YOU KNOW, TIME FLIES

Gwyn shot up in bed, her heart racing with excitement and confusion. Her Vision of Potential had shown what the Intent of Mana could do, but it had given no hint that it could speak. The vision had provided glimpses of power, but this was different. It was like someone had opened a door to her, revealing a new world of possibilities.

She wasn’t confined to just what her vision showed. Gwyn could make so much more magic than she had even imagined.

“Gwyn?” a sleepy voice called from above. “Are you awake already?”

“Mmm,” Gwyn called back, her mind still rushing through everything she heard. The notifications, something like the assistant on her phone back home, had been loud and clear. But it just made her want to go to the temple and do the Ceremony that Sabina and Amari had spoken about even more.

Something tangible.

“Are you okay, Your… Gwyn?” Lorrena asked, peeking her head over the side of her bed to look at her.

“Lorrena? I just had something else happen,” Gwyn said. “Something life-changing.”

The girl’s eyes went wide before her head disappeared and then her feet, followed by the girl fell off the side of the bed as she jumped down and rushed to sit on Gwyn’s bed. The princess pushed herself up to a seated position and looked at her lady-in-waiting, who was staring at her with big expectant eyes.

“We need to get ready,” Gwyn said simply. “Then we can grab Adrienne before heading to Roslyn. Then… breakfast.”

Lorrena nodded quickly. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll help you get ready.”

Gwyn shook her head. “Don’t worry, I can get myself ready. Focus on yourself first, then if I’m still slow maybe then. But I’m wide awake, so I should be good.”

Her lady-in-waiting narrowed her eyes. “I’ll do your hair.”

Gwyn sputtered. “I’m not that bad!”

“Everyone in the House would scold me if I let you walk out of this room after you did your own hair,” Lorrena replied.

“Rude.”

“But true, Gwyn.”

“Doesn’t make it less rude.”

Lorrena rolled her eyes. “Or less true…” she said softly.

“Where’d the sassy Lore come from?” Gwyn asked with a raised eyebrow.

The elf girl’s face grew pale. “I’m sorry–”

Gwyn laughed and put a hand on Lorrena’s shoulder. “Don’t apologize. I’m happy. Do this all the time.”

The girl nodded slowly. “I’ll try.”

“Good!” Gwyn said. She smirked and straightened her back, taking a haughty pose. “Now come along, my loyal servant! Let us make haste to gather my fellow peers of high society! For I am the Princess of all Eona, and I am much better than my twin brother. Make sure all bow before me.”

Lorrena giggled.

“Miss Gwyn, it is not proper to jest about the Princess of Avira!” Calanis hissed.

The girl sat at her desk with the chair turned so that she could face them. The early morning light streamed in from the window, allowing the girl and their other roommate to see as they studied.

Calanis, Gwyn's roommate–and daughter of a royal knight, clearly didn’t like her, but Gwyn didn’t care. It was unfortunate that it was not because of anything Gwyn had done, but things Princess Elora had said.

The twins are so annoying.

“If you’re going to refer to Miss Elora as a princess, then you should do so to Princess Gwyneth,” Lorrena snapped.

Gwyn’s brows rose.

“Princess Elora has already confirmed that the Royal Family has not acknowledged Miss Reinhart’s Status,” Calanis sneered.

Calanis glared at Lorrena but Gwyn’s lady-in-waiting was not having it. “I know you have been glued to Elora’s side, Calanis. If you want to be her little lapdog, feel free, but do not bring that in here,” Lorrena scolded.

“Hypocritical coming from you, lost puppy,” the girl said.

Daria looked distressed as she nervously followed the conversation from her own desk, and the commoner clearly didn't know what to do.

“Everyone, please stop fighting,” the raithe girl pleaded. “We’re roommates. This should be a safe space.”

Lorrena rolled her eyes. “Calanis, I am Her Highness’s lady-in-waiting. It is literally my role to assist her,” the girl continued, ignoring Daria’s pleas. “Which is something you can’t say about Elora, you are the one that’s following her along looking for scraps. Which, I hope you’re just following because of your parents. That is something I could have understood. After all, it was my family that pledged me to Princess Gwyneth’s side. But let me tell you the difference between the two. Your princess makes it her goal to go around and cause division and strife. She is obsessed with turning everyone against Lady Roslyn and Princess Gwyneth, who for her part has tried to ignore the twins. So, before you try to equate you and me or talk down to Gwyn, learn to remove your head from Elora’s rear, first.”

Calanis gasped.

Gwyn looked at Lorrena with newfound respect. Where the heck did this girl come from and what did she do with my Lore?

Daria, on the other hand, seemed as if she was on the verge of tears. The girl did not know how to handle the situation. Gwyn decided she needed to defuse it.

“Let’s all take a step back and take a deep breath,” Gwyn suggested. “Calanis, you do not have to like me. What I say with my confidante is between the two of us. I do not wish for us to be at odds, for as Daria said, we are roommates…”

“Not after this school year,” the girl mumbled to herself, and Gwyn narrowed her eyes.

“Be that as it may. For the rest of this year, if we cannot socialize in a civilized manner, then please just do not speak to us,” Gwyn said as calmly as possible. “Then next year, we can go our separate ways.”

The girl huffed. “Good luck making it to next year.”

Gwyn rolled her eyes and turned to Lorrena. “Let’s get ready and leave. Ignore her,” she said.

Lorrena nodded, moving toward her wardrobe. Gwyn couldn’t help but watch as the girl’s hands remained formed into shaking fists.

All Gwyn could do was sigh. Apparently, even Lorrena could be pushed to her limits. I wonder how much crap she deals with daily that I don’t see.

✦ ✦ ✦

Gwyn joined Lorrena, Roslyn, and Adrienne at the table for breakfast as the two paladins stood off to the side and watched over them silently. When they all sat down, Gwyn couldn't help but notice the confusion and curiosity etched on their faces, which they had been carrying ever since she had hastily pulled them out of bed for an early breakfast. Gwyn, however, remained tight-lipped and gave nothing away during the walk to the dining hall.

Despite their anticipation, Gwyn’s friends had no clue as to why they had been summoned for such an early breakfast, and she was sure the silence that ensued didn't help. Especially since she had been lost in thought the entire walk from the two dorms to the dining hall.

“So, what is going on, Gwyn?” Roslyn said, breaking the silence.

Lorrena straightened as she sat quietly, the girl had been patiently awaiting Gwyn's big news.

“Last night after I fell asleep, Mana spoke to me,” Gwyn said simply.

“Mana… what?” Roslyn asked as the blonde’s face scrunched up in confusion.

“One second,” she said before turning to the paladin. “Amari? Can you come sit with us?”

The sun elf paladin glanced at Khalan before she turned and nodded to Gwyn, joining the group of twelve-year-olds at their table.

“What did it say?” the sun elf asked right away, her face a carefully constructed mask that Gwyn knew was holding back surprise.

Of course, she heard me.

Gwyn leaned forward, and Amari instantly followed suit which prodded her friends to jerk and quick rush to lean forward as well.

“It told me my step, which based on how Sabina and Amari explained it,” she said with a gesture toward the paladin. “...Is like my level. Just like in the video games I used to play back home. I’m level fifty-five now, and I was able to turn my flamethrower spell dormant and prepare my [Blink] spell. Then I gained two Traits. I don’t even know what traits are! But I apparently have [Self Awareness] and [Mana Adept], whatever the second one means. I think I got them during class yesterday when I was busy.”

Amari’s eyes went wide, and an audible gasp could be heard.

Roslyn tilted her head. “You were busy?”

Adrienne pursed her lips, which looked cute but difficult with the two small nubs of her tusks before she let out a sigh.

“Gwyn spent all of our Mathematics playing with magic,” Adrienne tattled.

Her best friend gave her a look. “Gwyn… aren’t you supposed to be trying to get out of your Class? That starts today,” she chided gently. “We get together every weekend to practice magic, and you even do it during our study sessions.”

Adrienne nodded along as she crossed her arms.

Gwyn let out an exaggerated sigh. “I am! And I wouldn’t be surprised if we learn that Adrienne leaves the Class today.”

The orkun girl beamed. “I sure hope so! Then you can join me in two weeks!”

“Back to the pressing subject at hand,” Amari said as she snapped a finger in front of them. “You heard mana speak to you. It told you things that are usually learned during the Church’s Ceremony of Paths… You have…”

Amari closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Fifty-five steps,” she ground out sounding almost strangled.

Adrienne turned her head to Amari. “What is a Ceremony of Paths?”

“I can explain it later,” Roslyn and Gwyn said at the same time.

Gwyn smiled at her friend and winked at her. “Jinx!”

Roslyn shook her head. “We’ll explain later, Adrienne.”

The orkun girl from Blightwych nodded.

“What exactly did it say, Gwyn?” Amari asked, waving Khalan over. The man was also seemingly struggling with something internally.

Gwyn told them.

Both paladins’ brows scrunched up. Amari and Khalan shared another pointed glance before Amari spoke. “That sounds very similar to how the Ceremony of Paths works, except that provides an Excerpt of your path at that point, this told you when your Excerpt… changed?”

Gwyn nodded. “Yup. Just as I fell asleep, it told me what uhh… progressed.”

Amari looked pained and all the other girls watched her as she processed what Gwyn had explained.

Stolen novel; please report.

Finally, Khalan sighed and looked down at Gwyn’s paladin. “We really need to requisition a second paladin each. We could likely receive a couple of vicori. It would be good training for them,” he said.

Amari closed her eyes for a moment while facing up. When she opened her eyes, her facial features were back to their stoic self. “Gwyn, we won’t be able to go this next weekend pass, but as soon as we can we should have you undergo the ceremony.”

Gwyn nodded. “Sounds like fun! But, wanna see what I can do now?”

“No!” everyone shouted at once.

She had to admit, she was a little put out by how quickly they all shot her down. Well, they’re no fun.

As they approached the doorway, Gwyn caught hold of Roslyn's arm, tugging her aside.

Roslyn let out a startled yelp. “What's the matter?”

Gwyn clapped a hand over her friend’s lips. “Shh! I've got a secret to share.”

Lorrena caught sight of them, but her lady-in-waiting just pulled Adrienne along to give them some privacy.

Thanks, Lore.

Roslyn tried to speak, but Gwyn’s fingers were still muffling her voice. With an eye roll, Roslyn pointed to her lips instead.

“Oh, sorry.” Gwyn withdrew her hand and leaned in to whisper in Roslyn’s ear. She told her about the news that Siveril had uncovered about her mother.

Roslyn’s eyes widened, and she clutched at her chest. In a sudden surge of emotion, she flung her arms around Gwyn in a tight embrace. “That's incredible!” she exclaimed. Then, catching herself, she lowered her voice. “I’ll have my knights look into that too. We'll find her,” she promised.

Gwyn nodded, touched by Roslyn’s support. “Thanks, Roz. We can talk more later, but for now, let's head to class.”

Roslyn nodded eagerly, and as soon as Gwyn turned to go, she heard her friend let out a high-pitched squeal of excitement. A warm smile spread across Gwyn's face.

I have the best friends.

✦ ✦ ✦

As Gwyn and Adrienne walked to class after breakfast, they were met with the door being crowded by their classmates and Professor Valmaer standing outside. The professor glanced at them as they approached and nodded to herself as if sure that everyone was there.

Gwyn squinted her eyes as the woman pointed to the wall next to the door. “Students, we are now beyond the first quarter of your school year. Starting today and every two weeks from now on, this wall will host the list of any changes to Class assignments,” the woman explained. “It will also include your rank. While class changes will not occur every single time, when they do it is a well-earned occasion, and it just so happens that this first list includes one such change. Miss Devereaux, congratulations, you are no longer in my Class. Please take your things and proceed to Class Thirteen. It is my hope that I only ever see you in passing.”

Ouch. I know what she meant, but yikes.

Gwyn turned to Adrienne who stood there in shock with tears forming in her eyes. She smiled at the orkun girl. “Congrats, Adrienne! You’re safe now, but don’t stop! We gotta make it to the top.”

The girl nodded while sniffling. “You better be ready to come to Class Thirteen in two weeks!”

That made Gwyn smile brighter. “I will. See you at lunch?”

Adrienne nodded again while dabbing at her eyes.

“Come along now, class. You may quickly check for your rank on your way in. Your new classmate is already waiting inside,” Professor Valmaer said.

Gwyn gave Adrienne a quick hug before the girl turned and rushed down the hall to where her new class was located.

As Gwyn passed by the list, she could only smile as her name was written in rank one, with a new one she didn’t recognize in rank two, then Mister Michaels in rank three.

I’ll see you in two weeks, Adrienne.

✦ ✦ ✦

As was typical when the students were let out for their weekend pass, the professors got to work. They utilized that time to grade papers, plan lessons, and restock supplies. The Headmaster would be busy as well. It was those days that she had nonstop meetings with professors that had issues.

“Headmaster, Professor Valmaer is here to see you,” her secretary announced.

The Headmaster sighed, rubbing at her temples for a moment. Unscheduled meetings were never a good sign. “Send her in.”

Professor Andela Valmaer, for all the headaches she seemed to be the source of, was a brilliant woman who had joined the Academy four years prior. The thirty-four-year-old telv had been selected this year to be the Lead Scholar for Class Fourteen, a crucial role in the Lower School’s mission to ensure that all students are given the best chance to succeed. The Headmaster had always been impressed by Andela's intelligence and dedication to her students. In fact, her selection as a Lead Scholar made her one of the youngest in the school’s long history.

As the professor entered the room, the Headmaster couldn't help but take note of her sharp, focused gaze and the confident way she carried herself. Andela was clearly someone who took her responsibilities seriously, and the Headmaster was glad to have her on the faculty.

The younger telv woman’s brown eyes scanned the room, sizing up the Headmaster and her surroundings before she spoke.

“Headmaster Ezrel, I wanted to discuss a student with you,” Valmaer said, her voice smooth and steady.

The Headmaster gestured to the empty chair across from her desk. “Please, have a seat, Andela,” she said with a warm smile. “It's always a pleasure to see you. I don’t have another meeting for a bell, let’s chat.”

Andela Valmaer took a deep breath before nodding. The woman took a moment to speak, which had Headmaster Ravenna Ezrel worry about what discussion the professor wished to have. She decided to try and put the woman at ease with some small praises.

“Andela, it's not often that we have someone as brilliant as you leading a class like Fourteen,” she said, leaning forward in her chair. “If I must say so myself, you have been doing a remarkable job thus far. I have no doubt that your guidance will play a significant role in the success of those students. In fact, I was surprised to hear that in the first round of cross-class rank adjustments, you had a student advance to Class Thirteen. That is commendable.”

Professor Valmaer nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Thank you, Headmaster,” she replied. “It's a challenge, but I find it incredibly rewarding.”

Good.

The Headmaster leaned back in her chair, her expression turning serious. “Now, what brings you here today? Is there an issue with one of your students?”

The professor hesitated a moment before answering. “It’s not an issue with a student, per se,” she said slowly. “It’s more a matter of concern regarding one of our more gifted students.”

Headmaster Ezrel tapped a finger on her desk. “I assume you are referring to the terran princess?”

Andela nodded. “Yes. Her paladin abruptly pulled her out of class yesterday, just after an… incident.”

The Headmaster raised an eyebrow. “An incident?”

The professor sighed. “Indeed. If you will allow me to digress,” Andela asked, to which Ravenna nodded. The telv continued, “The girl is beyond gifted. Frankly, she should not be in Class Fourteen. In fact, I am baffled as to how Miss Devereaux was able to get first in the class before her. Miss Reinhart should clearly be in Class One, Headmaster.”

Ravenna Ezrel sat back in her seat and steepled her fingers. “You are absolutely correct. While I can only guess based on the reports I have seen regarding the girl, she should be. However, she did not take the entrance examination as you are aware. I gave the girl an exemption.”

Andela leaned forward. “But why, Headmaster? The girl is bored. She spends almost all of her time working on magic. She was doing something yesterday that had me concerned. Her eyes usually glow, but this time they were crackling with a purple energy that shocked me. Then she was whisked out of class by the paladin–”

The Headmaster raised a hand. “I was informed of the incident with the paladin. It appears an important message arrived for the princess,” she explained. “Three knights of her House and a large guard contingent arrived at the gates. I authorized the interruption, if only due to her royal status. As for the exemption, there are politics at play. It was the only guarantee that I could do that would ensure the girl could attend the school. She deserves to be here.”

The professor sighed softly. “It appears that her rankings are being deliberately manipulated as well, Headmaster. She is in the advanced class for one of her electives. I have discussed it with a few others. Due to her skill, she isn’t even allowed to train with the other students, she has to work directly with skilled instructors. Yet, Miss Devereaux was granted more points for the same elective.”

Ravenna narrowed her eyes. “That is concerning. I will look into it. Now, regarding the magic use… There will be a new class starting just prior to the midterm examinations. There will be an assessment of the progress in establishing the program in four weeks. My hope is that the class will provide an outlet for our young… mage and her peers in working with their magic. There has been so much disruption this year due to it…”

Professor Valmaer nodded slowly. “I appreciate that, Headmaster,” the woman said firmly. “I have a few other concerns if we have time…”

Headmaster Ezrel chuckled and relaxed. “Of course, Andela. Tell me what else is on your mind.”

✦ ✦ ✦

Ilyana left her dancing class in the Upper School of the Royal Academy and made her way toward her Intermediate Battle Tactics class. She was in a rush but tried to maintain her composure and not let her excitement get the best of her. It was always her favorite class, and she was determined to excel in it.

As she walked, she mentally reviewed the techniques and moves she had learned in her previous classes, trying to prepare herself for her next spar. Soon they would be moving to group-based combat, but first, they continued working on their individual knowledge, especially since everyone was still barely grasping the details of mana-based abilities.

I wonder if I’ll have to spar with him again…

She made her way into the baths and placed all of her things into her assigned wardrobe. Due to her status of being in the Advanced cohort of the class, she was granted her own permanent storage for all of her things and armor that had been embellished with embroidery denoting the prestige of being one of the elites in their class.

At least I don’t have to share the armor with others like those outside of my cohort.

The sound of running water and chatter filled the baths as Ilyana slipped into her training armor, her mind preoccupied with the message the House had received during the weekend. There were two pieces of news in the message from Siveril. The first was about the princess’s mother, which had everyone in the know extremely excited for Gwyn.

Gwyn herself had been all smiles, all weekend. It made Ilyana’s heart swell, and she couldn’t wait until she got to meet the Queen.

The second piece was actually for her, which had been quite a shock. At least until Taenya told her the news from Siveril, which ended up not being a surprising turn at all.

Her father had finally ruined everything, and the news brought a sense of joy that she couldn’t hide. And not just because the consequences of his actions brought about great changes to her own life.

Count Siveril Norric had used his position as second in House Reinhart to strip the rest of her family of their peerage and pass the title and House Trenlore to her.

As the thought of her father's downfall brought a bright smile to her face, Ilyana looked into the cloudy mirror of her wardrobe and adjusted the armor around her chest. However, her eyes soon narrowed as she realized that the armor felt unusually snug, causing a sense of discomfort.

Ignoring the obvious, her mind slipped back to the news.

“Baroness Ilyana Trenlore,” she said quietly, testing the title out.

Ilyana giggled, causing several bystanders to give her a questioning look. She ignored them as she grabbed a ribbon and tied her hair back into a ponytail, securing it tightly.

She never thought this moment would be possible. Her parents had blindly pledged her service to Gwyn, all with the thought of how it would improve their influence. An act that had backfired spectacularly.

Serves them right.

The two knights pledged to her House had apparently been working with Ser Theran to right the state of things. Ser Taenya had intimated that Ilyana’s knights would be engaging in regular correspondence with her as she attended the Academy.

Her status within House Reinhart had taken a huge turn. As a Head of a House, she was no longer Princess Reinhart’s lady-in-waiting, but a powerful retainer under her. She couldn’t wait to see Gwyn again this weekend and discuss it all with her.

She smiled one last time in the mirror, taking in her look and making sure not a hair was yet out of place before heading out to the training grounds, ready to hone her skills as a fighter.

I will be a warrior baroness and House Trenlore will form an elite unit pledged to the princess, and we will be the tip of her spear.

She entered the training grounds and moved directly to the racks of training weapons, heading to where hers were hanging. She grabbed the two short curved blades and attached the sheaths to her hips. She left her favored weapon, the glaive, on the rack as she wanted to be up close and personal with whomever she fought today.

As she approached the group, a classmate, a daughter of a Viscount from the Duchy of Levosa, waved at Ilyana with excitement in her voice.

“Ilyana! I heard the most thrilling news,” the telv teenager exclaimed.

The new baroness had to resist the urge to roll her eyes and instead plastered a fake smile on her face. “Oh? What did you hear?” she asked politely.

“That you are officially a baroness,” the girl said with a squeal.

Ilyana did roll her eyes this time. “How did you hear about that already? I just received the news this past weekend,” Ilyana inquired.

“My aunt is one of the registrars for the kingdom here in the capital,” the girl explained. “She updated the kingdom's records regarding your change in status. I just couldn't hold it in. I–”

Their instructor interrupted. “Class, it is time to begin. We are starting with the same sparring partners you had previously, then we will move from there.”

Ilyana smiled, grateful for the interruption.

Her classmate’s face screwed up in irritation. “We’ll talk later! I can’t wait to hear all about what it feels like to be the Head of a House!”

Ilyana watched as her classmate stormed off, muttering to herself about missed opportunities. She couldn't help but shake her head in amusement at the girl's overexcitement.

Although, the more paranoid part of her mind couldn't help but think that the girl's interest in her newfound status was more about status-seeking than genuine excitement for her. Ilyana shook her head, pushing aside those thoughts as the class began. It was time to focus on her training and leave the politics and expectations of her new title behind, at least for now.

Ilyana’s attention was drawn as a scoff sounded from behind her. She turned to face her sparring partner, her eyes locking onto his.

A high elf boy stood there, his air of arrogance as suffocating as the desert heat. It reminded Ilyana of her mother.

The boy was the first son of the Count of Smoulderfall, and she found him beyond frustrating. But it was okay because he had yet to beat her in a spar.

“Head of a House for some country barony isn’t something to be proud of,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain.

“For someone who constantly loses our spars, you sure have a mouth on you,” Ilyana retorted, her words laced with sarcasm.

“I only lose because I wouldn’t want to mess up your pretty face,” he sneered.

Ilyana couldn't help but laugh. “Well then, I appreciate that you think I’m pretty.”

“No… That wasn’t a compliment!” he whispered angrily as they moved toward the sparring circle while the instructor delivered the objectives for the day's class.

“Sure sounded like one to me,” she said with a laugh, twirling around him and moving toward the opposite side of the circle. “It all makes sense now. I always thought it was just adolescent boys that were mean when they were enamored with a girl.”

He yanked out his longsword from its sheath and scowled. “I am not enamored with some country baroness that’s aligned with some foreign princess. How dare you suggest such a thing. I believe it is you who are enamored with me! Clearly, you just want to improve your own influence by joining our Houses.”

Ilyana took great pleasure in getting under his skin, relishing in how easily she could unsettle him. She flashed him a mischievous grin as she unsheathed her twin blades, their silvery edges glinting in the light as she twirled them in a graceful pattern before settling into a poised stance.

“Oh my, are you courting me now?” She teased, her laughter chiming like bells as she continued in a lilting, singsong voice. “You think I’m gorgeous… You wanna court me. You wanna marry me.”

Ilyana chuckled as she slowly twirled her swords, warming up her muscles as she readied herself for the spar. The count’s son scowled darkly, clearly not amused by her teasing. She had always found him annoying, but also so entertaining to rile up. His snide remarks never failed to make her roll her eyes.

“Well, don't get too excited. You’re not my type,” she added, winking at him.

As soon as the instructor signaled the start, her opponent let out a frustrated snarl and charged toward her like a brutish bull, his sword pulled back to swing in a wide arc.

Ilyana couldn't help but smirk as he fell into the same mistakes he always did.

I am beauty and I am grace. I am going to kick you in the face.