Cal struggled to count the classes part of the standard course as real classes. They were just so unbelievably dull.

He blamed the teachers for the most part, although the subject matter didn't help.

Without his trance, he might have gone mad. Which would be an impressive feat considering the void hadn't been able to break him. Not permanently, in any case.

This many weeks in, he'd thought there had been some unspoken agreement between him and the teachers. They would lecture like a drone from their desk while Cal would sit silently at his. A symbiotic relationship, if he ever saw one.

Their truce had been broken today, on the first day of the week no less, and Cal questioned what would be an appropriate amount of recompass.

Should he spike their coffee with hot sauce? Put glue on their seat? Or go with the classic bucket over the door gag?

"Mr. Ardere." A voice sounded from the front with more energy than Cal thought possible. "Can you please answer the question?"

Obviously, Cal was not going to punish a teacher for daring to teach.

It was just a fun thing to think about, a way to distract himself from not knowing what the hells this guy was talking about. His trance could be a double-edged sword at times.

What class was he even in? A glance at the board behind the man let him glean some information.

Magical Theory.

Great, that didn't narrow down what he'd been asked.

"Sorry Professor…" Cal realized he'd forgotten the man's name. "I didn't catch that. Can you please repeat it?"

He'd almost expected a round of snickers from the admission, but none came. These kids seemed more attentive than usual as well.

"A momentary lapse in focus, I'm sure." The professor was all smiles, although Cal noticed the man sweating for some reason. "The question was, under what circumstances can one's affinity differ from their parentage?"

Nice. He actually knew this one, not that they'd gotten to that part of the book yet.

"They can skip generations; it's not common, but someone with an earth affinity can be born to parents with water affinities if one of their ancestors had that affinity."

He was thankful he'd read ahead; otherwise, he might have given away state secrets.

Genes played a part; that much was true, but the environment was perhaps the greater determinator. That was the reason why a child tended to take after their mother's affinity more than the father's; while still in the womb, babies were bathed in the magic of their mother, and that had measurable effects on the strength and typing of affinities.

The effects tapered off quickly after birth, but the Federation invested in the construction of thousands of incubators to capitalize on the short period of time when the gains were still noticeable.

He knew because Millie complained incessantly to him about all the work it took to get it just right, as if it was his fault she had to do it.

Still, Cal was glad she took it so seriously. It was a difficult balance to achieve. The stronger the magic, the more potent the changes. But, as first-hand experience taught him, infants did not have a high tolerance for magic. You had to design it in a way so that all cases were covered; the price of failure was too high for anything else.

Cal brought himself back to the present, looking at the reaction the man had to his response. It was overexaggerated, with the teacher looking visibly relieved and nodding enthusiastically.

"Precisely. Such cases of skipped generations were the first accounts of those with greater than two affinities." That prompted a round of mutterings, though they were muted. "Yes, yes." The teacher held both hands up, quieting the class. "Of course, quantity of affinities can prove a detriment. When expelling magic through manifestations, our bodies naturally turn magic into our given affinities. Should more than one exist, the magic is pulled in multiple directions, and that increases the difficulty of using other elements. This is why most of your families prefer to cultivate strong affinities for a single element."

That pull was the reason for the increase in strength when using your affinity and even existed for those with single affinities. Cal equated magic to being a dog and affinities to be their favorite toys. With one, the dog had a distraction, but you could convince them to play with another toy if needed. If you started throwing in more favorites, then they suddenly wanted one or the other, reluctant to play with anything else you tried to shove in their face.

All of that was rectifiable with an appropriate amount of training, so Cal didn't put much stock into it.

He couldn't even remember the last time he'd let his dog have its favorite toy.

Spite was a powerful motivator.

The teacher, still oddly animated, continued with exuberance.

"The exception being synergistic magic." Or mixed magic, as the Federation called it. "Many families rightfully believe the strength of magics that flow well together to be worth the increased difficulty they might experience in other areas." The man straightened up and waved a hand toward the back of the class. "A shining example of this are the caretakers of the Anumb Forest, House Evergreen, of which our very own Deputy Headmistress hails from."

What?

Cal twisted in his seat, following the man's line of sight. His heart sank as he saw the woman standing rigid in the corner, eyes attempting to drill a hole into him.

He turned back to face the front.

What were the chances she was here to audit the class? They felt too low for his liking.

"It is as you say. We have cultivated our dual earth and water affinities diligently through all these years." Cal wondered how Claire had ended up being betrothed to his 'uncle' in the first place. Maybe he was one of the cases where the affinity was skipped. "It's allowed us to perform feats impossible to those without our blood."

Cal would guarantee that for whatever challenge she was thinking of in her head, Millie would have been able to complete it without realizing it was meant to take more than a few moments of her attention.

"Certainly." The suck-up teacher agreed. "Thank you for posing the question, Deputy Headmistress. I'm sure the class benefited greatly from it. And please do pardon the slight delay from Mr. Ardere; he is one of our better students."

He was?

Well, that was one hell of an indictment on the Academy. Then again, his classmates were predominately the lazy or dumb bunch. He would need to make sure to wrap up this whole affair before the next semester; he wasn't about to be put in genuinely challenging classes.

"I see," she responded vaguely. "I'm afraid that's all the time I have for today. Thank you for allowing me to intrude upon your lesson."

She paced to the front of the room, and the teacher went to hold the door open. They exchanged some more pleasantries before she left, her gaze never straying too far from Cal.

He was under no delusions; whatever she was up to was going to make his life more difficult.

But it was hard to be overly concerned about it; a jilted school administrator ranked low on his list of problems.

—

Allegedly, Gregor and Ryan were nursing hangovers today. Cal could have sat with Jessica and Anne for lunch, but that seemed like third-wheeling. His plan was to grab a to-go plate and find a random bench to eat at.

That plan met a hiccup when a staff member approached him, saying his presence was requested in one of the rooms upstairs.

The last time this happened, it was the start of a chain of events that led to the death of a student and most of his current predicaments.

"Sure, lead the way."

Lightning didn't strike the same place twice. Or, it actually did, but the saying held some truth.

If it turned out to be something bad, he would leave.

Following the staff member, he was led up staircases and past the room he'd talked with Petro in.

Deeper and deeper they went. He was beginning to wonder if this was some ruse to make him run out of his lunch period when they finally stopped.

A double set of doors were opened, and he was met with familiar faces.

"You should have wagered him something, Benny; you could have gained a summer home," Rolland spoke jovially, seated at a round table made of dark wood. "Excellent, you could join us, Callum. Now we have the whole set and can proceed."

Benny was seated towards the man's right while Marcus sat on the opposite side of the table.

Cal shrugged, taking a seat between both groups.

"What's this about a summer home?"

Rolland shook his head ruefully before answering.

"Marcus over there was of the belief we would need to send a seal or one of our numbers to get your acceptance. Benny here thought otherwise."

Cal thought he saw a flicker of amusement in his fellow club member, but it passed quickly.

He was far more casual yesterday; Cal surmised Marcus' presence was the deciding factor.

"Yeah, well, I'm here." He leaned back on the chair, balancing it on two legs for a moment before having it fall back down. "What's going on?"

Contrary to what he expected, there was no food here. He was keen to get to wrap this up.

"Based on our shared connection," Marcus opened while keeping his focus on Rolland. "I presume this is due to our teacher."

That was Cal's guess as well. He was hoping the theme of canceled classes would continue this week.

"I'm honored to have such an astute classmate."

The words flowed out of Rolland's mouth like honey, and despite them not being directed to him, Cal's fist started itching.

He reminded himself the Crown Prince wasn't the Second Seat. But damn if they weren't similar. Plastic smiles, backhanded compliments, even their favored use of magic. If he didn't know better, he'd think they were related.

The difference is that, after his first prank, Rolland hadn't made an attempt to further mess with him. Yes, he badgered him for spars, but those were easy to say no to. He wasn't trying to provoke a reaction out of Cal like Oracle always did.

Anyone who claimed he lacked self-control didn't know the lengths Cal took to not blow up in the Second Seat's face.

The man was a fraud; he couldn't even tell the future. Cal was convinced he'd picked the name just to annoy the corpse worshipers up north. Admittedly, Cal didn't lose any sleep over the Holy Enclave getting their feathers ruffled, but it was a fact that the man didn't know for certain what the next day or minute would bring.

He was just really good at making it seem like he did.

"Okay," Cal interrupted the staring contest that had popped up between the high-status individuals. "Some of us have places to be, so spill. What's up?

Every head turned in his direction, and Cal huffed, crossing his arms.

His time was just as important, if not more, than theirs.

Ancestors, what he wouldn't give to see their faces if they discovered his true identity. Sadly, that would never come to pass.

"As you wish," Rolland replied, his demeanor morphing to one conveying seriousness. "I'm sure you were all aware, but the day our training ground suffered an unfortunate accident was the day our first test was meant to be held."

Cal had two thoughts.

What test? And that the word 'accident' would need bedrest after being stretched so far.

"You don't think he will be in this week," Marcus said knowingly.

Stolen story; please report.

Cal felt he was missing some pieces to understand what Marcus was getting at.

"Due to the point system, exam grades have deadlines." Good old Benny came to his rescue. "Should they not be filed in time, his position may be jeopardized."

That sounded reasonable enough. If they were discussing it, that meant the Headmaster would not be able to bail his friend out of this one. It did make him wonder when Wyatt was going to get around to grading his test. Not that he was eager to find out how much he'd flubbed it.

"Which leads us to an intriguing hypothetical," Rolland spoke with a sly smile on his face, and Cal knew there was nothing hypothetical about his next. "Would anyone here be opposed if that exam had taken place? I assure you, we would have all scored highly."

Cal didn't need any help this time, and he happily spoke up.

"No."

"Yes."

Their voices overlapped, and Cal gave an annoyed look at the one who'd spoken against the proposal.

"Come on, it's a free grade. I doubt Ferguson would even care."

Marcus had no overt reaction and simply responded calmly.

"Be that as it may, there is the principle of the matter. Perhaps someone like you wouldn't understand."

Cal's eyes narrowed. Through talking with Benny the day before, he had a sense of why Marcus had started ghosting him.

"Don't be a baby. I got you out in time."

The man was overreacting; he'd never been in any actual danger.

"I was eaten," Marcus rebuffed, losing his composure for a moment. "Anyone in control of their faculties would react similarly."

There was no reason to get pissed over getting swallowed by a sea monster. The thing didn't even have teeth.

"We're taking the class for combat training, right? Well, now you have valuable experience."

Cal had been eaten plenty of times. Some of them were even on purpose! Stomach linings were much easier to punch through than hides.

"Callum," Rolland cut in with a tinge of concern in his voice. "It worries me that you think that scenario to be frequent enough to warrant practice."

Looking around the table, it seemed he stood, or sat, alone.

Cal scoffed. These guys wouldn't last a second in the area around the cabin.

"But that pales in comparison to this new piece of information; you two are training together?"

Rolland's question kicked up feelings of annoyance within him.

How was he supposed to pump Marcus for information if the prince decided to force his way in? Granted, he'd not been doing a good job.

"Let's return to the matter at hand." Marcus deftly brought them back on track, directing his words to the prince. "Forging test results offends my sensibilities as a noble. I am surprised someone of your station would readily stoop so low."

There was a spike of power, and they all looked to its source.

"Watch your tongue." Benny threatened. "His Highness is above your judgment."

While Rolland placed his hand on Benny, telling the man to stand down, Cal threw a retort to Marcus.

"Right, so closing your eyes and pretending you didn't see anything last week is fine. But cheating on a test isn't?"

It was a ridiculous discontinuity. One was obviously worse than the other.

"It's nothing as trivial as being duplicitous. I will not have merits undeservedly foisted on me."

Cal grimaced. This was the worst kind of classmate—the kind of guy who would let the teacher know that they printed the version of the exam with circled answers.

He was searching for a good response when Rolland spoke up.

"Understood, it's merely a hypothetical after all." Cal wasn't sure why he was still bothering with the double-speak. "There is still time for Ferguson to return and evaluate us. Although I have half a mind to form a committee and retrieve him personally."

Benny, who had returned to a state where he was not liable to try attacking anyone, explained.

"A committee is a group formed for a specific task. Liken them to temporary clubs if you will, able to requisition Academy resources and excuse students from class."

Cal suspected Benny was just going to elaborate on anything he thought someone from a commoner's background would not know. Part of Cal thought that patronizing, but that was outweighed by the convenience he felt over it.

"Clubs can get you out of class?" Cal asked the important question. "Like, our cooking club can get me out of the rest of the day if I say I need to bake something?"

"Yes, but you would require the president's endorsement."

Mia? Cal was still annoyed at her being a hardass about the test, but she'd probably be okay with this, right? Maybe if he asked super nicely? He wasn't above begging.

"It would be a grand tale," Rolland said wistfully, raising a hand and waving it across the table. "Four students requisitioning mounts to ride into the Waste in search of their wayward teacher. A journey born from their devotion to their teacher, the young heroes would need to face a never-ending tide of obstacles in the form of environments and beasts. Whether they perish or endure would depend not only on their martial ability but their reliance on one another."

No, it wouldn't.

Cal would just end up on babysitting duty as he tried to make sure a future head of state wasn't killed in his vicinity. Though it was nice to know he wasn't the only one to use the Waste as a way to blow off steam.

"His Highness is speaking fancifully." Benny's voice was hard as he shot down any chances of that happening. "Traveling to the depths of where our teacher is likely to be found is a fool's errand."

Harsh words came from Benny to his liege, but Cal suspected it was the best way the man had of preempting his boss from getting himself killed.

Which would happen if they went.

It was hard enough to find a fixed location in the Waste, finding a person?

That was nearly impossible.

Too big, too much going on.

Even if one liberally absorbed the increased ambient magic, the power expended fending off beasts meant you'd be drained far before you tracked someone down.

Cal was one of the few who could come and go as he pleased; even the Constellation members were more reserved in their travels.

Rolland laughed lightheartedly.

"I speak in jest; worry not, my friend. Besides, Callum here might be put in a hard spot if we depart so suddenly."

Cal did not have a chance to ask what that was about as Marcus cut in.

"You speak of Petro Lucerna? Justiciar Vincent Promitia visited me again with more peculiar questions. I've come to understand the reason for their visit; I imagine that was your doing?"

His adrenaline would have spiked if the question had been directed at him. Instead, Rolland was at the other end of the man's gaze.

What was happening?

"Such a strong accusation. I'll put your heart at ease then; the Crown had nothing to do with this affair. I was only recently informed of his passing."

This time, Benny did not throw him a life vest, even after Cal stared intently at him.

He raised his hand, and Rolland smirked before answering.

"I'll ask you to keep this discrete; what you are about to learn is for a select few individuals. Only those in the relevant departments and faction heads are aware." This suddenly sounded very interesting. "There have been increased movements along the Federation border. While usually the method that ensures our blades remain sharpened and ready, the Crown has passed instructions to halt the more flagrant forms of infighting."

Wait, those idiots were doing what now?

Dead gods, were they actually preparing to invade? Were they just waiting for him to screw up so they could storm over the border?

The panic on his face must not have been well hidden because Rolland quickly added.

"This is a precaution and kept to a few individuals. We want to forestall any strong reactions from both the nobility and the common class."

That explained why he was only just finding out about it but did nothing to quell his anxiety.

The Crown Prince looked at Marcus pointedly.

"It was the duty of the faction heads to keep the houses under them in order while keeping the reasoning discrete. I would hope you were not too enthusiastic in our meaning, taking the Crown's justice for your own?"

Marcus narrowed his eyes, not looking happy at the accusation.

Cal was struggling to keep up with the conversation.

"House Procellae conducted its duties. The reigning Lord of House Lucerna was told to put his ambitions to rest for a time, and that message was passed down to his son. Petro was stubborn about it, but without the support of his family, there was little he could do but throw a childish tantrum and challenge Callum here."

He had enough support to hire some bigshot mercenary.

Marcus wasn't finished, and he continued testily.

"As the family responsible for protecting the border, I would say the threat is more apparent than you paint it to be. I have it on good authority that the general on the Federation's side of the river was replaced. More concerningly, they conducted a weapons test and large-scale war game less than half a year ago."

Wait. How long ago?

"Put your worries to rest; we are handling the situation with the seriousness it deserves." Rolland turned to him, a searching look on his face. "Speaking back to the late Lucerna scion, I'm told the targets for the investigation are Callum Ardere and Liliane Arcutien. I would think any of them leaving the city preemptively would be looked upon poorly."

Crap. It was him. It was his fault.

Not the Petro thing, well yes, that too.

But six months ago... that was around the time of the incident. War game? What a laugh! They were trying their best to stop him.

The reassignment? The general probably got swept up in the purge Cal had bargained for.

And now the movers and shakers of the Empire thought a war might be coming. Or at least their children did.

What were the diplomats doing?! Wasn't clearing up misconceptions like this their job???

Annnndddd he just had the guiltiest look imaginable on his face when asked about something that was the furthest thing from his mind right now.

He had to salvage this.

"To be absolutely, one hundred percent clear." Cal kept his voice steady. "I had nothing to do with this."

He received an assortment of flat stares to choose from.

"I mean it. Lily wouldn't have bothered to do it either."

Seeing the tide of skepticism headed straight for him, he thought living to fight another day sounded better.

Cal rose, slamming his palms against the table. He hid his wince as the wood crunched beneath him and pointed to Marcus.

"Assume we're on for tomorrow if class is canceled again. Don't worry, I'll figure something else besides swimming." His finger rotated towards Rolland. "You, instead of worrying about Ferguson, try being a better brother for a change." He landed on the final member of the group. "If he tries anything stupid, you have my permission to stab him." On second thought, that might be taken the wrong way. "But do it gently. It's better than being eaten." He ignored Marcus' slighted look. "Now this has been fun, but I gotta go."

Not giving them an opportunity to follow up, he swiftly left the room.

He traveled down the hallway with large steps, blowing air out of his mouth. As soon as he got this whistling thing down, he was going to have to go Justiciar hunting.