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A Veil Between Worlds [Military Academy|Progression]
Chapter 28 – The Dreaded Approach (2)

Chapter 28 – The Dreaded Approach (2)

Laying on his bed wide awake, his sister’s words lingered in his mind. Now he somewhat understood why she said that. Even a single misstep, and he would lose what he had here.

He’d rather go back home than stay here in that case. Just like she did.

A faint smile touched upon his lips. At least his excuse wouldn’t be uncomfortable furniture and lack of good food. He still remembered how she arrived home one day, declaring she had learned everything there was to learn, and the beds were too uncomfortable.

She wasn’t wrong. It was still a funny memory he cherished though.

Thinking of Ilya brought their field assignment to the forefront of his thoughts. Uncomfortable, he sat up on the bed and leaned towards the window above the mattress.

The sky was hidden above a layer of thick, dark clouds. No moonlight could pierce those clouds, and if they lingered till dawn, even sunlight would have a hard time getting through.

Just like that mist.

He rubbed his legs, where the wolf had bitten him. Had headmistress Moira not arrived in time, those wounds would have marked his death. And when word got back to Ilya… A cold shiver ran down his spine. She’d probably figure out how to resurrect him just so she could shout at him about how careless he was.

The thought made him chuckle half-heartedly.

His hand touched the holding gem in his earring. A stake appeared in his palm, wooden, with gold inlaid carvings decorating its ever surface. A gold coloured gem was attached to the very top of it, slotted in like the pommel of Willow’s sword.

It emitted a soft, warm glow. These crystals were rare – not because of their colour, but because they could store spiritual power. He was given two of them, both fashioned into these stakes – and now one was broken. He had the shattered pieces with him still. Perhaps Ilya would have a use for them.

He caressed the surface of the crystal, sensing the power stored within. He regretted having broken one, but it had saved his and Lillia’s lives. It had achieved its purpose.

He put it back into the holding gem, not wanting it to be noticed by anyone. Alistair already guessed what the beam of light was – if he saw this, he’d know for certain. He didn’t want their friendship to change like that.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He watched the skies for a while longer.

Dawn arrived with a fresh layer of snow on the mountaintops. There was a frigid cold that signalled the early arrival of winter. The dilapidated courtyard was covered in a thin layer of ice, as and he could see the snow gathered on the walls and roofs of the castle.

Standing outside, wrapped in his warm cloak, he rubbed his hands together. His breath turned into a vapour.

“You’re early.” Instructor Soraya didn’t seem affected by the cold, or the strong winds blowing around them. A blade and a dagger hung from her belt, with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. A crimson glow illuminated her fingers. She already had a resonance cast.

“I’d rather not take any chances on an exam day,” he said with a chuckle.

Instructor Soraya smirked. “Fair point, though you’re way too early. The sun is rising only now.”

“I’m not alone here, instructor,” Midhir gestured towards her. “If it’s so early, why are you here?”

Instructor Soraya let out a laugh. “Fair!” She exclaimed. Her voice echoed in the silence of dawn.

The world was still asleep under this blanket of snow and cold. The few animals who were awake hadn’t started their days yet.

Instructor Soraya watched the lake for a few moments before turning her attention back to Midhir. “I heard what you did during your field assignment,” her voice was sharp and tense. “I’m sure you’ve heard this several times before, from many different people.” She paused, glancing at the door behind him.

“Heard what?” he asked.

“From adults, who’ve lived through the incident at An’Larion a decade ago.” She folded her arms and raised her chin. “I believe you’re the last to carry the family name of Induen.”

Midhir barely kept himself from rolling his eyes. He wasn’t surprised she knew its history, but he did find it odd that she cared at all. A dead family name had no worth anymore.

“You should be more careful. I’d hate to see a bloodline end just like that,” sha narrowed her eyes.

“I understand,” he breathed out to rid himself of his annoyance, “but I hardly had a choice, and the headmistress arrived in time to heal the damage to the veil and close the tear. You needn’t worry so much about it, instructor.”

Instructor Soraya pursed her lips. “It’s my job to worry about my students, especially when they come face to face with the dangers of the Otherworld when the biggest threat should have been some thieves or wild animals getting into food stockpiles.” She almost seemed angry at herself. “Lohssa was deemed safe by the authorities, never did it cross my mind that a tear would appear so soon after another one had been fixed – by the crown princess no less.”

She let out a sigh, but then her posture changed. She rested her hand on the hilt of her blade and smiled just before the door behind him creaked open, and the remaining three members of their class arrived.

“Good morning everyone!” She remarked with a fire in her eyes. She looked completely different to how she was a moment ago. “Are you ready?”

Willow gulped, while Alistair summoned his spear from his holding gem hidden under his sleeve.

Midhir gripped the hilt of his shortsword. The exam was about to begin – he couldn’t focus on their previous conversation anymore.

“Very well,” Instructor Soraya raised her chin. “Then let us begin. Midhir, since you came so early today, I’ll start with you.”

She drew her sword and pointed it towards him. The blade burst into flames as her next words echoed in his ears. “Today, I’ll be your opponent.”