"Smashing Carradorian Victory!

Word has officially reached us and been confirmed that the Carradorian Relief Forces under Carradorian Marschall Grand Duke Platts arrived in the nick of time on the Gebirmarsch front to assist in breaking the Traxian assault early on the morning of the 5th. Heavy losses were sustained by both sides and the famed Carradorian Falcon Knight was apparently captured during the battle alongside elite frontline battalions. But Traxian forces also experienced a devastating loss through a heavy partisan raid on its supply train, forcing them, for the first time in the Traxo-Carrador Border War, to retreat from previously held territory. It is a stunning victory that sees Carradorian forces regaining the strategic momentum that had been extinguished ever since Traxia invaded just about three months ago. According to sources… ”

- Arterian Affairs, Special News Edition Vol 9, “Front Page”

Sophie squirmed uneasily as she stared blankly at a wall. The day’s events are still playing themselves on loop in her head. She hadn’t just met Prince Frederick and Eva, she had also fought Eva in a duel and beyond that, she had given Eva a peck on the cheek. At the time, she felt that it was almost natural, on instinct, to show appreciation and care for a friend who had not just cared for her, but also raised her. After hours of sitting through lectures and awkwardly strolling across the campus to get told the names of buildings, her mind had been driven to boredom before being set on overdrive.

Darkness had overtaken the sky as Academy street lamps now lit up the pathways outside. Sophie yawned, her growing fatigue adding to her woes. Only through great effort did her eyes finally move from the wall to the clock in her room, watching the seconds slowly tick by. Almost ten, I wonder what Eva met Freddie about. Is it just friends catching up or could they be talking about something else… She felt a blush overtake her cheeks as her own fantasies of the day’s events grew into something more. The image of Eva twirling around in a white gown alongside the equally stunning Prince Frederick inside a ballroom. Like the dance from earlier in the day, they would move in unison with music accompanying them, swaying gently to the rhythm. Ack! Stop! Stoop! Don’t think about that. Sophie quickly chided herself. But they’d be so cute together!

All because she had been a little over zealous, her imagination had gotten a firm grip within her mind. It was like the final key that had unlocked her hidden emotions, ones mostly held back ever since the Mistveil in favor of hardening herself against the trauma and burdens of her journey. She had felt the chains dropping one by one back in Arteria proper, but being here, in the Academy, the rest were falling exponentially quicker. It had proven blissful, confusing, but ultimately enjoyable at first. The sense of wonder and cheeriness is a nice break from the dour expressions and grim determination she had previously. But the contrast was growing starker each day, her mind torn between flights of fancy and the somber thoughts of life and death. All slowly coalescing into a ball of unstableness that snipped at the fringes of her sanity.

Before her introspection could spiral any further, the soft creak of wood snapped her attention towards the doorway. Dull orange magefire illuminated Aryana’s now languid form as she trudged into the room. The redhead’s hair still dripped water from her bath as she hopped over the entry threshold and shut the door behind her, letting out an acknowledging grunt at Sophie before shuffling towards the wardrobe. The wavy red strands enraptured Sophie almost as much as the little freckles that dotted her body, seemingly shifting with every movement that Aryana made.

“Erm… Sophie.” The redhead shifted.

“Mmm… huh?!”

“You’re staring…” She whispered.

“Huh? Oh… oh! Sorry!” Sophie turned away with a blush. By the Goddess, what’s wrong with me?!

That was her second problem. Ever since that bizarre dream that sent tingles throughout her body, she found that she couldn’t process the strange emotions she had regarding Aryana. Part of her saw the redhead as a responsibility, a soul that she needed to safeguard given the innocence found within. Another part of her flickered dangerously close to Ary, something more akin to desire than kindness. Sophie shuddered at the thought, Goddess. Sophie flopped onto her bed and buried her face into the pillow, the soft folds of fabric wrapping itself around her cheeks. Argh!

She didn’t know how long she had laid face down when a soft bounce startled her back to reality.

“Guh!” Sophie exclaimed.

She turned around to find Aryana’s glimmering green eyes staring back at her and her heart skipping a beat. The two simply lingered for a moment before the awkwardness caught up with both of them, sending both of them immediately looking away. Sophie hurriedly pushed her way back up and simply sat next to Aryana, the two now revelling in each other's quiet company. At first their breaths were erratically before calmly syncing up over time. Even then, Sophie could feel her ears burning with the fires of embarrassed confusion.

They continued shifting awkwardly between each other until Sophie sighed, prompting Aryana to also sigh, which in turn finally reunited their gazes. A slow grin snaked onto both their faces and they both burst into a flurry of giggles at the strangeness of their situation. After a few moments that brought a full smile onto their faces, they regained enough control to stifle their giggles and allow other emotions to return. Yet, it was also in this moment that Sophie caught a glimpse of something darker flashing across her companion’s face. Anger? Resentment? Sadness? Curious, Sophie managed to contain herself enough to give Aryana a quick prod, earning herself a glare but calming the girl down as well.

“So?” Sophie finally asked.

“So?” Ary quipped unconvincingly.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Me? Nothing!” Ary waved her arms incredulously.

“C’mon.”

“I mean it!”

“Ary.”

“What?”

“Ary.”

“Whaaat!?” Aryana now turned into a tomato, trying to desperately hide herself away.

“Ary… what’s up?” Sophie jokingly groaned before she grabbed Ary’s cheeks and gave them both a small pull, stretching the redhead’s face. Soft. “I can tell you’ve got something on your mind. You’ve got this… this, look on your face wherever you’re struggling.”

“Huh?! Ah! I do?! What look? Nyeh…” Aryana shied away in a panicked flurry, covering her own face.

“Heheh, adorable as always.” Sophie grinned before freezing, realization dawning upon her that she had spoken her thoughts aloud. Idiot! She scolded herself.

“Ahhhh! Sophie!” Aryana wailed, “You can’t just say that!”

“W-why not?” Sophie stuttered.

“Because!” Aryana roared before retreating.

By now, the redhead had the script flipped on her and was now the one who sought to bury herself into the bed, ripping Sophie’s neatly tucked blanket away and turning herself into a cocoon.

“Ary, Ary.” Sophie prodded the bundle.

“What?!” Came the muffled reply as the bundle squirmed under the attack.

“Where will I sleep? You’re getting my blanket wet with your hair.”

“I… you…” That seemed to have worked, Aryana stopped squirming and stilled. “Sorry.” A soft reply echoed out from the cocoon, “You can use my bed…”

Sophie felt sorry at how dejected Aryana sounded, but couldn’t stop herself from giggling at the absurdity of it. When the blanket cocoon seemed to stir at the noise, Sophie quickly subdued her by plopping herself down beside it and wrapping her arms around it in a cuddle. “I’m kidding, I don’t mind.” She whispered, “But Ary… really, what’s on your mind? Please. I want to know”

A sigh came from the bundle and it grew still. After a few more tense breaths, Aryana’s now very messy hair plopped out from within it, a slightly less than enthused expression on her face. Feeling motherly at the sight, Sophie reached over and ruffled Aryana’s hair, the girl flinching slightly before letting out a contented grunt and leaning into Sophie’s hand. Soothed by the reassuring touch, Aryana sighed loudly before opening her mouth, “Sophie… I… I think…”

There was a pause, one Sophie tried not to react to. It was clear to her that something was filtering itself through her companion’s eyes, that the words she would share next were no longer what she originally intended. Half truths perhaps, not a lie, but not what she would’ve said. That much Sophie could recognise based on the expression that strained itself upon Aryana’s face.

“I’m scared, Sophie.” Ary whispered, “I… I don’t think I want to take the same classes as you.”

It wasn’t what she wanted to originally say, but it was still a truth on its own. Having registered that Aryana had laid out one of her concerns, it still caught Sophie out of left field and she couldn’t help but do a double take as she tried to process what was said.

“Pardon?”

“I don’t want to take the same classes as you, Sophie. I-I know you’re after a mystery of the towers or something, that Eva isn’t your only reason here. But I… I don’t want to study in the history department.” Aryana frowned.

Sophie closed her eyes and tried to suppress what was to come. At first all that exited her mouth was a heavy breath of air, then a shudder as she tried to clench her teeth together, but eventually she succumbed, and guffawed.

Her sudden laugh was so unexpected that the voice that escaped her made her flinch. Aryana it seemed was a cross somewhere between bewildered and angry.

“S-sophie?” The redhead’s voice warbled.

“Hahahah.”

“Sophie!?” It grew angrier.

“Hahah… ehheheh.”

“Sophie!” Aryana snapped.

“Ahh. Sorry, sorry… eh eh. I just…hoo.” Sophie caught her breath, “I just wasn’t expecting that.” She confessed. “I thought… I dunno, well that it would be something about me that you hated or worried about, or something else. For it to have been classes… well…”

“But I am worried! I am scared! I don’t want to take those classes! I want to register for other ones!”

Sophie chuckled some more before scooting closer, now fully embracing the visibly angry girl. “Oh I didn’t mean to make fun of you. Sorry.”

“You can’t always just hug me when I’m upset!”

Sophie squeezed and Aryana finally unfurled herself from the blanket cocoon, glaring at Sophie the entire time.

“But I’ll do it anyway.” Sophie smirked.

Aryana growled but reciprocated nonetheless, hugging Sophie back albeit more timidly than usual.

“So help me understand what’s wrong.” Sophie asked, her jovial demeanor shifting to concern.

“I’m scared of it Sophie. I want to take other classes but you won’t be there.” Aryana mumbled.

“Oh… oh! That’s why?”

“Uhn.”

“Heheh, Ary, you silly dolt. You don’t need to worry about that, I’ll still be around, no? And we share a room too. So go for it!”

“But you’re not there.”

“And? Remember how I said this is your chance to make more friends? Well, that’s just perfect, especially since…” Sohpie’s expression darkened, “since right now people see you as being with me. And well…”

“Well?”

“Look, I’m not going to lie.” Sophie’s eyes looked up to the ceiling, “Most people probably don’t care that much, but there’s still a decent chunk, especially the Traxians here, that still view people like me negatively. Not that I mind, but… if you’re really signing up for other classes then without me there, people won’t be afraid to approach you.”

Aryana scowled, “Then I don’t need them as friends. Not that I need more anyway.”

Sophie sighed and gave her a long hard look, “But it’s a chance for you to start over. To experience something that once hurt you a long time ago. Look, just think of it as finding new people for both of us to befriend. Like Maylesa and Thalnor.”

At that statement, Aryana flinched and looked away, turning away from Sophie but not disagreeing. Clearly, the thought did cross her mind at some point, heh. But she’s hurt somewhere too, somewhere deep. Sophie gently stroked the girl’s hair and just let out another deep sigh before pressing her head against the girl’s back.

“Whatever it is, I’ve got your back. You know that.” Sophie reassured her.

“Mmm.”

“So go for it. Do it. Sign up for different classes.” Sophie grinned, “Besides, I think I’d go crazy if both of us just talked history all day. But what classes are you trying to sign up for?”

Tension finally left Aryana’s body and Sophie could feel herself relieved at the sight.

“Herbology and alchemy.” Aryana paused, “General education ones too and maybe martial class or arcane. I dunno.”

Sophie turned the girl around and beamed at her, the gesture effectively surprising Aryana given how wide her eyes became. “See? Not all that bad is it? We all need the general education classes too so I’ll probably be there.” Sophie smirked, “Maybe we’ll get to spar too!”

“Pfft.” Aryana rolled her eyes, “You beat Eva, and she was a Vaettaugh, sorry, saint. You were both like… whoosh! As if I’ll ever have a chance.”

“But you’re a Vaettaugh too, aren’t you?” A nod, “Only one way to find out then.”

“Heh… I guess.” Aryana finally smiled somewhat, something still clearly bothering but remained repressed. I suppose that's as much I can extract from her without pushing too hard. She seems to have recovered, at the very least.

Pleased, Sophie gave the girl a few gentle pats on the head before she yawned. “Look, Ary. Whatever comes your way, I’m still your knight, your Lily Knight.” Sophie let out a goofy giggle as she tapped her chest, “I’ll protect you. But that doesn't mean you should stop making friends. It just means if there’s a problem, I’ll be there to help. ’

“Sappy.”

“Huh?”

“So sappy.” Aryana turned away, her back now towards Sophie, “But thanks.”

Sophie smiled to herself and drew the blanket over the both of them. “Whatever the case, how about we call it a day, eh? I don’t mind the slightly damp blanket, but you gotta take responsibility.”

“Ah! Sorry! But does that mean… we… both sleep here?”

“Seems that way. Unless you mind.”

“Ah!” Aryana squeaked, “No… I don’t mind.” The girl wiggled into a comfortable spot.

“Heh, in that case, good night Ary.” Sophie whispered.

“Good night Sophie.”

Truthfully, Sophie had no idea what to wear for the day, they were due to receive their uniforms but until then, Aryana had decreed that she would be wearing the sleeveless dress. She didn’t feel embarrassed exactly, just a sense of palpable worry at the thought of catching a cold once more. Her hand had already mostly healed over from the splinter yesterday, having stealthily siphoned off some mana here and there to expedite the process. What she couldn’t use magic to heal however, was a cold.

Thankfully, registration for classes had at least been relatively pain free, with all the new students milling about the main hall as they talked to department reps about their programs. Sophie had garnered herself a few strange looks and glances, though most students and faculty were more restrained in their judgment of her than outright disdain or just too busy to care. She had registered herself for the history department’s program alongside the martial training program and a class with the strategy department. Aryana meanwhile, remained quite reticent but eventually found it within herself to sign up for the herbology, magic studies and alchemy introductory courses.

Now they were just relaxing inside Pressel Hall, nibbling away at some spiced herb meats and salad, Aryana looking more cheerful than yesterday night. Sophie tried to hide the smirk on her own face, the sight of Aryana regaining her spirit bringing her enough joy to uplift her own faltering mood.

“Does it taste good?” Sophie asked.

“Uhn!” Aryana beamed back, her cheeks puffed out with food.

Sophie’s heart melted at the sight and she quickly looked away, hiding a furious blush.

It thankfully went unnoticed and Aryana continued munching away at her food, Sophie breathing a small sigh of relief.

“The red hair and the halfie.”

“Indeed! Though I think you should use Aryana and Sophie, perhaps.”

Two familiar voices echoed from behind them

“Mmmhmpfmm! Hmmmhmm!” Aryana tried to speak.

Sophie cringed but waved anyway, beckoning the two elves to join them. That act earned them a few more glances of concern but another set of gazes sent chills down her spine. A few tables over were the Traxians from the other day, their faces showing enough emotion that Sophie was certain they had been recognised. Ignoring the feeling of being watched, she smiled at the siblings as they joined them, the two carrying identical rice based dishes with some sautéed vegetables.

“Looks healthy.” Sophie quipped. “And hello, it’s good to see you guys again.”

“Likewise! How do the two of you fare? Getting used to things here?” Maylesa smiled.

“Mmmpf!” Aryana nodded.

“Yup, already having an… exciting time here.”

“Hah! What is it this time? Not a cult hopefully, and less injuries.” Thalnor asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Ehhh… something like that. ” Sophie half heartedly chuckled.

“You should maintain your health better. Especially with your... strange abilities.” Maylesa raised an eyebrow before leaning in, “Same dress as before I see. Suits you very well.”

“Ahhh," Sophie blushed slightly, "Thanks and I'll try.”

“Still. Good to hear the two of you are doing well.”

“Yesh!” Aryana finally swallowed her mouthful, the act making every giggle a little. “How are you two? It feels like it’s been a while.”

The siblings looked at each other, a wordless discussion happening through their eyes before they turned back. “We’re doing alright.” Thalnor answered for the two, “We’ve been busy tinkering with your project.”

“Our… project? Ah! How’s that coming along?” Sophie excitedly leaned in. The battery!

The siblings looked smug and smirked at her before gesturing for her to lean in further. “We’ve drafted a few sketches.” Maylesa whispered.

“Indeed, and considering we’re part of the magicology department we’ll have access to the resources to put our prototypes to the test. Provided you’re okay being the test subject.” Thalnor added.

“Of course!” Sophie hurriedly nodded.

“Fabulous! We’ll keep you informed as much as we can.”

“Ahh! The magicology department right? You can tell Ary everything, she’s signed up for the introductory magical studies class.”

”Oh! Are you?”

“Heheh, yeah.” Aryana sheepishly nodded.

“My, my. You two are certainly full of surprises! We’ll be great colleagues, you and us!” Maylesa grinned, “Though we’re placed in the advanced classes already, given our families… history.” She frowned.

“Eheheh, I look forward to joining you two as well.”

The siblings nodded approvingly before giving Sophie a knowing look. "Well then, let's enjoy this meal and catch up a bit, shall we? You two look as if you have quite a few things you'd like to talk about."

"Uhn!" Aryana exclaimed and Sophie nodded along.

As the group tucked into their meals and continued chatting, Sophie just smiled and just leaned back, sighing as she took in the scene around her. The sounds of cutlery and chatter filled the dining hall, the countless students just minding their own business and generally enjoying the cheerful atmosphere. Life’s good.