Forbidden Mate Legacy

The Academy courtyard was alight with tension as team twelve stepped out of the forest. The cheers from the watching crowd were faint, muffled by the ringing in her ears from her trial. The shadow woods had drained her–not just physically, but mentally as well.

"Congratulations on surviving," a voice drawled from the sidelines. Amelia turned to see Raenar, the blood witch heir, leaning casually against a stone pillar. His emerald eyes glimmered with amusement, his dark cloak billowing slightly in the breeze.

Raenar's presence was unsettling. The witches had declared neutrality in the ongoing tensions between the Demons and Humans, but He rarely missed an opportunity to sow chaos whenever he went.

"You look like you barely made it out," Raenar added, smirking as his gaze flickered to the orb in her hands. "And yet, here you are, victorious. Color me impressed."

"Save your comments," Amelia snapped, her exhaustion making her temper flare. "Unless you want to end up in the infirmary."

Kael stepped forward then, his stormy grey eyes narrowing as he positioned himself slightly in front of Amelia. His protective gesture was subtle but impossible to miss.

"Witchling," Kael said smoothly, his voice calm but laced with warning. "Don't you have better things to do than harass people who just returned from a trial?"

Raenar chuckled, unfazed by Kael's cold tune. " I'm merely offering my congratulations, Dark Prince. No need to get defensive."

Eryk cleared his throat, stepping between the two to diffuse the growing tension. "Lets focus on the fact that we completed the trial and have the artifact. That's what matters."

Raenar's smirk widened, but he stepped back, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Of course. No need for hostility. I'll see you all in the evening announcement." with that, he disappeared into the crowd, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow.

"Smug bastard," Serah muttered under her breath. "He's just trying to get under your skin," Kael said, his gaze lingering where Raener had vanished. "Don't let him.

Amelia wanted to argue, to point out that Kael had been just as defensive, but she held her tongue. There were far more important things to focus on. They made their way to the Academy's main hall, where Headmistress Lyssandra awaited them. The tall, regal woman stood at the center of the room, her silver hair glowing in the torchlight. Her piercing hawkish eyes surveyed them as they approached.

"You've returned with the artifact," Lyssandra said, her voice carrying both authority and approval. "Well done. Many teams have attempted the Shadow woods trial, but not all emerge unscathed.

"It wasn't easy," Amelia admitted, handing over the orb.

Lyssandra examined the artifact briefly before nodding. "Your success ensures your team's continued participation in the trials. But remember, this is only the beginning. The challenges ahead demand even more from you."

"We're ready," Kael said confidently, his tone unwavering.

Lyssandra's gaze lingered on him for a moment before shifting to the of the team. "Rest and recover. The next trial will be announced tomorrow."

As they left the hall, Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that Lyssandra's words were more of a warning than encouragement.

******

In the evening, the Academy's dining hall buzzed with energy as students gathered to discuss the day's events. Teams that had returned from their trials shared stories of their experiences, while those who had failed nursed their wounds–both physical and emotional.

Amelia sat with her team at a long wooden table, the tension from earlier slowly melting away in the warmth of camaraderie. Marcus recounted his near–miss with one of the shadow wraiths, earning laughter from Serah and Eryk. Even Amelia found herself smiling, though her thoughts remained scattered.

Kael, as usual, was silent. He sat at the edge of the group, his gaze distant as he absently toyed with the edge of his cloak.

"You're quiet," Amelia said, breaking the silence between them.

Kael glanced at her, his grey eyes unreachable. "Just thinking."

"About what?'

He hesitated, as if weighing whether or not to answer. "The Shadow woods. It wasn't just a trial–it was a test of who we are. And what we'll become."

Amelia frowned. "What do you mean?"

Kael's gaze hardened. "The Academy is not just training us to fight. It's shaping us, pushing us to our limits to see who will break and who will rise. The trials are just the beginning."

His words unsettled her, though she couldn't quite explain why. There was truth in them, and that truth was a reminder of the stakes they all faced.

Before she could respond, Raenar appeared at their table, his smirk as infuriating as ever. "Mind if I join?" he asked, not waiting for an answer as he slid onto the bench across from Amelia.

Kael's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Raenar's gaze swept over the group, lingering on Amelia. "I heard you handled yourself quite well in the Shadow woods, Princess. Impressive, for someone with no magic."

Amelia's eyes narrowed. "Is there a point to this conversation, or are you just here to annoy us?"

Raenar chuckled. "No need to be hostile. I'm merely curious. After all, it's rare for a human to succeed in a trial designed to exploit weakness."

"We're not weak," Amelia said firmly, her voice cutting through the din of the dining hall.

Raenar's smirk widened. "Time will tell, won't it?"

Kael leaned forward then, his presence radiating danger. "If you're done wasting our time, leave."

Raenar's met Kael's gaze, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension. Finally, he stood, brushing invisible dust from his cloak.

"Very well. Enjoy your evening." as he walked, Kael's shoulder relaxed slightly, though his expression remained blank.

"He's testing us," Serah said, her voice low. "Trying to find our weakness."

"And we won't give him any," Amelia said, her resolve hardening.

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully, but Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing–something that would challenge them in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

An hour before the announcement of the second trial. Amelia took a bath and wore fresh cloth, she sat by the window in her room, staring out at the Academy grounds. The moon hung high in the sky, its silver light casting long shadows across the stone walls.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. "Come in," she said, expecting Serah.

The door opened, and Kael stepped inside, his expression dark.

"You should be resting, little flame," he said, his voice quiet.

"Worried about me, Dark Prince?" Amelia replied, arching an eyebrow.

Kael hesitated before losing the gap between them. "You handled yourself well today."

 Amelia blinked, surprised by the unexpected compliment. "Are you mocking me, because I'm just getting started?" she smirked.

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them both familiar and confusing.

"Get there in time, the announcement is about to begin," Kael said finally, turning to leave. As the door closed behind him, Amelia couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead–and Kael's words, simple as they were, made her heart race.