The brass bell's resonant toll swept through the academy's vaulted corridors like a bronze tide, each vibration rippling through ancient stone and stained glass. Sunlight fractured through the kaleidoscopic windows, painting the marble floors in prismatic cascades of amber, crimson, and violet. The hallways surged with life - a torrent of students whose laughter and conversation wove together into a symphony of youthful energy.
Ari and Farah moved through this sea of bodies like twin stars, their presence commanding attention without demanding it. Ari's uniform was immaculate: a crisp white blouse beneath a navy waistcoat that accentuated her slender frame, paired with a gracefully flowing skirt that whispered against her black stockings with each measured step. Her polished shoes clicked a steady rhythm upon the stone floor. Farah mirrored her elegance in masculine form - his jacket emphasizing the athletic build he'd inherited from their father, his posture radiating quiet confidence.
Their passage drew eyes like moths to flame. Ari, in particular, seemed to exist in a different realm of beauty - her shortened dark-blue hair catching the light like silk spun from midnight, her kitsune ears twitching occasionally at particularly loud sounds, her fox-like tail swaying with unconscious grace. She carried herself with the poise of someone who bore both privilege and burden, each step a delicate balance between nobility and the weight of expectation.
The corridor thrummed with activity. Groups clustered around ornate pillars, debating magical theory or gossiping about the latest academy scandal. The scent of aged parchment mingled with the fresh perfume of spring flowers drifting through open windows, where the academy's immaculate gardens stretched in verdant splendor.
Their forward momentum halted abruptly.
Phoenix Windrake stood blocking their path, his slim frame somehow managing to command the space. His shirt hung open just enough to hint at the sculpted physique beneath - a calculated display of casual arrogance. His striking blonde hair, kissed with crimson tips, swept back in artful disarray. His eyes, an unusual yellow-red like molten gold, sparkled with barely contained mischief. Beside him, a timid girl clutched his bag, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor, shoulders hunched as if trying to disappear into herself.
"Long time no see," Phoenix drawled, his smirk both charming and infuriating.
Farah stepped forward smoothly, extending his hand. "Yeah, I missed you too." Both young men laughed, though the sound rang hollow - everyone present understood Phoenix's attention was focused entirely on Ari.
"Our paths simply didn't cross, Phoenix," Ari replied, her voice carrying that peculiar quality of calm detachment she'd perfected. She moved closer, close enough that he could catch the faint lavender scent from her hair.
"And that's what I don't like. Remember how we used to - "
"Grow up." The words cut through his nostalgia like a blade through silk. Ari brushed past him, her shoulder barely grazing his as she continued toward her classroom, leaving him standing in her wake like debris after a storm.
The girl carrying Phoenix's bag released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Farah, catching up to his sister, couldn't suppress a chuckle at Phoenix's dismissal - cast aside like yesterday's parchment.
Phoenix stood frozen momentarily, fists clenching and unclenching as he fought for composure. Several deep breaths later, his determination reignited. He matched Ari's pace, falling into step beside her with the persistence of water wearing stone.
"Why do you have to be this cruel? Is it weird that I missed my friend?"
"No." Ari's tone remained infuriatingly even. "But remember, we live next to each other. If you felt lonely, you could simply knock on my door."
Phoenix's hands flew up in theatrical denial. "No way - it's too risky to meet that witch."
"Astra is more calm and steady now," Farah interjected, his own yellow-brown eyes meeting Phoenix's fiery gaze. "She won't bully you anymore."
The girl trailing behind them - still ignored, still carrying Phoenix's burden - raised her eyes to Ari's retreating form. A thought, poisonous and persistent, took root in her mind: She is my rival, a nemesis that... I cannot match. Even from behind, Ari radiated something beyond reach - a beauty that transcended mere appearance, a lineage that spoke of ancient power, a talent that seemed almost supernatural. The girl's fingers tightened on Phoenix's bag as envy coiled in her chest like a serpent. While she might be just like me, she's a thousand times better. With each of Ari's elegant steps, the urge to trip her, to see her fall just once, grew stronger.
The academy corridors stood witness to this silent drama - rich tapestries depicting historical triumphs and legendary heroes hung upon walls that had absorbed centuries of ambition, rivalry, and unspoken desire. The grandeur of towering archways and meticulously carved statues testified to the institution's legacy, a crucible where destinies were forged and legends born.
"Maybe we could go somewhere after class?" Phoenix ventured, hope threading through his casual tone.
"No. I have important things to attend to. Sorry." Ari's response was final, brooking no negotiation. She pivoted gracefully, her uniform swirling like dark water, and entered her classroom, the heavy oak door closing with decisive finality.
"Burned." Farah's laughter echoed off marble walls as he departed, leaving Phoenix and his companion alone in the emptying corridor.
Phoenix's shoulders sagged, the weight of rejection settling over him like a physical burden. "Another failure," he whispered, barely audible, his head bowing as he trudged toward his own classroom.
The girl remaining behind allowed herself a small, secret smile - a flicker of something that might have been hope, or might have been something far more complicated.
Inside Ari's classroom, anticipation crackled like static electricity. She joined her friends at a long mahogany table polished to mirror brightness. Fierce Asuka, her ginger hair like autumn flame, green eyes always alight with barely contained energy, greeted her with genuine warmth. Beside her, chubby Marika pushed her perpetually slipping glasses up her nose, her round face breaking into a smile that crinkled her eyes.
Ari claimed her customary seat by the towering window, where morning sunlight poured through in golden shafts, illuminating her marble-pale skin until she seemed almost ethereal - a being of light rather than flesh.
The heavy door burst open as Professor Maius entered with characteristic flourish, scrolls tumbling from his overfilled arms like autumn leaves. His presence commanded the room instantly - robes trailing behind him in dramatic waves, his beard showing traces of past magical experiments in its singed tips. A diligent student rushed forward to gather the fallen scrolls, earning an appreciative nod from the professor.
"Good to see you kids," Professor Maius announced, his voice possessing that peculiar resonance of someone accustomed to projecting across large spaces. His gaze swept the room, pausing as it reached Ari. "Lady Ari, I noticed your absence and hope you are doing well."
Ari responded with a polite smile that revealed nothing, her mind already drifting elsewhere.
Today's lesson continued their study of intermediate rune magic expertise. Professor Maius delved into the intricate mechanics of advanced spellwork - the precise hand movements required for summoning, the mental discipline necessary for maintaining complex runic structures, the potential outcomes when spells interacted in unexpected ways. He elaborated on magic's three primary categories: Rune Magic, with its structured approach and visible manifestations; True Magic, the raw elemental manipulation that required innate talent; and Crystal Magic, which channeled power through carefully prepared gemstone matrices. Subcategories branched from these - destruction spells that could level buildings, enchanting that imbued objects with permanent properties, restoration magic that could mend flesh and bone.
As a master of destruction magic and devoted admirer of fire's transformative power, Professor Maius couldn't resist demonstrating advanced pyromancy. Flames danced at his fingertips, forming intricate shapes before dissipating. The classroom bore testament to his passion: desks charred at their edges, scorch marks decorating walls like abstract art, and the iconic fern upon his desk - long since reduced to a carbonized husk that he refused to replace, claiming it served as an important reminder about respecting fire's power.
Ari found value in understanding rune magic's theoretical foundations, but today, unusual distraction plagued her. Her thoughts wandered far from this sunlit classroom, drifting to dark temple corridors and mysterious saviour. Professor Maius noticed her disorientation, his experienced eye catching the telltale signs of a troubled mind, but said nothing. He understood she gravitated naturally toward restoration magic rather than destruction, and had heard colleagues praise her remarkable healing talent.
Ari's gaze drifted to the window. Outside, the academy grounds sprawled in manicured perfection - lawns where students practiced elemental manipulation, their success marked by small whirlwinds, floating water spheres, and dancing flames.
A particular phrase from Professor Maius's lecture pierced her distraction.
"Excuse me, could you please repeat that?" Her voice cut through the ambient classroom noise, drawing attention.
Professor Maius smiled kindly, accustomed to wandering student minds. "Of course, where was I: Formation of temporary rock constructions. Despite earth being one of the fundamental elements, its manipulation typically requires either a destruction base or an enchanting base as a structural foundation..."
Ari's hand rose thoughtfully to her chin, her kitsune ears perking forward with sudden interest. "How long can something like this last? Is it possible to do this without visible runes?"
Professor Maius settled into his chair with the careful deliberation of someone entering complex theoretical territory. He removed his glasses, polishing them absently. "Duration depends entirely upon the spell's strength and the caster's will. And yes, it can theoretically be accomplished with True Magic... though I've never personally witnessed such a feat." An uncomfortable pause filled the room, heavy with unspoken questions. "Do you have something specific in mind?" he asked gently, his tone suggesting he already suspected the answer.
"Ehhhh... what do you mean by that?" Ari's voice faltered slightly, her cheeks flushing as she averted her gaze - a rare crack in her composed facade.
"I encountered a guard sorcerer recently. He informed me about newly discovered rock formations in Hirako's temple - specifically in one of the dormitory chambers. He expressed deep concern about their origin and creator, particularly given the precision of their construction."
Ari's eyes widened, pupils dilating in genuine surprise. Color crept up her neck as she looked down, suddenly fascinated by the grain of her desk.
"Let's return to the topic..." Professor Maius continued diplomatically, sensing her discomfort and choosing kindness over curiosity. He resumed his lecture, but Ari heard little, her mind racing with implications.
When the brass bell finally rang its dismissal, Ari remained seated as classmates filed out, their chatter fading into the corridor beyond.
Approaching the professor with visible trepidation, clutching her bag like a shield, she asked quietly, "Could we talk about that?"
Professor Maius gestured to the chair beside his desk. "Of course."
Taking a deep breath that seemed to draw from her very soul, Ari confessed: "I was there. In that room."
Maius stroked his chin thoughtfully, his expression shifting to one of gentle understanding. "I don't want to cause you any distress. If you prefer, this conversation remains between us - I won't tell anyone."
"Please do keep it between us," Ari requested firmly, her eyes meeting him with an intensity that surprised him.
"So how were these pillars created?" he asked, leaning forward with renewed interest.
"He performed hand movements - specific gestures that seemed almost ritualistic. Then the pillars simply grew from the floor, as if the stone itself was responding to his will." Ari's voice grew steadier as she focused on technical details rather than emotional context.
The professor stood, moving to his whiteboard with purposeful strides. Chalk appeared in his hand as he began sketching, his mind already working through possibilities. "And no visible rune magic involved?"
"I saw nothing. No glowing circles, no written symbols. And he did it twice - two separate castings."
"He summoned pillars twice?" Professor Maius's hand paused mid-sketch.
"The first time, he blocked the door with spiked pillars - defensive formations. Then he sealed the window opening, but that was different - smooth, solid wall rather than pointed spikes. Same basic spell, completely different manifestation."
Professor Maius continued sketching, connecting theoretical dots, his brow furrowing as contradictions accumulated. Finally, he stepped back from the board with a frustrated sigh. "It might be True Magic - raw elemental manipulation without structured runes. But summoning different-shaped constructions with what appears to be a single fundamental spell... that requires extraordinary control. Shaping earth like clay, adapting form to immediate need... there isn't any school of magic I'm aware of that teaches such flexibility. Not in the Theocracy, certainly."
"So there's no way to find him?" Ari's voice carried undertones of desperation she couldn't quite suppress.
"The world is vast, Lady Ari. Perhaps in distant lands - the Empire, the far Tundra tribes, or even across the Burning Sands - there exist traditions that teach such techniques. But I know of none." He paused, studying her face with newfound understanding. "Oh forgive me, I shouldn't pry into this. Your reasons for seeking him are your own."
After further discussion that yielded no additional answers, they exchanged farewells. As Ari stepped into the bustling academy corridors, she felt the weight of her responsibilities settling back onto her shoulders like a familiar cloak. Her posture straightened, composure returning like armor donned for battle. She merged with the sea of students, disappearing into the crowd as her stoic facade reasserted itself, navigating the labyrinthine halls with practiced ease.
Afternoon sun slanted through high windows as Ari concluded her final class. Focus had proven impossible, her mind occupied with thoughts of her mysterious savior and his remarkable earth magic. Wandering the academy hallways with Asuka and Marika, her unusual silence communicated volumes to her perceptive friends.
"Something happened?" Marika asked, peering at Ari through glasses that magnified her concerned brown eyes.
"Oh, not really... I just didn't sleep well." Ari scratched her cheek absently, her gaze skating across the bustling students surrounding them. The hallways pulsed with life - chatter and laughter, the rustling of papers, the occasional burst of accidental magic from a student practicing hand gestures.
"So you were in Hirako Temple that day!" Asuka exclaimed, her enthusiasm nearly bruising as she gripped Ari's shoulder with surprising strength. "The whole capital knows - rumors spread everywhere when you disappeared from the academy!"
"Your brother told us," Marika added matter-of-factly, though her eyes betrayed deep concern. "We've been worried."
Asuka's grip loosened as Ari gently stroked her friend's hand, sensing the fear beneath the fierce exterior. "Were you worried about me?"
"We heard you jumped from a second-floor window. Of course we were terrified." Asuka's voice softened to near-whisper.
Asuka took Ari's hand, pressing it to her cheek in a gesture of intimate friendship. Ari caressed her friend's face softly, the touch communicating what words couldn't.
They settled in the academic square - a modest green sanctuary at the academy's heart, featuring weathered benches surrounding a single sapling that represented the academy's future growth. Sunlight filtered through leaves in dappled patterns, casting shifting shadows. A gentle breeze carried the mingled scents of blooming flowers and ancient stone. Students scattered across the space - some relaxing on benches, others sprawled on grass with books balanced on raised knees.
"I was saved by someone." Ari's voice barely rose above the ambient sounds. "I don't know who he was. I never learned his name."
"You want to find him," Asuka stated rather than asked, excitement brightening her green eyes like struck flint.
"That's why you questioned Professor Maius about earth magic, correct?" Marika's analytical mind had already connected the pieces. She placed her hands primly on her thighs, adjusting her glasses before adding, "Perhaps the library contains information Professor Maius hasn't encountered. He's brilliant, but he's not omniscient."
"I was planning to visit there after class..."
"We'll accompany you!" Asuka sprang up, attempting to pull her friends vertical, but they remained firmly seated.
"I need to go alone. I need to... think everything through again." Ari rose gracefully, leaving her friends behind as she headed toward the library, hoping to find something - anything - that could bring her closer to the man who had saved her life.
The library dominated the academy's eastern wing - a vast cathedral of knowledge where silence held sacred power. The main floor stretched seemingly endless, rows upon rows of bookshelves creating a labyrinth of learning. Above, the second floor featured smaller and larger bridges crisscrossing the space, connecting different sections while offering panoramic views of the scholarly treasure below. The ceiling vaulted impossibly high, crowned with magnificent stained-glass windows that bathed everything in kaleidoscopic light - creating an atmosphere where knowledge itself seemed to possess weight and color.
The scent hit immediately - old parchment and leather bindings, mixed with the faint mustiness of centuries-old tomes, undercut by the sharper smell of fresh ink from the scribes' corner. Dust motes danced in colored light shafts, seeming almost alive.
Ari turned left toward the librarian's office immediately. Leaning on the polished front desk, she noticed a figure rummaging through contents of a lower shelf.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for books about earth magic."
"Ouch!" A female voice emerged from below the desk, followed by a soft thump. "Just a moment..."
A girl stood, one hand rubbing her head where it had connected with the desk's underside. As she looked up, her eyes widened in recognition - it was the same timid girl who'd been carrying Phoenix's bag earlier.
"Yes, we have several." Her voice barely rose above a whisper, her hand moving to cover her mouth. "Please, follow me."
They walked in silence initially, footsteps muffled by ancient carpeting that had absorbed decades of scholarly pursuit. Finally, Ari broke the quiet: "You shouldn't let him treat you like that."
The girl froze as if struck by lightning. Something ignited behind her eyes - hurt transforming into defiance.
"You don't understand!" Her voice rose, drawing stares from studying students. "This is the only way he notices me!" They stood in the library's heart as more people began observing the confrontation.
"I'm not like you!" The words burst out like a dam breaking. "I'm not clever, pretty, or talented. I'm not from a noble family. I don't possess anything that could possibly impress him! This is..."
"He won't treat you right." Ari's voice remained calm, but carried an edge of hard-won wisdom.
The girl turned, her face flushed red with accumulated anger and hurt. Her eyes blazed with ferocity that could have intimidated anyone less composed. "What do you know about treating people right?! You're so delusional you don't even notice how deeply he's in love with you!"
"I'm not delusional." Ari's voice softened unexpectedly. "I know he loves me. But no matter how many times I've told him we can't be together, he refuses to listen."
Ari stepped closer, placing her hands on the girl's trembling shoulders with surprising gentleness. "Do me a favor - kill his love for me... with yours."
She pulled the girl into an embrace. The dam broke completely then - tears streaming down the girl's cheeks, soaking into Ari's uniform, releasing years of pent-up longing and jealousy.
"I will help you," Ari whispered, looking into the girl's shocked eyes. Then, unexpectedly, Ari burst into laughter - genuine, noble, filled with warmth rather than mockery. "I'll even invite you both to my wedding!"
The tension dissipated like morning mist, replaced by tentative understanding.
"No." The girl's voice was small, tinged with embarrassment. "I don't own any dress suitable for such an occasion... I'm struggling even to pay the academy's fees."
"Don't worry." Ari patted her shoulder reassuringly. "You can choose from my wardrobe. I have more dresses than I could possibly wear."
The girl laughed softly, imagining herself in Ari's elegant clothes, silently comparing their vastly different body shapes and social positions.
They reached the section dedicated to elemental magic, surrounded by the soft rustle of turning pages and the library's unique quietude. Ari's eyes scanned countless spines, fingers brushing lightly against leather bindings as she searched.
"There's something, but it covers every element," the girl said hesitantly.
Ari pointed to a book on a high shelf, its cover dusty from years of neglect. "There - can we reach it?"
The girl nodded, fetching a small ladder. Climbing carefully, she reached for the volume with some effort. "Art of Creation: Secrets of Earth Magic and Its Ability to Create and Destroy, written by Tal'shen," she read aloud, handing the substantial tome to Ari.
"Tal'shen, don't disappoint me," Ari murmured, her eyes shining with hope and anticipation.
"You know him?" Curiosity replaced the girl's earlier distress.
"I've never met him personally, but I've heard he serves as the court archwizard for the Empress herself - one of the most powerful mages in existence." Reverence colored Ari's voice.
With the book secured in her arms, its weight both promising and daunting, Ari proceeded to the librarian's desk. The girl quickly noted the rental in meticulously maintained records. As Ari turned to depart, she clutched the tome tightly to her chest.
Passing through corridors filled with students hurrying to their next obligations, Ari's mind whirled with possibilities. She clutched the book like it contained the secrets of the universe itself.
In the worst case, I won't be bored during the ship passage. In the best case, I will... Her thoughts trailed off into scenarios she barely dared imagine. A smile played across her lips, accompanied by a faint blush that went unnoticed by those around her - and even by herself.