Chapter 18
[Embercrown 27th (8/27), Year 1356 of the Arcane Calendar]
| 5:48 AM |
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[ Bristol city, Clifton district ]
Waking up, I pushed the sheets off my body and dragged myself toward the washroom to answer nature's call. Just then, a familiar voice rang out through the house.
"Master Liam! Are you up? I need you to fetch some groceries down the street. Charles is already out picking up the things, but I forgot to mention some; the shops should be open by six."
"Go wash up—I've made your morning shake."This time, it was Mom calling me. Her tone was the same as always: stern, but with that underlying warmth that never failed to slip through.
"Okay, Mom. And Anna, I'm awake," I called back.
Glancing at Kyzen, I noticed he was still deep in sleep. Of course, Anna wouldn't wake him—her precious young master needed his rest. I smirked to myself. I'll wake him when I come back, I decided.
After brushing my teeth and taking a quick bath, I called out, "Mom, did you take your medicine? And where's the shake?"
"I left it near the washbasin. And bring me the medicine from the bedroom drawer while you're at it," she replied.
When I slipped into my parents' room, Dad was still snoring away. His golden hair was a mess, his arm dangling off the bed like a dead weight. Better not wake him… he's even worse in the mornings than I am, I thought, shaking my head with a faint smile. I quietly grabbed the medicine box and padded back out.
"Here, Mom. Want some water with these?"
She waved me off. "No, no. I'll conjure some. The only reason we even keep that magic-engineered dispenser is for your father. Or did you forget I'm a master mage?"
I smirked, knowing exactly where this was going. "Yes, Mom. The greatest mage ever, obviously."
"Obviously?" She raised a sharp eyebrow at me. "Do you want a beating?"
"No, no!" I threw my hands up in surrender, grinning. "The shake was amazing, thanks! I'm heading out now—bye!"
As I was slipping on my shoes by the door, Anna appeared, neat as always, with her apron folded at her waist, her hair tied back properly. She handed me a small cloth bag with a careful smile. "For the groceries, Master Liam. Don't forget what Madam listed."
"Thanks, Anna," I said, adjusting the strap.
I bolted for the door but froze mid-step. A thought struck me. "Ah—damn it! Mom, wake Kyzen up! We still have to buy those materials and books today. Tell him to get ready—if we go later, the shop'll be packed!"
"Alright, stay safe!" Mom's voice followed me out.
The morning air greeted me the moment I stepped outside—crisp, sharp, and bracing. My breath misted faintly in front of me. "Nothing beats fresh air in the early morning… though it is freezing." I tugged my collar higher.
"Better make this errand quick; cold air isn't kind to us elves and our giant ears. Should've brought earmuffs…"
Pausing for a few seconds, I frowned as a foreign sensation settled in. "Hmm… strange. My soul sphere… it feels abnormal."
"Oliver," he continued, tone sharpening, "he has something like a sixth sense…"
Yeah, very funny.
Cornelius's voice shifted—serious yet laced with a playful edge. "Cancel the skill."
The world around me shattered into drifting dust, dissolving into nothing.
In the next breath, I stood within my soul sphere—an endless void, darkness stretching in every direction, deeper than sight could reach.
Cornelius continued, "This is good enough for now," he replied seriously. "Honestly, I expected it to take months… but just seven. In only seven days, you've managed to learn how to use it to an extent."
I smirked. "Well, what can I say? I'm an artistic genius.
"And most artists are a 'Jack of all trades."
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The air was still crisp, and the roads weren't too crowded yet, which made the walk surprisingly peaceful. By the time we reached the meeting spot, Cale and Lyanna were already waiting for us.
"Morning," I greeted casually.
Lyanna immediately crossed her arms, giving me a pointed look. "You guys made us wait ten minutes."
I raised a hand in mock defense. "Hey, at least I showed up this time, right?"
Cale tilted his head, his expression softer. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine now," I replied. "Just some lingering side effects—got tired after the ball and all the traveling".
Also, practicing that skill every night didn't help either. Mentally and spiritually drained me for the whole week, so I spent the first four days just… lazing around Liam's house in the evenings. The rest of the week was fine once I got used to it.
I stretched my arms with a groan. "Honestly, that wagon ride did more damage to my back than anything else… makes me miss Dad's car."
Lyanna blinked, curiosity lighting her face. "Hmm? What's a car? Is it another type of vehicle?"
Liam chuckled under his breath. "Kyzen always says weird things like that. Probably read it in some book from the far west across the sea."
I hesitated, then shrugged. "Something like that." No point in trying to explain.
"Anyway," Cale cut in, clapping his hands together, "let's focus on getting our supplies before the real rush starts."
"Good idea," I agreed.
Lyanna's practicality took over, as usual. "We should split up. That way, we can cover more ground and finish faster."
Liam nodded. "Yeah. Lyanna and I will head to the potion shop for the alchemy supplies."
"Then Kyzen and I will handle the books and enchantment materials," Cale added.
I glanced at Liam, who gave me a small nod of approval.
"Sounds like a plan," I said.
"Let's meet back at the main square in an hour," Lyanna instructed. With that, we split into two groups, heading in opposite directions into the bustling marketplace.
The market was alive with energy—a vibrant pulse of life. Merchants shouted prices, children darted between stalls, and the air was thick with the smell of roasted nuts, parchment, and incense.
I turned to Cale. "Where can we find the best-quality books and enchantment materials?"
Cale rubbed his chin, thoughtful. "If it's books you want, Elder Varn's shop is our best bet. He carries rare tomes, but he'll squeeze your purse dry for them."
I nodded. "And enchantment materials?"
"There's a stall near the artisan district," Cale replied."Merwin runs it. Sources straight from Zyvaris' enchanters. His prices are fair—and he doesn't scam like half the crooks in this city."
"Sounds good. Let's start with the books," I said, adjusting the wallet in my pocket.
Carrying too much cash was risky, so I only brought five sterling notes and a few shill.
Two sterling—about 240 £—would cover the bare minimum I needed for books. And if I needed more study materials, the academy library would always be an option.
As we weaved through the crowd, I filled him in. "Runic Mastery & Applied Inscription is my main specialization. Electives are Illusions & Divination, Advanced Weapon Mastery, and Magical Engineering."
Cale let out a low whistle. "Illusions, huh? Planning on messing with people's heads now?"
I smirked. "You say that like I don't already."
"Fair enough." He rolled his eyes. "But Magical Engineering—that's a big one. You planning to make your own enchanted weapons?"
"Something like that. Figured it'd work well with Weapon Mastery."
Cale grinned. "You're turning into a scholar, huh? Maybe I should start calling you Professor Kyzen."
I snorted. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
We finally reached Elder Varn's shop, a squat, dimly lit building. Shelves bowed under the weight of tomes and scrolls, the air thick with the smell of aged parchment and dust.
"Alright," I said, pushing the door shut behind us. "Let's find what we need."
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The shopping went smoothly. I picked up the recommended books for students, along with a few extras for each course, based on the professors' suggestions.
I also added a few volumes by Gearspell—a pen name that had become a sensation in just three years.
His works, especially on magical engineering, were praised for their clarity and insight. Kyzen had always used them as reference material.
When we met up at the agreed time, I smirked as I spotted Liam. "Looks like someone enjoyed this errand a little too much."
Liam, walking beside Lyanna, immediately stiffened. "W-What? I was just getting the supplies."
Cale snickered, draping an arm over my shoulder. "Oh yeah, sure. You looked way too happy for just a simple errand. What, did the shopkeeper give you a discount or something?"
Lyanna raised a brow. "Am I missing something?" she asked.
"Why wouldn't he enjoy it? We got everything quickly, and the potion shop was well-stocked. Honestly, it was more efficient than I expected."
Liam coughed into his hand, trying to play it cool, but the tips of his ears gave him away—bright red.
I sighed internally. Seriously, Liam? You can outlast an academy combat instructor in a spar, but you can't handle Lyanna casually agreeing with you?
Cale grinned, nudging him. "Right, super-efficient. And totally unrelated to a certain someone's company, huh?"
"Drop it," Liam growled, shooting him a glare.
Lyanna just rolled her eyes. "You guys are acting weird again."
I shook my head, watching Liam sneak another glance at her when he thought no one was looking. Maybe I should just tell her outright—' Hey, Lyanna, Liam likes you'—it's getting actually getting painful to watch.
The rest of the day passed by fast, spent roaming the town and making the most of our time before the new academic year began.
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The day before the semester began, Liam and I set off for the academy together in the carriage I had arranged. It was located on the outskirts of the The four-hour ride gave us plenty of time to talk and strategize for the year ahead.
This world lacked the convenience of modern telecommunication—no phones, no instant messages, nothing that could connect people quickly over distance. Communication here was slower, reliant on letters, couriers, or magical substitutes that were expensive and limited.
Nobles weren't allowed to bring servants, claiming students had to handle everything themselves. Anna and Charles stayed behind to help liam family, so this time she wasn't with me.
There were devices somewhat like a fax machine, transmitting written messages across long distances, but I had no clue how they functioned. Maybe once I advanced in Magical Engineering, I'd unravel their workings.
As the academy's distant spires finally came into view, I found myself studying Liam. With just the two of us traveling, the quiet gave me time to reflect.
Liam's elven heritage showed in his pointed ears and sharp features that made him stand out. He was a bit taller than me, with black hair and red eyes that gave him a serious edge.
I must've stared too long, because he shot me a weird look.
"Hey, I get that I'm pleasant to look at, but stop. It's creepy."
I smirked. "You wouldn't be complaining if I were Lyanna, would you?"
His face flushed as he quickly looked away.
After arriving at the student carriage drop-off area, Liam and I stepped out. With our bags in hand, we started toward the boys' dormitory.
"Life would be easier if we could use magic for daily tasks," I muttered, stopping at the Enforcement Board's notice. A thick red cross was painted across the parchment, the words almost unnecessary:
MAGICAL CONVENIENCE PROHIBITED – SECTION 3A.
My sigh fogged the glass covering the posting, then faded into the noise of returning students.
The yard was wide, paved with warm cobblestones. Tall stone arches stood along its edges, their carvings glowing faintly with old runes that still held power.
Beyond them, the main campus towered above everything—a dark stone fortress with spires that rose like spears into the clouds, each crowned with steady mage-lights that shone even in the day.
Students moved all around us, their voices loud, their trunks clattering against the stone. The hum of footsteps filled the air, alive with the restless energy of another year beginning.
On the way, we met some classmates who offered to carry our bags, turning the walk into a cheerful reunion. We traded stories from the holidays, laughing and groaning at each other's misfortunes.
The path bent through a grove of tall silver-leaved trees, their branches glittering in the light like scattered starlight. Above us, translucent birds circled slowly, their wings throwing flashes of blue and gold. For a moment, it felt less like a campus and more like a place where magic and nature lived side by side.
At last, the dormitories came into view.
We stopped at the housekeeper's office first to collect our keys, which we always returned before leaving for the holidays, and then walked to the main building.
The boys' dormitory rose tall and solid, its stone front carved with dragons and beasts that seemed to guard the entrance. The walls looked old but unshaken, a quiet promise of both shelter and discipline.
Inside, the air cooled at once. The scent of polished wood and old parchment lingered, and light spilled gently through tall windows where dust motes drifted like sparks caught in amber.
Liam and I weren't roommates, so before splitting, we agreed to meet again at lunch. After a quick wave, he headed off with a couple of friends who had helped carry his bags.
I had help too—two boys from our class, along with a senior, who took some of my heavier loads and now followed me down the hall, joking lightly until we reached my room.
When I opened the door, I found it already prepared. The bed was tightly made, the desk cleared and shining, and the faint smell of soap lingered in the corners.
I nodded in approval. "They did a good job setting it up," I muttered. Afternoon light streamed through the wide window, casting long shadows across the floor. From here, I could see the training fields outside, where students roamed in groups, their distant voices muffled by the glass.
I directed my friends to place my luggage beside the bed in the right corner, near the study desk. The room wasn't grand—just simple and comfortable. In a way, it reminded me of my old room. After thanking them, I stretched before settling down to unpack, sorting through my belongings for the year ahead.
Mainly done with unpacking, I finally sank into the chair and checked my pocket watch—2:13 PM. Still some time before lunch. The room was quiet, almost too quiet, the kind of silence that pressed against the ears. Without a roommate, it felt emptier than I expected… colder too, as if the sunlight couldn't quite reach inside.
I slid open the desk drawer, meaning to put away a few books. My hand froze.
Inside sat a small box, wrapped in black with a red ribbon tied neatly around it.
At first glance, it looked ordinary—like something left behind by mistake. But the longer I stared, the less ordinary it felt.
A gift?.