"You know what's strange?" I said to Magnus as we walked between classes.
"That you sleep in the same bed with your ten year old sister? That you're keeping said sister hidden in your dorm? That your reputation somehow gets worse every week despite actively trying to keep a low profile?"
"Besides all that."
"What then?"
"I haven't heard from Theodore in weeks."
Magnus's expression became cautious. We'd been walking confidently lately our partnership had that effect, made us both feel less isolated, but at the mention of Theodore, he tensed.
"Maybe he's moved on?" he suggested without conviction. "Decided you're not worth the effort?"
"He hasn't moved on," Asura's voice in my head. "People like Theodore don't move on. He's probably coming up with new ways to torment you."
I know.
"So why bring it up?"
Because it's been too quiet. And quiet from someone like Theodore is more terrifying than active hostility.
"You're right to be worried," Magnus said, reading my expression. "Theodore doesn't forgive. Doesn't forget. He's probably planning something devious."
"Great."
"Just stay alert. Keep your head down. Maybe he'll wait until after end of term evaluations, he wouldn't want to risk his own standing by starting something before end of term."
"Maybe."
But I didn't believe it. Neither did Magnus, based on his face.
We parted ways after class, he had alchemy stuff to do, I had nothing in particular. Which meant I finally had time to do what I'd been putting off for weeks, no years.
Apologize to Sera.
Properly. Without excuses or delays.
I'd tried the normal approach, you know, looking for her around campus, trying to catch her between classes. But she was always surrounded by people, always busy, always moving too fast for me to approach without making me look like a stalker.
So I was going to try something different.
Wait at Diamond Dorm. Eventually, she'd have to go back to her room. I'd catch her there, away from crowds. She couldn't avoid me forever.
It was either brilliant or incredibly stupid. Possibly both.
I made my way to Diamond Dorm as evening approached. The attendant at the desk was there, but distracted, sorting through paperwork, not paying attention to the entrance.
I slipped past. Found a quiet corner. I waited, for about twenty minutes. Then it hit me. I had no idea which way her room was.
Students passed periodically. Diamond Dorm residents, the nobles, prodigies, the Academy elite. Some glanced at me but didn't question my presence. Stone Dorm student in Diamond Dorm was unusual, unless they were invited by a resident of the dorm.
I waited. Fifteen more minutes, I was trying to avoid walking around too much. Thirty. Forty-five. At some point, I sat down. I was really bored.
Then I saw someone enter that made me pause.
A Stone Dorm student. First-year, based on the uniform details. Tall. Easily six feet tall. Blue hair, neatly styled. Glasses that gave him a scholarly appearance.
He was heading deeper into the dorm with, a nervous but determined look. Determined. But also... troubled. I could see it in the tension of his shoulders, the way he kept adjusting his glasses nervously.
Something about him looked familiar. But I couldn't place it.
"I recognize him," Asura said.
"Who's he. How come I don't recognize him."
Asura smirks, "Cuz you're antisocial"
"And you're not?"
She ignores him and continues talking.
"He's a first year like you. Mage department. Earth specialization, I think. Name is... Marcus? Martin?"
The boy walked past me without noticing. Headed up the stairs toward the second-year section.
Toward a room some distance down the hallway. I followed him.
Asura couldn't let the opportunity slip by to make a snarky comment "You goddamn stalker. Its no wonder you don't have friends."
"Oof." He said obviously taking emotional knockback from the comment, he reorients himself quickly.
"Now don't take this the wrong way, I'm not stalking him... I'm just bored. He took a right turn down the hallway, he walked some more and then he reached a room with a silver Plaque, with the name Theodore Valemont, written in bold capital letters. The boy knocks on the door. He is answered with a femininely voice "Who is it?"
He answers "Its Marin."
Okay so his name is Marin
The door opens and a maid comes out.
She bows, "Master Theodore will now see you"
I visibly twitched upon hearing the name. But that isn't what got me. "Why can't I bring a maid with me."
"You're really dumb aren't you."
"What?"
"Having maids and attendants is a privilege reserved for nobles, hence the reason for the multiple chambers in the rooms of pearl and diamond dorm students. You should know these things! I don't even go to school here and I know!"
"I'm a noble too!!!"
"Yes but you are in stone dorm. Where will your attendants stay? That's why your dad didn't even bother getting you a personal attendant."
"So you're telling me that even Magnus has an attendant?"
"Probably"
By this time Marin had already entered the room and closed the door behind him.
I approached the door to listen to listen to what evil conspiracy Theodore had come up with.
I moved closer. Pressed myself against the wall beside the door. Close enough to hear muffled voices through the wood.
"... appreciate you taking the time," Marin's voice, nervous but hopeful.
"Of course! When I heard about your situation, I knew I had to help." Theodore's voice, smooth and friendly. "A talented student from Stone Dorm, struggling with finances? That's exactly the kind of injustice I want to address."
"It's just... difficult. My family has no money. The Academy fees are covered by scholarship, but personal expenses, materials, everything else..." Marin's voice became quieter. "I can barely afford food some days."
"That's unacceptable. Students shouldn't have to choose between education and basic necessities." Theodore sounded genuinely concerned. Good acting. "That's why I want to sponsor you. Cover your expenses, provide you with proper materials and resources."
"I... I don't know what to say."
"Say yes. Let me help you reach your potential." A pause. "Your sister was talented. Exceptional, from what I remember. If you have even half her ability..."
He had a sister? I thought.
"I'll work hard," Marin said eagerly. "I promise I won't disappoint you. I'll prove I'm as talented as Maya was."
Maya?!
The same Maya I knew? How many Maya's are in this school? Its probably just a coincidence
"The blue hair,"
Because I'd never met Maya's brother. Never thought about him. But she'd mentioned him, her little brother who wanted to be a mage. Who she'd been trying to make proud.
Who was now standing in Theodore's room, making a deal with the person who'd murdered his sister.
"Just prove yourself in the end-of-term evaluations," Theodore was saying. "Show me you have potential. If you perform well, I'll not only cover your expenses. I'll introduce you to influential people. Help you secure a position after graduation. All I ask is loyalty."
"Of course. Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Don't thank me yet. Prove yourself first. Now, I have some study materials that might help..."
The conversation shifted to technical topics. I couldn't listen anymore.
I moved away from the door, back down the hallway. Waited near the stairs.
Ten minutes later, Marin emerged. Looking happier than when he'd entered. Hopeful. Excited.
I stepped in front of him.
"Marin?"
He startled, nearly dropping the books Theodore had given him. Adjusted his glasses, looked at me with confusion.
"Yes? Do I know you?"
"Aldric Ashford. First-year. Stone Dorm."
"Oh. The one who..." His voice trailed off
"What do you want?"
"I need to talk to you. About Theodore."
His wariness became defensive. "Senior Theodore is helping me. If you're here to cause trouble..."
"I'm not.... Just listen to me..." How do I explain this? "I ummm knew... know your sister."
He froze. "What?"
"Maya. Your sister. I know her." I said hoping for him to see me in a more favorable light
His expression shifted through several emotions. Confusion. Pain. Grief. Then indifference. "My sister is dead. She died here. At the Academy. Last year."
"I know. I'm... I'm sorry for your loss. But I need to talk to you about Theodore."
"There's nothing to talk about." His voice became cold. "Maya died in an accident. And Senior Theodore is one of the only people who's been kind to me since I arrived. Whatever grudge you have against him, I'm not interested."
"Marin..." I said, visibly getting annoyed with him.
"Shut the fuck up and listen to me. You are going to get yourself killed like your sister if you don't stay away from that Theodore bastard."
"No! He said, visibly agitated that I insulted Theodore.
"Senior Theodore said..."
"Shut up!"
I shoved him against the wall.
"Senior Theodore this Senior Theodore that. I'm trying to help you!"
Marin looked scared. He was shaking
Asura shouted at me telepathically. "Stop it can't you see you're scaring him! Work on your goddamn communication skills!"
I realized that this approach wasn't working. So I took a step back and took a deep breath. Before I could get a single word out. Asura said... "Incoming!" Before I could react
A blast of wind sent me flying away from Marin, I tumbled down a flight of stairs. I got up and looked up to see who attacked me. It was Theodore.
Seeing his face just annoyed me. That smug look of condescending superiority. He turned toward Marin and said "Was Ashford bullying you."
Marin looked at me and then at Theodore and then said "No we were just having a little argument." Theodore smirked and then told Marin. "I'd stay away from that Ashford boy if I were you. He is very unnecessarily violent and he tends to attack people for no reason. He's one of those nobles supremacists that believe that nobles are superior to commoners in everyway...."
I felt like exploding with frustration. But then. I just stared at Theodore, till he turned around to leave. As he was leaving. He told Marin. "If Ashford attacks you just come to me I'll protect you no matter what." He said that with a look of absolute conviction making it confusing for even me who knows that Theodore is pure evil." Then Theodore left leaving Marin at the top of the staircase
Marin clutched his books closer. "I don't want to be involved in whatever your problem is. So please stay away from me."
He pushed past me, headed for the next flight of stairs.
"Theodore killed her," I said.
He stopped. Didn't turn around.
"Your sister. Maya. She died because of Theodore. It wasn't an accident. It was murder."
Slowly, he turned. His face was white. Eyes wide behind his glasses.
"That's a lie."
"It's not. She refused to join his group. Said no when he tried to recruit her. So he—"
"Stop." Asura said. "Are you fucking stupid. You can't just walk up to a guy like that and tell them their sister is dead because of their 'hero'."
I looked at Marin again. Unsure of what to say.
His voice was shaking. "You don't...you can't....why would you say something like that?"
"My sister fell. It was an accident. She was sick. She was dizzy. She fell." He said it like a mantra. Something he'd told himself so many times he needed to believe it. "It was an accident."
"Marin!"
"No. I don't know why you're doing this. Why you're trying to ruin the one good thing that's happened since I got here. But I won't listen." He backed toward the stairs. "Senior Theodore is a good person. He's helping me. And I'm going to prove I'm worthy of Maya's legacy."
"By joining the person who killed her?!" I said finally breaking free of my dilemma of choosing what to say
"By succeeding where she couldn't! By becoming powerful enough that no one can..." He stopped. Took a breath. "Stay away from me. I don't want your conspiracy theories. I don't want your paranoia. I just want to survive this place and make my sister proud."
He left. Practically ran down the stairs.
I stood there in the hallway, knowing I'd completely failed.
"That went badly," Asura observed.
Very badly.
"He's not going to believe you. Theodore's gotten to him first. Made himself the hero."
I know.
"You need to tell Maya."
I know that too.
I abandoned my plan to wait for Sera. Couldn't think about apologies when Maya's brother was walking straight into Theodore's trap.
Back to my room. Maya was there, practicing telekinesis with increasingly complex patterns, he'd gotten skilled enough to juggle five objects at once now. I always wondered why Maya was always practicing Telekinesis when we weren't around.
She looked up when I entered. Smile fading as she saw my expression.
"What's wrong?"
"I met your brother."
All five objects dropped simultaneously. "Marin? You met Marin?"
"He's here. At the Academy. First-year. Stone Dorm. Mage department."
"I know he's here. I've been watching him since the term started. I just..." She floated closer, agitated. "I can't talk to him. He can't see me. Can't hear me. I've tried. But he just walks past like I don't exist."
"Maya, he's made a deal with Theodore."
She went very still. When she spoke again, her voice was hollow. "What?"
"Theodore's sponsoring him. Offered to cover his expenses, provide resources. In exchange for loyalty."
"No. No, no, no." She was flickering now, her form becoming unstable with emotion. "Not Marin. Anyone but Marin. Tell him to stay away from Theodore at all costs!"
"He thinks Theodore is helping him out of kindness. Has no idea what really happened to you."
"You told him, right? You explained..."
"He didn't believe me. Theodore got to him first. Made himself the hero. I'm just the violent kid with conspiracy theories."
Maya's form solidified again, but her expression was desperate. "You have to stop him. You have to keep him away from Theodore. Please."
"I'll try," I said. "I promise I'll try. But he's not going to listen to me. He thinks Theodore is his benefactor."
"Then make him listen! Show him evidence! Do something!" Her voice broke.
Asura just finished chomping down a creampuff and then looked between us. "What exactly does Theodore want with him?"
"Same thing he wanted with Maya," I said. "Talented student from common background. Someone he can mold. Someone who'll be grateful for his patronage and won't question his methods."
"And Marin is talented?"
"Was your family generally talented?"
"We were farmers. Simple people. But to some extent everyone in my family from my mother's side could always use basic earth spells. But me and Marin were generally more powerful and had higher earth affinity than the rest. I was the first to manifest it strongly enough for the Academy to take interest. But Marin..." She looked anguished. "He always had potential. Just needed training. Theodore knows that. He's betting on Marin developing into something powerful."
"So Theodore gets a powerful, grateful follower. And Marin gets resources he desperately needs." I sat on the bed. "It's a perfect trap."
"He won't listen to me. I'm the villain in this story. Theodore's the hero." I looked at her. I met her eyes, grey, desperate, full of the helpless rage of being unable to protect someone you love. "I won't let Theodore hurt your brother."
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you. I know I'm asking a lot. I know you have your own problems. I know Marin is just looking out for our parent like I did, he came to the academy for the same reason I did, I came to this Academy because I wanted to succeed so he could have opportunities. So he wouldn't have to struggle like our parents did."
"I understand."
"I understand," I said again. "And I'll do everything I can."
Maya's form flickered with emotion, but she nodded. "Okay. Okay. Thank you."
Asura looked thoughtful. "This is going to be complicated. Theodore's already established himself as Marin's benefactor. Breaking that perception will be difficult."
"Everything about this situation is difficult," I said. "But we can't let Theodore collect another pawn. Especially not Maya's brother."
"Agreed." Asura climbed onto the bed. "So what's the plan?"
"I don't know yet. But I have until the end-of-term evaluations to figure it out. That's when Theodore will decide if Marin is worth continued investment."
"Two weeks," Maya said.
"No pressure," Asura added.
I lay back on the bed, stared at the ceiling. Thought about Marin's hopeful expression. About Theodore's devious grin. About Maya's desperate plea.
Two weeks to somehow convince a boy who'd already decided I was the villain that his benefactor was actually a murderer.
Two weeks to protect someone who didn't want my protection.
Two weeks to somehow make this right.
And I still needed to apologize to Sera. And pass the Cavalry Dance evaluation. And avoid getting expelled. And stop Theodore from whatever larger plan he was building.
Just another impossible situation at the Royal Academy.
"We'll figure it out," I said to the ceiling. To Maya. To Asura. To myself.
"We'd better," Maya said quietly. "Because I already lost everything once. I can't watch it happen to my brother too."
I closed my eyes. Tried to think. Tried to plan.
Two weeks.
I had two weeks to save Maya's brother from Theodore.
But I had to try.