Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece
Chapter 187: Back at the Academy [3]

Chapter 187: Back at the Academy [3]

The walk back to the faculty quarters was peaceful.

The morning sun cast long shadows on the cobblestone paths, and the soft chatter of students heading to class filled the air.

Kyle didn’t rush. For once, everything felt calm.

It had been a week since he woke up in the hospital.

A week of Aurelia watching him like a hawk. Making sure he didn’t do anything that might slow his recovery.

She even took time off teaching. Something almost no one had seen her do before.

But today. She finally gave in and let him return to classes.

"You’re in good condition now," she had said, arms crossed and eyes sharp as ever.

"But you’re not stepping foot outside the academy grounds. Understood?"

Kyle rolled his eyes, but nodded. There was no point in arguing when she got like that.

When he pushed open the door to their shared quarters, a warm, buttery smell hit him. Toasted bread. Coffee. His eyebrows went up.

Aurelia was sitting at the small table with a cup of coffee in one hand and a slice of golden toast in the other.

On her lap was Mochi. Curled up like a little black pillow, purring as Aurelia gently stroked her fur.

Kyle blinked. ’Since when could Aurelia make toast without burning it?’

And there was more. A plate of scrambled eggs next to her. Not the usual blackened mess she used to make, but soft, fluffy eggs that looked like real food.

As the door closed behind him. Mochi opened one golden eye.

The moment she saw him. She leapt off Aurelia’s lap with a huff and jumped straight into Kyle’s arms.

’Tell your sister I don’t like getting petted all the time,’ she said into his mind.

Kyle ignored her and scratched behind her ears just to mess with her.

Aurelia looked from the cat to Kyle, her face blank at first. Then she spoke. "Where did you go?"

"To get some fresh air," Kyle said, dropping onto the couch with a sigh.

Mochi made herself comfortable on his lap and gave Aurelia a smug look.

Aurelia’s eye twitched.

"I’m the one who accepted her," she muttered. Clearly annoyed that Mochi still liked Kyle more.

Kyle smirked but didn’t say anything.

"Have you eaten?" Aurelia asked, nudging the plate of eggs toward him.

"Yeah, I had breakfast in the cafeteria with Reo and Luna."

Aurelia frowned. "You should have eaten here. I made food."

Kyle blinked. ’Was that... disappointment in her voice?’

He glanced at the plate of eggs again. They actually looked... edible. Fluffy. Golden. Not burned for once.

"Fine, I’ll have a bite," he said, reaching over and grabbing a forkful.

To his surprise. It wasn’t bad. It was actually pretty good.

"Huh. You’ve been taking cooking lessons from Seraphina?"

Aurelia took a slow sip of her coffee, not looking at him. "Maybe."

Kyle grinned. "Wow. The great Gale Witch, learning to cook. What’s next? Knitting?"

Her fingers tightened slightly around her mug. Just enough to notice.

"I could poison your next meal," she said with a sweet smile.

Kyle laughed and leaned back on the couch. Mochi yawned, stretching out on his lap like a queen. Before curling up again.

"So," Kyle said, still chewing, "what happened to the midterms? They got canceled because of the Black Gate incident, right?"

Aurelia shrugged. "Don’t know. I was on holiday."

Kyle blinked. "Useless."

Aurelia’s eyebrows twitched.

For a brief second, the air in the room turned heavy, charged. Like a storm about to break.

Kyle didn’t wait.

He jumped off the couch and ran straight for the bathroom.

The bathroom door slammed shut behind him with a loud bang as a gust of wind rattled the frame.

"Say that again, brat!" Aurelia’s voice came through the door. Sharp, teasing, not really angry.

Kyle chuckled as he leaned against the sink. "Make me!"

There was a short pause. Then a sigh. "Just get ready for class."

Still smiling. Kyle turned and pulled off his clothes, stepping into the shower.

The water hit him cold at first, making him shiver. But it warmed up quickly. Soothing his sore muscles.

After washing off. He grabbed a towel and dried his face.

He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His stark white hair was still a strange sight. Even after a few days. It used to be black. Now it made him look like a different person.

He ran a hand through it before getting dressed in his uniform.

The black fabric was smooth and familiar against his skin.

He adjusted his tie and pinned the silver badge to his lapel. The one with a lightning bolt and ice crystal. It marked him as one of the top ten students in the first-year class.

Right on cue. Mochi slithered up his arm and curled around his finger into an obsidian ring.

’You’re enjoying this too much,’ Kyle thought at her, raising an eyebrow.

The ring pulsed with gentle warmth. ’You have no idea how boring it was being stuck in that apartment with your overprotective sister.’

Kyle snorted. ’Fair enough.’

He stepped outside into the academy’s student housing area. The morning air was cool and crisp, a sign that winter was coming.

He made his way across the grounds. Students filled the paths.

Some walking quickly to class, others standing in groups and chatting. Laughter, footsteps, and the low hum of conversation filled the air.

As Kyle passed. A few heads turned. Some students whispered. Others just stared. He tried to ignore it.

He kept his face blank, calm. But his fingers twitched slightly, brushing the edge of Mochi’s ring.

He was halfway to the main building when a voice called out to him.

"Kyle."

He turned.

Eleanora stood nearby. Her crimson eyes locked onto him. Her pale blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight.

There was something tight in her expression, something like worry.

"You are back," she said softly.

Kyle gave a small shrug. "Yeah. Just got cleared this morning."

A short silence hung between them. The last time they’d talked properly was awkward. Aurelia and Seraphina had hovered nearby, and Anastasia hadn’t helped.

Eleanora stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Are you really okay? After everything..."

Her eyes flicked up to his white hair. Then to the sharpness in his face that hadn’t been there before.

Kyle hesitated. Then forced a grin. "I’m fine. It’s just a new fashion choice. What about you? Everything okay after the dungeon?"

Eleanora shook her head. "No serious injuries. Just... a lot on my mind."

She looked like she wanted to say more, but instead they started walking together toward Classroom A1.

She filled him in on what he’d missed. How the exams were canceled, how the training schedules were messed up.

And how rumors were spreading like wildfire about what really happened in the Black Gate.

Kyle listened. But only half-heartedly. His eyes kept drifting to her face.

The way the light caught her lashes. The small crease between her brows. She seemed different today. More open, a little uncertain.

Not the calm, collected princess he was used to.

When they reached the classroom door. Kyle stepped aside and motioned for her to go in first.

But Eleanora didn’t move. She turned to face him, eyes serious.

"Kyle... meet me later. At the east garden cafe. We need to talk. Properly."

The way she said it made his stomach twist a little. He almost said no. Almost made a joke.

But one look at her face stopped him. There was something in her eyes. Something that made it clear this wasn’t just a casual invite.

"...Okay," he said.

Eleanora gave a small nod. Something passed over her face. Relief? Sadness? He couldn’t tell.

Then she turned and walked into the classroom.

Kyle let out a slow breath.

Zalrielle’s ring form pulsed warm against his skin.

"That was interesting," her voice purred in his mind.

Kyle didn’t answer. He just kept walking, shoulders squared, as he stepped into the classroom.

The moment he crossed the door. The room went quiet.

Every student turned to look at him.

Reo was slouched in his chair near the window, as usual. He looked up and gave Kyle a lazy grin, like he’d been expecting him.

Luna sat on the edge of her desk, arms crossed. Silver hair catching the sunlight streaming in from the window.

She raised one brow at him, a silent "Finally."

Serena sat upright at her usual spot, proper and focused as always.

Her eyes met his for a second, just a flicker. Before she looked away. But Kyle caught the tiny twitch at the corner of her lips.

Then came the chaos.

Cedric and Cassian jumped from their seats like they’d been waiting for this moment all morning.

Their chairs clattered loudly as they rushed toward him.

"Kyle!" Cassian nearly shouted. His sharp, calm expression was gone. He actually looked shaken. "You’re really back?"

Cedric was right behind him, eyes wide. He scanned Kyle from head to toe like he expected to find bandages or broken bones.

"We heard about what happened at the hospital. The attack. What the hell was that?"

Kyle opened his mouth to answer. But Reo spoke up first.

"Relax, you two. He’s fine. Actually, look at his hair. He’s clearly just trying to steal Luna’s spotlight."

Luna gave a smirk and flipped her hair back. "Please. He’s got a long way to go."

Kyle rolled his eyes. But the tight feeling in his chest loosened a little.

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