Chapter 38 — Staying The Course

The fascinating background of the foreign first-year who dueled Phaelys Vesali.

In large letters, that was the title of the featured report from the day’s issue of the Daily Shadow.

With some dread, Ria started reading through Desi’s report.

Though her duel with second-year Phaelys Vesali was disappointing, the path that war-hero first-year and House-Vorshan-sponsored Ria of Shadewood travelled to arrive at Crysellia’s Grand Academy is quite an interesting tale. Thanks to a source close to the person in question, we at the Daily Shadow can now share with you details more fantastic than the rumors.

At the start of the unrest in Revant toward the end of last summer, Ria fled the country of her birth together with a swordsman protector and a self-contracted farm-dog familiar, braving the mountainous wilds that separate southern Revant from northern Crysellia—a grueling journey fraught with hardship and danger…

...ambushed and terribly injured by a grillot, she still conjured enough fire to kill the amphibious fish monster…

...ran out of food crossing the highest of the cold mountain ridges on their journey and were forced to hunt magic beasts for their meat...

Researcher Vimlov started class while Ria was still reading, but she didn’t stop. The picture Desi was painting was surprisingly flattering to the point of making Ria into a larger-than-life storybook character.

…became an enchanter and an adventurer, joining both related guilds and starting a workshop to sell scrolls and enchanted paper. Her products can be found for sale at the Academy’s own Enchanters’ Guild!

…helping prepare enchanted weaponry for the local guardsmen and militia, tirelessly healing the wounded, and personally manning the walls to assist with holding back the barbarian warriors and lightning-wielding shamans laying siege to Vorshan’s Hills for days. Official reports detail that upon discovering a midnight assault emerging from tunnels made under the village, she rallied her neighbors to the defense of Lord Vorshan’s manor and, in a desperate melee, used wands and a terrifying unknown magic to defeat the lightning-touched chieftain leading the assault, throwing the enemy into disarray and buying time for Thentis Hammerfell to arrive and end the barbarian threat…

...swore an oath to Crysellia, and thereby becoming a Crysellian citizen… awarded a commendation for valor and an honorary military rank of Lieutenant by the High Council...

…In addition to having the backing of the Lord of Vorshan’s Hills, she is currently being backed by Vesali City’s own City Administrator of Projects and Planning, Asara Vorshan, wife of Jevaran Novidus (2nd-in-line to be the next head of House Novidus), and now rumored to be debuting socially at Lady Asara’s prestigious annual party for the Spring Moon Festival. One thing is for certain, this year’s festival party at the Novidus Grand Ballroom will be an event not to be missed!

Ria had to suppress a groan as she finished reading. A quick glance at Researcher Vimlov showed him already looking annoyed with the class, and the last thing she wanted to do was attract more attention from him or her fellow classmates.

There were more reports and rumors continuing onto the back of the page, including the one that Ria assumed was about Elaine’s father, but not wanting to miss any more of the day’s lecture, Ria quietly materialized her notebook and started jotting down the important parts of Vimlov’s explanations with her trusty everflow quill. She would have to compare notes with Orlisi later, but thankfully the topic outline and examples were still present on the classroom’s large write-board.

Once caught up, her mind wandered back to the day’s edition of the Daily Shadow. As much as the dueling loss to Phaelys had done to lower her profile at the academy, Desi’s report would surely do the opposite, raising her back into prominence—or at least making her a popular topic of interest. Though it made Ria nervous, if being popular would help reduce the animosity of students who felt she didn’t belong... maybe that was a good thing? Somehow, Ria doubted her problems would be solved that easily, and increasing the interest in her debut would make her debut’s risks and rewards higher. Honestly, it was a bit terrifying.

Though... as the price for keeping her other secrets, Ria couldn’t really complain about what was detailed in the report. That said, there was more damage to be done. She would have to give Desi even more information when she passed along the list of names involved with Elaine’s attack on her.

What more could she share that would be interesting as gossip but wouldn’t get her into further trouble?

Ria pondered. The stories of how she saved Ranger from both wolves and bandits would probably be okay… even if they would do even more to make her sound like some sort of heroic figure. No, she’d save that for next time. If she didn’t give Desi information about Phaelys accepting to be her escort, Ria was sure the third-year member of Twilight’s Cloak would be upset.

That reminded her. Phaelys’ letter was still unopened and unread. And if she needed the information inside for Desi, this might be her only chance to read it without the others bothering her.

Making up her mind after a glance to either side showed her friends not looking her way, she summoned the letter and, with a discreet use of heat magic to soften the seal enough not to noisily break, carefully opened it.

Springtime Greetings Ria,

The seasonal blooms continue as if heralding the auspicious news this letter brings. Though expectedly skeptical at first, my family has agreed to allow me to accompany you for your debut.

In regard to preparations for the event, I would appreciate your servants and retainers getting in contact with mine to coordinate our formalwear, chaperones, and mode of travel to the event.

Even if others disparage you for asking me, know that I’m glad to have been asked and am eager for the opportunity to spend the day with you and learn more about your adventures and your experiences during the Siege of Vorshan’s Hills.

Cordially,

Phaelys Vesali

Ria was a bit stunned by the contents of the letter. Could it be that Phaelys really was interested in her? With Phaelys in the line of succession for House Vesali, was this a real opportunity to gain future political power that would further her ambitions against Revant? When she was little, she had dreamed silly dreams of being a princess some day, particularly when twirling around in the dresses her mom made…

One thing was certain, princes and princesses sure live in different worlds: have their servants and retainers make arrangements? Did he just assume she had servants and retainers? Would Keira be fine with lending the use of House Vorshan’s? Hiring her own at this point seemed a bit much… and she liked Ana. Though for an event this important, maybe… she should ask Orlisi to help again?

A lilting hum from said elf caused Ria to freeze in dismay. A glance confirmed her elf friend smirking and giving a thumbs-up. Ugh. She might not have much choice in the matter. Orlisi was probably going to insist at this rate. A muffled giggle from the other side confirmed she hadn’t managed to sneak reading the letter past either of her diviner friends.

Huffing, Ria gave the beautifully flourished and precise script of the letter another careful look, and briefly checked it for magically-hidden messages before returning it to Jeni’s pouch and returning her attention back to Researcher Vimlov’s not quite monotone demonstrations of important geometric ratios and their uses.

Ria put the finishing touches on her letter to Desi, and folding the letter, she activated the magic that would prevent anyone other than the addressee from reading it. The patient second-year working the letter-delivery counter used a large spell-engraved metal wand, and an invisible bird shaped of air enveloped the letter to carry it off to its destination.

After thanking the second-year girl for the service, Ria turned to Arthur who was waiting politely nearby. He was the one who explained about the letter delivery service when Ria had asked about a letter whizzing by as they walked after class—a service provided by the local Enchanters’ Guild.

“You sure you’ll be fine heading to your tower alone?” Arthur asked, his eyebrows scrunching up with worry—quite the comical expression when matched with his mushroom haircut.

Ria nodded and waved away his concern. “I’ll be fine. And I’m not alone. Ranger is with me.”

Ranger proudly woofed his agreement.

It took a few more assurances to convince Rigure’s grandson, most likely because he didn’t want to get in trouble with Ria’s other friends, but Ria was soon on her way, free of constant chaperoning for the first time in a while.

She did keep her cloak’s hood up to be less conspicuous, but Ranger had become recognizable enough even with his deepways hound transformation to draw glances her direction and elicit occasional hushed whispers.

The worried-about bullying or confrontation didn’t come, and Ria soon found herself facing the doors to Parthanex Tower’s training hall.

Taking a deep breath, she held one of the doors open for Ranger and slipped into the hall afterward, letting the door close behind her as quietly as possible.

“You’re a bit early, Ria,” Rialle greeted from across the large dueling space. “Might want to top-off your focus tools, since we’ll be practicing group tactics today.”

“Ah, thanks. I’ll do that.”

Thankfully, the fire mage and her imp were the only team members in the training hall. Ria breathed out a sigh. Hulle wasn’t there yet.

Finding a spot off to the side with good energy flow, Ria sat down and meditated with a spirit coin in hand. She wasn’t sure if that counted as a focus tool, but if she didn’t start filling them up while she could, she was going to run out of money. Between lunch and the silver coin needed for the sealing paper and letter delivery service, her situation was getting dire.

While Ria was working on that, Ranger wandered over toward where Rialle’s familiar was sitting. After sniffing and annoying the imp for a bit, Ranger playfully jumped at him and jumped back, clearly trying to get Rialle’s familiar to accept his challenge.

With an eye roll, the imp casually launched a rush of scorching flame. Ria figured her deepways hound was going to get what he deserved for being overconfident with a third-year’s familiar, but after rolling out of the way, Ranger turned into a blur of motion, ending with a forepaw smack on top of the imp’s head. The horned familiar tottered a moment then fell over.

Ria couldn’t help staring with her mouth open. What was Ranger doing?!

A scoffing snort from Ranger drew an annoyed reprimand from Rialle, “If you two are going to duel, wait for the safety magic.”

“Ah, sorry about that, Rialle. I should’ve stopped him,” Ria apologized. “Ranger, you too.”

Chastened, Ranger rawr-rawred something passably contrite.

The imp groggily made a raspberry noise accompanied by a rude gesture and swished his barbed tail in irritation as he unsteadily scampered back to glare from behind his fire-mage contractor.

Ria’s other teammates began to show up one after another until Aldri was the only one missing. Just as Welkin started to ask about him, a portal opened up and Aldri dropped through, landing like a cat.

After earning an eye roll from Welkin, Aldri gave a nervous chuckle. “What? I’m not late, am I?”

Welkin just shook his head in bemusement. “No, I guess it’s fine. Hurry up and refill your reserves so we can get started.”

Aldri sheepishly saluted and claimed a location near where Iselyn and Wendra were apparently still working on Iselyn’s new spells.

Not wanting to meet Hulle’s eyes just yet, Ria stayed focused on her meditation and continued filling spirit tokens, alternating types to practice each of her energy transformations and work on attunements.

For his part, Hulle seemed content to stay next to Welkin and observe each of the teammates in turn as they arrived and filled their focus tools. Not long after Aldri’s arrival, Hulle said something to Welkin and their fifth-year leader called everyone over to one side of the dueling area.

“You look like you resolved whatever was causing you difficulties yesterday,” Tallien whispered to Ria as they gathered.

Ria nodded. “It was related to something Shadwich has me working on. Thanks for worrying about me.”

Tallien grimaced. “Sure, but be careful. Shadwich is a brilliant researcher but gets a bit too caught up in his research sometimes.”

“Yeah,” Ria agreed. She would have to be more cautious in the future and ask more questions.

“Alright, today we’re going to split into groups and work on tactical coordination. With twelve of us. That means three groups of four. Two groups will duel while the third maintains the safety barrier. The loser of each match will switch with the barrier team,” Welkin announced. “Hulle will announce the teams.”

Hulle’s glasses caught the light as his eyes swept over the group. “Group one is: Welkin, Orlisi, Rialle, Zell.”

“Nice!” Orlisi cheered. “Y’all are gonna get wrecked!”

Ria was fairly sure everyone not on Welkin’s team was rolling their eyes at the elf—or maybe unhappy about having to face-off against that grouping.

Disinterested expression unchanged, Hulle announced the next group, “Ulren, Aldri, Ria, Iselyn. You’ll be group two.”

Judging by the severe frown on Ulren’s face, getting stuck with Aldri and both first-year apprentices was the last thing the imposing fourth-year salt mage wanted.

“Don’t fret so, Ulren. They’ve both got combat familiars and good utility,” Aldri pointed out.

Ulren scoffed.

“Endresi, Tallien, Katria. You’ll be with me in group three,” Hulle summed up.

Endresi nodded as if it was expected.

Walkin clapped his hands together with a resounding strike that echoed through the training hall. “Ulren, your team is on barrier-duty first. Let’s get to it.”