Chapter 56: The Memory That Shouldn’t Exist
Two boys stood at the far end of the academy’s courtyard, their voices tense and urgent despite the calm of the morning.
They both wore the official academy uniform: dark navy coats with silver trim, fitted vests beneath, and long white sashes tied at the waist. The insignia of their year glinted on their collars, catching the light. Noah’s coat was slightly wrinkled from movement. Cael’s was immaculate.
"I’m telling you, Cael, we have to act now," Noah said, his voice sharp as he stepped closer. "You didn’t want to go to the auction, fine—but then we need to stop this some other way. You know what’ll happen if we don’t."
Saphielle stood nearby, unseen, unable to move or speak—trapped within the memory like a phantom.
’So his name is Cael... I’ve never seen him before, not once in two years at the academy. Is he some kind of transfer student?’
Cael folded his arms behind his back, his expression calm and unreadable. His white hair was slightly windswept, eyes a pale blue that held no urgency.
"Calm down, Noah," he said in a steady tone. "We’re doing this in the most efficient way possible. No need to panic."
"Panic?" Noah’s jaw tightened. "You know what happens when she summons him. No one can bring back the dead—no one. It’ll go out of control. You’ve seen the outcome. There’ll be a catastrophe. People in the city will die."
Cael glanced upward, unbothered. "You’re exaggerating."
Noah took a breath and forced it out through his teeth. "We don’t have time. We’re going. Now."
Cael finally nodded. "Fine. Let’s go."