Vaelor was fourteen when Nyx gave him the news.
"You must leave."
The statement came without warning during one of their usual training sessions. Vaelor stopped mid-kata, turning toward the dragon.
"Leave? Where to?"
"To the human world." Nyx sat back on her haunches, her expression serious. "You've progressed enormously here, but there are limits to what I can teach you. For the next step in your development, you need real experience."
"I thought I was safe from the gods here."
"You are. But safety won't make you stronger." The dragon looked him directly in the eyes. "Besides, there is information you need. About the other players on this board. The gods' envoys, human factions, the tamers' academies..."
"Tamer academies?"
"The Imperial Academy of Tamers." Nyx nodded. "It's the most prestigious training center on the human continent. The most talented youths of the empire gather there, including those chosen by the gods as their champions."
Vaelor processed the information.
"You want me to infiltrate?"
"I want you to learn. About the system the gods have built, the weaknesses you can exploit, the potential allies you might find." The dragon bared her teeth. "And yes, also about the enemies you will have to face."
◇ ◇ ◇
Preparation took several weeks.
Nyx provided him with a new identity: "Vael," an orphan from the border with talent for taming beasts. It was close enough to the truth to be believable, but vague enough not to raise suspicion.
"Your mask will be a problem," the dragon pointed out. "At the academy, students undergo regular medical exams."
"I can say I have a condition."
"They'll ask what condition."
"Scars." Vaelor touched his mask. "From an accident when I was a child. Too disfiguring to show in public."
Nyx considered the explanation.
"That might work. Humans are susceptible to body shame."
The next problem was Lyria.
"I can't leave you here," Vaelor said when they discussed the plan. "But I can't take you with me to the academy either. You'd draw too much attention."
"I can wait in a nearby city," Lyria suggested. "Get a job, keep a low profile. Visit me when I can."
"It's too dangerous."
"Young master, I've been living dangerously for years." The servant smiled with some irony. "I think I can handle a human city."
Finally, there were the beasts.
Vaelor couldn't bring all his creatures to the academy. Gris and the mice would go unnoticed, maybe one or two more. But Umbra, with his Shadow nature, would be immediately recognized as a taboo beast.
"Umbra will stay with me," Nyx offered. "I'll take care of him while you're away."
The Shadow didn't seem pleased with the idea but accepted when Vaelor ordered it directly.
"Take care of yourself," it transmitted through their bond. "And take care of the dragon."
"I will," Nyx replied. "But come back soon."
◇ ◇ ◇
The journey back to human territory took two weeks.
Vaelor emerged from the mountains at a different point than where he had entered, farther north and closer to main trade routes. His first stop was a city called Greenport, a modestly prosperous trade center where Lyria could settle without attracting attention.
"There's enough movement here to stay unnoticed," she observed as they walked the cobblestone streets. "And it's only two days from the academy."
"Perfect." Lyria looked at the buildings with a mix of nostalgia and apprehension. "It's a bit like the town where I grew up, before I was sold."
Vaelor felt a pang of guilt. He had never asked much about her past, assuming it was painful. Maybe he should have.
"Lyria..."
"Don't worry, young master." She smiled as if reading his thoughts. "That was long ago. Now I have a different purpose."
They found a respectable inn where Lyria could work as a housemaid. The owner, an older man with a gray beard, seemed glad for the extra help and asked no questions about the masked young man accompanying her.
"I'll come every new moon," Vaelor promised before leaving. "If I don't show up for more than two months, assume the worst and return to Nyx."
"He will come back," Lyria said with certainty. "He always does."
Vaelor nodded, feeling a lump in his throat he refused to show.
Then, he left.
◇ ◇ ◇
The Imperial Academy of Tamers was more impressive than he expected.
Built on a natural plateau overlooking the surrounding lands, the institution looked more like a fortress than a school. Tall white stone walls surrounded dozens of buildings of various sizes, connected by carefully maintained courtyards and gardens. Everywhere, students and teachers walked accompanied by beasts of all kinds.
"So this is where the empire's tamers train," Vaelor thought as he approached the main gates.
The guards stopped him with bored expressions.
"Name and purpose."
"Vael. I'm here for the entrance exam."
One guard checked a list.
"I don't see that name registered."
"I registered late. Messenger problem." Vaelor produced a forged document Nyx had helped prepare. "This is my recommendation letter from the Border Hunters' Guild."
The guard examined the document critically. Vaelor stayed calm, trusting the forgery was good enough to pass a superficial inspection.
"Hmm. Looks in order." The guard returned the letter. "Exams start tomorrow at dawn. Report to the North Courtyard."
"Understood."
The gates opened, and Vaelor stepped into the lion's mouth.
His true test was about to begin.