"Needless to say, I'm more than impressed with you all," Professor Knight boomed. The class had gathered in a tight cluster just inside the entrance doors, their faces still flushed with exertion after the grueling exercise. Despite Professor Knight's words of encouragement, Elaine struggled to muster a sense of pride or enjoyment from the day’s events. Instead, she felt utterly drained, as though she had just completed a marathon or spent hours laboring alongside her father to clean out the old shed in their backyard—a truly Herculean task. "Those homunculi were intended for second and third years," Professor Knight continued, his eyes scanning the group, "yet you all managed to take them out anyhow. Outstanding!" His voice rose with enthusiasm, and a broad grin broke across his face. "Well, at the very least, most of you did."

  Elaine heard a low muttering of a curse from the boy next to her. It was Custas, and his expression had twisted into a frustrated scowl. He rubbed the nape of his neck repeatedly; apparently, his homunculus hadn't released him until the very last minute. A part of her wanted to offer a few comforting words to lighten his mood, but she found herself lacking the energy to even muster a smile. She was running on fumes, her own spirit dimmed by the relentless adversities they faced.

  "Regardless," Professor Knight continued, "this should give you a little taste of how some of your lessons in this class will unfold. Don't be fooled into thinking you've seen the worst of it, you implings. I mean to push you to your breaking point, to awaken the sorcerer buried deep within your Essence." His words hung heavy in the air, a combination of promise and threat. "That said, however, I am by no means a monster. So, it would serve you all well to know that the results of today's lessons won't be graded."

  "Wait, for real?!" Rayla exclaimed, gleaming at him happily. She'd been one of the students who had finished the exercise last, and Elaine hadn't seen precisely how she defeated her homunculus, assuming she did so at all.

  "Truthfully speaking, I was only interested in seeing how you would react, and what spells you'd use to overcome this challenge," Professor Knight grinned. "You've done well, but I've got this nagging suspicion that some among you have yet to bare their fangs. I guess it's up to me to apply more pressure, what do you say?"

  Hands resting gently on her stomach, Elaine leaned slightly to the left, her curiosity piqued by the crowd gathered before her. In the throng, she spotted Kliff Dresden, someone she had suspected was among the students Professor Knight had mentioned. His magic was undeniably potent, and he showcased a level of skill that suggested he was no rookie sorcerer. His ease with the exercise was evident, as he, alongside Adeline and Jack, emerged as one of the first to complete the task. As she watched him, a nagging itch of curiosity crept into the back of her mind. What would it be like, she pondered, to witness someone like Kliff unleash his full potential? To see him pushed to his limits, forced to summon the more advanced spells that she knew he had meticulously tucked away, like a magician with secret tricks? She imagined an arsenal of powerful incantations at his disposal, spells that could overhaul existence itself, if only he felt compelled to use them.

  A wave of envy washed over her as she observed Professor Knight, whose shoulders shook with mirth as he let out a hearty laugh, his wide grin revealing teeth that sparkled. From his elevated position, he had the privilege of seeing it all—the majestic displays of magic unveiled by each of her classmates. A sense of longing coiled within Elaine; she craved the opportunity to experience their spells firsthand, to witness the creativity and raw power of her peers in action. Every flick of their wands, every incantation spoken, held the promise of magic that danced just out of reach, leaving her both intrigued and envious of their talents. Elaine desired to know everything about magic that she could, she kept a strong yearning for—

  Suddenly, a cramping pain twisted in her stomach, and Elaine had to lean on Fearne so that she wouldn't stumble to the ground. She imagined she was a rather sorry sight to behold. Hopefully her classmates—discounting Fearne, of course—wasn't paying her too much attention. Especially not Kliff, how embarrassing would that be? Hang on, Elaine thought, grimacing. Why should I be embarrassed by what he thinks? It's not like...he...err...

  She peeked towards him again, and the boy himself must have felt her stare as he shot a quick glance back at her from over his shoulder. Elaine froze as a fire ignited on the sides of her face. But Kliff didn't say anything. Merely the boy shrugged, concealed a yawn with a hand, and then turned his attention back to Professor Knight, who was rambling on about "passion" and "power" and whatever else.

  "Elaine, I fear you might be coming down with a fever," Fearne said, concernedly, whose shoulder Elaine was leaning on.

  "A fever?" Elaine gasped. Quickly, she sprang a hand to her forehead to check. It was warm, but not to the point where she needed to be concerned about an illness. "I don't understand. I feel fine."

  "No," Fearne shook her head. "I'm talking about your blush."

  Elaine started at the sudden response. Slowly, she slid her fingers to rest on her flushed cheeks, feeling the heat radiate from her skin as if it were as infernal as the sun-baked earth of the Scorching Valley. "It's, uh..." Elaine stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, uncertainty creeping into her words. "It's nothing. Really, I'm okay." A shaky smile attempted to emerge, but it struggled to reach her eyes, which betrayed a flicker of vulnerability beneath her facade.

  "If you say so," Fearne sighed. "Still, you never mentioned that you specialized in Light Magic. Others around here would kill to master a single spell of that magic, yet you used it with such precision. It was incredible!"

  Elaine groaned. "You saw?"

  "It was kinda hard not to," Custas smirked, his hands casually resting behind his head, his relaxed demeanor replacing the irritation that had shadowed his expression earlier. Elaine couldn’t help but think that his newfound calmness stemmed from the knowledge that their performance today wouldn’t be graded. "As for your spell,” he continued, the mischievous glint in his eyes sharp like a nail, "when you cast it, it was so blindingly bright that for a moment, I thought I was going to lose my vision entirely."

  "Really?" Elaine asked. "It didn't seem that bright to me."

  Custas frowned at her, doubtful. "You're joking, right? Surges, what are your eyes made of? Diamonds?!"

  Contrary to his claims, she could nevertheless discern a good majority of her surroundings at the time. Although most of her focus had cemented on the homunculus, she remained aware of the weight of the room's atmosphere, and she couldn't overstate the joy and relief she had felt when Professor Knight had snapped his fingers, causing the gang of homunculi to disintegrate into a shower of shimmering particles that danced momentarily before vanishing into thin air. However, Elaine had come to learn rather quickly that the spells she had conjured came with a heavy price. A relentless pressure crushed her shoulders, transforming her once nimble limbs into leaden weights that dragged with every reluctant step. Each breath felt more laborious than the last, and a throbbing headache pulsed at her temples, intense enough to make her wince. Did all sorcerers experience such debilitating effects after casting a new spell for the first time?

  She doubted it; this discomfort stemmed more from the fact that she hadn’t just attempted a spell she knew nothing about but had pushed her limits by casting it twice in quick succession. The repercussions of her impulsive ambition were bound to catch up with her in due time. As fortune would have it, Spellcasting was the last class of the day—a brief comfort in her otherwise taxing afternoon. Just a little longer, and she could escape to the solace of her dorm room, where the familiar comforts of her cozy bed and the quiet hum of late-night study would provide a much-needed refuge from the monsoon of magic that lingered in her mind. Only a little while longer...

  "Don't lose hope, my implings," Professor Knight grinned. "I transform all of my students into capable sorcerers. This batch will be no exception. I'll have you sweating blood long before Midterms even arrive!" he laughed, hands on his waist.

  Boy, I can hardly wait, Elaine thought, a fatigued frown sprouting upon her.

  "Until then," the professor smiled, folding his arms, "take this weekend to prepare yourselves accordingly. Come next week Wrez, why, that's when the real fun begins. For now, however, class is dismissed. You're free to leave."

  There was a distinct sound of shuffling feet and hushed whispers, but in time, the crowd gradually dispersed. The grand entrance doors, heavy and ancient, swung open with a serene ease, seemingly of their own accord. It seemed that the spell Professor Knight had placed upon them was no longer at work, just as he had casually mentioned earlier in the lesson. Elaine felt a tug of longing to simply saunter back to her dorm room, where she could wrap herself in her warm blanket and spend the remainder of the afternoon curled up in blissful solitude. However, she was met with was just as unexpected as the homunculi had been: Jack stood before her, excitement in his eyes. As Elaine's gaze lingered on him, she noticed with a strike of anxiety that she had unwittingly amassed an audience, encircled by her classmates. Their expressions ranged from gleeful smiles to wide-eyed looks of wonder and admiration, each face alight with enthusiasm.

  "Woah," Elaine said nervously. "What's going on, you guys?"

  "So, you specialize in Light Magic, do ya?" Jack asked eagerly, moving closer to her. "We all saw that spell you used on the homunculus. It was surgin' awesome! Never seen a Light Magic spell in action before. Think you can teach me a few tricks—"

  "Hold on, hold on!" Rayla called, the blonde-haired girl with crimson eyes cutting in front of Jack with a hop. "How long did it take you to master that spell? No, who was the one who taught it to you in the first place? Was it hard, you know, to learn?" The girl had her fists held in front of her, and that smile of hers was now shining as brightly as a star. "Oh, I've got so many questions!"

  Elaine cracked an awkward grin. "Actually, I..."

  "Honestly, Elaine," Simon said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "I experienced first-hand your skill for potioncraft. Never would I have imagined, however, that your talents extended to sorcery as well." A pained look carved a path onto his face, and he extended to her a solemn, teeth-gritting bow. "I underestimated you. So it would seem, you aren't completely useless on the battlefield either."

  Elaine cringed at him. Is he trying to insult me?

  "How about it, Abby?" Jack called over to the girl, sneering. "What'd you think of her?"

  Elaine caught sight of the brown-skinned girl as she stalked out of the room, her dark eyes narrowed, and her full lips pressed into a thin line. "Huh?" she muttered under her breath. "Yeah, she was pretty decent, I guess. Good job, Lana."

  "It's Elaine," she corrected, but the girl was already making her way down the hallway. Jeez, my name isn't that difficult to remember. Or is it...?

  A throat cleared behind her, a sound that pulled her out of her thoughts. To her surprise, she spun around with remarkable swiftness, and before her stood Kliff Dresden, his features a blend of astonishment and admiration as he took a moment to appraise her. His sharp blue eyes, framed by dark lashes, held a glimmer of respect as he transitioned from his initial surprise to a warm, inviting smile—one that radiated nobility and charm. "I'm sure the others have already mentioned this," Kliff began, his voice deep yet smooth, as he straightened his posture, an arm casually resting behind him. "But that display you just performed was truly remarkable. Your Gift…It's exceptionally strong."

  Elaine gaped, her throat felt uncomfortably tight. What was she supposed to say? Kliff—known among their peers as the strongest student in their class—was standing in front of her, offering a compliment that felt both improbable and surreal. Could it really be that what she had done was worthy of his praise? Deep down, Elaine knew it had to be, but the unexpected nature of the recognition hit her like a jarring slap to the face. She had her theories, of course. Thoughts raced through her mind, igniting a burning desire to crack open a dusty textbook and comb through its pages for an explanation that would satisfy her curiosity. Her professors were another resource she could lean on; surely they could shed light on the peculiar circumstances surrounding that mysterious spell. Yet, in a twist of irony, it was Professor Knight who had been one of the first to leave the classroom. His cheerful humming echoed back as he disappeared down the hall, absorbed in a world of his own.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Wait! What am I doing? Elaine winced. Once again, she had arrived at the realization that such a high-class sorcerer as Kliff Dresden was showing interest in her. And...and he was holding something in his hand, something familiar. "My wand!" Elaine exclaimed, recognizing its humble, wooden design.

  "Yeah," Kliff affirmed. "You dropped it, or I suppose, it fell out of your holster after you defeated that homunculus. It'd be a major inconvenience to get through the semester without a dependable wand, wouldn't you agree?"

  "Th...Thank you," Elaine uttered, taking the wand from him.

  Kliff grinned politely at her. "Don't mention it."

  Honestly, how big of a sulmo could she be? She almost lost Ellend's cherished wand—her wand—on the very first day of classes. Talk about humiliating. However, as she took another glance at Kliff's charming smile and debonair demeanor, she found that her embarrassment was inflamed, as was the inferno on her cheeks.

  "See!" Fearne said, pointing at her. "You're blushing again. Are you sure you're not sick?"

  Elaine whirled away from them both, giving them nothing but her back, burying the sheepish smile burning on a crimson expression into her hands. I love you, Fearne, Elaine thought. But by the Twin Sisters, can you please stop talking!

  *

  * *

  Elaine collapsed onto her bed, the exhaustion of the day weighing heavily on her. Several hours had passed since their rigorous Spellcasting Class. She had managed to muster enough energy for a late dinner of broth and bread, but even now, the grating aftereffects of the class had yet to subside. Her arms ached as if they had borne the pressure of boulders, her legs quaked intermittently, reminiscent of a delicate sapling swaying in a gusty breeze, and her head throbbed relentlessly, as if a tiny drummer were exploiting her temples for a symphony of pain. Yet, amid the discomfort, she counted her blessings; she had survived the lesson intact, and more importantly, the first day.

  Sinking deeper into the pillows, she allowed her weary body to relax, her arm and leg draped haphazardly over the edge of the bed, fingers grazing the cool wooden floor. She stared morosely at the ceiling, and if she strained her ears just enough, she could hear the ghostly moans of creaking wood and muffled laughter rising from the students a floor above her. Thankfully, none of her professors had assigned any homework, a small mercy that allowed her to bask in her fatigue. But as the stillness of the evening wrapped around her, Elaine found her thoughts drifting back to her recent encounter with the homunculus. What had that spell truly entailed? Professor Knight had spoken of its complexities, but, as he had mentioned, they wouldn’t revisit that lesson until Wrez of the following week. She resolved to seize the opportunity then, hoping she could retain his interest long enough to pose her questions.

  Just then, a distinctive snap! echoed from across the room, pulling her from her reverie. She glanced over to see Fearne, now clad in a deep green nightgown, feeding her veladora snaptrapper a dead mouse. The creature snapped its jaws hungrily as Fearne deftly inserted the mouse, its petals quivering in excitement and spines running down its stems shaking contentedly. It was a sight that would require some time to get used to. Quite some time, indeed.

  "Phew," Fearne exhaled tiredly. "Some first day, huh?"

  "I'll say," Elaine moaned.

  "I was already aware that the syllabus here at Glyph wouldn't be a cake walk. My parents even told me that more than twenty percent of students drop out or are expelled before winter. But I'm sure that's just an exaggeration on their part."

  Elaine sat up in her bed. "Expelled?!"

  "Or so they say," Fearne shrugged, patting Gulp on his bulbous head. "Graduating from Glyph Academy is a monumental achievement. There are sure to be a handful of, let's say, less-than-fortunate folk who fail to acquire it."

  I see. We'll just have to be extra careful that we aren't one of them, Elaine thought, more determined than ever.

  A soft, rhythmic tapping reverberated against the window, resembling the gentle knock of a marble sphere striking glass. She shot a puzzled glance at Fearne, who mirrored her concern with wide eyes. Fearne, having loosened her braided ponytail, let her light brown hair fall freely down her shoulders, and hesitantly, she inched closer to the window. With a delicate tug, she pulled aside the blinds. The sight that greeted them from outside ignited a smile on Fearne's face, transforming her earlier apprehension into pure delight.

  "What is it?" Elaine asked.

  "It would seem," Fearne grinned, "you have a message."

  Elaine stared at her roommate blankly. "Wh...What do you mean by that?" she stammered. Instead of providing a clear answer, Fearne stepped forward and pushed open the window doors. Without waiting for an invitation, a large feathery creature swooped into the room with graceful urgency. Elaine gasped as the bird nearly collided with her, its wings a blur of motion. However, its reflexes were evidently sharper than her own, and it executed a quick barrel roll in the air, narrowly avoiding her. The creature, a striking messenger falcon, circled the room three times, its intelligent, emerald-green eyes scanning the corners and crevices, taking in its new surroundings like the aerial predator that it was.

  After completing its inspection, it gracefully chose to land on the sturdy wooden side stable, its talon-equipped feet clattering softly as they found their perch. The falcon continued to survey both Elaine and Fearne with curious intensity, its head pivoting from side to side as if it were decoding their very thoughts. "A messenger falcon?" Elaine finally breathed. She had often observed flocks of the birds gathering at the Falcon Master Headquarters, each one a harbinger of news, watching them blast off from their high perches to soar across the expansive sky toward distant lands. But never before had she stood this close to one.

  These falcons towered over other bird species, reaching an impressive height of approximately five feet. Their most striking characteristic was their unique double set of wings, allowing for both stunning aerial acrobatics and graceful landings; when grounded, they neatly folded their lower pair underneath the top two. The plumage the regal raptors possessed was an alluring display of red and white feathers, with black arrow-shaped markings cascading from their chests. Atop its head, a green, ribbon-like crest flowed elegantly from the crown down to the tail feathers, a feature that caught the light and shimmered as it moved.

  As Elaine approached, she noticed a scroll case securely strapped to the falcon's back. When she reached out to touch it, the falcon turned its keen gaze toward her, eyes sparkling with intelligence and expectation. "It's common etiquette to present them with a gift for their services," Fearne interjected, a chuckle lacing his voice as he observed the interaction from the window. "After all, Page is pretty far from here. This one must have traveled a long and arduous journey to reach you."

  "Yeah, I guess so. But I doubt he'd be interested in being compensated with tokens."

  "Oh! I've got just the thing for him!" Fearne exclaimed. She hastened to her bedside without elaborating. Seconds later, the girl returned with one of the mice she'd been feeding Gulp earlier. "Here you go, little guy." Elaine cringed as the falcon snatched the small object from her hand with a swift, precise motion. The bird swallowed the tailed mass of white fur whole, its fierce emerald eyes briefly locking onto Elaine’s before it turned away and gave her its back. "There, see? It's granting you permission to view its contents."

  "Uh, sure." It felt a bit awkward to be waiting for permission from a bird of all things, but Elaine reluctantly took Fearne's words on the matter. With trembling fingers, she reached for the scroll, anticipating the falcon to spin around and snap one of them off. It didn't, praise be to Aeris. Unlatching its top lid, she opened the ornate case, and inside lay a single, rolled sheet of parchment addressed to her in a swirling script. She hurriedly pulled it out while the falcon was still distracted by its previous meal and switched on the lamp beside the desk, its warm glow illuminating the dark ink of the letter. As she unfurled the paper completely, recognition washed over her like a sudden tide. The handwriting was unmistakable—Ellend's. The way he conjoined his "o's" and "u's" into misshapen "w's" was a quirk she had come to know all too well. After years of practice deciphering his hasty scribbles, she could navigate the chaotic script with surprising ease.

  "What does it say?" Fearne asked, leaning over her.

  Elaine smiled, though not directly at her. "It's from my brother, Ellend. He's just checking in on me to confirm if I made it to the academy safely. Hmm, that's odd. The date is two days late."

  "Ah, that must be how long it took for the falcon to get here," Fearne said, patting the raptor on its head. "You're in need of a much-deserved rest, buddy."

  Elaine scanned the letter intently, her eyes traveling from one side of the sheet to the next. It read:

  Greetings, El. I hope this message finds you well.

  You'd be pleased to know that Ma and Pa have finally come to terms with the reality that you're truly not with us anymore. The moment you departed, I struggled to keep them calm. Pa was a whirlwind of anxiety, pacing back and forth in his room like a caged animal, questioning whether those Glyph Sorcerers were truly trustworthy. Ma, while less frantic than he, still seemed affected by the change. She spent hours in the kitchen, washing dishes that were sparkling clean. As for Liam and Milo, well, they're as constant as ever. Nothing particularly noteworthy has happened on their end. Deep down, I suspect Liam misses you more than he'd ever confess. He often stares out at the yard, lost in thought, or so I’ve noticed when he thinks no one is watching.

  I must admit, I haven’t had the chance to practice my spells lately. You know how it is—without a wand, my hands feel useless. So, when you return, I expect you to show me a couple of tricks. Don’t let the pressure of it all weigh on you, though. I remember you telling Ma that you’re only attending Glyph Academy for our sake, but really, uncovering the kind of sorcerer you want to be is far more important. At least, that's what I think, anyway. Embrace the experience, have fun, and stay sharp.

  I promise I’ll write more when I can find the time—most likely after I manage to bribe Liam into running to the Falcon Masters for me.

  Looking forward to seeing you when you get back.

  Sincerely,

  Ellend Harwood

  Elaine could almost hear his voice as she read the letter. The kind of sorcerer I want to be? It sounded oddly similar to the question Raze had posed during their train ride to Glyph Academy, a fleeting moment that lingered in her mind. But she already knew the answer, didn't she? The yearning in her heart to master magic was not just a personal ambition; it was a calling to help others, a calling that transcended the boundaries of family ties. For her, magic was a precious Gift, a radiant light that she was determined to share with those less fortunate than herself. This was the essence of being a true sorcerer, she believed. But did that mean she would enlist in the Military like Jack? Or perhaps she would follow in the footsteps of her aunt and join the Arcanum as a Strix? The thought of becoming a Medical Mage also stirred her imagination—helping the wounded with spells of healing felt like a noble and fulfilling pursuit. It was part of the reason Fearne aspired to be one. Exhaling softly, she reached for a pen and selected a blank sheet of paper. Surely, Ellend and the others had grown curious about her journey since their last meeting.

  "Listen, Elaine," Fearne said from behind her. "I wanted to thank you earlier. You know, when you stood up for me against the Barrows. It was very brave."

  Elaine stopped writing, swerving in her seat to better view Fearne, who was sitting on the edge of her bed, hands clasped in her lap. "Don't mention it," Elaine said. "You're my friend, I had to do something. Besides, I couldn't just let those jerks get away with it, making light of someone else's business."

  "So it's true then?" Fearne asked. "That you're here as a replacement for another student?"

  Elaine diffused a sigh. No point in keeping the secret now. "It wasn't just any student. It was the same person who had sent me this letter and given me my wand. My brother."

  "I see," Fearne nodded. "He sounds like a nice guy."

  "He is," Elaine smiled. "It was his idea to attend the academy in his stead. He wouldn't back down, no matter how hard I argued or refused. So now...now, I have to make him proud. Make all of them proud."

  "Well, if today was any indicator, I believe you'll make an excellent Professional Sorcerer." Fearne gathered a roll of fresh clothing that she tucked underneath the crook of her arm, slung a towel over her shoulder, and grabbed what looked to be a small kit made out of some animal leather. Elaine gave herself a quick once-over; a nice, steamy shower would do her some good right now.

  "Hey, Fearne," Elaine called, catching the girl as the door to their dorm room disintegrated in puffs of white smoke. "Don't stress yourself over what Minerva said. She has absolutely no idea what she's talking about. You think I'll be a great Professional Sorcerer? Well, I think the same of you."

  Fearne turned red and began nervously chuckling to herself. "R...Right, thank you."

  Elaine sneered at her deviously. Now, who's blushing?

  The wooden door began to reconstruct itself as if woven from threads of reality. Strips of wood glided smoothly into place, fitting together seamlessly to create an archway just moments after Fearne slipped through to the other side. Elaine’s gaze shifted back to the messenger falcon, who had since perched itself on the windowsill. The bird was meticulously picking at the feathers beneath its wings, occasionally pausing to ruffle its plumage. "Right, I suppose I shouldn't keep you waiting too long," Elaine uttered, the falcon peering its observant eyes back at her as she spoke and cocking its head to the side. She spun a pen between her fingers, returning her focus to the parchment before her. She then began to scribble furiously, pouring out the thoughts and emotions that had accompanied her since setting foot onto Glyph Academy's campus, shaping them into cohesive words.