What does?
—The war.
His tone grew more serious.
—A lot of mages are at the front, fighting demons. And the ones who aren't… might not want to travel here alone.
He paused.
—Even if it's an important exam… the fear of dying weighs more.
He was about to continue, but suddenly fell silent.
His gaze locked onto someone in the crowd.
Without a word, he began walking toward them.
I followed his gaze.
And then I saw him.
Reid.
Mira's older brother.
A powerful mage.
And also…
my brother's direct rival.
Though at the same time, his childhood best friend.
—Long time no see —Elijah said, smiling as he approached.
They embraced naturally.
—Likewise —Reid replied—. It's good to see you.
—You're here for the exam, right?
Reid nodded.
—I came from quite far away. I hope it's worth it.
Elijah let out a small laugh.
—Since you left to do your "work," you've left me pretty much alone.
Then he pointed at me.
—Though at least I've got my little brother.
Reid looked at me, surprised.
—Wow… Ren. You've grown.
—I guess —I replied, shrugging.
—Still friends with Mira? —he asked—. She's around. If you want, I can—
—Talking about me behind my back again?
The voice came from right behind him.
Mira.
Reid sighed.
—I wasn't talking badly about you.
—I'd hope not —she replied, crossing her arms.
Then she looked at us.
—Ren. Elijah.
She gave a small smile.
—I assume you're here for the exam instructions.
—Yeah, we're pretty exci—
Before I could finish—
a trumpet echoed across the square.
The sound cut through the air.
The crowd fell silent almost instantly.
All eyes turned upward.
A man stood on an elevated platform, holding a scroll.
And in a firm voice, he began:
—Attention!
His voice echoed across the square, amplified by magic.
The murmurs disappeared completely.
—Thank you all for attending.
He paused briefly, making sure he had everyone's attention.
—As you know… the exam to enter the Royal Court of Mages will begin tomorrow.
A low murmur spread through the crowd.
—Before explaining the test, allow me to remind you of the importance of this event.
His tone became more solemn.
—This exam grants access to the highest rank a mage can achieve in this kingdom.
Absolute silence.
—Whoever passes it… will serve directly under the king.
I swallowed.
—For that reason, this position is reserved only for those who not only possess talent…
He paused.
—but also the determination required to reach it.
I looked at Elijah.
His eyes were shining.
Pride.
Ambition.
And something else.
Something I couldn't quite identify.
The man unrolled the scroll.
—This year…
Another pause.
—The exam will consist of a single test.
The entire square reacted.
Whispers.
Confusion.
Surprise.
—A single test?
—That's it?
I frowned.
What kind of exam is this?
—The test will be…
The man raised his voice.
—A tournament.
Silence fell again, instantly.
—One-on-one battles.
—The winner advances to the next round, where they will face another victorious participant.
My heart skipped.
A tournament…
Something like this had never been done before.
I turned to Elijah.
He was smiling.
Not just any smile.
A smile full of certainty.
Of absolute confidence.
And in that moment…
I knew I didn't need to worry.
—There will be as many rounds as necessary depending on the number of participants.
—Whoever wins them all…
He paused one last time.
—Will be named the new Court Mage.
A wave of excitement ran through the crowd.
—All rounds will take place tomorrow, and will be open to the public.
—His Majesty, the King, will attend in person.
The crowd reacted with surprise.
—And the exam has been designed by the Court Mage…
He glanced at the scroll.
—Togi Odnar.
That name…
carried weight.
You could feel it in the air.
—The rules are as follows:
His tone grew colder.
More serious.
—A match ends when one participant is knocked unconscious, leaves the combat area, or surrenders.
—It is strictly forbidden…
He paused.
—to kill your opponent.
The atmosphere tightened.
—to amputate any part of their body.
—to cause irreversible injuries.
—or to damage the battlefield and its surroundings.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
—Healers will be present at all times.
—However…
He raised his voice slightly.
—they will not intervene until the match has ended… or a participant requests help.
—In that case…
He rolled up the scroll.
—it will be considered an automatic defeat.
—Thank you all for your attention —the man continued—. Those who wish to attend the tournament should come tomorrow to the city amphitheater, where the matches will be held.
He gestured to a man beside him.
—And those who wish to participate must register with my colleague. Remember: only certified mages of rank A or higher.
He gave a slight bow.
—Once again, thank you on behalf of His Majesty.
The murmur slowly returned to the square.
I turned to my brother.
—Well… a tournament isn't so bad, right?
But before he could answer, Reid stepped forward.
—Not bad? —he smiled—. It's perfect.
He crossed his arms.
—At least this year we'll have a real winner.
Elijah smirked slightly.
—Don't forget you'll have to face me.
Reid didn't hesitate.
—I've learned a few things since I left.
He held his gaze.
—I think I'm finally at your level.
For a moment, the air grew tense.
But Elijah let out a small laugh.
—We'll see about that.
There was something in his tone.
Not arrogance.
Certainty.
—Come on —he added—, let's sign up.
The two of them walked toward the registration man together.
Not rushed.
But determined.
I stayed behind.
Alone with Mira.
I glanced at her.
—Looks like our brothers are going to face each other again.
Mira let out a small laugh.
—Just like old times.
She crossed her arms, watching them from a distance.
—But this time… it's different.
I looked at her.
—Why?
—Because now there's something at stake.
She paused.
—And neither of them is going to hold back.
I followed her gaze.
There they were.
Talking calmly.
As if nothing was happening.
As if tomorrow they wouldn't be fighting for something that could change everything.
And then…
I felt it.
A presence.
The same one.
The one from that house.
My body tensed instantly.
Somewhere in the crowd…
there was something that didn't belong.
Something that shouldn't be there.
And this time…
it was much closer.