“No, Adina, I will not consider it. Until I meet my bonded mate, I will not, cannot perform. If someone walks in on me it’s different; I didn’t make that choice. No, you can’t have people pay to spontaneously walk in on me and hope they catch me singing.” Lovlyn sighed. “Sorry, Adi, I have to go. The mail just came in and we have a test coming up. I need to study.”

Her friend’s voice mumbled from the other side of the phone. “You’ve never needed to study, Lyna. You could walk in to the test after skipping school for a week and still get a perfect score. You just want to get rid of me, I know it. Thanks for reminding me about the test, though. Unlike you, some of us do need to study.”

“I am most emphatically not trying to get rid of you! But I do have to go. I’ll see you in school if I don’t hear from you before then.” Lovlyn paused. “I love you and you’re an awesome best friend and I know you’re still trying to make me feel better even though it’s been four years since my accident. You should know, though, you don’t have to. I can walk without limping, now, and I can fight almost as well as I could before.”

Adina gave her only silence for a moment before saying quietly, “I know, but I can’t help it. I want you to be happy and I feel ashamed that there’s nothing I can do. Yes, I know you are a strong, independent woman who can seek happiness all on her own, but sometimes I wish I could give you back what you used to have, Lyna, and I know I can’t. All I can do is hope your mate comes soon; the seer claims he’ll love you as you are, not for what you used to be, and I believe her.”

Lovlyn’s voice almost broke on her next words. “How can you be so sure?”

Adina’s voice was gentle, but firm. “Because I love you, for who you once were, still are, and can be again, no matter how cynical you’ve become or how bleak you believe your future to be. I don’t care if you get your leg back or not” Lovlyn sucked in a gasp of pain “as long as you learn to smile and laugh again. Sorry, I should have worded that better; for a second it sounded like I didn’t care what happened to you, but I do, far more than you seem to believe. What I meant is, I don’t care what you look like, or who you hang out with, or how well you do or don’t dance, all I care is that you can be happy again, Lovlyn.”

Adina never used her full name unless she was deadly serious. Lovlyn’s voice was small and quiet as she said, “I know and it’s one of the reasons I love you so much. You’re my only real friend and I love you like a sister.” Her voice shook. “But Mom’s home and I really do need to get off the phone and at least pretend to be studying, or you know she’ll get upset with me for being lazy the night before a test.”

Adina laughed. “Did you happen to point out that your near-photographic memory has long been proven and you have no need of studying? No? Oh well. I’ll see you tomorrow, I guess, but don’t forget that tomorrow’s your turn to bring lunch. Love you, Lyna!”

“Love you too, Adi,” she murmured as Adina cut the connection. “See you tomorrow.” Turning to her textbook, Lovlyn sighed. Her mother meant only the best, but sometimes Lovlyn wondered if her mother even knew how smart she was. Lovlyn was a skilled fighter and a beautiful singer; if it weren’t for the accident that had stolen her ability to dance and skate, she would still be wonderful at those; but her true strength lay in the acquisition, absorption, interpretation, analysis, and storage of knowledge, from any source: she never forgot something she had learned, and she could put it to any use, even those outside common consideration. Her mother, apparently, had forgotten this.

“Lovlyn, dear, I’m home,” her mother called. “I brought dinner and a friend. She says she’s your science teacher?”

Lovlyn groaned internally. Of course Mom would bring Mrs. McGillin home. Of course she would. Mrs. McGillin, while not unkind, was one of the people who persistently asked her if she would dance for them, and appeared continuously disappointed when she informed them that she couldn’t. Even four years after her accident, people still recognised her once-graceful form, despite her slight, ever-present limp. “Coming, Mom,” she called. “I’m just finishing up some homework. I’ll be down shortly.”

Her first endeavor when she had returned home from the hospital, after figuring out how to walk, had been teaching herself to climb up and down stairs. She had refused, rather belligerently, to become dependent on elevators or even a cane. While her mother had been skeptical, her father had supported her whole-heartedly, never appearing to tire of catching her before she could tumble down the stairs. He had also agreed to help her re-learn her fighting techniques, teaching both her and himself to work not around her injured leg, but with it instead. He and Adina were her saving graces, the lights that kept her going until she could walk with a barely noticeable limp despite her twisted leg: they had seen her for who she was and encouraged that she learn how to not just survive but truly live, even without dancing.

Stepping around the corner with nearly as much silence and grace as she had once commanded, she tried not to betray her shock that her leg had held her for such a maneuver. “Mrs. McGillin, how nice to see you. Unfortunately, the past two days have not changed my condition and I find myself yet unable to acquiesce to your request and dance for you. My leg simply will not hold for it.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Lovlyn’s mom looked back and forth between the kind old lady and her mildly rebellious daughter. “Lovlyn, what on Progin are you talking about? Mrs. McGillin came to deliver something, she says it’s some kind of acceptance letter. I didn’t know you’d applied anywhere, sweetie, why didn’t you tell me?”

As Lovlyn offered no information, Mrs. McGillin decided to speak. “I apologize for my previous insistence, Lovlyn. It must have been quite a bother to have your science teacher constantly asking you if you could dance. In all honesty, I was simply hoping that my persistence might prove sufficient motivation for your clearly flagging spirits, but I think I merely made it worse instead. Please accept my sincerest apologies.”

Lovlyn watched Mrs. McGillin for a moment before deciding to nod. “Thank you, and I accept. Fortunately I have Adina to boost me up if I happen to fall.”

Mrs. McGillin nodded. She knew how close the girls were. “You are truly fortunate to have such a friend. I wish I’d had a supporter such as her when I went through high school. Thankfully, I believe she will be able to follow you to your next destination, should you accept. What I have in my hands” she was suddenly holding a glittering golden envelope “is an acceptance letter to Aurum Academy. The reason you had no knowledge of it is because Aurum does not have an application system; instead, the Headmaster and professors seek out their students with the help of a uniquely crafted set of spells specifically designed for the purpose of determining and obtaining students. Therefore, I now offer to you your letter of acceptance. I suggest you at least read it.”

Lovlyn’s mom stifled a gasp. “Aurum? Isn’t that the highest academy of magic in the world? And Lovlyn was accepted? Oh my!” She didn’t seem to have even considered that perhaps Lovlyn didn’t want to go. “Lovlyn sweetie, isn’t this wonderful? Oh, read it, read it! What will you be needing? Go on!”

Lovlyn shared a private eyeroll with Mrs McGillin. No choice, I guess. Normal for Mom. Taking the letter, she popped the (admittedly rather beautiful) seal and read:

Aurum Academy

The professors of Aurum Academy are proud to offer this letter of acceptance to Miss Lovlyn Arika Bynn, in honor of her excellent test scores and impressive cognitive abilities.

We are prepared to offer any assistance necessary should you choose to attend. You are permitted to bring your own, but all textbooks and supplies will be provided and will stay with you, rather than returning to the school. Aurum is a boarding school with a large dormitory and excellent cooks; uniforms will be provided. Personal items are allowed, but we kindly request you bring no more than a single suitcase. Your courses and teachers will be decided upon arrival. Should you choose to attend, you will have two weeks to pack your bag and meet with other students from your area at the crossroads of Whitby and Genal.

We sincerely anticipate your arrival at our school and will be deeply disappointed - though understanding - should you choose to decline.

Have a wonderful day, my dear.

* Headmistress Burnstein

Lovlyn lifted an eyebrow as she finished reading. “Quite casual, isn’t it?”

Mrs. McGillin nodded. “Aurum doesn’t believe in formalities anywhere near as much as many private schools and magic academies. I believe you’ll find the staff there particularly accommodating to your injury, and if anyone attempts to bully or pressure you into something you don’t want, they’ll no doubt defend you, though they’ll expect you to make an effort first.”

“Has anyone ever declined?”

“Well of course! Every year there are a few students who either believe themselves unworthy, or don’t think they can handle it, or have something they don’t want to leave behind.”

“Is there a cost?”

“None at all. I’ve been told that many of the chosen students come from rather poor backgrounds. Everything is covered by the school.” Mrs. McGillin had a slightly confused expression. “Why? Your family doesn’t seem to be having any issues…”

Lovlyn allowed herself a small, amused smirk. “Not at all, Mrs. McGillin, but I’m sure we wouldn’t want to spend it all on my education, either.”

Lovlyn’s mother broke in. “Sweetie, do you mean to suggest you don’t want to go?” Her voice held an almost dangerous edge to it.

“Of course not, Mother,” Lovlyn responded with her own edge. “Merely being certain I know what I’m going into.”

Mrs. McGillin’s eyes moved back and forth between the two like she was worried about a fight. She cleared her throat and cut in with, “I apologize for interrupting, but I have other houses to visit today. I’m the guide for this region, so I’ll be leading you to school if you accept. I know the letter states the meeting place, so I won’t bother repeating it.” She paused to look Lovlyn directly in the eyes. “I know you have your doubts due to your unusual situation, but I honestly believe you’d enjoy Aurum, even if you seem to prefer silver over gold.” Mrs. McGillin winked and Lovlyn almost smiled at the reminder of the silver clothing she had almost always worn when ice skating.

“Thank you, Mrs. McGillin,” Lovlyn said. “You’re right, I have my doubts, but I’ll give the offer serious consideration. Either way, Aurum couldn’t possibly be worse than attending the local magic school, anyway.”

Mrs. McGillin laughed a little and politely excused herself. She tried not eavesdrop, but Mrs. Bynn was so loud that there was no way not to hear her. “What do you mean, you’ll consider it? Of course you’re going. After you robbed me of all that fame and money that would have been mine, you’ll either get out of my house in disgrace or become famous for some other reason! GO PACK!”

As she left, Mrs. McGillin flinched at the sound of something being thrown and wondered if she had enough evidence to claim child abuse.