Night fell over Ember Academy. Kael walked with purpose every step calm and steady. The fragments inside him were no longer wild. The world did not feel overwhelming. Tonight the Void Artisan would be born.
Kael stood in an abandoned training room looking at his reflection on a metal surface. His face was hard to read. He looked at it for a moment. He lifted his wrist and the dark band on it was silent but powerful. At first nothing happened. Then he let a stream of Aether flow into the band. The air around him changed smoothly. His reflection changed too. His face became sharper. His presence became distant. The change was not on the outside it was complete.
Kael looked at himself for a moment then he said quietly "This will do." He did not hesitate he left the room. The academy was calm at night. The exchange district was not. Lights were on. People were moving. This was where people built their influence.
Kael walked towards the exchange he did not hide he just walked forward. That made a difference. A guard looked at him his eyes narrowed. Before the guard could ask anything Kael showed him a token. The guards posture changed immediately. The guard said, "This way." No questions were asked Kael followed the guard inside.
The deeper parts of the exchange were quiet and controlled. The halls had formation arrays that watched everything. This was a place where secrets were kept and value was understood. Kael was taken to a room it was big and quiet. Someone was already there a man in his thirties sitting calmly. He was dressed in robes that showed his status his eyes were sharp. His posture was relaxed.
The man looked at Kael was surprised. He hid it quickly. He said, "Void Artisan." Kael sat down "Exchange representative." The man smiled, "You can call me Drel I handle transactions in the academy exchange.". Then he said, "Cassian is my name I am the one who handles transactions."
Cassian was polite he was studying Kael carefully. He said, "You are younger than I thought." Kael did not react he said, "You thought I would be older." Cassian smiled, "That would have been safer." Kael leaned back "Assumptions are not efficient." Cassian laughed, "I see you get to the point."
The air became more focused Cassian said, "Your creations have caused a stir in the academy people want them and departments are trying to understand you." Kael listened Cassian said, "We want to work with you we can give you anonymity and access to materials you give us items." Kael said, "Conditions." Cassian said, "Okay."
Kael said, "My identity stays secret, no tracking, no investigation." Cassian nodded, "Agreed."
Kael said, "I control the supply you do not decide when items appear." Cassian nodded again "Agreed." Kael said, "Pricing is flexible I will not limit value." Cassian smiled, "That helps us both." Kael said, "No interference." Cassian nodded, "Understood."
The agreement was made Cassian studied Kael with respect "You know your value."
Kael said, "I know control." Cassian smiled, "We will work together." He gave Kael a case with materials Kael opened it said, "Efficient."
Cassian smiled, "We try to be."
Outside people were talking quietly "A new figure has appeared." "Connected to the exchange." "Unknown."
In the academy Riven was talking to his friends "I've decided something." Mira said, "What?" Riven said, "I'm going to find the Void Artisan and work for him." Mira nodded, "Same." Tarin said, "You won't find him." Lyra said quietly "No he's closer than you think."
Kael left the exchange Cassian asked him "Can you make something, than what we've seen?" Kael turned, "Yes." Cassian smiled, "We look forward to it." Kael left without a word the academy felt different not because it changed,. Because Kael did. Now there were two paths, two identities, two worlds moving, at once the quiet, the hidden artisan. As the Void Artisan disappeared one thing was sure this was not a beginning this was the rise of something the academy could not control.