The Pursuit Of Catalyst: A Dive Into Another Verse

Early Morning

The sun hadn't yet risen. The soft glow of a single lamp lit the quiet cottage room. Elza stirred beneath the warm covers, blinking groggily. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed the dim light on the other side of the room—Sylves's bed was empty, and he was hunched over his desk, deeply focused on something.

Still drowsy, Elza got up, swaying a little from side to side, and walked over to him. Without saying a word, she sat down behind him and rested her chin gently on his right shoulder.

"What are you doing?" she murmured sleepily, noticing something small and faintly glowing in his hands.

Sylves glanced sideways at her. "You're up early."

"Says the one doing some kind of shady early-morning black magic," she teased with a yawn.

Sylves chuckled under his breath. "I'm making an earring from this pearl."

That woke Elza properly. She sat up in surprise. "You're getting a piercing?!"

"Shhhh!" Sylves quickly raised a finger to his lips.

From the room next door came a muffled shout.

"SHUT UP!" Hawk's unmistakably grumpy voice echoed through the walls.

Elza clapped her hands over her mouth, eyes wide. "Master Hawk really loves his sleep," she whispered.

The two of them burst into soft laughter, stifling their giggles as best as they could.

Sylves leaned back slightly in his chair, holding the pearl up to the light. "Yeah... I'll pierce my right ear. I bet Ashia and the others will be shocked to see it."

Elza tilted her head. "But… why an earring?"

Sylves's expression grew thoughtful. He gently rolled the pearl between his fingers. "Because if this crystal suddenly activates… if Sarah sealed something inside it, a memory or a message, I want it to be close. If it discharges all at once, my head will be near enough to absorb everything directly."

Elza blinked, understanding dawning. "So no one else can access what she left behind…"

He nodded. "It's a way to make sure the trust she placed in me isn't wasted."

For a moment, they sat there in silence—Elza leaning slightly against his back, Sylves gently working the delicate chain into the pearl. Outside, the horizon was just beginning to glow with hints of morning light.

"She'd be proud," Elza whispered.

Sylves didn't answer. But he smiled.

Sunrise

The sky was painted in shades of soft amber and violet as the sun finally began to rise. After finishing their morning preparations—Sylves discreetly adjusting the fresh bandage over his newly pierced ear—they stepped out of the cottage.

The crisp mountain air greeted them as they walked into the open lawn behind the cottage, where the morning dew clung to every blade of grass. The protective barrier shimmered faintly under the touch of dawn, like a transparent dome wrapping the area in silence and safety.

Elza turned to Sylves, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Without warning, she grabbed his hand and began to run forward, her smile wide and bright.

"Let's become smarter and stronger!" she called out, her laughter trailing behind her like music in the cold air.

Sylves blinked, caught off guard, but then smiled and ran with her.

Waiting for them in the center of the lawn, as still and stern as ever, was Hawk Frost. His long, dark cloak fluttered lightly in the breeze, arms crossed behind his back, expression unreadable.

He watched as the two arrived, hand in hand, breathless but smiling.

"You're late," he said flatly.

Sylves and Elza straightened up quickly, letting go of each other's hands. "Apologies, Master Hawk," Sylves said with a slight bow.

Hawk's eyes narrowed, then flicked to Sylves's right ear. A faint glint from the crystal earring caught the sunlight.

"Elza, today you'll be practicing advanced focus control. Sylves, you'll begin destabilization drills."

"Yes, sir," they both said in unison.

"Good," Hawk replied, stepping back as the training began.

And so another day of rigorous Void Magic training unfolded—painful, draining, and yet, filled with progress.

---

10 Months Later…

The morning sun filtered softly through the white curtains of Room 104. The once-quiet room now bore signs of consistent care—fresh linens, polished furniture, and a carefully tended flower vase by the window.

Ashia stood before the full-length mirror, adjusting the collar of her uniform with practiced ease. Her chestnut-brown hair had grown noticeably longer, brushing just past her lower back, and her figure had matured subtly over the past months. She studied her reflection thoughtfully, ensuring every detail was neat and proper.

After inspecting her appearance one last time, she gave herself a nod of satisfaction, then turned toward the door.

Just before locking it, she smiled softly and said, as she did every morning:

"I'm off to the lecture, Master."

She closed the door behind her and stepped into the corridor—where two familiar figures stood waiting.

Serena, now a few centimeters taller and with her reddish-golden hair grown just past her shoulders, gave Ashia a short wave. Her style was as confident as ever, even if her longer hair always seemed a bit untamed. Compared to Ashia, who carried a quiet, graceful aura, Serena's charm was fiery and bright.

Beside her stood Prince Elas, his posture a touch more refined, his features sharpened subtly by growth and time. His dark brown hair, slightly longer than before, gave him a more composed and mature look. Though he had only grown a few centimeters taller, it gave him just enough height to look slightly more princely.

"Ten months passed in a blink of an eye," Elas said, hands folded behind his back as he gave Ashia a warm smile.

Serena took a few steps forward, then turned to walk backward, her arms behind her head as she grinned.

"Exams start tomorrow. That means Sylves and Elza will finally be back."

At that, Ashia's expression brightened—her eyes lit up like stars on a clear night. She clasped her hands in front of her, unable to suppress the joy in her voice.

"Yes… that's what Master Hawk said. They'll return on the morning of the first exam."

She paused for a moment, then added shyly but cheerfully:

"I'm going to cook for Master tomorrow. Myself. Serena, Prince Elas… if you have time, I'd love it if you could join us."

Elas smiled.

"How could we say no?"

Serena smirked.

"Only if I get the first taste."

Ashia laughed softly.

"Then I'll make enough for everyone."

And with that, the trio headed down the corridor toward another day of classes—hearts full of excitement for the return of someone dear, and the end of a long, quiet wait.

---

The Next Morning – In Front of the Magic Evaluation Grounds [ Just Before the First Matches ]

The magical field had been shaped into five circular rings, each equipped with protection wards and overseen by senior faculty members. Professor William Whites stood at the center with his clipboard, calling out the initial pairs. Students shifted nervously in their robes as the matchups began.

Ashia, Serena, and Prince Elas stood together, each in their respective uniforms. All three had grown just a few centimeters taller over the past ten months, now standing with a sharper sense of confidence—though one of them kept glancing back at the academy gates.

"They're late," Serena muttered, arms folded, her reddish-gold hair tied in a low ponytail.

"They'll come," Ashia said quietly, though her eyes hadn't left the courtyard entrance since morning. Her hand fidgeted with the hem of her robe. "Mr. Hawk promised they would."

Prince Elas, standing beside them with his usual calm, sighed. "They've always had a flair for dramatic timing."

As Professor Whites continued announcing names, the tension built.

But then, sudden wave of pressure swept across the courtyard.

A heavy stillness blanketed the area, and everyone's eyes shifted—toward the space behind them.

A rift opened.

A portal.

Rippling like ink across a mirror, the spatial magic tore open reality, and a single black boot stepped out from the void.

Then, Hawk Frost emerged.

Tall, commanding, and impossibly grim, he stood in his usual attire—black suit, black cloak, jet-black hair falling just above glowing obsidian eyes. His presence alone silenced the crowd. Even students who had only heard of him knew this was not someone to take lightly.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

"That's Hawk Frost..."

"The Void Mage..."

"What's he doing here?"

But before anyone could ask aloud, two more figures stepped out from the portal.

A boy and a girl.

Both wore black versions of the academy's uniform—robes longer, embroidery sharper. The boy's silver-blonde hair shimmered under the sunlight, and a single earring sparkled on his right ear. His violet eyes—sharp as steel—glanced over the crowd with quiet confidence.

Beside him, the girl bore long, flowing silver hair, her own violet gaze matching the boy's with striking symmetry. Her presence was quieter, but no less powerful. She walked beside him with poise and grace.

Sylves Ellesmere. Elza Glens.

Mouths fell open.

"They've changed…"

"So tall now…"

"Are those custom robes?"

"Are they… stronger?"

Ashia, Serena, and Elas stood frozen for a moment. Then—

Hawk turned without a word, stepped back into the portal, and vanished.

The portal closed behind him with a whisper, like the final note of a solemn hymn.

Sylves and Elza began to walk slowly through the parted sea of students. Silence followed them with every step. There was no arrogance in their stride—only quiet power. Their expressions calm. A stark contrast to the chaotic whispers.

Finally, Sylves stopped in front of Ashia.

He opened his arms slightly, just a hint of warmth in his normally stoic posture.

"I see you're doing healthy... Ashia."

That was all it took.

A single tear slipped down her cheek. Then, without thinking, Ashia jumped into his arms and embraced him tightly.

"Welcome back, Master… welcome back."

Sylves smiled—genuinely. A rare, warm smile.

"I'm back."

Elza, standing beside them, smiled faintly too—watching the reunion silently.

And for a moment, time stood still for those five hearts in the crowd—two reunited, three watching the return of those they had waited for all the months.

Ashia's arms wrapped tightly around Sylves, her face buried against his chest as the crowd of students parted, giving them space. The whispers still lingered, but none dared interrupt.

"I've waited so long..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "You didn't even send another letter..."

Sylves gently placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair. "I missed you too, Ashia. I'm sorry I couldn't send more—Hawk didn't exactly allow mail privileges."

Ashia nodded, then quickly pulled herself back and wiped her face, standing upright again. She noticed Elza standing nearby, a warm smile on her face.

Ashia took a step forward and embraced Elza too, who seemed surprised for a moment—but then gently returned the hug.

"It's good to see you again, Elza."

"You too," Elza replied softly. "You've grown a bit, Ashia."

Prince Elas and Serena finally stepped closer, Serena folding her arms with mock annoyance. "You two could've given some warning. People nearly fainted when Hawk showed up."

Elas chuckled. "Though I have to admit… the black uniforms are pretty cool. You've become something else, Sylves."

Sylves gave a small smile. "Still the same, just more… void-enhanced."

Serena smirked. "Good. We've got an exam to crush together, Void Lord."

The five of them shared a quiet laugh—together again.

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