Raiden Alaric

I woke before dawn, as I always did. The soft Greek sunrise was just beginning to filter through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the ridiculously spacious master bedroom. My internal clock had kicked in automatically.

I sat up, stretching out the last remnants of sleep, and went to check the dresser if my clothes were in there. But before I could, I heard a soft knock on my door.

"Master Alaric?" Dorothea's voice came through the door. "I have your exercise attire ready, if you'd like."

I blinked in surprise.

She knows about my routine?

"Come in," I called, pulling on the shirt I'd worn yesterday.

Dorothea entered carrying a set of high-quality athletic wear: moisture-wicking shirt, running shorts, and expensive-looking running shoes in exactly my size. Everything was fitted and looked like it had come from some premium sports brand.

"How did you...?" I started to ask.

"Seraphina provided detailed information about your daily habits," Dorothea explained with a small smile. "She mentioned you maintain a strict exercise routine regardless of circumstances, and thought you might appreciate having proper attire available."

Of course she did.

I wasn't sure whether to feel grateful or exasperated that Seraphina had thought that far ahead. Probably both.

"Thank you," I said, taking the clothes. "This is really thoughtful of you."

As I made my way toward the front of the house, Sol was already waiting, wearing his own set of workout clothes and stretching.

"Morning," he said, jogging in place slightly. "Ready for the usual?"

I grinned. "You're actually keeping up with it?"

"Of course I am," Sol said with mock indignation. "I can't let you get ahead of me, remember? Plus, you were right about how much it helps with everything else."

I had told Sol about my routine, and he started adopting it himself. He thinks adopting some of my habits will help his growth.

We set off for our run through the Greek countryside. Dorothea showed us a path we could follow for the jog. We ran along winding roads that offered stunning views of olive groves and the distant Mediterranean. After thirty minutes of steady running, we returned to the house and pushed through an hour-long workout in the ridiculously well-equipped home gym.

After quick showers, I was getting dressed when my phone rang. Seraphina's name appeared on the screen.

"Good morning," I answered.

"Rai, I trust the exam went well?" Sounded more like she wanted confirmation rather than asking out of curiosity.

"It did. We passed easily."

"Excellent. I wanted to confirm your travel arrangements for the remaining exams. Transportation has been arranged to each location, and I've notified the maids at your other residences about your arrival times and expected stays."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see it.

"Thank you. You know you didn't need to set up everything like this. But I appreciate it."

"Of course. Is there anything else you need assistance with? Any special arrangements or requirements for your travels?"

"No, I think we're good. Just having a place to stay is enough."

"Very well. Please reach out if anything comes up." Her tone was gentle. Letting me know she'll help with anything I need.

"I will. Thanks, Seraphina."

"Have a pleasant day. I hear Greece is beautiful during the spring."

She hung up, leaving me wondering if I was just that predictable or if her years of experience were to thank.

Sol and I made our way to the kitchen, where we found the maids already beginning breakfast preparations.

"Good morning," I said to them. "Mind if we help?"

The maids looked uncertain until Dorothea appeared and nodded approvingly. "Master Alaric prefers to be involved rather than simply served," she explained to them with a knowing smile.

Thank you Elena.

Soon Sol and I were working alongside the maids, preparing eggs, slicing fresh fruit, and making coffee. It felt good to be doing something useful with my hands rather than just sitting around being waited on.

About twenty minutes later, Luna stumbled into the dining room, her hair disheveled and her ears drooping. She was still in pajamas and looked like she'd rather be anywhere but awake.

"Morning," she mumbled, punctuating it with a huge yawn.

Nyxa followed shortly after, looking considerably more put-together but still stretching and yawning. She took a seat at the table next to Luna and watched with interest as Sol and I helped the maids bring out the breakfast dishes.

"Well, well," Nyxa said with a mischievous smile. "I do like a man who can cook."

Without missing a beat, I reached over and flicked her nose gently. "Behave yourself."

She laughed and rubbed her nose dramatically. "So mean."

As we finished setting out the food, I turned to the maids. "Please, join us for breakfast. I made sure that there was more than enough."

The maids looked uncertain, glancing at Dorothea for guidance.

"Master Alaric," Dorothea said carefully, "that's very kind, but we don't typically..."

"I insist," I said firmly but kindly. "I've been grilling the maids back home about this exact thing, but I'd rather eat with friends than be served by people standing around watching me chew."

Dorothea smiled warmly and nodded to the other maids, who gratefully took seats at the table. The atmosphere immediately became more relaxed and genuine.

As we all began eating, Luna finally seemed to wake up fully, her ears perking up at the smell of fresh coffee and bacon. Although she was kind of hogging most of the bacon… I might have to make more if she keeps that up.

"So," Sol said between bites of scrambled eggs, "we should probably fill you guys in on our actual plans."

Nyxa raised an eyebrow. "Actual plans?"

"Well," I said, "the truth is, Sol and I are both planning to attend Elysium too. We're only taking the other academy exams because, well, why not see what they have to offer?"

Luna blinked in surprise. "Wait, so you might end up at the same academy as us?"

"Might? No, we are going to the same academy," Sol confirmed. "Elysium is our first choice too. The other exams are just for comparison and experience."

I shrugged. "And a bit of fun."

Nyxa's face lit up with excitement. "By Yggdrasil's branches! We could all end up in the same place."

"Which means," Dorothea chimed in with a smile, "you should definitely take some time to enjoy Greece together while you're here. Since you're so close to Athens, I could drive you there today. You could walk around the city, see some of the historical sites, maybe do some shopping."

"Perfect idea!" Nyxa said immediately, practically bouncing in her seat. "I've always wanted to explore Athens properly. And I can finally show you guys that incredible Greek food I promised yesterday."

Luna nodded, looking much more awake now. "Sounds really nice, actually."

"You've been to Athens before?" Sol asked with interest.

"A couple times," Nyxa confirmed. "My family has taken vacations here before. We live comfortably enough to travel occasionally, though not super frequently. I've been wanting to go back to one place I found during our last visit. It's run by an elderly couple who've been cooking traditional recipes for decades. The food is absolutely incredible."

"We're in," I said. "When do we need to leave for the next exam?"

"Portal departure is at ten tomorrow morning," Sol confirmed. "So we have all day today."

"Perfect," Dorothea said with satisfaction. "I know exactly the route to take to show you the best parts of the city."

Dorothea drove us into Athens through winding streets that gradually transformed from countryside to bustling urban energy. She dropped us off in a vibrant shopping district filled with a mix of modern boutiques and traditional Greek shops. Looked like she was avoiding the tourist traps.

"I'll pick you up right here at three-thirty. If you wish to leave earlier or want more time please contact me," Dorothea said as we climbed out of the van. Just as I was about to close the door, she called out, "Oh, Master Alaric, one moment."

She reached into her purse and pulled out a cream-colored envelope with my name written on it in elegant script. "Seraphina asked me to give this to you when we arrived in the city."

I took the envelope with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

What now?

"Thank you," I said, slipping it into my pocket.

We thanked her and began walking down the pedestrian street, taking in the atmosphere. The morning sun was warm but not oppressive, and the area buzzed with the energy of people going about their daily lives. Street vendors called out in Greek. The smell of fresh pastries wafted from nearby bakeries, and everywhere there were small shops showcasing everything from handmade jewelry to vintage books.

"It smells amazing here," Luna said, her ears perking up as she looked around with delight.

We wandered through several shops, browsing with no plan. Sol picked up a few small souvenirs, while Luna spent a long time examining handcrafted items at a local artisan's stall. I relaxed in a way I hadn't expected, just being normal tourists with no pressure or timeline.

As we passed by a row of clothing boutiques, Nyxa suddenly grabbed both Sol's and my arms, bringing us to an abrupt stop.

"What's up?" Sol asked, looking around for whatever had caught her attention.

Nyxa looked at Sol first, her expression turning critical as she took in his appearance. "You need a wardrobe intervention," she declared. "A basic t-shirt and cargo pants? Really, Sol?"

Sol looked down at himself with confusion. "What's wrong with cargo pants? They're easy to move in, and breathable."

Before he could defend himself further, Nyxa turned her attention to me, her eyes narrowing as she studied my outfit. "And you. Why are you wearing sweatpants? Again?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but Luna chimed in before I could get a word out. "By the moon, you're right. He was wearing sweatpants during the exam too."

I tried again to explain, but Sol jumped in with clear amusement. "Now that you mention it, I don't think I've ever actually seen him wearing anything but sweatpants. Like, ever."

Nyxa's eyes lit up with the kind of excitement that usually meant trouble. "That settles it," she announced, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the nearest clothing store. "We're fixing the situation right now."

Sol and Luna followed with keen interest, clearly entertained by the development.

"Wait, wait!" I protested as Nyxa pulled me through the store entrance. "I have normal clothes! I have a completely respectable sense of style! Don't use this as an excuse to play dress-up!"

Nyxa stopped and turned to face me, one eyebrow raised as she gestured pointedly at my grey sweatpants. "I'm sorry, but I can't believe a single word you're saying while you're wearing those."

I turned desperately to Sol and Luna for backup, but they both just shrugged with matching grins.

"You're on your own for the situation," Sol said cheerfully.

Nyxa immediately began rifling through the racks, pulling out various shirts and holding them up against me with the intensity of someone on a mission. "Let's see... the color would work with your complexion, and the cut would..."

"Hold on," I said, gently but firmly stopping her hands before she could grab another garment. "How about it? I'll pick out some clothes myself and try them on. If I can prove I actually do have style, will you let the whole intervention slide?"

Nyxa paused, a shirt halfway off the rack, and turned to narrow her eyes at me suspiciously. "You're that confident in your fashion sense?"

"Completely."

She studied my face for a long moment, then slowly put the shirt back on the rack. "Fine," she said, crossing her arms. "But I have very high standards. Don't think you can throw together random clothes and impress me."

I rolled my eyes.

High standards? Please. I've dealt with Ella for years. A high elf noble's fashion expectations make anything look like child's play. Although I have to give Dad all the credit.

"Deal," I said, extending my hand to shake on it.

Nyxa shook my hand with a mischievous grin. "Should be interesting."

I moved through the store with purpose, ignoring Nyxa's hovering as I selected pieces. A fitted light blue polo shirt with subtle vertical stripes, well-tailored white chinos, and clean white sneakers with minimal branding. I added a simple leather belt and what looked like a decent watch from the accessories section.

"I'll be right back," I said, heading toward the changing room.

A few minutes later, I emerged wearing the complete outfit. The polo fit well across my shoulders and chest; the chinos were the right length and cut, and everything worked together. Casual but polished.

Nyxa's eyes widened as she took in the transformation. Without saying a word, she walked a slow circle around me, clearly appraising the outfit from every angle. Her expression shifted from skepticism to clear approval.

Sol started clapping slowly. "Well, damn, look at you."

Luna just stared, her mouth slightly open in shock, one of her ears flopped to the side. "You look... completely different. Like, in a really good way."

I adjusted the collar of the polo and grinned. "Well? You believe me now?"

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Nyxa finished her inspection and nodded with satisfaction. "Okay, I take it back. You definitely know how to put together an outfit." She paused, then added with a sly smile, "Though it would be such a shame not to wear it for the rest of the day."

"I was planning to change back," I started to protest, but Sol cut me off.

"Actually," Sol said, looking around the store with sudden interest, "do you think you could help me pick out something? I'm starting to feel underdressed next to you."

Nyxa's eyes practically beamed with excitement. "By the World Tree! This is going to be fun!"

She immediately turned toward Luna with the same predatory enthusiasm. "And you! We should find you something too. Get you out of these joggers. Come on!"

Luna took a step back, her ears flattening slightly. "I'm not really sure abo—"

But Nyxa was already grabbing her arm and pulling her toward another section of the store. "Don't worry, I have excellent taste. Trust me!"

Sol and I watched them disappear into the women's section, Luna's protests fading as Nyxa enthusiastically began pulling items off racks.

Sol and I looked at each other and shrugged.

"Well," Sol said with amusement, "looks like we're all getting makeovers."

"Alright, your turn," I said, turning my attention to the men's section. "Let's see what we can do about those cargo pants."

I moved through the racks with the same confidence I'd shown picking my outfit. For Sol, I selected a short-sleeve button-up shirt with a subtle geometric pattern in navy and white, paired with well-fitted white chinos and dark leather loafers. I added a simple leather bracelet and a pair of sunglasses that would complement his features.

"Here," I said, handing him the ensemble. "Try it on."

Sol looked at the outfit with interest. "You sure about the pattern?"

"Trust me. It'll work with your coloring."

While Sol was in the changing room, I could hear Nyxa's enthusiastic voice from the women's section, punctuated by Luna's occasional protests of "I don't usually wear things like that" and "Are you sure it isn't too much?"

Then I heard Nyxa's voice, loud enough that several other shoppers turned to look: "Luna, these are… practical, but we need to get you something cute in case you get a chance!"

"NYXA!" Luna's mortified shriek echoed through the entire store. "Don't announce it to everyone!"

"What? I'm just saying they're sensible! But you need something prettier just in case!"

"In case of what?" Luna hissed, her voice dropping to an angry whisper.

"You know... there might be a chance it could happen," Nyxa said with obvious mischief in her voice.

"By the moon's phases, what does that even mean? A chance for what?"

"Just trust me on this one, Luna. Sometimes opportunities present themselves."

"What opportunities?! We're going sightseeing!"

"Exactly. You never know what might happen."

What… are they talking about?

A few minutes later, Sol emerged from the changing room, and I nodded with satisfaction. The geometric pattern shirt fit him perfectly, the white chinos were the right length, and the loafers gave the whole look a polished but relaxed vibe. He looked like he'd stepped out of a Mediterranean vacation catalog.

"Not bad," Sol said, checking himself out in the store's mirror. "I actually really like it. You should pick out my wardrobe after we start attending Elysium."

"See? I know what I'm doing," I said with a grin.

Just then, we heard Nyxa's voice calling out from the women's section. "Okay, time for the grand reveal!"

Nyxa emerged first, practically glowing with confidence. She was wearing a vibrant green off-shoulder dress with leaf patterns that seemed to shift and dance in the light, paired with brown strappy sandals and a matching handbag. The dress had an organic, nature-inspired design that complemented her Dryad heritage, and the color brought out the golden flecks in her eyes.

Behind her, Luna appeared looking absolutely mortified. She was wearing a light blue dress with delicate white lace trim and ribbon details. She flattened her wolf ears against her head in embarrassment, wrapped her tail tightly around her waist, and kept tugging at the hem like she wanted to disappear.

"Ta-da!" Nyxa announced proudly, gesturing toward Luna. "Doesn't she look amazing?"

"The skirt is too short!" Luna protested immediately, still pulling at the fabric. "I can barely move without worrying about flashing someone!"

Sol and I both nodded in unison, clearly impressed by the transformation.

"You both look fantastic," Sol said with genuine appreciation.

"Really cute," I agreed. "The colors are perfect for both of you."

Luna's cheeks flushed bright red, and her ears flattened further against her head. "I feel so exposed," she muttered, still tugging at the dress. "I'd rather just be wearing sweatpants."

Nyxa laughed and gently pulled Luna's hands away from the hem. "You look beautiful, Luna. Trust me."

"Yeah, but sweatpants are comfortable," Luna grumbled.

I nodded appreciatively. "Finally, someone who understands me."

Then I remembered the envelope Dorothea had given me earlier. With all the shopping excitement, I'd completely forgotten about it. I pulled it out of my pocket, suddenly curious about what Seraphina might have sent.

Sol noticed what I was doing and leaned over with interest as I carefully opened the cream-colored envelope.

Inside was a single black metal credit card with my name embossed in silver lettering, along with a small folded note. I unfolded the paper and read Seraphina's elegant handwriting:

Rai,

Please use this card for any and all purchases going forward. The credit limit is set at $500,000 USD per month, which should be more than sufficient for your needs. For optimal security, I recommend using it for transactions over $100, though there are no restrictions.

If you somehow plan on making any single purchase that exceeds the monthly limit, please call me ahead of time so I can make the necessary arrangements.

Consider it a practical necessity rather than an indulgence.

- Seraphina

My hand began trembling slightly as I stared at the note.

How the hell would I use that much money in a single transaction?

I flipped the note over and found a P.S. in Seraphina's handwriting:

P.S. - You're probably thinking you'll never spend that kind of money, but you'd be surprised. Just try to get anything that has sigils or aetheric enhancements and you'll start crying.

I stared at the postscript with a mix of horror and realization. She had a point. Anything with real aura enhancement or specialized sigil work cost astronomical amounts.

Sol caught sight of the card and immediately covered his mouth with his hand, his shoulders shaking as he tried to stifle a laugh.

"What is it?" Nyxa asked, noticing our reaction.

I quickly slipped the card back into the envelope and shoved it into my pocket. "Nothing important," I said, though my voice came out a bit strained.

Sol was still fighting back laughter, clearly finding my reaction to what was probably an incredibly expensive piece of plastic absolutely hilarious.

"So," Sol said with a mischievous grin, "since you're looking so stylish now, maybe you should buy everyone's outfits. You know, as a gesture of goodwill."

I immediately protested. "Why should I buy everyone's clothes? That makes no sense."

Nyxa suddenly hugged my arm, pressing it clearly against her chest as she looked up at me with batting eyelashes. "Oh come on, Rai. Be a gentleman and treat the ladies to their new outfits."

I completely ignored her attempt at manipulation and kept my expression neutral. Although I could subtly feel her aura feel around my aura channels in my arm.

Sneaky little…

Luna shook her head quickly. "That's really unnecessary. I'd rather just change back into my regular clothes, anyway."

I caught the embarrassment in her expression and almost wanted to buy the outfits just to see her get a little more flustered. Almost.

"Absolutely not," I said firmly.

Sol leaned in closer with a serious expression. "Don't think I've forgotten about you losing your sword during the exam. Consider the partial compensation for your grave sin."

I stared at him incredulously. "There's no way you've taken that much offense to it."

Sol dramatically wiped a fake tear from his eye. "How dare you tell a swordsman that losing one's weapon isn't a big deal? Dishonor on you!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not falling for those crocodile tears, Sol."

Nyxa had been watching the exchange thoughtfully, and suddenly I saw a lightbulb practically go off above her head. Her eyes lit up with excitement.

"I'll tell you what my revelation is if you treat us today!" she announced triumphantly.

I froze completely. After a long moment of internal debate, my shoulders sagged in defeat.

"Fine," I said stiffly. "I'll pay for the outfits."

Nyxa clapped her hands together with delight. "Perfect!"

After a bit more browsing and making sure everyone was satisfied with their outfits, we all made our way to the counter. The sales associate began scanning tags we had removed from our clothes.

When she announced the total, I felt my soul try to leave my body. "1,254 Euros," she said cheerfully.

I did the quick conversion in my head. At least $1,400+. For clothes. That we'd worn for maybe an hour total.

Every fiber of my being is screaming at me to run straight out of the store and never look back. But I had money now. More money than I could reasonably spend in several lifetimes.

With a resigned sigh, I pulled out the cream envelope and extracted the black metal credit card. The sales associate's eyes widened slightly when she saw it, clearly recognizing the type of card that meant "money is no object."

The transaction went through smoothly, and I was just starting to put the card back when my phone rang. Seraphina's name flashed on the screen.

I answered reluctantly. "Hello?"

"I knew you'd give in," came Seraphina's amused voice through the phone.

I hung up on her immediately.

Of course she'd get notified about transactions. Probably has alerts set up for everything.

Sol was trying very hard not to laugh at my distress. I saw he had enhanced his aura for his hearing. Meanwhile, Nyxa and Luna both looked curious about the phone call.

"Everything okay?" Luna asked.

"Just fine," I said through gritted teeth, shoving the card into my pocket.

As we gathered our bags that held our previous outfits in and headed toward the store exit, Nyxa grabbed my arm with excitement.

"Thank you so much, Rai!" she said, beaming up at me. "Now I can take everyone to that restaurant I mentioned, especially since you're treating us."

I groaned audibly. "I never agreed to pay for lunch too."

"But you're on such a roll!" Nyxa said cheerfully, completely ignoring my protest.

Sol perked up immediately at the mention of food. "I'm definitely eager to try this place you've been hyping up Nyxa. Lead the way!"

"Hey! I haven't agreed to this!"

Meanwhile, Luna was walking very carefully beside us, her hands constantly adjusting the dress and her movements stiff and awkward. She looked like she was convinced that one strong breeze would end her.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, noticing her discomfort.

"The dress feels like it's going to betray me at any moment," Luna muttered, taking another cautious step.

Sol, I, and Nyxa all exchanged an impish grin, clearly having the same idea at the same time.

"You know, Luna," Sol started with an innocent tone, "you look absolutely adorable in that dress."

"Our little tsundere is so cute," I added with a grin. "The way you're being all careful and shy just makes it even cuter."

"The cutest!" Nyxa chimed in with delight. "And that little blush is just precious. You're like a walking puppy!"

Luna's face turned bright red, and she immediately flipped all three of us off with both hands. "Shut up, all of you! And what the hell is a tsundere?!"

But despite her protests and embarrassment, we could all clearly see her tail wagging behind her. It completely betrayed her, showing us how much she actually appreciated the compliments.

—

The taverna Nyxa had chosen was everything she'd promised, a cozy family-run place tucked away in a narrow side street that tourists would never find. The elderly couple who owned it treated us like long-lost relatives, bringing out dish after dish of incredible authentic Greek food.

We were all enjoying the meal (fresh seafood, seasoned lamb gyros, creamy tzatziki, and bread that was still warm from the oven) when I decided it was time to collect on our deal.

"Alright, Nyxa," I said, setting down my fork. "Time to pay up."

Nyxa looked up from her plate with an innocent expression. "Pay up? What are you talking about?"

"Your revelation," I said pointedly. "You said you'd tell me what it was if I treated everyone today."

She tilted her head with feigned confusion. "Did I? I don't remember saying that."

I gave her a flat look. "Nyxa."

"Okay, okay," she laughed, then became more serious. "But why do you want to know? I mean, I noticed how you agreed to use a sword for the next exam when Sol offered to tell you his revelation. But I don't really understand why you'd be so interested in hearing about other people's revelations. Most people consider them deeply personal."

Sol chimed in helpfully. "He's been asking me about my revelation for months now, and I keep putting it off because it's something embarrassing."

I shot Sol a look. "Bullshit, you would have denied it outright instead of leading me around with 'maybes and we'll see's'."

Nyxa raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the exchange. "But seriously, why the interest in other people's revelations?"

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, then decided to give her at least part of the truth. "I had a really hard time finding mine. Took me way longer than it should have. During all that time, I guess I became fascinated by how other people experienced theirs. What their moment was like, what triggered it." I shrugged, trying to appear casual. "Call it curiosity born from frustration."

Luna nodded with understanding. "I get that. I didn't Awaken until I was fifteen, which is pretty late. Finding mine was also really hard."

Nyxa looked between us, then sighed with resignation. "Alright, fine. I can see why you'd be curious." She took a sip of her wine and settled back in her chair, but I noticed a slight hesitation in her expression. "It happened when I was fourteen. I was utterly consumed by aura, devouring every scrap of knowledge I could find. Ancient scrolls in the village library, eavesdropping on Ascendants practicing in the woods. I'd perch in the treetops, sketching their techniques, dreaming of wielding that power myself. But I wasn't Awakened yet, and it was maddening."

She paused, swirling the wine in her glass thoughtfully, and for a moment her carefully composed expression slipped slightly. "One afternoon, I was in our family garden, watching my mother tend her plants. She had this uncanny ability to know exactly where each one would flourish. The richest soil, the perfect light, the spots where water lingered after rain. She'd move a drooping fern, and by dawn it'd be thriving."

Nyxa's voice dropped slightly, becoming more personal. "I was hunched over a book I'd... borrowed from a wandering scholar's son. Flirted my way into getting it, actually. Trying to force an aura pulse using the diagrams inside, but nothing happened. My core stayed silent, my channels dormant. I felt like a seed planted in ash."

She leaned forward, her eyes taking on that familiar calculating gleam. "Then it hit me. Not from danger, but from pure obsession colliding with realization. The garden came alive around me. I could smell the earth's richness, feel the lingering traces of my mother's aura in the plants she'd touched. Everything whispered the same truth: why chase aura blindly when I could seek where it already thrived?"

Her expression shifted, showing a hint of the vulnerability beneath her strategic nature. "My revelation was 'I bloom where power takes root.' The moment I understood that, my Aether Core flared to life."

Nyxa chuckled, but there was an edge to it. "My senses being overwhelmed nearly broke me. Every scent, every sound basically made me collapse in an instant." She met my eyes directly. "So, there you have it."

The way she said it, with that slight vulnerability beneath her usual confidence, made it clear there was more personal pain to her revelation than just seeking knowledge.

Sol and I exchanged a knowing look.

"So basically," I said slowly, "you strategically place yourself wherever power and opportunity happen to be."

"Like how you partnered with Thorgrim for his sect connections," Sol added with understanding. "And now you're cozying up to us after seeing our exam performance."

Sol paused with a mischievous grin. "Oh, and let's not forget how you're trying to get into Rai's bed now that you've seen he's got money. Didn't you mention that financial backing would be nice?"

"Oh, do I have a theme song for you," I said with a grin.

Nyxa's cheeks turned bright red as she realized how easily they'd read her. "I mean... when you put it like that..."

Luna chimed in with a teasing smile. "She really is shameless, isn't she? I'm impressed by how direct you are about using people, Nyxa."

"I don't use people!" Nyxa protested, though her blush deepened. "I form mutually beneficial relationships! Also I'm more interested in your aura, Rai, not your money. Although… that's nice too…"

"That's just a fancy way of saying the same thing," Sol said with amusement.

I cleared my throat dramatically and put on a mock-serious expression. "By the words of the great poet, Mr. West, 'I am not implying that she is only interested in the financial stability of men; however, it must be said that she avoids relations with impoverished men.' So he said."

Nyxa's face turned an even deeper shade of red and she pouted, turning her head away from us. "You're all terrible," she mumbled, though there was no real anger in her voice.

—

The rest of our time in Greece passed comfortably. We spent the evening relaxing at the mansion, talking about our expectations for the upcoming exams and enjoying the incredible hospitality. Sol and I maintained our morning routine the next day before heading back to the Association portal station.

Nyxa and Luna were already waiting for us when we arrived, both looking like they'd gotten up early just to see us off.

"You didn't have to come," I said.

"Of course we did," Nyxa said with a smile. "We had to make sure you two don't do anything stupid without adult supervision."

Sol protested, "Hey he's the one who needs an adult. I'm not the crazy one."

Luna nodded, looking more comfortable in her regular clothes. "Plus, someone needs to wish you luck."

They both hugged us goodbye, with Nyxa giving me an extra squeeze and saying "Do come back though~"

Oi, watch where you put your hands woman.

Luna awkwardly mumbled that she'd actually enjoyed yesterday despite the clothing situation. As she pulled back, I couldn't resist.

"You know, Luna, it's such a shame you're not wearing that blue dress I so graciously bought you. You looked so—ow! Ow, ow, stop pinching me!" I tried to pull away as Luna's fingers found a particularly sensitive spot on my arm.

"Shut up about the dress," Luna muttered, her cheeks turning pink but still maintaining her death grip on my arm.

"Better not change your mind about going to Elysium," she added, finally releasing me with a small smile.

Now we were standing in a different waiting area, watching technicians calibrate the massive gateway that would transport us to Ne-No-Kuni. The portal itself was distinctly different from the ones we'd used before, more ornate, with intricate designs that seemed to shift and flow like living art around the frame.

"Next stop, the land of the rising sun," Sol said, shouldering his travel bag.

I patted my pockets and checked my phone one more time. No new messages from Seraphina outside of the scheduled times for the portals.

I turned to Sol, "Ready for round two?"

"Always," Sol replied with a grin. "You haven't forgotten our deal right?"

I returned the grin. "Oh, I remember."

A voice echoed through the waiting area over the intercom system. "Portal to Ne-No-Kuni Academy is now active. All examinees with confirmed reservations, please proceed to Gate 7 for departure. Please have your identification and examination credentials ready for verification."

Sol and I exchanged a look and walked through the portal.

Here we go again.

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