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2. What are you talking about?

  The days that followed were relentless. Elysia buried herself in research, her free time consumed by books, notes, and scattered parchments filled with her handwritten theories on Light. She studied the properties of Light-Blessed fairies, their abilities, and the strange divide between them and Light-Bringers.

  Each night, before sleep claimed her, she would stare at her mother’s photo—the warm smile frozen in time. And every time, her mind spiraled back to that fateful night.

  The Virtis.

  Their deception.

  The realization that one day, one day soon, it would be Aiaris walking into those flames.

  Their hunger for power, disguised as devotion.

  The fire that swallowed innocent fairies in the name of a false paradise.

  The thought clenched around her chest like a vice. She had to stop them. Before it was too late.

  But that night wasn’t all horror. It held something else—something unexpected.

  The Head Virtis had called her Light-Blessed. She had powers. Powers she had never tapped into, never even realized she possessed.

  And now, at the Arcy School of Arcane, she had the chance to hone them.

  The open ground buzzed with anticipation. Bychs lined up, their postures tense with focus, eager for today’s training.

  Adych Barem, a strict but formidable trainer, paced between them. She was a fairy of sharp precision, known for her dramatic way of speaking. Today was no different.

  Barem: “Arcane. Arcane is not magic.” (She walked slowly, her sharp eyes scanning each Bych.)

  "IT IS—" (She suddenly shouted, making some flinch.)

  "—your energy." (Her voice dropped to a whisper, making them lean in.)

  Trigaha stifled a chuckle, shaking her head.

  Barem: “You create your own Arcane. YOU—” (she barked) “shape it. It is a gift. A powerful one. But it must be controlled.”

  Livia, shifting impatiently, groaned.

  Livia: “Ughhh. Come on! Why do we have to sit through this same speech every day? Let us fight already!”

  Trigaha: (smirking) “Say ‘Start,’ and my first blow is going straight to Adych’s face.”

  Elysia shook her head, chuckling. Her friends were monsters.

  Barem clapped her hands once, demanding their full attention.

  Barem: “And today, I will teach you all—Helbent.”

  The murmurs in the group grew. The name was unfamiliar.

  Helbent?

  Students exchanged curious glances, whispering among themselves.

  Barem: “Helbent is a defensive attack. You use it to—” (her voice suddenly boomed) “—DODGE or COUNTER an incoming strike.”

  She took a step back and demonstrated.

  With a swift movement of her hand, a purple chakra burst forth, shaped like a sharp, spinning disc of energy. It hummed with power as it shot through the air, slicing clean through a wooden dummy at the far end of the training ground.

  The impact left a perfect, precise cut, and the energy dissipated in a soft glow.

  Silence.

  Then, the excited chatter erupted.

  Livia: (eyes wide in awe) “Now we’re talking.”

  Trigaha: (grinning) “This. This is real Arcane.”

  Barem crossed her arms, waiting for them to settle down before continuing.

  Barem: “NOW—” (she thundered before lowering her tone) “—to summon Helbent, you must focus on your Arcane. Feel the essence of power within you. Channel it. Visualize the chakra taking form.”

  The Bychs obeyed, closing their eyes, focusing.

  Some managed to create flickering, unstable chakras. Others formed misshapen orbs instead of proper discs. A few Bychs barely generated any energy at all.

  Elysia?

  Her chakra formed instantly.

  It was sharp, precisely cut, and radiated a controlled intensity. Unlike the others, hers was solid, stable—perfect.

  Trigaha: (eyes widening as she saw it) “Whoa! Ely! That’s impressive!”

  Elysia: (smiling, slightly breathless) “You too, T!”

  But Trigaha wasn’t done.

  Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

  Trigaha: (grinning wickedly) “Watch this.”

  Before anyone could react, she deliberately hurled her chakra—straight at Barem.

  The impact sent Barem stumbling backward, landing unceremoniously on the ground.

  A stunned silence followed.

  Then, a ripple of chuckles, followed by outright laughter.

  Barem pushed herself up, face red with rage.

  Barem: (fuming) “WHO IN THE—?!”

  Trigaha barely contained her laughter, throwing up her hands in exaggerated innocence.

  Trigaha: (mock-gasping) “Oh no! Adych! I am so sorry! It was an accident!”

  Livia: (whispering to Elysia, barely holding in her laugh) “She’s enjoying this way too much.”

  Elysia shook her head, grinning. Her friends were absolute troublemakers.

  And she wouldn’t have them any other way.

  Elysia sat cross-legged on her sleek bed, the dim glow of holographic projections hovering around her room. The space was modern yet minimalistic—futuristic gadgets embedded into the walls, a floating screen displaying research notes on Light, and a small levitating plant she barely remembered to water.

  A soft beep echoed in the room, signaling an incoming call.

  She reached out, tapping her Prodge. The small holographic figure of her mother, Aiaris, flickered to life in the air. The image was slightly blurry, and—as always—only half of Aiaris’ face was visible.

  Aiaris: (scolding lightly) "Ely! I know you’re not obeying me these days."

  Elysia: (grinning) "Because I want to hear your sweet scoldings. It’s been a while."

  Aiaris: (huffing) "You’re lucky you’re in Uth. Otherwise, by now, you’d be begging me to let you off."

  Elysia: (laughing) "I miss you too, Mum. If that’s what you’re trying to say. And… put the Prodge on the table properly. I’m only seeing your chin."

  Aiaris fumbled with the device, muttering something under her breath.

  Aiaris: (grumbling) "I don’t understand this thing. It keeps beeping all day. One day, I swear, I’ll throw it away."

  Elysia: (mock horror) "No way! Do you know how many Huris that thing cost? And besides, it’s the only way I get to talk to you daily."

  Aiaris sighed, shifting the Prodge again, finally centering her face.

  Aiaris: "Where are Livia and that pin-nosed fairy? What’s her name…?" (pausing, trying to recall)

  Elysia: (chuckling) "Trigaha, Mum. They’re here, plotting their next grand mischief."

  Aiaris: (smirking) "And you? Did you study anything there? Or are you just—"

  Elysia: (grinning mischievously) "Mum. Study? Me? You know me."

  Aiaris: (deadpan) "I know, I know. You study there." (soft chuckle)

  Elysia’s expression softened.

  Elysia: "I’m really close, Mum. I think I’ve figured out how to manipulate Light. I think it can be transferred. If I can just—"

  Aiaris: (interrupting, voice firm) "Ely!" (pausing before continuing more gently) "Ely, I don’t know what you’re saying, but listen to me. If you think you can change the beliefs of our mand with your study and all this… you can’t."

  Elysia hesitated. Her mother’s voice was laced with both concern and resignation.

  Elysia: (quietly) "I’m not doing this for their beliefs…" (she paused, then shook her head, forcing a playful grin) "Anyway, I have to go to the library now. Going to steal some books."

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  Aiaris: (stern but amused) "Don’t you dare steal, Ely!"

  Elysia: (ignoring her, giggling like a child) "Love you, Mum!"

  Aiaris: "Ely! Ely—"

  Before she could say more, Elysia ended the call. The holographic projection flickered out, leaving the room silent except for the faint hum of the city outside.

  Elysia exhaled, setting the Prodge aside. Her eyes drifted to the window. Beyond the sleek city skyline, the night sky stretched vast and endless, its deep hues reminding her of the flames from the ritual.

  Her mind pulled her back.

  The screams. The fire. The illusion of Valfala.

  The truth she uncovered that night.

  Her hands clenched into fists unconsciously.

  Her mother would be next. If she did nothing, Aiaris would walk willingly into the flames, believing it to be fate.

  No.

  She wouldn’t let that happen.

  Her breath was steady, but her voice burned with resolve.

  Elysia: (low, venomous) "Light. That’s what they wanted."

  Her eyes gleamed with unshakable fury.

  Elysia: "Then I’ll take their Light."

  A sharp, mechanical chime echoed through Elysia’s sleek room as the automated assistant came to life, its voice clear, robotic, and overly enthusiastic.

  Automated Voice: "WAKE UP, ELYSIA. IT IS MORNING. CURRENT TIME: 06:30. WEATHER: MODERATE TEMPERATURE, LIGHT CLOUD COVER, WIND SPEED: 14 UNITS. AIR QUALITY: OPTIMAL. YOU HAVE A SCHEDULED LECTURE ON ARCANE THEORETICAL APPLICATIONS AT 08:00, FOLLOWED BY ARCANE PRACTICAL MANIFESTATION AT 10:30. MID-DAY BREAK BEGINS AT 12:00. A STUDY SESSION ON ADVANCED LIGHT PRINCIPLES AT 13:15. EVENING EXERCISE TRAINING AT 17:30. REMINDER: YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED YOUR LIGHT-BLESSED VS LIGHT-BRINGER SURVEY ASSIGNMENT. DO YOU WISH TO RESCHEDULE?"

  Elysia groaned, barely processing the information as she smacked her Prodge to silence the voice.

  Elysia: (muttering into her pillow) "No. I wish to sleep for another cycle."

  The assistant did not care for her protests.

  Automated Voice: "DENIED. WAKE UP. SYSTEM INITIATING DAY CYCLE."

  The room's lights gradually brightened, simulating the warmth of a sunrise. A faint hum signaled the room’s self-adjusting temperature, adapting to her morning routine.

  Elysia finally forced herself up, dragging herself to the bathroom like a lifeless spirit. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her disheveled hair and half-lidded eyes.

  Elysia: (groggily, smiling at herself) "You look like a lost Fliha."

  She splashed water onto her face, feeling the coolness refresh her senses.

  But then—something strange happened.

  As she brought her hands up to her face, she noticed the tips of her fingers had darkened.

  A faint, black hue crept across her fingertips, as if her skin had been stained with ink. But when she rubbed them together, expecting some residue, there was nothing. The skin was still soft, still smooth—just darker.

  Elysia: (frowning, confused) "What’s this now?"

  She ran more water over them, scrubbing lightly, but the color didn’t fade. Her heart quickened slightly, a sense of unease settling in her chest.

  But before she could dwell on it further—

  A loud knock.

  Startled, she quickly wiped her hands and shoved the thought aside.

  As she opened the door, she barely had time to react before Livia stormed in, flopping onto her bed dramatically.

  Livia lay sprawled out, laughing, stretching, and completely ignoring Elysia’s confused expression.

  Livia: (grinning wildly) "ELY!!! My Ely!" (she threw an arm over her eyes, still laughing) "Looking all messed up after a night out!"

  Elysia blinked.

  Elysia: (eyebrows furrowing, confused) "What?"

  Livia: (ignoring her, still laughing) "Oh, I had the best time! And Trigaha—oh, stars, Ely!" (she laughed again) "The way she ran—I never thought you had it in you!"

  Elysia took a slow step forward.

  Elysia: (still blank) "What are you talking about?"

  Livia waved her off, still buzzing with excitement.

  Livia: (grinning) "Oh, come on! Don’t pretend now. I know you enjoyed it too!"

  Elysia stared, her confusion only deepening.

  Enjoyed what?

  Livia: (standing up, still smirking) "Even if it was just a small thing, it was fun. We should do it more often!"

  Elysia’s mind raced—what was she talking about? Livia was so sure that Elysia had been there, had done something unexpected—but she had no memory of it.

  Something wasn’t right.

  Elysia opened her mouth to ask, but—

  Livia: (grinning, cutting her off) "Get ready. See you in class!"

  And just like that, she spun on her heels and walked out, shutting the door behind her—leaving Elysia completely blanked out.

  The room was silent again.

  Elysia stood still, trying to piece it together.

  She hadn’t done anything last night… had she?

  She had gone to bed after her call with her mum. She had stared out the window, lost in thought. She had felt the anger burning inside her about the Virtis.

  But after that…?

  Her gaze drifted to her darkening fingers.

  A strange chill crept up her spine.

  Elysia: (to herself, voice barely above a whisper) "What is happening to me?"

  The classroom was bathed in soft, floating glyphs of golden light, each one flickering as Wigor Mishis moved her hands in precise gestures. The topic of today's lecture was Advanced Light Principles, an intricate and essential subject for any Bych who sought to truly understand the essence of Light.

  Wigor Mishis, a strict and methodical Wigor, paced in front of the holographic display, her voice crisp and commanding.

  Mishis: "That was your 13th principle: The Manifestation Threshold—where a fairy's Light reaches the point of physical influence. Now, coming to the next one..."

  With a flick of her hand, the golden glyphs shifted, rearranging into a new formation in the air.

  Mishis: "Principle 14: Light-Arcane Conversion. This is a crucial concept in our field. While many fairies assume Light is simply a passive source of power, in reality, it can be molded into Arcane energy under the right conditions."

  She turned, her sharp eyes scanning the class.

  Mishis: "Who can tell me the difference between Light and Arcane?"

  A few Bychs hesitated, but one raised her hand and answered confidently.

  Bych: "Light is natural, an inherent force, while Arcane is the application of that force through technique and control."

  Mishis: (nodding approvingly) "Correct. But let’s take it further. Light exists within every fairy, whether they are a Blessed One or a Bringer. Arcane, however, is something crafted—it requires study, training, and discipline. Now, when we discuss conversion, we’re talking about..."

  Her voice continued, filling the classroom with knowledge.

  But in the far corner, Livia and Trigaha were up to their usual distractions.

  Livia nudged Elysia under the desk, whispering in a low voice.

  Livia: "Hey, Ely! Ely!"

  Elysia tried to ignore her, keeping her eyes fixed on the lecture. But Livia was persistent.

  Elysia (whispering back, annoyed): "What?"

  Livia: (grinning, glancing at her clothes) "Where did you get that tunic from?"

  Elysia frowned.

  Elysia: "Which tunic?"

  Before Livia could respond, Trigaha leaned in, smirking.

  Trigaha: "The one you wore last night!" (She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.)

  Elysia’s stomach dropped.

  She hadn’t worn any tunic last night.

  Had she?

  The question froze her thoughts. She was about to ask more, but—

  Mishis’ voice boomed across the room.

  Mishis (barking, eyes narrowing at them): "You three! Get out!"

  Elysia snapped out of her thoughts, eyes widening in shock. Livia and Trigaha barely reacted, as if this was routine for them.

  Elysia: (panicked, stammering) "S-Sorry, Wigor! I was just—"

  Mishis (cutting her off, voice ice-cold): "GET. OUT. NOW."

  There was no room for discussion.

  With heavy sighs, the three of them got up and walked out, the weight of the class’s stares burning into Elysia’s back.

  As they exited, Elysia muttered curses under her breath.

  Elysia (low, glaring at Livia and Trigaha): "I hate you both."

  Livia and Trigaha? Completely unfazed.

  The atmosphere in the Head Office was the complete opposite of the noisy classroom. It was calm, structured, and filled with the soft ticking of an old mechanical timepiece—one of the few in existence, as most fairies had transitioned to digital Bracons.

  At the desk sat Medisa, the head of the Arcy School of Arcane.

  Medisa was a fairy of calm authority—never raising her voice, never wasting her breath. She was known for choosing her words carefully, always speaking exactly as much as was necessary.

  Across from her stood Librarian Cami, an elderly fairy who despised technology.

  Unlike most fairies, Cami didn’t own a Bracon. No holograms, no futuristic tools—just paper, ink, and an unwavering belief in tradition.

  Cami cleared her throat, a slight rasp in her voice.

  Cami: (firmly, with a hint of irritation) "The library is not getting enough..." (she coughed before continuing) "...fund."

  Medisa did not react immediately.

  She simply tilted her head slightly and responded with her usual directness.

  Medisa: "Fund? For what?" (her tone polite, but to the point.)

  Cami straightened, ready to defend her request.

  Cami straightened her posture, her aged voice firm, despite the occasional cough.

  Cami: "Fund for maintenance, sitting arrange—" (coughs slightly, composing herself) "—arrangements are not proper. Nor is the security tight!"

  Medisa remained unmoved, her expression unreadable as she listened.

  Medisa: (calmly, directly) "Engage Bychs for maintenance. Get an Erudite for sitting arrangement suggestions. Install surveillance for security."

  Each solution was spoken without hesitation, as if every issue had a simple, immediate answer.

  But Cami wasn’t done.

  She inhaled sharply, as if preparing herself, before speaking again.

  Cami: "I am not talking about the security of the library."

  That made Medisa pause.

  For the first time, she looked up, her sharp gaze settling on Cami, waiting for her to continue.

  Cami's fingers curled slightly, her voice lowering.

  Cami: "The Holdforth."

  Silence.

  The moment the word left her lips, Medisa’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  Medisa: (slowly, carefully) "What about it?"

  Cami exhaled, as if the weight of her words had finally settled.

  Cami: (coughing before speaking again) "There… there was an attempt to access it. I don’t know who, but—"

  Medisa's fingers tapped once against the polished surface of her desk.

  Medisa: (her voice calm, but edged with something beneath it) "Are you sure?"

  Cami nodded, her usually steady voice carrying a rare note of unease.

  Cami: "I felt a Vyshek presence this morning. I confirmed it with Vathdix."

  Medisa stayed silent.

  Not out of doubt, but because she was processing.

  Cami watched her carefully, gauging her reaction. Medisa had always been unreadable, but this—this concerned her.

  Cami: (coughs, then firmly) "I suggest moving the Holdforth to a secure location… OR increasing security."

  A pause.

  Then—

  Medisa: (calm, direct, final) "Leave."

  Cami closed her eyes for a brief moment.

  She knew Medisa.

  That single word—"Leave."—was not dismissal. It meant the matter was understood and would be handled.

  And yet…

  There was something different this time.

  The way Medisa lingered in thought. The way she spoke the word so simply, so decisively—it made doubt creep into Cami’s mind.

  But she would obey.

  Without another word, she turned and exited the office, leaving Medisa alone.

  The moment the door clicked shut, Medisa exhaled softly, her fingers swiftly moving through the hovering holographic projections in the air.

  With a few effortless swipes, the projection shifted, aligning into a communication channel.

  A face emerged in the flickering holograph—a fairy, her expression neutral, waiting.

  Medisa’s voice was calm, unwavering.

  Medisa: "5 Rashily. In two days."

  The fairy on the other end nodded once, silently acknowledging the command.

  Then, the projection vanished.

  Medisa leaned back, her gaze shifting upwards.

  Her eyes traced the ceiling, but her mind was elsewhere.

  This was not just a minor security issue.

  The Holdforth had been targeted.

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