Valentina slipped back into the university unnoticed. Once in her room, she pulled the packet out of her bag and looked at it thoughtfully. With trembling hands, she opened it and began to prepare the brew according to Mara's instructions.

  The scent of herbs filled the small room, a mixture of bitter and sweet notes. Valentina took a deep breath, gathered her courage and drank the brew in one gulp. The taste was surprisingly mild, with a slightly earthy aftertaste. It wasn't necessarily delicious, but she would get used to drinking the brew every day from now on. It would definitely be better than the alternative.

  "You're absolutely right," commented Vyxara with amusement. "But don't forget, little Weaver, we have other things to do as well. The Greystone Competition won't wait."

  Valentina nodded resolutely. "You're right. It's time we focused on that."

  She sat down at her small desk, pulled out a piece of parchment and began jotting down ideas for her project that she would have to prepare for the next round of the competition. The quill scratched across the paper as she thought through various possibilities.

  "So," she murmured, "we need something practical, something that has a real use."

  "And something to make you stand out from the crowd," Vyxara added. "You're competing with the best in the university."

  Valentina chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip. "Maybe something with Leb-Essence? That suits me."

  She thought of the villages in her homeland, the hard work of the farmers and the constant worry about the harvest. "What if we could develop something that accelerates the growth of plants?"

  "Not bad," Vyxara replied, "but think bigger. What is the most basic need of all living beings?"

  "Water," Valentina replied immediately. Her eyes widened as an idea came to her. "Water! What if we could develop a method to purify water? With a combination of Leb and Wazzer Essence?"

  "Now you're on the right track," Vyxara purred with satisfaction. "A method of purifying water could save many lives, especially in poorer areas."

  Valentina jumped up, suddenly full of energy. She began to pace up and down the room, as her mind raced. "We could develop an Essence pattern that filters impurities out of the water."

  She reached for one of the forbidden books she kept hidden under her bed and began to leaf through it feverishly. "Here," she exclaimed triumphantly, "the Vanderlieu spiral pattern. If we take this as a basis and combine it with a Leb-Wazzer hybrid..."

  "Careful, little Weaver," warned Vyxara. "The Vanderlieu spiral is complicated and dangerous. A mistake could have catastrophic consequences."

  Valentina nodded seriously. "I know. But if it works, it would be groundbreaking. Imagine how many people we could help with it."

  She sat down at her desk again and began sketching complicated Essence patterns. The hours flew by as she made calculations, theorized and discarded.

  The sun was already low in the sky when a knock on the door snapped her out of her concentration. "Valentina? Are you in there?" It was Innogen's voice.

  Valentina hastily hid the forbidden book and her notes. "Yes, come in!"

  Innogen entered, her eyes widening at the sight of the chaotic room. "By all the flames of the Martyr, what are you doing here? You missed lunch and you almost missed dinner too."

  Valentina blinked in surprise. She hadn't even realized how much time had passed. "Oh, I... I was working on my project for the competition."

  Innogen's face brightened. "Oh, really? Tell me about it! I'm working on a method to improve communication over long distances."

  Valentina hesitated briefly, unsure how much she should reveal. "I'm working on a method of water purification," she finally said. "A combination of Leb and Wazzer Essence."

  "That sounds fascinating!" Innogen sat down on Valentina's bed. "How did you come up with the idea?"

  Valentina thought of her home village, of the times when drought or floods had polluted the water. "I just thought about what could help people the most," she said quietly.

  Innogen smiled warmly. "That's so like you, Val. Always thinking of how you can help others." She stood up and pulled Valentina by the arm. "But for now, you're coming to dinner. You can't sit here brooding all day."

  Valentina reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled along, her head still full of ideas and calculations. As they walked down the corridor, they saw Faustus bragging to his friends.

  "My project will put all others in the shade," they heard him say. "My father has hired an expert from the capital to help me with it."

  Innogen snorted softly. "Typical Faustus. Thinks he can buy anything."

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Valentina felt the anger about Faustus rising up in her again, his accusations still gnawing at her.

  "Don't doubt yourself, little Weaver," whispered Vyxara. "You have something Faustus will never have – real talent and the will to use it for good."

  Encouraged by Vyxara's words, Valentina entered the dining hall with Innogen. The room was filled with the chatter of students and the clinking of cutlery. The smell of roasting meat made Valentina's stomach growl.

  During the meal, Valentina listened to the conversations around her, registering her classmates' excitement and nervousness about the upcoming competition. She noticed some students casting furtive glances in her direction and whispering.

  "They're talking about you," Innogen said quietly. "Your success in the first round has surprised many."

  Valentina shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "I wish they wouldn't do it. I just want to do my work in peace."

  Innogen put a hand on her arm to reassure her. "Don't let that upset you. Just concentrate on your project."

  After lunch, Valentina returned to her room, her head buzzing with new ideas. She pulled out her notes again and immersed herself in her work once more.

  The night was already well advanced when Valentina finally leaned back in satisfaction. In front of her was a complicated sketch of an Essence pattern that combined Leb and Wazzer-Essence in a complex spiral.

  "Impressive, little Weaver," Vyxara commented approvingly. "But remember, theory is one thing, practice is another. You'll have to put it to the test."

  Valentina nodded tiredly. "Tomorrow," she murmured, "tomorrow I'll try it out."

  She fell into bed exhausted, her head full of thoughts about pure, clear water and the idea of the people she could help with it.

  As she fell asleep, she thought briefly about the package from Mara and about Crispin. A slight smile flitted across her face.

  ~

  The next morning dawned, and with it Valentina's nervousness returned. She stood in front of her small mirror, combed her long brown hair, and tried to calm her slightly trembling hands.

  "Well, little Weaver," Vyxara spoke up, "today is the big day, isn't it? Are you ready to seduce your shy suitor?"

  Valentina blushed. "I'm not going to 'seduce' him," she murmured, "I'm just going to... talk to him."

  "Of course," Vyxara replied, amused. "And I'm not a demon, but a harmless butterfly."

  Valentina ignored the comment and made her way to the library. Her heart beat faster as she opened the solid oak doors and breathed in the familiar smell of old leather and parchment.

  The library was still relatively empty at this early hour. Only a few students were sitting at the long tables, engrossed in their books and notes. Valentina let her gaze wander over the rows, looking for a familiar face.

  And there he was. Crispin was sitting in a secluded corner, surrounded by piles of books. His golden curls fell into his face as he was engrossed in a thick book.

  Valentina felt her heart leap. She had to calm down. It was only Crispin. She took a deep breath and walked slowly towards him.

  "Hello Crispin," she said quietly as she reached his table.

  Crispin flinched and looked up. His eyes widened as he recognized Valentina. "V-Val! Hello!" He smiled shyly. "What are you doing here so early?"

  Valentina sat down opposite him. "Oh, I... I wanted to do a bit of research for the practical application project for the competition." She hesitated briefly. "And you?"

  Crispin blushed slightly. "The same, actually. I'm really going to try that method we talked about a while ago. You know, to extend the shelf life of food. A combination of Leb and Z?t-Essence."

  "That sounds fascinating," said Valentina, genuinely interested. She leaned forward to take a look at his notes. "How far along are you?"

  Crispin began to tell her about his ideas, his initial nervousness giving way to enthusiasm for his project. Valentina listened attentively, asked questions and made suggestions.

  Time flew by, and before they knew it, the library had come to life around them. Students streamed in, books were pulled from the shelves and the low murmur of conversation filled the air.

  "Oh," Crispin said in surprise as he looked out of the window at the position of the sun. "I didn't realize how late it was."

  Valentina nodded. It was now or never. "Crispin," she began hesitantly, "I was wondering... maybe we could study together? For the project, I mean."

  Crispin's eyes lit up. "Really? That... That would be great!" Then he hesitated. "But... are you sure? I mean, you're so much better than me. I don't want to hold you back."

  Valentina shook her head. "Nonsense. Your ideas are brilliant, Crispin. I think we could learn from each other."

  A beaming smile spread across Crispin's face. "Then... Yes, I'd love to! When would you like to start?"

  Valentina felt her heart beat faster. "How about tonight? After dinner?"

  Crispin nodded eagerly. "Perfect! We could study in my room if you like. It's a bit bigger than your room, um... well, you know."

  Valentina smiled. "That sounds good. I'm looking forward to it."

  At that moment, they heard a throat clearing behind them. They turned around and saw Matilda Ravencroft, the stern librarian, staring at them with narrowed eyes.

  "When you're done with your... chit-chat," she said in a low but sharp voice, "I would suggest that you either start working or leave the library. This is a place of quiet study, not a tavern."

  Valentina and Crispin mumbled hasty apologies and began to pack up their things. As they left the library, they giggled quietly.

  "I swear, that woman has eyes and ears everywhere," Crispin whispered.

  Valentina laughed. "Maybe that's why she always wears those high-necked dresses, so you can't see all the ears."

  "I didn't mean it like that," said Crispin, chuckling.

  They stopped in front of the library doors, suddenly shy again.

  "So," Crispin said, "then... I'll see you tonight?"

  Valentina nodded. "Yes, after dinner. I'm looking forward to it."

  They parted, each heading in a different direction to their lectures. Valentina felt her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She had done it. She had taken the first step.

  "Well done, little Weaver," Vyxara purred in her head. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

  "It was awful," Valentina murmured, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face.

  Valentina could hardly concentrate on her lectures for the rest of the day. Her thoughts kept wandering to the upcoming evening with Crispin. What would happen? What should she say? How should she behave? What would he say? Was it a stupid idea after all?

  When she finally sat down to dinner in the Great Hall, she just poked listlessly at her food. Innogen, who was sitting opposite her, watched her with a raised eyebrow.

  "Are you all right, Val?" she asked worriedly. "You look like you're about to go to the scaffold."

  Valentina winced. Was she that obvious? "I... I'm just nervous about the project," she lied.

  Innogen nodded understandingly, but Valentina could see that her friend didn't quite believe her.

  When dinner was finally over, Valentina made her way to Crispin's room. Her heart seemed to beat faster with every step. When she arrived at his door, she took another deep breath before knocking.

  "Come in!" Crispin's voice called from inside.