Despite what I had resolved to do, I didn’t go tell the others about Allen.

After what was revealed to me by the head librarian, when I stepped outside the Academy, I was overwhelmed by a sense of anxiety and powerlessness. What was I even meant to tell them?

Maybe it was cowardice, but I suddenly felt very tired and found myself walking back home toward the noble district.

Father was busy at the Church, but Mother was there. She read my face and understood I needed a hug, she didn’t ask any question, for which I was thankful. She would wait I was ready.

I skipped the dinner and just hid myself in the bedroom.

I couldn’t sleep, too many questions and thoughts were swirling inside my mind. It had been a long night.

The next morning I was delivered an invitation to the Val Mariannet mansion here in Valarest, to attend at my earliest convenience. I let a sigh of anticipation. I had many questions for Violet. About Allen… and about Spirit Walkers.

All prestigious noble families owned a residence in the capital, beside their territories. The Val Mariannet were one such lineage, their legacy spanning back to the earlier days of the Age of Restoration.

I had not waited. I knew I would not be able to calm down until we spoke.

“Lady Violet is ready to receive you.” The servant announced, waking me from my fretful thoughts. I rose up.

I followed the servant who escorted me from the finely furnished waiting room to a corridor. Paintings of stern faces stared me down from the walls, which didn’t help me feel at ease. The servant stopped before an open door.

“Lady Ellinoria, as you requested, my lady.” He spoke out loud and waited for me to enter before closing the door behind me.

Violet, who was sitting at a small table in the middle of the room, looked up to meet my eyes. “Please, have a seat.” She invited.

Two cups and a teapot of fragrant tea had been arrayed for us.

Had there been any news about Allen? Last night I just hadn’t been able to fall asleep and attempt to contact him. I had felt as if I had failed him.

“I imagine you have questions,” Violet began. “So do I.” She took a sip from her teacup.

I took it as an invitation to do the same. The tea was a flavorful mixture of fruits and berries, a pleasant taste.

“Is Allen…” I ventured, almost afraid to ask.

“Nothing yet… Unless you happened to contact him in dream?” She inquired, her pale blue eyes almost accusatory.

“No, I couldn’t sleep. My apologies, ma’am.” I said defensively.

“No need to apologize, Lady Ellinoria,” She replied. “Your contributions and discretion over the incident last winter has more than proven your loyalty toward the kingdom. Moreover the Val Arinn family has always been true to the Kingdom. Reasons why I’m willing to discuss these matters with you.”

It had been weird since then. I had received the toasts and thanks from adventurers and Academy students.

Even a few commoners had recognized and cheered for me across the streets.

I felt conflicted about it. Being recognized by unknown people had made me feel elated… but also queasy. I hadn’t become an adventurer for the fame, but to help people and progress my Path.

I had already received several offers to join major parties at the Adventurer’s Guild.

But I had refused.

The members our party were all people I could entrust my life to. Uncle had always advised me not to gamble my life adventuring with untrustworthy people, and to try follow both instinct and reason.

Besides, I still felt like a fraud. My exorcising of the Bodystealer had been a group effort. And luck, probably. I was barely half way to the Second Step. AnHelm must have lent me his assistance when I most needed it.

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It hadn’t been right to pin the achievement only on me, just because I belonged to the nobility.

“We’ve done all in our power to increase Allen’s chances,” Violet promised, breaking the silence. “For now, we must wait.”

“I see…” I said, disappointment showing both in my voice and face.

“But I haven’t invited you here to discuss that matter…” She cut in. “You contacted the head librarian as I had instructed.”

It was not a question, but I nodded anyway.

Violet stared at me with her icy glare for a few breaths. “Have you ever been approached by anyone claiming to be a Spirit Walker?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Very good,” She relaxed ever so slightly. “I assume your pursuit of conscious dreams is Allen’s doing?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “But also a childhood dream of mine.”

“I see.” Se said with a hint of annoyance.

“But… if it is so dangerous why─”

“The lure of the forbidden,” She cut me short. “What if we made it publicly known? Prohibition would only ensure that more people attempt so.” She took a sip before continuing. “Many would sleepwalk to their deaths, be spied in dream, or be turned against us.” She cast me a sharp glare. “No. It’s best to deal with such things quietly when we identify anyone with the talent. A rare occurrence but easy to spot whenever people boasts about mastering their own dreams.”

“But why are the Spirit Walkers acting against us?” I asked. None of this was ever mentioned in the stories.

“It is believed they suffered a betrayal during the Dark Ages. Whatever written records we had were lost during one of the Demon Wars.” Violet inched forward. “What we know is that the feud is real, and their hatred focused on the kingdoms originating all the way back from the Eight Heroes. It is possible they have allies in the southern kingdoms, or in the fringes, working against us.”

I remained silent for a time, staring down my cup of tea. I felt a sense of betrayal. My dreams of becoming a Spirit Walker had now revealed the poison beneath the glittering surface. I hadn’t known of the dangers, or the feud.

“Can they really do that? Control people while sleepwalking?”

“Yes,” She said. “But the last recorded case was a century ago. Those capable of conscious dreaming were always a rarity, and since the beginning of the Age of Restoration, we discovered the benefits of not dreaming at all. It was never just Sleep Walkers killing mages in their sleep, after all.”

In my mind a Spirit Walker was a daring adventurer, flying out their body, soaring the skies, hunting for secrets, helping those who couldn’t wake, and soothing children nightmares.

Just when I had finally found a way to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a Spirit Walker, it was so cruelly shattered.

“You may continue your pursuit.” Violet said suddenly, while taking another sip.

“Wha-?” I blinked, confused. My sorrows momentarily suspended.

“You can commune with a God in dream,” She said. “You may be one of the few able to recover this lost knowledge. As long as your spirit is in communion with a Greater God, no one, not even another God, will be able to intrude your dreams. This much we know.” She eased back on her seat, crossing her arms.

So unexpected! After all the warnings and reveals, I thought I would’ve had to abandon my dreams.

“So I can really keep practicing?” I asked, still incredulous.

“Yes,” She confirmed. “I invited you here to ask you if you’d be willing to share with me what you learn of these abilities.”

“Share with the Kingdom, you mean?”

“No,” She said. “I can’t be sure whom to trust… My research on Spirit Walkers has hit walls I can’t overcome, and I can’t afford to try myself, even if I had the talent.”

I kept to myself that Allen claimed you didn't need a talent as long as you had a strong enough intent to lucid dream. Violet set down her empty cup, and filled it again.

“In return I can help you Walk the Steps safely and quickly,” She considered me for a moment. “You must be halfway to the Second Step, isn’t that so?”

“I-I think so?” I said, a little uncertain. Allen always bragged how he could measure magical power, and I had the values from the magic ring he had enchanted for me. It said I was at 1.5 Steps, if it could be trusted. I was not sure one could simply put a number to magic.

“Your fame has increased faster than your power. This is dangerous,” Violet stated. “As you have broken through the first wall, you should aim to reach the Fourth Step as fast as possible. You will need a stronger spirit for what is to come.”

I sat there, with a cup in my hands, staring. Violet Val Mariannet was well known for rising to power in a short period of time. None better than her would know the secret ways to walking the Steps quickly!

It was a very tempting offer. How many more people could I have saved if my spirit was stronger? Magic skill is useless if a stronger mage suppresses you.

“I offer my assistance, in exchange for what you learn about Spirit Walking.” Violet extended her right hand.

The choice of a lifetime. I could not refuse. I shook her hand. Her grip was firm but not crushing.

Violet was one of the two Archmages that came in our help when the demon attacked Lena’s village, and also when the bandits closed in on us. She had also taken Allen under her wing. She had more than earned our trust.

I was tired of feeling powerless, of having to watch while everyone bled. All the moments of despair were too fresh in my mind.

“I’ll do my best!” I said, determined.

Violet nodded, her features softening ever little. “You must be careful,” she warned. “So many events and plots are unfolding and converging, so quickly… You may have Talent and Skill, but without power to back them up, you will be swept away with the tide.”

That was exactly it. Everything had been happening too fast. And I couldn’t keep up…

We had a lengthy discussion. About Spirit Walkers’ abilities. The walls she hit in her pursuit for knowledge. The suspicion that someone might be working against the kingdom to keep up in the dark.

The rumors saying that Violet was a woman of few words were wrong.