Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls-Chapter 162: I want my grandson safe.

Time passed more quickly than Kael had expected. After the meeting with Lyra, he spent some time alone at the training camp, trying to clear his mind and prepare his body. He knew he would need to be at his best - not only to face his grandmother's overwhelming affection, but also to deal with everything that might soon come his way.

The sound of firm footsteps brought him out of his thoughts. When he turned around, he saw Irelia approaching with her usual poise: confident, elegant and determined. The young woman wielded a long sword behind her back and wore a serene smile on her face, as if she was eager to get started.

"Are you ready for our training, Kael?" she asked, smoothing her bangs back over her eyes.

Kael smiled sideways. "Always."

So they began the usual training they did every day.

She advanced with a complex sequence, aiming to break his guard, but Kael defended naturally, deflecting the blow to the side and, with one fluid movement, drove the wooden blade into her shoulder, scoring the point.

"Again," she said, stepping back with a defiant smile.

Kael nodded, twirling the sword in his hand before assuming the starting position again. They launched themselves at each other, their swords crossing in the air with a series of dry, precise snaps.

After several intense exchanges, a cheerful voice cut through the air:

"You two looking like real warriors there, huh!"

Amelia was walking towards the courtyard, her golden hair tied up in a high ponytail, wearing light training clothes. Behind her came Sylphie, her gait as graceful as that of someone floating rather than walking, her violet eyes watching the scene with interest.

"I've brought reinforcements!" Amelia announced, laughing as she leaned on the wooden railing that surrounded the courtyard.

Kael lowered his sword, wiping the sweat from his brow with his forearm. He offered them both a small smile.

"Reinforcements? I thought it was just a friendly duel," he replied, amused.

"Now it's group training," Sylphie said, her voice soft as the breeze, but with that tone of determination that always accompanied her.

Irelia adjusted the band that held her hair back, smiling. "Looks like the training is going to get even more interesting."

Kael dropped the wooden sword for a moment, stretching his shoulders. It was then that, without much ceremony, as he picked up a nearby bottle of water, he decided to tell.

"By the way... I think I'm going to need that extra training." He said casually, taking a few sips of water before continuing. "I'm leaving early tomorrow morning."

The three turned to him at the same time.

"Traveling?" Amelia asked first, tilting her head.

"Where to?" Sylphie added, her eyes attentive.

Kael put the bottle down and took a deep breath before answering.

"I'm going to the Witch Queen's Domain. I've been tasked with personally reporting on some recent events."

A brief silence fell between them, broken only by the distant sound of other training sessions taking place around the Academy. The expressions of all three changed slightly - concern, caution, and perhaps a little surprise.

"Are you going alone?" Irelia asked, crossing her arms.

Kael nodded, shifting his shoulders as if to clear the tension from his body. "É. It's just me. It's not going to be a dangerous mission. It's more of a... formality."

Amelia frowned, adjusting the sword on her belt. "Even so... Her domain is famous. A place where magic circulates heavily. Are you going without any support?"

Sylphie also looked uneasy, her voice coming out calm but firm. "If something happens, how will you call for help? Magical communications there are unstable, aren't they?"

Kael smiled, shaking her head.

"That's exactly why it's best for me to go alone," he explained, looking at each of them with a serious but calm expression. "The Witch Queen is... peculiar. She doesn't like surprises. Nor too many visitors. That's why I'm going, her favorite grandchild. That way we avoid unnecessary problems, and my grandmother... wouldn't like some things..."

He picked up the wooden sword again, twirling it in his fingers with ease.

"Besides," he added with a more relaxed look, "it won't be a long mission. Two or three days at most. It's just a diplomatic visit. Report on the situation... and put up with a bit of her hospitality." He spoke with a crooked smile...

Irelia sighed, dissatisfied. "All the same. We'd have a better chance if we went together."

"I could go too," Sylphie offered, her voice low. "I have a good magical affinity. If something got out of hand, I could create an escape route."

Kael appreciated their concern, he really did. It was good to know that he didn't have to carry everything himself.

But in this case, he knew it was better to keep his distance.

"Thank you, really," he said with a sincere smile, "but it's something I have to do on my own."

Amelia moved closer, her blue eyes penetrating his with a touch of stubbornness.

"It's not going to be dangerous, is it?" she asked, more in affirmation than doubt.

Kael let out a nasal chuckle. "No. At most... uncomfortable."

He returned to the guard position, indicating that the training was not yet over.

Irelia, noticing the movement, returned to the training arena. Amelia and Sylphie exchanged silent glances, but they got the message. Even though they were reluctant, they wouldn't insist any longer - they respected his choices.

Training resumed, but now there was a new layer in the air - a slight invisible tension, a feeling that, although it seemed like a simple report, everyone knew that involving the Witch Queen was never that simple.

Kael struck first this time, a quick sequence of three blows, forcing Irelia to retreat. He was more aggressive than before, more precise. It was as if the decision to leave had given him renewed focus.

Sylphie watched in silence, analyzing his movements, while Amelia discreetly cheered for him with each successful blow.

Between one clash and the next, as the swords clashed in the air, Irelia murmured softly: freēwēbnovel.com

"You'll come back in one piece, won't you?"

Kael gave a tired smile, his serious eyes shining in the sunset light.

"Of course," he replied, pushing her sword aside and turning to deliver the final blow that would mark victory in that duel.

With a soft thud against Irelia's chest, the practice ended. They both let out low chuckles - not at Irelia's defeat, but at the way Kael seemed determined to prove he was ready.

They sat down in the shade of a nearby tree to rest. The golden sky was already turning a deep violet. Night was coming on slowly.

"Kael," Sylphie said, her voice a thread of wind between them, "you've changed."

He looked at her, not immediately understanding.

"Your way of fighting. Your energy. You're... stronger."

Kael smiled sideways, closing his eyes for a moment.

"É. I feel it too," he replied softly.

"If you keep going at this rate, you'll leave us behind," Amelia joked, nudging his arm with her elbow.

"I doubt it," Kael said, laughing softly. "You're more stubborn than you look."

The trio sat in silence for a while, just listening to the sound of the nocturnal insects beginning their symphony in the academy garden.

Kael leaned back against the tree, his mind wandering briefly to what awaited him in the Witch Queen's Domain.

He knew it wouldn't just be a simple report.

He knew that, more than words, he would have to face old memories, complicated affections, and expectations that never stopped weighing on his shoulders.

But he also knew that, in a way, it was all part of the path he had chosen to follow.

And now, with these three by his side - even if they weren't with him this time - he felt a little stronger to face it.

Night fell completely, and the group, after a few more conversations and laughs, dispersed, each going to their rooms, carrying with them the slight restlessness of the imminent farewell.

Kael, walking alone through the corridors of the Academy, looked up at the starry sky for a moment.

"Tomorrow..." he thought, clenching his fist gently. "Tomorrow it all begins for real."

...

[Royal Hall]

In the center of an immense hall made of black marble and colored stained glass windows - which filtered the light in unreal tones - was the Throne of the Moon. Sitting on it, with an air of absolute authority and a beauty that seemed to defy time, was Eleonor, the Witch Queen.

Eleonor was the very embodiment of magical power. Her skin was pale as porcelain, her long red hair fell in waves until it almost touched the ground. She wore a black cloak adorned with ancient symbols that glowed softly, and her eyes - a mesmerizing gold - emanated an aura that mixed unconditional love and uncontrollable fury at anyone who dared threaten what was hers.

In front of her, in a position of respect, knelt her closest advisor: Myria Veldrin.

Myria was an imposing witch, with black hair cut short and golden eyes like those of an owl. She wore formal dark leather clothes mixed with red fabrics, giving her an appearance of strength and precision. She was famous for her strategic intelligence and absolute loyalty to the Queen.

Eleonor drummed her gloved fingers on the arm of her throne, her stern gaze fixed on Myria.

The tension in the hall was almost palpable.

"I've placed mages at all the entrances and exits to the castle, Your Majesty," said Myria with controlled calm. "The security of the magical routes has also been reinforced. No one will enter or leave without express permission."

Eleonor, however, didn't look satisfied. Her eyes shone brightly.

"It's not enough," she said, her voice soft as velvet but sharp as a blade.

"Quantify the security of the entire kingdom. I want troops in every corridor, every tower, every room. Surround the city if you have to. My grandson will be in my domain for the first time. And he..." her gaze softened, as if an extremely precious thought invaded her, "he needs to be safe. Absolutely safe."