Asher's gaze turned toward the source of the voice, William and Finch's eyes following his as theirs shifted in unison. From above, Instructor Elowen descended, her form slicing through the air with a grace that seemed almost unreal, landing with a ease and gentleness that surpassed even the most agile feline.

She remained every bit as beautiful and flawless as any person could be, her black jumpsuit clinging tightly to her form, perfectly complementing the depth of her obsidian eyes and the sleek cascade of her black hair flowing down her back. Her face appeared youthful, yet Asher was not deceived by appearances.

At the Academy, he had learned that those who had reached at least the Swiftstar Life Rank could manipulate the appearance of their physical age almost at will. To Asher, this was a question that had finally been answered. Lyra, who was over forty, bore the visible marks of her age, her features reflecting the passage of time.

But Zarek, Azeron, Cindralis, and other elders he had encountered, individuals who were unquestionably over a century old, maintained a youthfulness that defied the calendar, none appearing older than thirty.

At the Swiftstar Life Rank, one could choose to reflect their actual age, as Lyra had, or retain a perpetually youthful appearance, supported by the immense Lifespan and vitality bestowed by their rank. Asher understood, however, that even at the Swiftstar Life Rank, one could only appear as old as they had naturally become. In other words, even if he reached Swiftstar tomorrow or the following year, he could not make himself look older than eighteen, as that was his body's true, natural age.

"Has the prodigal star finally returned?" Instructor Elowen's voice called out once again.

'She has not changed one bit,' Asher mused inwardly. Elowen retained the same playful demeanor he remembered, her presence as vibrant and teasing as ever.

"It has been a while, Instructor Elowen," Asher greeted calmly. Elowen, hearing him still use the title 'Instructor,' smiled warmly before replying, "Well, you were the talented one who left us all behind. You are the fastest to ever graduate from these walls."

Asher smiled at her words, aware that Elowen had never hidden her admiration for his talent.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" Instructor Elowen asked, her dark eyes shifting toward William and Finch, who were standing beside some movement training equipment, watching intently. Of all the instructors in the First Training Ground, Elowen remained the most approachable; the others seemed almost indifferent, their interest in social interaction negligible.

"This is Finch, son of the Baron Whale," Asher introduced, gesturing toward Finch, though he had only recently discovered Finch's noble lineage a mere two days prior. The name Baron Whale had meant nothing to him until now, yet it mattered little in the present moment.

"You seem… different," Instructor Elowen remarked, her gaze scanning Finch from head to toe, as though appraising a rare and unfamiliar creature. She had never encountered someone without an athletic build or imposing frame, someone who defied the usual standards of physical prowess.

Finch's lips twitched at her words. Though he was accustomed to such observations, the scrutiny still carried a weight, an unmistakable intensity that made him momentarily uneasy.

Observing Finch's subtle discomfort, Asher promptly introduced William next. "And this is William, son of Baron Canestane," he said, gesturing toward him. Whether Elowen knew or cared about the Canestane lineage was irrelevant; courtesy demanded the introduction regardless.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Instructor Elowen," William spoke calmly, mindful of his own standing. Nobility, while granting titles and political sway, offered no protection against the raw abilities of the powerful. Personal strength and mastery always trumped inherited influence, provided one possessed enough of it.

"I never imagined I would see a Wargrave with friends. The world grows stranger every day," Elowen replied, her gaze briefly lingering on William before returning to Asher. Her eyes shone with curiosity as she asked, "So, why have you returned? You are not here for more training… are you?"

Asher shook his head. "No. It is simply their first time here, so I decided to show them where my own journey began on this path."

Upon hearing his words, Elowen smiled and nodded approvingly, her attention turning back to William and Finch. "Since you are friends with the Tenth Sun, would you like to participate in the balance and movement training session? Some of the older and stronger trainees have already advanced ahead, but I still have about an hour and a half before the next group arrives," she suggested.

Hearing her proposal, Finch and William exchanged a glance, a flicker of excitement crossing their faces. They had never encountered a training facility of this caliber. Though Star Academy undoubtedly contained more advanced resources, neither had experienced a dedicated movement training setup, and curiosity compelled them to seize the opportunity.

Without hesitation, they nodded. This was a chance to learn directly from an expert. While they did not know Elowen's Life Rank, her position as a trusted instructor of the younger generation suggested her abilities far exceeded their own. Power, after all, demanded respect, and her reputation alone implied mastery.

Elowen smiled once more upon seeing their enthusiastic agreement. She guided Finch toward one training platform, William to another, each boy assuming a stance that spoke of readiness and determination. Though there was no overt pressure, their eyes and minds gleamed with a subtle, resolute fire, an eagerness to push themselves beyond the ordinary.

The platforms themselves were marvels of engineering, designed to challenge balance, agility, and coordination in ways that conventional training could not replicate. Asher observed silently, a faint sense of nostalgia washing over him. These were the same grounds where he had once honed his abilities, where numerous hours of effort had forged skill and motion.

He could almost see echoes of his past self in the spark of the movement, the tentative steps, the flickers of concentration, and the quiet determination to master each motion.

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