“In a land where mages can wield seemingly limitless mana. Wards are the most effective countermeasure beyond nullifying the area’s mana completely. In a perfect world, they can be summed up as such: In a tiered mana system, each level of ward will protect against equivalent tiers of offensive magic. Proficiently crafted wards can even extend a tier above their own if done well. Now, of course, in practice, there are spells here and there that can slip through the cracks just as much as spells that should work get stopped by wards. But the rule of thumb is, defensive magic often trumps offensive magic. ”

- Magister Aldus Leven, Magus of the Amethyst Tower, “Post Mana Warfare Part II: Wards and War”

“Sophieee.” Ary called out, her arms outstretched expectantly.

Like a moth to a flame, Sophie poked her head up from her desk and picked Ary up in a tight hug.

“Ehheheh.” Ary giggled, enjoying the snuggles she now received.

She buried her face atop Sophie’s head and made a mess of everything, much to the half elf’s dismay.

“Ary! We have class soon!” Sophie let out a strangled yelp.

“Mwah.” Ary kissed Sophie, pulling back with delight.

Sophie looked contented but embarrassed, the girl returning Ary’s kiss before tying her ponytail, taking suspicious peak to make sure the rascal would not attack again.

Aryana just sat and smiled, happy to have her partner back with her. Above her, Yana mimed a disgusted gag but freely continued to twirl around the room without interrupting. Aryana’s smile only grew even wider at the silly sight.

For the first time in what felt like two weeks, Sophie was back by her side, properly. After the assassination attempt and then Tristan’s subsequent confrontation with her, it felt like at least one great worry had been lifted off her shoulder.

Even though Sophie would be leaving every weekend to fulfill her duties, those were guild commissions that she was sure the half elf could handle with ease, if not with a lot of finesse. There were other matters on her mind, but for now, she would enjoy what she had.

Seeing Sophie ready, she bounded forward to snuggle her partner once more.

“A-Ary!” Sophie squeaked.

Aryana just giggled before releasing the girl and sighing.

“What’s up, Ary? You’re being awfully affectionate for the morning.” Sophie asked, gentling caressing her hand.

“Happy you’re back.” Ary quickly replied.

“Heh, I can see that.” The two exchanged another kiss, “But really, you alright?”

“Uhn!” Ary beamed.

Sophie seemed a little doubtful, but instead of pushing it, she lifted Ary’s hand and gently kissed it as knights often did to their princesses within the storybooks. Ary trilled with joy and revelled in the warmth. She dipped her head respectfully, trying to imagine what a regal princess would do in this circumstance.

It was only a momentary flicker, but in that moment, her expression faded, and only melancholy held sway. She recovered quickly enough, smiling widely at Sophie by the time she raised her head.

“How delicate.” Ary giggled as she retracted her hand.

“Ary.” Sophie chided.

“I know, I know.” She yawned, “Ready when you are.”

“Ready when I… says the one throwing me off.” Sophie grinned.

“Eheheh. I love you.”

“You… I love you too. That’s so unfair.” Sophie mockingly pouted.

Ary beamed even more, wiggling around her in glee. Finally content to let Sophie finish her pre class preparations, Ary grabbed whatever else she needed for the day, including Yana. The faerie settled as she usually did, atop her head, emitting both a slight chill and warmth from her presence. As of late, Yana had seemed even more protective of her. She was like a mobile sentry keeping her eye out for trouble.

At least she had gotten more used to the absurd amount of people on campus. She was certainly still abrasive towards Sophie. But on days like today, she seemed mostly begrudgingly accepting of the girl’s presence. A fact that pleased Ary greatly.

Ary held a thin smile across her mouth when Sophie finally readied up. The two of them unabashedly held hands as they began the trek to their classes. Sophie walked her to her class near the Tranquility Gardens.

Standing outside, the two wavered. Ary was touched that neither she nor Sophie seemed quite willing to let the other go. There was a sense of longingness from her partner that Ary greedily embraced, a desire that she was almost intoxicated by. Only when Yana bopped her head and she reflexively moved her hand to touch the sore spot did the two separate.

“See you later, Ary.” Sophie planted a kiss.

“Mmhmm!” Ary bobbed up and down delightfully.

As they waved goodbye, Ary could feel Yana stomping victoriously atop her. She giggled some more. Today was a good day.

Entering the greenhouses of the Academy, Ary felt even more refreshed than she had been but moments ago. Though the Academy was a curated space, both within and outside of its walls, there were plenty of natural spaces that served to soothe her spirit. Yana too, seemed especially happy whenever they were in here. The fae often took flight and traveled between the different plants, tinkering with them however a fae might.

Beyond that, two familiar faces greeted her. One bombastic and excited, the other more muted but equally joyous.

“Fana! Aubrey! You actually made it to class today!” Ary teased and greeted in equal measure.

“Urk. You don’t have to call me out like this.” Aubrey clutched at her chest, her face contorted in mock pain.

“Pffft. First thing in the morning and already cutting into you.” Fana snickered, “At least you deserve it.” She poked Aubrey in the rib, “Hey Aryana, how are you?”

“Good!” Ary bounced up and down.

“Stars above. I don’t get how you can be so energetic in the mornings.” Aubrey groaned.

“It’s because she’s not out till piss off o'clock getting absolutely wasted everyday.” Fana chuckled.

“Hey! I’m living good, I’ll have you know.”

“Sure, sure. I’ll believe it when you don’t wake up hungover for once. Isn’t that right, Aryana?”

“She’ll smell a little less like alcohol.” Ary teased.

“Ack!" Aubrey feigned a death rattle, “What has this world come to?”

“Heheh, how was the party though?” Ary asked.

Her desired subject mentioned, Aubrey seemed to regain her life force in an instant, “Oh, it went quite well actually. I even met with Bryant and Jess from the senior classes. They told me a little secret about our exams.” The girl winked.

“Oooh, nothing bad I hope?”

“‘Course not, but let’s just say I’ll be well prepared when they come around.” She tapped her head, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“What? With that booze filled brain of yours?” Fana snorted.

“Hmpf.” Aubrey turned her nose at Fana before nudging Ary. “What about you? That memory of yours, if I tell you what I know, you’ll pass for sure. Errr not that you wouldn’t pass anyways.”

“Pfft. She’d ace it anyways.” Fana scoffed.

“I know that! Could still be helpful though. At least I'm offering to help.”

“It’s fine. Glad you had fun though.” Ary bobbed her head.

Aubrey pulled her into a hug and pouted at Fana, “See, at least someone can say nice things to me.”

Before Fana could retort, another voice cut through the din. Not aimed at them, but a sign for the day to begin in earnest.

“Alright class, good morning to you all.” Professor Mckinley called out.

“Good morning professor.” The class echoed.

Ary finally separated from Aubrey as the girls took up their stations. She was still happy. Yeah, today is a good day.

Sophie was horrified, mollified, and absolutely bewildered. To her, what was once routine had become different. Princess Lucinia was scowling at her expectantly, not with just disdain and racism, though likely a healthy dose of both. But because she had pushed a small little gift pounch at her that jangled suspiciously like it was filled with coins. Lucinia looked equally mortified, which reassured Sophie a little. Lady Olivia looked very amused, which didn’t.

The feline beastgirl Kyrie was, thankfully acting as any normal person should. Observing the exchange with great interest and wariness. Though she could not conceal the fact that her ears were upright, eagerly listening for any hint of a passing comment. What helped a little less was the whispers that the class traded about her. It would seem that from Lucinia’s declaration of her having been helped by Sophie, alongside the trial in the city, rumors were abound about ‘the knight who fought the law’. She chose to remain mostly indifferent, banking on the hope that things would die down soon enough.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Thanks?” Sophie managed to utter as she gingerly accepted the gift.

Lucinia simply stared at her, the girl’s distaste but gratitude creating an almost unreadable expression for Sophie. Leaving her unsure what proper etiquette or action she should be taking. Olivia mimed opening it and Sophie nervously obliged. By the time she caught sight of Lucinia’s horrified expression, it was too late.

Awkwardly jammed into a small pounch was a strange combination of coin and candy. Sophie wasn’t quite sure what to make of the sight. One or the other would be understandable. But both in a bag were beyond bizarre. Olivia seemed besides herself and struggled to hold back her laughter. Lucinia seemed more embarrassed than anything. Kyrie peeked over Sophie’s shoulder and also starred curiously into the pouch.

Grateful but confused, Sophie plucked out a few candies and put them on the desk, tying the pounch back up as she slowly put it away, watching carefully for Lucinia’s expressions. Seeing the princess look relieved that her token of gratitude had been accepted, Sophie felt equally relieved and stuffed the pouch into her pack. She distributed four of the candies to her tablemates, the princess looking even more bewildered.

“Would be more awkward if only I was eating.” Sophie whispered.

“Hmpf.” Lucinia grunted.

“Thanks.” Kyrie nodded at her, the cat unwrapping the candy before taking a tentative lick.

Olivia just patted the princess on the back. Shooting Sophie a thankful grin.

The candy smelled earthy, but in a delectable way. Under the pale yellow light of the sun from outside, Sophie plopped the candy in and instantly regretted her eagerness. Whereas Kyrie was licking it like a lollipop and the others were more cautious about the speed at which they ate. Sophie’s jaw was immediately sore by the hard candy that now resided within it. The flavors at least, were novel and exquisite. She couldn’t name the ingredients used but it tasted both sour, sweet and minty at the same time. Neither the sourness of something citrus like nor the sugar used in its creation could overwhelm each other. Both carried forth by fragrant mintiness within it like a refreshing and rejuvenating candy. Minus the hard shell and size. Royals sure do have it nice. I bet Ary would love these. Heh. Sophie smiled to herself, she was so affectionate today, gah!

Lucinia looked at her. Sophie raised a thumbs up, hurriedly trying to hide whatever expression she had thinking about Ary. The princess seemed more pleased than before.

Just then, the door slid open and Professor Salvius strode into the classroom. Almost reflexively, the other three plopped their candies into their mouths as well. A sight that almost made Sophie laugh.

Kyrie puffed out her cheeks and that made Sophie snigger, attracting unwanted attention. She froze as she felt her professor’s eyes land on her before moving on.

“Good morning everyone.” He announced.

“Good morning professor.”

The standard greetings followed.

“Today’s lesson will be a little more special. I know our current unit is one on the management of backline logistics. Last class we talked a little about supply hubs and ways in which they are organized and prepared. However, as you all know, I am a person who very much appreciates more hands-on experience given my background.” Professor Salvius spoke.

A few students chuckled, the professor never failing to draw anecdotes and lessons from his time in the military.

“Well. I’m sure more than a few of you are and were concerned about… recent events on and off campus. In this vein, I’d like to expand on some of the more practical aspects of logistics and management. Since one of our students was intimately involved and also a well travelled knight, I want to use this example to emphasize how important logistics is. After all, we can learn about theory and ideas all we want, but understanding what those numbers, supplies, and resources actually mean is a different matter entirely.” He looked at her.

Sophie paled as she felt the classroom’s attention slowly shift towards her.

“Before anyone says or does anything. Let me state this. Whether or not you agree, disagree, or would like to ridicule her actions. I think we must all take a moment to at least offer some respect for an individual persevering in the face of adversity and to acknowledge that they’ve faced challenges some of us could scarcely fathom.” He then gently clapped for her.

Slowly but awkwardly, the class joined in and Sophie could only shrink into her seat, thankfully that the candy in her mouth kept her from making any noise. Her consolation prize was the princess begrudgingly joining in as Olivia winked at her. Kyrie looked over with concern but playfully joined in anyways.

For a moment Sophie froze, a cold sweat running down her back. Kyrie’s tail was curled up with delight, her expression of playfulness reminding Sophie of a memory she had tried to hide.

The flavors in her mouth dissipated, her body growing numb. She could feel the moisture covering her body, the rhythmic clap of thunder and rain pouring down around. Her stomach lurched as she felt the draw, the last grasp of life from one who had accepted their demise. Then she could see it, the wispy pale flame flickering. Arantos.

Sophie shivered as she began hyperventilating. All her victories, all her battles. Distractions from the main event. Against a God, self proclaimed or not, what hope did she have. Who else would she let die. All this time, all this and I just… forgot.

Then she remembered Ary. The redhead, the auburn colors matching too closely. The pained screams of the innocent. The green eyes that looked at her first with sadness, then with resigned acceptance. The one that she sacrificed.

The roar of battle was around her, countless voices, countless cries. Fear and alarm echoed all around as the civilians that she led met their bloody ends, their eyes filled with hope at her presence, only for their savior to be a pathetic whimpering failure. Undead teeth tore into flesh as they gnashed at the victims, the gurgle of the dying cut out only by the occasional rumble of thunder. She fell into the dirt, stumbling down into the floor helplessly. Her eyes widening as the monstrous death god snatched the one who had already lost everything away. One who she had failed.

“Breathe. Breathe, easy now. You’re fine, you’re fine.” A voice called out.

Sophie finally blinked, the world shifting to one of dusky light blue walls, of papers and shafts of sunlight penetrating the darkness. Instead of mud, she felt the smooth lacquered wood underneath. Instead of the dead. She saw worried, living faces around her.

“Breathe slowly, take a deep breath. You’re in Arteria, at the Academy. Breathe, breathe.” A confident, pained voice spoke to her.

She blinked a few more times. Above her was no longer Riza, but a brownish orange Kyrie. To her left and right were not cultists, but a strange black haired princess and her attendant. In front of her, a large, older man.

“Easy now. Take a deep breath. You’re here. You’re with us.” The man spoke gently.

Sophie’s rational mind fought for control, her rapid breaths gradually slowing down as the rain disappeared. She looked up to meet the man’s gaze, his dark brown eyes seeming kind yet pained in equal measure.

“No one here can hurt you. You’re in the Academy. Take a deep breath.” Professor Salvius tried to soothe her.

Sophie did as she was told. Her muscles were loosening. Panic filled her eyes as something seemed to get in the way of her breath. Only when a gentle minty citrus hit her did she manage to regain control of her mouth, swallowing the thing and mumbling incoherently to herself.

Looking around, she could see the aghast and terrified faces of her classmates. Unlike the dissatisfied horror that had been Lucinia’s initial expression. These were the faces of those who fear her. Worse, sprinkled in with sparks of pity in their eyes.

A little disorientated, she reached out to Kyrie, the catgirl shrinking but not backing away.

“Riza… sorry.” Sophie murmured, desperately shaking her head, “Sorry… mistake, Kyrie.” She whispered weakly.

The catgirl just looked towards the professor, clearly uncertain about what to do.

“Hey, can you try telling me what you see?” Professor Salvius gently asked.

Sophie’s eyes travelled across the room.

“Princess… nobles… chairs… cat… classroom.” She rasped.

“Good, good. Now take a deep breath. In,” Salvius demonstrated, “then slowly exhaled.”

Sophie repeated the motion, her mental faculties returning in full. The gray fog in her mind cleared as she took in a deep breath. Exhaustion nearly overwhelmed her but she steadied herself enough to at least be cognizant of her surroundings.

“Sir?” She queried.

“It’s okay. You’re okay now.” Professor Salvius reassured her, "Do you know where we are?"

She nodded. "Class."

Kyrie cautiously offered a hand and Sophie took it, recoiling almost immediately at the touch. Alarmed, she saw Kyrie's expression shift and forced herself to try again, shivering as she felt the slightly fuzzy hand weakly hold onto her. Trying to push past her fright, she forced her hand to tense a little, wrapping it around the girl's. Getting message, Kyrie reaffirmed the gesture and helped pull her up from the floor. She staggered to her feet and swayed a little, finally feeling the full effects of the room’s attention being focused squarely on her. I… I was… She shuddered, that memory felt so real, so present.

“You should go back to your dorm and rest, Kastiane. I’ll excuse you completely from today’s lesson.”

“Sir?”

To her surprise, the professor bowed deeply, “Please have my apologies as well, I did not know that it would have caused you such distress. To have done so and potentially have endangered a student is beyond inexcusable.”

“I-it’s fine. I’m fine.” Sophie said the words aloud, though she felt that was more aimed at herself than the professor.

A few of the students turned to look at the professor, the class having been completely disoriented from whatever had just occurred. Sophie herself felt ill at ease, but she was here, she wanted to persevere.

“I’m fine.” She said once more, more resolutely.

The professor looked into her eyes, the discerning eye of an experienced veteran evidently finding a far too familiar sight. He sighed, far more wearily than she had expected.

“If you’re fine then please try to take a seat. If you feel unwell at all please simply leave at your convenience, I would not mind. Rest and a break will do you good.”

She nodded, unsure about her choices but unwilling to back down yet. She sat down, still trying to make sense of it all.

“Everyone, please.” He ordered.

The class mumbled amongst themselves as they returned to their desks.

Across from her, Lucinia held a more worrying look in her eyes. Sophie just grinned. Though none of her tablemates seemed convinced.

“Sophie.” Kyrie glanced at her.

“I’m fine.” She reassured the girl.

“Class.” Professor Salvius summoned everyone’s attention before pausing and looking gently at her, “Would you mind if I explain a bit?”

She nodded again.

“Class. I want you all to understand that simply by being here, by being able to learn and apply such concepts, is a privilege beyond most people’s wildest dreams. That I don’t teach you these things because it’s simply just another key subject, but because these are things that will eventually play a role in your careers and roles in society when you eventually graduate.” He began.

There was a sobering silence in the class, a few head bobs. But Sophie could feel it. The tension in the air, the fear, the worry. The way in which then now judged her, pitied her. Truthfully, her heart still pounded louder than the professor’s speech, drowning out most of what he said. But she tried to pay attention nonetheless. She had to, otherwise what was the pain even for?

“What just happened,” The professor sucked in a heavy breath, “was the result of being involved in intense combat situations, likely life or death.” He tried to dance around the subject, “What you saw from our classmate, is the result of those battles, of those situations, and of the suffering one would see and feel in the heat of battle. It is extremely common for professional soldiers, let alone miltia or citizen volunteers. For someone like yourself,” he looked to Sophie, “who is both so young and yet experienced such things, I can only hope that these scars do not last for long.”

He looked for anyone who had comments, but most were still too distracted to interject. But even as he finished that sentence, Sophie could tell that it was a vain hope. Even he didn’t really believe that himself.

“It is something that for a majority of you will never have the horror of experiencing. But for someone like our classmate, who has had such experiences, the story is not the same. That is why I implore all of you to learn, to take these lessons and your studies to heart. For if you ever had to apply the knowledge here, then let it be efficient and swift. So that those who would fight under you or on your behalf can be done as quickly as possible. So that no one has to suffer more than they have to. Understand?”

The class collectively affirmed with grunts and nods. A few casting glances over at Sophie. Looks of pity and concern that only rattled her shaken psyche even more. Am I really still so frail? Was I… she wiped the thought from her mind. Covering her face to escape the others, she despaired. Goddess protect me. What's wrong with me?