Smoke hung over the city. Like some unseen painter, frost formed on the buildings, creating intricate patterns. A bell in the academy’s steeple rang, booming a wake-up call to those nearby.

Riley woke up and climbed out of bed.

[Activity experience granted to Assassin, Bard, Ranger, Spell Thief, and Noble.]

[Assassin has advanced: 100 → 101!]

[Bard has advanced: 100 → 101!]

[Ranger has advanced: 100 → 101!]

[Spell Thief has advanced: 100 → 101!]

[Noble has advanced: 1 → 7!]

Blinking away the message, she looked down at the nightgown. Do I use the bath? She frowned.

[Do it, and prank someone! ~Mischief]

Riley chuckled, grabbed her robe, and quickly darted out the door.

Walking down the wooden hallways, she turned and entered a room. The floor and walls were stone. Steps led down into the large bath. Dunking her toe in the water, she yelped and jerked away from the icy water.

“Apologies, my lady,” a servant said, walking into the room. She drained her mana into a crystal at the front of the pool and walked out.

Riley hung her robe and nightgown on a small rod. Then she walked over and waded into the warming water.

Scrubbing herself with a soft rag, she tried to be quick, wanting to avoid any awkward conversations.

Dunking her head underwater, she rinsed and emerged.

Emma walked in. “There you are. How is it?”

“Warmer now,” Riley said, gently untangling her hair with a loose comb. She dropped back in the water.

“When did your hair turn blue? When you awakened?” Emma waded into the tub with a happy sigh.

“Yes,” Riley lied. “Beauty had fun.”

Emma chuckled. “She does love it.” She started scrubbing off any dirt. “Are you ready for classes?”

“I hope so.” Riley started wading, heading for her robe.

“Wait. Riley. I have to tell you something.” Emma grabbed her arm. “About Hassan. Be careful. He’s not a good person,” she whispered.

“Thanks, Emma. I’ll keep it in mind.” Riley waded out of the bath. With a burst of mana, she sent the water flying off her. Then she put on her robe and headed back to her room. Made it. Sort of. Her cheeks turned red, and she quickly entered her room.

Opening her closet, she found a dozen new dresses, five of which were the same light blue color. She pulled down one of them and quickly got dressed. Then she paused to look at herself in the mirror. The blue on blue wasn’t doing her any favors, and she slumped while looking at the simple dress.

[Let me help! ~Beauty]

Riley smiled and used the Pretty skill. Her hair pulled up into a bun. The dress shimmered and tied itself. Well, that’s easier. Checking her appearance, she paused in front of the door. Okay. Don’t upset the royals. Don’t cause a scene, and read everything you can find.

She smiled, opened the door, and headed down the hall, pausing in front of Emma’s room. Should I wait for them? She knocked. “Emma?”

“Gods, you’re fast,” Lin said, opening the door.

Riley walked into the room and looked at their plain gray dresses. She grabbed the strings on the back of Lin’s dress and quickly laced it up. “Why are your dresses gray?”

Lin turned. “Position. Blue is for the future barons or baronesses. We’re gray.” She turned back and tied the back of Emma’s dress.

Of course. Riley walked inside to help. “Are you sharing a room?”

“Yes. It’s cheaper,” Emma said and grabbed a comb. “Sorry. You’re very quick.” She quickly pulled her hair up.

Lin did the same. Then she straightened her dress and headed for the door. The three walked out of the dorm and scurried across the brisk courtyard.

Riley’s breath billowed around her, and she jogged up to the heavy doors of the academy. Pulling them open, she hurried inside and walked down the hall.

“Winter’ll be here soon,” Emma said with a shiver.

Riley nodded and walked into the dining area. She froze and considered her best option. Gray uniforms were sitting near the front on harder chairs. They mingled back into blue, which mingled into a barrage of random colors. Further complicating it were random ribbons, scarves, and armguards of black or red.

Not knowing what they meant, Riley took a seat next to three boys in gray.

One jerked up and stared at her like she was mad.

Riley ignored it and leaned towards Emma. “What does black or red mean?”

“Black is the prince. Red is the princess,” one of the boys whispered. “I don’t have either, do I?”

Riley shook her head. “You’re fine.”

He looked relieved. Riley frowned and quickly studied the students. It became obvious that anyone beyond the position of baron was aligned, and many of the others were picking sides. She sighed. How am I supposed to navigate this disaster? She looked up at the servant, who approached. “Whatever’s on order.”

The servant looked at her in surprise. “Are you certain? You can order whatever you like.”

“Yes.”

The servant flashed a message with his hand. “We eat it.”

Riley smiled. That answers that. They'll eat the leftovers. She rubbed her chin. “On second thought, I’ll have an omelet and bread.”

“Of course, my lady.” The servant smiled and turned to the others.

Riley looked back at the schism between her classmates. Do I proclaim myself above it? She mused on it and failed to see how that would work in her favor. Huffing, she drummed her fingers. I need to be on the winning side, which is unknown. So, I join, tip the scales, and pray. Or I play both and fail if they catch me.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

None of the options were great.

“What was he signing,” Emma asked. “The servant? What did he say to you.”

“Oh, nothing. Just a hunter’s greeting,” Riley lied. She looked at the three boys, who whispered to each other and stared at her. “What?”

“Are you sure you want to sit here? With your level?” one asked.

“Yes. This is where I need to be.” Riley stayed seated, watching everyone around her and trying to learn more about her two options.

The servant walked over and placed down the food. Riley smiled at him. “Thanks.”

He bowed and walked away.

Hassan walked in and headed for a table that clearly had aligned with the prince. Riley noted it and picked up her fork and knife.

The surrounding conversations faltered. Riley looked over and saw the reason; the prince and princess had arrived. The princess was in an intricate red gown, and the prince was wearing a black uniform. Each looked around the room and headed for a table in the back.

Riley finished her breakfast, leaned back in her chair, and reached for her skills. Finding Psychic Spike, she carefully searched for any flaws in the skill. It seemed to be mending. The cracks were fading, and they were sealing back together.

Smiling, she pulled out of her meditation and looked around the cafeteria. A few instructors had entered. They were walking around the tables and handing out schedules.

Riley took hers and rapidly scanned the courses.

Monday Morning: Ritual Casting

Monday Afternoon: Truthseeker Training

Tuesday Morning: Laws, History, and Current Events

Tuesday Afternoon: Enchanting

Wednesday Morning: Ritual Casting

Wednesday Afternoon: Math and Science

Thursday Morning: Scouting and Dueling

Thursday Evening: Enchanting

Friday: Weekly Dungeon Visit (Group 3).

Glee flooded through her. She happily folded the piece of paper and gently placed it in her bag.

A tall, bald man walked to the front of the room. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen,” an instructor said. He straightened his uniform and shot a stern look at everyone. “We have allocated your skills as requested by the palace. For those of you with a pure magic class, you will focus on that domain. For those without, you will focus on other roles, like commanding your troops. We expect you to behave and follow the laws.” He paused and looked around the room.

The students remained silent. His gaze halted on Riley. “Lady Riley, a moment. The rest, follow your instructors to class.”

Panic fluttered through Riley’s stomach. She swallowed and walked to the front.

The instructor looked at her. “I’ll be candid with you, Lady Riley. We have a complication for the dungeons. As you likely know, we prefer to have four or five in a group. This allows you to practice tactics and team fighting as seen on the front. However, we have eleven students in the E-tier. Further complicating the matter, their parents demanded that they be in a full group. While we can push back, your grandparents did not send any requirements.”

“Oh,” Riley said. “How close is the next E-tier?”

“Three weeks.”

“So, I either go solo or demand a group?” Riley asked, biting her lip and watching the other students stream down the halls.

“Yes, but your group will only have three. That won’t change. And I don’t wish to cause you problems; they have higher positions than you.”

Riley frowned and considered it. Makes it easier to farm, but it costs me. I won’t be able to bond with them. Then she shook her head. The bond would be destroyed by demanding it of them. “I don’t have a good option. If I demand it, I’ll destroy the bond with them.”

The instructor patted her shoulder. “While the places only let you go in groups of up to five, getting some to join you will get easier if you push yourself the first time. And given your position, something tells me you are either useless or very competent.” He emphasized the last words and looked at her.

“I’ll go solo then,” Riley replied.

The instructor nodded. “Thank you, Lady Riley. I’ll be interested to see how you do.”

Riley smiled back. “Thank you.”

“Your class is down that hall.” He gestured to the left hallway. “I look forward to seeing you in the seekers’ course. You came with a strong recommendation.” He turned and headed down the hall.

Riley turned and headed for the door, leaving the dining room behind. Okay. Goals for the week. Swindle Hassan. Meet with the guild. And destroy my dungeon. I can use that to connect with the higher nobility.

Hurrying quickly down the hall, she darted off to ritual casting class.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 100

Bard (C)

Level: 101

Inspiring Song F Bolster your allies with magic and music. Strength and Move Speed increased by 1 for one minute. Costs five Bardic Inspiration and impacts allies within ten meters. The radius of influence expands by one meter for each additional inspiration spent. Psychic Spike F Wield your mana to cause psychic damage to a target. Cost varies based on allocation. Manipulate Water F Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount.

Assassin (C)

Level: 101 + 12

Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight. Dancer's Form B +10 speed. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 5 for a minute. Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant. Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Spell Thief (C)

Level: 101

Predatory Sight E Your perception and insight are boosted by 5. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light.

Pretty E Your appearance is better, but it could be even grander. Use 1 mana to get a little help from Beauty! (Upgrade me again!) Penalty applied: Unequippable. Beauty may alter your appearance at her whim.

Ranger (C) Level: 101 Inactive. Noble (F)

Level: 7 Inactive.

Dexterity: 515 Strength: 200 Speed: 234 Intelligence: 301 Charisma: 331 Stamina: 313 Mana: 503 Inspiration: 201