"Reporting all contact lost with Krepost Slavagrad, Krepost Krasnobor, and the garrison of Zoryograd. Expectation that the city of Zorygrad has been compromised and its inhabitants deemed to be lost. Estimated casualties at four hundred and fifty-six thousand. Requesting immediate support. Taigorski holds. Glory to the Grand Prince."

- Letter On Desk Of Marsun Governor's Office, Sender Unknown, "Last Letter From Taigorski - Two Months Ago"

For the eclectic band of souls, the weeks seemed to return to normal. Their worries of that night had quickly faded into more pressing concerns of essays, tests, debates, and homework. Sophie's own courses had evolved into more complex versions of the previous semester including; Supply chain creation, focused on the more grandiose nature of building a logistics network; The evolution of political ideas, a class that looked at the different ways in which the nations of Cyndralia were ruled; Delving into the Age of Myths, a more focused look on the Myndiri and what came alongside them; Equations and applicable scenarios, mathematics course she reluctantly signed up for to spend more time with Ary; and finally more martial training with a specialization on duels and etiquette.

Though there were many new faces, a few remained constant. A familiar comrade in logistics alongside Dalgron Silverbrew and the surprise appearance of Lucinia, though she immediately chafed at Sophie's presence in the class. Unfortunately for all three of them, their instructor was the one who had taught Sophie and Dalgron when they first joined the Academy, a surly old man by the name of Professor Ehrlich, a former cavalry commander and far more stern than he had been before. Unlike his strict if still lax attitude in the first semester, he was now no-nonsense, expecting all of them to have properly read and understood every bit of the material he had assigned.

Her day schedule only grew more amusing when she and Lucinia both walked towards Aura hall together, much to the Traxian's dismay. Her despair came to fruition when they both stood at the doorway to the same politics class. The only word she had shared with Sophie then was a simple, "Well, shit." At the very least, what could've been made more awkward was thankfully de-escalated by the surprising presence of a familiar acquaintance who had cautiously reacquainted herself with Sophie, Ary's friend Fana. The Lucurian took great joy in riling up the Traxian, much to Sophie's secret delight.

So concluded her classes on Astra and Tessus. Two intellectual slogs with some slight physical hardship including her martial training. Though that only served to remind her of just how long those days went without much of a chance to see Ary or the others beyond Lucinia.

While Phaerus marked midweek and usually meant time for extracurriculars and opportunities to hang out with her comrades. Due to the potentially dangerous nature of the task set before her regarding the saints. By 'recommendation' of the church, she was to spend her time midweek training directly with the saints, though that was only slated to start in another week or two. Not that they left me much choice otherwise. Ignore the calling of the church at your own peril. Mila had warned me as much when we first met.

Euthus and Gratus were more enjoyable company wise. Her counterpart evidently had the same idea as her and confused both the professor and the other students in their mythology class for a good while. Fortunately, or rather unfortunately for Sophie, Sophia's slowly resurgent confidence in herself in addition to her equally growing aloofness from others had somehow meant that she was identified as the 'cool' twin. Leaving Sophie to be distinguished by her more polite pensiveness in class demeanour. Though they did end up sharing the class with Alodie and Miraevie, the former of which seemed delighted by both their presences and carried a similar spark of joy like Ary's within her that both of them found endearing. The latter somehow able to almost uncannily tell Sophie and Sophia apart with but the briefest of glances. Something that even Sophia was willing to admit was a little unnerving.

Her final class was with the usual mathematics crowd with Ary. Aetemo, Tavaeia, and Leon were all present, the go-lucky trio showing no signs of difference from their first semester selves. They were even joined by the unexpected appearance of Sigrid, who had informed no one of the party of her class choices this semester. And despite being more or less mute, demonstrated an understanding of mathematical concepts even surpassing Ary's. At least, when she put her mind to it. Otherwise, she spent most of her time looking bored and likely regretting the choice in classes. Although the trio were almost immediately taken in by the mermaid's innocent yet maturely elegant behaviour, quickly welcoming her into the now growing mathematics friendship circle.

She suspected however, that for Ary, the whole year had been a chaotic exercise in trying to contain and explain everything given her lack of mobility. The girl had told Sophie as much about how horrified some of her friends had been at the sight of her being stuck in a wheelchair, none more so than Fana. Who, thankfully for Sophie, had only gotten to see Ary after their first class together, delaying the rage that the Lucurian now held against Sophie for letting Ary get hurt. It took a few weeks after that before Fana calmed enough to tepidly consider Sophie forgiven after that, though hearing the hurt in her voice was more than enough to remind Sophie herself that she had also wished she could've done more at the time.

For Ary at least, her situation came with the surprising benefit of far more time spent with the Calnodel siblings. Both Maylesa and Thalnor freely offered their continued services to her and in turn cementing a strange partnership between them and the other members of the Lily Knights. Sophie had also become another regular at their workshop, more than even before since she acted more like Ary's steward than anything, much to the girl's joy and dismay at having such a minder.

It was also from them that Sophie received a boon. Done in conjunction with some blueprints from Inquisitor Korvin, they presented the Portable Mana Charger version four. An upgraded variant of the miniature mana battery that Sophie had once depended upon with a few more field practical upgrades thanks to the Inquisitor's involvement in the project as repayment for Sophie's previous assistance. Also as an unsubtle reminder that she would likely have to help test out more experimental weapons or devices in the future. But barring a direct summons or letter, she saw no need to encourage the Inquisitor and was perfectly content avoiding his presence.

It was the Calnodels too, who were responsible for the brief excursion she now prepared to take with Ary and Sigrid. They had about a month until exams and the siblings wanted to give Ary's equipment including her wheelchair a once over before anything serious happened to it. It was also a good opportunity for Sophie to meet with Sir Taurox and brief him on the situation.

In an ironic twist of fate. Despite Mila having assigned Sophie the task of meeting with him, she ended up being the first one to run into the minotaur. His noble soul had ensured that in his time serving with the Arterian rangers, he did whatever he could to help the smallfolk and keep the countryside safe against the ever growing tide of monsters that seemed endless. His dedication however, almost meant the necessity to spend time recuperating, a time that he then used to perform tasks under the table for the Argent Curia. For despite his punishment, the templars still respected him.

During one such deal, he had met Mila within the church. To which the Inquisitor then explained her and Sophie's current task at hand. A mission that took great interest in and promised to let them know if he could secure an early release from the Rangers.

Tune Ary's magitech, meet with Sir Taurox, make some last minute purchases. Sophie hummed to herself, that's about all there is to it, I think.

Sigrid trilled happily as she prepared a few items for her own pack, the mermaid's noises prompting the faerie to argue futilely about the necessity of certain items.

Sigrid could be excited for just about anything related to affairs of the land. Of that, Sophie was a little envious. Eichafen had disabused her of any preconceptions about the world outside the Rosengart estate. The skirmishes and battles in Melton had only crystalized the dangers of the outside world. Not that it stopped Sophie from exploring regardless, she still enjoyed seeing new places like Ostia, but she knew that those could be just as easily taken away by the machinations of ner-do-wells. And why we must keep fighting.

On the other side of the room, Ary too, carried her own set of worries. And while Sophie couldn't unravel them right now, judging by how the girl was debating bringing a miniature hand crossbow with them, she could guess that she was also worried about the future.

Unlike the Ary that Sophie had known when they had first met, there was something in the way that she carried herself despite confined to a wheelchair that spoke of change. The soft spoken wide eyed curiosity had been tempered by their struggles. And perhaps the only thing that actually excited her about exploring Carrador was seeing where Sophie had hailed from, instead of actually understanding the land itself. Not that we'll see too much. If all goes well, Neun Carad, then to the Rosengart estate, then it's back through the Mistveil and into Melton. Sophie shuddered.

"Good to go?" Ary asked.

Sigrid trilled her own affirmation and Sophie nodded. With what sounded like a sigh, Yana too, fluttered down to take her position within the pocket.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Sharing a collective grunt, the group made sure they had everything they had needed and made their out of the room. Another day of responsibilities to be entangled with what little down time they had. Though in Sophie's eyes, that was already quite generous given the dangers they routinely faced and will face, therefore she wouldn't turn away such a gift. Even if she wished she could spend more quality time with Ary without the worries of the world at the edge of their thoughts.

"Hello!"

"Greetings."

Thalnor and Maylesa acknowledged their arrival at the same time.

"Hey there." Sophie waved back, Ary and Sigrid joining in to greet their comrades.

The Calnodel's workshop was perhaps the other thing that had seen the most change in the time that they've known them. Not only did the siblings acquire a secondary location that was affiliated with their family. But with the cooperation of House Elaester's investments and Inquisitor Korvin's unofficial support on certain research projects, they were able to be more liberal in the creation of magitech items.

They also found a slowly growing source of revenue in the introduction of the 'flash lamp'. A lantern that they had given to Ary as well and which had a function that used mana to glow aggressively brightly to 'flash' and stun opponents. As Maylesa had informed the pair earlier this semester, it was a popular addition to the arsenal of the redcloaks and other more civil enforcement groups like the Academy Guardians. It was, as the siblings had described it, 'a monetary achievement worthy of the family'. And Sophie was happy for them.

"You have everything in order?" Maylesa wasted no time asking Ary.

"Uhn." The girl nodded confidently and patted her little bag, "Most of it should be in here."

"Good, good. Here. Lay it out." Maylesa guided them towards a cleared worktop.

From within, Ary produced her crossbow, a small mechanical vial based contraption of sorts, and Sophie's new mana battery. Wrapped around the back handle of her wheel chair was also the lantern, of which Sophie helped place upon the table with a gentle clank.

"Eager to look at your handy work?" Sophie teased.

"Indeed. Quite so." Thalnor missed the jest.

"We still have time. No need to rush."

"On the contrary, friend Sophie, not as much as you might think." Maylesa answered.

"Oh? The exams? But we're only going after they're all done."

"That's precisely why." The girl hummed as she brought up a small magnifier to help her examine crossbow components whilst Thalnor took a look at the lantern.

"It is?"

"While I am confident that my brother and myself will be fine, it still behooves us to study. Same as last year. Same as Aryana here, hmm?"

"Yeah, Sophie. You're the only one who doesn't want to study." Ary puffed up her chest and jokingly scolded her, "And you need it the most!"

Yana laughed at her, earning the fae an admonishing look from her.

"Alright, I get it, I get it. Exams, busy. Study, no time." Sophie held up her hands in surrender.

"Humm, nothing wrong with this." Maylesa ignored her comment, "Just make sure you don't bash it around too much. It's a relatively robust piece of dwarven kit, but…"

"Smaller components, even more fragile and hard to replace?" Ary answered on cue.

"Quite right." Maylesa nodded approvingly.

"This is in working order too. Though I suppose if you end up damaging the lighting fixture somehow, I would ask that you kindly try to bring it back to us so that we might analyze it." Thalnor spoke up from his side of the table, "Current use cases don't usually have scenarios in which the flash lamps have had to experience much wear and tear on travel. I'd be intrigued to know how it fares on an extended journey like yours."

"Will do." Ary replied.

"Aye." Sophie added.

"And this…" Maylesa mused over the vial based contraption, "No overt damage to the glass. You've tried it already?"

"Uh-huh." Ary nodded.

"No shifts of any potions within?"

"Only once. But I think that was because I mixed the ingredient ratios wrong, not because of the container."

"Good, good. It's sturdy enough. The vessel should be rated to hold just about any liquids, up to even gelatinous solutions. Though the main failure point would be the seal itself. So while we presume that it'll be shaken up a bit, try not to shake it up too much."

"Heh."

"Ah, airtight seal. The small mechanism helps ensure it is tightened to sufficient levels and should fit most potion tubes or flasks. It should also help clamp it in place. Most potions or concoctions should be fine to be mixed but... I suppose Aryana would be more an expert on that subject." Maylesa quickly explained upon catching Sophie's curious gaze.

"Heh." Ary smugly smiled, her arms proudly on her hips.

"Potion sealer?" Sophie mumbled and flicked a gaze towards Ary.

"Considering I'll be… less than active this trip. I figured I'd at least be somewhat helpful." The girl pouted, exaggeratedly frowning in response to Sophie's query, "I did study basic alchemy."

"Pfft. I know. Appreciate it, Ary."

"You don't sound convincing enough." Ary pinched her sides.

Evidently, Sigrid shared her sentiment as the mermaid also chirped discouragingly towards Sophie.

"Oi, oi. No ganging up on me."

Ary just huffed before turning her attention back to the siblings. The two of them now combined their focus onto the mana battery. Sophie then saw both of them frown in-sync and turn their gazes upon her.

"Whoa, not you guys too." Sophie chuckled.

"What? No. Nothing of the sort. My worry is about this." Maylesa gestured towards the battery, "Did you even use this? The amount of mana appears unchanged beyond the rate of natural decay. Am I mistaken?"

"Ehh… no? Not really? I thought it was meant to be for emergencies so I've… sort of just didn't use it or plan to use it until then?"

"That's… pragmatic, I suppose." The elf paused.

"Indeed, quite pragmatic." Thalnor hurriedly affirmed.

Though Sophie felt that it was less of a compliment and more a thinly veiled vein of disappointment.

"What uhh… what should I have done?" Sophie threw the question out there.

"Use it of course." Maylesa gawked, "How else can we refine it if you've had little to no interactions with it. In fact, you could say we have nothing to fix up if it doesn't see use."

"Uhhh… would now be fine?"

"Now? Would that be possible?"

"I can try."

The Calnodel's nodded and beckoned for her to continue. Sophie sighed and closed her eyes, turning to her senses to lap up the ambient mana around her. It felt eerie if not altogether strange after such a long absence from doing such a thing.

There was a moment of calm, just the darkness and a strange silence. Then, like a discordant cacophony, an explosion of color and noise filled her mind. Struggling to understand it all, she pulled upon the emptiness of her being to cut through the chaos. Shutting out excess, she found herself drawn to two thrumming wellsprings of power. One drowned her with its overwhelming cry, like the disorienting shriek of a hawk in her ear. The other was a more cool, collected and steady hum, nothing more than a gnat against the cascade of the other. Yet, she raised her hand and drew upon that tiny mote of energy.

She felt an invigorating wave of energy fill her up. The unfed emptiness within was hungry and now yearned for more. It lapped up the smaller source like a ravenous dog and devoured it in its entirety. Alarmed, Sophie buckled under the sudden onrush before tearing herself away from it.

Left with a pounding headache and a ringing in her ears, she felt the sweat drip down from her brow. Only the calming touch of a familiar hand calmed her. Grasping onto it in an attempt to cool her desires, she felt it squeeze her hand in reassurance. With a low growl, she pushed her eyes open and crushed what hunger she still felt.

"Fascinating. Are you alright?" Maylesa asked, the girl only barely able to tear her eyes away from the emptied battery.

"Sophie?" Ary cooed next to her.

Only meeting the redhead's gaze did Sophie realize she had unknowingly fallen and had been forced into a seat.

"Y-yeah?" Sophie murmured before finding everyone looking at her, "Ugh, headache, but yeah. Yeah. I'm fine. I think."

"A relief." Thalnor affirmed, "You appear to have completely drained the battery…"

His voice faded into a blur as Sophie's gaze slinked over towards Sigrid. The mermaid was trilling in alarm at Sophie's current state. Even now, Sophie could feel it, the overwhelming power she had felt. She shuddered. So that's what a few centuries of energy look like, proper like. How terrifying.

"... capacity?" Thalnor mumbled.

"Perhaps. It did deplete relatively quickly. Alarmingly so." Maylesa answered.

"Indeed, dear sister. But we also need to take into account the weight and size."

"Of course I'm aware of that." Maylesa tutted.

Surprisingly energized, Sophie stood up and waved for their attention, putting a halt to their debate.

"It's… it's fine." Sophie breathed heavily, "It's just… I haven't done that in a while. I… got greedy, you can say." She tried to reassure them.

No one in the room appeared convinced, but the siblings traded a glance and just nodded. Though Sophie did notice how they then looked to Ary for guidance. Who just shrugged and looked up towards Sophie.

"It's fine. Really."

"If you say so." Maylesa dropped the argument, her brother frowning but nodding in agreement, "Well, then. I suppose in that case it means all the equipment works. Would you all like to stay for a bit of tea then?"

Ary looked up expectantly at Sophie as did Sigrid. Sophie just snickered before putting on a small smile, "Yeah, that'd be lovely. Could do with a little wind down for a bit."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.