Aura adjusted the strap of her satchel as she stepped into the heart of Ki-Elico’s trade quarter. The wind carried a smell of crushed herbs.

  As a refugee, she’d spent her days mass-producing cheap goods for the city. With citizenship just two weeks away, she had to finalize her search for a private job.

  A well paying one.

  She had already scoped out most of the cheaper shops, and some were even willing to work with her… but there was a spark in her heart. One that dimmed for so long.

  I should aim higher.

  Today, the buildings all around her housed the city’s best independent crafters who raked in massive amounts from individual buyers and noble contracts. At least she hoped they did.

  Her destination was none other than ‘Birthplace of myth’. One of, if not the most respectable magical workshop in the entire kingdom. At least it used to be back in her days. Working here after finishing the academy was the dream.

  The polished brass door glowed with active runes, and swung open effortlessly as she pressed against them. Inside, a few customers placed orders with younger associates.

  Even those, seemingly mundane workers, were probably esteemed artificers in their own right.

  She introduced herself and was pointed deeper, toward the owner. She found the older woman at a desk, writing down schematics of some sort. “Yes, how may I help you?”

  “I’m looking for work as an alchemist, Lady Oleine. I know this shop is always looking for artificers of renown, and I do think of myself as such.”

  “That would be true.” She nodded politely. “Well, what’s your greatest achievement?”

  “I created a working frostfire blade,” she said, straight to the point. “The mythic substance itself was imperfect, but only just.”

  ”Am I to assume you got those burns making it?” The woman stared at her for a beat, expression blank.

  Aura’s ears became ever so slightly hotter, though she prayed that wasn’t noticeable. She responded quickly and with confidence, but not quite with the full truth. “Obviously not. Those are a backlash of living flames. I failed to properly tame a fire elemental as I was trying to defend my village.”

  She doesn’t have to know that I intentionally unleashed such inferno.

  The owner asked her a few more questions about the rituals and processes involved, to which Aura responded as well as she could.

  “And you even got your theory correct.” The older woman finished her line of questioning. “Well, if that’s all true, I’d be glad to hire you.”

  Aura brightened up at the lady’s words, but quickly schooled her expression. “I assume Lady wants to see proof.”

  “You don’t have it with you, I can see that much.” She waved her hand dismissively. “If you’re going to say you already sold it, forget it and don’t waste my time. Do you even realize how many of you hatchlings try that trick with me?”

  “Oh, no, I still have it.” Aura chuckled politely. “Ever since the accident, I am not much of a fighter, so I didn’t want to risk getting robbed on the way. I’ll make arrangements to bring it here safely.”

  “Isn’t that a pleasant surprise? In that case, you may introduce yourself to me.” Lady Oleine nodded her head. “Goddess permits, we will have many more chats in the days to come.”

  The world tilted sideways as David landed hard on his shoulder. Lady Greine had conjured a strong gust of wind that knocked him off balance. The cube left his hands and skittered across the stone, dimming instantly.

  “Your concentration is weak,” her tone felt vaguely disdainful. “You need to polish your fundamentals before you can move on.”

  It was the third time this had happened and he knew the drill already.

  He bowed to the woman, retrieved the cube and returned to his seat, rubbing his elbow.

  Being used to Dolen, such treatment wasn’t news. His problems stemmed from their surroundings. He couldn’t dodge by jumping around with mana enhancement. And he couldn’t cast, or show any signs of too rapid growth, lest his whole cover story fell apart.

  It’s just a matter of time. Worst case scenario I’ll learn how to fall without breaking concentration.

  He was fine with that. That is, until others started to manage to evoke a bright light out of the tool… And no one else got assaulted by magic. Even through the silent shroud, it was evident his treatment was unusually harsh. Unfair, maybe.

  That’s what I get for trying to push ahead too hard.

  Well, his lack of apparent progress was not only in magic, but extended equally to social matters. In the past few days, the classroom had reorganized itself.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  The two noble boys ‘adopted’, for the lack of a better word, Polbran and the rest of rich kids. Even now they were whispering tips and advice to one another, trying to get ahead.

  On the other hand, the poor commoners stuck together, with Lia at the heart of the group. She helped those around her with excited words and a teasing tone. No wonder she quickly became well-liked. Especially, since most of them were still struggling to handle the first level of the cube for extended periods of time.

  That left a handful of outliers scattered around the room. Those busy with practice or too awkward to mingle.

  Unfortunately, Diana was one of them.

  She kept to herself, working silently. Her cube blinked brightly in short bursts, but like David, she was stuck waiting for the rest of the group before she would receive further guidance from Lady Greine.

  From time to time, she would steal glances at him, her expression bored. Disappointed, maybe.

  David tried to keep his head down, both figuratively and literally. He sat away from her, and kept himself squarely in sight of other nobles. If luck would have it, she wouldn’t find it worthwhile to call him out.

  Lady Greine ended the lesson with a dismissive wave. As students began to gather their things, David tucked the cube away and stood up, ready to leave before anything happened.

  Not fast enough.

  Diana stood just ahead, blocking his path. “Accompany me for a brief while, Marco.” she demanded plainly, her voice just loud enough to carry.

  The room quieted slightly as heads turned. It couldn’t be common for a noble girl to seek out a commoner boy, or to address them so directly. David just hoped there would be no misunderstandings about the situation.

  Diana didn’t seem to care. She turned on her heel and walked out with the same graceful precision she always carried. The attention she drew didn’t faze her in the slightest.

  Put on the spot, David hesitated—then followed. He couldn’t make a noble girl wait. And he didn’t want to stand around beneath those stares.

  The corridors of the academy’s first floor were quiet this late in the afternoon, bathed in the haze of the setting sun. David followed a step behind Diana as she led him deeper into the building.

  Eventually, they reached an exit that opened toward the noble district, surrounded by a large, well-maintained garden. Contrary to the tightly guarded doors facing the main square of the city, there was neither security nor any form of checkpoints here.

  I guess nobles don’t need vetting.

  They sat at a respectful distance on one of the closest benches. Then, she pulled out a delicate band and pushed it onto her slender finger.

  A translucent shell bloomed into existence around them, muting the outside world.

  “So. Are you going to tell me why you’ve been avoiding me?” Diana turned to face him. Her expression was soft and kind, but her words were laced with annoyance.

  David blinked. “I don’t know what—”

  “Oh please. I can feel when my actions are being anticipated and restricted.” She scoffed. “I have a father to thank for that.”

  That was pretty direct. How unladylike of her.

  She tilted her head. “How many secrets must you be hiding, to give up a chance at my good graces just to keep them safe?”

  “Good graces?” That caught him off guard. “I feel more like a hare staring down a hawk than a participant of a jolly conversation.”

  “Poetic,” she said, mildly impressed. “But I assure you you’d have a better experience if you weren’t so defensive about even the littlest questions.”

  “I’m sorry if it came across the wrong way. Force of habit.” David explained himself, looking for ways to diffuse the situation. “I’ve had troubling experiences with people in power.”

  “What do you even imagine I want?” Diana gave an exaggerated sigh and rolled her eyes. “You might be overestimating your relevance.”

  He folded his arms. “You did pursue me. At the cost of inviting misunderstandings, no less.”

  “I find you noteworthy enough.” She leaned forward slightly. Her posture looked just like it always did, but her voice was becoming increasingly unrestrained.

  “Really? May I ask in what way?”

  “You already know the basics of magic. You can match me in conversation. And you’re vaguely pleasant to be around.” She started counting on her fingers. “You are talented, yet lack resources. I have resources to spare–but I need trustworthy friends. See how neatly it fits?”

  “That’s all… surprisingly honest of you.” David blinked. “Aren’t you being a little too forward?”

  “You just told me you are skeptical of influential people. It’s only logical that I act more brash and honest.” She shrugged. “It’s not like anyone else can hear us.”

  “I admit it does make me more inclined to speak with you.” David relented. “And yet, you admit that what you really want is me as your lackey.”

  “Sure, why not. Friendship is what I had in mind, but that works for me too.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve made no meaningful progress all week, and everyone sees it. Moreover, you managed to get on Greine’s bad side.”

  “That’s not true—”

  “Do you have access to tutors? No, let’s go simpler. Do you even have anyone to practice with?”

  David hesitated. “…Not right now.”

  Not since Dolen disappeared, I don’t. Maybe I could ask Aura?

  “I thought so.” She smiled brightly. “I firmly believe we could be beneficial to one another.”

  She seemed honest and trustworthy, but her offer still sounded too good to be true.

  In the end, she was a noble. Manipulating people could just be that natural to her. It reminded him of Viera, actually. “And what if I decline?”

  Diana sighed, leaning back with theatrical flair. “You would wound the heart of a fragile maiden.” Then, more seriously: “I won’t force you nor will I antagonize you. You have the right to say no.”

  David looked at her carefully, but she just… waited.

  “It’s getting late and I need to head home. I’ll think about it.” She was about to interject, but he quickly continued. “I will seek you out, no matter the answer. No need to make this more of a scene than it already is.”

  “You’d better,” she murmured. “It’s rude to leave a lady waiting.”

  She flicked her hand, dismissing the barrier. David gave a shallow nod, then turned and walked away.

  David slowly walked up the staircase in the building his family resided in, raging internally at his current predicament.

  First it was Calland and his fucking power trip. Then the world pitted me against experienced manipulators like Viera and Hiveo. And now I have to figure Diana out? Can I not, for the love of god or goddess or whomever is listening, catch a break!?

  The moment he stepped into the family’s cramped sitting room, he stopped short, his emotions evaporating in a split second. Aura and Bert were at the table, seated in silence. Sophie silently stirred a pot of boiling soup.

  It felt like he had stepped into a tomb.

  Aura’s expression was a whirlpool of emotions. Betrayal, fury, and grief. Bert’s was simpler, though not much more pleasant.

  “Sit down,” Bert said, his voice heavy. “You have some explaining to do, son.”