Darkness filled the courtyard. The moon was hidden, lounging behind a thick blanket of clouds like it was welcoming an old friend. Stillness reigned—but not everything was as it seemed.
A figure crept low through the shadows, cloaked and stealthed, slipping between hedges and stone. Graceful. Silent. The massive rune came into view. A bush rustled—just the soft brush of an elbow.
Then a low growl broke the stillness.
Eyes glowed amber in the dark. A hulking war hound sniffed the air, the rumble in its chest deepening from warning to menace. Spud didn't need to see. He had a nose.
The intruder frowned. With careful fingers, they pulled a strip of raw meat from a pouch and tossed it forward.
Spud tilted his head… considered it… then lunged with bared teeth.
"SHIT!" the figure cursed, diving toward the rune—only to land with a painful thud on cold stone. The rune stayed dark. Inert.
Spud hit like a cannonball, snapping at empty air and slamming into the figure hard enough to send them skidding across the courtyard.
"STOP," Cane's voice rang out. Instantly, Spud obeyed, trotting back to his side.
Cane stood calmly, amber eyes narrowed. Perched on his shoulder, Pudding blinked slowly—its perfect night vision easily tracking the intruder despite the stealth field.
"Come forward," Cane called. "Or I'll stop being polite."
"…Fine."
The figure shimmered back into view, still masked. He stepped forward reluctantly.
"Fraedi," Cane said flatly.
The man tugged off his mask, revealing a sheepish face. "This is… awkward."
"The rune is deactivated," Cane said, unimpressed. "You think I'd leave the door open for thieves?"
"I'm not a thief," Fraedi muttered. Behind him, footsteps approached—Cane's team and a handful of third-years gathering. "I wanted to scout the construct. Gadira's too important to risk on an unknown."
Cane tilted his head. "And here I thought we had an agreement." He glanced at Fergis. "What do we call this?"
"Bad faith," Fergis offered, deadpan.
"Right. Bad faith."
"I did this on my own," Fraedi insisted. "Gadira doesn't know."
"I see." Cane patted Spud's massive head. "Get him, boy. Chew him a bit."
Spud didn't need to be told twice.
With a thunderous growl, the warhound barreled forward. Fraedi bolted—too slow. Spud's jaws found their target, teeth sinking into the fleeing man's backside as he yelped like a scalded cat.
Zio, half-awake and cranky, flicked a bolt of lightning at him. "You wake me up," she grumbled, "you get zapped."
Clara blinked sleepily and stowed her blunderbuss without comment.
Fergis: "Looks like I owe you ten gold."
Dhalia: "You bet on this?"
Cane: "I knew he'd check the rune."
The rift to the Magi Academy opened just after breakfast. Cane and his friends exited the estate, nodding politely to a few lingering guests—mostly third-year students and staff occupying the guest wing.
Sophie carried a satchel stuffed with the latest capital stories and announcements, already slipping into work mode.
"Prepped already?" Cane gave her hand a light squeeze, tugging her through the rift before anyone else could move.
"I've got a few ideas," she admitted, squinting as the morning sun lit up the Academy's central courtyard. Her hair had been styled at one of the capital salons—sleek, refined, with subtle curls that made her look more polished… older, even.
Cane liked her better with ribbons.
Not that he'd ever say that out loud.
After a quick shower, Cane changed into his school robes and made his way to Psi class. The twin professors, Drake and Chanzi, flanked the doorway like mirrored statues. Both nodded as he passed.
"I hope you had a productive weekend, Cane," Chanzi greeted him warmly, ignoring her brother's side-glance of surprise.
"Not bad," Cane replied. "We still on for tutoring this afternoon?"
"Of course. I've been looking forward to it."
(Psi-Link: Drake) What's going on here?
(Psi-Link: Chanzi) Nothing. You told me to make amends, and I did.
Cane took his seat, scanning the mostly empty classroom. Several large canisters of water stood along the far wall—new additions.
Bly entered with his usual volume, clattering into the seat beside him. "How were your days off?"
"Good," Cane said, stretching. "Went to the capital."
Bly blinked. "You took the rift? Only third-years and, um… specials are allowed access."
"Specials?" Cane chuckled, not missing the envy under the comment. He knew most students rarely left the grounds.
"Oy, gents." Zen breezed in next, bald head covered with a patterned skull cap that looked homemade—probably was.
"Zen," Cane said, eyeing her aura. There was something different—sharper, steadier. She'd definitely grown stronger.
"I need tips, Cane. You got anything?"
Cane grinned. "Tips? We're the same age."
"Cut the crap," she deadpanned. "Give me those secrets."
He thought for a second, then shrugged. "Try rope."
"Rope?" Zen leaned back, arms crossed. "Like for tying people up?"
"Exactly. You've got solid psi control. Rope is flexible and easy to manipulate—you can harden it instantly. Bind someone through armor, break their stance, trip them mid-air. Could even get creative with psi-enhanced tension."
Zen blinked, then nodded slowly. Her mind was already spinning through the possibilities. "That's… actually brilliant."
"Well, you did ask," Cane said with a grin.
Drake stepped forward, drawing their attention as he moved to one of the canisters. The air in the room shifted.
Class was about to begin.
Water swirled around Cane in intricate loops, suspended midair. The shapes shimmered, elegant and precise—second only to the forms Zen was weaving across the room.
A hand touched his shoulder, light but grounding. His control wavered slightly.
"Really amazing, Cane," Chanzi said, her voice full of genuine admiration. "This is beyond what I was expecting."
Cane offered a half-grin. "Thanks… I think?"
She flushed, brushing back a strand of hair. "Sorry. That made it sound like I had low expectations."
"I'm not bothered," Cane replied. "My control's stronger here—water is an element I have a natural attunement to."
He didn't mention that it came from Neri's gift, a merfolk attunement rarely granted. Even among water elementals, it was extraordinary.
"I see," Chanzi said, nodding thoughtfully before moving on to Bly's work, gently correcting his alignment.
"Not bad, Cane," Zen called, sneaking a glance toward their co-professor. "She's warming up. Using that country bumpkin charm?"
Cane chuckled, and the swirl of water buckled for a second. "I'll ignore everything but the charm part."
Zen crossed her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, that's what you should take from that."
A familiar, cheerful voice cut through the room.
Good morning, everyone! This is Sophie Sweetwater with your morning announcements.
The new fronts open in one week. For the first time, the main battlefields will be near either side's capital. None of our graduates will be participating—Gryphon Company is currently on leave, enjoying some much-deserved downtime.
Starting next off-day, there will be morning and evening rifts available for students to attend the Knighting Ceremony of Fergis, Clara, and Dhalia. This is an unsupervised event. Students are expected to represent the Academy well—and return via the correct rift.
The class burst into applause. Bly whooped. Zen pumped her fist.
In other news, the Starsong is now available for missions requiring naval transport and firepower. A low-level raid is forming for a secret deployment, led by Zio. First and second-year teams only. Twenty slots available—sign-ups are live.
The room erupted into chaos as students scrambled for their psi-comm runes.
Several businesses in town—including the lumber mill, blacksmith, and the Pub—are hiring for part-time work. Interested students can apply in person.
That's it for the morning. This is Sophie Sweetwater reminding you: if you see someone without a smile, give them yours. I'll see you all this afternoon. Good day!
Cane's brow furrowed slightly. The blacksmith shop? Was Jonas taking on help?
Drake raised a hand, calling the class to order. "Let's stop here for today. If you're interested in the sea mission, sign up fast—spots won't last."
The stampede began immediately. Within seconds, only a few students remained—Cane among them.
Chanzi approached, holding her notes to her chest. "What time would you like to start?"
"Dinner time," Cane said. "I'll have a food cart brought in."
"Perfect." She avoided looking at her brother as she returned to her desk.
(Psi-Link: Drake) What's that about?
(Psi-Link: Chanzi) Tutoring. You already know this.
(Psi-Link: Drake) He mentioned a food cart.
(Psi-Link: Chanzi) Yes. We'll be eating. It's a late session.