Morven was coming to life under the midday sun.

  The city’s narrow streets, paved with light gray stone, were slowly filling with life. The houses here were built of light stone and dark wood, with tiled roofs and wide windows, behind which flickered the displays of shops, workshops, and cafés. Above each door hung wrought-iron signs—with crests, inscriptions, or even magical emblems that glowed softly.

  The air smelled of fresh pastries, dried herbs, and aromatic oils from the nearby alchemy shop. From time to time, children ran through the crowds, laughing, or small carts of goods rolled by. Some people sold vegetables right from wooden tables, while others called passersby to a performance by a small traveling theater set up right in the square.

  Alex walked leisurely through these familiar streets, breathing in the air that had always seemed alive to him. Everything around was simple, yet filled with enchantment.

  He had already passed one of the main streets when his gaze suddenly stopped on a familiar figure—Eliria was standing near the bookstore window. She was leaning forward slightly, intently examining something inside, her hair gently falling over her shoulders. Amid the bustle of the city, she looked remarkably serene.

  Alex was about to approach her, but as she heard his steps, the girl turned around. When her eyes met his, she immediately smiled and waved.

  “Oh, Alex!” she said joyfully as he came closer. “I didn’t think I’d run into you here.”

  “And I was almost starting to think I was seeing things,” he smiled. “What brings you all the way to Morven?”

  Eliria glanced back at the display and replied:

  “I wanted to visit this bookstore,” she nodded toward the shop with the elegant sign Leaves of Knowledge, “to see what they have. They say the selection here is better than at the Academy. And also... ever since you taught me teleportation magic, traveling’s become way easier.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow, looking at her with mild irony.

  “You had enough mana to teleport all the way from the Academy?”

  Eliria laughed—lightly and warmly.

  “Of course not. I teleported to the nearest pass, and from there someone helped me get here.”

  Alex smiled slightly. Her voice, her confidence, even her simple smile—all of it reminded him just how far she had come. And how much more she could still achieve.

  He turned his gaze to the display, following where Eliria was looking.

  “So what book caught your interest?” he asked, stepping closer.

  Eliria smiled and pointed to one of the upper shelves.

  “That one, with the green cover. They say it’s one of the best books on healing magic. A few students at the Academy spoke very highly of it.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways at her.

  “Really? Is there anything you don’t know about healing magic?”

  “Honestly—no,” she chuckled softly, looking at him. “But I want this book for my personal collection. Its print run was very limited, and finding it here—it’s a real stroke of luck.”

  “Then I suggest you buy it before someone else beats you to it.”

  Eliria nodded, and they were just about to step into the shop when a shout rang out nearby, followed by a harsh, rough voice:

  “Grab that girl!”

  The students reacted instantly. Their eyes met, and a second later Eliria cast one last glance at the book, then looked back at Alex.

  “It can wait.”

  Alex nodded, and together they sprinted toward the sound of the shout. The street narrowed, turning between two tall stone buildings, and the crowd that had just been cheerfully strolling now parted in surprise.

  But suddenly, Alex felt something—a weak, barely perceptible magical aura off to the side. He stopped, quickly turning his head—but there was nothing. Just emptiness.

  “What is it?” Eliria asked, stopping beside him.

  Alex didn’t answer. He closed his eyes, trying to focus on the sensation. The aura was real—faint, trembling, but clear. And it was coming from slightly to the right.

  Opening his eyes, Alex began to stare in that direction, straining his sight, trying to catch even the slightest trace of anything.

  Then—there it was. A short, distinct sound.

  A thin, frightened squeak. A child’s. Barely audible... and yet Alex heard it. So did Eliria.

  “Did you hear that?” she asked quietly, standing beside him.

  “Yes,” Alex replied, waiting for the next sound. But from that side—only silence again.

  Eliria turned in the same direction, but her gaze remained empty.

  “I don’t see anything... but I definitely heard it. Like a child...” she whispered.

  “Focus,” Alex said just as softly, nodding toward the source. “Look closely. You’ll see it.”

  The girl squinted, took a deeper breath... and after a moment she whispered:

  “Yes...” she whispered again. “A faint glow. Almost invisible... but it’s there.”

  Alex smiled faintly, and in the next moment, he vanished—simply dissolved into the air, reappearing behind the source of the aura. His hand reached forward to gently touch the unseen presence—when suddenly, two men ran out from around the corner.

  “This way!” one of them, with short brown hair and a sharp look, called out. “Hey, kid! Have you seen a little girl? Light-gray hair, white dress!”

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  Alex immediately stepped forward, shielding the invisible source with his back. His aura shifted drastically—becoming dense, massive, enough to completely obscure the faint glow behind him.

  “I did,” he answered calmly. “She ran straight ahead and turned left.” He pointed.

  “Thanks!” shouted the second man, bald, and both ran off without realizing how close they’d come.

  As their footsteps faded into the distance, Eliria stepped closer.

  “What was that just now?” she asked, a note of wonder in her voice.

  Alex glanced back to the spot where he had sensed the aura. Then he looked around, made sure no one was nearby, and nodded to Eliria to come closer. She silently approached, holding her breath.

  Alex reached out a hand and, speaking into the emptiness before him, said quietly,

  "If you need help—take my hand. I’ll take you somewhere safe."

  A moment—nothing.

  Another—silence.

  But on the third, Alex felt two small hands clasp his palm. They were tiny, trembling... and ice-cold.

  At that same moment, Eliria appeared beside him.

  "Ready?" he asked softly.

  She nodded. And in that very instant, a magical circle ignited beneath their feet—and all three vanished from the streets of Morven.

  The magic circle flared with a soft glow in the center of the living room. A moment later, three figures appeared in the spacious, cozy room: Alex, Eliria—and a small, invisible presence clutching tightly to Alex’s hand.

  Eliria looked around at the dark furniture and large windows, lifting her brow slightly.

  "Where are we?" she asked cautiously.

  "My home," Alex replied briefly, glancing down at the girl still clinging to him.

  "You’re safe now," he said to her gently. "Nothing will harm you here. You can show yourself."

  Everything was still for a few seconds. But then... she appeared.

  A little girl—six, maybe seven years old.

  Her light-gray hair fell in thin strands over her shoulders. Her eyes were large, pale, tearful and red. On her white dress, to the left side, there was a torn patch of fabric, revealing a scratch along her ribs. The wound was shallow, but still bleeding a little.

  "Oh, poor thing..." Eliria whispered and immediately dropped to her knees, reaching out as she readied her healing magic.

  But the girl recoiled in fear and hid behind Alex again, tightening her grip on his hand.

  "It’s okay," Eliria said softly. "I just want to help. It won’t hurt at all. I promise."

  The girl looked up at Alex, uncertain. He smiled warmly and confidently at her, nodding just slightly. That was enough.

  She stepped forward and allowed Eliria to approach.

  A soft green glow of healing magic lit up the wound, which quickly began to close.

  The girl watched in amazement and relief as her side healed.

  "Thank you..." she whispered.

  "You’re always welcome," Eliria smiled, gently placing a hand on the girl’s head and stroking it softly. For the first time that day, the child seemed to relax a little.

  Meanwhile, Alex—still holding her hand—used his free one to summon two thin blood tendrils that reached all the way to the kitchen. They filled a glass of water and brought it back, carefully offering it to the child.

  She stared at it for a moment, confused, then let go of Alex’s hand and took the glass. The water disappeared in several big gulps.

  Alex drew the tendrils back into his wrist while Eliria turned her gaze to him.

  "What now?" she asked calmly, though a note of concern lingered in her voice.

  "Let’s give her a little time to rest," Alex replied. "Then we’ll ask what happened."

  But before he could finish the sentence, the girl spoke quietly again.

  "Thank you... but I have to go."

  Alex and Eliria exchanged a glance.

  "Go where exactly?" Alex asked gently.

  The girl looked down at the floor, her fingers trembling slightly.

  "I... I need to go home."

  "And where is your home?" Eliria asked softly, leaning in closer.

  "I live at... Ray of Hope," the girl whispered.

  Eliria looked at Alex in surprise.

  "You know what that is?"

  "I do," he nodded. "It’s an orphanage. The most well-known one on the continent. There are seven of them—one in each kingdom."

  Alex crouched to the girl’s level.

  "Why do you want to go back?"

  Her lips trembled. Tears welled up in her eyes again.

  "I... I have to help. My brothers... and sisters... and Mama."

  "How can you help them?" Alex asked gently.

  "I..." Her voice cracked, and she sobbed. "I don’t know... but I have to..."

  Alex was already reaching to embrace her, but Eliria beat him to it.

  She gently wrapped the girl in her arms and whispered,

  "It’s going to be alright. Alex and I will help you get home. We promise."

  "Really?" the girl asked quietly, lifting tearful, trusting eyes to them.

  "Really," Eliria confirmed with a smile and held her even closer.

  With her right hand, she created a green magical ring and touched it lightly to the girl’s head.

  The glow flickered—and a moment later, worn out from emotion, the child fell asleep in the healer’s embrace.

  Alex, eyes still fixed on the sleeping girl in Eliria’s arms, tilted his head slightly and said quietly,

  "I didn’t know you could use that kind of magic."

  Eliria glanced down at the little one and smiled faintly.

  "I asked Irida to teach me. Just out of curiosity. And... this is the first time I’ve actually needed it."

  "Good debut," Alex said warmly, then looked around the living room. "I’ll take her."

  He gently lifted the girl into his arms and carried her to the soft couch. He laid her down carefully, as if placing the most precious treasure in the world, then stood upright.

  "Now all we can do is wait for her to wake up," he said, turning back to Eliria with a small smile. "Don’t want to go back for that book before someone else snatches it?"

  Eliria shook her head slightly, smiling.

  "I’ll get it another time. I think I’m needed more here right now."

  "Thank you," Alex said sincerely. "Let’s leave her here and head to the kitchen."

  They left the living room, letting the girl rest in peace and quiet.

  Alex led Eliria to the kitchen and gestured to a chair by the window.

  "Sit. I’ll be just a minute."

  And with a flash of magic, he disappeared.

  In his room, he quickly grabbed a soft blanket, returned to the living room, gently covered the girl, and a second later, was back in the kitchen.

  "Want something to drink?" he asked.

  "Green tea, if you have any," Eliria replied with a smile.

  Alex nodded, started rummaging through the shelves for the right box, and soon found it. He set the water to boil, took out two cups and a bowl of treats that always sat there for guests. Before long, the aroma of tea filled the kitchen.

  He handed a cup to Eliria.

  "Thanks," she said, taking a few sips. "Hmm… light, slightly floral, with a faint bitterness at the tip of the tongue."

  Alex laughed. "That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone describe tea like that."

  "My mother’s a complete tea maniac. Drinks it constantly. Sometimes I wonder how she still has blood in her veins and not just tea. I learned it all from her."

  "Ha, I may not be as much of a professional as she is, or you, but..." Alex took a sip, thought for a moment, then added, "It has something fresh and sweet. Like greenery after the rain."

  Eliria raised an eyebrow and smiled like a seasoned connoisseur.

  "Not bad for a first time. A few more tea sessions like this — and you'll learn to tell flavors as well as I do."

  Alex only smiled in return, taking another sip — but at that moment, the manor doors burst open.

  One of the maids — Gamma — ran into the corridor. Her eyes sparkled with tears, her breathing was uneven, and her gaze was full of panic. She looked around for Alex and, spotting him, rushed forward.

  "Gamma?!" Alex jumped up, instantly beside her. He took her by the shoulders, looking into her eyes. "What happened?"

  She couldn’t utter a single word. Only gasped and sobbed as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her uniform was torn in several places, stained with blood — but not her own. There wasn't a single wound on her body.

  "Sit down. Easy," Alex said gently but firmly, sitting her down in his chair. He handed her a glass of water, and she drank it all in one gulp.

  A few seconds of silence.

  Then, still trembling, Gamma finally spoke:

  "It... it was an ambush..." she said through tears. "In the boss’s room. Everyone… they stayed behind… covered me… told me to run and… get help…"

  She sobbed again, clutching the hem of her dirty dress.

  "Stay home," Alex said firmly, then turned to Eliria. "Watch over her. And the girl."

  "I'm coming with you," Eliria said firmly. "You might need a healer down in the dungeon."

  Alex opened his mouth to protest… but thought better of it. He simply nodded.

  "Thank you."

  "Don't go!" Gamma grabbed his arm. "There’s a monster… he… he…"

  "It’ll be all right," Alex leaned in, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. His voice was soft, yet confident. "Trust me. I’ll come back with everyone."

  He looked at Eliria again.

  "Keep an eye on our guest," he added to Gamma as a final note — and in that very moment, a magic circle lit up beneath them.

  Gamma didn’t even get to ask who he meant by “our guest.”

  Alex and Eliria were already gone.