The training hall echoed with the rhythmic clang of steel meeting steel. Magnus and I moved through our Cavalry Dance for what felt like the hundredth time that week, our footwork synchronized, our strikes flowing from one position to the next.
"Left pivot, now!" Magnus called out, and I spun on my heel, bringing my practice sword up in a defensive arc that intercepted his overhead strike perfectly.
*Practice swords are made of metal, but They are blunt to a great extent, making it very difficult to kill someone on impact.
The force of the impact rattled up my arms, but I held firm. Magnus immediately transitioned into the next sequence, and I matched him step for step. Forward, back, circular sweep, thrust, the movements were becoming second nature now.
"Break!" Magnus panted, stepping back and lowering his blade. Sweat dripped down his round face, and his Pearl Dorm uniform was soaked through despite the winter chill.
I wasn't much better off. My muscles burned pleasantly from the exertion. We'd been at this for two hours straight.
"We're actually getting good at this," Magnus said, collapsing onto a nearby bench. "Remember three weeks ago when you nearly took my head off during the transition spin?"
"You mean when you moved left instead of right and almost impaled yourself on my sword?" I corrected, joining him on the bench.
"Details." He waved a dismissive hand, then pulled out a glass bottle and took a long drink of whatever the contents were. "So. You want to tell me why you're so obsessed with this Marin kid?"
I stiffened slightly. "I'm not obsessed."
"Aldric. You've tried to talk to him multiple times. You asked even asked senior Seraphina to intervene. You've been distracted during training and yes, I noticed." Magnus fixed me with a surprisingly perceptive look for someone usually so scattered. "What's the deal? Do you know him from somewhere?"
"No." I stared at my practice sword, running my thumb along the dulled edge. "I just... I don't want to see anymore Theodore victims."
Magnus's expression softened. "Because of what happened between you two?"
"Something like that."
He didn't push further, which I appreciated. Instead, he changed the subject. "Hey, speaking of distractions, have you heard back from that maid you wrote to? Clara, right?"
I frowned. "No, actually. It's been almost three weeks."
"That's weird. Mail usually takes what, a week each way?"
"At most." A small knot of worry formed in my stomach. Clara had practically raised me. Even during my worst depression spiral, she'd never stop nagging me, she'd never ignore my letters. "Maybe it got lost."
"Or maybe she's just busy," Magnus offered. "Didn't you say your father runs a huge estate? She probably has a lot on her plate."
"Probably." But the worry didn't entirely fade. I made a mental note to write another letter tonight.
"Anyway," Magnus continued, pulling out a small wrapped candy from his pocket, "I've been thinking about our little business venture."
I raised an eyebrow. "The lollipops?"
"The lollipops." He unwrapped it, one of our successful batches, a translucent amber color that caught the light beautifully. "I did some calculations. The ingredients are cheap. Sugar, water, flavoring, sticks. Even accounting for my time and expertise..." he grinned as he stressed the word expertise, "...we could sell these for two copper pieces each and still make a massive profit."
"Two copper pieces?" That was less than a loaf of bread.
"Exactly. That's the genius of it." Magnus popped the candy into his mouth, his words slightly muffled. "It's affordable for commoners, trivial pocket change for nobles. But the sweetness, the novelty, the fact that it lasts for ages compared to regular candy? People will go crazy for these."
I thought back to why I'd started this whole project in the first place. It wasn't some grand business plan. I'd just been desperate to stop Asura from devouring my entire monthly allowance in pastries. The lollipops were meant to be a cheaper alternative to keep her satisfied.
"We should start selling them," I said slowly. "Build up some capital before the holidays."
"About that..." Magnus scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "We have a bit of a problem."
"What problem?"
"Neither of us knows the first thing about marketing or sales." He laughed awkwardly. "I can create the perfect candy formula, and you can... well, you're good at other things. But actually selling them? Getting people to buy them? Setting up distribution? We're clueless."
He had a point. I'd never sold anything in either of my lives. And Magnus, for all his alchemy genius, was a baron's son who'd never had to think about commerce.
"We need someone who specializes in that," I said.
"Exactly. Someone with business sense, marketing knowledge, maybe connections to merchants or shopkeepers in the capital." Magnus sighed. "But I don't know anyone like that. Do you?"
I thought about it. Most of my limited social circle consisted of people who either hated me or barely tolerated me. "No."
"Then I guess we put it off until we find someone." He stood, stretching his arms over his head with a groan. "Come on, let's run through the Dance one more time. The assessment is tomorrow, and I don't want to embarrass myself."
The combat assessment the next day was held in the main arena, a large open space with reinforced floors and protective barriers to contain stray magic. All first-years were required to participate, and the stands were packed with upper-year students watching to scout potential recruits for various clubs and societies.
Our combat instructor stood at the center of the arena with a clipboard.
"Pairs will be called in order!" he bellowed. "You will perform the Cavalry Dance in its entirety. You will be graded on synchronization, technique, and adaptability. Begin!"
The first few pairs went through their routines. Most were adequate first-years with a few months of training, performing the basic movements competently but without any particular flair.
"Ashford and Crowley!" Professor Thorne called out.
My stomach tightened, but Magnus clapped me on the shoulder. "Let's show them what we've got."
We stepped into the arena together. The crowd's murmuring didn't stop. I could hear snippets of conversation.
"That's the one who beat up Theodore, right?"
"Heard he's dead last in the rankings..."
"The fat kid and the wierdo. This should be interesting."
Magnus's jaw tightened, but he didn't react. We took our positions, practice swords raised.
Professor Thorne raised his hand. "Begin!"
We moved.
The Cavalry Dance was a military technique designed for soldiers to fight in perfect coordination, cover each other's weaknesses, create openings, maintain formation even under pressure. It required trust, timing, and awareness of your partner's every movement.
Magnus and I had all three.
My blade came down in the opening strike, and Magnus was already pivoting to cover my exposed right side. He thrust forward, and I swept low to guard his legs. We moved through the sequence like we'd been doing it for years instead of weeks, each transition flowing naturally into the next.
Then we reached the advanced section, the part where pairs could add their own flourishes, demonstrate creativity and adaptability.
I caught Magnus's eye and nodded.
We'd practiced this.
I feinted left, and Magnus responded by creating an opening on his right a deliberate gap in the defense. I spun through it, our blades crossing in a complex weaving pattern that covered both our blind spots simultaneously. Magnus added a burst of flame magic to his blade, basic stuff, but it added a visual flair that made the crowd sit up and take notice.
I couldn't use dark mana enhancement. Not here, not with everyone watching. But I didn't need to. My sword skill technique was already knight-level; I just had to dial it back to look like a competent first-year.
We finished with the final sequence a synchronized double-strike that required both partners to move in perfect mirror formation. Our blades struck the training posts at the exact same instant, the crack of impact echoing through the arena.
Silence.
Then applause.
The instructor was actually smiling. "Impressive. Very impressive." He made several marks on his clipboard. "Second place. Well done."
Second place.
Magnus was grinning so wide I thought his face might split. As we left the arena, several upper-year students approached us, club recruiters, offering positions in everything from the Combat Society to the Strategic Warfare Club.
We politely declined them all. Magnus needed to focus on his alchemy, and I... well, I had enough complications in my life.
"Did you see their faces?" Magnus laughed as we headed back toward the dorms. "They didn't expect anything from us!"
"Turns out we make a decent team," I admitted.
"Decent? We were amazing!" He punched my shoulder playfully. "Second place in our first assessment? My father might actually be proud of me for once" His smile faltered slightly. "Well. Proud of the combat score, at least."
I understood that complicated relationship with parental approval better than most.
After washing up and changing, I made my way to the Student Council room. This time, I knocked.
"Come in," Sera's voice called from inside.
I opened the door and froze.
All five Student Council members were present.
Lucas Hartwell sat at the head of the large table, reviewing documents. Sera was to his right, quill in hand. Three other fourth-years I vaguely recognized occupied the remaining seats two boys and a girl, all wearing the Diamond Dorm insignia with additional Council pins.
They all looked up when I entered.
"Aldric!" Sera smiled, and gestured to an empty chair. "Good timing. We were just finishing up."
I stood awkwardly in the doorway, suddenly hyperaware that I was a first-year intruding on fourth-year Council business. "I can come back later if you're busy"
"Nonsense. Sit."
The casualness in her tone made everyone else at the table do a double-take. One of the Council members a stern-looking boy with dark hair opened his mouth, clearly about to say something about proper respect to seniors.
But Lucas held up a hand, cutting him off. "It's fine, Marcus. Aldric and Sera are childhood friends."
Childhood friends.
The words still felt surreal coming from Lucas's mouth. But the Council members seemed to accept it, though I caught them exchanging curious glances. They were probably wondering why we hadn't been "casual" since the beginning of the term, but thankfully no one asked.
"We'll finish this later," Lucas said to the group. "Dismissed."
The three other members gathered their papers and filed out, though not without a few lingering glances in my direction. Once the door closed behind them, Lucas leaned back in his chair.
"Second place in the combat assessment," he said. "Congratulations. That's quite an improvement from your monthly ranking."
"Thank you, President Hartwell." I kept my tone respectful. I still owed him an apology, but now wasn't the time not with Sera present.
Lucas seemed to understand. He nodded once, then stood. "I'll give you two some privacy. Sera, don't forget we have that meeting... at five."
"I remember." Sera smiled up at him.
Once Lucas left, Sera turned her full attention to me. "So. You're here about Marin?"
"Yes. Have you had any luck?"
Her expression turned apologetic. "I tried to approach him about Theodore. Carefully, without being too direct, I didn't want to scare him off or make him defensive."
"And?"
"And I found out that Theodore has already invited Marin to spend the upcoming holiday break with him. At the palace."
My blood ran cold. "The palace?"
"Theodore's being Theodore again. He invited Marin as a 'promising young talent' who deserves to see how the imperial family lives." Sera's tone made it clear what she thought of that excuse. "And Marin agreed."
"Of course he did." I slumped in the chair. What commoner would turn down an invitation to the imperial palace? It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "Did you try to talk him out of it?"
"I tried to express concerns about Theodore's character, but..." Sera sighed. "Marin thinks I'm just biased because of Academy politics.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more," Sera said quietly.
"You've already done more than I could ask for." I stood to leave, then paused. "Thanks alot, Sera."
She smiled, some of the warmth returning to her expression. "What are friends for?"
Those words still felt like a gift I didn't deserve.
When I returned to my room, Maya was floating by the window, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink. Asura was sprawled on my bed, working her way through another lollipop.
"How'd it go?" Maya asked.
I told them everything the assessment, the conversation with Sera, the news about Marin and Theodore's palace invitation.
Maya was quiet for a long moment. Then, surprisingly, she said, "Let him go."
I stared at her. "What?"
"Think about it." She turned to face me, her translucent form shimmering. "Marin is probably going around telling everyone he'll be at the palace for the holidays, right? That's the kind of thing people remember. Theodore can't hurt him if everyone knows where he is. It would be too suspicious."
"Maya..." I said slowly. "Theodore pushed you off a roof in front of witnesses and made it look like an accident."
"But I hadn't told anyone where I'd be. I went to meet him alone because he said he wanted to apologize." Her voice was steady, but I could hear the old pain underneath. "Marin is different. If something happens to him at the palace, with people knowing he was there? Even the first prince couldn't cover that up."
"So you think he'll be safe?"
"Safer than if he stayed here and Theodore invited him somewhere private." Maya floated closer. "And honestly? There's nothing more you can do. You tried to warn him. Sera tried to warn him. He made his choice."
She had a point, but I still didn't like it.
"The holidays are coming up," Asura said, changing the subject. She'd finished her candy and was now eyeing the bag for another. "What's the plan? Are we going back to your depressing manor?"
"I haven't decided yet." The thought of returning home wasn't appealing. My father would be cold and distant as always. My half-siblings would ignore me at best. And if not for Clara... I might just stay here.
"The Academy will be pretty empty," Maya said quietly. "Most students go home for the break."
There was something in her tone, a loneliness that made me look at her more closely. "You still can't leave the academy grounds as a ghost right?"
"No." She tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Vengeful ghosts are bound to the place they died. I'm stuck here."
"For how long?"
"Until I'm truly satisfied with the life I've lived, probably. Or until I fade away entirely." She said it matter-of-factly, like she was discussing the weather. "Most ghosts don't last more than a few years. We forget who we were, become just... echoes. Even if they some how last long enough as vengeful spirits they will just become a threat to the living."
The casual acceptance in her voice made my chest tight. I turned to Asura. "Is there a way to take Maya with us back to the manor or at least free her from her binds to the academy?"
The demon looked up from her candy bag, her red eyes narrowing.
Asura was quiet for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Then she said, "There is one way."
Maya and I both looked at her.
"With enough dark magic," Asura continued, "a very particular binding spell commonly used by demons, and an item that held emotional meaning to the deceased when they were alive... you could transfer the binding. Instead of being tied to the place of death, the spirit becomes bound to the object."
"Like you and the dagger?" I asked.
"Yes." Asura's hand unconsciously moved to where the dagger was hidden under my bed. "Exactly like that."
Hope sparked in my chest. "Then we could take Maya with us! She wouldn't be stuck here anymore!"
"Hold on." Asura held up a hand. "First, you'd need way more dark mana than you currently have. Second, you'd need to know the spell, which I'd have to teach you, and it's complicated. Third, and most importantly." She looked at Maya. "....you'd need an item that genuinely mattered to her. Something with strong emotional resonance. Otherwise the binding won't take."
Maya's ghostly form flickered. "I don't... I don't know if I have anything like that. My family lives a days journey from here. All my possessions were sent back to them after I died."
"We'll figure something out," I said firmly. "We have time before the holidays."
"Maybe." But Maya didn't sound convinced.
I turned back to Asura. "The dagger and the ring, were they special to you? Is that how you got bound to them?"
Asura's expression changed instantly. The playful demon vanished, replaced by something sorrowful. Her red eyes went distant, and her small hands clenched into fists.
"I don't want to talk about it," she said quietly.
The shift in her demeanor was so sudden, so complete, that I immediately backed off. "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."
It was barely past seven in the evening.
Maya caught my eye and shook her head slightly, a clear signal not to push.
I nodded and began preparing for bed myself, moving quietly around the room. Asura had already curled up under the blanket, her small form barely making a dent in the mattress. When I slid in beside her, we only had one blanket, and winter nights were cold she didn't make her usual complaint about me hogging space.
She just lay there, silent and still.
I stared at the ceiling in the darkness, listening to the sound of wind against the windows.
What had happened to Asura? How had a demon ended up sealed in a dagger and ring? And why did asking about it cause such a visceral reaction?
Questions I couldn't answer.
Not tonight, anyway.
"Goodnight, Maya," I whispered into the darkness.
"Goodnight, Aldric." Her voice came from somewhere near the window. "Sleep well."
I closed my eyes and tried to do just that, but sleep was slow to come. My mind kept circling back to the same thoughts:
Marin heading to the palace with Theodore.
Clara's missing reply.
Maya's slowly fading existence.
Asura's mysterious, painful past.
And underneath it all, the constant awareness that I was walking a razor's edge trying to be better, trying to protect people, trying to change while hiding dark magic that would get me executed if anyone found out.
Eventually, exhaustion won out, and I drifted into uneasy sleep.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
But tonight, at least, we were all still here.
Still together.
Still trying.