Most humans can easily live up to a hundred and fifty. Magicians and martial artists’ control over the anima in their bodies allows them to live up to two hundred. There are even recorded instances of especially gifted individuals who lived up to three hundred. Literature dating from the height of Vinleaf civilization mentions shamans who were older than five hundred years old. Do you think this is Vinleaf hyperbole? Explain your answer.

—Exam question, Vinleaf History 102, Kraej City University

Asteria

The Stovring Chamber Players’ rehearsal session went off without a hitch. They were all wealthy dilettantes, but Ms. Lily had made sure that they were at least minimally talented. Rehearsals were once a week, every Saturday. Ms. Lily had promised me that they were a casual and fun group.

The other musicians all had that well-bred and well-fed look that characterized Kraej City’s elite. Most of them were well-behaved teenagers and young adults. Of the nine other musicians, only one of them looked down on me when they found out that I was a nobody from the countryside.

“But how did you get into the Stovring if no one’s ever seen you around?” he asked.

“The Kraej asked me to teach her,” said Ms. Lily.

“What’s your connection with the Kraej?” he asked.

“Uh…” I said.

“You were talking to Magnus earlier! How do you know him?” one of the female violinists said.

I sent Ms. Lily a look pleading for help.

Lips twitching, Ms. Lily clapped her hands and called them to attention. We all took our places and she said, “Regarding our new member, Asteria is a gifted newcomer. As for how she joined the Stovring, it was in the same way all of you were, via a personal recommendation by one of our patrons.”

“Magnus Kraej…” some people murmured.

“Dierk Kraej,” said Ms. Lily. That was the name of Magnus’ father. The others gave me considering looks and the boy who had been the most persistent about asking me where I came from whistled loudly. Ms. Lily put a finger to her lips, and everyone quieted down as we prepared our instruments.

Rehearsal went well, and I enjoyed myself immensely. The goddess’s divine blessing of music made me the best violinist there. Nevertheless, since I was the newest member, I was on probation for two months. They already had two violinists which meant I would just be on standby. That suited me fine since I was joining for fun.

“I don’t really want to perform in front of other people,” I said.

“You’ll get used to it,” said Laila, the oldest of the group.

“I think I’m one of those people who gets stage fright,” I said.

“The first time you perform with an ensemble is magical-” she broke off when someone knocked on the door and a Lifer entered.

“Miss, the young master invites you to have dinner with him,” said the Lifer.

I looked around at the others. “But we’re having dinner together…”

“Oh, just go!” said Laila.

“The young master is waiting for you,” said the Lifer.

Ms. Lily looked alarmed and waved a hand at me as though to shoo me off. The whispers trailed after me as I left with the Lifer.

“Who is she…?”

“...Never seen her before in my life.”

“Do you think she’s…?”

The Lifer closed the door behind him, shutting out their voices.

Magnus was waiting in a private dining room.

“We meet again,” I said.

“How was rehearsal?”

“It went great.”

Two Lifers stood at the door, and others served the food. Thanks to my foresight, I was confident I knew exactly how to use the utensils because of my extensive training in table etiquette in this world.

We made small talk over an exquisite six-course meal. Magnus and I had few things in common since I didn’t enjoy sports, had no interest in the stock market, and was clueless when it came to gossip about the doings of the Kraej City upper class. Fortunately, we shared an interest in art.

“You must forgive me though since I haven’t had the benefit of a classical education in the arts,” I lied. The souls of the dead had educated me quite thoroughly.

“I find your opinions insightful,” said Magnus. “You’re far too modest. I’m amazed you thought I had forgotten about you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

The corners of Magnus’ lips curled up slightly in a half-smile. “I was sure I was going to die… then this girl with glowing golden hair appeared… I thought the goddess had come to save me.”

“Glowing?” I didn’t remember adding any special effects to the Spirit Incarnate spell.

“You didn’t know? There was a golden halo around your head,” said Magnus.

“Maybe you hallucinated it,” I said.

“No, your hair was glowing like the star you drew on the ground glowed when you used your special skill.”

“...”

“That’s the sign of anima overflow, in case you didn’t know. We’re lucky neither one of us died,” said Magnus.

I lifted my glass of water. “To never using dangerous skills and staying safe!”

Magnus and I touched our glasses together in a toast.

The rest of dinner was spent in more small talk. When we finished, Magnus ordered a car to bring me home. I found it interesting that I didn’t need to tell the driver where to go.

“I’m home, sweetie!” I said as I flung open the door. As I turned to press the light switch, a hand came up from behind and closed the door for me. “Huh?”

I turned around to see a huge dark shape looming over me.

“Welcome back,” said Seraphiel. He took a step forward, making me back up until I was pressed against the door. He put his hands on either side of me, caging me without touching me. The neon lights from outside outlined him in a soft blue glow. His long black hair was loose and hung down to hide his expression.

“Why are you standing around in the dark?” I turned the lights on then turned them back off when I got a clear look at his face. “My bad, the darkness is good.”

His jaw was clenched, and his lips pressed into a thin line. Those famous golden eyes were smoldering with some strong emotion.

Neither one of us spoke for a while. Seraphiel was so close that I could smell his cool seawater and herb scent.

“I was going to drive you home so I called the club to find out when your rehearsal finished. They told me you were having dinner with Magnus Kraej. I can’t be seen with you in public, but it’s fine if it’s him?” Seraphiel’s voice was soft and deceptively calm.

“Magnus and I are practically the same age. I mean, technically…” I said. I turned my face away from him and looked outside. “The dinner with Magnus was for my mission. You must know I have no personal interest in him.”

Seraphiel moved too fast for me to stop him. Grabbing the back of my neck with one hand, he used his other hand to press my body against his. Surprise made me try to push him away at first, but I relaxed my body when he buried his head in my hair. I could feel his heart beating against my chest. Long minutes passed until I couldn’t bear it any longer.

“Stop,” I said.

Seraphiel let me go, but kept me caged against the door with his arms without touching me. “You wouldn’t feel like vomiting if you touched him, would you?”

I didn’t answer.

“Is it always going to be like this? You always on your mission. Always working to help the hero. Always leaving me,” he said.

“I’ve never left you. The ten years was the time it took for me to find my way to you,” I said. “I would never spend ten years toiling to save Magnus or anyone else but you.”

Reaching up on tiptoe, I smoothed the hair back from his face. Seraphiel groaned. Grabbing my hand, he pressed his face against it for a few heartbeats before letting it go. I could sense his surrender in the way he sighed, shoulders drooping.

I won again! Hmph, how dared he ambush me then act all yandere? In the darkness, I smiled triumphantly and said, “This is all your fault, Ely. You snooze, you lose! If you wanted to have dinner with me, you should have asked. Then I’d have said no to Magnus because I had a prior appointment.”

“What?” said Seraphiel. He drew back and dropped his arms, freeing me.

Had he expected me to be more unnerved by his show of temper? Time to go on the attack. “Remember, ‘faint heart never won fair lady.’ Be more proactive next time.”

I turned the lights on, the better to enjoy his look of confusion and outrage.

“But… you… that’s…”

That was the day I reduced the great Seraphiel to a sputtering mess.