[Evocaier Verm Academy – Morning - Year 1092 Ad Felicitas]
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Drifter lay in bed, half-awake, the low hum of the air conditioning filling the quiet room. Drowsiness clung to him, but so did the weight of yesterday’s failure.
Alma’s pale face, her body collapsing. Nadia’s terrified expression as she held her, hands slick with blood that wouldn’t stop. The scene replayed in his mind.
Until a soft chime from his Lumina Core shattered the stillness.He tapped the device on his wrist and glanced at the message.
From: Luna Sabriel
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To: Drifter
"Morning, seminar with Professor Friedrich today. 10.00. Academic Wing. Be there."
He frowned. Wait… isn''t today Voltis? A weekend?
With a sigh, he sat up and tapped the holographic calendar on his wall.
Date: 12th of Avesia, 1092.
Lumina’s Legacy – Honoring the inventor of the Lumina Core, Professor Elion.
Two months here. Maybe I should just ask about the cube’s progress instead…
Drifter arrived at the academic wing, stepping into the vast hall bathed in soft morning light. Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the cold white floor.
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Familiar faces filled the room—Lorcan, Sloane, Reine, and countless other students. In the crowd, Drifter spotted Nadia. She had come to the seminar instead of resting—diligent as ever—but her expression was distant, her eyes avoiding his.
From the back row, Lorcan waved casually before calling out, his voice cutting through the murmuring crowd.
Drifter sighed and made his way over, settling into the seat beside him. As expected, Lorcan was already rambling about something incomprehensible. Drifter only nodded occasionally, his attention drifting across the hall.
The domed ceiling above was a marvel, adorned with slow-moving paintings of glowing lines weaving between stars. The gentle hum of the holographic screen filled the room.
At the front, Professor Friedrich Rosenthal stood tall in a sharp black suit, his keen eyes scanning the audience. Beside him, Luna Sabriel sat elegantly, clad in an elegant black dress and a deep teal coat, holding a small tablet in her hands.
Once the seminar began, Drifter quickly lost interest. The topic—Evocyte Conservation—was far from his area of expertise. Back then, he had been more fascinated by alchemy. But now… even alchemy felt like a distant memory. None of this matters to me anymore. He exhaled softly, hoping time would move faster. His attention drifted across the room, noting a few students nodding off, while others remained intently focused.
Beside Lorcan, Sloane leaned back lazily, resting his chin on one hand.
“Ugh, this is so boring… when’s it going to end?” he muttered.
Lorcan stirred from his half-asleep state, his messy red hair falling into his eyes as he groggily responded, voice hoarse.
“Just sleep through it. You’ll wake up when it’s over,” he said dryly.
Sloane snorted. “Yeah, right. If they catch me, I’ll get called out.”
As if summoned by his words, Professor Friedrich suddenly turned his gaze toward them. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
“Lorcan,” he called out, his voice calm but firm. “Could you explain what an evocyte is?”
Lorcan jolted upright, panic flashing across his face. He shot out of his seat so quickly that his chair scraped against the floor.
“Uh… uh… it’s… uh… the element for controlling magic… for combat, sir,” he stammered. His words wavered with uncertainty.
Drifter smirked as laughter rippled through the hall. Lorcan’s answer wasn’t entirely wrong—but it was painfully simplistic, like a child grasping at a concept far beyond their depth.
Friedrich sighed. “Sloane, assist your classmate.”
Sloane stood up with practiced ease, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Yes, sir. Evocyte is a natural energy produced by living organisms and the environment. When it comes to nature, this energy primarily originates from leyline systems.”
Friedrich gave a small nod. “That is correct, Sloane, but it extends beyond that. In ancient times, it is believed that all living beings—much like what we call Primordials today—could harness evocyte directly, without the aid of tools like the Lumina Core. Over generations, this ability has faded. Our task now is to uncover whether this is true and, if so, understand why it happened.”
On the holographic screen, glowing leyline networks appeared, pulsing softly like the veins of a living world. The green-blue strands branched and converged, illuminating the faces of the students. Occasionally, certain nodes flared brightly, like a heartbeat.
“Additionally,” Friedrich continued, “research indicates a strong correlation between leyline health and plant life. Regions with denser vegetation tend to produce higher-quality evocyte.”
Sloane turned to Lorcan, his smirk deepening. “Told you. That’s why you shouldn’t sleep. If you get bored, just space out—getting called on is the real danger.”
Lorcan groaned, slumping in his chair. “Ugh… I can’t take this anymore.”
The session eventually shifted into a Q&A portion. Luna stepped forward, her voice poised yet commanding.
“Thank you, Professor. That was an enlightening lecture. Does anyone have any questions?”
Nadia Fernleaf hesitated before raising her hand, adjusting her glasses and gripping her notebook.
“Go ahead, Nadia,” Luna encouraged.
“Thank you,” Nadia replied softly. “If plants affect evocyte production, have governments taken steps to regulate evocyte generators?”
Friedrich smiled faintly. “Good question. While evocyte generators are important, the Conclave of Eldoria has tried using quartz-based alternatives. However, global use has been slow due to shortages and resistance from the Arcadia Republic.”
Nadia nodded, satisfied.
Caelus Amelioris stood up next, looking thoughtful. “Professor, I’ve seen studies suggesting evocyte residue can affect nearby habitats—like altering weather or mutating wildlife. Is that true?”
Friedrich’s expression sharpened. “It’s true that residue affects evocyte production, but its impact on weather and mutations is still under study. We need more data, especially from areas with high residue.”
As more participants asked questions, Drifter noticed a few students sighing, growing restless with each new inquiry. The questions kept coming, but it was clear some were eager for the seminar to end.
Finally, Luna stepped forward, signaling the conclusion of the session.
“We’re out of time. It’s now lunch break. Please return in thirty minutes. Thank you for your participation.”
The participants slowly filtered out of the hall, their chatter filling the corridors. Drifter followed Lorcan, Sloane, and Reine outside.
The dining area was lively The participants chatting over meals, drinks in hand. Amidst the noise, Lorcan stretched dramatically.
“I’m done. Skipping the next session—no way I’m sitting through another minute of that.”
Sloane chuckled. “Fair. I’m in. Where are we going?”
Reine sighed. “Come on, guys… what if they take roll? You know how this ends.”
“At worst? Another detention. Whatever. My brain’s melting,” Lorcan said, then turned to Drifter. “You in?”
Drifter shook his head. “No. Luna would kill me.”
Lorcan laughed. "Come on, you sound like a guy scared of his wife."
Nearby, Bryan, Alyssa, Erick, and Caelus overheard them.
Bryan crossed his arms. "Friedrich might seem laid-back, but he’s strict about discipline. You’ll regret it."
Alyssa scoffed. "Regret? Please. The real problem is you two thinking you can actually get away with this."
Lorcan shot her an exaggerated bow. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Alyssa."
"If you’re going to skip," she said, smirking, "at least don’t make it obvious. You’re practically announcing it."
Reine groaned. "This is such a bad idea…"
Suddenly, a burst of laughter echoed from the lecture hall. A group of girls, led by Vaeloria, passed by.
Sloane grinned. "Look, even the girls are ditching. Let’s go!"
Reine hesitated. "But—"
"Stop overthinking," Lorcan cut in. "Come on!"
Drifter sighed and followed, mainly because they were forcing Reine along.
Just as they were slipping away, they nearly collided with Luna Sabriel in the hallway. Her cold gaze rested on them briefly.
Lorcan forced a casual smile. "Good afternoon, Miss Luna."
Luna gave a thin, knowing smile but said nothing as she walked past.
As soon as she was gone, Lorcan exhaled in relief. "Man, dodged a bullet. If it were Alina, we’d be getting interrogated."
Sloane clapped him on the shoulder. "No kidding. Let’s move before someone worse shows up."
Luna’s gaze met Drifter’s, and for a moment, their eyes locked. He stiffened ever so slightly, worried she might think he was planning to skip the seminar.
“Keep an eye on them,” she said simply.
Drifter sighed. "That’s what I was going to do anyway."
He caught up with them in the academy courtyard. As he approached, Lorcan’s eyes widened, followed by a grin that spread across his face.
“Ho… you finally got away... So, are you no longer ‘scared of your wife’? Lorcan teased, his voice light with amusement.
Drifter gave a faint smile. "Don’t force Reine into this... he’s had enough," he said softly, a hint of concern in his voice.
“You two are acting like you don’t want to run off,” Sloane teased with a knowing grin. “I can tell you’re both bored.”
“So, Reine? You coming?” Drifter asked gently, turning to him.
“I... I... sorry,” Reine muttered, his voice full of hesitation.
“See, he’s coming with us! Let’s go! Old man’s coming too!” Lorcan urged, practically bouncing with excitement.
Drifter nodded, and they quickened their pace, trailing behind Vaeloria’s group as they made their way further down the path. Unable to contain his curiosity, Lorcan jogged ahead to catch up with her.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
So, where’s the party, Ria? he asked, his grin widening as he glanced over at her.
Vaeloria turned, a light laugh escaping her lips. "Oh, you’re ditching too, huh? Good. The more, the merrier."
She glanced at Drifter. "Oh, Mr. From the Past is joining us? This should be interesting," Vaeloria teased, her tone playful.
“It’s fine, just call me Drifter,” he said with a shrug.
“Oh... as you wish,” Vaeloria replied playfully.
“By the way, we’re headed to the Serrahn Festival in the city. And guess what? Starlight Vagabond is the headliner!” Vaeloria added, her smile bright with excitement.
“No way! I’m obsessed with Leila! How did I not hear about this? Nothing came up on the Arcane Network!” Sloane exclaimed, his voice rising with excitement.
The group took the skyrail from the Central District to the Commercial and Entertainment District. As they arrived, a large billboard loomed above them, flashing advertisements for the Serrahn Festival, featuring the Wing Lotus Evocaier Order emblem and the Kingdom of Serrahn’s Starlike emblem.
Upon reaching the festival, held at the outdoor Evimea Avenue, they were met with a bustling scene. Crowds ebbed and flowed like a living tide, their movements creating a rhythmic hum of chatter, laughter, and the occasional call from a vendor. The air was thick with the tantalizing aromas of grilled food and spices, blending seamlessly with the upbeat strains of traditional music that echoed throughout the square.
As they moved together, Reine suddenly stopped.
“Wait—my sister’s here? She’s gonna find out we’re skipping!” Reine said, his voice filled with concern.
“Chill, Reine. Your sister’s not gonna bust us. We’re good,” Lorcan replied confidently.
Drifter watched as Lorcan and Sloane marched forward, their steps purposeful as they approached a group of people: two men—one with ashen skin—two women, one with horns, and finally, they stopped in front of a young woman with soft teal hair.
“Hey… Reina… what’s up?” Lorcan said with a casual wave.
“What’s up, what’s up!” Sloane added enthusiastically.
“Oh… it’s you two…” Reina said, her tone skeptical as she turned her gaze to Reine behind her and walked toward him. As she neared, she smiled wryly.
“Hi, sis…” Reine muttered, feeling a bit nervous.
“You know Mom’s gonna be upset if she finds out, right?” Reina said with a raised eyebrow.
“Uh… yeah, sorry…” Reine muttered, looking down.
Behind Reina, an athletic woman with orange hair and horns chimed in with an easy smile, walking closer to Reine.
“Hey, Reine, long time no see. How’s it going?” the orange-haired woman said.
“I’m doing okay, Helvra,” Reine replied, managing a smile.
“Come on, Reina, don’t be so hard on him. Everyone needs a little fun now and then, right?” Helvra said, her tone playful.
“Fine, but keep him out of trouble, got it? No shady business,” Reina warned.
“Shady business? Us? Never!” Lorcan replied with a grin.
“Scout’s honor, ma’am!” Sloane added, saluting.
Reina’s eyes flicked over to Drifter.
“He’s the one? From the past?” she asked, her gaze sharp.
“Yeah…” Reine said, nodding.
Drifter suddenly fell discomfort growing under the weight of the others'' stares.
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The man with ashen skin stepped forward, his glowing red eyes and pointed ears stark against his simple blue shirt. He extended a hand and greeted Drifter warmly.
“Oh, so you’re the one from the past. We’re the order members stationed at Nethia HQ. I’m Xaltherion, but you can call me Therion. Nice to meet you.”
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Drifter shook his hand, studying him for a moment as his thoughts raced. Xaltherion seemed like an Umbradi. As far as he knew, they were native to the Holy Empire of Selvaria. It was unusual to see one here.
Before Drifter could speak, another voice interjected.
“I’m Helvra. Nice to meet you. What should we call you?” she asked.
“Drifter. It’s nice to meet you all,” Drifter replied, trying to remain calm.
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Behind them, a man with dark blue hair that fell over his eyes stood, his gothic black attire accented with silver. His crimson eyes glinted as he observed them, exuding a quiet intimidation.
“So, how’s it been? Adjusting to life here?” Therion asked, his voice smooth and casual.
“It’s been… manageable,” Drifter answered, keeping his tone neutral.
“Next time, why don’t you join us on a mission? Could be fun,” Helvra suggested with a playful grin.
“I’m curious about you too. I heard your duel with Grandmaster Mina ended in a draw. That’s impressive,” Reina said, her curiosity piqued.
“Yes, we’ll be waiting for that day,” Therion added, his voice calm but with a trace of anticipation.
Drifter responded with a small smile.
In the background, a man with dark blue hair started walking away from the group without saying a word. Therion watched him quietly, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.
“Hey, who’s that guy?” Sloane asked, nodding toward the figure with dark blue hair as he walked off.
“I think… he’s my sister’s team leader,” Reine said, his voice thoughtful.
Suddenly, the sound of music from the main stage caught their attention. A mystical melody blended with sharp, rhythmic percussion, weaving through the air and silencing the crowd.
Drawn by the captivating harmony, Drifter and the others moved closer to the stage. Dancers clad in glittering costumes moved in perfect synchronization, their every step telling a story. Graceful yet powerful, their performance was mesmerizing.
At the center of the stage, one figure stood out. Her wavy brown hair shimmered under the lights, and her golden eyes sparkled like gems. As she twirled, time seemed to slow, her gaze locking momentarily with Drifter’s.
Something about that look—faint recognition, a flash of something deeper—stirred emotions in him that he couldn’t quite place.
Drifter stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the figure. The music swelled to its crescendo, drawing cheers from the crowd as the dancer bowed slightly before disappearing behind the curtain.
“Whoa… that was… something else,” Sloane said, still caught in the lingering energy of the performance.
Vaeloria smirked, glancing at Drifter. “Well, well, Drifter. Didn’t peg you as a fan of Leila. Guess you’ve got taste.”
“Not a fan. Just… watching,” Drifter said, his voice even.
“He won’t admit it… I bet his Lumina Core is packed with Leila’s photos,” Lorcan teased.
Drifter sighed, shaking his head with a faint smirk. “Oh no, how’d you figure it out? My big secret’s out.”
Reina chuckled softly, waving a hand as she stepped back. “Alright, alright. We’ll leave you to it. Our leader’s probably waiting for us.”
“Later, you lot. Don’t get into too much trouble!” Helvra said, giving a carefree wave.
“Until next time,” Therion added with a nod.
The group drifted away, disappearing into the bustling festival crowd as the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting everything in a golden glow.
“Come on! Let’s go get Leila’s autograph!” Sloane said, his excitement barely contained.
The group followed Sloane, with Lorcan snickering at him along the way. “Man, you are such a fanboy.”
As they reached the autograph booth, a long line stretched ahead of them. Drifter’s eyes flicked to a nearby sign.
“‘Oracle Booth’? What, is she some kind of fortune teller?” he asked.
“Sort of. She writes these cryptic messages with her autographs. It’s her thing,” Sloane explained.
As the line crept forward, the air around them seemed to shift. A hush fell over the crowd, and a figure ahead came into view.
Her golden eyes seemed to glow, framed by a flowing veil that swayed gently with the breeze. As their gazes met, time itself seemed to pause. There was something almost tangible in her piercing stare, something that held him in place.
“Why is she looking at you like that?” Reine murmured under his breath.
Drifter’s voice was just as low. “I don’t know. I don’t even know her.”
As Drifter looked at her, his shoulders tensed, a cold prickle running down his spine.
“She’s… even more incredible up close,” Sloane murmured in awe.
Finally stepping forward, Sloane grinned nervously as he held out a book.
“Uh… Lady Leila, could you… sign my book?” he asked, his voice tinged with excitement.
She chuckled softly, her movements graceful as she took the book from his hands.
“‘Lady’? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?” she teased, signing with fluid elegance. “So, how’d I do? Did I live up to the hype?”
Sloane’s grin widened as he nodded enthusiastically.
“Amazing! I’ve been a fan since day one!”
Leila raised an eyebrow, a playful smile gracing her face.
“Oh? Well, thank you for the support. And what’s your name?”
“Sloane! It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Leila!” he said, his voice brimming with admiration.
Lorcan groaned, nudging Sloane. “Come on, man. Tone it down. You’re making us look bad here.”
Leila, still smiling, glanced at Lorcan before turning her gaze back to Sloane.
“You''re funny, Sloane.”
However, when her eyes shifted to Drifter, the atmosphere changed. Her gaze sharpened, intense and unreadable, as if the world around them disappeared once again. A heavy silence fell, and the small smile on her lips seemed to carry a deeper meaning.
“Hello,” she greeted, her tone light yet laced with something unspoken.
Drifter hesitated. “Is there something I can help with?”
“No… it’s just… your performance earlier was impressive. Very remarkable.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you liked it.”
“Can we get a picture together, Lady Leila?” Sloane cut in, still brimming with excitement.
“Of course.”
They took a picture with Sloane’s Lumina Core, a selfie with Sloane grinning like a kid who had just gotten his hands on a new toy. But before they could leave, Leila’s voice stopped them, her tone shifting to something more serious.
“And for my fortune… this.”
Her golden eyes locked onto Drifter, sharp as a dagger.
“You walk in shadows that stretch far beyond your own. When the past rises, will you stand—or fall with it? Beware the darkness that seeks you, for it will find you when you least expect it.”
A tense silence followed.
“What was that about?” Lorcan muttered, confused.
Sloane huffed out a laugh. “Heh… you’re kidding, right?”
Leila’s expression softened slightly. “Of course. Just be careful, okay?”
As the group drifted back into the festival crowd, Drifter remained rooted in place, her words echoing through his mind.
Unbidden, images of the Black Cube—the Academy’s closely guarded secret—flashed before his eyes. It was impossible. Unthinkable. Yet she had spoken of it with such certainty.
A chill crept down his spine as he recalled the weight of her gaze. It had pierced through every defense, every carefully constructed wall, as if seeing straight into the depths of his soul. A cold heaviness settled in his chest, his breath growing shallow.
The question burned in his mind, refusing to let go.
Who is she… really?
“What’s going on, Drifter? Got a little crush on Leila?” Vaeloria’s voice broke through his thoughts.
Drifter blinked, turning to her. “Crush?”
Vaeloria smirked. “Yeah, looks like Leila was eyeing you. Maybe you two are a match.”
Drifter exhaled slowly, shaking his head. “You’ve got too wild an imagination, Vaeloria.”
The group continued through the festival, but Drifter remained lost in thought, Leila’s last words echoing in his mind. He responded to conversations with little more than nods and short replies, barely registering his surroundings.
Meanwhile, Lorcan, Reine, and Sloane stopped at a Spectra Duel Simulator area, a popular spot for players of the holographic card game Spectra. Vaeloria and her group, on the other hand, wandered toward the stalls selling traditional Serrahn Kingdom attire.
Before heading back, they gathered at a food stand, indulging in Serrahn specialties—Spiced Oasis Lamb and Kherazad Mountain Bread. The flavors were rich, infused with fragrant spices that lingered long after the last bite.
As the afternoon light softened into evening, they finally decided it was time to return.
“Think we can get back to the Academy without running into Friedrich or Luna?” Vaeloria mused, stretching her arms lazily.
“Impossible. Our names are definitely on their radar by now,” Lorcan said with a dramatic sigh.
Drifter, trailing slightly behind, already knew what awaited them. There’s no way Luna lets this slide. But he said nothing, only watching their false hopes with faint amusement.
They moved quickly and cautiously through the city, their eyes darting to every shadow. As they approached the Academy grounds, they rounded a corner—only to come to an abrupt halt.
Ahead of them, standing in perfect silence, were Friedrich and Luna.
A suffocating stillness settled over the group.
Drifter with faint smirks to cross his face. Here we go.
Vaeloria, her confident grin faltering as her eyes darted nervously: “Uh-oh.”
Sloane swallowed hard, fidgeting. “We’re so dead.”
Immediately, Vaeloria’s companions broke into panicked whispers, their voices overlapping in a chaotic mess of fear and excuses.
Friedrich raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over them with slow deliberation.
"Ah, so you finally showed up," he said softly.
The air around them grew heavy.
Vaeloria let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. "Good… afternoon, Professor! Uh, we’ve got… a bit of a headache?"
"Yeah… about that…" Sloane muttered.
"We… uh… we stopped by the hospital," Lorcan added, his voice unconvincing.
Friedrich tilted his head slightly. "Oh? The hospital? Let me call the doctor there, just in case you need better care."
Vaeloria stiffened. "Oh… actually, we didn’t go to the hospital… it was full."
"I see." Friedrich folded his arms. "My friend, the doctor, can come to the Academy then. We need to make sure you’re all fit."
Reine swallowed hard. "W-We didn’t mean to skip… w-we thought maybe… a quick rest would help."
A long pause.
Vaeloria exhaled sharply. "Okay, sorry. We messed up. There’s no point pretending anymore."
"Yeah… sorry, we messed up," Lorcan echoed.
"Sorry. We promise we won’t do it again," Sloane added quickly.
Friedrich studied them for a moment before speaking. "I appreciate your honesty. But remember, discipline is crucial. In battle, negligence doesn’t just put you in danger—it puts everyone else at risk too."
"Sorry, Professor. We really are sorry," Vaeloria said, her usual bravado nowhere to be found.
Friedrich and Drifter spoke briefly. A faint smile touched his lips as they exchanged farewells.
But as Luna approached, Drifter couldn’t help but feel curious.
Luna’s smile remained, but it was ice-cold, sharp as frost.
"Next time you skip, at least be smarter about it," she said, her voice light yet cutting.
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Her gaze lingered on them for a moment before she turned back following Friedrich. She nodded at Drifter, and he returned the gesture.
As they left, silence settled over the group like a heavy fog. The only sound was their own breathing—uneven, tense.
Vaeloria finally broke it with a shudder. "Why are they so terrifying? They didn’t even yell, but it felt like a death sentence."
"Yeah, they don’t need to yell, but the vibe is seriously scary," Lorcan muttered.
"I’d rather get yelled at by Alina all day. At least we know what to expect. With them… it’s like…" Sloane trailed off, shaking his head.
Reine sighed. "See? Told you. Next time, don’t skip."
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Drifter gave a brief farewell and headed back to his quarters alone. On the way, he glimpsed the others at the academy wing lockers, seemingly gathering their things to leave.
As he arrived, he sat in silence. Leila’s words echoed in his mind. The festival had been a blur, but her voice—her warning—remained sharp and clear.