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    <b>[Location: Leoncrest Castle - Outer Courtyards]


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    <b>[Date: December 28, y. 485 of the Fourth Age]</b>


    The Winter Festival ended, but there was hardly a break to speak of. While some students traveled to the Capital for the official week-long holiday, most of the Academy''s activities continued as normal.


    Classes focusing on specialized topics not covered in the regular curriculum were offered as "optional" sessions. Zeke signed up for all of them.


    "You''re taking the advanced theory of magical resonance?" Ralph asked incredulously when he saw Zeke''s schedule. "That''s not even required for third-years!"


    "Can''t hurt to know more," Zeke replied with a shrug, tucking the schedule into his notebook. "Besides, I''ve got nothing better to do while you''re visiting your cousins."


    The truth was, with his next Trial less than a month away and no room for failure, Zeke wasn''t about to waste even a day of potential training. If that meant spending his winter break in classrooms while others relaxed, so be it.


    Victoria''s outdoor sparring sessions were the toughest to endure. Once the major storm passed, she immediately moved all training back to the snow-covered yard, where bitter winds cut through even the thickest training clothes.


    "When you''re up against a frost troll, it isn''t going to stand there and ask if you want to put on insulated armor before it starts fighting you!" Victoria shouted over the howling wind.


    "When the barbarians realize that the rivers are frozen and they can attack by routes that were previously impassable, they''re not going to wait around for warmer weather! You have to learn to tough it out!"


    Zeke grinned despite his numb fingers. "Wouldn''t expect anything less from you, Victoria!"


    He pushed through the discomfort, ignoring the way his sword felt like an icicle in his grip and how his muscles stiffened in the cold. After each session, he''d return to the common room with his fellow students, all of them stamping snow from their boots and laughing about their various slips and falls.


    "You''re getting better," Victoria told him after a particularly grueling session. "Your form is tighter, and you''re adapting to the cold."


    "Thanks," Zeke said, rubbing feeling back into his fingers. "Though I think my toes might not speak to me for a while."


    Victoria''s mouth twitched in what might have been a smile. "Tomorrow we add weights."


    Zeke just nodded. Whatever it took.


    The one gap in his training schedule was Professor Harold''s sessions. The professor had traveled to the Capital on business, promising to return before the start of the next term.


    On the day Professor Harold was due back, Zeke climbed the long spiral staircase to the man''s office and knocked firmly on the door.


    "Come in, come in," Professor Harold called, swinging the door open with a look of pleasant surprise. "You really aren''t a slacker, are you?"


    Zeke stepped into the warm office with its familiar scent of old books and magical components. "My next Trial has something to do with Aura Infusion, and it''s less than a month away.


    One mistake and my house falls. So yeah, I figured we should get back to it."


    "You''re going to do great," Professor Harold assured him, motioning Zeke to a chair. "I can tell you right now that you''re more prepared than your brother was when he completed it.


    Only took him one try, too."


    "Still, he had the option of failing," Zeke said, taking his seat. "Everyone expects me to be this great warrior because of my family name. I''ve got to live up to it."


    "I''m not saying anything you''re doing is bad," Professor Harold said, gathering training materials from a nearby shelf. "Frankly, I''m impressed.


    When you first arrived, everyone expected you to crash and burn – that you wouldn''t have the stamina to train and study. From what I can tell, you''re putting most everyone else to shame."


    The professor set a collection of metal rods on the table between them. "I''m pleased to be working with you, and I''m glad you came by today.


    Actually, I just got back from a meeting with your father."


    "Really?" Zeke perked up immediately. "What did he say about me?"


    "Not much specifically. He asked how your studies were going, that sort of thing," Professor Harold replied. "Most of our interactions were in a larger setting.


    House Hobbson met with representatives from Houses Godfrey and Reinfir to discuss the transfer of border territories and fortresses we''ve been unable to maintain. I think we worked out a deal that will benefit both our houses."


    The professor arranged the metal rods in a specific pattern. "Your father is an impressive man. I can see how House Godfrey has managed to survive these past generations.


    Most noble houses would have crumbled fifty years ago."


    Pride welled up in Zeke''s chest as he picked up the metal rods Professor Harold had set out. Without needing instructions, he began the familiar warm-up exercise – passing his aura from one rod into a matching rod on the table, then touching it with a rod in his opposite hand to transfer the energy back into his body.


    "Do you mind if I ask you something?" Zeke asked as he worked through the exercise.


    "That depends on what it is," Professor Harold looked up with a knowing smile. "I have a feeling you''re about to dip your toes into political waters again, which I believe we''ve established you''re not well-equipped to tread."


    "Yeah, maybe a bit," Zeke laughed. "Don''t even take this as a proper request. I don''t want to jeopardize these training sessions or the relationship between our houses."


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


    "Alright," Professor Harold nodded. "Normally, I would understand such a statement to be a veiled threat or probe, but with you, I''ll take it at face value.


    You''re honestly just searching for information. Tell me, what can I do for you?"


    "I was wondering about the library of House Levayne," Zeke said, continuing the exercise with a steady hand. "House Godfrey has long been allied with House Levayne, and when House Godfrey suddenly signed an alliance with House Hobbson—"


    "It damaged your relationship with House Levayne," Professor Harold finished. "And you''re trying to see if you can mend that relationship somewhat?"


    "More or less," Zeke nodded. "I only know what I''ve heard from Adrian, the librarian here. I don''t have a clue what House Hobbson''s side of the story is.


    I just figured I''d bring it up and see what might come from it."


    Professor Harold considered this for a moment, his expression thoughtful rather than annoyed. "Well, the story from House Hobbson''s perspective is fairly straightforward.


    House Levayne had been hoarding documents that rightfully belonged to other houses – genealogies, histories, magical tomes, the whole works. They were positioning themselves to become the intellectual center of the kingdom."


    He adjusted one of the rods as Zeke continued his exercise. "When several noble houses complained, the Senate launched an investigation and determined that House Levayne had indeed violated numerous laws and conventions.


    The library was seized and held by the Senate for almost twenty years."


    "What happened then?" Zeke asked, genuinely curious.


    "All information deemed to have been improperly withheld was copied and distributed to the proper owners. The collection was made ready to return to House Levayne, but by then they had fallen on hard times.


    The patriarch sold the collection to House Hobbson to pay debts incurred after a barbarian raid. It wasn''t until several generations later that House Levayne began accusing us of impropriety, but by then, there was simply nothing to be done."


    "Interesting," Zeke said, considering both sides of the story. It was likely somewhere in the middle of what Adrian had told him and what Professor Harold just shared.


    Maybe House Hobbson had paid the barbarians to attack? Or perhaps House Levayne was trying to rewrite history in their favor? Either way, it was clear why the issue had remained unresolved for so long.


    "So, master politician, what would you propose?" Professor Harold asked, his tone not mocking but genuinely curious. "Can you think of a solution, or at least a way to partially heal those wounds?


    Or should it remain a sore point between the houses for another hundred generations?"


    Zeke thought for a moment, then offered, "What if a small handful of books could be returned? Nothing large, just a few items from the original collection that deal most closely with House Levayne''s history?


    Things they would consider treasures but that haven''t been touched by anyone in House Hobbson in decades?"


    "An interesting proposal," Professor Harold said, inclining his head. "Allow me to think on it."


    "You''re serious?" Zeke asked, surprised.


    "I was serious when I told you that House Hobbson is allied with House Godfrey. You stand as the heir of House Godfrey, and that makes your word mean something.


    Don''t forget that," Professor Harold said firmly.


    "But I''m not the heir," Zeke protested.


    "From what I gather, your brother is marrying a commoner," the professor said with a shrug. "Not that I disapprove of such things personally, but when the eldest son does this, it''s usually seen as effectively relinquishing the throne."


    Zeke looked down for a moment, conflicted about his brother''s situation and his own unexpected position. "Well, thank you for considering it, at least."


    "I cannot promise anything will come of it," Professor Harold cautioned, raising a finger. "That said, it does seem a reasonable request.


    A few books that haven''t been noticed in years? You have the makings of a diplomat yet." He gestured to the training materials. "Now, let''s get to work on what you have to master, which is Aura Transfer."


    They dove into the real training, focusing on the theory and practice of moving aura outside the body. Zeke picked up a cup of blackish liquid and focused on transferring his aura into it.


    The surface quivered like the ground during an earthquake, then settled.


    "Very good," Professor Harold murmured. "Now try to bring it out."


    Zeke took a deep breath and began to direct the liquid with his aura. It flowed up and out of the cup, over the rim, down onto the saucer and then the desk.


    There, it formed a quivering blob. Beads of sweat broke out on Zeke''s forehead, but he maintained focus.


    "Not bad," Professor Harold nodded. "Try to shape it."


    Zeke gritted his teeth as he concentrated, forcing the blob of liquid to pull itself upward. First a head formed, then two arms, followed by legs.


    The figure was lumpy and misshapen – like a clay figure made by a child – but it held its shape. A vast improvement over his first attempts, which had ended with exploding saucers and liquid splattered across the ceiling.


    Professor Harold smiled warmly, then placed a second cup on the far side of the table. Before giving further instructions, he laid several sheets of white paper between the two cups.


    "I want you to walk it across without making a single footprint," he said.


    Zeke nodded and focused even harder. The figure took its first step, then another, then a third.


    As he concentrated on keeping the feet intact, the head began to wobble and melt. Zeke gasped and quickly stabilized the figure.


    When it was back in shape, it took another step, nearly losing its balance as the arms started to dissolve. Finally, it reached the other cup, climbed in, and splashed back into liquid form.


    Zeke let out a relieved breath and leaned back in his chair. Professor Harold examined the papers.


    "Not terrible. You left two footprints, though."


    Looking closer, Zeke saw two small spots where he''d lost focus, allowing drops of the liquid to fall onto the paper. Professor Harold simply handed him the cup again and took the empty one.


    "Shall we try again?"


    "Absolutely," Zeke said, setting his jaw in determination.


    For the next hour, the figure crossed the desk three more times. Each attempt resulted in only a single footprint – progress, though not yet perfection.


    By the fourth crossing, Zeke was exhausted but satisfied with his improvement.


    "That''s enough for today," Professor Harold said, noting Zeke''s fatigue. "We''ll continue this for the next few sessions until you can complete a crossing without leaving any prints.


    I know it might seem like busywork, but—"


    "No, I get it," Zeke said, standing up and stretching. "I need better control. Precision matters as much as power."


    "Exactly right. A finely attuned aura will take you further than the most powerful one, any day," Professor Harold confirmed. "A hammer is no weapon for fighting a dragon."


    "Unless it''s a really, really big hammer," Zeke quipped.


    Professor Harold laughed. "I suppose there''s always that exception."


    As Zeke prepared to leave, he paused at the door. "Professor? Thank you. Not just for the training, but for taking my question seriously."


    "You''re welcome, Zeke," the professor replied. "You''re approaching politics differently than most young nobles – with genuine interest in resolution rather than advantage.


    That''s rare, and worth encouraging."


    Zeke smiled and slipped out into the hall, starting down the stairs with a lighter step despite his physical exhaustion. The week ahead would be grueling with all his extra classes and training, but every day brought him closer to being ready for the next Trial.


    He had a long way to go, but he was making up ground fast. With luck, it would be enough to get him through.


    With even more luck, he might actually help House Godfrey secure new alliances along the way.


    As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Zeke spotted Ingrid and a few other students heading toward the training yard, despite the fading daylight and bitter cold.


    "Extra practice session?" he called out to them.


    "Victoria''s idea," Ingrid replied with a rueful smile. "Night fighting in winter conditions."


    "Give me two minutes to grab my gear," Zeke said, already changing direction toward his dormitory.


    Ingrid looked surprised. "You don''t have to. These are completely optional."


    "I know," Zeke grinned. "But how often do you get to practice fighting in the dark while freezing? Can''t miss that opportunity."


    As he jogged to his room to grab his training sword, Zeke felt a surge of energy despite his earlier fatigue. He might not be the heir anyone expected, but he was determined to be the knight House Godfrey needed – even if that meant training until he couldn''t feel his fingers or toes.


    For House Godfrey. For Artax. For himself.


    Two minutes later, he rejoined the group, sword in hand and ready for whatever Victoria had planned for them in the snowy darkness.


    <b>[Scene Close]</b>


    <b>[Earned Emblems:]


    Heart of the Warrior, Endurance</b>


    <b>[Active Quests:]</b>


    <b>


    [Working Overtime: Make the most of the short winter break]</b>