"You can all go for now; we need to discuss some things," Bennett said, waving off his students and his maid, Fia, with a smile.
Lilia, however, was less gentle. She unleashed a cold aura, causing the weaker apprentices in her group to visibly pale as they backed away quickly.
"Mentor Lucian, I'll be off as well," Carrie said politely, bowing to him.
"Good. Practice handling the bow and focus especially on refining your quick-casting technique," Lucian whispered, giving her a final word of advice before he joined Bennett and Lilia in the top-deck lounge to discuss mission logistics.
Once the mentors left, the apprentices began to relax, some heading to their cabins while others admired the grand view outside the floating ship. Carrie made her way to the railing, her fingers tracing its familiar surface as memories flooded back. She remembered arriving at Graybone Academy on a similar airship, but back then, her journey had been vastly different—crowded into the cargo hold like luggage, among other newcomers. Now, under Lucian's guidance, her position and treatment had completely changed.
"Hello there, you must be Lord Lucian's student," said a voice. Carrie turned to see three sorcery apprentices, led by a female apprentice, approaching. "I'm Ruth, and this is Gagarin. The other one here is Filler, one of Lord Bennett's students. Saw you standing here alone, so we thought we'd invite you to join us for a drink inside."
Carrie was slightly taken aback, noting that all three were second-tier apprentices with considerable strength. She hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed, curious about their intentions. The four of them entered the ship's lounge.
"Clear out!" Gagarin and Filler unleashed their magical auras as soon as they entered, sending two resting apprentices scurrying out. After shutting the door, Gagarin cast a soundproofing spell around them and flashed what he believed to be a warm smile.
"You probably know that the task our mentors accepted is highly dangerous," he said, clenching his fists in frustration. "According to the rules, we as students aren't obligated to participate, but our mentors insisted we come along to act as cannon fodder."
The others nodded grimly, except Carrie, who stayed quiet, remembering how she'd practically begged Lucian to let her join. Watching her companions' mounting frustration, she chose not to speak up and instead quietly observed, wondering if their scheme could impact Lucian.
Unaware of Carrie's internal struggle, the three others assumed they shared a common cause. After all, it was rare to find a mentor who didn't view students as expendable resources.
"This is about survival," Gagarin continued, voice impassioned. "We're not here to serve as our mentors' stepping stones. We're fighting for our own paths as sorcerers!"
Finally, he laid out his plan: they would secretly gather information on their mentors' intentions and arrangements for the mission. This was why they'd invited Carrie; as Lucian's only student, she would be valuable to their "self-preservation alliance."
Carrie shifted uncomfortably. She felt like an out-of-place white crow among a flock of black ones—she wasn't sure how much longer she could pretend to be on their side. But as all three gazes turned expectantly toward her, she hesitated, unsure of what to say.
"Uh… I feel that Mentor Lucian has been quite good to me," Carrie murmured, unable to lie.
An awkward silence followed as the other three exchanged uncertain glances. They couldn't very well threaten her with Lucian still on the ship, as they would risk severe repercussions.
"But I'm willing to cooperate with you," Carrie added after a pause, her eyes glinting with resolve. She realized she now had to consider her mentor's interests in every decision she made. Collaborating with these apprentices might help her gather useful information for him. Although inexperienced in such matters, she resolved to consult Lucian once it was over.