Chapter 329 – Introductions at Raelion

Chapter 329 – Introductions at Raelion

“And there is the Veiled Spire.” Valela gestured to a tower like a spike of black glass stuck in a wood of snow-dusted pines. “It holds one of Raelion’s skill vaults and a few courses of higher magic. Access isn’t restricted, but only upperclassmen go there. As first-years, I’d advise you to stay away.”

Her gaze passed over each of them in turn, confirming they were focused and listening. “Everything clear?”

“Crystal,” Kai said, trying to fix the maze of paths and rules in his mind—Raelion was like a city-state unto itself. Flynn had pulled out a notebook two hours ago and was still scribbling notes, while Rain craned his neck, wide eyes darting to take in all the sights.

“Okay.” Valela tucked a lock of auburn hair behind her ear and let her hands rest at her sides. “That covers the main areas you need to know, at least for Mana Studies.” She offered Flynn an apologetic glance. “I’m not as familiar with the areas exclusive to Martial Studies in the southern grounds.”

Flynn waved off her concern, tucking his notebook and enchanted pen into a pocket of his long coat. “It’s quite alright. I’ll figure it out later. Your creepy magic buildings are much more interesting anyway.”

“Yes… I can introduce you to someone later, if needed,” Valela replied, her voice perfectly polite—maybe too polite.

She takes her role as guide pretty seriously…

Kai narrowed his eyes. Something was off with her. She hadn’t been this stiff when they talked at the House of Mirrors. And why did she keep avoiding his gaze?

Did I offend her somehow?

Since rooms wouldn’t be assigned until the sorting ceremony that evening, she’d offered to give them a personal tour of the academy grounds and help with paperwork and luggage.

Kai appreciated the gesture. A private visit was far more helpful than being herded on a welcome tour in packs of fifty like the other newcomers.

He had known Raelion was large, but hadn’t truly grasped its scale before. Towering buildings rose in clusters across snow-covered fields, frozen ponds, and frosted woods. A grid of stone roads ran through the main facilities, and winding cobblestone paths connected the rest.

They had been walking for the last three hours and still hadn’t reached the fringes. Kai might not have believed the academy bordered one of the Republic’s largest mana forests—if the ambient density didn’t brush Green-1.

His skin hadn’t stopped tingling since he stepped out of the silver portal in the Summonarium. Each breath felt fuller, every sense sharper, his muscles eager to move.

I missed this.

“I know it’s a lot to take in at first.” Valela smiled at their slightly lost expressions. “You’ll get used to it. At least, for the most part. Just stay on the paths and you’ll be fine.” She checked a gold pocket watch, its lid engraved with a seahorse. “It’s nearly noon. Do you remember where the Wing Aurea is?”

Three arms pointed past a hill at their right with near-synchronized motion. Velala blinked, letting a hint of surprise slip. “That is right…”

“About a fifteen-minute walk,” Flynn added.

“We can make it in ten,” Kai said. The map was simple compared to the tangle of Raelion’s formal and informal rules.

“Depends on our route,” Flynn replied. “She did tell us to stick to the main roads.”

“That would be best,” Valela agreed, glancing up at the puffy clouds scattered across the sky. “The side paths are cleared less often when it snows. And the minor arrays can malfunction…” Her gaze grew distant, then she shook her head. “You’ll have time to use shortcuts once you know your way around.”

“So… that means I’m right.” Flynn grinned brightly at Kai. “Don’t worry, I’ll come looking for you if you get lost.”

I wasn’t wrong.

Kai dodged the hand reaching to ruffle his hair. “Time wasn’t even part of the question. Right…” Looking for support, he saw Valela and Rain already strolling down the path.

Traitors…

“C’mon, let’s go find something to eat.” Flynn chuckled at him. “I’m curious to see how the food’s here. Remember you promised to buy me lunch with the money from the bet?”

“I do… and I also remember you saying you’d never eat again this morning,” Kai recalled the aftermath after using the portal—a swirl of silver, a flash of kaleidoscopic lights and hundreds of miles crossed with a single step. Though the consequences for many students hadn’t been quite so brief. A fair number of them had emptied their stomachs in the square. “I’m pretty sure you swore never to eat again, in fact.”

Wasn’t that bad for me. Practicing Spatial Shift paid off.

“Now, let’s not dig up painful memories,” Flynn used a hand to cover his eyes as if he couldn’t bear the thought of his lost breakfast. “That was three hours ago. I can’t get bogged down by past me. I must keep looking forward!” He pointed down the cobblestone trail.

“You’re so courageous.” Kai rolled his eyes. “And will lunch help you cope with the loss?”

“Yes…” Flynn pressed a hand to his forehead. “It—it might lessen the pain…”

“All right. Then I’ll also cover your tuition fees.” Kai added almost like an afterthought.

“I—” Flynn’s grin turned into a grimace. “You don’t need to do that. I’ll pay it with credits. I have enough for the first installment.”

“You know there are better uses for credits. You’ll spend the rest of the year paying off tuition while everyone else gets ahead.” Kai tried to keep the exasperation out of his voice. Why was he being so stubborn? “Let me help. Your fee’s just a hundred gold.”

“Just a hundred?” Flynn raised both eyebrows. “Since when was that small change? You could buy a town for that back home. Maybe two. People here live in their own crazy world.”

“I—you know what I mean. And how much I have.” Kai raised his ringed hand. “It’s only half of what I got from that ridiculous bet. If I needed something you could easily provide, wouldn’t you help me?”

“That… It’s not the same.” Flynn’s scowl deepened. “And I might not if you told me not to.”

“Really?” Kai gave him a skeptical look.

“Maybe?” Flynn crossed his arms and avoided his gaze. “I don’t know… it would depend on the circumstances.”

“Right. So take the money and use your credits for something useful. If you really have to, consider it a student loan. You can pay me back after graduation.”

“A student loan?”

“Yes. Just without the predatory part.”

“The predatory part…?” Flynn blinked, even more confused. “Wait… is that from… y’know?”

Kai waved it off. “Doesn’t matter. Just say you’ll take it.”

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“I…” Flynn chewed his lip for several seconds, then sighed. “Fine. Add it to my tab. I’ll pay you back. With interest.”

“I don’t want interest.” Kai huffed. Having a hundred more or fewer mesars in his ring made no difference. Gold didn’t depreciate like Earth’s money. “Just do well in your studies. I can’t be seen hanging around with a weakling.”

Flynn scoffed. “Can’t be worse than being seen with a short boy. You never appreciate my sacrifices.”

“I’m—” Kai stomped a boot on the frozen cobblestones. “I’m still growing.” His height was perfectly normal for his age. He wasn’t yet fifteen.

“Of course you are, little buddy.” Flynn ruffled his hair before he could dodge. “You’ve still got a good centimeter in you. Maybe even two. The Spirits always loved you more.”

“They recognize a good investment,” Kai grumbled. “Hmm… It’s been a while since we sparred. I can show you how to see the world from the ground. I hear it gives you a new perspective. Maybe the Spirits will notice you too.”

Flynn grinned without a hint of worry. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. You always threaten violence when you’re losing an argument.”

“Shut up. I am not short.” Kai sped up to catch up with Valela and Rain.

“Of course,” Flynn kept pace, looking ahead with a smile. “I’m sure there’s at least one person who thinks so.”

“What does that mean?”