Leon had given us two days to prepare for our journey, giving me ample time for final goodbyes. And a few last-minute magical tasks while I still had access to the Academy.

I could not bring the remaining samples from the Aresford monster with me, so examining them was my top priority. I had put it off as long as possible, partially to learn more about magical beasts and their ability to strengthen themselves but also out of fear. My blackened channels and core seemed inert, yet every time I looked inward, a tiny part of me wondered.

Unfortunately, I did not crack the secret. I did not uncover some grand inspirations that led me to a breakthrough, solving the process in a single flash of genius. Instead, it was a moderately intriguing night's work that confirmed what I had expected from my readings.

The monster's muscles, bones, and organs had an abundance of Aether, which seemed bound to them much like blood but appeared not to alter their structure much. A few organs, most notably the heart, seemed more disfigured than others, but not so much that they were unrecognizable or non-functional.

While all of that was in line with magical beasts, I did find one thing that seemed unusual. Both plants and animals tended to develop uniformly, with near-identical mana density in their roots as in their leaves or bones and blood. Yet the monster's tissue did not have this uniformity.

Instead, its blood appeared to have the highest density of Aether, followed by organs, muscle, and bone. I had not thought to take samples of marrow, which was a mistake in hindsight, but what I found provided a clue.

That irregularity has to be related somehow. I could not say how, but that would hopefully reveal itself in time.

I glanced at the window, finding that the sun had just begun to set, and decided that banging my head against a metaphorical wall was a poor use for my last night in Volaris. And there was at least one person to whom I owed a goodbye.

---

Sig answered his door within seconds, and I was stunned to find the man dressed formally and wearing a warm smile. A few beads of sweat clung to his forehead, but otherwise, he looked ready for a banquet rather than a weekend dinner.

The moment he saw me, Sig's smile faded into something more neutral. His eyebrows drew down, and he frowned, taking a step forward.

"Vayne," Sig said, "What the hell are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"I apologize for the late visit, but may I come in? I have something important to discuss with you."

Sig stared, then jerked his head to one side, "Come on in."

"Thanks," I nodded and stepped past him, "Did I wake you?"

"Nah, just finishing up dinner. Take a seat wherever."

Sig walked past me to re-enter the kitchen area. I followed and watched for a few seconds as he moved about with near-perfect precision. His arms blurred as he cut, mixed, and moved food from place to place without an ounce of wasted movement or fumbling. I had no idea what he was doing, but it was still an impressive demonstration, particularly in formal clothing.

"What's the problem, then?" Sig asked, half-shouting over the sound of searing meat and vegetables.

"How do you know there is a problem?"

Sig chuckled, "You speak extra-formal when you're nervous."

"Ah," I nodded, "Well...I plan on leaving the Academy and not returning for my second year. I wanted to say goodbye and thank you for-"

Sig had stopped cooking and turned, now staring at me. His face had morphed into a scowl, and I drew myself up short mid-sentence.

"Is...there something wrong?" I asked after a few seconds.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes, that is my intention."

Sig grunted, "I see. You planning on telling Julian, too?"

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"Do you think I should?"

Sig snorted, "Yeah, you should. He likes you. Hell of a way of showing it, and I know he's not the best at sharing secrets, but I think he deserves to know."

I still did not fully trust the man after he had sent me to Aresford half-prepared, but Sig had a point. Julian could have left me to flounder, but he had always been at least willing to humor my concerns and provide some guidance.

"Fine," I nodded, "Then I will visit him tomorrow morning before we set out."

Sig chuckled and replied, "Yeah. Or you can stay for dinner. He should be here in a few minutes."

"...Ah," I responded, putting the pieces together and realizing I might have interrupted something.

I sat and waited, half-watching Sig cook but mainly focused inward. If I had time to sit around, I had time to train, and my mana-gathering technique needed refinement. I had an idea to improve Origin Breathing, but there was a knock at the door before I could reach into my core and start experimenting.

Julian walked in without waiting for an invitation. He wore clothes just as formal as Sig and had a similarly warm, relaxed expression. Unlike the other man, though, Julian's smile did not vanish when he saw me. If anything, he seemed entirely unsurprised, barely breaking stride as he approached my seat.

"Master Julian," I said, standing and inclining my head.

"Vayne," Julian tilted his head to one side, "I can't say I expected a social visit from you. No offense meant."

"None taken. Apologies for interrupting your dinner, but can we talk?"

Sig spoke up, "Dinner first, then we can talk."

Julian gestured towards Sig and said, "You heard him."

Dinner was pleasant enough, if quieter than I expected. Sig cleared the table, and soon, the two masters sat across from me as I explained much the same things I had with Amelia.

Sig's face turned stern as I spoke, but Julian's became more neutral, almost as if he were truly considering me for the first time.

"You're making a mistake," Sig said when I finished, "Have you even considered the consequences?

"I have."

Sig shook his head, "I don't think you have. You'll lose any friends in the capital and most outside of it. Any noble who knows who you are will refuse to work with you. You'll be known as the arrogant brat who spat on his lord's generosity."

"I understand. Every choice has consequences, and I am prepared to face mine."

There were a few ways to circumvent that social stigma, not the least of which was blatant bribery, but Sig was more right than not.

"You can't get back into the Academy. If you leave now, that's the end of it."

"I know. And I have been preparing for that possibility. I have leads for personal training," I responded, then tried for a smile, "Besides, every mage reaches the point where they have to guide their education. I am just...skipping ahead a few years."

I had taken steps to prepare myself for that stage of my growth, though again, Sig was closer to right than wrong. For most mages, self-training was a trap that would leave them stunted and their potential unfulfilled.

Sig waved one hand dismissively, then turned towards Julian, "You're a master mage. Talk some sense into a wayward apprentice for once."

Julian drummed his fingers on the table, seeming to consider me from another angle. Finally, he asked, "Why?"

"Pardon?"

"Why?" Julian repeated, "You've always been motivated. Ambitious. A little too reckless for your own good. But this is a step beyond any of that. It's not risky. It's throwing away your future. So, why?"

I met his eyes and countered, "I am not throwing away my future. I am choosing one."

Neither man said anything, so I continued, "Months ago, I decided I could not let others choose my path. It is my life and no one else's. But it was easy to say and far harder to follow through. Resolutions are worthless without commitment."

"And that commitment requires this?" Julian pressed, "I can understand wanting to step out on your own, but you could finish your training first. There is still plenty to learn, and that's not touching the doors that reaching adept opens."

I nodded again and replied, "Do you think the Academy can help an Aether mage reach their potential as well as someone who uses fire or wind?"

"Of course not," Julian said after a few seconds.

"And Sig, what is worse, learning a move the wrong way or not learning it at all?"

Sig folded his arms, not bothering to reply. It was one of his favorite refrains about poorly trained warriors and the bad habits they formed from self-directed drilling.

I looked between the two men, trying to catch both of their eyes before continuing, "You are probably right. Maybe staying here for the next four years is the safer move. And yes, this could backfire and ruin my future as a mage. But magic is a journey, right? It seems time I started on mine."

Neither man spoke for several seconds. They glanced at one another, and I caught a look that passed between them. I could not say what it was meant to convey, but the two seemed to have reached some silent agreement.

Finally, Julian cleared his throat and stood, staring at me with a cool gaze. I did not blink, meeting his gaze and knowing I had made the right decision despite the pounding in my chest and the sweat running down my back.

"I can't say this is a wise decision. It's not one I'd recommend to most students. But..." Julian sighed, then smiled, "I can respect the resolve if nothing else."

"You...approve?" I asked, glancing between the two men. I had expected yelling and ridicule, especially considering their reactions the last time I made a similarly risky leap in Aresford.

"No," Sig shook his head, "It's idiotic, selfish, and will probably get you killed. But there's nothing we can say to change your mind, is there?"

"No," I replied instantly.

Sig gestured towards me, "Then it's not worth the effort. I don't fight pointless battles."

Julian nodded, and the room fell into a more relaxed silence. Though neither man approved, it was a better reaction than expected. Soon, though, Julian broke that silence.

"One final question, though. What do you plan to say to Duke Estton? I assume you've got an idea to extricate yourself from their house without bruising too many egos. You do have a plan, right?"

"...I do not suppose you have any ideas, do you?"

Sig groaned, but Julian laughed.

"Oh, my silly, reckless, short-sighted student-former student. I'll miss your youthful naivete. But yes, I do. Call it a parting gift, from one mage to another."

---

I examined myself in the mirror, noting the almost stranger looking back at me. My face had lost some of the roundness of youth, and my hair had grown longer these last few months. Left alone, it might need to be tied back sooner rather than later. My skin had turned pale after months spent inside studying and training, and my build had become lean rather than skinny.

For the first time in months, I wore regular clothes. My shirt was multi-layered, and my pants were loose and tucked into heavy boots, ideal for long journeys traversing through mud and rain. Pouches and sheathes hung on my belt, with a new dagger on the left side of my hip and my wand on the right. Normally, I would wear gloves and a traveling cloak, but summer had come with a burning vengeance, and heatstroke would bring my journey to an abrupt end.

It had taken hours the previous night to pack everything I owned, and I had taken care to separate them into two groups. The first consisted of my notes, magical tools, a few changes of clothes, lockpicks, flint, tinder, glass vials, any remaining Aether water samples, and a few cuts of mana-enriched meat for Cat.

Founders, I needed an actual name for him.

The second was trash, leftover notes I had thrown into the magical fire or old sets of clothes left in my room for disposal by a servant at some point. I doubted anyone would care about the musings of a first-year student, but it seemed better to be safe than sorry.

I grabbed my backpack and slipped it on, grunting at the burden and adjusting the straps. Hopefully, Leon had thought to purchase mounts or transportation for us. I glanced around the room, taking it in and committing it to memory. Even though I knew I was making the right choice, I realized I would miss this place.

Then, I walked to my room, stopping only long enough to grab my swordstaff with one hand. I exited for the final time, accompanied only by Cat, and left my life as an apprentice behind.