There was no way I could talk to Luke before I left. I was embarrassed, excited, and confused. I was in enough emotional turmoil that seeing him might break my resolve. I had to go. I needed some stability, but more than that, I needed to sort out my class skills and training and seek out the Eldest.

I could feel the need around the edges of my consciousness. It was spiritual. It was not urgent yet, but it was soon—a few weeks, maybe a month or two. I knew I could push it out for maybe a year, but I would have to pay. He knew I was coming. It was important.

Solace, hide that damn Title.

Solace: Really? It would open doors and make people help you.

I sighed.

Title: Consort.

You are the consort of Empress Raechina Avidan Janar. In her absence, you have full Imperial Authority.

You can detect the location of your bonded partner through your titles. You may concentrate on determining their emotional state and well-being. These effects may be temporarily suppressed.

Strengthen your bond to increase effects. Love, duty, and respect are simple ways to improve this.

Bond Strength: 0:0 + 250 CHA. + 250 FOC.

Yes. Hide it. It will cause trouble. What do I appear as when Identified?

Solace: Sarah Owens Human Tier 3 Level 21 Mage.

My actual stats were pretty decent.

Sarah Owens Transcendent HUMAN Tier 5 Level 21 Mystic Spell Dancer

Body: 354 (S: 353 A: 356 E: 326 C: 384)

Mind: 582 (I: 353 W: 619 F: 685)

Spirit: 501 (C: 693 K: 455 P: 357)

Luck:345

HP: 475 MP: 1790 EP: 365

The problem was that I didn't know how I felt about my real stats and was not ready to discuss them with anyone.

I sighed. Rach and I? I was sure we would make a great pair, but the entire Luke thing existed. Rach was sure he would be easy to manage, but she was more pragmatic with her feelings. I was falling hard for both. To complicate matters, he also became my Champion when he accepted the role of Imperial Champion. He didn't know. I was not even sure why Rach had done it. Sure, there was chemistry, and I did have feelings – guilt at the betrayal as well – but it felt rushed and forced. Rach had done it because she needed protection; now, she could not be formally courted. Although we had not formalised our relationship, it put a massive spotlight on my back. What made it so hard was that I was falling for her big time. She was intelligent, caring and exciting to be around. She was smoking hot and knew how to … I had to get out of here to finish my quests and fulfil my obligations. I was not running away. I'd keep telling myself that, even if that is what it felt like.

Rach had a plan that was slightly insane and very risky, and for the first bit of it, I was not needed. I smiled at the thought of all the anti-monarchy people in Australia when they realised that she was, with her authority, level and Titles, almost the defacto Queen of Earth. Or Empress of Earth. She would have to negotiate with Harold and Amy to ensure that Earth was a unified entity, or at least those areas that were not in Karass' control.

Good luck with that. From what I had heard, Harold and Amy were doing weird things in Brisbane. Of bigger concern, though, were the six other regions and most of Australia that were out of our control. We held Queensland and bits of the Northern Territory and slowly pushed settlements into the other states. Mike and Julie were handling all that.

Despite the local situation being in flux, I had to leave. Lucky for me, I had learned the Grand Portal spell, and I could use the teleportation sigil for the Mages Guild in the back of their charter.

I teleported back to my room and collected all my needed belongings. At the same time, I waited for my mana to regenerate.

Leaf of Broken Season Battle Robes.

I cast Grand Portal to the Mages Guild. While I had Phidyora's Minor Teleport, it was insufficient for entering the Mages Guild portal room. Despite not being theoretically able to cast Grand Portal, my new nature and my previous realm hopping allowed me to take some shortcuts in learning it.

Spell Grand Portal

This spell will create a doorway between two points in space.

The portal will remain open for as long as the caster supplies mana.

It can become permanent if cast 100 times over 100 days in the same place.

Mana Cost: 80% Total Mana. 2% Mana per second.

Successive Casts increase costs within 24 hours.

The spell was not subtle. Rather than the nice clean portal that Phidyora's Minor Teleport created, this opened an ornate arch.

I made sure the door to my room was locked before I left. When I cast the spell, I knew there were options to configure some of the dimensions of the opening. I did not realise that it would create a "Grand" archway. An ornate, golden arch covered in glowing sigils rose from the floor. It glowed, and a faint thrum of power filled my room. I could feel the spatial distortions as all my hair stood on end, fanning out behind me. Static or some other energy pulsed around. Mist covered the base as it settled in. I could see straight through to the other side as if it were just an ordinary archway. I could see figures rushing about, some people that looked like guards and others wearing robes. Walking around the arch, it was the same from both sides. I would enter the same spot regardless of where I approached the entrance.

Crap. With a sigh, I stepped through. I did not quite know how I wanted to make my entrance, but I was running out of time. This was one way to be noticed. So much for keeping a low profile.

As I stepped through, I cut the mana flow to the portal, forcing it to sink back into the ground. It made a grinding noise, and the room dimmed as it vanished.

A quiet voice spoke behind me, "Please disable all active spells and skills. You are trespassing and do not have a scheduled time slot …."

I turned and saw a young lady in a slightly more ornate robe than mine looking at me, standing bravely in front of several guards.

I presented my Guild credentials and smiled, "Sarah Owens, new member."

"Hmm, OK. This is irregular. You should have booked a time when the recruiter signed you up. What was their name?"

"I didn't have a recruiter."

"That is fine. Which House sponsored you? I am sure it is just a misunderstanding, and they forgot to book." she smiled at me.

"Um, no house. I got a quest and ..."

"Oh, an irregular. We don't advertise the location for this reason. Let me look at my list." She sniffed and didn't even pretend to look. "Sorry. We were not expecting more wild talents. How may I direct you today, Miss Owens? My name is Adept Hawkes." She sneered with nearly every word.

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"I am here to discuss some training. Whom could you recommend?"

She paused, interacting with the System. "It seems you need to present to the Steward of the Guild, Master Welch. She will assess your candidacy before you can begin training."

She looked at me. I looked at her. She smirked and smiled a little.

I sighed and tried not to growl, "Where would I find Master Welch?"

"I have scheduled an appointment for you to see her in 51 days."

This time, I did growl. "Is there anything sooner?"

"Impossible. You cannot turn up unannounced and expect to see a master, let alone a Grand Master. You are not even an apprentice." Her triumphant smile really annoyed me.

Solace: I have made an appointment for you. Claudine is happy to see the Consort to the Empress this afternoon.

Damn you. But thanks, I guess, so much for the low profile.

I smiled at Adept Hawkes. "Thank you for your time. Could you direct me to somewhere I could wait, please?"

She looked annoyed. "Common accommodation can be found in the Mercantile quadrant of Granamora.."

I smirked, "That is nice to know. Could you direct me to something more appropriate?"

I flared my aura slightly, trying to focus just on her. Solace had been helping me direct it more precisely. It seemed to work as she paled and looked nervously over her shoulder at the guards, motioning them to stand down as they started to react.

"The Reserve may have something for you while you wait." The haughty look returned, "It is quite expensive, but I am sure you can afford it. Masterblade Simon, can you please escort Miss Owens to the Reserve? Ensure she is booked in and does not cause any more ruckus. She has disrupted the portal for a long time and is lucky that we do not fine her for the disruption."

One of the guards saluted, fist over his chest, "Yes, Adept."

Masterblade Simon, a lean guard in ceramic plate armour, led me to one of the doorways. He removed a credit card-sized object and placed it over a slight depression in the doorway. There was a brief flash of mana as he opened the door.

I saw the interior of a fancy-looking hotel that put the Tranquil Resort and Spa to shame. Simon gestured to me to step through and followed me. I saw the telltale signs of a portal in the doorway and felt the slight displacement as we traversed the door. Once through, he closed the door and led me to the counter.

A beautiful fox-like creature stood behind the desk, its cute smile showing its canine teeth. It, or she, I was not sure, was wearing a blue and red kimono patterned with birds that looked like kingfishers. The name badge said "Chihreta."

A chirpy yet dog-like voice sounded as it talked, and I knew a translation was happening. "Miss Owens, welcome. We have a reservation for you for 51 days while you wait for your appointment with the Steward. Is that correct?"

Simon smiled. He, too, was smirking. There was something I was not getting. I am sure I was being set up.

"No, there seems to be some mistake. I need an overnight room for an appointment this afternoon."

"Impossible." Simon glared at me. "The Steward would not see a common wild talent on such short notice."

Chihreta smiled. "Yes, I see. We have upgraded you to the Executive Suite with our compliments. Would you like to take advantage of the relaxation facilities before taking your room? Our staff will take care of your belongings. You may go, Simon."

When he didn't leave immediately, she made a go-away motion with her paws.

I liked her. Simon just spluttered and left through the doorway again. I hoped that there would not be any fallout from this. Damn, Solace.

"Is this likely to cause any issues at the academy?" I asked Chihreta.

"None at all. No academics, masters, or anyone important deals with security unless they have to. Security takes itself way too seriously. If they cause any issues, I am sure you are connected enough to deal with them. By the way, I love your robes." She smiled.

I smiled back and got directions to my suite. Despite my hesitancy in taking the suite, Chihreta insisted it was on the house. I was soon being pampered in the lounge of my Suite by my staff of relaxation specialists. The three body and mind relaxation specialists were extra, on top of my personal chef, butler and maid.

I suffered through a head massage and a quick hair growth spell, then a proper haircut and style. I added the style to one of my pre-programmed slots.

A hand and foot massage left me senseless in euphoria as my nails were done to perfection. They were glossy red, with a HUD interface to change their colour. They would last one week.

While I was being massaged into a pile of blissful jelly, an epic-level tailor took my measurements., Two masseuses kneaded and prodded me. I must have been out of sorts because I told the tailor to work wonders.

I had a surprise guest for lunch.

The Steward of the Mages Guild, Grandmaster Claudine Welch, dropped in as I lounged in my bathrobe. She made herself comfortable while I changed. I was not game to use Leaf of Broken Seasons in front of her, so it was old-school dressing. I chose a slightly formal student look, jeans, a black T-shirt, a jacket and Corran Chelsea Doc Martin boots.

I was intimidated until she smiled and told me to call her Claudine. I let her charm, charisma, and presence roll over me and put me at ease—I was that relaxed. Over lunch, she told me that she had been expecting me. Then she dropped a bombshell: I was expected to operate in my capacity as the Augury of Chance and Change.

Crap. That was something I had been ignoring. Damn Dance.

I looked at the Title in my HUD.

Augury of Chance and Change (Mythic/Unique)

You have been recognised as a bringer of change and disruption to the status quo. Some may liken you to a Sower of Chaos, but remember that sometimes the winter comes, cyclones rage and the ground itself breaks to create mountains.

Title Ability: Withstand Chaos: You may sacrifice half your total health and mana to double your core stats for a short period of time. Passive: When invoked by chance or by power, you become a catalyst to events that may reverberate throughout history. You are The spark before a bushfire or the echo that creates the avalanche.

Crap. So much for flying under the radar.

I smiled, faking it and silently cursing her for breaking me out of my near stupor, "So you want me to kick over something here so you don't get blamed?"

Claudine was obviously a political mastermind and a prodigious Grandmaster Mage. You would not get to her position without being a master manipulator. She was not just a Grandmaster. According to the Guild Charter and rules, a Grandmaster is a specialist in at least two fields of magical study. She was a Grandmaster Mage who was a master of at least four areas and had served the Guild for at least a decade in each specialisation.

Solace: Her areas of specialisation are Divination, Illusion, Enchantment and Sigilum. There are rumours of her being a Seer.

Great. I need my training, and she obviously needs something. She has yet to mention my connection to the Empress. Hopefully, I can ignore that.

Claudine smiled again. It was quite disarming, and she seemed so lovely and friendly. After all my relaxation before lunch, I was not really in the mood to be testy, so I let her lead the conversation to try and find out what I needed to do.

Lunch was divine. It included a broth of meats and vegetables, fresh bread, and some salad that I would have never eaten if I had to choose. It was that good. I asked the chef to make extra. I was going to put it in storage for later.

She knew exactly how to play me, and I was letting her. I was adrift, and I needed to make friends and allies. I had no delusions about the amount of control I had here, but as long as I got what I wanted or needed, I would follow her direction.

"All I am asking you to do is enrol as a student like everyone else. We will mask your Tier, and you will refrain from using your higher skills and talents. If you don't get the training you require before your other commitments force you to leave, I will find someone to be your trainer, who will travel and tutor you as you need. I have asked... no, I'll keep that as a surprise for you."

That didn't seem too bad, "So just enrol as a student in the Academy."

She nodded.

"I don't have to fight anyone or anything?"

"Not unless it is part of the course or in self-defence."

It seemed too good to be true, "What are you not telling me?"

Claudine beamed at me, "I can't tell you. Before you complain, I don't know everything, and if you know too much, the effects of your skill and Title will not work. Of course, you will have to fund it yourself, and you will have to keep out of contact with others from your territory during your stay. If I could, I would sneak your friends in, but you know who would create more of a political storm than even I could survive. After today, we will not be in contact unless things go very wrong."

"How long? I have commitments that I cannot put off indefinitely, maybe six months at the most, but that will become very uncomfortable for me."

She paused. "I would not see it taking that long. You should be able to finish at least one round of study. If it gets too uncomfortable, let me know through my office. You should not contact me unless it is an emergency, though. You must appear as Tier 1, level 9 and act appropriately. First-year students at the academy are seldom over Level 10. "

"OK. Does this mean you owe me one?"

She looked slightly startled, then the smile returned, "If that is what it takes to get you to help, yes."

I sighed. It was a favour I knew I would never call on.

I agreed, and we quickly finalised all the details. Claudia gave me a bracelet that, even with my mana sense, I could not see the mana flowing from. The insides of the bracelet were covered in tiny runes and sigils. Looking at the sigils and runes, I saw powerful illusion and deception forces. Claudia assured me it would mask my Tier to everyone below Mythic Tier.

"I made this for another ", she looked sad momentarily," but your need now is greater. You must wear this, do not take it off. It took a powerful combination of my Sigilum and Illusion knowledge. This is unique."

I could not identify it at all. To all intents and purposes, it was mundane.

Claudia smiled, "There will be a late intake of potential students next week, and you will be one of them."

She surprised me with a hug and a kiss on each cheek as she left, "Good luck and don't give up. It may be tough in ways that you don't understand."

Guild Membership Status Revoked.

Guild Membership Status: Provisional Academy Candidate.

I sighed and didn't ask about a refund.