The knock on the door echoed in the quiet dorm room, breaking the lull that had settled between Lorelai and Aeryn. Lorelai stood first, stretching her arms over her head, feeling the weight of her chest rise. She was more used to her female form now, though she still had bouts of idiosyncrasies that made her wonder who she was, like checking out shirtless men on the training field. When she was Liam, she had definitely found woman attractive. She had been so busy and focused as of late that she didn't give all the changes she went through a lot of thought especially since they came with the incredible power she had been craving. Aeryn, as usual, remained composed and silent, her gaze fixed on the door as if she knew what was coming before it arrived.

Lorelai pushed her hair back from her face and walked toward the door, her mind racing with possibilities. Aeryn was right, defeating a boss that was designed to challenge four people wasn’t a small feat. While Lorelai still rode the high of the battle she couldn’t deny the thrill of her newfound power. She had leveled up, unlocked new spells, and she was beginning to see the world of magic in a new light.

She swung the door open to find a figure standing there: a tall, slightly intimidating woman with sharp features and long, dark robes. The woman’s eyes were an intense shade of amber, her hair pulled back into an immaculate braid. A silver insignia—The Academy's emblem—hung from a chain around her neck, identifying her as a high-ranking faculty member.

“Lorelai, Aeryn Enma Cadiz,” the woman said, her voice low and commanding. “The headmistress requests your presence in his office. Immediately.”

Lorelai’s stomach fluttered, Fiona Windrider ?” she repeated, glancing at Aeryn, who was already moving to join her at the door, her face unreadable.

“The same,” the woman replied, her expression giving nothing away. “The headmistress wishes to speak with you both about the recent... achievement you’ve accomplished.”

Aeryn gave a half-smirk, and Lorelai felt a twinge of excitement mixed with apprehension. “Guess we’re about to get our reward,” Aeryn murmured, her tone amused but sharp.

----------------------------------------

The walk to the headmistress’s office was short, but it felt interminable. Lorelai’s thoughts kept spiraling between curiosity and caution. What kind of reward could they expect for defeating such a dangerous foe? Aeryn’s words lingered in her mind—the Academy rewards power. What did that mean for her? And what about Aeryn, who already exuded so much strength?

They arrived at the headmistress’s office, a large, intimidating door set against the far wall of the main administrative building. The woman with amber eyes knocked once before entering without waiting for a response.

“Headmistress Windrider,” she announced as she stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.

Lorelai stepped inside, her heart pounding in her chest. The office was a stark contrast to the sterile and academic surroundings of the building—dark, rich mahogany paneling covered the walls, with bookshelves full of ancient tomes stretching all the way to the ceiling. Large windows framed the view of the academy’s sprawling grounds, but the air inside was thick with the scent of incense and something darker—something that made Lorelai’s skin prickle with unease.

At the far end of the room, behind a grand wooden desk, sat Fiona Windrider who had an imposing personality. "Good to see you again headmistress," Lorelai said as she did a quarter bow.

“Ah, Lorelai, Aeryn,” she greeted them with a deep, gravelly voice that seemed to command attention without effort. “Please, come in. Take a seat.”

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Aeryn, as always, moved first, settling into the chair across from the headmistress with the fluid grace of a predator. Lorelai followed, sitting next to her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being scrutinized—not just by Fiona, but by everything in the room. It felt like they were about to face some kind of test.

Fiona steepled her fingers in front of her and studied them for a long moment, as if weighing their worth. Her gaze was sharp, but there was an underlying warmth to it, like a predator considering whether or not to strike. Finally, she spoke.

“Impressive work, both of you,” she said, nodding slowly. “You’ve accomplished something few at this Academy could dream of achieving: taking down the Goblin Champion. Not only that, but you did so with just the two of you.”

Lorelai shifted in her seat, feeling giddy at her praise. It was rare for anyone to acknowledge her accomplishments so directly, especially someone of her stature. Aeryn, however, simply gave a slight nod, as if this was just another part of the game.

The headmistress leaned forward slightly, her expression turning more serious. “In light of this, I’ve decided to grant you both a reward, something that reflects your abilities. Aeryn, you’ve excelling ever since you got here shortly before Lorelai. Lorelai, this... rapid progress you’ve shown is extraordinary.”

Lorelai flushed slightly at the attention. “I—thank you, Headmistress Windrider,” she managed to say, feeling a little self-conscious.

The headmistress waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t thank me just yet. The Academy rewards those who prove themselves, but it also challenges them. Consider this... motivation.”

She snapped his fingers, and a moment later, a wooden box appeared on her desk. It was plain but intricately carved with arcane symbols—symbols that made Lorelai’s heart beat faster as she recognized them.

“This is a Vessel of Power,” Fiona explained, pushing the box toward them. “Inside it is an artifact that will augment your abilities. Not all students are chosen to receive one. Consider it a gift... but also a test.”

Aeryn raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between Lorelai and the box. “And what does it do exactly?”

The headmistress’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Ah, that’s the catch. You’ll need to discover its true potential for yourselves. Some students unlock new powers, some discover entirely new facets of magic. The artifact is not without its challenges. Only those with true perseverance can unlock its full potential.”

Lorelai’s eyes widened, and she felt a spark of curiosity. She reached for the box, feeling a strange pulse of energy from within it as her fingers brushed against the wood. The box opened with a soft click, revealing a long shaft. It was about a hand and a half longer than the spear she had, and this spear was bone white in color with a dual bladed head. The dual bladed head was for slashing as well as thrusting.

“What is this exactly?” Lorelai asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Fiona’s expression softened just a touch. “That is an enchanted mithril spear. Its abilities may be locked, but that's why you need to unlock the spear's potential. Mithril is a much stronger metal than steal and should hold up against the combination magic you pulled in the dungeon. You may need to fine tune you're other magic to use it properly though,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. It’s unique to this Academy, and those who are chosen to wield it must undergo trials to fully bond with it. How you use it... is up to you.

“The trials?” she asked hesitantly.

“Indeed,” Fiona replied. “There are always trials for those who seek power. You’ve already shown that you have what it takes to rise to the occasion.” She gave a small, approving nod. “This spear is your reward... but it is also your next challenge. I trust you’ll be able to handle it.”

Aeryn looked down at the box and pulled out an amulet with a sly smile. “I’ve faced worse,” she said. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

The headmistress’s eyes glinted with a hint of amusement. “Let’s hope you don’t find out.”

As Lorelai closed the box and stood, the weight of what lay ahead pressed down on her shoulders. The path to mastering this artifact would be a difficult one—full of challenges and unknowns. But Lorelai felt something inside her stir, a fierce determination to face whatever came next.

“Thank you, headmistress,” she said, her voice steady.

“Yes,” Aeryn added, her voice sharp. “We’ll be ready.”

With that, the two of them turned to leave the office, the promise of a new adventure awaiting them just beyond the door.