The moment Kiara's classmate finished speaking—
"Kiara was called by Selene."
Riven's heart skipped a beat.
Beside him, Ivan's expression also changed slightly.
Neither spoke.
Both immediately moved.
Fast.
Very fast.
They searched the hallways.
The library.
The training grounds.
Even empty classrooms.
Nothing.
Minutes passed.
Then ten.
Then fifteen.
Riven's imagination began creating increasingly terrible scenarios.
Ardyn.
The railway station.
The bounty.
The hole in his chest.
His jaw tightened.
"What if—"
"Stop."
Ivan cut him off immediately.
"What?"
"You're doing it again."
Riven frowned.
"Doing what?"
"Assuming the worst possible outcome."
"..."
"..."
"Fair."
The two continued searching.
Then—
While passing near the academy canteen—
A familiar laugh reached Riven's ears.
Kiara.
Riven froze.
Then immediately turned toward the sound.
And what he saw nearly made him fall over.
Inside the canteen—
Kiara and Selene sat across from each other.
Eating sandwiches.
Laughing.
Actually laughing.
Riven stared.
Ivan stared.
Both looked like their brains had stopped functioning.
Kiara noticed them first.
"Oh."
She waved casually.
"You're here."
Riven blinked.
"...You're alive."
Kiara frowned.
"What kind of greeting is that?"
Then Selene noticed them.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Ah."
She took a bite of her sandwich.
"The rescue team arrived."
Ivan immediately turned away.
Trying—and failing—not to laugh.
Riven pointed accusingly.
"You called my sister!"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And what?"
Riven stared.
Selene stared back.
Several seconds passed.
Then realization appeared in her eyes.
"...Wait."
A grin slowly formed.
"You thought I was going to do something?"
Riven remained silent.
That was answer enough.
Selene actually laughed.
A genuine laugh this time.
The nearby students looked horrified.
Apparently nobody had ever heard Selene Vaelcrest laugh before.
"You really think that little of me?"
Riven immediately answered.
"Your cousin tried to kill me."
"...Fair point."
Ivan almost choked.
Kiara looked between them.
"Wait."
She pointed at Selene.
"Your family does this often?"
Selene sighed.
"More than I'd like."
For a brief moment—
The playful atmosphere disappeared.
Something lonely appeared behind her eyes.
Then she shrugged.
"Most people avoid me once they learn my surname."
Her fingers traced the edge of the sandwich wrapper.
"They either fear me..."
A small pause.
"Or want something from me."
Silence followed.
Then Kiara casually said:
"That sounds annoying."
Selene blinked.
"...That's your response?"
"Should I write a tragic poem instead?"
Even Selene looked caught off guard.
Then she laughed again.
Riven suddenly understood.
Kiara wasn't treating her like a Vaelcrest.
She was treating her like a person.
Maybe for the first time in a very long time.
It reminded him of someone.
He slowly looked toward Ivan.
Ivan immediately noticed.
"...Don't."
"You and Selene are basically the same."
"I said don't."
"You both have terrifying families."
"Riven."
"You both scare people."
"Riven."
"You both had no friends."
Ivan stood up.
"I'm leaving."
Selene burst into laughter.
Even Kiara joined.
For once—
The atmosphere felt normal.
By the time school ended, the sun was already beginning to set.
Riven and Kiara walked home together.
The streets were calm.
People returned from work.
Stores prepared to close.
A peaceful evening.
Then—
Riven felt it.
A gaze.
Watching.
Following.
His expression changed instantly.
Not hostility.
Not danger.
But definitely observation.
He stopped walking.
Kiara noticed.
"What happened?"
Riven thought for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Nothing."
A lie.
"Head home first."
Kiara narrowed her eyes.
"...Why?"
"I need to do something."
"What something?"
"Secret Ascendant business."
Kiara rolled her eyes.
"You're making that up."
"I am."
"At least you're honest."
Riven smiled.
"I'll be home in fifteen minutes."
After a brief hesitation—
Kiara nodded and continued toward home.
Riven waited until she disappeared around the corner.
Then he turned toward a nearby alley.
The feeling remained.
Watching.
Waiting.
Riven sighed.
"You can come out now."
Silence.
Then—
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
A man in his thirties.
Calm.
Professional.
No killing intent.
No hostility.
Just observation.
The man raised an eyebrow.
"How long have you known?"
"From the beginning."
The man's eyes widened slightly.
Then Riven noticed something.
A badge.
Attached to the man's coat.
The Association crest.
Understanding appeared immediately.
"The Association?"
The man nodded.
"Correct."
Riven relaxed slightly.
"What do you want?"
"The President wishes to see you."
"...Me?"
"Yes."
Riven looked genuinely confused.
"Why?"
The man shrugged.
"I don't know."
He sounded honest.
"You are just a newly registered Ascendant."
A brief pause.
"Yet for some reason, the President specifically requested you."
Riven immediately became suspicious.
That never led anywhere good.
Ever.
Still—
The old man hadn't seemed hostile.
Or unreasonable.
After thinking for a few moments—
Riven nodded.
"Fine."
"When?"
"Tomorrow evening."
"After school?"
"After school."
The messenger nodded once.
"Understood."
Then—
He vanished.
Gone as if he had never been there.
Riven stared at the empty alley.
Then sighed deeply.
And started walking home.
The sky above had already darkened.
A cool breeze passed through the streets.
Riven shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I really hope..."
He looked toward the fading horizon.
"...this doesn't turn into trouble."
A distant clap of thunder echoed across the city.
Almost like the universe itself disagreed.
End.