It took a while for Neska to lay out everything she remembered–the past few weeks felt like a waking nightmare.

  Having to say exactly how Risha died drew a gasp from the group. She wasn't spared the shock either; Her body was far from devoid of feeling. That awful sadness of her witch's last moments clenched around her heart, like coils wrapped around her soul.

  The conversation continued through the early afternoon. Nevin brought in a meal for everyone without saying a word. The mention of the monsters disguised as Seekers, killing potential Awakened before they could become a threat, rattled him. He, too, took notes.

  By the early evening, Neska was exhausted. Not in the physical sense, but, internally, she couldn't go on any longer. “So there you have it. I was lucky to keep most of…myself. The memories will hopefully come back.”

  “Witch hexes on an Awakened, with evolution powers? Goddess, that was some impressive power use for being low level against Tier twos.” Serkin’s pallor had returned as they continued. A face filled with hope again.

  "I was fighting for my life. For Juni and others. The alternative to that was..." She trailed off with her thought. "I need training to defend myself, to push myself to fight those above my level. I must, so I can live long enough to find answers. I think the Varadur and those who lead them are terrified of what I can become."

  “As they should be, given the possibilities. You have points left, yes?” he asked finally. She nodded softly. “Good of you to hold off. I think this is a unique case to study from.”

  "She should take them as soon as possible. Gods knows, she needs every edge she can get," Resalio countered. "Furthermore, she is not an experiment," she scolded, narrowing her eyes at him. “We vowed from the beginning we would be ethical about any research. No matter who is pressuring us to find information about the Varadur.”

  “I would never disclose this information outside of this group of individuals,” Serkin reasoned. “What we thought was possible is wrong. The Interface adapted to suit Neska’s growth, both from evolution and a class! How many did it offer?”

  “I had four to pick from,” Neska answered politely. She couldn't exactly sit, so lowering her body and coiling her tail felt the most comfortable. “Trickster, Warrior, Witch, and Primal. That last one was strange. Unfortunately, I can't access what I may have missed out on any of them.”

  None of them would have helped Risha, either. She was going to die, no matter what I did. That horrible thought returned, and she flinched at its naked truth: against Marikand, as he was? There was no victory in which Risha survived. Even now, her own strength would not be enough to take down that foe.

  It also raised an unsettling question: did Marikand have class powers, too? The fiery sword and the way his body burned and healed suggested as such. It reminded her, in a way, of Jurik’s power. If so, then how? Could monsters mimic or emulate class abilities and powers? If so, what were the limitations? Had Marikand become a monster? Or, had one replaced him at some point?

  There were too many questions and far too few facts to answer any of them conclusively. “I believe that my circumstances are unique," she summarized. "And an opportunity you might not get a second chance at."

  Serkin jotted down something. “Not only that. The witch class is fairly rare and difficult to master. Some classes appear very infrequently, due to the small number of people who can fit the requirements,” he mused. “And, the Interface proposed–”

  “Victor, I think that's enough for one day.” Resalio had put away her notebook, her posture starting to droop. Even she appeared fatigued. “The academy has lost Risha. One of our finest peers, someone I would call a friend, to killers we can’t even name, on the chance they will come after Neska again."

  Her composure threatened to break again as her voice wavered and choked up. "I don't know how I'm going to break this news to the senior staff, because I can barely keep my own composure. Neska's association with Risha must be limited. I don't know all the facts, dear, about what transpired between you and her, and I wish I did. Risha, in her last few years, grew exceedingly private before she ventured to Peolein."

  Walling off the world, to protect a secret: her research. Me. Or my Awakening. Or maybe all three. "Was there anyone who could tell me who I was, other than a student? I've been here, I've seen this place, from inside the walls."

  Resalio sighed. "If Risha was successful in obscuring her tracks the way she did? I don't know. Serkin?"

  "I've got theories. But none I dare to share without more knowledge."

  Resalio took that as her cue. "Then we'll adjourn in a bit. There will be time for more questions. But, I do have one.”

  Resalio sat up, elbows on her desk and leaning forward. “Neska, you have leftover essence points and attributes, correct?”

  “I do.”

  “I understand Serkin wants to know all the details for this unique set of circumstances. It's unprecedented. But, given the situation? As soon as you know what you want to take to evolve yourself or other class powers, do so. For your own safety. Also, if you're comfortable with it, any information you're willing to provide might prove useful."

  Serkin looked disappointed at first. But the tension slowly left his face. "I understand. Forgive me, Resalio, and Neska. I try to weigh information by how much it can benefit the Awakened and humanity as a whole. Will you permit me to document it afterward?"

  "Anything I think will prove beneficial," Neska said, in a slight compromise.

  Resalio nodded proudly. "I'm glad that's settled." Then she glanced at the others. “I would ask you to stay as guests, as a gesture of my appreciation for what you have done. I know the cost of the conflict with the Varadur all too well.”

  “I have some leeway,” Jurik answered. “Hadley, Ragnir, I believe you both have to report back to Bregin as soon as we finish here?”

  “We do,” Ragnir answered stiffly. But Hadley stood up, hands flat on the table.

  “No. I can’t go back there, Ragnir. Not because I’m afraid for myself, but for others. Felix devastated my town–my friends–because he’s fixated on killing or tormenting everyone he perceives caused him his current state of misery. That means me.” Even with her fear laid bare…her hands never trembled.

  The grizzly warrior frowned at that. “Are you asking for a transfer?”

  “I’m asking for me to be put in a place where I can do the most good,” she answered. “The Awakened train for battle. They don’t operate by themselves. They use mixed units and overlapping tactics. They’re typically working in small teams against large numbers of monster forces. That means they need someone who can be a ghost and relay the intel they need to survive. If it’s possible, I’d like to be stationed here.”

  Ragnir didn’t outright say no. “What about Sergeant Wellik?”

  She gave him a pained smile. “He’ll understand why.”

  I hope you know what you’re getting into, Hadley, because this is going to be dangerous. But if there was one thing this woman had, it was bravery. She stayed with them to fight against monsters, and didn't cower when the Seekers asserted their twisted authority.

  Ragnir let out a soft sigh. “Much as I want to say I can’t understand…I do. I can fill out some paperwork in the morning. Only because I know this assignment, Hadley? If you work with the academy forces? It’ll be far more dangerous than hunting stray monsters in Bregin. It's bravery of a foolish sort.”

  “So is that a yes, sir?” Hadley asked.

  “We’ll talk about it in the barracks.” Neska had a feeling he’d made up his mind, likely to her benefit.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Inwardly, she hoped that she was making a wise decision. Resalio motioned to Nevin and Marie, who had mostly remained silent throughout.

  “I want to make it very clear. If what Risha has said is correct, the Varadur have infiltrated the Seekers. They answer to no one but the governance of the three kingdoms. Exposing her presence here is a risk. We will need to keep her presence here subtle.”

  “I won't hide and do nothing. My best chance of surviving–and helping end this fight–is to train,” Neska said flatly. Her tail thumped on the ground agitatedly.

  Resalio tapped her pen on her desk, smiling faintly. “I understand that. The Seekers only know of a snake. Tier one. They don't know about a lamia.” Neska knew where she was going with this, gauging by her expression. “You will need a new name for now. And a story of your arrival that should not draw scrutiny."

  "What about scrying and divination efforts?" Serkin said, as if this were common.

  "They would need something to start from: a focal item, a blood relative, something directly tied to them physically or aetherially. We'll have to layer on protections or teach Neska those as we go. If she has the witch class, some abilities provide such effects. For now, we should form a name and a story. I want everyone on the same page."

  In the end, Neska got to pick a new name: Cassia. Something simple and easy to remember. It was also a common enough name in Valos that no one would raise any questions or her origins in Seolein.

  “I can think of one problem. Seekers saw us with her on the way,” Jurik pointed out. “Maybe not the same group as Marikand's, but, if word got out…”

  The headmistress considered this for a few seconds, tapping a pen on her desk gently. “There are many branching paths from a Tier one snake, Jurik. As far as they're concerned, the tunnel vipers that decimated the southern road proved too much for one snake to handle.”

  Neska flicked her tongue out, while Jurik's brow wrinkled. “This is…true. It would be a large leap in logic for them to correctly identify her, especially after an evolution so different from the baseline.”

  “But, my scale coloration,” Neska pointed out. "It's distinct."

  "I think it would require a rather large leap in logic for that particular group of seekers to relay that information, and for them to conclude you evolved to a rare Tier two. Not impossible, though," Jurik murmured. "Neska, consider taking evolutions that will help you...blend in a bit. physically at least. I've seen a few reptile-type monsters shift their scale pattern to either appear invisible or blend in with their surroundings."

  Vivi, do I have any evolution choices for something…subtle?

  There are several evolution options for your scales and external features, if I'm thinking what you're thinking. You may have other priorities at the moment, give some weight to it for the benefits.

  Compile a list. We’ll look at it later. Meanwhile, Resalio had motioned to them, with Jurik and Hadley rising to leave.

  “Jurik, do you really have to go?” Juni asked, ears twitching.

  He gave a stoic nod before kneeling to give her a parting hug. “It's not my preferred choice. But I’ve kept my promise and got you here safely. I'll likely be given new assignments beyond the skirmish lines, especially after these recent events."

  “Lieutenant, a man of your experience should be teaching the next generation, especially with your body of knowledge. Surely you can request a change?” Resalio proposed.

  “I’m still needed in the north. If, however, someone were to convince my command chain within the Valos army that I can have a greater impact here…” he trailed off, before wearing a thin smile. “Well, I wouldn’t object to a change of operations.” Juni’s eyes brightened as he said that.

  “Surely, there isn’t anyone here who has sway over that decision.” Neska saw just the faintest crease of Resalio’s lips as she wrote something down. “Victor, can you guide Neska and Juni to the incoming student dorm?"

  “Of course. We do have accommodations; a few rooms are empty. We’ll sort out permanent seating over the next few days, along with other standard procedures.” He opened the door, and everyone filed out.

  It was almost sunset when they exited the building, and Neska felt the urge to stretch her arms. She wobbled and nearly fell over again, still not sure how to move in this new body.

  A new body. What a strange concept. Then again, it certainly wasn’t the first time her mind had gone through this.

  After brief farewells and a reminder to stick to her cover name, Hadley joined Ragnir and Nevin as they headed to the garrison. Jurik hesitated and said he’d catch up after he saw Neska and Juni to the dorms.

  “Reslin Hall, on the right. That’s mostly humanoid students for magical casting.” Neska noted the heavily reinforced stone walls, and there were several designated locations for either training dummies or obstacle courses. “A few Awakened have a rather unusual spellcasting native to the Varadur. Yet, they do report it as being recognized by the Interface.”

  “Like Lamias?” Neska asked.

  “Yes. That already makes your case a rarity,” he answered, with a proud smile. “Over to the left, physical training for monsters and humanoids with up-close classes.” This building, too, had various obstacles and designated stone targets, with markers showing range measurements further out.

  “You’ll find more Awakened there. There are other locales–the mess hall, the internal garrison here at the academy for the security forces.” He waved one hand awkwardly behind them, in the direction Hadley and Ragnir walked. “We also have common areas for sparring, with damper runes to keep people from being badly hurt. The medical center you visited is well-stocked and staffed, too.”

  “How long has this academy stood? The brickwork…it’s more modern than the surrounding city,” Juni commented. “More precise. It looks like an amalgamate of…hang on, lime, crushed gravel, fly ash, I think? I can pick out various materials if I focus.”

  “Some technology was lost in the past. The campus is well over three hundred years old,” Serkin answered. “But yes, the academy was here before the city. There was an expansion of structures for the garrisons, early in the war, after the sundering of Arivol.”

  They came to a stop at a large stone and steel building with a long row of tall windows; inside, Awakened moved about. Neska saw a few that did not look humanoid, but were accompanied by others who did. Some looked like amorphous piles of gelatin, yet they attempted to mimic a facial expression.

  She felt her face scrunch. Mimicoids in their natural form? No, these are a different type of slime monster. I should study them if they'll allow me; maybe I can glean insight into Marikand and find some vulnerabilities.

  Another looked like a woman with plant-like petals forming their hair, clawed hands, and slithering vines forming her lower body. Her upper half was pale green skin, and she laughed as she spoke to a young woman with blonde hair in a matching uniform.

  Each time Neska glanced around, there was something new to see. Some were also larger than humanoid; they appeared to be two ogres, each with a single eye, a hairless head, and large, muscular limbs colored a dull grey. The two were currently tossing a large leather ball toward another student of similar size, but the third had jagged skin with a stony texture.

  A golemoid, if she recalled? It was a variant of the elementa-class monsters.

  Serkin pulled her out of her focus as he waved toward the building before them. “This is the main dorm for the students. Incoming students are in there,” he said, pointing to a smaller but similar building on the other side. Neska slithered forward, looking forward to relaxing…if her mind would let her.

  “Well, this is us,” Juni said proudly, as she gave Jurik one last hug. “Jurik, don’t be a stranger. Come back when you can, okay?”

  “I will.” Then, Juni turned toward Serkin as he opened the door to the first floor of the building. The interior was a white tile corridor filled with doorways, a stairwell, and a banister that led to a second floor, made of polished silvery metal.

  “Thank you, Jurik,” Neska said after they went inside, with Juni holding the door for them. “I don’t know if I could have–”

  “I should be thanking you. Without you, I had my doubts about finding Juni or surviving. And your hearts’ definitely in the right place,” he said in his stoic voice. His voice did crack a little. “I do wish I could stay. But I do have to return to the command chain, now that Juni is here, safe at the academy." He lowered his tone, looking hopeful. “Nes--sorry, Cassia, I…”

  “I’ll look after her. We’ll look after each other.” She had anticipated that he might say something to that extent. And it was something he would never have to ask.

  “Please do. Her father…he was a good man. On his dying breath, he told me to see her to safety, in case he didn’t come back from the war.” He glanced over Neska’s shoulder. “I have to ask. Trying to stop a war running for almost twenty years…Do you really believe it’s possible?”

  “The Varadur believe it. So we should, too. We’ll find a way.” He reached out with his hand, and she hesitantly shook it, his grip firm and unnaturally warm.

  “Juni’s a smart lass. You two stick together, and I think you’ll accomplish great things. I’ll be back when I can. Stay alive, alright? And be mindful of your peers.”

  She tilted her head. “But, we’re safe here.”

  He gestured to the academy grounds, where Neska saw humans walking, along with other Awakened like herself. “This is a joint academy. Humans and Awakened, to create a spirit of cooperation. It’s worked…mostly. But, there have been…some setbacks.”

  “Like Felix?” she asked, her tongue sticking on the last syllable. She cupped her snout in response, embarrassed.

  “Yes. It can happen. If nothing else, keep an eye on your peers. Every one of them–yourself included–has gone through one immense ordeal already. Some may need help getting through the memory of it.”

  “I know. I was here,” Neska said quietly. “With Risha. I don’t know when. But at some point in the past, I walked through here.” She noted a couple holding hands, going to what she surmised was a place for meals. It was an easy deduction, based on the smoke wafting from multiple chimneys and the hints of strange, tantalizing scents.

  And maybe eggs, too.

  Jurik nodded softly. “It’s different for every Awakened. Now, there is one other factor. The humanoid students.”

  She found herself looking at a young male laughing and strolling with two peers, but they cast rather off-putting stares and exaggerated faces at one of the Awakened, a blue-skinned woman with tentacles for arms and legs. She got up from her position and made her way to the dorm quickly, and she heard them…taunting the girl? Calling her shellfish? Quite rude, when she thought about it.

  The gaze didn’t escape Jurik’s notice. “By and large, most of the humanoid students trust the Awakened. But some? They’ve lost family or friends in this conflict. Or they're not all right in their mind. I know you care about Juni, based on the way you risked your life. And the reason I say to stay vigilant…”

  He leaned in closer. “A dangerous few don’t measure their standing by their academic marks. Some measure it by the number of monsters they can kill. Out there, in the war…or wherever they can find them.”

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