The statue bore the face of someone who had lost everything. Despite being a mighty being of heaven, what could possibly make them weep? Were angels not free from sorrow? Were they not servants of God?


    Kai''len turned away, leaving the statue behind. Though he was meant to be with Lyn''chael at Uncle Leon''s house, he had someplace else to be—something he’d kept hidden, even from his parents.


    He wasn’t planning to venture far; there was only one place he wanted to visit—the lake near Aspen. A girl practiced there at this hour.


    As he made his way, he passed a few villagers going about their daily lives. Aspen had a sense of community—Kai’len knew them all by name, the same hands that helped when needed.


    He observed the world around him—the blacksmith hammering away at his forge, the fisherman hauling in his latest catch, a child sobbing after being scolded by their parents.


    The land of Aspen was bathed in golden light. Unlike Svet, which had been overtaken by steam-powered industry due to Z?oto''s technological advancements, the holy nation struggled with pollution. Kai’len continued down the familiar path, and it wasn’t long before he reached the lake’s edge.


    Sure enough, in a secluded part of the water, she was there—Aki Corvane, the only person he knew who practiced sorcery.


    She had short black hair and was on the skinny side, her features carrying a balance between boyish and feminine. At that moment, however, she looked exhausted. Patches of bandages covered her bruises, and most notably, her right hand was steaming.


    "Good morning," Kai’len called out.


    Aki flinched at the sudden voice but quickly relaxed when she saw him. "Oh, hey, Kai’len. How was mass?"


    He shrugged. "Same as always." There was no need to elaborate—like him, Aki wasn’t particularly devoted to the faith.


    "How’s practice?" He eyed her injuries. It was clear she had been training.


    "I hit a plateau. I don’t think I’m improving," she admitted.


    Kai’len frowned slightly. "Can I see?"


    She didn’t hesitate, motioning for him to come closer to the water. He was the only one who knew about her sorcery—after all, it was a secret they shared. The Church frowned upon such practices, so she kept her training hidden from the villagers.


    "Watch," Aki murmured.


    Kneeling by the lake, she dipped her right hand beneath the surface. It was a clever trick—hiding fire beneath the water.


    The lake rippled. A faint flicker of flame shimmered just beneath the surface, gradually growing in intensity. The water around her hand began to boil, steam rising in delicate wisps. She was controlling it, testing herself, pushing her limits. A single mistake and the heat could sear her skin.


    This was Exort—the Invrick word for heat.


    "What are you trying to improve on?" Kai’len asked. He wasn’t well-versed in sorcery, so he had no idea what she was aiming for.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Getting used to the pain," she answered.


    He watched her carefully. He knew that spellcasting was mentally exhausting. It drained both the mind and body, and at the moment, she was using only her right arm. She must have been strengthening it, along with her mental fortitude, so she wouldn’t faint from exertion.


    After a few moments, the boiling water became too intense, and Aki withdrew her hand, immediately seeking out a cooler part of the lake to soothe the heat. She was also controlling her mana to protect her skin from burns, but even that required practice.


    "Good job," Kai’len said.


    Aki gave him a small smile before sitting down by the shore. He joined her, settling beside her in silence.


    "Do you think I’m doing great?" she asked.


    "Of course. I’m no expert, but I think so."


    "Thank you… but it’s not enough," Aki murmured.


    Kai’len remained quiet. He knew why she pushed herself so hard.


    Her father forced her to learn sorcery—a painful process by nature. But that wasn’t all.


    Her mother had died giving birth to her. Aki was never meant to be born, or at least, that’s what her father believed. Her mother had been a sorceress, but her family had never accepted Aki. They shunned her and refused to acknowledge her existence.


    That was why she worked tirelessly. If she mastered Exort, maybe—just maybe—she would finally be accepted.


    They lived in Aspen, a secret within a secret. Sorcery was the signature art of Dagon, but it was strictly regulated—only those under a licensed teacher were permitted to learn it. Without access to formal education, Aki practiced in secrecy, risking discovery by the Church.


    She never told Kai’len how she was learning sorcery or who had taught her. All he knew was that she was determined.


    Her goal was clear: to one day return to her mother''s family and prove that she was not a mistake. She would demonstrate that her talent was worthy of the Corvane name—a noble lineage of sorcerers.


    Kai’len didn’t know what it was like to endure such pain. All he knew was that he was drawn to sorcery.


    He didn’t know how to tell her.


    Every time Kai’len watched her cast—the flames, the pulse of mana—he could feel all of it. It filled him with a euphoric ecstasy he couldn’t explain. To him, it felt almost like an animalistic instinct. But he didn’t dare say anything.


    For so long, he had been gathering the courage to ask her.


    "Aki," he finally said, hesitating for a moment before pushing forward, "do you think I can learn it too?"


    She turned to look at him, her gaze thoughtful.


    "Kai’len," she said, "you can. After all, you caught me casting it, even when I tried to hide it. You can sense mana—I’m sure you have the potential."


    He remembered the first time he had stumbled upon her practice by the lake. He had felt the presence of mana before he even saw the flames. Aki had been terrified that he would expose her to the villagers or the Church, but he had kept her secret.


    Now, he was ready to take a step forward.


    "Can you teach me?" he asked at last.


    His eyes met hers, and her eyelids looked like they had cried a river—tired and worn, a result of trauma.


    "Kai''len," she said, "my flames are dim. I could barely hold Exort for a few minutes." She paused before continuing. "I''m already 15, and people our age already have some level of mastery."


    She looked into the distance, the lake within view, and fallen leaves settled on the water. Birds could be seen flying above it. She sighed, then said, "I''m mediocre. You''re better off finding a proper master."


    At the back of Kai''len''s mind, an idea was raised that he didn''t dare entertain, like the evil telling him, "Threaten her." That he''d reveal her secrets to the Church. Kai''len felt disappointed in himself for even coming up with those kinds of thoughts.


    "I understand that, but I find your dim flame beautiful; it''s even prettier during autumn."


    Aki didn''t know whether to blush or not. She cast her gaze down, not expecting that kind of answer. "I didn''t know you could say things like that, but Kai''len, it''s illegal. Are you sure you want that risk in your life?"


    Neither of them knew the consequences of their actions, but deep down, they both found a thrill in the risk.


    "I know it’s illegal," Kai''len said. "But Aki... the things we want most are the ones that could ruin us."


    Aki was grateful, not just to Kai''len, but also to his sister, Lyn''chael. Even before Kai''len knew about Aki’s sorcery, Lyn''chael had been a good friend to her.


    "I''ll teach you under one condition: let''s not involve your sister in this," Aki requested.


    Kai''len nodded in agreement, sensing the care both of them had for Lyn''chael''s well-being. But Aki''s conditions weren''t without their peculiarities.


    If anyone ever asked who taught Kai''len sorcery, he was to keep her identity a secret. Aki, for her part, promised that if she were ever caught, she wouldn’t reveal she had taught him either.


    Perhaps the strangest condition Aki had set was that if Kai''len ever wanted to learn, he would be required to provide meals during their practice sessions.


    With everything settled, Kai''len asked, "When do we start?"


    "Tomorrow," Aki replied without hesitation.


    They spent some more time together, with Aki practicing while Kai''len kept her company. But after a while, a thought kept nagging at him—he had left Lyn''chael back at Uncle Leon’s house. The urgency to get back was starting to grow.


    With that, they both decided to head home, a friendship forged in secrecy. What kind of future would these dangerous secrets lead to?


    The walk back to the village was uneventful. Aki’s hand was still sore from her practice, but she didn’t show it. When they got close to her house, she stopped.


    “We should part here,” she said, voice low. "I don’t think my father would be too happy to see you."


    "Alright, see you tomorrow," Kai''len said. He knew that her father, Yuvan, wasn''t a great man. Aki had never told him the full story, but her bruised skin told enough.


    They said their goodbyes, but as Kai''len walked away, his mind couldn’t help but wonder what was happening behind those doors, what kind of life Aki was returning to.


    Chapter End.