ARIA VALEN POV
I should have known better than to think the worst of Lycanridge University was behind me. The council's probation decree still stung, like a fresh wound that wouldn't scab over, yet I reminded myself that every trial was an opportunity. I slid a hand beneath my blazer to feel the binding cloth at my shoulder, where Celene's accusation had cut deepest, the bruise throbbed, but my resolve was stronger.
Morning sunlight filtered through the arching corridor windows as I made my way to the Registrar's Office. I carried a slate tablet with my signature scrawled across the bottom of the "Probation Acknowledgement" form. Officially, I was now under watch for six months, unofficially, I felt a surge of defiance. If I had to wear this label, I would wear it like armor.
I stepped into the vaulted office,rows of desks lined with parchment scrolls and polished quills, behind a high counter, an elderly clerk peered at me over half-moon spectacles, his silver hair was pulled back in a tight braid, and ink smudges stained the collar of his robe.
"Miss Riel," he said, flipping through a thick ledger. His voice was gentle but firm, I blinked, the name felt foreign, a mask I'd chosen and never quite worn. Only once, when I'd interviewed for enrollment, had I used it and then I slipped back into Aria without noticing.
I cleared my throat. "Yes."
He pointed to a clean slate on the counter. "Sign here." His quill hovered.
I dipped my pen, writing Ava Riel beneath the council's seal, the letters rippled across the tablet: A v a R i e l. My pulse quickened as I handed it back.
"Very good." The clerk tucked the tablet into a folder. "Your probationary file is complete, welcome to Semester Two, Miss Riel."
A knot formed in my stomach, but only for a moment. If "Ava Riel" was what it took to move forward, then that was the name I would bear until the time came to reclaim my true identity.
Leaving the office, I ran a hand over the slate, feeling the faint ridges of my signature. The hallway felt different now, not just stone and shadow, but a place where Ava Riel existed alongside Aria Valen. I squared my shoulders and resumed my walk toward Combat Hall. Today was my second demonstration since the arena incident, this time a partnered drill. My partner, an Omega student specializing in shadow tactics, needed to be fully present.
As I passed the bulletin board outside the practice halls, a cluster of students huddled beneath it. I slowed, curious, scrawled in bold ink as the roster for today's drills, my eyes flicked down the list:
Ryker Holt
Serena Drae
Riel, Ava - Pair: Zane Halbrook
Lianne Fox…
Ava. There it was again, my heart thudded, and I forced a steady breath. "A v a," I whispered under my breath, the name felt both shield and cell.
A hand touched my arm, and I looked up. Elias stood there, slate tablet in hand, his gray eyes held both relief and mischief.
"Miss Riel," he teased softly. "Everything in order?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Cut it out," I murmured, but my lips twitched, he chuckled, stepping back.
"Good luck with Zane." He glanced at the roster. "He's good with bindings, and should be a solid pairing."
I forced a nod, already pushing down the urge to scold him for calling me that. "Thanks."
He hesitated, then added quietly, "If anyone calls you Ava today, just play along, no need for explanations."
I met his gaze, his advice was sound and kind. "Got it."
He turned away, melting into the flow of students. I exhaled, steeling myself for practice.
Inside the hall, Zane Halbrook waited, arms crossed, expression guarded. He was tall and lean, with dark hair that framed a sharply angled face, his presence carried a faint trace of shadow magic, something I respected but did not yet understand.
"Riel," he said, nodding once. He pronounced it crisply, as though savoring the syllables. "I assume you know the drill."
I bit back a retort. "Ava," I corrected, glancing at the slate. "Ava Riel."
His lips quirked. "Right, Ava." He stepped forward and extended his hand. "Let's make this quick."
I shook his hand firmly, focusing on the warmth of his skin instead of the awkwardness of the name. "Whenever you're ready."
Master Thorn's voice boomed, "Partners, to your stations!" Rope harnesses and rune-marked targets occupied the far wall. We took our places, the drill, and intercept a charging opponent using collaborative runic binds, he would launch the simulated assault, I would redirect and anchor. Precision over power.
Zane dashed forward, hands ablaze with shadow runes. I bent my knees, channeling my own lunar ward, as he lunged, I traced a circle of silver light on the floor, his momentum carried him into the barrier, he stumbled, then tightened his runes to vault off the ward. Together, we pivoted, Zane's runes met mine, and I guided his motion into a graceful spiral that ended in a sealed bind.
The hall fell quiet for a heartbeat, improbable synchronicity between two strangers. Then Master Thorn nodded, satisfied. "Excellent control, Ava Riel, well done."
A surge of relief flooded me. I met Zane's surprised nod. "Good work," I said, dialing back the alias in my mind.
He offered a half-smile. "Likewise."
We tapped gauntlets in salute and stepped back. Other pairs began their runs, I tucked the slate into my belt and let my breath settle, the alias felt less alien now, still unfamiliar, but serviceable.
Later, I escaped to the archive alcove, my sanctuary. I found Elias waiting beside the candlelit shelves, Rune's texts spread across a low table.
He looked up, eyes softening at the sight of me. "So… Miss Riel?"
I smiled tiredly. "It's… easier than I thought."
He closed the book he'd been reading. "Good, soon you'll hear it so often you won't remember how it felt to be Aria."
His jest carried warmth, but I shook my head. "I'll never forget Aria Valen. I just need a name that keeps the past at bay until I decide to reveal it."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Ava Riel it is, then."
I sank onto the bench beside him, the candlelight painted his features in gold and shadow, and I felt the steady pulse of his loyalty. "Thank you," I said quietly. "For making it easier."
He brushed back a lock of hair from his forehead. "I'd follow you under any name."
My chest eased as I let the words settle. Ava Riel had taken her first step into this world, and she wouldn't walk it alone.
Outside, the sky had turned pewter with gathering clouds. A breeze stirred the torches in the corridor beyond, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. I closed my eyes, breathing in the scent of parchment and wax.
Tomorrow, and the next day after, I would continue to wear "Ava Riel" like a second skin, until the moment was right to peel it away, until the world knew who I truly was.
But for now, I let myself believe that, at least for today, the bond was not broken, neither between me and my power, nor between me and the life I was determined to reclaim.