Darkness.
Then pain.
Then consciousness, slow and reluctant.
I opened my eyes to white ceiling tiles and the smell of antiseptic. The infirmary. Bandages wrapped around my shoulder, my side, my hands. Everything ached.
"You're awake."
I turned my head, carefully, everything hurt, to see a healer sitting beside my bed. Elderly woman with sharp eyes and a disapproving expression.
"You lost a lot of blood," she said. "Someone brought you in last night. Dropped you at the door and left. Lucky they did, or you might have died."
"Who brought me?"
"Didn't see them. Just found you on the doorstep." She stood, checked my bandages with practiced efficiency. "You'll live. The wounds weren't as deep as they looked. You're lucky."
Lucky. Right.
"You're awake," Asura's voice in my head. She sounded... different. More present. "About time."
What happened?
"You passed out from blood loss in your room. Very dramatic. Very stupid."
How did I get to the infirmary?
A pause. Then, almost sheepishly: "I may have... tried to steal your body, while you were unconscious."
You what?
"You were dying! What was I supposed to do, let you bleed out? I took control while you were unconscious and brought you here."
You tried to possess me again.
"I tried to SAVE you. There's a difference. And for your information, it didn't work out the way I planned."
What do you mean?
"Your mana was completely depleted. Your channels were damaged from the sudden surge of dark power during the fight. I couldn't use magic, couldn't heal you, could barely walk without stumbling. Your body was useless." She sounded genuinely frustrated. "I wanted to keep it, obviously. But what's the point of stealing a body that doesn't have any mana? So I dragged your sorry ass to the infirmary and waited for you to wake up so I could give it back."
How generous of you.
"I thought so. You're welcome, by the way. For saving your life."
The healer finished her examination. "Rest for today. You can return to your dorm tomorrow. And try not to get stabbed again. I'm not running a hotel."
"Understood."
She left. I lay there, processing.
Asura had taken over my body while I was unconscious. But couldn't maintain control because I'd burned through all my mana. She'd saved my life out of necessity a dead host was useless to her.
"Exactly. So stop being dramatic about it. I saved you. You're alive. Everyone wins."
You still tried to steal my body.
"And you overpowered me the moment you woke up. Barely any effort. Your consciousness just... shoved me aside." She sounded impressed despite herself. "Your willpower is irritatingly strong."
Good.
I was released the next morning. Bandaged, sore, but functional.
The walk back to Stone Dorm was... different.
Students stared. Whispered. Pointed.
"That's him."
"He attacked Theodore Valemont..."
"—nearly beat him to death—"
The whispers split into camps.
Some called me weird. A psychopath. Dangerous.
Others said Theodore had it coming. That he'd been terrorizing students for too long. That someone finally stood up to him.
I was getting attention. The exact opposite of what I wanted.
"Aldric Ashford, right?" A third-year I didn't know stopped me in the hallway. "That was brutal, man. Theodore's face was swollen for days. Respect."
"I... thanks?"
"Just saying, some of us are glad someone finally did it. Guy's a menace." He walked away before I could respond.
More stares. More whispers. More attention.
This was bad. I needed to be invisible. Needed to be forgettable.
Instead, I'd become infamous.
"You're famous now," Asura said cheerfully. "Everyone knows your name. Isn't that nice?"
It's terrible.
"Look on the bright side, Theodore's people won't mess with you anymore. They're scared."
Everyone's scared. That's the problem.
I reached my dorm room, fumbled with the key, opened the door.
And stopped dead.
Two people were in my room.
Maya, floating near the window, not really surprising though. She waved cheerfully when she saw me.
The other person was not expected.
Asura stood, actually stood, physically in the middle of my room. But not her six-inch chibi form.
She looked like a ten-year-old child. Maybe four and a half feet tall. Her white hair fell to her waist, long and straight, hiding her pointed ears. Her red eyes were the same, her fangs still visible when she smiled. She wore a simple black dress not the crop top and skirt, something more "age-appropriate."
And she was solid. Physical. Real.
"Surprise!" she said, spreading her arms. "I have a body now! Well, sort of. Temporary body. Physical manifestation. It's complicated."
I closed the door behind me, locked it. "Explain."
"When you used my power during the fight, as per our contract, some of my lost power has returned. Enough to manifest physically instead of just as a tiny projection." She did a little spin. "I'm physical now! I can touch things! I can..." She grabbed a pastry from my desk, took a huge bite. "...eat! Gods, I missed eating!"
Food tasted better in this her pseudo physical body.
"So you're like how old... ten?"
"Physically? Yeah, about that. My full adult form would require way more power than you can currently provide. But this is better than being six inches tall." She plopped down on my bed. "And because I'm physical now, I need to eat and sleep like every living thing. Which means..."
"You're living here," I finished. "In my room."
"Yep! We're roommates now! Isn't that exciting?"
"That's... that's against the rules. Students aren't allowed to have other people living in their rooms, unless assigned by the school."
"I'm not 'other people.' I'm a demon bound to your soul. Totally different." She took another bite of pastry. "Besides, who's going to tell? Everyone thinks you talk to yourself anyway. If they see me, they'll just think you found an orphan or something."
"They'll think I'm harboring a child in my dorm room. That's worse!"
"Details." She waved dismissively.
Maya floated over, laughing. "I like her. She's fun."
"You two are friends now?" I asked.
"She's surprisingly chill for a vengeful spirit!" Asura declared. "We bonded over pastries. Apparently spirits can experience sensations like taste and touch through memory, so I eat and then share the memory of the taste with her. I even taught her some tricks. Did you know she can do telekinesis now? Watch this Maya, the book."
Maya concentrated. A book on my desk lifted into the air, floated across the room.
"Telekinesis," I repeated. "You learned telekinesis."
"All spiritual beings can do it," Maya explained. "It's basic. Asura taught me in like ten minutes. Turns out being dead comes with perks."
"Great. Wonderful. My ghost friend and demon companion are now allies with supernatural powers." I sat on my bed, head in my hands. "This is fine. Everything is fine."
"It really is!" Asura said cheerfully. "Oh, and we're sharing the bed."
I looked up. "What?"
"The bed. We're sharing. I need to sleep now that I'm physical, and the floor is uncomfortable, so...."
"Hell no. I refuse to share a bed with a demon. You sleep on the floor."
"The floor is hard and cold and I'm physically a child now. You can't make a child sleep on the floor. That's cruel."
"You're a god damn demon."
"In a child's body. Which makes you the adult. And adults don't make children sleep on floors." She crossed her arms. "I'm sleeping in the bed."
"Then I'll sleep on the floor."
"That's stupid. The bed is big enough for both of us."
"No."
"Yes."
We stared at each other.
"Rock, paper, scissors," Asura said finally. "Winner gets the bed."
"Fine."
We played. I threw rock. She threw rock.
Tie.
We played again. Paper. Both of us.
Tie.
Again. Scissors. Both of us.
"Stop reading my mind!" I said.
"You stop reading mine!"
"I can't help it! We're soul-bound!"
"Then we have a problem!"
Ten rounds later, all ties, we gave up.
"This is ridiculous," I said.
"Agreed." Asura climbed onto the bed, claimed the side near the wall. "We're sharing. Deal with it. It's not weird. I look ten years old. It's like having a little sister."
"A little sister.... that is a demon."
"Details." She patted the other side of the bed. "Come on. We both need sleep. Just put a pillow between us if you're that worried."
Maya was laughing so hard she was flickering. "You two are hilarious. This is the best thing that's happened since I died."
"Glad someone's enjoying this," I muttered.
But I was too tired to argue. I lay down on my side of the bed, as far from Asura as possible.
She was already asleep, curled up with a pastry still in her hand.
Maya floated near the ceiling, practicing her telekinesis with various objects.
My life had become completely insane.
A demon roommate. A ghost friend. Attention I didn't want. Enemies I couldn't avoid.
And somehow, this was still better than the isolation of the past year.
I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.
The summons came the next morning.
A formal notice slipped under my door.
Aldric Ashford is required to appear before the Student Council at 2 PM today. Mandatory attendance. Failure to appear will result in automatic expulsion.
"Well," Asura said, reading over my shoulder, she was surprisingly tall for a ten-year-old. "That's ominous."
"I'm going to be expelled."
"Probably."
"Or suspended."
"Likely."
"Or worse."
"What's worse than expulsion?"
"I don't know. But I'm sure they'll find something."
At 1:55 PM, I stood outside the Student Council chambers. Large ornate doors. Guards flanking them. The kind of official that screamed "you're in serious trouble."
The doors opened at exactly 2:00.
"Aldric Ashford," one guard said. "The Council will see you now."
I walked in.
The Council chamber was impressive. High ceilings, expensive furniture, a long table where five students sat. The Principal sat at a higher platform. He didn't say anything, he was just there to oversee.
Lucas Hartwell at the center, Student Council President. Tall, commanding, looking every bit the leader. He met my eyes neutrally.
Sera to his right Vice President, apparently. Her expression was.... professional. She wouldn't look directly at me.
Three others I didn't recognize. Ministers or representatives of some kind.
And standing to the side, bandaged but present Theodore Valemont. His face was still swollen. His arm in a sling. He looked smug.
"Aldric Ashford," Lucas said formally. "You've been summoned to answer charges of assault against a fellow student. Theodore Valemont has accused you of unprovoked attack resulting in serious injury. How do you plead?"
I could lie. Could claim self-defense. Could make excuses.
But what was the point?
"Guilty," I said. "I attacked him. Injured him. Did everything he's accusing me of."
Murmurs from the Council members. Even Lucas looked surprised.
"You're admitting to it?" Sera asked. "Just like that?"
"Yes."
"No defense? No explanation?"
"Would it matter?"
She looked away.
"The recommended punishment for assault of this severity," one of the other Council members said, reading from a document, "is immediate expulsion. However, given the circumstances...."
"I'd like to speak," Theodore interrupted.
Lucas nodded. "Go ahead."
Theodore stepped forward, every movement calculated. "While I was initially prepared to press full charges, I've had time to reflect. Aldric attacked me, yes. Injured me, yes. But..." He paused dramatically. "I may have provoked him."
What.
"I may have been too harsh in my words. Too aggressive in my approach. While his response was inappropriate, I can understand why someone of his... limited experience might react poorly to pressure." Theodore's smile was poisonous. "So I'm willing to drop all charges. On one condition."
Here it comes.
"Aldric Ashford will acknowledge my authority. Will accept that his actions were wrong. And will agree to not interfere with my future endeavors at this Academy." Theodore looked directly at me. "Accept these terms, and I'll advocate for leniency. Refuse, and I'll push for maximum punishment."
The room was silent.
He was offering me an out. But at the cost of submission. Of acknowledging his power over me. Of agreeing to look the other way while he continued doing whatever he wanted.
Just like Maya. Submit or suffer.
Before I could respond, Lucas spoke.
"That's not necessary, Theodore. The Council will determine appropriate punishment based on facts, not on your personal terms."
"But President..."
"I said it's not necessary." Lucas's voice was firm. "Aldric will answer to the Council, not to you." He turned to me. "I've reviewed witness statements. Multiple students report that Theodore and his associates followed you to an isolated training room. That Theodore made threats. That his guards blocked the exit. While you struck first, the circumstances suggest this wasn't unprovoked."
Sera stiffened. "Lucas, that's not...."
"I'm not excusing violence," Lucas continued. "But I'm also not ignoring context. Theodore has a documented history of intimidating students. Multiple complaints have been filed. And yet he faces no consequences." His ice-blue eyes moved to Theodore. "Why is that?"
"I'm a Valemont. First Prince's...."
"Your family name doesn't grant immunity from Academy rules." Lucas's voice was steel. "If anything, it should hold you to higher standards."
The room shifted. Theodore looked shocked. The other Council members looked uncomfortable.
Sera opened her mouth, closed it. Looked between Lucas and Theodore.
"My recommendation," Lucas said, addressing the full Council, "is that Aldric Ashford receives a severe warning. Documentation in his file. Mandatory anger management counseling. But not expulsion. And that Theodore Valemont also receives documentation for his pattern of intimidation."
"You can't...." Theodore started.
"I can. I'm Student Council President. This is my authority." Lucas looked at the other Council members. "Unless anyone wants to challenge that?"
Silence.
Sera looked torn. Conflicted. But she didn't speak.
"Then it's decided," Lucas said. "Aldric, you're receiving an official warning. One more incident of violence and you will be expelled. Understood?"
"Understood."
"And Theodore, you're receiving a formal notice of concerning behavior. Future complaints will be investigated thoroughly, regardless of your family connections."
Theodore's face went red. "This is unacceptable. My father...."
"Can take it up with the Headmaster if he wishes. But in this Academy, under student governance, we follow the rules equally." Lucas stood. "This hearing is concluded. Everyone is dismissed."
I walked out in a daze.
Severe warning. Not expulsion. Not even suspension.
Theodore emerged behind me, fury radiating from him.
"This isn't over," he hissed. "You think Lucas protecting you changes anything? I'll make sure you see things my way..."
"Theodore." Lucas's voice, quiet but absolute. "Leave. Now."
Theodore left, but the look he gave me promised violence.
I stood in the hallway, processing what just happened.
"Aldric."
I turned. Lucas stood there, alone. Sera had gone the other direction.
"Thank you," I said. "For... for defending me."
"I didn't do it for you." His voice was neutral. "I did it because Theodore Valemont has been abusing his power for too long. Someone needed to check him. You just happened to be the catalyst."
"Still. You could have let me get expelled."
"You attacked someone. That was wrong. But I've seen Theodore's pattern. I know what he does to students he perceives as weak." Lucas studied me. "I don't know your full story. Don't know why you attacked him. But I know you're not the monster Sera thinks you are."
"She hates me."
"She's conflicted. You hurt her, two years ago. Then today, she sees you nearly kill someone. It's... complicated for her." He paused. "But I wanted to ask do you remember me?"
"Yes."
"From the duel. Two years ago. You challenged me at that banquet."
"I remember."
"You were different then. Desperate. Clearly dealing with something." His eyes were perceptive, seeing too much. "You're still dealing with it. Whatever it is. But you're trying to be better. I can see that."
"You're giving me too much credit."
He turned to leave. "The offer I made before still stands. If you need help, reach out. That's what the Council is for. Even if you did just get sanctioned by us."
He left.
I stood there, alone in the hallway.
Theodore hated me more than ever.
Sera thought I was a violent bully.
But Lucas had saved me from expulsion. Stood up to a Prince's grandson. Defended me despite barely knowing me.
I didn't deserve it.
But I was grateful anyway.
Back in my dorm room, Asura and Maya were waiting.
"So?" Asura asked. "Expelled?"
"Severe warning. One more incident and I'm gone."
"Could be worse."
"Much worse." I collapsed on the bed. "Theodore's furious. He'll come after me again."
"Let him try," Asura said darkly. "Now that I have a real body, I can actually help. Well, sort of. My combat abilities are limited in this form. But still."
"You can't help. If anyone sees you...."
"I know, I know. I have to stay hidden. Student regulations. No unauthorized persons in dorms. If people find out you're harboring a child in your room, they'll assume you're a loli con." She made a face. "Stupid rules."
"The rules exist for good reasons."
"Still stupid." She grabbed another pastry. "So what now?"
"Now I keep my head down. Avoid Theodore. Survive until the evaluation."
"Boring."
"Safe."
"Still boring."
Maya floated down between us. "I think you did the right thing. Theodore needed someone to stand up to him. Even if it caused problems."
"Thank you, Maya."
"Though maybe next time, don't almost kill him? That seems to cause complications."
"Noted."
Asura yawned. "I'm sleeping. Wake me for dinner."
She curled up on her side of the bed, asleep within seconds.
Maya settled into her corner, practicing telekinesis with random objects.
I lay there, staring at the ceiling.
One fight. One moment of rage. And everything had changed.
I had attention now. Enemies. Lucas's protection. Sera's contempt.
A demon roommate who looked ten years old.
A ghost friend who could move things with her mind.
And Theodore Valemont, somewhere out there, plotting revenge.
This was going to get worse before it got better.
But for the first time since arriving at the Academy, I didn't feel alone.
That had to count for something.
I closed my eyes and tried to believe it.