Her room wasn't anything monumental, but it would suffice for her needs. The walls were painted a soft cream color, giving the space an airy feel, and the small window, with its delicate lace curtains, let in a gentle stream of evening light. It was larger than her modest bedroom back in Page, with enough space for a sturdy oak desk and a simple wooden chair, bookshelves filled with borrowed novels, and an inviting, unassuming bed. Elaine found herself somewhat baffled at how ordinary it all seemed, especially compared to the lavish descriptions she had heard about the accommodations for students at this prestigious academy. For a lowborn girl like her, it was more than enough—a sanctuary of sorts. Yet, a nagging worry clung to her thoughts: this was an academy that openly welcomed itself to nobility, where golden chandeliers hung in the grand hallways and opulent banners adorned the walls. Would her humble quarters meet their expectations? Would they scoff at her lack of extravagance, or would they even notice her at all?

  Eh, why pester herself with meaningless questions? She had her own problems to obsess over.

  Two neatly made beds—one against each wall—were draped in soft blankets that beckoned for rest. Between them stood a plush couch, upholstered in a warm, earthy fabric, paired with a small side table that held a few scattered magazines. The tall bookshelves, crafted from polished oak, stood ready to be filled with cherished volumes, while two distinct study tables were positioned under the wide windows, allowing for ample natural light to pour in during daylight hours. On the walls, an assortment of empty portrait frames—some ornate and gilded, others simple and modern—waited patiently for the memories they would one day hold. The floors were covered with thick, matted rugs that offered a soft cushion against the cool, hard surface underneath, making each step feel gentle and subdued.

  On each study table, a stunning narvali—a striking amethyst glass orb—rested gracefully on an intricately designed pedestal. Its surface shimmered with hues of deep purple and hints of gold, captivating anyone who glanced its way. This unique piece served a practical purpose: it allowed for long-distance communication, a coveted feature for those seeking to remain connected. Unfortunately, such orbs were prohibitively expensive, a luxury that was far beyond her parents' means, leaving her with only dreams of the conversations she could have had if one were within their grasp. As Raze had told her, student uniforms were already hung in the closet at her bed's footboard. There was still enough room to fit the rest of her clothing, though—it wouldn't take long as she didn't own much.

  "I was a bit worried I'd have to spend my first semester alone," Fearne said. "They told me one of the students canceled their enrollment."

  "Is that so?" Elaine replied, opening her suitcase and shifting through her belongings.

  "I don't mean to intrude, but I've got to ask. What's your story?" Fearne was sitting on her bed, kicking her legs over the side. Thank Aeris, the red mark that had smeared on her face from the fall she'd taken had vanished.

  "What do you mean by that? My story?"

  "I was told that you were scouted by one of the Glyph staff members," Fearne elaborated. "It's always interesting to hear how it happened, you know? For me, I was helping my parents out in their gardens. It was rainy that day, so we were rushing to pick all the berries as quickly as possible, you see?"

  "Gardens?" Elaine asked. "Let me guess, you're from the countryside, right?"

  Fearne fought back and failed to hide a self-conscious blush. "Am I really that obvious?" she laughed, anxiously stroking her ponytail.

  Elaine had suspected as much. She carried a hint of an accent, one that stretched the vowels of every other word. She camouflaged it well.

  "Anyways, I was just finishing my patch when one gentleman in a gray cloak suddenly appeared on our grounds. I thought it was a robber or maybe a rogue sorcerer. We tend to have a lot of them out there. But he was quick to explain that he worked for Glyph Academy," she exclaimed, almost as if she didn't believe her own story. "My folks were skeptical of him at first, as was myself. But when he showed us documentation, as well as an official Glyph-administered wand, we knew he had to be telling the truth."

  "I can imagine you had the shock of your life," Elaine chuckled.

  "I thought it was a dream..." Sitting on the edge of her bed, Fearne curled her knees against her chest, lacing fingers around them. "People in my town always complimented me for my magic. They said my Essence was strong enough to pass for a Professional Sorcerer. Of course, I never took them seriously. I just thought they were being nice. But...to think I'd have the opportunity to study at Glyph Academy of all places, why, it's like Aeris herself has blessed me."

  Nodding at the ordering of her belongings—neatly arranged dresses and skirts, all delicately hanging from hangers, with her shoes and well-traveled suitcase beneath—Elaine shut the closet doors with a firm motion. The solid snap reverberated in her ears, causing her to shudder involuntarily. She directed a reluctant gaze toward the sinister-looking plant occupying Fearne's side of the room. It was a veladora snaptrapper, its waxy, dark green leaves curling menacingly, poised for movement. That particular species wasn’t native to Incante, known instead for thriving in far more dangerous climates. How did Fearne ever manage to procure one? Earlier, Elaine had caught a glimpse of Fearne artfully coaxing the creature with a dead rat; Elaine pretended not to notice, suppressing her instinctual alarm as she winced, hoping her roommate remained oblivious to her unease.

  "Your family are farmers of some kind, I take it?"

  "Medical Mages, actually," Fearne said, lifting a finger. "They're quite famous where I come from. I learned everything about Abjuration from them. They're incredible at what they do. After I graduate, I was hoping to follow in their footsteps and become a Medical Mage myself."

  Elaine peeked over her shoulder. "Really?"

  "Allegedly, even once I'm made an official Professional Sorcerer, I still have to undergo three years of additional training as a junior Medical Mage before I can be properly certified." Fearne laid back on her bed, an arm stretched out over the side. "It'll be a pain, but I hope to make a name for myself as a commendable Medical Mage. That's my dream." Gulp the veladora snapped its fangs, and Fearne giggled into her hands. It couldn't be. Did she actually understand what the little beast was saying? "Anyways, enough about me," Fearne said, pitching up in a swinging motion. "What made you want to study at Glyph?"

  "Oh, um, well..."

  "I don't expect you to have attended Orientation, considering you just arrived today. But I guess the semester doesn't technically start until Thursday anyways, so it's not like you missed out on anything important. The campus was almost entirely empty until just a couple of days ago."

  So that explains the long line of people I saw earlier, Elaine thought.

  "The students here, may they be noble or lowborn, hail from all across the country. It's a big change from what I'm used to."

  "You can say that again," Elaine scoffed. "As for myself, well, I come from Page. My family owns a potion-making business there."

  Fearne drew a finger to her lips. "Page?"

  "I wouldn't blame you if you've never heard of it. It's a pretty small town. Anyways, the only reason I'm here is..." Elaine trailed off. As she looked at Fearne, who was now leaning forward in anticipation of her story, the rest of what she had to say disappeared on her tongue. Elaine forged a smile. "I've wanted to study magic since I was a child. A Glyph representative spotted me practicing my magic one day. I guess they were impressed, and so, here I am."

  "Fascinating," Fearne said, head in her hands. Luckily, she didn't appear to have caught on to her blatant lie. Elaine wanted to tell her truthfully. But Ellend was still a touchy subject to tackle, and she didn't feel comfortable discussing his complicated predicament with a girl she'd just met. She'd explain everything to Fearne in due time. Just not today. "As of now, there's only a single spell I'm remotely confident in casting," Elaine said, admitting a partially ashamed grin. "How about you?"

  Fearne blushed. "Oh! Uh, nothing too crazy."

  "But you do know some spells, don't you?"

  "Well, yes—"

  "Could you show me some of your magic?"

  "Wait, now?!" Fearne gasped.

  "Pretty please?" Elaine scuttled off her bed and migrated over to Fearne's, plopping right next to her, who was now tugging at her ponytail again.

  "...Err, I guess it couldn't hurt," Fearne uttered. She extended her hand towards the satchel lying on the nightstand, retrieving a wand from it. Unlike Elaine's ordinary wand, this one had a peculiar tendril-like design spiraling up from the green handle and coiling around its shaft. To Elaine, it resembled the persistent weeds that often ensnared the base of their mailbox. "I've mainly practiced using healing magic, but I'm partially educated on Plant Magic, too." Fearne twirled the wand three times and softly uttered the name, "Flosero."

  The bracelet adorning Fearne's wrist underwent a remarkable transformation. Countless plant buds emerged along its perimeter, steadily growing more prominent until the flowers contained within unfurled. Each bloom displayed distinctive colored petals: some were a deep purple with speckles of yellow, others were a delicate pink with winding green spirals, and some were a vibrant red with streaks of gold. Gradually, a sweet, rich fragrance permeated the room. As Elaine breathed in, she identified the scent and could almost taste the fruity flavor lingering in the air.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "My mother taught me this when I was little," Fearne said, smiling fondly. "It comes in handy when I'm trying to—"

  "Awesome!" Elaine exclaimed. Before she realized what she was doing, she'd seized Fearne's wrist into her grasp, tugging the girl closer as she thoroughly inspected the transformed bracelet. "I've never seen Plant Magic up close! Does it work on inorganic material, too? Is the bracelet itself enchanted in some way? Can you make any flower species bloom, or is it only limited to—"

  "Elaine!" Fearne squealed.

  "Hm?"

  "You're kind of cutting off the circulation to my arm. Please let go..."

  "Ah! Sorry!" Elaine gasped, relinquishing her stronghold on poor Fearne's wrist. Elaine often wondered whether she possessed two distinct personalities or perhaps even two separate brains. One part of her was rational and logical, while the other seemed utterly infatuated with the mysterious allure of magic. This internal conflict occasionally led to moments where she would impulsively act without fully considering the consequences as if her body were moving of its own volition.

  "Wow, that's some grip you've got," Fearne chuckled, fingers massaging her wrist. "Like I said, it's a fairly basic spell. I can teach it to you later if you're interested."

  "Please and thank you!" Elaine said, clasping her hands together with a loud slap. "There aren't a lot of sorcerers where I'm from, let alone Professional Sorcerers. So I can't say for certain I won't, um, freak out whenever I see a new spell. Sorry in advance if I overreact like that again."

  Fearne laughed into her palm. "Don't sweat it. I don't think there's a sorcerer alive who isn't at least somewhat crazy about magic. It's our trademark."

  "Yeah, I suppose," Elaine snickered. Being crazy is a trademark?

  She jumped off Fearne's bed and returned to her side of the room. A number of her belongings still needed to be sorted out, but the growling of her stomach made her acutely aware of how hungry she was. As a sorcerer, she knew the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, or so Ellend persistently told her. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that his emphasis on a healthy diet was just a flimsy excuse to justify his insatiable appetite. As Elaine looked outside the window, no sunlight seeped through. The evening seemed to have the world in its grasp, almost as if it was setting the stage for the arrival of the Twin Sisters. Raze had made it clear that dinner was to be finished by seven, leaving them with just under an hour to find their way to the cafeteria, and only then did it dawn on Elaine that she should have asked the sorcerer for a campus map.

  "Say, Elaine?" Fearne asked. "Perchance, are you busy tomorrow?"

  "Not that I'm aware of," Elaine shrugged. "Why? Is there something you were planning on doing?"

  "Yes, actually," Fearne confirmed with a nod. "And seeing as how much you adore magic, I just figured you would want to join me."

  Elaine raised a brow at her. She couldn't deny that she was most definitely intrigued.

  *

  * *

  When compared to the simpler acts of casting spells or invoking charms, Enchantment was an exceptionally intricate and challenging Archaic Art Form requiring both skill and profound understanding. It transcended mere wand-waving or the recitation of special verses in a specific order; it demanded a deep comprehension of the object you intended to imbue with magical properties. Every nuance mattered; if you misjudged even the slightest detail, the enchantment would fail spectacularly.

  As Elaine absorbed this knowledge, she was handed a quaint, earth-toned pot, its surface warm to the touch. She made certain to handle it with extra care; her limited supply of tokens was a precious resource, and the last thing she wanted was to squander it on a mundane object like a pot. Yet, whispers about this particular vessel intrigued her—it was said to be enchanted to boil water without requiring any heat source. While a simple kettle and a match could achieve that, the potential of this pot was what held her attention. The pot felt surprisingly light in her hands, as if weightless compared to its perceived utility. Scanning its orange-colored, clay surface, her eyes were drawn to intricate cracks that snaked across it, giving the impression of a spider's web. From these fissures leaked vibrant Essence that shimmered like trapped starlight, turquoise energy swirling forth in delicate clouds of mist, dancing playfully in the air.

  "Eh? What do you think?" asked the clerk, a small man with a long chin and spindly, dark hair. He leaned over the stall's table, eagerness warping his face with a twisted smile.

  "Um, I'm sure it's wonderful..." Elaine said, softly placing the pot back down. "But it isn't something I need at the moment. Sorry."

  "Yeah? Well, if you change your mind, lass," she heard him call as she strode off, "you know where to find me!"

  Elaine rolled her eyes. Clerks and vendors were a predictable breed, no matter where her travels took her. Yet, she had to admit, this town possessed a certain charm to it. Its shopping district was impressively vast; the modest marketplace back in Page could hardly aspire to the same scale. Stalls and booths stretched out in every direction, forming a winding, expansive maze that seemed to buzz with life. Above her, multi-colored flags fluttered cheerfully in the breeze, strung between the tarped roofs of vendors. The streets vibrated with a diverse crowd of people—far more than she was accustomed to in her quieter hometown. Still, there was enough room for her to navigate comfortably, allowing her to sidestep the occasional drunken reveler who stumbled past, blissfully unaware of his surroundings.

  As she scanned the throngs, Elaine noticed a surprising number of students scattered throughout the marketplace, identifiable by their crisp Glyph uniforms. They mingled among the stalls, their laughter and animated conversations adding to the lively atmosphere. Elaine, however, chose not to blend in with that crowd today; instead, she wore her usual attire—a plain, white top that contrasted gently with her earth-toned brown, knee-length skirt and well-worn leather boots. She frowned slightly at her reflection in a nearby shop window. Here she was, in a new place bursting with vibrancy, and yet her wardrobe felt woefully inadequate. Perhaps it was time to invest in some clothing that would help her fit in better with her noble classmates, who seemed to possess an effortless style. Yet, she grimaced at the thought—she was already walking a tightrope on her budget. Maybe, if she were to…

  She shook her head, banishing the thought. She had already made up her mind about what she came for. Her mother taught her once that if she were to ever venture into a marketplace without a plan, she'd wind up with empty pockets within the hour. Darah Harwood didn't suffer fools, and Elaine was by no means a fool. Clutching her satchel close to her waist, Elaine followed the path ahead, swerving into a different street. Open-air booths stretched before her. On each table, there was a myriad of trinkets and doodads.

  To her left, an impressive collection of straw dolls stood in an animated dance, their limbs moving with an uncanny grace. Enchanted to walk and jump on their own, they delighted children who laughed and chased them across the cobblestone street. The vendor, a jolly man with a sun-worn face and a twinkle in his eye would undoubtedly rake in a handsome sum from the parents desperate to appease their squealing offspring—a small price to pay for a moment of peace. Elaine couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the adults, caught in the tug-of-war between their wallets and their children’s whims.

  To her right, a tall man with a weathered look gripped a sword that glinted like starlight. Its blade curved elegantly, a testament to the foreign craftsmanship from Rymevar, no doubt. He swung the sword through the air with practiced precision, the runes etched along its reflective surface shimmering as they caught the light. Each arc was fluid, exuding a sense of power and control. The enchantments woven into the metal whispered secrets of its capability—this was no ordinary weapon, but a relic of magic and might. Elaine’s suspicions deepened; it seemed that nearly every item in the market was steeped in enchantment, each stall overflowing with wonders that beckoned to her curious spirit.

  As she pressed onward, Elaine couldn't help but notice a trio of boys marching in her direction, forcefully shoving through the crowd with scowls etched on their faces and harsh curses escaping their lips. She narrowed her eyes at them. Two of the boys were dressed in Glyph Academy uniforms, the fabric slightly wrinkled from their roughhousing. The tallest among them—a gangly kid with tousled, darkish brown hair—had something smeared across his long face. The vivid splatter contrasted sharply against his fair skin. As they got closer, Elaine noted with surprise that each one of the boys had spots of red, chunky ooze splattered all over them.

  "That bastard," the tall kid grumbled, stalking past Elaine, eyes squeezed into slits. "When I see him again, he's dead! I'll teach him to make a fool out of me!"

  The two others trailed behind him in a hurry. As they passed, Elaine's nose recognized a familiar, sugary scent. A pastry-like fragrance. These boys, they'd been covered in...pie? She stared confused at them as they disappeared into the distance, not caring for whoever they knocked out of the way. It'd probably be best to stay clear of them. Their type tended to cause trouble.

  "Elaine! Over here!" she heard Fearne shout.

  She spotted the petite girl standing at a stall just a few meters away. Fearne had chosen to don a bright green dress that fluttered gently in the soft breeze, its cotton fabric embellished with flower patterns that spiraled around her waist. On her feet were red, open-toed flat sandals that highlighted her delicate ankles. In her dainty hands, Fearne held a striking object—a wand unlike any Elaine was accustomed to seeing. This was a Fiend Wand, its sleek, polished shaft crafted from pale-colored wood. Atop its handle protruded a jagged, smoky crystal that seemed to swirl with ethereal energy, catching the light in a way that made it appear almost alive. Fiend Wands were known for their ability to amplify cloaking and invisibility spells, a coveted tool among some sorcerers in the Arcanum who employed them during covert reconnaissance missions. Spread out on the table before Fearne was an impressive display of wands, each showcasing unique designs, and finishes that spoke to the individuality of their creators.

  "Not bad, aye?" said the vendor. He had a sharp face like a ferret with a long nose that arched and slicked-back dark hair. "It cost me an arm and a leg to yank these beauties."

  "They're all lovely," Elaine said. And expensive as hell...

  "You said your brother lent you his wand to borrow, right?" asked Fearne. "Well, why not buy one of your very own?"

  "Hmm? I suppose I could. Then again, none of these are in my price range. I'll tell you what I do need, though. A wand holster." She motioned to her wand that stuck awkwardly out of her satchel, and its handle constantly kept ramming into her side.

  "If it's a wand holster yer looking for, then I've got just the thing." The man ducked behind the stall in a flash. Standing again to his feet, he was carrying a small, tube-shaped holster. It was made of black leather and was approximately the same size as her wand. Fourteen to fifteen inches, give or take. "Here you go, miss. This ought to do the trick."

  "It's perfect, thank you."

  "Ah, ah, not so fast," the man said, pulling the holster away before she could grab it. "Nothing around here is free, I'll have you know."

  "Oh. Right, of course. How much?"

  "Three rubies, please."

  An audible gasp lunged out of Elaine's throat. That was more than half of the tokens she owned! "You've got to be joking. All of that for a wand holster?"

  The man scoffed. "Come now, darling. This is the average price of just a regular holster. And this one here's made of fine leather."

  "Can't she have a student discount?" Fearne suggested. "We're freshmen. At Glyph Academy."

  "Nope. I don't do discounts," he denied, folding his arms. "Not even for you Glyph sorcerers. Look, if you can't pay, then move along. You're making me lose business."

  Elaine glared. She always found it funny how people treated her once they realized she wasn't stacked with tokens. But she couldn't deny it would be nice to own a holster, and the other shops she eyeballed in passing were selling theirs for even more excellent prices. This might be the best offer she could realistically afford. Sighing, she reached into her satchel, searching for the pouch of tokens.

  Suddenly, someone slammed a hand onto the stall table beside her, causing a startled Fearne to hop in her place. "Now, now. Let's not be so hasty," the stranger said, the corners of his mouth quirking up into a smile. "Lend me your ear, friend. Just for a sec. I'll help show you a new perspective."