Chapter 19: Chapter 19 - Reflections

The group remained quiet for a moment after Malchus dismissed them, the weight of his demonstration still lingering in the air. The intensity of the sparring matches, coupled with his parting words, left an unspoken understanding between them—they had a long road ahead.

Kade, however, broke the silence with a groan, stretching his arms behind his head. “Alright, that was intense. But I don’t know about you lot, I’m starving. Food hall, anyone?”

The suggestion earned a mix of reactions. Elise gave a nod of agreement, and Zeph smirked. “Didn’t think I’d be hanging around a blacksmith with such refined taste.”

Kade rolled his eyes, grinning. “Yeah, yeah. Refinement or not, I’m picking a bit of everything. Who’s coming?”

Elise stepped forward first, followed by Zeph and Sibyl. Leon offered a polite nod, stepping in line with them. Kade glanced toward Sena and Cyrus, his usual grin softening into something more measured. “You two in?”

Cyrus, arms crossed, regarded the group for a moment before giving a curt nod. “Fine.”

Sena raised an eyebrow at the casual tone but eventually sighed and joined them. “I suppose we’ll see if the Academy meets its own standards.”

The group’s trek to the food hall felt like the first moment they’d truly relaxed together since arriving. The distant sounds of bustling activity grew louder as they approached, the stark quiet of the training grounds replaced with lively chatter and the clinking of dishes.

The food hall itself was enormous, its long rows of tables stretching across the room. Students dressed mostly in black uniforms sat in animated clusters, their conversations filling the air. Among them, only a few specks of white broke the sea of black, a quiet reminder of how rare Evokers were.

Kade was the first to grab a tray, making good on his promise by selecting a little bit of everything. His plate soon overflowed with a chaotic mix of roasted meats, stews, and pastries.

Leon followed, his own tray filling with a variety of dishes. He paused briefly to inspect a bright red stew that caught his eye, its aroma tangy and enticing. Cyrus, meanwhile, bypassed most of the options, loading his plate with cuts of expensive-looking meats cooked to perfection. Sena, predictably, selected a neatly arranged meal—a dish that looked as precise in its composition as she was, balancing colour, presentation, and likely nutritional value.

Sibyl hesitated before picking out a few small fruit tarts, her cheeks faintly pink as she glanced around for approval. Elise’s tray ended up with a striking array of dishes—an eclectic mix of flavours and styles from different regions. Zeph appeared last, triumphantly holding up a small bowl of ice cream he’d found tucked away near the desserts.

As they all found a table near the edge of the hall, Zeph and Sibyl exchanged grins, clearly bonding over their mutual preference for sweets.

“Sweet tooth?” he asked, taking a spoonful of ice cream.

Sibyl nodded shyly, taking a small bite of her tart. “Guess so. Didn’t think anyone else would go for dessert first.”

“You gotta start with the best,” Zeph replied, his grin widening. “Savour the day.”

Leon noticed everyone’s plates were heaped with food, far larger portions than he’d expected. A sense of relief washed over him as he realised it wasn’t just him with an unusually large appetite—Evokers likely just needed more fuel. The sight of their plates also sparked a feeling of camaraderie; despite their differences, they shared a commonality in their unusual lives.

The casual camaraderie at the table brought an ease that felt distinctly different from their formal lessons. The occasional clang of forks and murmurs of conversation from nearby tables formed a backdrop to their discussion.

The conversation naturally shifted to the earlier lesson.

“So, Malchus,” Zeph began, leaning back in his seat. “What do we think? Tough, isn’t he?”

“Tough?” Elise said, her tone light but firm. “He’s a wall. I couldn’t even make him step back.”

Cyrus remained quiet, but Leon could see his jaw tighten at the mention. Kade, meanwhile, took a bite of a roasted leg of something and spoke through a mouthful. “He’s gotta be, doesn’t he? If we’re going to be fighting demons.”

“Still,” Leon said, setting his fork down. “It’s not just his strength. The way he moves—it’s like everything he does is deliberate. I don’t think I’ve ever fought anyone like that.”

“None of us have,” Sena said, her tone clipped. “But that’s the point, isn’t it? To show us what we’re working toward.”

Zeph chuckled lightly. “Yeah, no pressure or anything. Just have to work until we’re unstoppable walls of destruction.”

“Walls with finesse,” Elise added, her tone wry. “Otherwise, we’ll all just be clumsy brutes.”

The table shared a brief laugh, though Cyrus’s quiet presence tempered the mood. The conversation shifted naturally to the Circle Ritual.

“What do you think it’ll be like?” Sibyl asked, her voice soft but curious.

“Something intense, I’m sure,” Elise said. “Everything about being an Evoker seems to be.”

Kade shrugged. “Whatever it is, it’ll be worth it if we can finally start using magic properly. Speaking of, what do we know about Lysandra? She’s the one leading it, right?”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Sena raised an eyebrow at the question but answered smoothly. “Lysandra Teren. She’s one of the highest Circle Evokers alive—Sixth Circle. Only a handful of Evokers have ever reached the Seventh Circle, and that’s mostly legend. They say those Evokers could create matter from mana itself.”

Kade’s fork paused midway to his mouth. “Create matter? That’s… That’s insane.”

“It’s theoretical,” Sena replied coolly, though there was a hint of awe in her voice. “But the fact remains: Sixth Circle is near-mythical in itself. Lysandra is called away more and more frequently to deal with the stronger rifts. They’re increasing in frequency and power, and she’s one of the few Evokers capable of closing them.”

A silence fell over the group, the weight of her words settling in.

“Does that mean we’ll be fighting sooner?” Sibyl asked quietly.

Sena hesitated but nodded. “It’s possible. The Academy might not have the luxury of waiting for us to fully mature as Evokers.”

The tension at the table grew, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Sibyl broke the silence with a small smile. “Don’t worry. I saw her in a vision. She’ll be there for tomorrow’s lesson.”

Leon looked up at that, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What happens if you go against your visions?”

Sibyl tilted her head thoughtfully. “They’re not always clear enough for me to even consider doing so. And most of the time, it wouldn’t matter—like earlier, calling someone else to spar first wouldn’t have changed much. They feel less like certainties and more like… the most possible futures.”

Her words hung in the air as the group fell quiet again, each of them turning her answer over in their minds.

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The city lay just beyond the Academy’s gates, its spires and bustling streets visible in the distance. After their meal and light conversation, Kade suggested exploring the city. The others quickly agreed, eager for a change of scenery.

When the carriage arrived, it was comfortably large enough to accommodate all six Evokers and their retainers. Marianne was among them, settling in next to Leon with an easy familiarity. Leon noticed Marianne leaning toward Sena, her tone quiet as she introduced herself. Sena’s expression shifted slightly, her usual composed demeanour softening into something more thoughtful. Whatever words passed between them seemed to build a quiet understanding. Leon, just out of earshot, caught the faintest glint of respect in Sena’s otherwise reserved gaze.

Leon leaned back, letting the muted conversation pass without interrupting. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels on cobblestones filled the silence as the city came into view, its bustling streets and towering buildings a stark contrast to the quiet majesty of the Academy grounds.

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The streets were alive with motion as they disembarked in the bustling square. People hurried about their errands, but the group’s white uniforms quickly drew attention. Whispers and glances followed them as they made their way through the crowd, a mix of awe and curiosity in the faces of those they passed.

“They’re staring,” Zeph remarked with a grin, giving a playful wave to a wide-eyed child.

“Don’t encourage them,” Sena said coolly, though her tone lacked real reproach. She carried herself with an air of poise, as if the attention were simply another part of her world.

Their wandering led them into a variety of shops. A jeweller’s window glittered with polished stones and intricate designs, sparking admiration from Elise, who lingered over a collection of carved pendants. A bustling apothecary drew their attention next, its shelves lined with bottles of every size and colour, some glowing faintly under the light. Sibyl gravitated toward the sweet scent of herbal teas, while Kade sniffed curiously at a jar of spices, only to recoil with a loud sneeze that made Zeph laugh. A stationary shop tempted Leon with its rune-etched notebooks and ink sets, each claiming to resist smudges or wear. The group’s conversations were punctuated by lighthearted banter, the city’s energy pulling them further into its vibrant heart.

At a small bakery, Sibyl quietly bought a parcel of pastries and shared them with Zeph, who accepted with mock solemnity. Leon noticed the quiet camaraderie between the two as they joked over the sweets, their energy bringing an air of levity to the group. The smell of fresh bread lingered in the air as they moved on.

Eventually, they arrived at a shop with a polished sign reading Aurum Craftworks – Fine Spellcrafted Items. Its runed doorway shimmered faintly, marking it as a place of quality.

Inside, shelves lined the walls, showcasing an impressive array of spellcrafted tools and trinkets. Lanterns glowed with soft, steady light; gloves promised enhanced grip and dexterity; and small devices hummed faintly with contained energy. Leon picked up an enchanted quill that claimed to write flawlessly straight lines, marveling at the intricate rune patterns etched into its surface.

“This,” Zeph declared, holding up a pocket-sized device that released a calming mist, “is exactly what I need in my life.”

The shopkeeper, a portly man with a neatly curled moustache, approached them with a broad grin. “Ah, young Evokers!” he exclaimed, his voice warm and booming. “A rare honour to have you in my shop. Please, take your time. Perhaps I can show you something special?”

He began leading them through the store, eagerly explaining the uses of various items. There was a lantern that could adjust its brightness with a tap, a bracelet imbued with protective runes, and even a device that emitted a soundscape of soothing rainfall. The group explored with growing curiosity, their discussions filled with excitement and wonder.

As they browsed, the shopkeeper’s grin widened, and his tone dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “But,” he said, his eyes twinkling, “I do have something truly extraordinary. Not spellcrafted, mind you—this is far rarer.”

He led them to a glass case at the back of the shop. Inside was a sleek, silver blade resting on a velvet cushion, its surface shimmering faintly with a subtle, otherworldly glow.

“This,” the shopkeeper said reverently, “is a woven sword. Crafted by an Evoker of the Fifth Circle or higher, it requires no Tears to function. Instead, it draws on ambient mana, allowing it to endure for as long as mana flows through the world.”

Leon leaned closer, intrigued. Activating his Mana Sight, he immediately regretted it. The weaving within the sword was breathtakingly intricate, a lattice of mana threads interwoven in patterns so complex that trying to follow them made his head ache. He quickly turned the Sight off, blinking away the residual discomfort.

“What does it do?” Kade asked, his tone awed.

The shopkeeper burst into hearty laughter, his voice filling the shop. “Ah, that’s the best part! I haven’t the foggiest idea.” He chuckled, wiping at his moustache. “Never met the Evoker who made it, either. But just look at it—it’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Even Sena, who rarely indulged in frivolity, smirked faintly at the shopkeeper’s unabashed enthusiasm.

After a while, Leon’s attention was drawn to a small music box tucked into a corner shelf. Its design was simple but elegant, with runes etched delicately across its surface. When he pressed a rune on its lid, it played a soothing melody that filled the air with a sense of calm. Something about it resonated with him, and he decided to purchase it.

The group returned to the carriage as the day began to wane. Leon sat quietly, activating the music box and letting its melody play softly. His eyes traced the runes, curiosity sparking within him. Could he learn to alter its sound, perhaps make it play something new? The thought filled him with a quiet eagerness.

As the carriage passed through the Academy gates, his thoughts shifted to the next day’s lessons. The Circle ritual loomed ahead, and for the first time, he felt a spark of true anticipation. Tomorrow, they would take their first real steps toward understanding their power. The possibilities stretched before him, thrilling and endless.