Chapter 36

Uneasy Trust

Raphael returned to his room to check on Kael. As he entered, he saw him sitting on the bed.

The room was still, quiet, warm with the last breath of sunlight spilling through the tall windows. Dust motes floated lazily in the amber glow, dancing in the silence. The air held a kind of hush, like the world itself was pausing for a heartbeat. Kael’s posture was relaxed, one hand resting on his thigh, the other trailing idle circles against the sheets — but the moment he heard the door, his head lifted, sharp eyes tracking Raphael’s every movement.

Kael looked up, black eyes curious.

– There you are. I was starting to wonder where you’d disappeared.

His tone was light, but there was something behind it — a quiet note of anticipation that made Raphael pause for the briefest second before answering.

– On my way back from the library I met Orion, who offered me a trip to Lumina Springs.

Kael’s brows lifted.

The reaction was subtle — controlled — but Raphael caught the faint spark behind his gaze. His expression was neutral, but his voice held the faintest edge of interest.

– Orion, huh? That explains why you were gone for so long. Lumina Springs… that’s quite the offer. – He stood and stepped closer. – Did you accept?

The air between them shifted with his movement. Raphael could feel the way Kael’s presence seemed to expand, drawing attention like gravity. His gaze didn’t waver.

– Sure. I’ve never been there before. And honestly, it was my idea and he agreed.

Kael smirked.

A slow, knowing curve touched his lips. He stopped just a step away, his presence suddenly a little more intense — like a shadow stretching under the setting sun.

– Smart. Orion knows how to sweeten a deal. – There was a flicker of something more in his eyes. – When are you going? – He moved even closer. – You’ll love it there.

– I just came back from there.

Kael’s eyes widened in surprise.

It was brief, but genuine — the momentary lapse in his usual composed demeanour revealing more than his words might ever say.

– Wait a minute… you mean to tell me you’ve already been and came back? Without even telling me? – His arms crossed over his chest. – How long were you gone for exactly?

– Long enough to give you a chance for proper rest.

Kael’s posture softened. He uncrossed his arms and stepped forward.

His expression shifted into something more thoughtful, more open — a flicker of appreciation behind the playful exterior. His voice was lower now, almost warm.

– Well, I guess that explains it. – He smirked. – I appreciate the thoughtfulness.

– Sure. No problem.

Raphael’s smile was easy, but behind it lingered a quiet satisfaction. He watched Kael’s reaction closely, as if weighing something he wasn’t quite ready to voice.

Kael studied him carefully, then tilted his head.

The silence between them stretched, but not uncomfortably. It was filled with small things — the sound of fabric shifting, the rustle of leaves outside the window, the flicker of candlelight on the walls.

– How was your trip? Did Orion behave himself?

– Aren’t you too nosy? Or just fishing for spicy bites?

Kael’s grin widened.

It was sharp and smooth all at once — a grin that said he knew exactly what he was doing, and wasn’t sorry in the slightest.

– Maybe a little of both. – He leaned in. – Come on, share some spicy details. I promise I’ll keep a straight face… most likely.

– I’ll consider. But now maybe we could go and grab some dinner. I’m really starving after all this… sightseeing.

The corridors of Amaltea glowed softly under the amber light of evening. As Raphael and Kael stepped out of the dormitory wing and made their way toward the Great Hall, the world felt still — the kind of quiet that settled only when the sun kissed the horizon and the sky held its breath before nightfall. The soft echo of their footsteps accompanied them like a whispered rhythm, barely louder than the hush of the wind stirring through ivy along the stone walls.

Kael walked a little closer than usual, hands in his pockets, gaze flicking toward Raphael every now and then, as if measuring his mood. He didn’t speak at first. The silence between them wasn’t awkward — it was familiar, comfortable in a way that only came from shared tension and unspoken understanding.

– So… how was it? – he asked eventually. – Lumina Springs, I mean.

Raphael smiled to himself, the memory still vivid behind his eyes.

– Beautiful. Honestly, it’s hard to describe. It’s like everything there breathes — the light, the air, the flowers… There’s this kind of glow that doesn’t come from the sun but feels warmer. I don’t know… it was overwhelming in the best way.

Kael glanced at him sideways, watching him with quiet curiosity. The way Raphael’s expression softened, the faraway glint in his eyes — it stirred something in him he didn’t name.

– Sounds like it left an impression.

– It did. I think I needed it more than I realized.

They reached the Great Hall just as the doors opened for the evening meal. A wave of warm, golden light spilled into the hallway, carrying with it the hum of conversation and the inviting scent of roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and something sweet baking far off in the kitchen. The Hall pulsed with life — chandeliers flickering with suspended fire, their reflections dancing in the polished floor like the ghosts of stars. Students moved through the space in clusters, some still in uniform, others half-undressed from the day, their laughter reverberating against stone and vaulted arches.

Raphael and Kael chose a smaller table in the corner — tucked near one of the tall stained-glass windows, its colored light casting subtle patterns across the white linen. It was just enough out of the way to offer privacy, but close enough to remain part of the room’s living breath. As they sat, Kael stretched his legs under the table, one arm draped loosely across the back of his chair, his posture deceptively casual.

Raphael barely noticed the food being served. His mind was still steeped in the light of Lumina and the shadow of everything he now carried. Fork in hand, he turned a piece of roasted root vegetable over on his plate once, twice — then paused.

Kael’s voice was the thread that pulled him back.

– So… how did the library visit go? – Kael’s tone was light, but not careless. There was weight beneath the question, disguised in its softness. – I’ve noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time there lately.

Raphael looked up, meeting his gaze. There was a flicker of hesitation — just enough for Kael to notice. Then came the quiet resolve, like someone stepping willingly into deep water.

– Actually… I was wondering if you’d mind if we called Elara to join us. There’s something I’d like to share — with both of you.

Kael blinked once. His expression didn’t change, but there was the briefest pause, a twitch of tension across his jawline.

– Sure. But I’ll call her myself. – He gave Raphael a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. – Unless it’s an emergency, it’s not exactly polite to just summon an elemental.

– Right… of course. I wasn’t thinking. I’d just really like you both to hear this.

Kael didn’t question further. He reached for the thin band on his wrist, murmured something under his breath, and a faint shimmer of green pulsed around his fingers before vanishing. His gaze lingered on Raphael for a moment longer than necessary — something flickering behind his eyes — before he looked away.

A few minutes passed. The rhythm of the room went on without them. Then the sound of heels on stone. Elara stepped into the hall, graceful as always, her presence distinct even amid the noise. Her silver hair shimmered in the light like moonlit silk, and her gaze swept over the room with quiet precision before settling on them.

She approached their table with a curious expression, her movements light and fluid, like wind threading through branches. As she sat, Kael gave her a glance — subtle, unreadable. She answered it with the faintest raise of one brow. It lasted no more than a second, and Raphael, lost in his thoughts, didn’t notice.

– Good evening. – Her voice was calm, steady, and somehow grounding just by its presence. – What’s going on?

Raphael exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening slightly around the edge of his plate.

– I’ve been keeping something from both of you – he began, not looking at them just yet. – Not because I didn’t trust you… but because I didn’t know what to make of it myself.

Kael sat a bit straighter. Elara leaned in just a little, her blue eyes focused and unmoving.

– It all started when I went to the library to look for anything that could help me understand what I am. I mean… what kind of being I could be. And it led me deeper than I expected.

He paused, as if checking whether they were still listening. They were. Every muscle in Kael’s frame was attentive. Elara’s fingers laced together loosely on the table — but Raphael didn’t see the brief glance she and Kael exchanged just then. There was no judgment in it, only a shared gravity.

– I ended up asking about the Originals. Ms. Ravenwood let me into the restricted section.

Elara’s eyes widened slightly. Kael didn’t say anything, but the fingers of his right hand curled once around the handle of his cup, then released.

– There was a book. Ancient. In Enochian. Ms. Ravenwood said it couldn’t be translated — not by anyone she knew. But when I touched it… the runes lit up. And I could read it. As if it were written in Common. Everyone else still saw gibberish, but for me… it was crystal clear.

– That’s… – Elara’s voice trailed off, her lips parting slightly in surprise.

– I know. It doesn’t make sense. But that’s not all. When I touched a stack of blank papers, the same thing happened. The text copied itself — or I copied it. Somehow. It just appeared, fully translated.

Kael’s fingers tapped once against the table, then stilled.

– So you’ve been going back to keep reading? – he asked, low.

Raphael nodded.

– Yes. I’ve been reading and translating. And yesterday… Ms. Ravenwood found something. Mentions of the Originals again. A prophecy. Warnings. And… maybe a connection to the Heart Crystal.

Elara exchanged a look with Kael. Longer this time. It held weight, but whatever passed between them was sealed in silence before Raphael could look up.

– I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I wasn’t trying to hide anything. I just didn’t know how to explain it. I barely understand it myself.

His voice trembled, just a little. Not from fear — from the sheer weight of what he was finally letting out.

– But I trust you. Both of you. And I need you to know. I need someone on my side who knows the truth.

He looked at them now, fully, the vulnerability in his eyes bare and raw.

– I know I should tell Professor Igneel. But I’m scared. What if he goes straight to Headmaster Alexander? I… I don’t know why, but that thought terrifies me.

A long silence followed. Not heavy — just full.

Kael’s eyes lingered on Raphael’s face. Elara’s hand moved slightly on the table, brushing against his for a brief second. Neither of them spoke for a heartbeat — and in that pause, something quiet but solid passed between them.

Then Kael spoke, quiet but firm.

– You’re not alone in this.

Elara gave a single nod, placing her hand gently over Raphael’s.

– We’re with you. Whatever happens.

Raphael swallowed hard, the knot in his chest loosening just a little.

– Thank you. I just… I hope I’m not putting either of you at risk.

Kael’s eyes locked onto his.

– If you are, then we’ll deal with it. Together.

He met their eyes, and something behind his expression shifted — like a door opening that had remained locked for far too long.

There was something in it — a tremor beneath the surface, like the quiet that comes before a landslide. Elara shifted slightly in her seat, her fingers brushing the edge of her glass. Kael’s jaw was set, the muscle in his cheek twitching ever so faintly. A glance passed between them. Not hurried. Not forced. It lingered — one of those silent conversations that needed no words. Elara’s eyes narrowed slightly. Kael gave a barely perceptible nod.

Something passed between them. Agreement. Resolve.

– There’s something else you deserve to know – he said, his voice more careful now. – Something… we should have told you earlier.

Raphael blinked, the warmth in his chest flickering slightly. His body didn’t move, but the softness in his shoulders tensed again — not sharply, but enough to be felt.

Kael held his gaze but then inclined his head toward Elara.

– Let her explain.

Elara met Raphael’s eyes and didn’t look away. Her voice was calm and clear, but it carried an undercurrent of emotion that betrayed her inner tension.

– When you first arrived at Amaltea, Professor Igneel asked us to assist you — not only with settling in, but… to keep an eye on you. To report any unusual manifestations or behaviours.

Raphael didn’t flinch, but something in his expression darkened. Just slightly. As if a curtain had drawn across the window of his trust. His gaze dropped to the table, then lifted again — slower this time, colder around the edges.

She held his gaze as she spoke, unwavering, even as a flicker of hurt surfaced on Raphael’s face. His posture shifted, not recoiling, but retreating — as if something inside him was folding inwards.

– So all this time… When I thought….  I’ve been under observation this whole time. Not just helped.

His voice, barely audible, wasn’t angry. It was quiet. Flat. And somehow, that was worse.

– He didn’t do it out of distrust. He was worried about you. From the very beginning. But we should’ve told you. Especially now.

Kael leaned forward slightly, but made no move to interrupt. Elara’s fingers curled against the wooden surface, then released.

Kael looked at Elara again, then back at Raphael.

– Please, let her finish.

Elara reached across the table, not to touch him, just to close the space.

– Yes, it may looks bad – she admitted softly. – But I came to realize something. Professor Igneel… he genuinely cares for you. More than you might think. He’s never treated this as some assignment. He was… worried. Curious, yes — but protective. He hasn’t shared everything with the Council. Not even close.

Raphael’s brows lifted faintly.

– The Council?

– ARC – Kael clarified. – Amaltea Resolution Council. They oversee everything — Amaltea rules, school managing, student safety, magical anomalies… potentially dangerous awakenings. And they’re… not always gentle in how they handle anomalies.

Elara nodded.

– But Igneel didn’t report most of what we told him. He keeps your name out of formal records when he can. He’s shielding you.

Raphael’s throat worked as he swallowed, but his posture remained quiet. Controlled. Still.

– So he trusted you with me – he said. – But you didn’t trust me with the truth.

Kael’s eyes flicked to Elara, then back to Raphael. There was tension behind his stillness, a readiness to take responsibility.

– I didn’t tell him everything, either.

Elara looked at him in confusion.

– You?

Kael’s gaze remained steady.

– I never told him about the wings.

Elara’s lips parted in astonishment.

– Wings? – she echoed, turning back to Kael. – So you’ve kept something from me as well?

– Raphael, what wings he’s talking about?

– Mine – he muttered. – I have wings.

Seeing her looking in disbelief at his back he added – I can spread and retract them completely now.

Kael spoke again before Elara could press further.

– If you’ve chosen to open up to us… then I think she deserves to know what we’ve kept from Igneel too.

A heavy pause followed. Then Raphael let out a breath — long and slow.

– Fine. Let’s just get it all out.

He pushed his plate aside gently and looked between them.

– It wasn’t just the wings. Sorry Kael, but you don’t know everything as well. But it’s all happening so fast… There were other… episodes. For example – with Kaito, during a session — blue flames came out from me and surrounded me. Pure fire, exactly the same as Kaito’s, but it was blue. It didn’t burn me or Kaito. It felt alive. But at the same time it was real fire which burned few things in my room.

He didn’t mention the intimacy. He didn’t need to.

– And then another time something else. My body changed. A second pair of arms — it just… manifested. As if it had always been there, waiting.

Kael and Elara both stared. The flicker of unease in their eyes was subtle, but it was there. Kael masked it behind a hand resting at his chin, thoughtful, almost analytical. Elara’s breath caught, then steadied.

They said nothing at first.

– You don’t need to say it – Raphael added dryly. – I know it sounds insane.

Kael shook his head slowly.

– It doesn’t sound insane. It sounds like someone whose powers are unfolding faster than his understanding. And… someone who’s still very much in control.

Elara leaned in slightly, her voice soft.

– And we trust you. We wouldn’t be sitting here if we didn’t.

Raphael gave a hollow laugh.

– That’s brave of you.

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly, but not with anger. With certainty.

– No. That’s instinct.

Elara placed her hand lightly on the table again, closer to his, but not touching.

– We believe in you, Raphael. Whatever is happening to you — whatever you are becoming — it doesn’t change what we already know about you.

– That’s the main problem. It seems like I know nothing about myself..

Another silence followed, this one lighter. Still uncertain — but no longer cold.

And Raphael, for the first time in the conversation, let himself lean back just slightly. Not in defeat — but in reluctant acceptance of something he wasn’t sure he wanted… but maybe needed.

Trust.

They said their goodbyes to Elara in front of the Great Hall, her parting glance holding a quiet promise. Raphael and Kael turned together, heading back toward the dormitories in silence.

The walk was slow. The halls were dimly lit now, wrapped in the stillness of approaching night. Neither spoke, and Kael didn’t try. He knew better than to intrude on Raphael’s thoughts. Instead, he walked beside him — a steady presence, calm and solid, matching his pace.

When they reached Raphael’s room, the door closed with a soft click behind them. The quiet inside was almost too thick — dense with everything unsaid.

Kael glanced around, then leaned against the desk, his arms crossed loosely.

– So… want me to stand guard tonight? Just in case you grow another set of limbs? – he said with a faint smile, voice light, carefully teasing.

Raphael didn’t laugh, but the corners of his mouth tugged upward. Barely.

Kael stepped closer.

– Or maybe wings this time. A tail? A pair of horns? That could be interesting… though you’d have to adjust the wardrobe.

Raphael rolled his eyes, but his shoulders relaxed.

Kael took another step forward. Then another. And without asking, he leaned in — just enough to rest his forehead gently against Raphael’s temple, arms wrapping around him in a loose, tentative embrace.

He waited.

If Raphael tensed, he would let go. If he pulled away, he’d step back.

But he didn’t.

Instead, Raphael exhaled slowly and leaned into the contact, resting one hand lightly on Kael’s back.

So Kael let go of the hesitation and held him tighter. His hand slid up Raphael’s spine in a slow, grounding motion. Then, tilting his head slightly, he brushed a gentle kiss against the side of Raphael’s neck — soft, unhurried.

One kiss. Then another, just below the jawline.

But as Kael leaned in again, Raphael shifted.

He stepped back — not sharply, not in rejection — just enough to break the closeness. His hand remained briefly on Kael’s chest before it dropped to his side.

There was no chill in the gesture. No resistance. Just… space.

– Maybe another time. I’m a little tired now. So – are you staying and behaving, or going back to your room? I don’t feel ready for another round – said Raphael with a teasing glint in his eyes.

His voice was soft, threaded with the haze of exhaustion and something warmer beneath. The dim light cast faint shadows across his bare shoulder as he shifted slightly beneath the sheets, eyes half-lidded, mouth curved in a faint, sleepy smile.

Kael chuckled, amused. – Fine, fine. I’ll behave… for now. – He pulled Raphael closer, the heat of his body pressing gently against Raphael’s back, his breath warm where it ghosted across the nape of his neck. – Can I at least stay here and bother you with my presence instead of going back to my room?

There was a familiar weight in Kael’s presence, not burdensome but grounding, like a warm blanket on a cold night. Raphael felt it settle over him, soothing, even as his body threatened to melt further into the mattress.

– Sure. But I’m really going to sleep now. Literally – murmured Raphael, his voice trailing into a yawn he barely managed to suppress.

Kael let out an exaggerated sigh, his voice filled with playful disappointment. – Aw, sleeping already? And here I thought we might have a pillow fight or something equally thrilling. – He stretched out beside Raphael on the bed, the rustle of sheets and the soft thud of limbs against mattress marking his surrender. – Alright, alright. I can see when I’m beaten.

Raphael drifted off almost instantly.

His breathing slowed, deepened, and within moments his features relaxed completely, eyelashes brushing the tops of his cheeks as his body surrendered to sleep without resistance.

Kael watched him for a moment, a soft smile curving his lips. He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Raphael’s forehead, his lips lingering there for a heartbeat longer than necessary, as if imprinting something unspoken. Then he nestled in beside him, his arm wrapping protectively around his waist as he pulled him close.

– Goodnight… – he whispered.