The next morning, silence fell over the academy's corridors, although the usual sounds of footsteps filled the hallways. This time, the conversations were whispered and the eyes were tense. Everyone was talking about the strange attacker who had appeared yesterday, and about Nava and Celetia, who had confronted him without intervention from the professors.
In the upper administration room, Nava stood beside Celetia before the professors' council, presided over by the old academy director, known for his sternness and calmness.
Director (looking at Nava):
Will you remain silent? The chemistry professor has fainted, and part of the training ground has been destroyed.
Nava (in a calm voice):
I didn't start the fight, I didn't call the attack. All I did was defend the academy... and my friends.
Celetia (with sudden sharpness):
And save me! Without Nava, that attacker would have killed me or taken something from me!
The council was silent for a moment, before the director cleared his throat and said calmly:
Director:
Our initial investigation revealed that the energies used by the attacker bore a signature outside the academy... but there was a cross-reference with them in your file, Nava, from the first day you arrived.
Nava and Celetia exchanged a silent glance.
Nava:
That energy... isn't foreign to me, but I wasn't the one who sent it. Whoever sent it was deliberately tracking my ether and perhaps... testing the boundaries of something.
Director:
This doesn't comfort me, but it won't convict you yet. You're under observation now and will be barred from leaving the academy's boundaries for a week. As for you, Miss Celetia, you've demonstrated an unusual response to advanced energy... We'll review your case later.
Celetia nodded calmly and they left the room together.
When they were out of sight of the council, a brief silence fell between them, then Nava broke it with:
Nava:
I didn't want you to get involved in this, but you did something I didn't expect.
Celetia (smiling):
And you thought I'd just stand by while a stranger I don't know where he came from fought you?
Nava (quietly):
I expected you to do something strange... and that's what happened.
She laughed lightly, then stood beside him and said:
Celetia:
You know what? Even though things have become dangerous, I feel something strange inside... It's like I'm starting to understand the world in a different way. This way of Sheden... isn't just power.
Nava:
It's not really that. It's a window... If you open it, you won't see reality the way you did before.
Celetia (curiously):
So does this mean I'll soon be as strong as you?
Nava:
It has nothing to do with power. But... if you insist, I can show you the next stage of the training tonight.
Celetia (excitedly):
Great! I'll bring some juice too. I don't think my brain can handle any more electricity without sugar.
Nava (in a low voice):
You're the strangest of all the energies I've dealt with.
She laughed again as they continued on their way to the old library, where a new beginning awaited them.