I turned my head to one side, checking my face over for any signs of errant stubble. Some nobles liked keeping a beard, but any facial hair I grew tended to be as patchy as leaves on a mid-autumn tree. Hardly the sort of thing any reputable young mage would prefer.

  When I finally felt satisfied, I stepped away from the mirror enough to see the rest of my appearance.

  My formal attire was almost identical to the informal sets, save for a few extra silver embroideries here and there, down to the high collar, gloves, and the bracers I had sewn into both arms. As Flynn had insisted countless times, a good noble always looked presentable, and I had decided to begrudingly adopt that same mindset.

  I sighed, shaking my head as I stepped away from the mirror, crossing my bedroom to the door. Fortuantus slept on my bed, and I felt his thoughts brush against my own through our bond. I still wasn't used to the realization of just how said bond worked, but I was growing more accustomed to it.

  "Are you alright? You feel nervous."

  I glanced at Fortunatus, smiling as I replied, "Likely because I am nervous. But yes, I do think I'm alright. Just..."

  "Nervous."

  The word felt inadequate, but I allowed it with a nod as I walked from my bedroom and into our sitting room. Flynn already waited for me there, dressed in his best finery of gold and white. He'd paid for barbers for the two of us, and I could see their handiwork on my brother even now. Not a single hair looked out of place, and I could almost sense the pride radiating from him.

  "There you are. I was beginning to worry you'd escaped through a window," Flynn remarked, grinning. "If you had, I'd need to track you down, and something tells me that would've ruined both our nights."

  "I would never," I lied. "Shall we get going?"

  "Of course. Are we stopping by the Ollais home first or...?"

  I leveled a flat glare at Flynn, who held up both hands. "An innocent question. Nothing more."

  "She is going to meet us at the Academy. And no, I have no idea if this is some indication of her disinterest in an alliance or a possible relationship or anything else before you imply anything of the sort."

  Flynn grinned. "I said nothing. However, that your mind went there is quite illuminating."

  "I cannot wait for the day when I beat you in a duel, if only to knock that smirk off your face."

  Flynn's smile grew as he laughed. "I'll look forward to it."

  ***

  We made our way to the Academy in an enclosed carriage, with only a few windows allowing for any view of the outside. Flynn had insisted it was necessary, and I didn't see the point in arguing. Instead, I occupied myself with appreciating the efforts the school had put into decorating for this banquet.

  The road leading to the Academy was the start. Towering plants grew along each side of the path, interwoven like threads to form an enclosed, circular tunnel fifteen feet tall. Flowers sprouted here and there, glowing softly and casting the inside in multi-colored light. I could sense mana of all elements within those petals, though at such low volumes as to be almost imperceptible.

  As we reached the Academy itself, the decorations only grew more elaborate.

  The fountain outside the school sprayed multi-colored water high into the air, forming countless serpentine figures that swam through the sky, sparkling like stars at night. It had always been capable of a similar feat, but these constructs were far more life-like than I recalled, to the point where I could spot individual scales and fangs.

  Dozens of carriages, carts, and horses had already arrived. Servants moved about, opening doors, directing drivers to temporary stables, and otherwise facilitating the sheer mass of people. I estimated that it would take at least a few minutes to reach the front, and turned my focus back to Flynn.

  "One more time," I said, staring at my brother.

  Flynn's good cheer faded. "You know we've gone over this a thousand times, yes?"

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  "Then once more won't hurt."

  He chuckled. "Very well. Our main goal tonight is to find and speak with Archmagus Alexandria. If possible, I should be the one to do so as I carry the weight of Father's reputation and can negotiate with that in mind. And if I do find her, I should use the mental defense exercises we've practiced."

  "And if I find her, I should try and persuade her to meet with the two of us, while also protecting my thoughts as much as possible," I continued. "While also determining if Vesper Ollais will join us."

  Flynn's smile returned, and he leaned closer, saying, "Speaking of which—"

  "Oh, look, we are nearly to the front," I interrupted, turning to the front of the carriage.

  I pretended not to hear Flynn's protest, focusing on the rumble of the carriage underneath us. Truthfully, I still wasn't sure what to do with Vesper, but I would sooner jump from the top of the Academy than discuss it with Flynn.

  When our carriage reached the front of the Academy, I straightened up. The door opened, and I exited as quickly as possible, pausing only just long enough for Flynn to follow before setting off for the school's main entrance. My brother fell in beside me, placing his mask of the overly arrogant young noble in place.

  As we walked, I stretched out my senses, feeling for any familiar mana signatures. I didn't catch a hint of any of my former friends, but there was a person with a sensation that reminded me of a moonless night. So, with a bit of nervousness in my steps, I made my way towards them.

  Vesper stood just inside the Academy, hovering near one of the statues within the entrance hall. She was facing away from us, but turned as we approached. I opened my mouth to greet her, but when I caught sight of her, the words didn't come.

  She wore a dark, close-fitting purple dress with onyx embellishments. It was sleeveless, revealing pale arms, and had a daring neckline which I purposefully avoided examining closely. Jewelry in the same shades adorned her wrists, neck, and ears, and the makeup shadowing her eyes and lips gave her a beautiful, dangerous cast.

  A distant part of my mind noted that her arms had more definition than I would've expected from a healer, and that her shoulders were lean and muscular rather than thin, but those observations felt quiet. Muted.

  When I finally reached her, my mind had caught up, and I pushed down my nerves as I smiled. "You look amazing, Vesper."

  She smiled, raising an eyebrow. "You as well, Vayne. And this is..."

  Flynn stepped forward, sweeping out in a bow. "Flynn Sion, heir to the Sion duchy. Pleasure to meet you."

  "Likewise," Vesper replied before turning her attention back to me. "Shall we?"

  I nodded, and had taken only a few steps before Vesper slipped her arm into mine. I glanced down at her, my heart hammering in my chest, but she either didn't notice or pretended not to, looking forward instead.

  We reached the entrance to the ballroom, and I once more had to hold back from simply barging into the room. Instead, we had to be announced, as was proper for the children of a Duke. Adopted or not, I counted.

  Flynn spoke with a nearby servant, then returned to us and muttered, "Get ready."

  Only a second later, the same servant stepped through the doorway into the ballroom and all but shouted, "Presenting, Lords Flynn and Vayne Sion of House Sion!"

  We entered the ballroom, and I silently thanked Flynn for his training. It was the only thing that kept me on my feet as hundreds of eyes turned our way. That, and a slight exertion of mana to lend my back and legs a little more strength than usual.

  Flynn led the way, and I followed arm in arm with Vesper just a few steps behind him. As we descended the stairs, the whispers and mutterings began. I caught bits and pieces of their gossip, most of it warring between intrigued and scandalized.

  "...two Sions? I had thought there was only..."

  "...adopted! Last year, as I heard it. Can you..."

  "...strong for an Aether mage. And so young too. I wonder what..."

  "...used to be an Estton. I cannot fathom what the Sions are thinking, allowing such a..."

  I ignored it without much issue, but realized after a second that this sort of attention might not be welcome by my companion.

  "I apologize for dragging you into this sort of situation," I said, leaning down to Vesper's ear.

  I turned to see her smile faintly as she replied, "I expected it. Your reputation precedes you, you know."

  "Fantastic," I muttered under my breath as I spared a glance around the room. There were still far too many eyes on us for my liking.

  I swore I heard a faint laugh, but when I turned back, Vesper's face was the model of a confident, faintly disinterested young noble.

  The three of us wove between the dense crowds, Flynn greeting countless people as we moved. I followed his lead, bowing my head, shaking hands, and otherwise trying to remember the lessons on proper etiquette. In theory, this was easy, but in practice it proved far more challenging than I expected.

  I had summarized Flynn's lessons in my mind as "polite arrogance." Technically, the two of us had no official rank as nobles beyond the sort of passive social standing extended to all members of a house. The children of a baron and the heir of a duke were formally of the same station. Informally, this was far from the truth, of course.

  Flynn and I were the heirs of a duchy, and a powerful one at that. Though I knew that my brother was the true heir, the Sions had certain peculiarities that lent them additional standing. Their focus on power and magical skill above all else made them both respected and feared, a reputation that extended to us.

  All of this meant I had to act poised and confident, even as barons and counts treated the two of us—and Vesper by proxy—like lords ourselves, even as the voice of Girem, my former mentor, shouted out from my memories.

  I caught myself more than once about to avert my eyes, bow my head, or otherwise return to the same meek, anxious demeanor I had possessed for years. It was a hard thing to break, and I made several mistakes before we finally made our way to the far side of the room.

  When we finally had a brief respite, Flynn turned to the two of us with another bright smile.

  "That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Flynn asked, clapping his hands together. "Now, why don't I get us all a drink? Loosen us up a bit. We've got a long night ahead of us."

  Before I could say anything else, Flynn vanished into the crowd, leaving me alone with Vesper.

  I tried to ignore the perfume she wore and the fact that she still had her arm interlocked with mine. Instead, I glanced over the decorations of the ballroom, marveling not at the scale of it but how it felt almost...banal.

  Flowers clung to crawling vines along the walls of the multi-tiered room. Ribbons floated in the air, decorated on both sides with elaborate golden writing. Shimmering lights sparkled high overhead, along with what appeared to be a magical mimicry of a full moon. Even the music was enhanced, flowing from the band in such a way that it sounded perfect despite the din of the crowd.

  It was impressive in an academic sense, and I found myself appreciating the skill required for such things. No doubt the Academy had paid dozens, even hundreds of separate mages to create so many disparate magical effects without any problems.

  But after seeing a city without winter, shaped by centuries of history, or a valley carved into the earth with a single spell, this entire place felt lackluster. Wasteful. Shallow. Magic could do so much more than this.

  As I stood there, I realized beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had made the right choice in leaving the Academy. There was nothing for me here.

  I turned towards Vesper, but as I did so, I caught sight of a figure coming towards us from down a nearby staircase. And as I did so, I said the first thing that came to mind.

  "Damnit."

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