15. Kerian

15

KERIAN

I pace the length of my private study, my usually calm demeanor betrayed by the excitement in my body.

She passed.

And she did really well.

I am so proud, it's hard to contain myself.

Rare tomes and arcane artifacts are carefully arranged on my desk, each one selected with meticulous care for Aria's advanced studies.

My mind drifts back to the moment Aria emerged from the Gauntlet. The memory sends a surge of pride through me so intense it's almost painful. She stood there, battered but unbowed, her eyes shining with newfound power and wisdom.

I pause at the window, looking out over the twilight-shrouded grounds of Ravencrest. How far she's come from that bewildered mortal who stumbled into our realm. The potential within her is staggering, a flame that threatens to outshine even my own considerable power!

The soft knock at the door sends a jolt through me. I compose myself, adopting the cool, authoritative mien expected of the Demon Lich King. "Enter," I call, my voice betraying none of my inner turmoil.

Aria steps in, and our eyes meet. For a moment, the world seems to hold its breath. There's an unspoken connection between us, forged in the crucible of her trials and my vigil. I see in her eyes a reflection of my own excitement, tempered with a wariness that speaks to her hard-won wisdom.

I clear my throat, breaking the spell. "Aria," I say, my tone carefully modulated. "I trust you've recovered from your ordeal in the Gauntlet."

She nods, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "As much as one can recover from facing their own darkness, I suppose."

I gesture for her to take a seat, then begin outlining the post-graduate curriculum I've designed for her. As I speak, I find my usual reserve slipping. Aria's eyebrows rise in surprise at my uncharacteristic animation. Her expression of shocked amusement nearly cracks my composure, but I press on, determined to convey the magnitude of what lies ahead.

We delve into a discussion of theoretical magic, our words flowing back and forth in an exhilarating exchange of ideas. I find myself enjoying our intellectual rapport, relishing the challenge of keeping up with her quick mind and innovative thinking.

At one point, Aria makes a wry observation about the paradoxical nature of time magic. Before I can stop myself, I let out a genuine laugh. The sound surprises us both, and for a moment, the barriers of master and apprentice fall away. We're simply two practitioners of the art, sharing in the joy of discovery.

Caught up in the moment, I begin sharing some of my own research – secrets I've guarded jealously for centuries. It's only when I see the look of stunned appreciation on Aria's face that I realize how much I'm opening up to her.

I hesitate, a flicker of my old caution returning. But the trust I see in her eyes quells my doubts. "I have a proposal," I say, my voice low with suppressed excitement. "A joint magical project, combining our unique perspectives and abilities. It's... unprecedented for a student, but then, you've proven yourself to be anything but ordinary."

Aria's face lights up with enthusiasm. "I'd be honored," she says, her voice filled with genuine excitement. "What did you have in mind?"

As we discuss the possibilities, I feel a surge of anticipation. The magic we could create together, the boundaries we could push – the potential is intoxicating.

All too soon, our session comes to an end. I assign her several rare and forbidden texts to study, each one a treasure trove of dark knowledge. As I watch her gather the books, a conflict rages within me. Pride in her accomplishments wars with deeper feelings I dare not name.

Aria pauses at the door, turning back to me with a smile that sends an unfamiliar warmth through my chest. "Thank you, Kieran," she says softly. "For everything."

Then she's gone, leaving me alone with my tumultuous thoughts. I sink into my chair, my mind racing. Aria's new status as my advanced apprentice will have far-reaching implications in the Winter Court. There will be those who see her as a threat, others who will seek to use her for their own ends.

I begin crafting plans, considering alliances to forge and enemies to neutralize. Aria must be protected, her position elevated. She is no longer just a promising student – she is the future of the Winter Court, whether the others realize it yet or not.

As the night deepens, I find myself standing before a shadowy mirror. With a wave of my hand, I conjure an image of Aria as she might be years from now – powerful, confident, a force to be reckoned with in the magical world.

"Together," I murmur to the image, "we will reshape the very foundations of reality."

The figure in the mirror smiles, her eyes gleaming with shared ambition and something more. Something that both thrills and terrifies me.