Alchzard Dune was known for his strict punctuality and stern demeanor, and she couldn't afford to incur his displeasure. For Reya, Alchzard Dune's sternness was made all the more challenging by the palpable disdain he held for her social rank. The rigid hierarchy that permeated Walansi society extended even to Academia, where students from noble backgrounds were often afforded preferential treatment and respect. Unfortunately, she did not belong to one of the esteemed Great Houses, and her lack of noble, or rich lineage made her an outsider in the eyes of many. Alchzard Dune's blatant prejudice against her was glaringly evident, and she often found herself the target of his ire.

 

Out of breath, she took her seat in a full classroom happy to be on time. At least she will not give him any further ammunition to fuel his dislike for her. Taking her seat amidst a classroom filled with her fellow students, she steeled herself.

“Oh great, you are on time for once,” a mocking voice called out behind her and Reya did not have to turn to know who it belonged to.

 

“Please not today…” Reya mumbled tiredly out of breath to herself and slid deeper in her seat. Fleur sat on the other side of the row and smiled sadly at her at the exchange. They both knew very well what would happen, or what happened every time.

 

Reya’s resolve was to remain unnoticed, to fly under the radar during the class, and endure the lesson without attracting any undue attention, well that was the case for all classes. In the world of Academia, where social hierarchy and politics were as intricate as the magical arts they studied, maintaining a low profile could sometimes be the key to survival. And Reya thought herself plain enough to pull it off if she kept her mouth shut, which was a thing she still had to master.

 

“You need a breath Howl, I could give you some…” said a guy teasingly behind her. Reya turned to reply to Esther’s lackey but then heard a whisper in her ear on the other side.

 

“You can’t make yourself invisible enough, how ever hard you try,” a male voice said in her ear and she stood up shivering from the cool air that accompanied the whisper as Alchzard Dune walked in. There was no one there. Prank. Gaahhh flip you Esther!I Reya thought as Alchzard Dune looked straight at her - the only student standing.

 

“Miss Howl, we see you are here on time, for once. Do you need a special medal for this or are you standing to make sure you volunteer for this class since we all know how invaluable your kind is for this task?”

 

Ayeee for the love of the Smith, burn me now! Reya thought turning bright red with anger and suppressing a retort. Esther was smart, she never did anything and could feign innocence, but Reya knew she was the instigator. Should I sit down, or keep standing up? Either way, I am screwed… But Esther will pay for this any day now.

 

And right she was, Alchzard Dune made her come to the stage in front of the class to be the rag doll yet again to show off some potent spells.

As she settled into the torture chair, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the challenges she faced in this academic environment. The walls of the classroom seemed to close in around her, but it was a better place to be than the life she came from that was sure.

 

* * *

 

After all the lessons were done for the day, it was time for dinner finally. The meager sustenance of a single apple she had managed to grab between lessons had done little to curb her appetite. Surviving the day on an apple with all those wheels turning and burning energy was like bringing a bucket of water to a forest fire. Her financial constraints limited her ability to satiate basic needs and her stomach rumbled loudly. In the Academia of Magic and Mystical Arts, where students were constantly engaged in rigorous studies and magical practices, nourishment was both a luxury and a necessity. The energy expended in wielding magic and delving into arcane studies left little room for neglecting one's diet.

Well unless you were an Alchzard, whose bodies had undergone extensive alchemical alterations to adapt to the immense energy and magic they wielded. For them, sustenance was almost not even a concern, as their bodies had evolved to draw energy from the outer world, using it as a conduit for their magic. It was a complex interplay of alchemy and wizardry, one that came at a steep price if not balanced carefully.

Reya's savings were minimal, and the cost of lodging was already thinning her savings. Her sister, Lara, had been kind enough to help with some of the expenses, but asking for additional assistance with food was a burden she couldn't bring herself to place on her sister's shoulders. She knew how hard Lara worked within her Guild House to carve out her own path, and the guilt of adding to her sister's responsibilities weighed heavily on Reya, despite their differences.

With her current circumstances, Reya could only afford one hot meal a day. Her hope was that, as she progressed through her studies and began to harness magic more efficiently, her body would demand less sustenance. And if she could successfully make it to her third year at the Academia, both lodging and food would finally become free as students pledged and started doing services for the Academia at that point.

 

Face swollen with hot red marks and blisters and one tooth missing after Alchzard Dune’s performance, Reya finally found herself passing through the imposing wooden doors of the Mass Hall. The large room was abuzz with the animated chatter of students, resembling a bustling beehive of activity. It wasn't a place she particularly enjoyed, and she had no intention of lingering any longer than necessary, especially looking like this. She dropped her head and let her hair fall as much as she could to cover her mangled face while navigating the room.

The Mass Hall was a grand chamber with lofty ceilings that seemed to reach for the heavens. Its dark, polished wood floors exuded an air of sophistication, while the walls adorned moving pictures that depicted scenes from ancient myths and legends. Among these animated artworks, her favorite was "The King of None."

It told a story of a kingdom where strength and power were highly regarded, and the vulnerable were often overlooked. In a village nestled amidst the grandeur of the kingdom's walls lived a humble woman named Elara. She was unassuming, her presence quiet, and her voice gentle. One day, a calamity struck the kingdom, testing the mettle of its people. A great disaster loomed, threatening to disrupt the lives of many. The King assured his subjects that the crisis would spare them, simply by virtue of his decree. As the catastrophe unfolded, the once-mighty began to falter, revealing their true colors in the face of adversity. Elara, in contrast, remained resolute. Her empathy and compassion became a cornerstone of support for her fellow villagers, and for any who sought refuge at her doorstep. She offered her home as a sanctuary, her meager provisions to those in need often going hungry herself, and her soothing words to calm the fearful hearts organizing the villagers to the best of her ability. Her strength lay not in physical might or riches but in her unwavering kindness. As the kingdom gradually emerged from the crisis, the people came to realize the genuine power of compassion and leadership. Elara's influence grew, and she became an unofficial but widely respected ruler, despite her humble protests. The King withered away in the solitude of his empty castle, abandoned by all but his hollow title. His reign ended not with strength and power, but with loneliness and obscurity.

 

Reya loved this story so much and it’s vivid painting of Elara sharing food with her fellow villagers while the decrepit castle loomed in the background. It told the story of honest wisdom and compassion over power and title, a good reminder to her on hard days in Academia that there is hope.

 

With her mind preoccupied by thoughts of the mysterious book and poem Mercurial had produced, she approached the food booth. As she hurriedly grabbed a warm noodle dinner to go so as not to miss the sunset, her thoughts raced with concern. I should have written down those words," a trace of anxiety tainting her thoughts. What if they don't appear again for some reason? Mercurial has a will of its own.

Lost in her thoughts she started toward the exit. As if she hit the wall, she spilled her favorite Jo-berry juice all over her shirt but mercifully, her food was closed in a container. Frustration welled up inside her, and she couldn't help but vocalize her anger. "Aghh! Son of a…. And on my nice shirt too, gahhhh!"

 

Vexed, she raised her gaze to look at the thing responsible for her mishap. It would not be the first time some student conjured a magic wall, or a hole as a prank. However, this was not one of those times. A towering wall of a stranger stared her back, someone she hadn't seen in the Mass Hall before or on the grounds of the Academia. He was well-built, a formidable figure hidden beneath dark flowing robes. When their eyes finally met after assessing one another, she felt a palpable shift in the atmosphere. While she couldn't quite put her finger on it, something about his appearance struck her as odd.

His face, she noted, was far from conventionally attractive, leaning more towards the plain, even bordering on the unappealing. Thin lips, a too strong jawline, and a prominent scar etched from his bushy brow to the side of his face into the hairline made for a rugged countenance. His dark hair was semi-long and slicked back to the side. But it was his eyes that captured her attention the most. When their gazes met, it was as if they were both assessing one another's soul. As if he found something repulsing, his eyes emitted an aura of coldness and callousness that sent shivers down her spine, leaving her feeling confused. She averted her eyes, uncomfortable at such hostility from a complete stranger. Must be her damned mangled face.

She had been on the verge of uttering an apology for the accidental collision, but his dismissive words cut through the air, delivered in a cold, deep voice that sent her internal frustration skyrocketing. "Watch it, plebe."

 

You run into me and have the audacity to use names?! Arrogant prick! You watch it moron, coming up fast and running into me like that! She stewed.

A surge of defiance coursed through her, and she clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to engage in a heated exchange that would probably not end well for her. "Arrogant prick," she muttered under her breath, gathering her fallen cup and hastily collecting her belongings, wasting no time in putting distance between herself and the arrogant stranger who had spilled her favorite berry juice on her favorite blouse.
Unfortunately, the prick heard her.

 

“It must be hard keeping your mouth shut… by the looks of it. Seems like somebody beat me to it.” He said it in a mocking tone surely meaning her face and made a few steps to leave.

It wasn't the first time she had crossed paths with individuals who believed their elevated status granted them special privileges, and she had learned that arguing with such individuals seldom ended well. Her sense of justice had landed her in trouble before, but she had managed to escape unscathed through a combination of really dumb luck. She had long since grown tired of dealing with older students who wielded their seniority as a weapon. They seemed to believe that the more time one spent at the Academia granted them an air of entitlement, and Reya had little patience for such attitudes learning to know her worth and place in the world for the first time.

 

“You surely know it,” Reya replied. The stranger’s eyes blazed and he seemed surprised by her retort. I should have said nothing, Reya regretted immediately as the stranger stopped and turned toward her. In two large steps he was leaning down so only she could hear his words in the slowly gathering crowd.

“Oh, this should be fun.” And then he left. Eyes wide and a bit scared of what he meant, Reya did not waste time picking up what was left of her dinner faster and rushing through the growing crowd tuning out what they were saying.

 

The climb to the hill was an arduous one, very steep which allowed her to ascend swiftly. She had discovered an alternative route a few months earlier, hidden amidst thick foliage, but it was twice as time-consuming, so she opted for the quicker but steeper ascent. It also made her exercise her frail body and seemed to help keep the waves of sickness away.

As she neared the summit, a nagging thought crept into her mind. "I really hope he is not there again." She wanted to deny that deep down a part of her secretly anticipated his presence, despite her efforts to ignore him. Their interactions had been marked by an unusual dance of attraction and avoidance. Initially, she had decided to rebuff his advances and dismiss his presence, but her aloofness had only seemed to pique his interest further. In time, her resistance had started to wane, and she found herself inexplicably drawn to the peculiar stranger.

For the better part of the past year, he had made sporadic appearances on her hill, always leaving her with a sense of anticipation as she approached the summit. The first time they met, the story was quite different however.

* * * * *

Coming into the clearing, sweaty and puffing from the climb, she saw a figure sitting near the cliff's edge. Panic momentarily surged within her, and instinctively, she began to turn back, her mind racing with fear that the stranger heard her heavy breathing and the sound of rocks beneath her feet as she reached the summit.

However, before she could make her escape, the figure stood up abruptly and called out to her “Hey… wait!”

Startled, she turned halfway around, ready to flee yet unwilling to expose her back to potential danger. Her hand moved slowly but deliberately toward her bag, fingers trembling as they rummaged inside.

Stranger. Not familiar. Not from Academia. Danger - Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

"What do you want and what are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice tinged with unease, buying herself a few more seconds to assess the situation.

He smiled. He smiled! The creep.

“Don't worry, you are not in any danger. Or trouble...yet. My name is Jace. Saw this place and wanted to check it out. What are the odds of meeting such a lovely lady like you here?” His nonchalant tone and confidence were disconcerting, especially as he began to approach her. The figure still a shadow against the sun so she could not see his face properly, she rummaged through her bag faster being as inconspicuous as she could.

What does he mean YET?! What are the odds really of him being up here? -she thought. Slim to none, she decided. The odds of encountering someone like him in such a secluded spot were indeed slim to none. She had stumbled upon this hidden hilltop, located amidst dense forest and obscured from view, through her observations from the Library's top floor as she cleaned it every night. It was not a place easily found looking from the base of the hill and he did not seem like he was a student.
Finally locating what she had been searching for in her bag, she threw it at the man with all the strength she could muster. The bottle exploded mid-air, releasing a thick pink fog that quickly enveloped him. Panic gave way to determination as she turned to flee, but to her horror, she found herself immobilized, unable to move a muscle.

That should have stopped him! He was supposed to be asleep on the ground! Why can’t I move?! -and then it dawned on her. Frantic thoughts raced through her mind as she realized the implications. He was a magic user, and her attempts to deter him with such a simple instant spell had been fruitless. As the mist gradually dissipated, she could see him more clearly as he emerged from the shadows of the trees cleaning the dust off his shoulder.

Tall and sinewy, his damp muscles were evident beneath his partially unlaced shirt, likely a result of the strenuous climb he had undertaken. His knee-high boots, fitted pants, and a peculiar necklace around his neck further cast doubt on his occupation and whereabouts. There were no insignias or uniform to confirm that he was a guard on patrol. His striking appearance, with silvery-white hair framing a face with light gray eyes and dark skin, was captivating and beautiful by conventional standards. He was simply beautiful. The kind of man that girls would drool over, competing for his attention. Esther would be first in line.

Yet, Reya's own assessment of him was far less favorable. She had encountered men of his ilk before—physically attractive but shallow, their charm concealing a lack of substance, integrity, or something else entirely. His appearance was reminiscent of a butterfly in her mind; flitting from one temporary interest to the next.

Furious at herself for allowing this situation to unfold, she met his gaze with a defiant glare, searching for any potential advantage. His words offered little comfort as he stood before her, his eyes raking over her with unsettling thoroughness.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot, dear. There was no need for that bottle or this," he remarked gesturing at her frozen body, his tone smooth and calculating. His gaze seemed to undress her, assess her, and she felt naked and enraged at the notion.

Threatening to boil over, she resolved not to be cowed by his presence. She was a woman of substance, forged through hardship and determination. It was a cat and mouse game and she was unwilling to be the mouse here; sick of being helpless - again.

 

"Let. Me. Go," she hissed through clenched teeth, her defiance and command palpable despite her immobility.

 

The spell continued to hold her captive however, rendering her movements utterly futile. She was well aware of the protective shield that barred the use of big magic on the lower floors of the Academia, where the first and second-year students roamed freely. Only those in the upper cascades had unfettered access to magic. The area around the Academia, including the hill where she now stood, was an exception, a sanctuary for advanced magic use, and an obvious problem for her now.

She had taken precautions by carrying a few instantaneous spells on her person since venturing beyond the school's protective walls, a measure of self-defense in case of unforeseen circumstances like this. Coming to this hill was her connection to self as she meditated consolidating her knowledge and state of mind. She was well aware of the possible repercussions her venture outside of the Academia might cause, but until this point, she thought them acceptable. Yet, it seemed her preparations had fallen short, leaving her captured and at the mercy of a stranger.

"Now now," he chided, crossing his arms over his chest and flashing a condescending smile. "That is no way to meet people. I would think Academia taught some manners. Or have they become so desperate to admit brutes? A woman of your looks…" He let his sentence trail off eying her suggestively, clearly amused by the look of disgust that crossed her face at his last comment.

 

Reya continued to glare at him, her anger simmering beneath the surface. Was he going to do something to her? Surely he was not that shallow. What if he was from the Guild? Fear started to replace anger little by little from all of the possibilities this venture she allowed herself could produce.

 

"Ah, yes, I could force you to talk," he mused, his grin morphing into something that bordered on sinister. "But I'd rather not; that could be… well, boring and painful. Students should not be out here, as I believe you know. There are serious repercussions for those who venture beyond the Academia's ground limits. But I'm sure you're aware of that. Now, tell me, what should I do with you, hmm?"

 

Reya couldn't help but roll her eyes internally at his melodramatic antics. Surely, this couldn't be the end of her journey; she absolutely refused to accept that. With a practiced eye, she examined him from head to toe, sizing up her captor before she weighed her words carefully.

 

"First of all, you did not ask anything until now so you can stop with the empty threats. As to what you should do, you should let me go.” she replied, her tone laced with carefully masked disdain. Jace raised an eyebrow noticing her undertone.

"Empty?" He said smiling at her. Reya did not like that smile, it suggested many bad ideas so she decided to switch tactics.

"Please, kind sir, would you consider letting me go? After all, I do have a rather pressing appointment with the sunset and my now cold lunch." Who knew, maybe he would let her go if she asked nicely, whoever he was. It was unlikely he would hurt her, at least a lot.

 

“Bold. I like it. I may be good looking but I am not stupid, love. As soon as I release you, you will do something stupid and regrettable that would just be a hassle for me in the end.” he remarked, drawing closer and circling around her. Reya felt a rush of panic as she couldn't see or hear him. Her thoughts raced, and the possibilities of what he might do went through her mind.

 

Silence.

 

Where the hell is he? He could take advantage of me and no one would know. How could I have been so stupid? They did warn us the lands over the creek were dangerous, filled with Guild House members wanting to sneak in, feral animals, all kinds of things. “Him” kind of things obviously.

 

Main reason the students were not allowed past the Academia grounds was that with first years, they were so opening to the magic body and mind that enemy Alchzards or other magic users could gain control of a student's mind and use them at their will. She knew she risked a lot by coming up here, but she could not stand being confined and yearned for the peace and quiet that this place gave her. It was the only place where she felt like herself, able to take a breath of full lungs, feel tall grass and enjoy the whispers of the wind. She could still not hear Jace. What the hell was he doing? Some minutes passed.

 

Reya mustered the courage to speak up, albeit nervously, "Umm, Jace?"

 

"Yes, love?" he replied, his husky hot voice right next to her ear. It sent shivers down her spine and made her buzz with… Excitement?! What in all hells is wrong with me?

 

"If you're not going to report me, then let me go," Reya asserted, trying to sound as firm as she could.

 

"You're right, I'm not going to report you," Jace said with a touch of amusement in his tone, still close to her.

 

"Well you can't keep me here! My friends will notice and they will look for me. What do you want, then? Money..." she began, her voice wavering.

"Money?" he laughed, and even his laughter sounded enchanting. "I don't need your money, it is obvious you have none." That stung a little but Reya raised her head higher refusing to be put down like that.

"Just say what you want and let me go then," she insisted, now irritated. The cold crept in her as the sun began its descent behind the hills. It was early spring, and the temperature was dropping quickly.

"What I want is something you will do willingly, but not today," he replied with a hint of cockiness. Who does he think he is? It made her dislike him even more.

Her eyes narrowed at his cryptic response. "What makes you so sure we will meet again?" Reya challenged him, her curiosity piqued despite her apprehensions.

"You," he answered simply, his eyes locking onto hers now. There was heat building within her, completely bewildering her, and it was not anger. She wasn't the type to be swayed by handsome strangers, but something about Jace left her feeling strangely intrigued and out of her element.

 

Reya shook her head, trying to regain her composure. "You're quite full of yourself, aren't you?" It was Laura who liked these kind of men, not her. She liked stability, not talking to strange men in places she should not be.  This is on me, I came here and it was bound to happen after some time, Reya thought.

 

Jace merely grinned, showing no signs of taking offense. There must be a way to break this spell, it was probably a mind thing, and if I just have enough time, I could do it, Reya concluded to herself putting all her mind and body energy into breaking the spell like she read in theory many times.

 

“Furthermore, if you think that I…” Before she could respond further, the world around her blurred, and she awoke the next day in her bed, still fully clothed. She would have thought it was a dream if not for the missing vial from her bag which was the first thing she checked for. It was not unusual for her to fall asleep in her clothes so that was not a reliable tell. She felt violated at first, that a stranger was in her room, that he touched her, but her clothes were intact. She would have known if something was done to her surely. Dismissing the whole event for the time being and focusing on her research and more pressing tasks, she did not even think to make the climb again fearing his promise of meeting again.

 

Weeks passed, and the strange encounter became a distant memory, pushed to the far corners of her mind. One evening, after a particularly tiring week of studies, she found herself drawn back to the hill overlooking the Academia. She was about to begin her dinner while gazing at the picturesque valley below when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

 

"I was wondering when you might show up. Couldn't stay away, could you? Although I thought you would be faster, I’ll give you credit."

 

Turning quickly to face him, she spilled her dinner on her shoes, her initial irritation bubbling up once again for the spilled dinner and his presence. Same guy, same clothes, weird necklace, that beautiful smile, unruly white hair and eyes gleaming at her from a nearby tree.

 

"You wish!" she retorted, her focus quickly shifting to the macaroni on her shoes. Maybe I can eat the macaroni, it is just dust. Sauce is done for though. She did not care if he saw her eat from the dirt, it was not beneath her today and she was very hungry. Besides, she was too tired, emotionally drained and in real need of some peace and quiet, consequences be damned. Jace casually joined her uninvited as she cleaned her shoes, sitting a bit too close for her liking.

 

“No sense of personal space much?” she retorted. Still, Reya couldn't help but feel a strange mix of irritation and wonder. He laughed heartily and they sat in silence while Reya eyed her dinner in the dirt. He did have a pleasing laugh if she had to admit. After a few minutes of silence, Jace got up and left without saying anything which somehow seemed out of character for him.

 

Mind tired of the past week’s events, Reya did feel a bit bad for making him go away, but that was quickly replaced by enjoying her much needed alone time, the setting sun, and what was left of her dust noodle dinner.

 

The hill overlooking the Academia of Magics and Mystic Arts showed the cascading gardens which were illuminated by a plethora of colorful floating crystals that lined the walkways, creating an otherworldly ambiance. Lush vines, majestic trees, and a colorful array of flora filled each cascading floor. In this light the Academia itself looked like a formidable structure, resembling a fortress with its many levels and to Reya, it also looked like a prison despite it's beauty.

 

In the following months, she encountered Jace a few more times, always as he was about to leave, showing a keen sense of her need for space. These silent, unspoken understandings and the occasional playful banter between them warmed her to him somewhat. While she was initially wary of him, their shared hill time seemed to have created a strange bond between them, and his presence was oddly comforting, when he did stay a bit. She even found herself daydreaming about him, but she remained cautious, knowing that her studies came first and her heart has made mistakes before.

* * *

 

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a tranquil twilight over the hill where she now sat, breathing still ragged from the rushed climb. Jace's absence once more tugged at her heart, though she had grown accustomed to his unpredictable visits. Tonight, she decided, she would relish the serene beauty of the darkening sky despite her run in with the prick that cost half of her lunch. Soap was not cheap and neither was her juice that she treated herself only once a month. While she had missed the grandeur of the sunset, the sky's transformation into a canvas of warm and cool night hues was a breathtaking spectacle in itself. The sky above her was clear, and the moon, still shy of being full, promised to illuminate her descent down the hillside. This unexpected gift of moonlight allowed her a little extra time to savor the moment before having to go back, just enough to eat her food, or what remained of it. With her gaze fixed on the imposing edifice of the Library, she contemplated her future.