Chapter 4: A World Written in Silence

"You have one day to prove you’re not a threat. Come."

Kael's words hung in the air like an unwelcome warning. Rik hesitated only a moment before following. What choice did he have?

The forest opened into a narrow stone path, half-swallowed by moss and age. Despite the darkness, small floating orbs of light bobbed between the trees, casting a soft glow over everything. They weren’t fireflies — they pulsed like tiny lanterns, each flickering with a gentle hum.

Rik tried not to stare too long.

This place... It’s real. It’s really real.

The sounds of the forest—gentle rustling, distant hoots, and the faint trickle of water—felt oddly alive, like the whole place was breathing. Rik’s footsteps echoed softly as he tried to match Kael’s pace, but the uneven path and heavy silence made every step feel louder than it should be.

They walked in silence for what felt like hours. Kael never looked back, his long strides purposeful and silent. Rik struggled to keep up, his legs sore and breath shaky. The hoodie that comforted him back home now clung to his skin like armor he didn’t know how to wear.

At one point, Rik nearly tripped on a root but caught himself before falling. Kael didn’t pause.

"Typical," Rik muttered under his breath, rubbing his arm. Couldn’t even wait for me to catch up?

Finally, the trees parted — and Rik saw it.

An enormous building loomed ahead, its towers and spires rising like something out of a dream. It wasn’t quite a castle, but not a school either. More like… a hybrid of both. Elegant stone pillars. Glass windows glowing from within. A massive emblem hung over the arched entryway — a silver ink quill crossing over a flame.

Rik’s breath caught. It was beautiful and terrifying all at once.

Kael paused at the gate. "Don’t speak unless spoken to. Don’t touch anything. And stay close."

Rik nodded, though his chest twisted with unease.

They entered through tall doors that opened on their own — smooth, silent, and heavy. Inside was a world entirely different. Hallways of glowing books. People dressed in deep navy uniforms. Strange whispers curling from pages that floated mid-air.

Everyone turned as Kael walked through.

No one greeted him. But no one dared block his path either.

Rik’s presence, however, drew stares — sharp, curious, wary.

He heard a whisper behind him.

"Another stray?" "He doesn’t even have a mark…" "Where did Kael find him?"

Rik lowered his head and tried to disappear inside himself. But he felt exposed, like a sentence in the wrong story.

He clutched the edge of his sleeve tightly, holding in his questions.

This was only the beginning. But already, it felt like he didn’t belong.

Author note - Hi I write It in Rasheed, so please let me Know if I did mistake.. See you soon bye bye. 👋

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***



