“Did you finally get a girlfriend, Aurelius?” Tiberius asked.

  Aurelius nearly spit out his tea.

  “Cough- Wha- Are you kidding me? What brought this on?” He responded, breaking out into a coughing feat.

  “Well, you and that senior have been hanging around quite a bit lately.” Tiberius answered, waving his fingers like a detective.

  “I do think it’s a good thing for you Aurelius. She seems rather nice.” Lucina chimed in.

  Seraphine and Aurelius met up a few times over the past 2 weeks, discussing theories and researching in the library.

  They had also been keeping an eye on the dean, worried that he would decide to report Aurelius to the Commission. Thankfully, the archmage seemed wholly uninterested in him after their meeting, with the man up to his usual antics terrorising students.

  “There is absolutely nothing between us! Don’t be ridiculous! She’s positively ancient!” Aurelius shot them down immediately. However, his words seemed rather unconvincing with how his cheeks started to flush with colour.

  “Oh come on, she’s only like 2 years older than you. You know I’m also a year older than the shithead next to me. It really isn’t too bad.” Lucina remarked casually, her eyes scrutinising the sorry excuse of a boyfriend next to her.

  Tiberius smiled widely at Aurelius proudly, folding his hands across his chest and nodding along to the girl’s comments.

  “If you’d like, I can perform some divinations for you and her! I’ve been wanting to try out some of my newer sight spells recently, and this will be perfect!” Lucina exclaimed excitedly.

  “No thank you. I’m only asking her for help with something. Just because she’s a girl doesn’t mean we’re anything like that!” Aurelius rejected the offer without hesitation.

  Lucina looked quite disappointed, reaching out to take a bite of a small pastry on her plate.

  Aurelius was being truthful here. He regarded Seraphine with a purely business-like manner. She was definitely not his type, given her terrifying extroversion, and rather callous attitude. He did however value her as a friend, and was quite grateful for her help throughout the past few weeks despite the occasional jabs in his direction.

  While their research had yet to yield anything substantial, the magical knowledge she had imparted on him was invaluable for a mage such as him. And Sylven’s help had allowed Aurelius to observe his soul with a little more clarity.

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  “By the way Aurelius, I’ve been sensing something off about your future during the last few weeks.” Lucina commented.

  Aurelius’s face fell flat, his eyes showing a hint of exhaustion. It had been quiet after that accursed Sunday. There had neither been any more spontaneous explosions nor anomalies. It worried him quite a bit, given that he was now embroiled in a matter of the divine. Couldn’t Quetzalcoatl at least have given him some sort of revelation?

  “Your fate seems… a little strange. It looks… circular. I hope that you haven’t been slacking off in your studies. I’d like to see you become an accomplished mage after all.” She continued.

  Aurelius was taken aback. His magic has been improving of late, under the guidance of a spirit like Sylven, and his mystical knowledge had improved quite a bit. His fate should be showing growth, not some sort of… stagnation.

  “That’s really quite strange… I’ll try to study a little harder. Thanks for the heads up Lucina.” Aurelius thanked her.

  That’s unless I get dragged into something thanks to Quetzalcoatl… He added internally.

  ???

  Aurelius made his way back to the Academy alone, leaving the couple to enjoy their date alone. Being a third wheel had its benefits, given that it brought out the generosity in Tiberius. He had enjoyed a nice bit of tea on Tiberius’s tab once more, unphased by his slightly resentful eyes.

  The day’s outing has been relaxing, almost giving Aurelius comfort in the possibility of having been forgotten by Quetzalcoatl. Perhaps he could live out his life to a ripe old age free from weirdness after all.

  That was the moment that the space around him suddenly wrapped. Lines appeared in his vision, as mana bound his movements.

  Wha-

  He found himself transported into a forest clearing, the overgrown grass field dotted with beautiful flowers, and the tree branches reaching out with welcoming arms.

  The forest cast a deep shadow into the mossy grounds that circled the clearing. They intermixed with the fog in majestic swirls of gray and darkness with the light breeze that flew rustled the green leaves.

  In the middle of the grass field stood a throne. It was made of old, mottled stone, gilded with gold. Vines grew in its cracks and mushrooms crowded its foundation. Yet, the throne was majestic, beautiful, pristine. It exuded an air of oppression and authority. If tyranny were to take a shape, this throne would embody the concept.

  In it sat an androgynous figure, their enchanting legs crossed with dominance. They had long flowing hair, with a clean and sharp face that extruded mystery and authority. They were dressed in the older style of mage cloak, a deep dark purple clothing embroidered with geometric symbols that exuded mana.

  The kind of complexity and aura that it exuded gave Aurelius an intense sense of danger. His intuition told him that even staring too long could potentially drive him insane.

  Their figure was perilous, ambiguous and angular. Of note were the pointed ears, delicate fingers and piercing eyes that swirled with the depths of blue of ancient oceans. Half of their pale face was supported by her index finger and thumb, displaying casual relaxation.

  Beside her knelt a singular figure. And Aurelius took no time in recognising the man.

  It was the dean, Dr. Varian.

  His staff was turned white, rather than the usual wooden brown with the texture of ivory. His head was bowed respectfully and silently.

  Aurelius felt a chill down his spine. Why was the dean here? Who was this mysterious figure?

  “I’m sure you have much questions, little one.” Boomed a delicate, alien voice, exiting from the seated figure with ease.

  Her voice made Aurelius tremble, and resonated within his heart. He felt the compulsion to kneel and bow towards the figure. A compulsion that he followed, unable to resist.

  “It’s interesting that He would return in this era and bless an urchin like you… But it messes too much with my… plans.” They continued.

  “Wh-Who are you?” Aurelius managed, his voice strained from terror.

  They burst out in beautiful laughter.

  The laugh echoed around the forest, slamming at Aurelius’s mind with each breath.

  Their smile twisted across their face in delight, the depths of their irises swirling with fervor.

  It was horrifying, haunting, disorienting.

  With each word smooth, soft, yet impossibly loud, the seated figure declared their name.

  “I am the Queen of the Fae, Dominator, Conqueror, Name-Stealer, Yohualli.”