The institute was bustling as always, with mobs of students rushing through the hallways and professors navigating among them. Neo was slow in the crowd with his hand over his forehead. He could feel the throbbing in his head growing worse by the minute—it was as if a parasite had woven its way into his skull, constantly thrashing around and slamming his thoughts into complete disarray. Neo stepped out of the crowd and toward a pillar, placing his hand on it to steady himself. Vera was walking through the crowd with a stack of books in her hands, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Neo. Vera approached him, but kept a fair distance between him and her.

  “Hey, are you okay?” She said.

  “... I’ve had better days.” Neo’s breathing was fluctuating with constant wheezing.

  “You don’t look so good. Let’s get you to the infirmary,” she said, placing her books on the ground.

  “You’re going to leave your books there?” Neo said.

  “It’s fine, my name’s in them. Here, use my arm,” Vera offered.

  Neo reached out, using her arm as support to stabilize his walking. Yadani and Nymeria were passing by. Yadani’s brows arched up, her lips forming into a devilish grin. She nudged Nymeria, tilting her head toward Neo and Vera. Nymeria’s eyes widened, covering her mouth with her hands, then glancing back toward Yadani.

  “Guess we’ll see her later, yeah?” Yadani snickered.

  “Yes, I wouldn’t want to interrupt,” Nymeria said.

  Vera helped Neo all the way to the infirmary and helped him sit on the edge of one of the beds. He took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly, putting a hand on his forehead.

  “Are you having a bad migraine?” Vera asked.

  He nodded. “But it wasn’t this bad yesterday. It’s gotten worse, way worse.”

  A woman walked toward them with her arms crossed and her gaze narrowing.

  “What is happening? The first toll is about to go off. I don’t need trouble from the headmasters because of you two.” She sighed.

  “Sorry, but Ms. Kleo, he’s not feeling very well. Is it okay for him to stay here?” Vera said.

  “Not feeling very well, or just trying to skip out on classes?” She pulled up a wooden stool and sat.

  “Yes, I don’t feel well. I feel like shit, actually. It’s mainly pain coming from my forehead.” He said.

  “I’ll be the judge of that. If I find out you’re playing some trick, you both will be going to detention,” She flipped her long, dark hair behind her, grabbing a hair clip from her coat and pinning her bangs back.

  Kleo’s dark green eyes gleamed, her fingertips ghosting with a verdant energy as she gently placed them on his forehead and closed her eyes. A few stray strands of her hair mimicked the color of her eyes, turning into a leafy color. Vera tilted her head, observing the way Kleo’s fingertips traced around his forehead as if she were searching for something. Her eyes snapped open, the sound of sizzling going off at her fingertips. Kleo’s hands were repelled away from Neo’s forehead, steam flowing off her fingers.

  “What in the stars?” She felt her stomach twist, her gaze trembling for a moment.

  “Boy, what’s your name?” She asked.

  “Neo,” he replied.

  “Oh, why didn’t you come sooner? This is not like anything I’ve ever seen before. There’s something in your head, I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t look good.”

  Kleo scooted closer, placing two fingers on the side of his head and shutting her eyes. Soon after, the sizzling came back and repulsed her hand away with an intensifying scorch. Kleo sighed, her forehead dampening with sweat.

  “Vera, nothing’s wrong with you, so head on over to class,” Kleo said.

  “All right, okay. I hope you get better soon, Neo,” Vera left the infirmary.

  Walking back out to the hallways, she went to the spot where she left her books. They were gone.

  “Are you kidding?...” She put her hands on her head.

  Xena walked to the dining hall in the manor. The knights were sitting, helping themselves to freshly baked bread, fruits, and an assortment of different cheeses. Their eyes glanced at Xena, then back at their food.

  “You look different, captain.” A knight said, brushing his dark hair aside.

  “Yes, I know many of you are not used to seeing me like this, but this is what it is for now,” she said.

  A servant approached and said,

  “Xena, someone’s here to see you—they’re out in the lobby.”

  “Oh, he must be here,” Xena left the dining hall.

  When she made it to the main lobby, a caramel-toned young man was standing near the doors with a long case in one hand and a bag in the other. His garbs were dirtied, and his plated apron was worn out. Underneath, his garments were dirtied with black stains and covered in dust.

  “You’re Adam’s apprentice, aren’t you? Looks like he’s working you hard,” Xena said.

  “Oh, you bet, he’s working me to the bone. My name’s Somnus, I’m really glad to have helped in making your new armor and sword,” He grinned.

  “I’d shake your hand, but I’m sure you wouldn’t want my germs on you,” He chuckled.

  “Oh, no, don’t be so. Shaking hands is a formal greeting and a sign of respect. It would be rude to refuse you that commodity,” Xena reached out.

  “Thanks for that. I thought you were going to be all mean and… Well, yeah, mean,” He chuckled, resting down the bag and shaking her hand.

  Somnus’s hands were calloused with scarring all over the back of them. After a firm shake, Xena let go of his hand.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Okay, let me show you,” Somnus squatted, setting the long case on the ground.

  He undid the clasps and opened it, revealing a black sheathed falchion.

  “When Adam got your message for a new weapon, he started giggling like a baby. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that cranky old man any happier,” Somnus grinned, his brown eyes watching Xena.

  She grabbed the sword, shifting it around in her grip and inspecting the sheath with a faint smile.

  “I can only imagine how much effort he’s put into making this for me. Please, tell him I’m very grateful,” Xena unsheathed it, her eyes trailing along the blade until getting to the single-edged, convex of it.

  “A little gift from me is that your sword is compatible with any incantation and reacts uniquely to specific ones. Also, your new armor’s in this bag, and since it’s getting colder, we threw in something extra for you.” Somnus handed her the bag.

  “Something extra for me? Oh, you and Adam are too generous,” Xena sheathed the sword and took the bag.

  “I wish nothing but safety for you on your trip to Hirmzin. All right, that’s it from me, have a good rest of your day.” Somnus turned to leave, the morning sun beaming through the manor’s windows and shining down on his brown hair.

  Xena smirked, turning on her heel toward the grand foyer staircase.

  Echthron stood in the middle of the courtyard, hands folded behind his back, eyes sweeping around him. Reyla held her metal staff, a slight tremble in her fingers. Yvette set her footing, holding her rapier, eyes marking Echthron. Rai had his hand wrapped around the handle of his katana, ready to pounce on any movement from Echthron. On his flank was Agthar, his hands were getting restless at his sides, his tail twitching from side to side while his ears flattened. Carmine was bouncing in place, her flames raging to burst out from beneath her soles from the anticipation.

  “Go!” Echthron shouted, his voice echoing across the courtyard.

  They all charged in at once. Agthar slammed his palm directly against the ground, a layering wave of stone-formed spikes rushing at Echthron from behind. A short burst of violent winds dismantled the wave of spikes, turning them into dust drifting around in the atmosphere. Echthron focused his attention on the frontal assault from Yvette, Rai, and Carmine. Yvette’s hand streaked through the air, her rapier closing in on Echthron’s chest. He evaded Yvette’s strike, but then came a downwards arching slash from Rai on his left. Echthron raised his arm. Rai’s blade made contact with his skin, but he felt a tempest-like surge of force parry his attack, knocking his arms all the way back, while he also lost his footing. Echthron immediately capitalized, stepping forward and palming him in the chest. On impact, Rai went flying across the courtyard, a harrowing wind whistling him away. Echthron went to pivot, but rocks had formed like crystals on his leg, slowly making their way up to his hips. Yvette rushed in with Carmine. Echthron broke free of the rocks while Carmine jumped up and twisted her torso, barreling into a spin kick to his face. Echthron guarded against the kick, the sound of a pounding impact echoing through the courtyard. Yvette slipped beneath Carmine’s airborne state, thrusting her rapier at the side of his abdomen. Echthron’s finger coated in silver energy, while he redirected the tip of Yvette’s rapier, then grabbed her wrist and threw her into Carmine, who was still recovering from her previous attack. Agthar left Echthron no room to breathe, the winds parting from an approaching bare-knuckle strike. Echthron dodged, circling to Agthar’s side in one fluid motion, and swept the back of his feet, his muscles giving out, forcing him to collapse on his back. Reyla darted in, jumping off the ground and flying into a drop kick. Echthron guarded while Reyla kicked off his arms, flipping backwards mid-air, landing near Agthar and placing her hand on his chest, pouring mana straight into him. Yvette streamed back in, but Echthron put his palm out, shooting a direct blast of wind at her. Yvette flew back, tumbling on the ground before rolling up to a crouching position. Rai zipped toward Echthron through Agthar and Carmine, knocking them out of his way. Carmine tripped off balance, falling to her hands and knees. Agthar staggered to the side, his ears flattening and gaze narrowing.

  “Hey, what the hell’s your problem!” Carmine shouted.

  Rai’s katana was drowning in golden lightning, his eyes glaring at Echthron’s while he swung his blade through the air. Echthron stopped the slashing motion with a finger, silver mana surrounding the tip of it. Rai’s blade repelled out of his hands from a sharp hiss of wind. Echthron’s fist struck him in the stomach, inches deep. The wind was knocked out of Rai, and he crumbled to his knees, drool escaping from the corner of his lips while he wheezed profusely. Echthron walked past, Rai clutching his stomach and forcibly coughing.

  Yvette held her free hand out, creating a small cyclone of wind in her hand. She launched it forward, and Carmine picked herself off the ground, swinging her leg back, then kicking forward, shooting a blast of flames at the cyclone. Flame met wind, and what prospered was a flaming tornado that continued to grow tremendously in size. Echthron folded his hands behind his back, staring at the twisting tornado of inferno. He unfolded one arm, taking one finger, and swirling it in the opposite direction of the tornado, dispelling the vortex of flames and conquering the winds as his own. He then directed the currents throughout the area, blasting every one of them throughout the courtyard with immense pressure—rifts spider-webbed across the entire expanse until Echthron clenched his fist, regulating the winds. Reyla landed hard on her side, and Yvette skidded all the way back, the soles of her boots falling out. Rai slammed against the courtyard walls, falling to the ground and shifting around in pain. Agthar was caught by a wall of his own stones.

  “Damn it… Agh!” Rai groaned out.

  Yvette panted, sitting down and resting her rapier beside her. Agthar dropped to one knee, taking a long breath. Reyla began to sit up, looking over at Echthron, who was walking toward them.

  “That’s all for today.” He said, his voice reverberating throughout the spacious courtyard.

  Agthar sniffed the air, smelling the acrid scent of smoke, then his ears perked toward the sound of rustling. He turned his head, watching Carmine’s fingers dig into the ground with sparking flames as she anchored herself to stand.

  Echthron folded his arms behind his back.

  “I admire your determination to keep going. But you should rest, Carmine. If you burn through your reserves, you will die.” He said.

  “So, what?... We haven’t even landed an actual hit on you. That’s just too painful for me to end this session on,” Carmine said.

  “COME ON, EVERYONE!...” She shouted at the top of her lungs, then began panting.

  “You all don’t think we can keep the kingdom safe like this, right? Right??” Sweat beaded down her forehead, and she began to grow lightheaded, flames spiraling around her hand.

  “I can’t mess this up… I can’t. I can’t…” Her last embers burned out, and she collapsed on her side.

  Reyla felt a sharp pain in her arm while trying to stand. She ignored it and rushed over to Carmine, with mana brimming at her fingertips.

  “You damned, moron…” Reyla sat beside her, turning Carmine onto her back, placing her hands on her abdomen.

  Reyla sat for minutes, keeping her hands over Carmine’s stomach, pushing countless streams of mana into her body.