A plaque from Cecilia, too.
I sighed, turning the golden insignia over in my palm, feeling the smooth, polished surface beneath my fingers.
Like Rachel, she had given me an open invitation.
Unlike Rachel, her invitation led to the Imperial Palace of the Slatemark Empire.
I stared at it for a long moment before slipping it into my pocket.
Why was she doing this?
Was this just another game to her? A fleeting whim, like a cat toying with a mouse—not out of hunger, but boredom?
It wasn't as if I had any plans to visit the Empire during the fall break anyway. Arthur's parents had already left on vacation with my sister, though calling it a vacation was generous. They were touring academies, trying to figure out which one she should apply to since she wasn't talented enough to get into Mythos Academy or Slatemark Academy.
So my plans were already set. I was going to the Creighton estate.
Rachel had given me her sapphire plaque with pure intent, nothing hidden beneath the surface.
Cecilia?
Cecilia was different.
I exhaled slowly.
Maybe ignoring her would be the smarter choice.
But that wasn't a decision I needed to make right now.
Fall break was approaching fast, but before that, I had a one-on-one meeting with Professor Nero regarding my progress so far—and more importantly, my assignment for the break.
His office was exactly what I expected—neat, sleek, modern in the way only this world could achieve. Holographic displays hovered above the polished desk, a stark contrast to the archaic wooden bookshelves lining the walls.
Nero barely looked up as I stepped inside. "Welcome, Arthur," he said smoothly, gesturing to the chair across from him. "Sit."
I complied.
"Let's see," Nero murmured, tapping at a glowing interface. Numbers, data, and my entire academic record flickered into view. "When you joined Mythos Academy, you were Rank 8. No recorded Art or Gift. Low Silver-rank. Now…" He scrolled through the data, pausing. "You have improved significantly in a short period of time. Mid Silver-rank. First overall in both the Island Survival and Inter-Year Mock War. Which means, at least temporarily, you hold Rank 1."
He tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought, before finally looking at me.
"I trust your Grade 5 Art is progressing well?"
"It is, Professor," I nodded.
"Good." His sharp, analytical eyes studied me. "It's a Grade 5 Art—mastery won't come quickly. You've advanced well, but don't expect shortcuts."
He flicked his wrist, and a scroll materialized on his desk, hovering slightly above the surface before settling.
"This is your assignment for the fall break," he said. "A more advanced multi-elemental four-circle spell utilizing mana weaving. Given your progress in class, I believe you are ready for it."
He slid it across the desk.
I picked it up, feeling the weight of expectation settle alongside it.
Fall break wasn't going to be a break at all.
But I already knew that.
And I had far bigger plans.
Plans that had nothing to do with assignments or academics.
Plans to survive.
"Thank you, Professor," I said, bowing slightly as I took the scroll and stepped out of the office.
The door slid shut behind me with a soft hiss, sealing Nero back in his world of calculations and unspoken expectations.
I glanced at the scroll in my hands, feeling its weight more than its actual mass.
Mind aspect. A task designed to refine mana weaving, multi-elemental casting, mental finesse.
All well and good.
But my priorities lay elsewhere.
The Beast Will.
Without it, catching up to those monsters was nothing more than a pipe dream.
I turned down the corridor, mind already running through logistics, routes, preparations—only to halt as I noticed someone standing just a few paces away.
Leaning against the wall like she had all the time in the world.
Seraphina Zenith.
Even in her usual dazed state, she looked otherworldly.
Flowing silver hair, ice-blue eyes, features sculpted with that elven softness that made her seem just slightly untouchable.
She didn't speak.
Just stared at me, silent and unreadable, before pushing herself off the wall and walking past me toward the office.
I wasn't surprised. Of course, she'd be next.
She was officially Rank 7, and I was Rank 8 before all of this.
She passed by with a quiet grace, and as she did, a scent followed—soft, warm, distinctly honeyed.
Without meaning to, I turned my head.
And found her doing the same.
For a moment, our gazes met—hers cool, indifferent, with the barest tilt of curiosity.
Then, she turned away and stepped into the office, vanishing behind the closing door.
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck as I continued walking.
"God," I muttered under my breath.
"She's unnervingly beautiful."
And just like that, fall break arrived.
The last day before departure was filled with an odd mix of relief and lingering tension—students excited to leave, some already talking about their plans, while others were too focused on training to care.
For me, it was just another step forward.
One more move in a game where standing still meant falling behind.
I packed light—just the essentials. The scroll Nero gave me, my sword, my spatial ring holding everything else I might need, and, of course, the sapphire plaque Rachel had handed me.
At the hyperloop station, I found Rose leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, watching me with her usual mix of amusement and mild exasperation.
"So," she said, tilting her head, "off to a grand estate, huh? Meeting the royal family, attending lavish banquets, maybe even learning some forbidden magic secrets in a hidden library?"
I sighed. "I'm literally just visiting Rachel's house."
Rose grinned. "Yeah, Rachel's house. Which happens to be the Creighton estate. Which happens to be one of the most powerful places in the world. No big deal."
I rolled my eyes. "I'll bring you back a souvenir if it helps."
She perked up. "I'll hold you to that. Preferably something expensive."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Sure, I'll grab you a golden goblet or something."
"Good," she said, before her tone softened just slightly. "Take care of yourself, okay? You're not exactly great at avoiding trouble."
I nodded. "I will. You too."
With that, she gave me a mock salute and turned away, vanishing into the crowd of departing students.
The station was busy—students warping off to various corners of the world. Some were going home, some were heading to private training grounds, and some, like me, were traveling with friends who happened to be from absurdly powerful families.
Rachel was waiting at the warp gate, dressed in casual yet refined attire, her usual noble grace making her stick out effortlessly even among Mythos students.
"You're late," she said, tapping the plaque on her wrist.
I raised an eyebrow. "I'm on time. You're just early."
She huffed. "Being early is being on time."
I decided not to argue with that particular brand of noble logic.
Instead, I glanced at the warp gate ahead of us—a large, circular structure pulsing faintly with soft blue light, crackling at the edges with controlled mana surges.
Beyond it, waiting on the other side, was Luminarc—the capital city of the Creighton family.
A place of legendary spellcasters, ancient libraries, and a world of power that I had barely scratched the surface of.
Rachel glanced at me. "Ready?"
I exhaled.
"Always."
And with that, I stepped through the gate.