The mess hall buzzed with life, the hum of countless voices blending with the clatter of cutlery and the occasional burst of laughter. Long tables stretched from one end of the grand chamber to the other, their surfaces scarred and polished by decades of use. The high-vaulted ceiling was enchanted to mimic the night sky, a swirl of stars and constellations casting a gentle, ethereal glow over the room.


    Amriel and Niamh weaved through the throng of students. By the time they reached their usual spot among the fourth-years, Amriel was acutely aware of how heavy the day’s events weighed on her, even as Niamh plopped down with her usual unflappable energy.


    Their small circle of friends had already staked their claim to a section of the table. Kaleth, a lanky, red-haired alchemist with perpetually ink-stained fingers, was gesturing wildly as he recounted some tale of his latest failed experiment. Across from him, Mara, a soft-spoken aspiring archivist, smirked as she sipped her tea. Beside her sat Simon, a towering metallurgist whose broad shoulders seemed to take up more than his fair share of space.


    “You’re late,” Kaleth quipped as they approached, his freckled face splitting into a grin. “Let me guess—Fenris again?”


    “Obviously,” Niamh said, rolling her eyes as she dropped onto the bench next to Simon. “The man has a personal vendetta against us, I swear. It’s like he waits for us to walk in just so he can have his dramatic moment.”


    “No,” Mara said quietly over her tea and shook her head, “He just hates tardiness. And I’m pretty sure it was more you, than Amriel.”


    Niamh shrugged in response and turned her attention to whatever Simon had on his tray in front of him. The blacksmith’s apprentice wrapped his arm around her waist as Niamh sat down and drew her in close. He always made sure to get more than his normal portion of food to ensure there was enough for Niamh when she inevitably arrived, late and hungry.


    For the first time today, she felt a small bit of normalcy watching them interact. Simon and Niamh were her oldest friends, and no one had been surprised when their friendship had grown into something more. Least of all Amriel, who had crawled before she could walk with Simon. Niamh had joined them not long after when her family moved down from the north.


    Amriel managed a faint smile as she slid into her seat beside Mara, who gave her a quiet nod of greeting. Across the table, she could feel Simon’s sharp dark eyes on her, as though he could sense her unease.


    “You okay?” he asked, his voice low enough it was barely interceptable.


    “Fine,” she replied quickly, though the word felt hollow. “Just tired.”


    He didn’t push, but the look he gave her said he wasn’t convinced. Thankfully, Kaleth’s voice cut through the moment, drawing everyone’s attention.


    “So, Riel, tell me—is there an herb or a potion that can make someone lose half their hair? Or all of it? Asking for a friend. Of course.”


    Thankfully it was Mara who responded with an arched eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “For a friend? Or for yourself? No one here is going to help you harm someone, Kaleth.”You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    “What? Harm someone?” Kaleth feigned a gasp of insult and made an attempt to look innocent, “How do you know it’s not for me? Maybe I’ve grown tired of these stunning red locks. Besides, I would never use it for real harm. It’s not permanent is it?”


    This time Mara snorted, “It’s not Caleb’s fault that Dierdra has taken a liking to him.”


    Dierdra Fontain was a third-year acolyte. She also happened to be tall, beautiful, and the love of Kaleth’s life. Or at least she was for the moment. Kaleth’s heart seemed to change every time the wind did. No doubt before long the beautiful Dierdra would be forgotten and another would take her place. No sense in hurting Caleb, an innocent bystander, along the way.


    “Anyway,” Simon cleared his throat, leaning back in his chair, “Tomorrow, Niamh and I are planning a study session. You guys are welcome to join if you want.”


    “Not a bad idea with finals breathing down our necks,” Mara said with a nod, her dark braid slipping over one shoulder. “I’m in.”


    “Me too,” Kaleth chimed in, slouching back with an easy grin. “Couldn’t hurt to brush up.” His red hair caught the flicker of the torches lining the mess hall, giving him an almost fiery aura.


    Amriel shook her head, offering a faint smile. “Thanks for the invite, but I can’t. My herb supplies are running low—I need to restock before I’m completely out.”


    Niamh, seated across from her, arched a delicate brow. “Really? Herb collecting? Right before finals?”


    “It’s not like you to skip out on prep sessions, Riel,” Simon added, his voice careful, not accusing.


    Amriel forced a shrug, keeping her tone light. “I’ll catch up. You all know Master Lorenna’s mantra—‘A Healer without her herbs is a fish without water.’” She mimicked their herbology instructor’s stern tone, earning a chuckle from the group.


    “Fair point,” Mara said with a shrug, already pulling a notebook from her satchel to jot down study plans.


    The bell rang, its deep chime echoing through the mess hall. As the students rose and began to disperse, Amriel adjusted her satchel, grateful for the shift in focus.


    Niamh easily caught up with her as they crossed the courtyard toward their final class of the day. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the stone paths, the warmth of the light contrasting with the cool breeze whispering through the high spires of the Infinity Tower.


    “So,” Niamh began, her tone teasing, “Herb collecting? Or is that code for one of your meditative walks into the wild?”


    “A little of both,” Amriel admitted, glancing at her friend with a small smile.


    Most students in her herbology class could afford to buy theirs from local suppliers. Amriel was not one of them. Not that she minded, after all, she rather enjoyed her time in the forest.


    Niamh’s teasing expression softened, her green eyes glinting with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay, Riel? You’ve been... distant today. Not in your usual ‘I need to daydream to survive these people’ kind of way. More like ‘something is eating me alive’ distant.”


    Amriel hesitated, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. “I’m fine, Niamh. I promise. Just... a lot on my mind.” She looked ahead, avoiding her friend’s probing gaze. “I think some quiet time in the Vhengal will help clear my head.”


    The Vhengal Forest—Amriel’s sanctuary and first schoolhouse—was known for its vibrant and well-established flora.


    Niamh frowned but nodded slowly. “Alright. If you say so. But if you change your mind—or if you just need some company—you know where to find me.”


    Amriel managed a grateful smile, touched by her friend’s unwavering support. “Thanks, Niamh. I really appreciate it.”


    Niamh gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder as they stepped into the arched doorway of their classroom. Amriel took a deep breath, bracing herself for another lesson, even as her thoughts remained tethered to the ancient tome and warning that now refused to leave her mind.