The Observatory finally came into view as Lily pushed herself to finish her climb. Her dress and hair were still pristine due to the magic shield, but she was slightly winded at the exertion of using so much magic to keep it up. The wind just got worse the higher she went, and she even had to weave a body strengthening spell to keep from breaking out into a sweat from the physical toll.

Lily had never been up to this facility before as it only catered to very specialized students, but what she saw was surprising.

The sky was cloudless and the stars had only begun to peak out in the night. There were no illusions cast to liven up the area like in the entertainment districts, or even any lights to brighten the Peak up. The place was as naturally lit as possible, meaning there was no magic orbs or even spells to enhance a torches light.

The walkway between the unending stairs and the Observatory was a plain grassy field, the grass blowing like waves due to the unending wind. No hint of gardening or care of the terrain could be seen. The Earth Mages had left this place alone to also keep its natural features.

Besides the building itself, the Peak was as close to the original look of the University's island as could be found anywhere. It was… unique.

Then there was the building. It was a dull gray color instead of the normal pristine white of the university below. The roof had black tile which blended into the night sky. But the main feature was the glass. There was more glass on the Observatory than on most buildings on the main island. The entire main building appeared to have a roof of glass, and there were arched windows spiraling up the tower until the top floor which appeared to look like a lighthouse. But there was no light shining out, instead there were telescopes. Dozens of smaller ones with three enormous ones, each easily being four times larger than the biggest guard Lily has seen.

There was no question what the purpose of the Observatory was.

Lily paced herself as she crossed the field and arrived at the door. She raised her hand to knock but the door slowly swung open, the interior of the building lit by an array of candles and torches, all flickering in a very mundane way.

The room was about as large as Charles’ office, but it held a few tables and chairs which were pushed to the side. It looked like a common room for gatherings. Unlike the ones Lily was used to, this was lined with stacks of papers as tall as she was, a few even taller. There were also heaps of scrolls, books, and even strange devices which Lily assumed to be astronomical measuring instruments.

In the center of the room was a single table which had the only magical orb in the room hovering over it. It looked like a miniature Moon shining down with a pale light. Beneath it were a few select snacks and a tea set. At the end of the table sat an old woman, her eyes closed as she took a sip from one of the cups.

She was short. Shorter than her, but there was something about her which felt larger than life. Her faded blue robe held no decorations but to Lily it felt like an outfit made for royalty. Her face was wrinkled, sagging from age. Her eyes were abnormally large due to her thick, oversized glasses. Even her hair was tied in a sloppy bun with strands of hair poking out all over. But despite all of this she demanded respect, not with any spoken word or look but from her sheer presence Lily couldn’t even think to treat her disrespectfully.

“You are later than I expected,” Headmaster Rolune said.

“I apologize for the delay, Headmaster,” Lily gave the woman a polite curtsy with a practiced smile. “Necessities with the Student Council were very demanding to–”

“Oh shut your mouth,” Rolune interrupted. “Save your pretty words and excuses and sit down for some tea.”

Lily felt the air around her constrict as her body was lifted into the air. She stifled a scream as she was plopped into the only other chair at the center table. Thankfully the chair was cushioned so the landing was more of a jolt than painful.

“Tea should be mostly fresh,” Rolune continued. “I brewed it only two hours ago.”

The Archmage must be upset due to the delay. Two hours waiting was a long time, and from the tone of her voice this wasn’t the first post she brewed either. There was a good chance that she had been waiting since the invitation was sent this morning, and if that was the case then Lily made a huge social mistake.

“I am sorry if I have offended–”

Rolune waved her hand and Lily closed her mouth with a snap.

“Who are you to be able to offend me?” She sniffed. “You are no royal, no noble, and no Archmage. To be frank I doubt I’d have ever seen you if it wasn’t for your incident yesterday.”

Lily internally groaned. Of course that's what she wanted to talk about.

“That entire incident was just a misunderstanding which went out of control,” Lily’s voice was calm and even, despite her inner thoughts.

“Of course it was,” Rolune sighed. “And I am sure the attention you are getting from this ‘mistake’ is just a pleasant surprise as well?” She set her cup down and leaned forward in her chair. “Please explain to me why you set up the entire fiasco?”

Lily mentally rolled her eyes as she let out an exaggerated sigh. “Both Philip and I were practicing magic when–”

Lily’s mouth snapped shut again, this time it wasn’t voluntary. Her eyes widened as she realized she couldn’t open it again and tried to touch her face, but her hands wouldn’t move either. She was frozen in the chair. Her eyes flicked over to Rolune who was scowling, the wrinkles on her face etching what appeared to be a demonic mask.

“Liar.” Was all she said.

The next moment Lily’s body returned to normal and Lily took in a few gasping breaths. What did the headmaster do? Where were the weaves?

“I assure you I was–”

“You were telling a fabricated story, which is a lie,” Rolune snapped. “Now tell me truthfully; Why did you do it?”

“We were looking to improve–”

Lily froze again.

“Fabrication yet again,” Rolune growled. “I will give you one more chance, girl. What was your real reason for causing chaos in which even those outside the Island have noticed?”

Lily breathed for a number of moments as she stared down the stone faced woman. Good impressions be damned, this creature in front of her was rude, violent, and overall someone she wanted to punch in the face.

It was like talking to that hag of a priestess back in the orphanage all over again.

Lily gave a twisted smile, her practiced expression completely gone. She matched the old woman’s expression with a flat stare of her own. If she wasn’t going to play nice then neither was she.

“I wanted to get Philip in trouble.”

Rolune sat back in her chair, her face clearly satisfied with the answer.

“I wanted to get everyone to watch him,” Lily continued. “I wanted to make him the most wanted man in the University. Not just by the student body, but also by the guards, instructors, researchers, and even the Dean if all possible.”

“And what would you gain from tarnishing your supposed friend’s reputation?” Rolune inquired.

Her cup lifted into the air, no hand movements or magical weaves in sight. Lily glanced around but there was no hint of active artifacts, enchantments, or mana residue. The room was as mundane as they came.

“I gained nothing,” Lily confidently answered.

The cup paused for a split second before continuing. Rolune’s face didn’t change but her confident expression seemed to contract slightly.

“You truly think you gained nothing from the events from yesterday?” She carefully asked.

“How could I gain anything by playing the victim,” Lily retorted. “The entire purpose was to get Philip to actually show off his skills. The idiot is lazy and stuck in his head all the time, so how else could I get someone interested in tutoring him so he can be adopted into a good family?”

“So you do gain something?”

Lily laughed. “I gained nothing from the events, no. But I get to keep my friend as long as our status is similar.”

Rolune pushed her glasses up thoughtfully and sipped her tea. Lily, using the moment of compilation, took her own cup and raised it to her lips but stopped as she noticed Rolune staring at her.

Lily returned the stare but Rolune just smiled and waved her hand.

“Is the tea not up to standards?” Rolune chuckled. “Please excuse this old woman and enjoy it anyway.”

Lily glanced at the cup and just held it. She had been played. The Archmage made the first move, being forceful at the start lifting her up with magic… the weaves at the time hidden? What kind of technique did she use to do such a thing?

Then she showed off her power with a few questions, using some kind of truth magic. They typically are not extremely accurate but Lily was already thrown off from the unexpected entrance. It also informed Lily that the Headmaster was very well informed of current events and her personal situation. Being a hermit did not mean she was fully disconnected.

Finally acting nice, the sweet treat after being beaten with the stick.

The strategy set the hierarchy of the tea date, one which Lily already knew. The Archmage was the one in charge and Lily was at her mercy, and the kind act is where the conversation actually begins.

But while Rolune might be in charge, Lily won’t let her be swayed easily. It was time to take her own initiative.

“I thank you for your generosity, but I will have to decline.” Lily set the cup onto the table without drinking it and crossed her legs while leaning back.

“Is that so?” Rolune also leaned back. Her smile didn’t falter.

“Introductions are typically done before we partake in refreshments,” Lily stated.

“Our introduction was completed when you received the invitation,” Rolune dismissed. “You learned my name, I learned yours. Why waste our time introducing ourselves when we could get onto more important matters? Drink.”

“It's called common courtesy, Headmaster.”

“It's called wasting my time and yours. Skip that pompous showboating. You do not see me strutting like a peacock, so I would be glad if you don’t bother me with your feathers.” Rolune had a small scowl on her face when she concluded and was tapping her foot.

“Then am I free to ask any questions? We are discarding any sense of basic courtesy, after all.”

“If you must, ask away then drink your tea,” Rolune sighed.

“How does one see talent?”

“Excuse me?” Rolune tilted her head, her scowl disappearing and the stone face returning. But in her magnified glasses Lily could see confusion, and maybe a hint of curiosity.

“I am asking how one sees talent in another?” Lily clarified. “You asked what I had to gain from using one of my closest friends, and the answer is nothing for me because I already have the goal. That goal is a connection with an extremely talented individual.

“But, what would happen if that talented individual does not get to grow into their talent?”

Rolune scratched her chin and arched a brow as she listened.

“They would not be able to reach their potential,” Lily continued. “Thus they would be overlooked and sent to a place they’ll never grow. This would be my loss since a talent I could use in the future was thrown away.”

“So by using your friend, Philip, you gained a future ally if their potential can be met?” Rolune concluded.

“That is correct. So I gained nothing as Philip is already my ally.”

Rolune pondered, and multiple seconds ticked by. She dropped her hand to her lap and sat up, a smile lit up on her face as she cackled like the old crone she was. The next moment Lily’s cup flew off and crashed into the wall again.

“What the hell?” Lily cried out.

“Oh calm yourself, girl,” Rolune laughed. “The best tea is one freshly brewed, not one sitting out for hours. Would you be a dear and go to the kitchen and make one?”

Lily stared at the crazy woman. Throwing her around, interrogating her, and now asking her to make tea? There is no doubt anymore. She had gone crazy from being a hermit.

Lily sighed and stood up. Even if this was insane, she was at the old hags mercy until the tea date ended.

“Which way to the kitchen,” Lily politely asked. Perhaps there was a laxative hidden in the drawers. That would make tonight a lot more enjoyable.

Rolune sat back and inhaled the smell of the tea.

“A lovely aroma,” she said.

“Thank you,” Lily replied as she took in the aroma as well.

The tea was made as best as she could. The containers inside the kitchen were not labeled so she did not know what specific brand she brewed, only that it was an herbal tea. Good for relaxing late at night.

“I don’t know what exactly I brewed but I’m sure it will taste just as good as it smells,” Lily added for good measure.

“Tea is tea,” Rolune chuckled. “Black keeps you awake, herbal makes you tired. Outside those two are just extra flavors but their names hold no meaning.” The old woman took a deep sip from her cup and sighed in content.

Lily took a drink herself and smiled. The herbal tea was just warm enough to warm her body, but also not too hot to burn her. The perfect temperature.

“Lovely flavor,” Rolune announced. “A wonderful bit of a spicy kick mixed in with a smooth texture. You are quite skilled.”

Lily gave Rolune a questioning glance. The tea’s flavor was a bit earthy, like most herbal teas she had drank. There was no spice at all, though she would agree that the leaves did give a smooth texture. Nothing stood out and it blended together into a refreshing drink, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary.

“I can see you are confused,” Rolune smiled as she set her cup down.

“I am glad you like the tea, but I must have errored somehow if you find it spicy.”

“Oh, I don’t mean the leaves, girl,” Rolune gave Lily a dismissive motion. “I am talking about the magical flavor added in.”

Lily tilted her head in confusion. The what?

“I can tell you don’t understand, but let me make a few guesses about you, Miss Lilith No-name.” Rolune lifted her hands and a series of colored lights bloomed around her. “You used magic to heat the water and blend the leaves, as such you left a unique residue to the tea you brewed.”

Lily nodded in confirmation. Using magic like this was a basic lesson taught to first years. Making food with magic was how one learned to fine tune control and magical flow. Daily practice which even the laziest of students had to do if they wished to eat. Only after they perfected the techniques were they allowed in the cafeterias.

“The most prominent taste in this tea was the spicey tang of fire, followed by the smooth texture of water. This means you are very skilled in the two magical affinities.”

The red light grew to become the size of a fist while the bluish white light grew to be just a little smaller than the red. The other colors slowly condensed down, the smallest of them being green.

“The herbs were not enhanced, so your earth magic did not have much power in your spells, but the aroma of it was quite good but also not overpowering. As such your earth and air affinities are your weakest.”

“And the other colors?” Lily asked, looking at the rest of the lights. The third largest was a very dark purple, which slowly decreased in size into orange, yellow, and pink.

“They are not very important at your skill level,” Rolune dismissed. “The important thing is your strengths are quite unique. Dual element specialties are very rare.”

“Blackledge said the same thing this morning.”

“Oh did he now?” Rolune tilted her head as she asked.

“Yes,” Lily confirmed. “He used a device called a Reader to–”

“Bah!” Rolune snapped as she threw her hands in the air. “That trinket is next to useless. How do you think people found affinities before it was made? They learned to detect it through their basic senses.”

“I found the device quite strange,” Lily added. “It locks you into place and reads your core, skills, and affinities.”

“And a fat lot of good that information does for you,” Rolune sighed. “Becoming reliant on trinkets like that are why nobody truly understands magic.” She waved her hands and the lights disappeared to be replaced with a complex weaving. “Most people use magic like threads, weaving their spells and manually twisting reality to suit their whims, but true magic is different.”

“Is that why I have not been able to see any mana threads from you?” Lily asked. She sat back in her chair and sipped her tea happily. A free lesson from a Headmaster was a great opportunity. Plus, the woman had calmed herself and fell into lecture mode. If she paid attention she could not only gain knowledge but also get on the old hag’s good side. A double win for an annoying night.

“You can’t see my threads because I’m not using them. I use the old magic, girl. One which those old fools down on the island love to ignore.”

“Old magic? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Of course you haven’t,” Rolune sighed. She sat back and the weave faded away leaving both of them illuminated by the pale orb’s light and torches. Her cup rose off the table and into her had as she took another sip. “The old magic is difficult, dangerous, incomplete, and far too limited for them to want to teach it. Why teach the old ways when the new ones can be done within just a few years, complete with dazzling displays of twisting the world to your will.”

“So because the magic weaving is more flexible it is used?” Lily concluded.

“Flexible?” Rolune croaked before chuckling for a few moments. “Old magic is far more flexible than even the best magic weaver could dream of. The reason weaving is the core lesson nowadays is because it's the only lesson remaining after the previous libraries sank beneath the clouds.”

“If this type of magic is so rare then why doesn’t every house try to learn it?”

“Because I won’t teach it.” Rolune’s voice was flat and her expression hardened. “For the family? Useless. To benefit the Royal Family and the Kingdom? Like those bastards care about anything but trying to pop out the next great mage in a vain attempt to rival the Founder. Because they wish to expand the knowledge? Why waste time on my magic when there is plenty to perfect with weaving.”

Rolune slumped in her chair, her hands fiddling with her teacup.

“All those useless students who failed to learn the basics left to go the easy route. Servants who wanted to steal my work were kicked out. I do not teach because nobody is worth teaching, and the few that are refuse to learn.”

A unique magic method which nobody else knew? A Headmaster with no students and is old, her story insinuating there was no heir to her legacy. Lily mentally smiled and took a sip of her tea.

“What if someone was willing to learn?”

“I've seen that look many times, girl,” Rolune chuckled darkly. “Your greed to steal what is mine is entertaining, but my requirements are strict. I do not feel you are worthy of my teaching.”

Lily groaned and took in a breath. Of course she would refuse. It would be too easy if she would just teach anyone who asked. But this opportunity was too good to pass up. Lily came here to make a connection, and by the Gods above and below she would make one before she left.

“How can I convince you that I am worthy?” Lily asked, setting her cup down and sitting up. She looked directly into Rolune’s large eyes and waited.

Seconds passed in complete silence until Rolune’s dark face cracked into a sneer.

“Fine,” she croaked. “If you want me to teach you then give me a reason to. Why should I teach you anything?”

Lily returned the sneer with a twisted smile of her own.

“Yesterday I played the victim to help push my friend to learn,” she began. “The reason why I had to do it was because I couldn’t help him myself. I needed someone else to teach him for me. I am lacking, so I wish to learn to fix that flaw.”

Philip helped her out when she needed to practice meditation and purification. Mel helped when Lily struggled with academic studies. But in the end the only thing she had earned herself was through showing off her skills after hours of practicing. She was not as talented as her two friends, though, and thankfully they have finally been noticed.

“So you only wish to gain my knowledge, like a researcher?” Rolune pushed.

“No, not at all,” Lily denied. “If I wanted that I would be writing a thesis’ like my friend Mel. No, I need more than just knowledge. I need skills to prove my worth. Something to help me stand out from the crowds crawling and begging for attention from the great houses.”

“So you impress a family to be adopted into?” Rolune sneered.

“Why do I need your methods when I’m already complimented with my weavings?” Lily countered.

Lily did not need to impress anyone anymore. She had already impressed most of her instructors over the years and, if what Charles said was correct, then she wouldn’t have to worry much about being adopted into a prominent family. No, she no longer had to impress, but what she needed to do was to find a way to keep control of herself when she joins into a family.

Rolune laughed with no mirth in her voice. “Humility must be your strong suit.”

“I might have a bit of ego due to being complimented most of my life, but I do know my limitations.”

“Then why do you want to learn my magic, Lilith No-name?”

Rolune was pushing for an answer. From the short time Lily was with the old hag she deduced that she didn’t care about fancy titles, words, or courtesies. Perhaps it was time to gamble with a more direct answer?

“I want to learn the old magic to be able to cast spells which nobody can see. To be able to taste the magic in the tea. To be able to constrict my opponents and make illusions at will. I wish to learn all these things because it is in my best interest to.”

“It sounds like you are asking me to just give you my life work for free?” Rolune pointed out.

“I am asking you to teach me how you are so powerful?” Lily countered. “How can you live up here and be a Headmaster when I cannot recall ever seeing you at parties? Why are you given an entire section of the island to live alone when the rest of the island is filled to the brim with other students and researchers?

“I want to become strong enough to stand alone like you, Headmaster Rolune,” Lily finished. “Will you teach me?”

Rolune’s sneer only grew as the old hag’s eyes lit up. “Perhaps I was wrong to dismiss you so early, Lilith No-name. I think I will give you a chance.”

“Call me Lily.” Lily interrupted.

Rolune chuckled and waved her hand and an old cracked tome flew over and slammed on the desk.

“Okay, Lily. Your first lesson shall be to read this. Come visit me once you have mastered its contents.”

Lily examined the tome before picking it up. It was quite heavy, but it was similar to many other books she had to read during her years at the University. She nodded and started to crack it open but Rolune coughed to get Lily’s attention.

“It’ll be harder than you think,” Rolune laughed. She waved her hand at Lily. “You are dismissed. This tea party was surprisingly enjoyable, but watch your steps on the way down.”

Lily groaned remembering the stairs, but she felt refreshed after sitting and talking to Rolune for the past hour. She stood up and gave a polite nod instead of a curtsy and started to the door.

Once she reached it the door opened automatically, no magic threads in sight.

“Oh, please return the book in a week if you don’t master it,” Rolune called out.

“Isn’t a week too short of time?” Lily asked as she gave the tome another glance. The book had at least a few hundred pages. It would be difficult to read through it in the weeks time with her workload with the Student Council, much less practice and master everything in it.

“Perhaps it is,” Rolune agreed. “But then you shouldn’t have asked me to teach you only a few months before your Great Hunt. Enjoy!”

The door closed behind Lily leaving her alone outside in the field. A chilly wind hit her making her shiver as she pulled out mana to weave a shield around her and make a floating light.

The old hag was crazy, but Lily gained a chance to get stronger. Maybe now she will have a way to fight back against Charles and whichever family planned to adopt her.

She was never going to be someone else's pawn.

Rolune burst out laughing as the light of the girl faded down the stairway.

This was much better than she hoped. Two students with no ties to families looking to gain power. If one failed, the other should be able to pick up the slack. Not only that, but they were both heading toward different destinations. Philip was going down the dark trail of the Blackledges, while Lily was flying into the sunlight of the noble courts.

Rolune was going to have her legacy continue, and this girl showed a wonderful bit of ambition. To grow powerful to be like her? It was just hilarious and flattering at the same time. Rolune also knew that Lily lied about that as well, but it didn’t matter. The only thing Rolune cared about was that greed. The ambition to grow and gain strength.

She was happy that Lily declined the poisoned cup. It would have been a waste to kill such a promising pupil.

Just one more thing needed to be done. Rolune took a sheet of paper and wrote a quick letter to both Omar and the brat Charles. If Lily was going to succeed in this challenge she would need some special lessons.

Rolune whistled and her familiar, the vulture, landed next to her. She tied the notes to its leg and sent it off to deliver the messages.

Now the only thing was to wait and see if the girl could succeed in the first challenge.