Chapter 377 - Welcome to Space Class

  Kai descended the steps three at a time. His strides echoed on the marble. Two floors underground, he strode down a hallway for his next lecture. Ridged bones of stone crisscrossed over the vaulted ceiling. Dim crystals cast shadows through the reliefs of hawks, dragons, lions and gargoyles.

  Shadow veiled his features. Power over subtly. The students skilled enough to spot him appeared the least likely to care or, at least, too prideful to approach him.

  Crossing a corner, he flattened to the wall when a trio of second years in burnt orange brushed past him, voices thick in discussion.

  “…stepped on his unconscious opponent, and demanded his next challenger, blood still dripping on his chin. Pat. Pat. Pat,” a boy said with a storyteller’s flair. “Thank the Moons, they had already called a healer on site. Or the poor guy might not have survived. That freshie was completely battle-crazed, I tell you. Valdibal had to stun him to make him calm down.”

  A girl snorted. “You’re spewing dragonshit.”

  “Word over my heart, that’s what happened. My lil cousin saw it.”

  “Yeah… right.” An eye roll laced her tone.

  “I don’t know, Mari…” A second boy interjected. “Did you hear what they say about House Blackwood? What if he's a death-sworn guard?”

  “Don’t be a hollow brain, Nil. Rumors of those programs always circulate. Each year, it’s a different Great House. Nothing has ever been proven. Not in the last three generations.” Their voices faded down the corridor. “Think. Would they parade him around if that were true…”

  Sometimes plans worked a little too well.

  Kai rubbed his face and hurried on. Stories of his showing in Combat Magic swelled with each retelling—for better and worse. Most people seemed satisfied with gossiping, no longer hunting him, at least.

  Where am I? It should be around here…

  The fractal runes on the corner walls and plaques on the shut doors offered no clue. Each building in Raelion seemed to compete on inventing the most obtuse system for directions, sometimes varying them by floor.

  Are arrows and words too hard?

  Kai reached for the mnemonic thread etched into his mind by anxious repetition.

  Lecture: Fundamentals of Spatial Magic with Professor Astarelle.

  Time: 10th to 12th hour.

  Location: Arcanum Tower, -2nd underground floor, Onyx Hall (west side).

  Right building and level. No idea where west was. Hallways twisted into a knot. The Arcanum Tower expanded wider underground. Had he passed Onyx Hall without realizing?

  I can’t be late.

  His steps quickened. His neck craned to peek at each intersection. Empty. The one time he needed, there were no students to ask for directions.

  Seconds to the bell, he spotted a black, gleaming plaque.

  Onyx?

  Trusting his Luck, he took the carved handle. The metal froze his finger, but turned smoothly open. Apologies and courtesy ready on his tongue, he entered.

  The brightness inside the hall made him squint. Tables arrayed in semi-circles, sloping toward the professor’s desk at the bottom. A common hundred seats, though less than a third were filled. Heads turned at his entrance, most losing interest after a glance. Stranger were the students’ colors: a scattering of burgundy spots, several in burnt orange and tarnished yellow, and even a couple forest green.

  Fourth years.

  Mingling across colors was rarer than across paths of study. Since enrolling at Raelion, Kai hadn’t exchanged a word with a fourth-year. Never before now.

  “Are you lost, freshie?” The young woman stood up. She spoke in a clipped, patrician tone, offering a polite, reassuring smile. Her dark hair, falling to her shoulders, reflected shades of blue. “Need directions?”

  “I’m…” Kai broke his stare. “Is this the Onyx Hall?”

  Sharp brows furrowed. “Yes.”

  “I’m in the right place.” His hand thrust into his satchel and grabbed his schedule to show awkwardly. Eager to find a quiet spot, he scooted toward the free seats. One step from safety, a familiar figure barred his path.

  Whoops!

  “Hi, roommate. Funny meeting you here.” Rob scowled and hooked an arm around his neck, pulling him in to scruff his hair. “You never told me you had an interest in Space Magic. What are you doing here?”

  “Hey— sorry. I’m sorry! Let go.” Kai weakly fended off the tousle, knowing he deserved it. “It just never came up.”

  “Sure…” Rob gave him a skeptical snort and released him. “You’re forgiven, but you owe me a round of chores for this.”

  “Okay, that’s fair.” Kai used his fingers to comb his hair. “That means you’re only four in debt now.”

  He opened his mouth as his brain ran the math. “Wait! No, no. That’s not fair at all! Keeping this secret is worth at least four chores.”

  “You cannot negotiate a done deal.”

  “Then I take it back. You are not forgiven.”

  “Huh? You can’t take that back.”

  “I just did. I showed you my Space trick on the very first day. We’ve been roommates for almost three months, and you told me nothing. That’s a total violation of the code.” He sank into a chair with a harrumph, arms folded. “Do Rain and Alden know yet?”

  Shit…

  Kai slid into the seat beside him. Between Elijah’s visit and his unwanted fame, informing his roommate escaped his mind. The silvery chime of the bell provided a fleeting distraction from his churning guilt, but no professor came in. He had to answer. “Rain knew already. Alden found out during the Trials.”

  “So… I was the only one left in the dark?” Rob blinked, looking actually surprised and a bit hurt. “The only one with a Space affinity and the last to know.”

  “I’m sorry. If it helps, it wasn’t intentional.” He bit his cheek. “Hey, what about two rounds of chores as an apology?”

  “Four.”

  “Three. And I don’t want to see your clothes around for a month.”

  Rob’s scowl lost to his encroaching smile. “You got a deal, mate.” His legs stretched below the desk as he laced his fingers behind his head. “Just relax. Professor Astarelle always runs late. At least, you’ll help with the freshie representation in here. Truly, I can’t believe you hid it for me. What’s your Space Magic at? Whereabouts. Uh, wait… does this make your fifth major element? Blessed Moons, no fairness at all. How did you even get into this class?” His eyes narrowed. “Are the rumors about your sponsor true?”

  “No. Those are utter nonsense. My advisor sponsored me.”

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  “Say that again? You already got snatched? How? Most professors don’t even take candidates before the second year. I guess it's not too crazy… Given your score in the Trials, fame and all.”

  “You’re famous?” The dark-haired fourth-year came to sit astride in the row below theirs. “Few first-years join us this late in the year. Introduce me to your friend, Robbie.”

  “It’s just Rob, Jill. We’re actually roommates. This guy here is…”

  Seeing a mischievous smirk tugging the teen’s face, Kai administered a swift kick and spoke up. “Matthew. I’m Matthew. Pleasure to meet you, senior.”

  “Jiliandra of House Varsh, the pleasure is mine.” The girl offered a pale hand and a curious gleam. “Please, call me Jill in this class. It feels silly to cling to formalities after seeing each other botch the same spatial weave a hundredth time."

  Kai shook her hand. His skin tingled. From up close, the hum of mana was unmistakable. She sat at the very cusp of Green—both race and profession. No one weak reached Raelion’s graduation year. “Please, call me Mat.”

  “My pleasure, Mat. I’m not that skilled, but ask freely if you need tips.”

  “Huh, is this a race to the most humble?” Rob snorted, throwing a look at them both.

  “Pardon, Robbie? I’m truly not great with spatial spells. My mana skills are just higher.” Jill blew a raspberry at Rob’s annoyed stare. “You know how the story goes. I discovered my affinities as a moon-eyed child. All dreams and nothing done. So, I thought I’d try my Luck this year. Managed to enter the course, but not much else. It has been entertaining, at least. What about you, Mat? What brought another first-year to this class of freaks?”

  “A similar story.” Kai shrugged. “Always had the affinity. It felt like a waste not to make the most of it.”

  “Well, you must be extremely skilled if a professor vouched for you during the first year. What were you saying about him being famous, Robbie?”

  “Matthew’s ranked first in the Trials.” His roommate blurted—clearly still not over being kept in the dark. The wince when Kai stomped on his foot didn’t stop him from continuing. “My man’s a little shy. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already heard of him.”

  “You mean, wait… Mat, Matthew…” Her eyes widened in delight. “You are that Matthew? The one the freshies buzzed about since the Trials. The one who beat his peers to a pulp yesterday in the dueling ring? The rumors didn’t mention you also practiced Space Magic.”

  Are all mages such gossips?

  “I’m just a novice.” Kai sank over the desk and buried his face in his crossed arms. His Mind narrowly kept his composure. “And that's not what happened at all. Professor Valdibal called me out to spar. No one got seriously hurt.”

  “No blood and broken bones?” Rob asked. Amusement curved his lip, quickly hidden behind a veneer of innocent curiosity. “I heard a group was rushed to the Medical Ward.”

  Kai glared at his guileless smile. “Just two students. The first guy hurt himself with his own spell backlash, and he walked to the healers on his own legs.”

  More or less.

  “I see…” Rob blew air from his nose and hung his head, looking almost disappointed. “You didn’t shout a war cry and claw at your foes with deadly magic and beastly Strength?"

  “Huh… what? I didn’t! That’s ridiculous. It was just one punch. And the guy came at me first.”

  “So you did deck him. I knew it!” Rob swiftly cheered and clapped him on the back. “Good work, man! This will add another layer to your legend. Wish I were there to see. Elcarin had it coming."

  “You really punched a student in a magic duel?” Jill said, both stunned and impressed.

  Uh… did no one hear the part where the guy charged at me?

  Kai slumped on the backrest with a stifled groan. Some battles weren’t for him to win. He dragged a hand over his face, searching for a way to sink the conversation when his senses tingled.

  A faint thrum, like a difference in pressure. The hairs on his arms quivered, then a flash of iridescent lights struck the dais below.

  With a crisp crack, a woman in her thirties appeared, lilac curls sprayed messily around her. “Forgive me, dearies. I lost track of time. I swear they change the paperwork each term on purpose. Uh…” She righted her glasses with a hand missing the pinky and ring fingers. Turning three-quarters to face the class, she waved a fluted wand with sparks of silver in greeting. “Nice to see your faces. Hope you all had a pleasant break.”

  From how the students quietly shuffled to their seats without standing in greeting, Kai guessed this must be a common occurrence.

  “You look like a startled cat.” Rob cupped a hand to his mouth and chuckled.

  “That was your reaction too, Robbie. Space Magic is a sight the first time,” Jill whispered. “No one’s late like someone who can teleport at any time. You get used to it after a dozen classes.” With a wink, she glided to her desk. “Let’s chat later. I look forward to hearing your full story.”

  Not if I can help it.

  The dry rustle of paper pulled his attention.

  “Where did I put it…” Professor Asterelle rummaged through the documents already blanketing her desk. With a triumphant hum, she pulled out a loose sheet and corralled her stray locks into a semblance of order. Her eyes swept over the page and then the hall. “Looks like everyone’s present. Good, good. Oh, right… the new student, uhm… I remember. Matthew Reece Veernon. Could you please stand up, dear?”

  With just twenty-nine people present, heads quickly snapped toward the new face. Whispers were already spreading when he resolved to stand stiffly, arm half-raised in a wave.

  Great. Now everyone knows.

  “Welcome to the class, young man.” Astarelle squinted up at him with a warm smile. “Professor Thornwyn was most complimentary of you. As you likely surmised, the nature of our field lends to a different approach from your usual lectures. Hang in there for now. I’ll settle the others and come to you shortly. I look forward to seeing your skills.” Her voice lifted over the murmurs. “Behave, you lot. Seniors should set the example. I trust you kept up practice during the break. Spatial weaving is a finicky discipline. But even if your progress appears to stall, every crumb adds up. I’m excited to review your progress too. Alright, uhm… What am I forgetting…”

  She bent to rifle through the documents. A burnished pocketwatch of pink gold appeared in her maimed hand. “The speech, right! Let’s finish official formalities later. Time sure flies. Be on your best behavior. Someone wanted to stop by to offer a little encouragement—”

  “No need to fret on my account.” A measured voice spoke up.

  Without a glimmer, tingle or the slightest ripple, Dean Cassian Astares stood up behind her. His presence filled the hall like a fleeting scent—suddenly unmistakable.

  Astarelle’s curls fluttered as she fumbled, trying to yield her seat and speak at once. “Apologies— I ran late— Students, properly greet the—”

  “No trouble, it’s an informal visit. You may remain seated.” The dean waved them down, turning to the professor. “I should be the one to apologize for disrupting your lesson. I didn’t mean to startle you, cousin.” The fond amusement flashing through his smile contrasted with his words.

  Seeming also to catch on, Astarelle fell back with a light huff. The dean had already moved on. His stride measured the length of the dais.

  “I’m glad to see faces old and new.” His pale lilac eyes ran over the rows of straightened students. Kai got the impression the inspection lingered on him slightly longer than the rest, but couldn’t be sure.

  “As the Raelion’s dean, I must not show preferences toward my students. Still, Space Magic brings enough hurdles of its own, no one can accuse me of tilting the scales with a speech. I’ve always enjoyed meeting young aspirants, walking a path akin to mine.” He slowly paced. Students swelled beneath his faint smile. “I don’t intend to take much of your time. If you’re here, you must’ve already heard—ad nauseum—the warnings, difficulties and dangers that set Space apart from most other elements.

  “I will not bore you by repeating them. All those people are right to caution you. If nothing else, they’ve likely understated the trials that await you upon reaching the higher grades. Yet difficult does not mean impossible. I’ve never found a worthwhile pursuit that was easy.”

  Whether through skill or long experience, Kai had to concede that the dean was an excellent orator. His voice rang low and clear. He stirred emotion with aimed pauses and inflections. The words struck to the point as if he were speaking just to you.

  When the speech ended, students hung in their seats in a thick silence. Every pair of eyes twinkled with resolve, backs straight and chests puffed up like peacocks in mating with determination and pride.

  “I anticipate witnessing your continuous advancement, be it next year or at graduation. Raelion offers a rare opportunity for learning. Do not waste it.” With a weighty glance across the hall, the dean returned beside Professor Astarelle and gave a courteous dip. “My apologies again for the interruption.”

  Astarelle matched his subtle smile and knowing look. Their voices lowered in confidence, but still echoed clearly in the silence. “I’d wager your speech is worth more than any lecture I could give them today.”

  “Don’t be so humble, cousin. You taught for years before I even took this position.” He surveyed the clutter on the desk with indulgent familiarity. “What did you plan for the present lesson?”

  “I looked to check their progress before setting the course. And also test the new student. Thornwyn rarely sends me her pupils, but she does have an eye for choosing them.”

  “That she has.” The dean read a paper over Astarelle’s shoulder, the ghost of a smirk touching his lips. “I have no appointments for the next thirty-five minutes. Would you mind if I stayed to witness?”

  Wait… what? No, no, no… Tell him to leave!

  Kai went taut, straining his ears to catch the quick whispers. The last time he’d met the man, he’d played him on a misunderstanding to claim the Parallax Eye—a Space affinity treasure.

  Despite his silent plea, Astarelle nodded without hesitation. “Of course, you are always welcome. My students could benefit from your advice too.” She raised her voice and motioned at him. “Matthew, dearie. Come down.” Her expression softened at his likely pallor. “No need to be shy. It’s only a test to gauge your skills. No marks or failing. I promise the dean doesn’t bite.”

  “I lost that habit years ago,” the man confirmed with deadpan amusement.

  Well… Fuck me.

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