As the stone tower loomed into view above us, I found I couldn’t quite enjoy its sight as much as I thought I would.

 

“I… know you said… it was far up…” I struggled to move my right foot further, only standing thanks to the support of the other two. “But this… this is too much.”

 

The entire trip had taken almost two hours of stair climbing, and there was little other way to describe it than ‘completely dreadful’. The wind snapped at our faces, the misty damp was cultivating mould on my coat, and I was pretty sure I was going deaf from how loudly my legs cried out for salvation. 

 

And that was after starting halfway up. 

 

I knew my body was weaker than most after the whole ‘resurrected’ business, but neither couldd I imagine taking this very well if I were Ryder. If I had been forced to start from Minua rather than the top of the castle I was fairly sure I’d be asking Saint Peter why the hell my heart gave out at that and not any of the other myriad threats I’d lived through so far. In fact, the only reason I couldn’t consider it as worse than the first day was that we were outside rather than a claustrophobic staircase. That and there were no monsters waiting at the top to rip me apart.

 

Hopefully, at least.

 

“But it’s almost over now.” Auro was breathing hard as well, clearly only taking the exertion a little better than me. “It’s almost over.”

 

“You two are a bunch of layabouts.” Breale muttered from my right. “Gives us all a bad name.”

 

“I’d like… to see you… soul-scarred…” I panted.

 

“Saps, you have way more problems than just that.”

 

We ascended the final blasted steps with a tired huff, Auro and I collapsing upon the precipice like beached whales. Gideon trotted up behind without a care, his superdragon stamina wells seemingly infinite in comparison.

 

You know, this wouldn’t be nearly as painful if you had gone to bed early last night.

 

I narrowed my eyes at the drake, not wanting to waste any more energy speaking than necessary.

 

Thankfully, tiredness was the only thing I was feeling from last night. Well, that and shame. After all, who gets drunk from cooking alcohol? It still seemed surreal to me. And it was a great bother too, because I 100% planned on going back for more when I could. The world could really be cruel in what it chose to be delicious.

 

“It’s just another couple minutes.” Breale said. “And it’s flat too! Should be easy for you two.”

 

I lifted my head a few centimetres to see see what she was looking at, and I found a narrow stone footpath against the rocks leading up to a gate built into the cliff face towering up on the right side. The path seemed well-maintained and proper, with small rectangular bricks inlaid in the ground and stout white-wood fence posts holding up a rope fence against the open air to the left. The gate itself was squarish and simple, though no less solid than it rock it came from. I could see a few steps ramping up to a higher level inside. Though it lay open, a guard stood outside to peer at us curiously from across the way.

 

“We… we should’ve accepted the guards.” I said, eying the path ahead.

 

“They wouldn’t’ve carried you.” Breale said.

 

“You don’t know that.” I muttered.

 

“They might’ve.” She said, sitting up. “Especially if Andril had been there.”

 

Breale looked at the two of us again and crouched down to pet Gideon, graciously giving us a few more moments of recovery. 

 

“Why’s that?” She asked.

 

I watched as she scratched him under the chin, causing the drake to rumble like a cat. 

 

“I mean, he was worrying about her the whole trip over.” Auro explained. “If he wasn’t ranting about what he’d do to the senate, it was that. It was enough to cause some, ah, ‘interesting’ rumours to fly around our camps.”

 

Gideon continued to purr, but I couldn’t quite see if he was just joking or not. Was he hamming that up? Or had my prior roommate gotten a few more base instincts than I had imagined? Surely not, he never reacted that way when I pet him. 

 

“I did hear that from the maids, actually. It’s a bit late now, but did you correct them?” Breale frowned. “I tried when I heard it, but I don’t think they really believed me after how Andril hovered around her bed. I can’t imagine Lady Allarv is too pleased.”

 

“Ah… no.” Auro looked away, embarrassed. “I’m not… great with people. The soldiers were kind of scary.”

 

“Auro…”

 

Maybe he just found it weird when I did it, having known him before and all. I sure hoped not, though. I mean, petting small animals is one of the most human things a person can do! In fact, I’d been holding back, keeping myself from stroking him every time he jumped into my lap. The truest test of willpower, that.

 

“I’m sure it’ll be fine!” Auro quickly said. “Saphry won’t be hanging around Andril too much now that we’re here.”

 

“I suppose.” Breale stopped petting to look at me. “I wouldn’t be too offended, though I’d also be careful around Andril if I were you, Saps.”

 

“Huh?” I blinked, tearing my gaze away from Gideon. “What’re we talking about?”

 

“The rumours that you’re Andril’s lover.” Breale said bluntly. 

 

“What?!” I glanced towards the others. “Where did this come from!”

 

The hell?

 

Andril and I could barely talk to each other without fighting, let alone do anything like that! Christ, who had even seen us together to get that impression? I could understand this happening with Fredrick maybe, but I’d only conversed with the prince like five or six times, and only a couple of those were even in public. 

 

Completely nonsensical.

 

“Pretty much just baseless conjecture after they listened to Andril.” Auro looked at me curiously. “Unless…?”

 

“Absolutely not. I’d rather be thrown off the mountain.”

 

“Why not?” Breale asked. “Andril’s a jerk, but he’s not exactly the bad sort. Nor is he too hard on the-.”

 

“Like I said: Absolutely not.” I rolled onto my back to stare up at the clouds. “And neither do I even want to talk about it.”

 

That sort of subject was completely off-limits, as well was anything that was certain to tie me too much to this world. Not only was it not fair to Saphry, it was just plain frightening to think that I might fall so deeply that something once unthinkable might occur. No, it was better to just not entertain the idea.

 

Which was unfortunately easier said than done. Since I was in Saphry’s body, I had of course inherited all of the base feelings and instincts that came with it. A lot… no, most of those were worthless or negative such as the complete lack of useful muscle memory, but a couple of those emotions and wayward thoughts were slightly more disturbing to a previously christain (and more importantly, straight) guy such as myself. They were easily suppressible when I caught them, but sometimes…

 

Nope. Better to pretend those urges never happened. Gideon’d have a field day if he found out I inherited some of Saphry’s dumber habits.

 

Breale grinned.

“Don’t you think you’re being a little too defensive? Is it that you actually do think about him like that?”

 

“What?” I raised an eyebrow at the sky. “He’s married, Bre.”

 

“Engaged.” Auro corrected. 

 

“Exactly.” Breale nodded. “And even King Esiland has concub-”

 

“Stop!” I shot up to a sitting position, my face flushing red. “[Jesus Christ], stop! No, okay? [Fucking] hell!”

 

I meant to look threatening, but the other two just broke into boisterous laughter instead. Even Gideon began to chuckle, his flanks undulating with great heaves.

 

“By…by the Star, what are you even saying?” Breale said between tears. 

 

“[Fucking] hell!” Auro repeated.

 

“[Jesus Christ]!” Breale said.

 

I stared daggers at the two, but they didn’t seem to notice in their mirth. Why was that even funny? What did I do?

 

“By the Star, I-” Breale snickered. “I think even I’m starting to believe them now!”

 

“Lady Allarv might have to watch out.” Auro giggled.

 

I pushed myself back to my feet while they laughed, my irritation suddenly overcoming my exhaustion. They didn’t notice as I stormed off towards the academy gates, too busy joking to each other about my tendencies and apparent likes.

 

“With friends like this.” I muttered to myself. “Do I even need enemies?”

…

“Welcome back Lady Belvan!” 

 

The guard bowed towards Auro as we approached, the large sword on his back 

 

“Ah, h-hello Francis..” Auro quickly curtsied, drawing an amused snort.

 

“There’s no need for that, not for some lowly guard.” He eyed us two, and I saw his gaze flick down to the sword on Breale’s hip. “You're not planning on a rampage, are ye?”

 

He looked young to be a guard, appearing to be in his early twenties to my eye. He had short ginger hair and green eyes, which was a little out of place among the normal veroline black and browns. His armour was simple chainmail under a thick cloth tabard in the typical Veroline fashion, and he wore thick gloves and tall boots to warn off the chill. Upon his back sat a fur-lined hood and a long greatword tucked into a soft leather sheath, while a wood and silver battle mask fashioned into the shape of a star sat loose upon his head. Somewhat worryingly, his cheeks sported almost half a dozen long scars upon them. Duelling scars.

 

Auro gestured to the two of us in turn.

 

“T-this is Saphry Astrian of Summark, daughter of Markee Astrian. And this is Breale Ma-”

 

“A Maverick, eh?”

 

Auro blinked as the guard bowed to Breale, who looked just as confused as the rest if us.

 

“I’d know that smithwork anywhere, my lady.” He came back up with a toothy grin. “Breale valn Maverick of Cice, correct?”

 

“Yes!” Breale beamed. “Are you from the Arguin? Your accent sounds southern, doesn’t it?”

 

“Hometown’s Cyrstil.” He confirmed. “Trained in a sword college in Cice though. Learned from the best of them. It was only last year that I got out here under Lord Belvan’s retinue, infact.”

 

“Ah, a graduate of Idalgards!” Breale looked back with awe. “But you look so young! Did you really achieve a Master’s in Arms already?”

 

Francis grinned.

 

“A right prodigy, I’m told! I’ve been winning tournaments since I was nine and ten.”

 

“Wait… are you that Francis?” Breale looked between Auro and I as if we should’ve gotten something from that. “Francis Nathans? What in the abyss are you doing here as a guard?!”

 

“Ah-ha! And here I thought my legend already slain! That I am, though I would call myself a ‘captain’ rather than guard, for yer information. Lord Belvan doesn’t assign slouches up here, but I still have my hands full keeping them’s flames lit.”

 

“Out…Outstanding!” Breale cried. “How could I mistake you? I’ve seen you fight in Mirabael Arsenal! Is that the same sword on your back? The Cyrstili flameblade you used back then?”

 

Auro and I exchanged tired looks. 

 

After the morning of climbing, I was ready to be done with all this and get into the dorms already. Hopefully there wouldn’t be too much orientation to go through before I could get a nice nap in.

 

“Do you know this guy?” I whispered.

 

“I thought he was just a gate guard.” She muttered back. “Didn’t even know he was a captain.”

 

I suppose it must’ve been surprising for Breale to see a tournament champion standing outside a gate, but then again I wasn’t sure what she expected. Unless a knight had a demesne to fund him or a family to leech off of they’d need a normal job, and something about Francis’s way of speaking told me he probably wasn’t born of the noble class in Verol.

 

Auro and I tuned back into the conversation just as the two of them began unsheathing their swords with battle masks lowered over their faces.

 

“Wait, wait, wait!” I cried. “What are you guys doing?”

 

They both looked at me, and then at each other.

 

“Duelling, of course.” Breale said simply.

 

“Why?”

 

“She has a sword, I have a sword.” Francis shrugged. “It’s bound to happen.”

 

“Bound to…” I shook my head. “Breale, don’t we have someplace to be right now? I mean, we’re already late as it is.”

 

The academy had started classes almost two weeks ago, by Auro’s reckoning, long enough for all the cliques and clubs to settle. It wasn’t ideal then, for us to just barge on in now, but there wasn’t going to be another opening for four more years so we had to take what we could get. 

 

“Well yes, but…”

 

“And we’re about to enter an academy filled with nobles from across Verol.” I added. “Do you really want to start out with the reputation as a belligerent duel-”

 

“Absolutely.” Breale responded immediately. “That’s a great reputation to shove back at Fredrick.”

 

Auro and I sighed.

 

“Your friends might be right, sadly.” Francis clicked his tongue as he raised his mask. “It would probably be best if you proceed.”

 

Ah, so he wasn’t just a duel-focused meathead after all! It was nice to see an adult actually acting like a well-adjusted-

 

“And then we can duel afterwards.” Francis finished. “The duelling yard is a much more scenic place in any case.”

 

“Yes! There’ll be a bigger audience inside too!” Breale said.

 

“But…” I glanced at Auro for help.

 

“No, h-he’s right.” She muttered. “The duelling yard is very scenic.”

 

I threw up my hands. 

 

“Ah, whatever. As long as we get inside.”

 

Whatever Breale did with her reputation was her own business, not mine. If she wanted to start fighting around then that shouldn’t affect me too much. In fact, it might even make me look more normal in comparison.

 

Breale grinned.

 

“I knew you’d understand.”

…

As we walked along the paved roads and between narrow streets, I began to realise that it was less a school and more a miniature version of the city below.

 

Each side was tightly packed with cafes, bookstores, small parks, a clothing store, an alchemical supplier, and even both a whitesmith and a blacksmith. Everything a noble abroad could possibly need was up for sale on that street, and students clogged the roads in clumps as they hurried from place to place. Disturbingly, I also saw more than a couple openly staring and pointing at us, and if I were to give into my more paranoid instincts, specifically me.

 

“I was expecting more high school than university town.” I whispered to the drake in my arms. “It’s more crowded than Minua.”

 

Well, there’s only a single public street. Gideon thought. The buildings to our left lean over the valley. And with being the premier academy in Verol, it’s no wonder that that single road is packed. And, this is more akin to a university if I remember correctly.

 

“I suppose that’s better for us.”

 

“A few of the upper stories hold club rooms as well as dorms for professors and faculty.” Francis explained as we passed a group of students swarming up a stairway. “The vast majority of your classes will be held in the main halls, but if ye fancy something strange like pottery you might be directed out here.”

 

Francis had offered to show us around after we’d made up our mind to go inside, though in all likelihood that had more to do with Breale than it did the rest of us. Still, the man’s insight over the college was useful to have, and already he’d pointed out a few things I wouldn’t have thought to look into otherwise.

 

“What about duelling?” Breale asked. 

 

“Nay, that’d be on the balcony behind the main campus hall.” Francis laughed. “Hope ye not ‘fraid of heights.”

 

“Ha, you wish!”

 

“You’d be surprised how many knights in training are.” Francis said. “In fact…”

 

I rolled my eyes as the two devolved into a conversation about colg-riders and aerial supremacy, having already gotten that lesson from history class back on Earth.

 

Seriously, how could Breale be so single-minded about fighting? Just how beautiful had Andril’s duels been? Perhaps it was just a formative years thing.

 

“So.” I slowed down to match pace with Auro, who pouted behind the two. “There’s non-noble knights training here too, right? So that means there’s a…”

 

“A thaumaturgy department?” Auro guessed. “I wouldn’t bother. They practise in a locked basement, and the professor seems to have a knack for sniffing out hiding nobles.”

 

“You’ve tried already?” I asked, surprised.

 

I knew Auro had a history of sneaking into places in search of magic, but to try during the first week seemed a little bold to me. After all, it actually was treason.

 

“No! I’m not daft!” She protested.  “I’ve heard others tried though. Our resident archmage brought it up at morning assembly.”

 

Ah, well that could easily be a lie by the archmage then. It wasn’t unheard of for schools to lie in an attempt to instil discipline after all. In fact it was probably more likely than a group of knucklehead nobles the first few days.

 

“What’s the archmage like?” 

 

“Nice enough, I suppose.” Auro said. “Spoke of destiny and the east a bunch during orientation. Liked the word ‘duty’.”

 

Hmm, that reminded me more than a little of the mage who’d kept me imprisoned under the capital. He’d always spoken of duty and destiny as well.

 

Well, for the knight’s sake I hoped he wasn’t the same kind of character that Mr. Caldor was. They’d probably get better magic lessons from a tree.

 

We passed another group of students, and I saw a taller boy point right at me as we passed. Soft laughter followed as they disappeared behind us.

 

“Alright now I’m sure they’re staring at me.” I said. “Have they never seen a Summarkan before?”

 

The hair kind of stood out, I’d be the first to admit that, but then again we were right next to Summark now. I’d definitely seen some white and blonde Summarkans walking around in the city below, and even one or two up here on the streets. Which would mean that if they were pointing and laughing at me it probably wasn’t that, but I couldn’t for the life of me understand why else they would be.

 

“You don’t know?” Auro raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “You’re not wearing the uniform. In fact you look kind of eccentric with the glass feather and travelling getup…”

 

I blinked. 

 

Wait, uniform?

 

I twisted around to stare at the nearest clump of students, and like the protagonist of an eldritch novel I felt my eyes truly open.

 

Each and every student wore a matching outfit as they walked down the street. Navy-blue garments like wizard robes were tucked under a belt, each one reaching down to their mid thighs in the back and with an attached hood over their shoulders. Underneath everyone wore white collared shirts with a strange silvered star-shaped clasp below the neck, and all of the girls wore thick-looking dark blue skirts that went down to the knees, while the boys all wore open front snow skirts over dark pants pants. For the girls, I could see thick socks in the small territory in between the end of the skirt and the long boots they each wore, which looked to be covered in fur and wrapped leather. Some of them had scarves and gloves as well, though these differeed in design and make. Finally, each of them had a thin blue beret not unlike the one I’d owned back in the capital upon their heads. To my first glance it looked fairly warm and covered most of the skin, which made complete sense given the climate.

 

Then I looked down at my own getup, cringing with realisation. Reeling with fatigue, I’d just thrown on whatever I’d first seen back in Minua, and that had mostly consisted of a well-worn coat and ill-matching pants. Neither had I paid any attention to my hair, so I could only imagine the horror-show that adorned the top of my head.

 

I looked back at Auro and Breale, finding that both of them wore the uniform as well.

 

“Why didn’t you guys tell me?!” I hissed, suddenly conscious of another group looking over. “We’ve been together for over two hours today!”

 

“I-I didn’t notice until we were half-way up.” Auro looked away and tugged down the beret over her eyes sheepishly. “B-by then it was already too late…”

 

“Unbelievable.” I drew the hood on my own coat over my head. “And here I was lecturing Breale on her reputation.”

 

Of [fucking] course I’d mess something up like this. I only had myself to blame too, for something like a uniform wasn’t something just sprung on top of new students. Marcolo had probably even talked about it if I had bothered to listen, and both Auro and Breale already had the clothes prepared beforehand. But lord I could already see the rumours of the Astrian’s sudden impoverishment passing around the campus like a virus.

 

“They’ll have extras.” Auro assured me. “I’m sure this happens more often than you’d think.”

 

“Sure. It’s just that-” I paused as a shadow moved in my peripheral. 

 

I jerked my gaze over the buildings to our right, where I saw the last vestiges of a figure move behind an alley corner. It seemed to take an orange glow with it, as if they had been carrying a candle in broad daylight. After a second I second guessed myself, wondering if I had truly seen anything at all.

 

What was with this creepy feeling? It almost felt like I’d just glimpsed something I shouldn’t’ve.

 

“What’s up?” Auro asked, stopping beside me. “Forgot something else?”

 

I scrutinised the building a little more, finding that it was no different than any other on the street. It was brick and fanciful wood, with the same tiles as back in Minua to shield off the snow and rain. A small staircase in the alley gave access to the second floor, while the first was one of the few without a storefront. The alley seemed to turn away from view however, and was much longer than the others we’d passed.

 

“Do you know what that building’s used for?” I asked. “Or where that alley leads?”

 

What’s wrong? Gideon asked from my arms.

 

“Ah… no. It’s just a club building, isn’t it?”

 

I hesitated for a second longer, letting Breale and Francis get further away as I debated myself. Was it really worth chasing down an alley on just a gut feeling? Potentially freaking out some poor student because they seemed suspicious?

 

Who am I kidding, of course it was.

 

I threw my bag to a confused Auro.

 

“Hold onto this for me, alright?” 

 

“What? Where-”

 

I didn’t wait for her to finish before I took off across the road and into the alley. I dropped Gideon as I ran, but he wasted no time in bounding right after me.

 

What are you hoping to find? He asked. And what are you planning on doing if you catch it?

 

“Don’t know!” 

 

I skidded around the corner of the building and down the road, only to find that the alleyway seemed to curve further away from the main road towards the mountain proper. The backs of offices and stores made way for residential apartments and houses as we went in, and I stopped at the first intersection I saw. It was shaped like a T, with a path leading down to both the left and right.

 

I twitched my head down both sides, and thankfully caught another glimpse of the figure just as it turned around another corner further down one of the paths. I took off after them, devoted to getting a good look at whatever had just set off my alarms.

 

The sounds of clacking boot soles on flagstones and soft dragon feet was my only companion as we ran, and I quickly found my breath shortening again as we went around that last corner. Thankfully, there wasn’t much more to run, for the alley stopped there.

 

Unfortunately, the figure was nowhere to be seen.

 

I slowed to a huffing stop between the walls. It was just a random metre thick turn in the houses that turned into a cliff, with not even a single door to mark where he'd gone. There were no trash cans, no trees, and no place to even hide. Only a small storm grate the size of a textbook marked any break in an otherwise completely uniform floor. It was as if the figure had just disappeared into thin air.

 

See? Nothing. Gideon admitted. You must’ve seen a bird or some rodent.

 

“We did.” I pat up and down the cliff face, wondering if there was some hidden door I’d missed. “Someone came down this road.”

 

Well obviously not, unless you think they can fly or teleport.

 

Frustration flashed through me as I stepped away from the wall and looked at it again.

 

There really wasn’t anything to hide, unless it was triggered by some magic catchphrase. The walls were too smooth and tall to climb, the grate way too small for even a drake, and the walls too far apart to shimmy up. Gideon was right, unless they flew away or broke the laws of magic there was no place for them to have gone.

 

“It was watching me. I know it.” I insisted.

 

Are you sure you haven’t developed some sort of mental disorder? Are you alright?

 

“You didn’t see the shadow? The orange light?”

 

Not at all.

 

I rubbed my forehead, wondering if I truly was just crazy. Saphry hadn’t been schizophrenic, had she? 

 

“I’m probably just tired.” I admitted as I scooped up the drake. “Let’s just get back to the others.”