It had been a month since Selene Cromwell collapsed from overusing aura. Now, the town of Langley was coming back to life. It had once been a quiet, almost forgotten place, but now it buzzed with the energy of trade and new ambitions. The roads, which had been too dangerous, were now safer thanks to mercenaries loyal to the duchy. The quiet blacksmith shops clanged with the noise of busy hammers, and people who had once stayed inside now gathered in the streets, their faces full of hope.
Selene stood at the bottom of the grand staircase leading into the academy, her face calm and partly hidden by a long veil from her ceremonial hood. Her dark navy gown, trimmed with silver and crimson, shone softly in the morning sunlight. Behind her, the Langley flag had been repaired and was raised high—not just as a relic, but as a renewed symbol.
In front of her was a crowd of people—traders, farmers, children holding their parents' hands, and scholars in freshly cleaned robes. Even the mercenaries stood there, their armor shiny and their spears rested respectfully. They looked at her, not with suspicion, but with respect and admiration.
Selene took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past month. She stepped forward and raised her hand.
"Today," she said clearly, "we reclaim a legacy that was almost lost."
The crowd murmured, many bowing their heads, acknowledging what had been taken from them.
"This academy was once a place of invention and wisdom, where ideas shaped the future—not just for Langley but for the whole kingdom. Even if the world has forgotten us, we have not forgotten ourselves."
The crowd's applause began softly, then grew louder and filled the square.
Selene turned toward the group of teachers and scholars beside her. "Thanks to the hard work of these brilliant minds and the brave people who protected our trades, we've made Langley's income stable through regular trades. Our name is being mentioned by merchants and nobles—not as a warning, but as a promise."
The scholars, many older with gray hair but bright eyes, nodded, some holding back tears.
"We are not yet where we want to be—but we are no longer at the bottom." Selene's bright eyes scanned the crowd. "Your children will learn here again. The future won't be taken from us—it will be created here."
The bell behind the academy rang, marking the reopening. Cheers erupted. Parents lifted their children, scholars clapped each other's backs, and a small choir of students began to sing an old Langley anthem.
As the celebration unfolded, Selene stepped back. Behind her, Elias Langley approached in simple noble clothing. He watched the joyful crowd and let out a deep breath.
"Hard to believe this was a ghost town a few months ago," he said softly.
Selene looked at him. "You didn't believe it could change."
"I'm still uncertain. But you've shown me something," he replied, looking at her. "This isn't about revenge for you, is it?"
"No," she said. "It's about proving them wrong and building something that lasts."
Elias nodded.
Later that day, Selene walked through the academy's restored halls. The scent of new wood and fresh paper greeted her. She entered an old lecture hall, now with new seats, repaired blackboards, and lighting powered by basic aura technology—an innovation from an engineer who returned.
She touched the railing and imagined the room filled with eager students and passionate teachers, sketches and laughter echoing off the walls.
In that moment, she felt a deep sense of belonging.
As evening came, the celebrations shifted to quieter laughter and songs around fires in the square. Selene moved among the people without guards, sharing quiet words and shaking hands. They no longer feared her. Children ran past her, and one paused to give her a wildflower before running off.
She looked at the small flower for a moment and then placed it in her lapel.
When she returned to her chambers that night, Selene sat at her desk and began to write. A report, yes, but more than that—a declaration. She was done reacting to the past. It was time to prepare for the future.
The academy was only the beginning.
And she knew… others would begin to notice.
Outside, the stars blinked to life in the sky above Langley.
And below them, the city stirred—alive once more.