Zerine got up early, a routine she and Varino had gotten into over the years. She immediately tamped down her instinct, which was another habit she had started over the past two years. As she had gotten older, the strange instinct had gotten stronger. The impressions she could get interacting with people felt like borderline mind reading, giving her impressions of the individual’s character, if they were trustworthy, strong, and more. Getting fed up with the consistent flood of information, Zerine had figured out a way to damp its effects.

The only time she let the control over the instinct go was when she was training. Her instincts helped to read and stay ahead of her opponent. There was one problem, however. She discovered she wasn’t fast enough to follow all of what her instincts were telling her. She made getting faster a priority and had it near the top of the list for her goals. It went after figuring out how to create her version of dragon breath, and conjuring versions of her weapons out of magical energy.

When she was ready, they sunk out to the courtyard. The household had added new defense arrays, which forced Zerine to figure out a way to not alert Bernard or the others that someone left this early. Luckily, Varino was the one who had figured out the solution.

Zerine concentrated as she made a thin layer of ambient magic cover her entire body. This technique and the mana barrier were the hardest ones that Zerine could do. With this layer, the arrays didn’t pick up that someone was there. She hurried out on to the street. She could only keep the technique going for a few seconds. They checked to make sure they weren’t observed, then head out.

They headed towards the closest city gate. There was a steady stream of people coming and going, so with a cheery wave she passed the guards and headed towards the forest. Soon they were at the beach where they normally practiced.

Varino and Zerine started their morning routine of running, followed by individual practice. Zerine worked on her archery and throwing knives, while Varino worked on her magic. They worked till Varino was sitting on Zerine’s head, mediating as Zerine aimed her last arrow for the morning.

“You know if you get bigger, you won’t be able to sit on my head,” Zerine commented carefully, aiming.

Varino chittered, patting Zerine’s head.

“I’m focusing on my shot, but I think my shoulder maybe your normal spot for meditation in a few more months.”

Varino sighed, sounding like a small wave crashing on the shore.

Zerine released the arrow. It flew true, hitting the center of the target around seventy meters away.

“Alright, I will go get my arrows and we can head home. You can stay up there the whole time as long as you won’t fall off.”

Varino cheered.

When they got back home, they could smell the scent of fresh bread mixed with other mouthwatering fragrances. She was walking towards her room when she felt an aura pulse out, startling her. The aura suppressed hers, but after years of work with the dragons and Varino, she just ignored the effect.

She ran towards Estel’s room, where the aura was emanating from. Opening the door, Zerine took a step in, but froze as an acrid stench hit her nose. Zerine gagged, stumbling back, her eyes watering. A black, purple and blue sludge-like substance was dripping on to the floor from Estel’s bed with swirls of mana moved over Estel’s bed.

Is Estel alright? What is the slug and why, oh fucking, why did it smell so bad? she thought, horror etched on her face. All she could see was sludge and the remains of a shredded blanket.

A hand on her shoulder made her jump. Ava squeezed her shoulder, her gaze on Estel’s bed.

“Estel is going through the process of remaking her body. She’ll be alright,” Ava said, giving Zerine a reassuring smile. “Bernard, we will need the alchemic cleaning supplies for this,” she said, looking back.

Bernard and Callahan had appeared standing in the hall. Bernard, with a big smile, nodded and vanished in a gust of wind. Callahan put an arm over Ava’s shoulders.

“Zerine, you should go get ready for class and breakfast,” Callahan said, peering around Ava.

“Also, why is there sand on your clothes?” Ava said, suspicion entering her tone.

Zerine pointed at Estel’s bed. “What is going on!?”

Almost on cue, there was a splat as a chuck of black sludge fell to the wooden floor. Zerine shuttered looking away.

“Did they not say anything in your classes about the process that occurs when you get your crest?” Callahan asked curiously.

“Your body gets remade, and impurities are cleansed, but…that!” Zerine pointe again. “How is that the process!?”

“See that concentrated mana swirling around? That is the aspect rebuilding her metaphysical channels. The…sludge are the impurities being expunged and getting a crest usually produces the most. The times after it produce far less,” Ava said.

Zerine just stared at Ava.

“The times after…getting a crest!” Zerine said, her voice cracking. Varino, sensing Zerine distress and disgust, chirped and whistled while patting the top of her head.

“I know its natural…but that is gross,” Zerine replied to the spirit.

“I guess this kinda spoiled the surprise,” Callahan said sheepishly.

“A surprise!?” Zerine said incredulously.

“Every time you go up a rank, this happens. It’s a sign of your progress. Varino’s version is a little different, but she goes through similar things,” Callahan said as if this wasn’t at all disgusting to watch.

“Gross,” Zerine muttered.

“But back to my pervious question. Why does it look like you were at the beach?” Ava said.

“Umm,” Zerine said, trying to come up with a convincing lie.

“If I may hazard a guess,” Bernard said, appearing with mops and a bucket glowing with pink fluid.

“Go ahead,” Callahan said before Zerine could say anything.

“Miss. Zerine probably creates a mana barrier around herself and quickly goes over the property line. I assume Miss. Varino used her innate magical sight and senses to figure that out. Good news though, it doesn’t work on the way in,” Bernard said, handing the mops to Ava and Callahan.

Ava’s gaze narrowed.

Varino whistled quickly.

“I know you're with her, but what if you get hurt during training that Varino can’t heal? Or run into a monster near the beach? Why couldn’t you just get me or your father?” Ava wondered as Callahan and Bernard went into Estel's room.

“How-” Zerine asked, but Ava interrupted.

“My familiar is back, and he translated,” Ava said. She sighed, “Zerine, I’m proud that you have been training extra and working hard, but don’t do anything too risky, alright. Now go get ready. Cal and I will show you something after class, and I guarantee it’ll make your little morning trips easier.”

Ava went to help Callahan and Bernard, but paused, “You ensured the training items were back in the spatial storage box and you put it back where you got it?”

“Yes, mom,” Zerine said, exasperated.

“Alright, just had to ask.”

Zerine changed and washed up. She tried to not let the fact she still didn’t have her crest and Estel did get to her. It still annoyed her that Estel wasn’t even eight yet but got hers. A bubble of frustration built up, but she sighed, letting it go. It wasn’t worth the energy because she had no say in when it could happen.

Just a matter of time, she thought, repeating it till she felt a little better.

Varino peeped and whistled as Zerine pulled a shirt on.

“Yeah, Mom and Dad's surprise is something to look forward to,” Zerine smiled. “Thanks, Varino.”

When she entered the hall, she heard Estel's excited voice coming from her room, whose door was still open. Zerine peered around the door and nervously sniffed. To her relief, the stench was gone.

“Zerine!” Estel excitedly called to her.

Zerine, smiling, entered the room. Callahan and Ava were busy throwing sheets and bed mattress into a spatial bag, while Bernard was pouring the pink liquid over Estel’s bed frame. Estel was sitting at her desk, looking like she had just come from taking a shower. Her eyes went wide, seeing Estel Crest.

A mint green crescent arched partly around her left eye. Three parallel lines angled down towards her jaw were connected to the crescent. The most startling part was how Estel’s teal color eyes were now a vibrant mint green. They even seemed to almost glow.

“Congrats!” Zerine said. Estel went for a hug, but Zerine stepped back.

“Your still wet, but I will gladly hug you when you are dry,” Zerine said, patting Estel's head, who had a disappointed look.

Varino jumped into action, quite literally. She jumped off Zerine’s shoulder, landing on Estel’s shoulder, and hugged her cheek. She chimed her own congratulations, which made Estel cheer up.

“How do you feel about your crest?” Zerine wondered.

Estel’s face lit up as she smiled. Even her eyes shone brighter for a moment.

“I like it! My eyes will take getting used to, but I get to use magic now!” Estel said, practically bouncing.

“I bet you will be amazing at it. But what about clas-” Zerine was saying when Ava spoke up.

“Zerine, you should go eat before you go to class. Estel won’t be going to class today. She needs to work on her aura and getting used to her body,” Ava said. When she looked over at Zerine as Estel’s aura washed over the room, her brow furrowed.

Zerine didn’t seem to even notice her aura was suppressed.

“Zerine, are you okey?”

Zerine blinked, confused for a moment. “Umm, yeah?” she said, confused. Estel and Varino looked at Zerine curiously.

“Your aura is suppressed? Don’t you feel off?” Ava said, now looking at Zerine more closely.

Zerine shrugged, “I got used to it.”

How the fuck!? That would take years of being exposed to suppression constantly, Ava thought, confused. Her worry about Zerine’s mental health only grew.

Callahan titled his head with a raised eyebrow at Ava, who understood. His message was, “We need to talk about that.”

Ava absolutely agreed. To have simply shrugged the suppression and innate reverence for someone of a higher rank wasn’t easily done. If done outside of a controlled environment, it usually came with mental health problems.

Zerine sighed. The impression she was getting from her parents was that they were worried and determination to figure out what was going on.

“I’m fine. Not everyone controls their aura as well as people would like. The same goes for classes too. I just shrug it off, alright,” Zerine said.

And a form of bullying in class to prove your more powerful, but if you ignore it, apparently, it’s creepy, and they stop, Zerine thought. She would not tell her parents about that.

Ava raised an eyebrow, but before she could say anything, Estel sneezed. Zerine jumped as a ring of fire swirled around Estel. Varino peeped in surprise.

“Huh, that’s new,” Estel said, rubbing her nose with a sleeve of her shirt.

“Really, your shirt?” Ava half complained.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Hey at least we know one of her affinities,” Callahan said, chuckling.

“I’m gonna go. Good luck with aura practice and playing with magic,” Zerine said as Varino flew to her shoulder.

“Thanks Sis!” Estel said, giving her a wave as the two left.

***

After saying bye to Varino, Zerine headed to class with Naro and Shara.

Now you would believe that classes were awful from the bullying, but it had actually gotten better than it had been when everyone was getting crests. Zerine still didn’t have what she would call close friends, unlike Varino and the dragons. But she was back to drifting about between groups, a generally like person. That didn’t mean everyone in the class was kind, or even someone Zerine would want to interact with. She just let everyone else create and deal with drama, while just being in the background.

She was sitting at the back of the class. Her note-taking crystal and history book were floating off the desk, spinning slowly. She would change the spinning speed to practice her ambient magic control. As people showed up in their class, she greeted people still keeping her practice going. The class had long ago gotten used to Zerine’s peculiarities, so no one batted an eye at her practice.

Many were studying for the history test that was planned for today. Zerine had already done a history test, finding it a bit odd topic wise, but had passed it. She had done the test when the class was doing practical magic practice. What Zerine was going to do today was take another test, something that Ai had made specifically for her. She had been told to study ritual magic and other magical topics. This was an odd request, but Zerine went with it because she had outpaced her classes for a while.

Ai walked in carrying a stake of magical tablets and sheets of paper. The tests had gone from using paper to using these tablets. The tablets made it so the students could practice mental magic as well as imprint the answers at the speed of thought. Zerine, of course, couldn’t use mental magic, so she had been the only one using paper tests.

“Alright, I see everyone is here. So, let’s get the test done. And move on to other work,” Ai said, waving her hands. The tablets flew to land on everyone’s desks, with the papers landing neatly in front of Zerine.

Zerine looked over the test as the other student’s gazes went distant as they started the exam. She frowned. The topics covered on the test she wouldn’t have expected till probably next year or even her last year in classes. She shrugged and began answering questions. This wasn’t the first time that Ai had done something like this, but the last time was at the start of this class year. Either way, Zerine answered everything she could.

When Zerine was finally done, about half the class was done with their own test. Ai looked up from a book as she placed the completed test on her desk.

“Any problems?” Ai asked softly.

Zerine shrugged, “the questions about the history of the magical accords and established runes were probably the hardest, but I think I did alright.”

Ai smiled, “that’s good. I’ll take a look. Also, do you mind getting a new student package ready? I would have Sean do it, but he is showing the new student around.”

Zerine raised an eyebrow but nodded. She had done this in the past as well. With the intersection and the emerald sky, there had been several new students every year.

“Sure! Should I add my notes for this exam or-?”

“No, this new student already took a similar exam from the last temple he was at. He will be by soon too.”

“Alright, I’ll go get books,” Zerine said, heading towards the door.

“Thank you!” Ai replied, already checking out Zerine’s test.

***

When Zerine returned with a set of books, she saw Sean and the new student heading to the class from the other end of the hall. Sean was a young Elven priest with brown hair and eyes. The new student, well…

Holy shit, she thought.

The new student was way too good looking. He had a great physique, with lean muscles and a handsome face. He had curling brown hair with incredible eyes, which were emerald with flecks of gold. She could get lost in those eyes. She blinked when she realized Sean had said her name as they got closer to the classroom.

“Zerine, this is Neil. The new student whose books you just got, thank you by the way,” Sean said.

“N-Nice to meet you, Neil. My name is Zerine and I will be in your class. But here are your books. I was told by the librarian to pass this message along. Do not lose them, do not spill on them, treat them well or she will make your life very difficult,” Zerine said with a smile.

Sean winced. The librarian was a witch from the Triarch Coven. Witches’ magic worked differently than most, so her threat was not an idle one. One time a student had dropped their books into mud and before that had written in them, along with tearing several pages out. The witch got the books back as if she had known somehow, and the student had nightmares for a month.

“Yeah, treat them well. Our librarian does good work, but is protective about the books under her care. The god did bless her too, sooo really take care of them,” Sean said.

Neil’s eyebrows had risen at Zerine’s message, more so when Sean added to the warning.

“You two should go in. I suspect the test is done. Nice meeting you Neil and good luck and welcome to the city of Emerald Sky,” Sean said, giving Neil a slight bow who returned it.

“Thank you for the tour of the temple,” Neil said.

“Nice seeing you again, Sean,” Zerine said, also giving him a bow.

Sean smiled, “likewise.”

Zerine opened the door and entered ahead of Neil.

She felt all the eyes of the class land on her and the Neil. Her instincts went into action, which she shoved down. There were mutterings that Zerine overheard as she went to her desk.

“I heard there is a family of adventurer nobles who moved to the city. Do you think he is from them?” Peli whispered to Maria.

“Who cares. He is a handsome one, right Mili?” Maria hissed, looking to Mili Gravefield.

Zerine just rolled her eyes as she walked past them. Mili and she hadn’t gotten along with one another in years. However, lately it had turned to simply accepting the other existed and not bugging one another. Mili had grown into quite the beauty over the last few months. It definitely didn’t annoy Zerine that, compared to the other girls, she was still shorter, less developed physically, and it seemed everyone had only got prettier, even the boys. Mili even stood out compared to the others, just like Neil who was probably the best-looking boy in the room.

She had to reminder herself that gaining in power and ranking up refined one’s soul and body, making someone grow closer to the person they wanted to be. So Zerine would also become prettier or change, at least to make herself feel less self-conscious. She didn’t really care how she looked so much as she wanted to grow in power. Also, she just wanted to use fucking magic, okay? Was that asking for so much?

She sighed as she sat in her seat as another thought popped to mind. It was a fact that she read from a book she had read in the temple. What many didn’t know was that the soul would also be affected by who the person truly was, subtly alerting their appearance and even their personality based on that. She would have read more, but the librarian had found her in a restricted section meant for silver and gold rank mages. She had to do chores for her for a month. Worth it though because she got to read more books, and the librarian had even dumped a pile of books for her to read that in her words would, “This should keep the curious fox busy for a year.”

And she was right, the books were fascinating, but Zerine never forgot the information she and read from that book. It wasn’t just about the soul, but she read about some interesting concepts she ended up experimenting with when she used ambient magic, which lead to positive results.

Her gaze fell upon the back of Mili’s head as Neil introduced himself.

I guess that means Mili’s soul is either as vain as she looks or is beautiful. I hope the later,

she thought with a small smile crossing her face. Was the thought petty, yes, but Zerine still remembered the bullying and teasing, going from when Mili got her crest till Zerine turned was twelve.

Didn’t Dad say something about a noble adventuring family had arrived, but that was a week ago? Hmm, is Neil part of that family? she wondered.

Zerine started as someone sat in the desk next to her. Her gaze shifted to the right, finding it was Neil, which she didn’t mind at all.

***

After class ended, Zerine was heading to leave when Ava called her over. A confused Zerine turned around mid step and headed to Ai’s desk.

“Zerine, can you have your parents come by sometime this week? They only have to ask to see me, and they should be led to me,” Ai said calmly, flipping through Zerine’s test.

Zerine’s brow furrowed, “is there something wrong?”

“Not at all. I just want to discuss something. It’s not just about you either, but Naro and Estel too.”

“Sure, I’ll tell them.”

“Thank you, and by the way, you did a great job on the test,” Ava said, giving Zerine a bright smile.

“So I passed, then?” Zerine said with a nervous smile.

“Nearly a perfect score. But I know you're probably eager to get back to that spirit friend of yours, so have a nice day.”

“You too! And thank you!” Zerine said and hurried to the door.

Ava smiled to herself, looking at the final exam that sixteen-year-old students would take when it was their last year, and shook her head.

First the history and now the magic test. It is time for that conversation, she thought, sighing as she leaned back in her seat.

***

When Zerine left the class, she found Neil leaning against the wall. When she looked around, she saw no one was around. Was he waiting for her?

“Are you Zerine Trevel, the Baron’s eldest daughter?” he asked curiously.

Zerine blinked rapidly. “Nooo,” Zerine replied unconvincingly.

Neil smiled, which Zerine had to admit only made him more attractive.

“So yes,” he said. “I heard from the others you don’t have a crest.”

“Umm, yes,” Zerine said. She had started to move a little down the hall. Neil followed, falling into step with her. Was he going to be a dick about this or…

“How do you use ambient magic? I saw you doing it practically throughout the entire day,” Neil said, sounding genuinely curious.

“Everyone can use ambient magic,” Zerine said, confused.

“Its different from normal magic. It’s basically telekinesis using your willpower. You are better than some in our class and that is saying something. Because it’s supposed to be incredibly hard without a crest.”

“Yeah, it is hard to do. It took a while till I was even capable of doing what you saw,” Zerine said casually.

Neil raised an eyebrow, “it’s pretty incredible you can do what you can. I-”

They had come out of the temple when a delighted whistle interrupted Neil.

Varino flew to Zerine on a tiny cloud, her silver and blue eyes shining as she flew right into Zerine’s chest, who embraced the spirit. The spirit began chiming and whistle as she moved to sit on Zerine’s shoulder. Neil, during all of this, just stared in surprised silence.

“Ah, Mr. Neil,” Bernard said. “Your father wanted to come join us as we walk back to the household.”

“Can you show me the sign, then?” Neil asked.

Bernard smiled, and a swirling complicated crest appeared for a moment, then vanished.

“Alright, lead the way.”

Shara and Naro were chatting with one another about some project they had to do, while Zerine chatted with Varino with a confused Neil walking with the group. Naro and Shara soon got him talking about himself.

Varino was telling Zerine about how she had worked with Ava on her electricity affinity. She made a fist then spread her fingers out wide, while making a whoosh sound.

Zerine laughed, “you blew up the target. Nice! What happened next?”

Varino’s tinkling chime turned into a burbling giggle. She tried to chime some more, but laughed harder. She gave in and laughed, making Zerine chuckling.

“Must be good if you cannot even tell me.”

“Her electric attack had an area of effect, which made anyone in the area’s hair stand out straight. It was rather amusing,” Bernard said, chuckling. Varino laughed even harder, kicking her tiny feet, while Zerine laughed just picturing it.

Once the laughter had subsided, Varino pointed at Neil and burbled a question.

“Yeah, he’s new. Not sure why he is coming along to our home, but we will probably find out. But tell me more about the healing you practiced. I assume Kelly took you out with her while she went out in the city.”

Varino whistled and chimed.

Neil looked over at the two.

“Does your sister normally act like that?” he wondered.

Naro looked at Zerine, who was chatting with Varino about some healing thing.

“Yeah, she is talkative once you get to know her. Why?”

“She didn’t really talk during class. This is just a different side of her,” he said.

“Zerine is really bored in classes. She would rather train, read, play with Varino, and…” Shara paused for a moment, thinking, “No, that’s about it,” Shara said.

“She does help out at the temple of magic and knowledge,” Naro added.

“Huh, and she understands all those different sounds?”

“Oooh, yeah. She can talk to other spirits and familiars too. My dad’s serpent-like familiar doesn’t like me or Estel, that’s my sister, but Zerine just shows up and you would think he was a puppy. Instead of the powerful, scary serpent he really is.”

They all chatted till they arrived back at their home.

“I’m going to go practice. Do any of you wanna join me in the courtyard, Naro, Shara?” Zerine wondered.

“Nah, I have to read up on stuff for tomorrow’s class,” Naro said, with an agreeing nodded from Shara.

“Well, just me then. See you tomorrow, Neil,” Zerine left before Neil could say anything.

“Mr. Neil, your father is meeting with the Baron. But their meeting should be done shortly,” Bernard said.

“Oh, let us show you around!” Naro said excitedly.

“Sounds good,” Neil replied.

***

“So you, my team, and several ships are going to go after a giant magic circle?” Zachary Garnier said.

He was a large, heavily muscular man, with short crop brown hair and a trimmed beard. His green eyes looked skeptical.

“Yes, and there may or may not be a dragon or two helping,” Callahan said.

“Right, your old friend or something. So, that story you used to tell us was true?”

“Yes. The good news is that the circle isn’t ready yet, so we will strike before it activates. We aren’t even sure what it would do.”

“We both know it would be bad, no matter what. Something that large never ends well.”

“Yeaah. So, it’s a fast attack with good teams. I know you're interested,” Callahan said with a smirk.

Zachary laughed, “yeah, you know me too well. My team is in, but I will have to bring my son home and get the team set.”

Callahan’s smile grew, “They have been told about the situation and were waiting for their team leader’s decision. I won a bet too. It took half the time, then they said it would.”

“Ah, I wanted a break, and I got that break during our trip here. Hardly any good fights on the way here and this week has been quite nice and relaxing. I think that is enough down time, don’t you?”

“I have been busy for four years at this point, so I don’t really know,” Callahan said.

“But you're doing well. This place was a shit hole before you, and Ava came in like raging tornados. But I should get going, so I’m ready.”

“Alright, see you at the marina in an hour,” Callahan said.

“Gotcha,” Zachary said, giving Callahan a wave as he headed out of the study.

Callahan looked out the window at the courtyard. A glint of blue made him smile as he saw Zerine practising against a training dummy with swords.

There was a knock at his door.

“Come in Bernard,” Callahan called, sensing the man outside of his door.

Bernard appeared in a gust of wind.

“Prestess Ai asked Zerine to pass along a request for you and Ava to meet with her at some point this week,” Bernard said.

“Really? Is that all?”

“Yes, or at least that is what Zerine told me. I did tell her that your surprise would be delayed a few days and she seemed disappointed till I gave a vague description what you two will be up to. ”

“Hmm, alright. We will figure it out. Is everything set?”

“Yes, the household will be protected while you and Ava are out. If the queen saw something happening here, she would have said something. She only brought up whatever Ava is going to go handle.”

“Hmm, true, but divination in general has been harder from what I’ve heard.”

“I too have heard though rumours, but I suspect the queen is in a league of her own,” Bernard said.

“Yeah, I’m just glad Raith will be by later tonight. I just don’t like the fact that someone has targeted many nobles and adventurers over the past few months.”

“Times are certainly changing. You should start to get ready, though.”

“Yep,” Callahan said, sighing as he got up.

***

Zerine sat in a void. Distant flashes of colors appeared and disappeared in sparkling clouds.

“Why won’t you just give me my crest,” she shouted in the void.

No response, just her voice echoing back at her.

“I guess I would be technically yelling at my own soul,” she muttered.

She blinked, and a hooded and cloaked figure was right in front of her. The cloak was made from shifting, dark colors. She couldn’t see the face of the individual just a dark void because of the hood.

Zerine fell back and scrambled away.

“Wake,” came a raspy feminine voice that sent chills through her.

“Wh-what!?” Zerine stammered.

“Wake!” the raspy voice shouted.

A jolt of energy shot through her.

Zerine’s eyes snapped open. She was coated in cold sweat and breathing hard.

“It was a dream,” she said softly, flopping her head back down on to the pillow.

Varino burble a question. She never slept for long anymore. Apparently, once people got their crest and advanced enough, sleep became less of a requirement. Yet another thing Zerine was jealous of.

“Just a bad dream.”

A soft, concerned whistle.

“I will be fine. To be honest, it was a rath-er,” Zerine trailed off. Her instincts were alerting her to danger?

Then a bell rang through the household, and fear rushed through Zerine.

“Intruders!?”