Chapter 318 – Prologue

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Start of Book 5 – The Academy Arc – Prologue

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Chapter 318 – Prologue

Ice flakes drifted from plum white clouds. The weather had remained unchanged for the last week, a gentle and persistent dusting as if the sky wished to bury Raelion in a crystal coffin.

It would have without the wards…

Valela pulled her hood tighter and hastened her steps toward the Wing Aurea across campus. The building looked somber in the weather.

Since blood marred the snow, a lull had fallen over the academy, almost holding its breath. All the reassurances of the collegium couldn’t hush the murmurs of the accident.

Death was hardly a stranger to Raelion’s history. The vast number of students and uncompromising curriculum made it a near inevitability, a cost carefully managed by the dean. Sparing no expense, precautions mitigated the risks as far as they didn’t hinder growth.

The Guide couldn’t be cheated even by the young scions of the Republic. In the face of mortality, their patrician lineages were salt in the sea.

Still, Narcilla and Renri’s deaths had been unusual in more than one way. Every corner of the school grounds was supposed to be safe. Since the reforms a century ago, fatal accidents have been confined to major exams, especially in the first year.

It’s not like it’s never happened…

It was rare, but not unheard of. Whether the culprit was a malfunctioning array or a prank gone wrong, the truth was outside her grasp. Valela exhaled a breath, the puffy vapor warming her nose.

In a couple weeks, everyone would move on to other gossip—probably the winter acceptance.

The accident was really quite odd… No, I’m jumping to conclusions.

Since she stopped researching the Stygian Cult in agreement with Kai, she saw conspiracies wherever she turned. Perhaps she needed another hobby.

It just rattled me that I knew them. That’s all.

Valela gazed at the overcast sky. The snow continued to flake, burying footprints and ornamental shrubs; if only she could watch the spiraling swirls and forget everything else. Books and pictures failed to convey the winter of the mainland: the white landscape extending as far as the eye could see, only broken by the towering marble buildings and frozen trees.

Valela studied the ice crystals landing on her sleeve, each tiny star slightly different.

Ugh! I’m going to be late.

Woken from her reverie by the cold stinging her cheeks, she strode to the Wing Aurea, brushing the limits of Poise. She had an appointment more appealing than watching snow fall.

Across a blanketed garden, a student used Water Magic to shovel another path, weaving his arms in frustrated gestures. The wards of the academy let the ice build just enough so the students would have a chore to complete for credits or punishment.

Valela offered him a sympathetic glance, glad to see no impromptu snowball battles on her trail.

Sparse groups of students moved between the buildings, their haughty demeanors hidden by a variety of puffy furs. The coats aimed to provide heat as much as showcase the fur of rare exotic beasts—one of many unofficial competitions.

Valela met disdainful gazes with polite nods and waved at the people she recognized. Her white cape threaded in silver enchantments seemed modest by comparison—almost shabby.

A low profile meant fewer problems. Her family didn’t have centuries of accumulated wealth and power to rely on, or even the lowest patrician status. There was no golden net to catch her if she failed.

Longtime success was worth more than empty pride, and she had the patience to bide her time.

Hmm… did I tell him everything?

Valela quickly climbed the marble steps of the Wing Aurea. Inside the wide arched doors, the temperature rose to blooming spring and chatter filled her ears. She narrowly avoided crashing into a student from the Martial Studies. Uniforms from all courses and years crowded the hall, patricians and commoners alike; everyone gathered to escape the cold.

I should have known…

The Wing Aurea was by far the most popular building on campus. It held little to no educational facilities, just seven floors of shops selling more than a student could browse in a year.

Ignoring the smell of baked pastries and hot chocolate, Valela made way for the closet lift across the hall—the House of Mirrors was on the fifth floor.

“Excuse me…”

Teenagers and older students streamed around her, all unable or uncaring to move. Where was the supposed patrician decorum when she needed it? They all packed like any other group of commoners.

“Could you…”

It was the last meeting before Kai attempted the test. He probably wouldn’t leave if she was late, but what if…

I can’t be late.

Valela pushed her way through the gaps, using elbows where words and apologies failed. No doubt, her etiquette teacher would purse her dried lips and harshly shake her head if she saw her.

What she can’t see can’t harm her. Her maid—Nalia—always said that when breaking the rules of proper society, smiling to herself.

Reaching the central lifts, the golden clock above the hall signaled only seven minutes to the appointed time. Valela dashed to the shortest line, nearly cheering aloud when the door promptly slid open.

Spirits, I’m so late.

She glided inside with all her Poise, trying not to glare when a blond girl stopped on the threshold. The student wore the gold-orange of a second-year from Mana Studies, she stared down her nose as if expecting someone to get down for her.

“Can’t you see it’s full?” A student with less patience snapped from the back. “Get on the next one.”

The blond girl fell back, looking too appalled to answer. “Do you know who I am? I’m Jel—”

“My sincerest apologies, my lady. I’m afraid we’ve reached capacity.” The attendant operating the array bowed, looking deeply contrite till the doors shut. He then muttered under his breath, probably something that would make the gaping girl stutter.

Chains of runes lit the capsule as the lift started ascending, stopping on every floor to get people down. Valela crossed her arms. Another student tried to meet her eyes; she feigned ignorance, too busy counting in her head.

Why did they build so many floors?

When the lift stopped for the sixth time, she darted outside with as much grace as the action allowed.

Blessedly, the floor wasn’t crowded. She reached the branch of the House of Mirrors on the west side. Sat behind the lacquered desk of the lobby, the clerk scanned her with a judgmental air. “Yes?”

“Valela Hightide.” She folded her cape over her forearm. “I have an appointment.”

“Mhmm… Valela, Valela…” The clerk said as if he didn’t like the taste of her name, and tapped on the enchanted matrix. “Yes, your connection is here… Room 36. For a planned appointment, the rates start— Oh, your contact has already paid.” He took out a brochure from behind the desk. “May I interest you in—“

“I’m fine, thank you.” Valela strode into the onyx corridors to avoid the promotional spill.

Soon, she stood alone in the room, the door sealed for privacy. She had barely finished fixing her hair when the shrouded mirror cleared, revealing a room identical to the one she had just left, except for the person sitting there.

“Hi,” Kai smiled upon seeing her.

“Hi,” Valela said, her mind suddenly blank. Why did he always look so calm, and why were her thoughts such a mess? She sat and cleared her throat. “Sorry, I’m late.”

“You’re not.” Kai closed the book in his lap, switching it for a silver pocket watch in his spatial artifact. “I was a couple minutes early. Uhm… Is everything alright?”

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Gray eyes studied her, jumbling the order of her thoughts.

Get a grip.

“It’s… been a complicated few days.” There was no need to infect him with her wild conspiracy theories. Valela laced her fingers to stop herself from fidgeting. “You know, Raelion isn’t the best academy if you’re looking for a quiet time. The students can be particularly… competitive. Only half of them pass the first year.”

“You’ve only told me half a dozen times.” Kai chuckled. “It’s alright. I’ve discussed it with the others, and we agreed to try. I know it won’t be easy, but that’s the point. You can’t get anywhere by hiding. And you said it’s the best academy in the Republic.”

“Yes. That’s true…” Valela cursed her past self. The idea got stuck in his stubborn mind the moment she said those words. “You could also wait for the entrance test next autumn. The students joining mid-year in winter often don’t have great success. They’re used to make up the number of those who quit early.”

If he waited, she’d also be in a better position to help him next year.

“We’ll be fine.” Kai stifled a yawn with no hint of worry and massaged his eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t get much sleep on the airship. But really. It’s gonna be fine. You told us everything we need to know, and we prepared for this.”

If only it were so simple…

His confidence left her with mixed feelings. She knew he was skilled—remarkably so given his grade at birth—but everyone at Raelion was a genius of some kind. Yellow wasn’t an achievement, just the baseline to attempt the test.

“How far have you progressed?” Valela chewed her lip, knowing it was an impolite question. It had been years since she had seen him use his skills. How else could she temper his expectations? “Most here have a few mana and magic skills in their twenties, or higher. I— Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked…”