Ashern City - Reinhart Institute of War, 7th of Brightforge, year 315 UC
The cafeteria was quiet this morning. Bryan cut his eggs into squares, surveying the half-empty hall as he ate. Most students had eagerly departed for Ashern City at the earliest opportunity, taking full advantage of their day passes.
'Seems everyone was eager to leave the academy grounds.'
He speared a piece of egg with his fork, watching the entrance. The remaining students were chatting while eating, not dressed in their uniforms. He still was, but that was because he didn't have a lot of clothing options.
When the cafeteria doors swung open, he glanced at who would enter. There were already a decent number of students present, considering they could leave. He counted eight, but they would all eventually go.
The chance to explore the city may not come around often. However, since this camp was made up of mostly nobles, there was a good chance many of them already knew the city inside and out.
Alexander entered, seemingly sluggish. His shoulders were slumped, and his head was low.
'Well, he did lose all his matches in front of everyone. So, he's probably still upset at that.'
Next to him was another boy. His mouth was moving, but Bryan couldn't make out what he was saying. Out of everything he learned from the Inquisition, mouth reading was not one of them. It was a skill he should pick up when he had time.
It might be useful one day.
Bryan knew who the boy was. It was Marcellus, Alexander's roommate, and someone that impressed him with his spells. His charcoal gray vest was fitted over a crisp white shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows, paired with tailored black pants.
Marcellus seemed to laugh, showing off his pearly white teeth before patting Alexander on the shoulder as he walked toward the food line. Alexander shook his head slightly and seemed to sigh.
Bryan observed their interaction and wondered what was sad. His curiosity only lasted for a second before he dismissed it.
"I'm surprised to see you here."
A familiar voice came from behind him. He didn't have to turn to know who it was.
It was Alessia.
From the few interactions he's had with her, he noticed that she had a fruity scent to her. It seemed to be some sort of shampoo, but she was the only one here who used it.
That, and the tone of her voice was distinct.
"Most students couldn't wait to escape from all the training."
Alessia continued, moving into his peripheral vision. She held a red apple in her gloved hand, turning it absently as she spoke.
"Yet here you sit, as if it's any other day."
Bryan finished chewing before responding.
"I could say the same about you. In here, talking to me instead of having fun exploring or hanging out with friends."
That seemed to bring a smirk to her face.
"I have my reasons."
"As do I."
Bryan cut another piece of egg, maintaining his methodical pace.
Alessia studied him for a moment, then gestured to the empty seat across from him.
"May I?"
Bryan glanced up, meeting her gaze directly. Her question surprised him. In their previous interactions, Alessia had maintained a careful distance, both physically and socially.
"If you wish."
She sat with practiced grace, placing her apple on the table. Her movements were slow, as if she were being cautious.
"You didn't answer my question."
She said.
"Why are you here instead of exploring the city like everyone else?"
Bryan considered his response. The truth was simple enough, but he was curious about her sudden interest.
"I prefer to use my time efficiently."
He replied.
"The city will still be there when there's an actual reason to visit."
"And what would constitute a 'reason' in your estimation?"
"A purpose."
Bryan shrugged slightly.
"Not aimless wandering for the sake of novelty."
Alessia's lips curved into something resembling a smile.
"How very... practical."
"And you?"
Bryan countered.
"I noticed Isabella taking some students to what she called her 'vacation home.' You weren't invited?"
A flash of something—amusement, perhaps—crossed Alessia's features.
"If I wanted to visit a manor."
She said dryly.
"I'd simply go to my own here in the city."
"So you weren't invited."
Bryan concluded.
Alessia's eyebrow arched slightly. "Is that what you think?"
"It's the obvious conclusion."
"Then you're mistaken."
She picked up her apple, turning it in her gloved hands.
"Isabella did invite me. I declined."
"Why?"
"My reasons are my own."
Her tone made it clear the subject was closed.
Bryan nodded, respecting the boundary she'd established. They sat in surprisingly comfortable silence for a moment before Alexander approached their table, his tray clutched tightly in his hands.
"Good morning."
He said, his usual cheerfulness noticeably subdued.
"Mind if I join you?"
Bryan glanced at Alessia, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"Take a seat."
Bryan said.
Alexander sat beside Alessia, setting down his tray. Bryan noticed he'd taken very little food—just toast and a cup of tea.
"Not hungry?"
Bryan asked.
Alexander shrugged.
"Not really."
Bryan studied him for a moment, then glanced toward where Marcellus was now sitting with a group of other students.
"I'm curious."
Bryan said.
"Why isn't Marcellus heading into the city today?"
Alexander's hand paused midway to his tea.
"What?"
"Your roommate."
Bryan clarified, though he knew Alexander had heard him.
"He's staying behind as well?"
"Oh, um..."
Alexander shifted uncomfortably.
"No, actually. He's going later. Meeting some friends from Team Two."
Bryan noted the hesitation but didn't press further.
"I see."
"So…"
Alexander said quickly, clearly wanting to change the subject.
"What are your plans for the day?"
"Training."
Bryan replied.
Alexander nodded.
"I thought so. That's my plan, too."
"You need to work on your control."
Bryan stated.
Alexander's shoulders slumped slightly.
"I know. It's just... It's not like there's a guide for this type of thing. At least, we haven't learned one yet."
Bryan glanced at Alessia, then back to Alexander.
"You have an expert in control—or lack of it—right here."
He motioned toward Alessia.
Alessia's eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me?"
"Your control is actually quite good."
Bryan said, his tone matter-of-fact.
"Better than most, thanks to your incident."
Alessia's brow furrowed, her gloved fingers tightening around the apple.
"How do you know about that?"
Her voice had dropped to a near whisper.
Bryan waved his hand dismissively.
"That's not important. What matters is that you could put that talent to use for a good cause."
His eyes flicked to Alexander.
"It wouldn't hurt if you made some friends along the way."
"That's not necessary."
Alexander interjected quickly, looking uncomfortable.
"I can figure it out on my own."
Alessia's eyes remained fixed on Bryan.
"I don't need friends."
She said coldly.
"And what makes you think I can't make any if I wanted to?"
Bryan set down his fork, meeting her gaze directly.
"You've been keeping your distance from everyone. No one approaches you."
"You're one to talk."
Alessia countered.
"You're exactly the same."
Alexander began to rise from his seat, clearly wanting to escape the growing tension.
"Maybe I should—"
"Sit down."
Bryan said without looking at him. Alexander hesitated, then slowly lowered himself back into his chair.
Bryan leaned forward slightly.
"I don't want friends because they're nothing but liabilities that need to be taken care of. They're a pain to have around, really."
Alessia studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable.
"If that's your definition of a friend, then no wonder you have none."
Bryan shrugged, unbothered by her assessment.
"I never claimed to be an expert on friendship."
He turned his attention back to Alexander.
"Your spell is set—a bubble that can capture and hold objects, or deflect projectiles. It could be useful. The problem isn't the spell; it's the user."
Alexander opened his mouth to speak, but Bryan held up a finger, silencing him.
"He certainly has a way with words."
Alessia remarked dryly.
Bryan ignored her comment.
"You can't choose your spells; they're essentially random. Your core determines what your next spell will be. It's possible your next one will be offensive."
"That may be true."
Alexander replied.
"But who knows how long it will take to gain another spell? I can't be useless forever."
"Even if you gain another one, nothing would change."
Bryan said bluntly.
"Your control is bad. Why would you want another weapon when you can't even use the one you have?"
The harsh assessment hung in the air for a moment before the cafeteria doors swung open again. Christopher walked in wearing a black training outfit, his eyes scanning the room until he spotted them.
"Bryan!"
He called, making his way over.
"I was hoping to catch you here."
Alexander looked up at him.
"You're not going to the city?"
"I am, but later."
Christopher replied, pulling up a chair.
"Saw Sabrina and Farrah on my way here. They were with some other girls—Leah and someone else. I think they're doing a whole girls' outing thing."
"So they'll probably end up coming back with bags full of clothes."
Alexander said with a weak smile.
"And shoes."
Christopher added with a grin.
Alessia rolled her eyes.
"If that's all you think girls do, I question the women you've been around."
"It was mostly a joke."
Alexander said, looking slightly embarrassed.
A moment of silence fell over the table before Bryan spoke.
"Why were you looking for me?"
Christopher rubbed the back of his neck.
"You mentioned teaching me about body augmentation. I know you said we'd learn at night, but with the way our schedule is looking, it doesn't seem like we'll have much free time."
Bryan considered this for a moment, weighing his options.
"Fair point. I was planning on training anyway."
"Great!"
Christopher's face lit up.
"I can use a target that reacts differently than the holograms."
Bryan added.
Christopher's enthusiasm dimmed slightly.
"When you put it that way, maybe I should reconsider."
Bryan gestured toward Alexander.
"You might as well join us too. There's very little we can do about your control—that will take weeks, if not months to fix—but at least we can put you on a path that won't hinder the team."
Alexander nodded.
Bryan then turned to Alessia, who had been watching the exchange with guarded interest.
"What about you? Want to join?"
Alessia raised an eyebrow.
"What, no snide comment about me?"
"If you want one, I can oblige."
Bryan replied evenly.
"I'll pass on your offer, I have better things to do."
She said, rising from her seat.
"Like what?"
Bryan challenged.
Alessia paused, halfway out of her chair.
"I can help you so you don't have to use those gloves anymore, but it would cost you a favor."
That caught her attention. She slowly sat back down, her eyes narrowing.
"You think you're better at control than I am?"
A small smirk played at the corner of Bryan's mouth.
"Obviously I am. Unlike you and the others who can use spells without worry, I'm putting my life on the line every time I use mine. If I don't have perfect control, I could easily die from my own power."
Alessia studied him.
"You're suggesting blood magic requires more control than erosion?"
"I'm not suggesting it. I'm stating it as fact."
Bryan replied.
"Every time I use my magic, I'm literally opening my veins. One mistake, and I bleed out."
"That's different from control."
Alessia countered.
"That's just risk."
"The two are inseparable for me."
Bryan said.
"My control has to be perfect because the stakes are higher."