ã€ŠProject Ordinalã€‹


 Entry 1: Prologue

    Nora walked through the long still white hallway. The quartz lanterns illuminating the way. The few guards and other personnel that passed by stopped and saluted Nora as she strolled by. She didn¡¯t bother to respond; her mind was on other things. Once she had been the most devoted and enthusiastic of them all. But now she found herself lamenting over her past actions. Had all of this been truly necessary? Had he been right? No, he hadn¡¯t. Nora couldn¡¯t begin to second guess herself now, not after what she had done. But what did it matter now, everything was ruined. They had to start from scratch, this time they¡¯d do it better though, no mistakes. The emperors themselves had asked her to head the project. There was no greater honor, it was everything Nora had aspired for in her career. And yet now she had far different priorities, she had to plan for the future. She had spent the last few months reading notes, reports, and journals all day and night long that was until today. Today she would be forced to face the ghosts of her past.

    Sapphire laughed giddily, ¡°Oh, I wonder what Emerald would have said about that.¡±

    Nora ignored the voice and continued on. Finally, she arrived at a large black metallic door, a silver diamond shaped plate in the center. A guard stood at either side.

    ¡°Open it,¡± Nora commanded.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± The men obeyed. They both took a key out of their pocket and inserted them into a hole on either side of the door while Nora placed her palm on the silver plate. The guards turned the keys simultaneously. A bright azure light spread from the plate and stretched throughout the door through lined carvings engraved within the frame. Several clicks sounded and the door slowly opened. Another door stood only three feet away. Nora stepped forward and the door behind her shut. After a few moments, the door in front opened. She walked into a small featureless white chamber. An iron table, with two seats on either end, was placed in the middle of the room. A young man sat in one chair. His muted snow skin almost blended with the white jumpsuit he wore. His back was arched straight, though his thin long neck and arms seemed disproportioned giving him an eerie if not ghostly appearance. He had long locks of blonde hair streaked with strawberry hues. One tumble of hair fell near his eyes as he turned towards Nora. The pupiless glass irises tracked Nora as she sat down across from the man.

    ¡°I trust they¡¯ve treated you fairly, Fourth.¡±

    Fourth looked at the glowing chain cuffs chained to the table that enwrapped his hands. ¡°¡­More or less. I¡¯m surprised, I didn¡¯t think they¡¯d send you. Although in retrospect who better to rub the salt in my wounds.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to discuss our past. I was sent here to interview you about your attack on the southern base two days ago.¡±

    ¡°Always the frigid one, huh? Only focused on the goal, no matter the consequences.¡±

    ¡°Fourth your attack-

    ¡°So, you sharpen your knives and cut and cut, until there is nothing left. Until all you have is your finished product.¡± Fourth spat.

    ¡°Are you finished?¡± Nora stifled a yawn.

    Fourth struggle against his restrainments in vain.

    ¡°It¡¯s no use, those are twin locks, while normally you might be able to release yourself you¡¯re in a bit of precarious situation. This room was especially designed for someone like you, a marvel of modern technology, it¡¯s one of a kind. It absorbs all the ether in the air and circulates it outside. Even the ether residing in us. To top it off you¡¯re over fifty feet underground. You are not going anywhere.¡±

    Fourth stopped his struggling. His colorless eyes wandered around Nora as if studying her.

    ¡°We might as well use this time to talk. Two days ago, you single handedly attacked our southern base, eliminating over half our imperial soldiers and quintessential users. You then proceeded to attempt to break into one our facilities there, only to be stopped and captured. Why did you attack the base?¡±

    ¡°Oh, come now Nora. You know exactly why.¡±

    Nora closed her eyes, an image of a man flitting through her memory. ¡°So, it was for him.¡±

    Fourth smiled, ¡°Did you really think you could hide him from me. We can sense whenever one of us is near, don¡¯t you remember? And I have the best sense of all.¡±

    ¡°So, you tried to break him free. Did you really think you could take on over a thousand of the imperial¡¯s best by yourself?¡±

    He looked away.

    Nora leaned forward, ¡°You were always a bit of a loose cannon, but this is surprising even for you.¡±

    Fourth didn¡¯t respond.

    ¡°Let me a paint picture for you. You being you, get into a fight with First, probably something about getting revenge on us, but she disagrees. She never really liked you after all, I don¡¯t blame her. She of course can¡¯t have someone like you jeopardize their position, being in hiding and all that. So, what does she do? Exile you of course.¡±

    Though he didn¡¯t say a word, from the thinning of his lips and his slightly heavy breathing, Nora judged she had hit a nerve.

    ¡°Oh, poor you. Abandoned by the few friends you¡¯ve ever had. So, what do you do now? Alone and hunted, you run back to the last friend you have. But we both know he isn¡¯t available at the moment. So, you get it into your head to set him free. You must tell yourself that you can do it. You possess one of the most dangerous abilities in existence, after all. How can you not succeed? Sure, you take a couple of soldiers here and there, but they continue to keep coming and coming until you find yourself overwhelmed. And now you find yourself captured and in a prison cell you cannot escape from.¡±

    Fourth still didn¡¯t speak.

    Nora raised both her hands, ¡°But you see this is where the story can change. On one hand, you can decide to continue being mute or on the other hand you can get your revenge on First and the rest who abandoned you. By cooperating with me. As you are well aware, they have eluded the sensory ability of Seventh and Ninth. But with your knowledge and ability, the four of us together can find the others and end this madness. Naturally, you will be set free, provided you work with us for the unforeseeable future. Your story doesn¡¯t have to end here, in a cage.¡±

    ¡°Tell me. How did it feel when you betrayed the man you loved? Did even a small part of your being hesitate? Or was it just another part of your job.¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Nora glared at him, ¡°There are other more unpleasant ways to make you cooperate.¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes, that¡¯s the Nora I know. Insane as you might be you were always so analytical, always watching. Trying to achieve the best-case scenario. I just never imagined that included you lying to all of us.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a lie!¡± Nora shouted, her anger getting the best of her.

    Fourth tilted his head, ¡°Or maybe it wasn¡¯t a lie. Maybe you actually believed the refuse you shoved down our throats. And when it came time to act you froze and threw us into the maws of the enemy. You coward.¡±

    ¡°I did what I had to, for the good of the people, for the good of the empire.¡± Nora spoke the words like a mantra.

    He laughed, ¡°The empire doesn¡¯t deserve it. The empire doesn¡¯t deserve us. Why should we lay down and be the sacrificial block to raise this soiled country into eternity?¡±

    ¡°What are you saying?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you see Nora, this empire, these people, are a disease. One that needs to die. The time has come to allow it to do so.¡±

    ¡°Why? Why act now, after all this time?¡± Something wasn¡¯t right, Nora could feel it.

    ¡°As a friend once told me, to achieve your greatest dreams you must wait.¡±

    ¡°For what? What were you waiting for?¡±

    Fourth smiled, ¡°We were waiting for you.¡±

    Nora frowned, ¡°We?¡±

    The room began to shake immensely. Nora stood up, comprehension dawning on her face.

    ¡°No,¡± she whispered. A crack opened on the ceiling.

    ¡°Run Nora!¡± Ruby shouted.

    The chain between Fourth¡¯s cuffs disappeared with a pop. He shot up from the table and raised his hand towards Nora. She swiftly pulled out her hand gun and aimed it at Fourth. Before she could fire the air around her elbow warped. The atmosphere cracked and burst. The upper portion of Nora¡¯s arm disappeared from existence. She screamed as her severed arm fell onto the ground. Nora dropped to her knees in agony as blood spurted from the wound.

    Fourth calmly worked over, ¡°You think First and the others were difficult to track, but it was you who it was impossible to find. They kept hiding you in underground bunkers, and continuously moved you. It seemed like we were never going to find you, until now. Thank you for making it so easy.¡±

    ¡°Y-you were never trying to set him free,¡± Nora spoke through gritted teeth.

    ¡°With Seventh and Ninth guarding him? Hardly. But targeting him did get your attention and brought you running right to us.¡± Fourth picked up Nora¡¯s severed arm, ¡°Finally.¡±

    The crack in the ceiling began to stretch as white tendrils clawed their way through. A woman fell through the hole, landing softly without a sound.

    ¡°Hello, Nora.¡± She smirked.

    ¡°F-first.¡± Nora tried to put pressure on her arm to slow the blood loss.

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯ll be no need for that. You won¡¯t be making it out of here alive.¡± First said. ¡°Ahhh!¡± First and Fourth abruptly yelled in pain. Ruby and Sapphire appeared in front of Nora, directing all their power at the enemy.

    Fourth waved his hand wildly. The air was sucked inward as space itself was erased. Ruby and Sapphire took the brunt of the blow, their bodies being destroyed by the attack.

    First laughed, ¡°Your friends can¡¯t help you, not anymore.¡± Pearly white daggers manifested in the air and flew right at Nora. The daggers shot through her, yet she wasn¡¯t skewered. Her form suddenly began to flicker like fire.

    ¡°But I can,¡± a woman rose from the ground next to Nora, her whole body aflame in a glowing green aura.

    ¡°Seventh, my dear sister, glad you could make it. Now I can kill two traitors at once.¡± A dozen white blades appeared around the First. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this, Fourth, go get what we came for.¡±

    Fourth pointed his finger at the door, it cracked under an invisible pressure for a moment before disappearing along with a portion of the wall. The next door fared no better. He picked up Nora¡¯s arm and ran, ignoring the battle that ensued behind him. There was something more important to accomplish here. The guards outside turned around and shot, green blasts firing right at him. He dashed to the wall, pushing himself off it and right past the guards. He snapped his fingers, the two soldiers'' heads vanished, dropping the corpses to the ground. He kept running, several personnel fled as they saw him, soldiers and ability users rushed in from all over the base and tried to block his path. With a wave of his hand Fourth killed them all. Their heads, hearts, chest cavities, whole torsos, all evaporated in a split second. Blood covered the walls wherever Fourth went, his own body was covered by it. Only his glass eyes remained unstained. Eventually he arrived at a large ornate silver-plated gate. It was round and had a diameter of ten feet. Five rings wrapped around the large frame. A smooth fist sized amethyst was placed in each ring. A small round indent formed in the middle of the gate. Fourth placed Nora¡¯s hand on it, after a pause the amethysts began to shimmer, the smallest ring rolled back into itself and into the next ring, the pattern continued until all the rings folded into the largest, which then proceeded to split in half and extend outwards. The gate slowly opened, golden light flooding through. The gate revealed a vault with only one treasure. The greatest of all. A small orb rested on a pedestal. It glowed like molten gold, its light illuminating the entirety of the vault and beyond. The orb pulsated as if it were alive, giving off faints wisps of golden light, each vibrating with every beat.

    ¡°Finally,¡± As Fourth reached to grab the orb ebony flames sprung forth from the pedestal guarding the orb.

    ¡°Ninth,¡± He cursed as he turned around to look at the last of his brothers.

    ¡°I can¡¯t let you take the Source, Fourth,¡± the man spoke with conviction. His body was covered in jet black flames, his pupiless charcoal eyes watched Fourth¡¯s slightest movement.

    ¡°You get in our way even now, little brother?¡± Fourth asked, disappointment evident in his voice.

    ¡°I hold no hate for you, but so long as you stand against Nora I will be here. Between all of you and the empire.¡± Ninth¡¯s flames grew in intensity.

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve become her guard dog?¡± He raised his hands, ¡°Then I shall put you down.¡±

    A whirlpool of inky flames burst forth from Ninth. The air around Fourth crackled as the flames of destruction tried to burn him. Sparks of flames bounced off inches from Fourth. He swiped the air with his hand, several holes in space appeared around Ninth¡¯s body. But he managed to avoid each hole as they formed, only being grazed by one.

    Fourth laughed, ¡°Did you really think you could beat me?¡± He tore dozens of more holes through space.

    ¡°You can¡¯t keep that up for long.¡± Ninth spun in the air, his flames propelling him forward, above Fourth¡¯s attacks. ¡°And when you can¡¯t I¡¯ll burn you to ash.¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t need to.¡± First said as she rounded the corner. An Ivory wall emerged around her just in time to beat the black flames that threatened to burn her.

    Ninth cursed, the situation had gone from bad to worse.

    ¡°You cannot fight us both Ninth, we will get the Source, and you can die with the rest of these people that you so love.¡± First stated calmly.

    The Ninth looked at the two. ¡°You¡¯re right I can¡¯t fight you both,¡± he lowered his hands, his flames dying out. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t stop you.¡± The dark flames around the pedestal engulfed the golden orb.

    ¡°No!¡± First shouted.

    The Source cracked under the immense heat and shattered, an atomic blast of light expanded outwards obliterating everything in its midst.

 Entry 2: Phantom Thieves

    Professor Guila wrote the finishing touches to the history exam. She stretched back in her chair as she glanced at the clock. It was already eight. How long had she been here? The last rays of sunlight were leaking from the horizon, prompting Guila to call it a night. She put the test in her desk¡¯s drawer and headed home. A few moments after the office door was shut the window outside creaked open. A small rustle was heard as two masked figures climbed through the outside and into the empty office.

    They both fell to their knees and gasped for air. The larger figure punched the other on the shoulder, ¡°You said it¡¯d be a few minutes! We were up there for at least an hour!¡±

    ¡°Ow, dammit Shen! I misjudged, it happens, alright. Mishaps are to be expected in our line of work.¡±

    ¡°What line of work? We¡¯re students, not burglars.¡±

    ¡°I prefer the phrase, ¡®phantom-thieves-in-training¡¯.¡±

    ¡°What kind of master thief gets stuck dangling from a rope on the side of a tower for over an hour. Ugh, my arms are killing me. It¡¯s a wonder how no one spotted us.¡±

    ¡°All part of my plan Shen. This side of the tower isn¡¯t visible from below. I already scoped this place earlier, they don¡¯t lock the windows.¡±

    ¡°You mean when professor Guila caught you trying to sneak into the girl¡¯s dorm?¡±

    ¡°All part of my plan.¡± Jack waved his hand and wiggled his fingers.

    ¡°So, which desk is Guila¡¯s anyway?¡± Shen glanced around the room, there were at least half a dozen desks.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you serious, right now?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We¡¯ll just look through them, no big deal.¡±

    ¡°You said this was supposed to be quick. In and out. Do we even know what we¡¯re looking for?¡±

    ¡°Answers to the upcoming mid-term history exam. Duh.¡±

    ¡°I mean what do they look like idiot.¡±

    ¡°Paper like?¡±

    ¡°I hate you so much right now.¡±

    The room was dark and they didn¡¯t want to risk turning on the lights. There could still be others roaming around this floor. It was difficult to make out the words on any of the documents strewn about the desks or inside their drawers.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I actually let you talk me into this Jack. My arms are going to be hell tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°What do you want me to do, give you ointment, maybe a dash of perfume while I¡¯m at it?¡± He mocked. ¡°Besides, we both know why you agreed.¡±

    Shen didn¡¯t respond. After a few more minutes of searching Jack let out a small shout of joy.

    ¡°Shen, I think I found it. Yep, ¡®Examination on the histories of the Asteri and Gemini empires¡¯.¡±

    Shen looked up from the desk he was searching through, ¡°Nice, now let¡¯s get out of here.¡± As he spoke the door opened.

    Shen and Jack ducked under the desks. Guila had forgotten her jacket and had come back for it. She pulled out her lantern, lighting up the room. As she went to her desk she noticed the drawers were opened. Had she left them like that?

    Shen and Jack glanced at each other. Jack clutched the exam papers in his hand, he glanced at the window. Shen saw his reasoning and shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t do it,¡± He mouthed silently. Though he quickly remembered he was wearing a mask and tried to motion to Jack with his hands.

    Guila looked into her desk and realized her exam was missing. ¡°What in the world? Hey, is someone here!¡± Guila swiftly looked around the room, glancing under each desk. A blur from her left caused her to shout in surprise as the masked Jack ran across the room and jumped out the window.

    ¡°Oh shit,¡± Shen whispered, they were eight floors up.

    Guila spun towards him, but he was already running out the door.

    ¡°Hey stop there! Don¡¯t you dare run!¡±

    Shen ignored her and sped through the hallway and down the stairs. He ran as fast as he could, ignoring the one or two people still roaming the halls. Once he got to the second floor he turned a corridor, took off his cloth mask and tucked it into his pocket. He jogged down the stairs and headed towards the exit.

    ¡°Hey, give it back!¡± a voice shouted in anger.

    Shen was about to bolt for it when he noticed that that the voice was not professor Guila¡¯s. He turned around and saw a male student blocking the hallway from a smaller student. A girl.

    ¡°I¡¯m just askin if ya¡¯ll have a drink wit me is all, no reason to git angry.¡± The man said drunkenly. He clutched a book in one hand.

    Shen walked over and grabbed his shoulder, ¡°Hey, can¡¯t you get a hint. She doesn¡¯t want to go with you.¡±

    The man looked over confused, then he frowned, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    ¡°Someone who¡¯ll break your arm if you don¡¯t give the damn book back.¡±

    The man shrugged, ¡°Sure.¡± He threw the book on the floor. ¡°I whaz just talkin to her is all. Not like I was gonna keep the book or anythin.¡±

    Shen looked at the man who stepped back with hands raised. Shen looked at the girl, it was only now he noticed she was pretty, not beautiful like those noble ladies at court, who idolized the high cheek bones, long legs, and faces caked with makeup. No, this girl wore no makeup, was short, and her face was round like a peach. Not fat, just round. Her skin was bronze, and her short charcoal hair was pulled behind her ears. A pair of large rimmed glasses fell over her button nose and shielded her wary soft oak brown eyes. Realizing he was staring, Shen looked away and reached for the book. A sharp pain hit him from his left, as the drunk student punched him right in the face. Shen gasped in pain as he fell to his knees.

    ¡°I don mind givin the book bak. I wazint trying to steal it. Just wanna to talk is all. But threatenin me, Alan Cordon, heir to the county of Cordon. That¡¯sh a whole anotha story.¡± Alan kicked Shen in the ribs. This time he fell to the ground, but rolled away.

    Shen tried to breathe, but it was proving difficult, his ribs were in terrible pain. His head felt light, his vision was hazy and he could taste iron in his mouth. It didn¡¯t help that his arms felt weak after holding on to a rope for an hour. Dammit, what was he even doing, letting his guard down like that. He groaned in pain as he tried to stand. But Alan wasn¡¯t going to give him a chance. He rushed at him and went for another kick. His foot landed straight in Shen¡¯s gut. Shen shouted in even greater pain. Alan threw his foot at Shen¡¯s shoulder, but this time Shen shifted away and dodged. As Alan¡¯s foot landed he grabbed it and twisted with all his might. Alan fell to the ground with a scream. Shen smiled, blood coating his teeth, his frosty blue eyes staring daggers at his foe. He jumped on top of the drunk, ducked under Alan¡¯s flailing punch, and delivered one of his own straight to his face. The forced of the punch smashed the back of Alan¡¯s head into the floor and back up, only to be followed up by Shen¡¯s other fist. Like a piston, Shen continued to punch Alan¡¯s face, each punch stronger than before. After about half a minute he stopped and took a painful breath. His anger now fading, Shen looked at the bloody mess that was Alan¡¯s face. He was unconscious. His jaw hung open, several teeth were missing, his swollen and bleeding excuse for a nose was most likely broken, along with his jaw, Shen noted. He had gone too far, again. He stood up and looked at his bloody hands.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    He gulped, saliva mixed with blood. He tried to wipe as much blood as possible from his hands. ¡°Dammit,¡± he muttered. A noise to his right reminded him of his spectator, he looked at the teenage girl who stood watching him silently. Her eyes calculating.

    ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡± he tried to ask as best he could, though it came out as a garble, the blood and already swelling cheek making it difficult to talk.

    She stood silent as a deer.

    Shen grimaced as he bent down and grabbed her book. He held it out with one hand and with the other grabbed her shoulder, ¡°Hey.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± The girl shook him off and jammed her knee straight into his groin. Shen dropped the book and fell to the ground, gasping repeatedly yet making no noise. He looked on as the girl bolted.

    ¡°Biiiiiiitch,¡± he groaned.

    The resounding steps of heels hitting into the stone floor echoed nearby. ¡°And what do we have here? You don¡¯t just steal from me but now you¡¯re assaulting a fellow student as well? You have a lot to answer for Mr. Stone.¡±

    Shen turned towards a looming professor Guila.

    ******

    Erica swung the door wide open, ¡°Finally, we¡¯re here.¡± She sighed in relief as she walked into the new apartment and dropped her duffel bag.

    Dek followed behind her, giving a quick survey of the dark living room. He pulled out a lantern from his backpack and opened the side lid, revealing a glowing quartz gem. He shined the light through the apartment. ¡°Not bad, a little smaller than our last place I guess.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t complain, Dek. I had to bust my ass to forge our new credentials to get into this place.¡± Erica opened her duffel bag and removed a bottle of liquor. ¡°All so the spoiled brat here could go to a nice school.¡± Erica threw herself on the couch and began drinking. A habit that Dek had noticed she was doing more frequently.

    ¡°Thank you, Erica. I really do appreciate your efforts.¡± Dek walked out to the window and looked out into the night. A small town sprawled around a set of large buildings, even from here he could see the outline of the superior craftsmanship of the stone buildings. ¡°It¡¯s not just any school, you know. Emerald Grand Ridge Academy.¡± He recited the name with pride.¡°It¡¯s the most prestigious school of the entire empire, barring the one in the capital.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the problem. You do realize we¡¯re trying not to gather attention, right? And yet you chose to go to the school with the children of some of the wealthiest and influential people in the entire Asteri fucking empire.¡± Erica complained.

    Dek glanced over, ¡°Well, sorry and thanks I guess.¡±

    Erica mumbled something inaudible.

    ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°Please, shut up Dek. I¡¯ve already had enough with being in the saddle all day and the damnable humidity, I don¡¯t need to hear you incessant talking as well.¡±

    Dek was about to retort his own insult but swallowed it instead, Erica had done a lot to get them here so he decided to just stay quiet. He silently walked into the room that would become his bedroom for how long? Three months, six months, would he dare hope for a year? He had been moving around so often he didn¡¯t have an inkling of how long he¡¯d be able to enjoy this new school. That was his life now though and as much as he hated it, he had to bare it and try to ignore the rest, as best he could. After all, he had a goal, and he¡¯d accomplish it no matter what. He fell into the bed and closed his eyes. He would need the rest for the next day at his new school.

    His mind wandered to that fateful day two years ago. He tried to ignore it and after some minutes of restless turning, he finally fell asleep. He was awakened by a constant dripping sound. Had Erica left the faucet on? He opened his eyes and noticed it was still dark. Sleepily he forced himself out of bed and walked towards where he thought was the kitchen. The faucet was off. He then went to the bathroom, there was no water dripping here either. Dek groaned tiredly and decided to head back to bed. He found Erica passed out on the couch, the bottle of alcohol, next to her, empty. Dek stared at his sleeping guardian. You know, when she¡¯s not complaining, insulting, or speaking I guess, she really is beautiful, he thought. Erica had a voluptuous body and she knew it, evidenced by the form fitting and open clothes she always wore. So much for not sticking out, Erica was always the center of attention wherever she went. Her long bright platinum hair didn¡¯t help. Especially how it framed her heart shaped face, and perky nose. Or the faint freckles that danced around her pale cheeks that Dek noticed she disliked. But personally, he thought they fit just right. Of course, he¡¯d never say it to her face, lest he anger her. Nor would he tell her that despite her general peevish attitude that would occasionally get on his nerves, he was actually glad to have her with him.

    As he was about to head back into his room he noticed a faint purple glow emitting from the palm of Erica¡¯s hand.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Dek whispered as he knelt next to Erica to have a better look. Small streams of amethyst light were coursing through her palm and fingers. Was this a part of her ability? He looked at Erica¡¯s sleeping face, then slowly touched her arm, only to have his own hand and arm fall through.

    ¡°What the fuck!¡± he screamed as his whole body fell through Erica, the couch, and the floor. Well, several floors actually. Dek fell through all three floors of the apartment complex and then through the ground. He finally landed on a damp floor. Dek panted in fear but quickly realized he wasn¡¯t injured or in any pain. Slowly he got up and looked around. He was in complete darkness now, save for faint blue silhouette that covered his body. Was he dreaming? No, he quickly decided, this felt too real. Could this have to do with Erica¡¯s ability? But he actually hadn¡¯t touched her, though this was in a way similar to the nature of her ability. So, he couldn¡¯t rule out the possibility. Dek sat on the ground for a while, in contemplation, only to be stirred by the same dripping noise from earlier, only now it felt closer. He got up and hesitantly felt his surroundings, hoping he didn¡¯t fall through anything else. From the feel of the stone under his hands, he guessed he was underground, maybe a tunnel. The dripping sound continued incessantly. Having no better recourse Dek followed the sound. After fifteen minutes, he was still walking in darkness with no sense of change, the sound consistent. It felt he had been walking for hours before he saw a faint golden light, Dek sighed in relief and ran towards the light.

    He stopped short when he found the source of the sound and light. A vein of golden liquid slowly flowing out of a cracked rock on the side of the wall. The liquid flowed up to the edge of the jagged rock and dripped down into a puddle on the ground, though it seemed to slowly be seeping back into the earth. The liquid shined bright like a fire, or molten lava. It was dazzling, Dek almost failed to notice the man crouching next to the golden pool. He wore a white bodysuit, a mask covered his face, and his hands were wrapped in thick grey gloves. In one hand, he held a thin metal stick that looked a bit like a thermometer. He dabbed the stick into the puddle and quickly pulled it out. Yep, totally looked like a thermometer. The man then scribbled a few notes on a book he had next to him.

    Dek froze unsure of what to do. Worried what the man might do. But the man didn¡¯t notice him. ¡°Um, Hello?¡± Dek said hesitantly. Still, the crouched man didn¡¯t look up from his writing. Dek cautiously walked over to the man. Dek stared at him for a while, then slowly put his hand on the masked man¡¯s shoulder, only to have it fall through again. Dek quickly stepped back, glanced at his own hand then quickly tried again, to the same effect. He began to speak and shout, but the masked man did not notice him.

    ¡°Hahhh,¡± Dek sighed. ¡°Am I dead or something? Or maybe,¡± He looked at his own glowing form, ¡°this is some power.¡± Dek wasn¡¯t sure how to react, he should be happy. If his theory was correct, then he was a quintessence user, like Erica, a human born with the extremely rare innate ability to manipulate ether. And yet he wasn¡¯t excited, sure he was surprised, even amazed. And yet for all that he was still stuck who knows where, with a masked man he couldn¡¯t communicate to and a small puddle of a possibly toxic liquid. This wasn¡¯t how he imagined having an ability, something felt off, out of place. This was supposed to be all any kid ever dreamed of, to have super powers. Was this his ability? To be invisible and possibly intangible, or was he just some ghost, if so would he see his parents again? And there it was, Dek thought. He laughed at himself. Nothing¡¯s changed. His parents weren¡¯t here and he was, alone. Dek¡¯s vision blurred and went black. He blinked. It was morning, the sun peeked through the window. He was back in his room. He laid in bed thinking of what had just happened, had it been real? Or was it really a dream. He slowly got up, damn he was tired, exhausted even, so much for sleep.

 Entry 3: Hazelnut Chocolate

    ¡°Shen Stone, second son of the illustrious count Marcus Stone of Stone Ridge. Sixteen years old, a second-year student, though you transferred here last semester. Despite only being here for only four months you have had eleven infractions, including skipping classes, failure to listen and comply to professors, fighting fellow students, fornicating with a fellow student on academy grounds, drinking alcoholic substances on academy grounds and,¡± the old man looked up, ¡°stealing ten jars of hazelnut chocolate from storage.¡±

    The old man, principle Jackson of Emerald Grand Ridge Academy, dropped the folder onto the table and stared at the student in question. ¡°And now I¡¯m told you have stolen the upcoming history exam of professor Guila here, along with brutally beating and permanently disfiguring Alan Cordon. Do you have anything to say for yourself Shen?¡±

    Shen quickly glanced around the room with his good eye, behind his left stood his uncle, a large heavy built man. He stood quiet and made no expression. Behind principle Jackson stood professor Guila, her white hair strewn about in a bun, but it seemed as if she didn¡¯t care for her appearance, seeing as she hadn¡¯t stopped glaring at Shen since he had come here about an hour ago.

    This wasn¡¯t good. He was in pain, tired, and his head thrummed with a dull ache. It was difficult to think and yet he had to try to find a way out of this. But think he did. About how much he hated Jack, well that idiot was probably dead. He supposed he was more of an idiot to follow through with Jack¡¯s plan in the first place. And when he really thought about it, if he didn¡¯t play this right, forget what the school or his uncle would do to him. His father would kill him. So, Shen did what any man in his situation would, bullshited.

    ¡°First off I¡¯d like to say I am innocent.¡±

    ¡°In what regard? Breaking and entering, thievery, blatant physical assault, or of the truth?¡± Guila remarked.

    ¡°Professor, please.¡± The principal raised his hand. ¡°Let the boy speak, he is allowed that much at least.¡±

    Shen nervously cleared his throat, ¡°As I was saying, I am innocent of all of what professor Guila just accused me of, save the last.¡±

    The principal shook his head and smirked, ¡°So you¡¯re telling me that you did not assault the student Alan Cordon?¡±

    ¡°No, he attacked me first. It was self-defense.¡±

    ¡°And why would Alan attack you?¡±

    ¡°Well, besides being a drunk idiot he was harassing another student, a girl. I got in the way and then he punched me,¡± he pointed to his swollen left eye and cheek. ¡°At which point we fought and I managed to successfully defend myself.¡±

    ¡°By beating the boy half to death?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Principal, I did not see any girl when I found Shen.¡± Guila pointed out.

    ¡°That¡¯s because she ran.¡±

    ¡°Why would she run? Did she go to get help? Did any of the campus guards come to the scene?¡± Principal Jackson asked.

    ¡°None.¡± Guila responded smugly.

    ¡°What is the girl¡¯s name Shen. I will call her in for questioning.¡± The principal offered.

    ¡°Um, well I don¡¯t know her name. But she¡¯s short, around five feet I guess. Light brown skin, black hair, brown eyes.¡±

    ¡°You just described half the women of the Asteri empire,¡± said Guila.

    ¡°So, an unknown girl was the only witness of those events. Not much to go off of boy.¡± The principal picked up the folder once more and pointed the corner to Shen, ¡°And what of breaking into one of the office rooms of the professors, and stealing professor Guila¡¯s exam?¡±

    ¡°I did not break into the room. In fact, I had a question for professor Guila and was looking for her. As I went to her office I found someone else in the office, a thief no doubt. At which point I hid under a desk, planning what to do. It was at this moment where professor Guila came in, turned on the lights and shouted bravely ¡®Who the hell is here?!¡¯¡±

    ¡°I did not!¡±

    ¡°Or something like that. Anyway, the thief jumped out the window. So, I decided to follow him, hence I ran as fast as I could down the stairs. When I reached to the first floor I saw Alan and you know the rest.¡±

    ¡°What of my stolen history exam?¡±

    ¡°Did I have a history exam on me when you found me?¡± Shen shook his head, but quickly regretted it. Oh man, that was a bad idea. His head was killing him. He might have a concussion.

    ¡°Interesting, but what of the mask we found in your pocket? Why would you need to be wearing a mask if all you had to do was ask a question.¡± The principal raised his eyebrow.

    Shen, tried to shrug, but ended up more of a wince, ¡°It¡¯s cold out on spring nights. I have sensitive ears so I like to bundle up.¡±

    ¡°You little lying-¡±

    ¡°Professor Guila, please.¡± The principal sighed and rubbed his temples, ¡°It is late, seeing as Shen has put a defense, incredibly unlikely yet still plausible, we¡¯ll have to review this case with the school board in the morning. As for you, Shen, you will return here tomorrow afternoon once classes are over, failure to comply will result in a worse punishment. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°Yes, principal Jackson.¡± Shen sighed in relief.

    The principle leaned in towards the desk, ¡°Shen I want you to know the only reason I haven¡¯t already expelled you is because of your uncle¡¯s station as the captain of the guard here in Emerald town, along with of course your father¡¯s position. But make no mistake, you are a shame to this academy and all who attend. Do you understand?¡±

    Shen stared at the principal silently, ¡°I understand.¡±

    ¡°Good, you may go.¡±

    Shen slowly got up, trying to ignore his aches and pains.

    ¡°Shen before you go.¡± Guila called out.

    He sighed inwardly, ¡°Yes, professor?¡±

    ¡°You have never been an avid student, not caring for any of my lectures, in fact you failed my class last semester. So, truly I am curious as to what question you had for me?¡± Guila smiled shrewdly.

    ¡°Ah, yes.¡± Shane grinned, ¡°I wanted to know how our Asterian army was implicated in the battle of Water Brooks.¡±

    Guila¡¯s smile faded, ¡°As the principal said, it¡¯s late. I will tell you about it some other time. That will be all Shen.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Shen said in spite. He walked out the principal¡¯s door, his uncle behind him.

    ¡°Captain Stone, always a pleasure.¡± The principal called out.

    ¡°I cannot say the same.¡± Captain Stone said coldly as he slammed the door shut.

    Shen and the captain walked to their carriage.

    ¡°Sorry, uncle, for making you come all the way here. I know you¡¯re busy.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped, after all I¡¯m in charge of keeping the peace in this town. And when I heard that my own nephew had pummeled a student to the infirmary I had to come and see what the trouble was. I¡¯d punish you,¡± The captain looked at Shen¡¯s swollen face and wobbly gait, ¡°but it seems you¡¯ve already done that yourself.¡±

    Shen couldn¡¯t argue with that. It was best if he left it there and be grateful that his uncle wasn¡¯t angrier with him. The rest of the walk was quiet. As Shen arrived he stumbled, his strength finally failing him. The captain grabbed him and helped him into the carriage. He then called out to the coachman who whipped the horses into a trot. Shen closed his eyes and tried to rest for a bit. Captain Stone looked out the window. After a few minutes, he finally spoke.

    ¡°Shen, he¡¯s wrong you know. You are not the shame of this school. In fact, you are one of the few gems here.¡±

    Shen laughed as gingerly as he could, ¡°Really? I beg to differ. Maybe John Jade, but me, come on, uncle. I don¡¯t need your pity.¡±

    ¡°Pity?¡± Captain Stone leaned forward and grabbed Shen¡¯s collar, ¡°Pity is the last thing I¡¯ll give you. You have grown up with some of the best tutors in all the empire, you¡¯ve walked among the noble courts, talked to some of the most powerful people in the world and been given greater opportunities then most men could dream of. And yet because of one minor setback you throw it all away, spending your time with the Fox¡¯s stupid son doing foolish shenanigans. No, I don¡¯t pity you. I¡¯m disappointed in you.¡±

    Shen grabbed his uncle¡¯s hands but couldn¡¯t remove them from his collar, ¡°One minor setback? You call this, living here, a minor setback? Please uncle, there is nothing minor about this. I tried and I failed. I failed my father. That¡¯s it. End of story.¡±

    Captain Stone let go of his collar and sat back. ¡°You have so much potential Shen. Sure, John is the heir of Duke Jade, but I believe you can do as much for this empire as he. If you put your mind to it. I know you Shen, I believe in you.¡±

    ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m not a quin, I can¡¯t just magically wave my hand and make things happen. I¡¯m not like you.¡±

    ¡°Shen, being a good quintessential user is the same as being a good soldier or just a good person. It isn¡¯t about what kind of power or how much of it you have. It¡¯s about what you choose to do with it. I believe in you because you¡¯re the kind of person who¡¯d forgo your escape to save some girl you didn¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°So, you believe me?¡±

    ¡°Of course. Why else would you have been caught after stealing that crazy woman¡¯s exam.¡± Captain Stone smiled knowingly.

    ¡°Haha. Yea, um. Well, guilty as charged I guess.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± The captain resumed his rigid posture.

    The next few minutes of the ride were silent. Both of them just looking out the window into the night sky. The midnight breeze cooled Shen¡¯s swollen face. It was calm, it was nice. And it was precisely these kinds of moments that made him want to stay here away from the courts, and the rest of his family.

    ¡°Hey, uncle?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Are you going to tell my dad what happened tonight?¡±

    ¡°Well, my older brother has a short fuse. So, I¡¯ll think about it. Depends on how you behave the rest of this semester.¡±

    ¡°¡­Thank you.¡±

    ¡°You are welcome. I do have one question. What was that about the ten jars of hazelnut chocolate?¡±

    Shen smiled, ¡°Well, uncle, it all started one late night. There was this girl and we were drinking-¡±

    ¡°You know what forget I asked.¡±

    Shen laughed. ¡°Hey, I have a question too.¡±

    ¡°What is it now?¡±

    ¡°Why is a quin like you-a decorated knight and soldier to boot-captain of the guard in a place like this?¡± Shen had been wondering this for a while. His uncle had arrived here a month after Shen. At first Shen was glad of seeing a familiar face, and had taken his uncle¡¯s deployment here as just good luck. But time had passed and his uncle, a valuable soldier, was still here.

    ¡°Your father wanted me to look after you. Why else.¡±

    Shen smiled tiredly, ¡°As reasonable as that sounds, my father isn¡¯t a reasonable person.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Shen didn¡¯t ask anymore, he knew he wouldn¡¯t get anymore answers from his uncle. That¡¯s just the kind of man he was. Shen closed his eyes, hopefully tomorrow would be a better day.

    ******

    Dek opened his bedroom door to find Erica eating breakfast. Which consisted of some eggs, bread, and meat.

    ¡°Any for me?¡± Dek yawned.

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Of course not,¡± Dek sat down and looked at Erica¡¯s right hand. No blue glow, not even a glimmer. It was seeming more and more likely it had just been a dream.

    ¡°Stop staring at me.¡±

    ¡°Huh, oh, sorry.¡± A few moments passed, ¡°Hey, Erica?¡±

    ¡°What is it? I¡¯m eating.¡±

    ¡°What do you know of quintessence user with the ability to turn invisible?¡±

    Erica put her fork down and looked at him, ¡°Are we gonna do this? Now? This early? While I¡¯m hungover?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t get hungover. And yes, I need to know. Please.¡± He added.

    Erica sighed, ¡°Alright, sure I¡¯ll humor you. There is no such thing as an invisible ability.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°Because being invisible would also rend the user blind, that¡¯s how light works, though granted there are many abilities that seem to defy logic and physics, nonetheless there are none with invisibility.¡±

    ¡°What about intangibility?¡±

    Erica stared at him, ¡°No. Now get going, you¡¯ll be late too school.¡±

    She was right, so Dek rose from the table and headed to school with an empty stomach. As he walked out from his apartment building he heard the town bell ring and realized he was already late for class. He ran as quick as he could to the mass of buildings in the distance that made up his new school. As he ran he realized he didn¡¯t know exactly how to get there through the winding streets and he ended up taking longer than intended. Though he did manage to see a small airship flying in the distance, he guessed rich kids really did go to Emerald Grand Ridge. Finally, he arrived at the school. He walked into the main building where he showed his papers to the secretary and was chastised for arriving late. Though, the secretary grudgingly showed him to his first class, ¡°Fundamentals of Ether¡±. She pushed him into the class and closed the door behind him. He found himself in front of a class of twenty some odd students, all staring at him.

    ¡°Ah, you must be the transfer student. I am professor Richard, please introduce yourself to the class.¡± The professor, a man with a grey beard, dressed in a suit ushered him to the front of the class. Dek reluctantly walked to the front.

    He cleared his throat, his fingers fidgeting at his sides, ¡°H-ey, Hello. My name is-¡± He tried to remember what his alias this time was, he couldn¡¯t recall the name. His mind was hazy, his body sweating from the long run he had just made, and he was already exhausted as it was. The strange dream from last night wasn¡¯t helping, nor was Erica¡¯s attitude this morning, damn would it kill her to act nice for once.

    ¡°Mr.?¡±

    ¡°Huh, what?¡± Dek realized he was still standing in front of all his peers and teacher. ¡°Oh, ahaha, um, well you can just call me Dek. Yeah, heh. Umm, I¡¯m seventeen, and come from the south of the empire. My hobby is drawing I guess?¡±

    ¡°Good enough, Mr. Dek. You may sit down over there.¡± Professor Richard pointed to a seat at the back.

    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Dek quickly walked to the back of the room, sat and placed his head down. He felt blood rush to his face. Dammit, he had never been good with people, but this time he had wanted it to be different. So much for that. They must think he was an idiot.

    ¡°I myself have visited the southern region of our great Asteri empire.¡± The professor continued,¡± It¡¯s a beautiful place. Some nights you can see concentrated ether currents in the night sky, it¡¯s marvelous. Now then class,¡± He raised a dark blue gem, ¡°Who can tell me what does this rock and the ether lights in the south have in common?¡±

    Dek didn¡¯t even bother to answer, this was rudimentary knowledge. He thought going to a prestigious school would offer more vast studies into ether, but he was wrong. This day was turning worse by the second.

    A beautiful girl quickly raised her hand.

    ¡°Yes, miss Emily.¡±

    ¡°Ether, known as the fifth element, is a very small substance only found in the form of gas particulates, invisible to the eye, despite its size it¡¯s found everywhere in the world. The southern mountains of Asteri create a natural current that cause-on certain nights-ether particulates to clump into larger particulates similar to snow, and since ether is naturally bioluminescent the numerous ¡°snowflakes¡± of ether are clumped up enough to shine in the night sky. Humanity has also learned with the aid of technology to create an artificial current to transmit ether particulates from the air into a concentrated stream, which we then contain into gems, such as the one in your hand professor.¡±

    ¡°Well, done Emily. An excellent explanation of ether, truly. Now-¡±

    ¡°Also,¡± Emily interrupted, ¡°ether has been known to be manipulated by few select humans-quintessence users, or quins for short-who can naturally use ether to create unique phenomena without the aid of any instruments or gems. It really is a wonder how they manage to do it.¡±

    ¡°That will be all, miss Emily.¡±

    ¡°But professor, how do they manipulate ether?¡± The attractive and clearly knowledgeable and most likely intelligent, definitely bold, girl asked.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t researched all of the details so far, however the knowledge we have gathered will not be shared today.¡±

    ¡°Oh, come on.¡± ¡°Please, professor.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± ¡°Actually, I¡¯d like to know.¡± Several students spoke wanting to know the answer. Others groaned in refusal.

    ¡°We will however go over some ether practical knowledge at a later date.¡±

    Emily smiled. Dek found a small grin forming on his own face, maybe today wouldn¡¯t be so bad after all.

 Entry 4: Alice

    Or maybe today would be terrible. Dek surmised as he walked into a large parlor where students where eating on the warm spring day. He had bought himself a simple sandwich from the cook at the caf¨¦ next to the parlor, but as he went to find a place to sit he noted how all the tables had at least one person on them. He slowly began making his way through the round tables.

    ¡°Hey you¡¯re the new kid, right?¡±

    Dek turned to see Emily, from class, motioning him towards her table. The table was already full, all except for one seat. At first, he walked slowly towards the seat but then quickly sat down, grateful to have the invite.

    ¡°Dek is it?¡± A boy asked.

    ¡°Um, yea. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°John Jade. This is Emily Roseglade, Lena Keen, and Taegen Hillow.¡± John pointed towards the other three sitting at the table. Everyone had last names, the symbol of being highborn, a noble. Dek was reminded again of where he was. He had never been in the company of four nobles.

    ¡°So, have you really seen the ether lights?¡± Lena asked.

    Dek suddenly found his mouth dry, dammit, why now. She was just a cute girl, just a person, like anyone else. Well, except for the fact that she was a noble, so not like every other person, in fact her dad could possibly order his execution if he so much as touched this girl, possibly, well maybe not. He wasn¡¯t really sure about all the rules that applied to nobility. Dammit, he had to answer the question.

    ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± Though, him coming from the south of the empire was a cover, he still had visited the region and seen the lights with his parents at one point in time.

    They all stared at Dek.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s it like?¡± Lena pressed.

    ¡°Um, beautiful I guess? Well, now that I think about it I did draw a sketch of it so yeah, I guess it¡¯s worth the trip to see it at least once.¡±

    ¡°Wait, so that thing about you drawing is true then?¡± John asked.

    ¡°Well, yeah. I like to draw, been doing it since I was a kid.¡±

    The teenagers laughed, save for Emily who tried not to but still managed a smile. Dek was confused and suddenly felt like the pun of a joke.

    ¡°Dek, drawing is totally a woman¡¯s art. Men don¡¯t draw. The nobility must be laughing their asses off to no end about you.¡± Taegen said between laughs.

    ¡°Why?¡± Dek asked defensively, ¡°I¡¯m not a noble, why should I care.¡±

    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re actually not a noble?¡± Emily asked surprised.

    ¡°Yeah, I said my name was Dek didn¡¯t I?¡± Dammit, Carl, that was the name his alias credentials had put him as. Now he remembered.

    ¡°Well, we thought you were just giving some kind of cover or title or something, you know, how like knights with their sobriquets or in plays or whatever¡­ Dramatic flair kind of thing, you know?¡± Emily explained.

    ¡°I mean who actually has a name like Dek?¡± Lena said.

    ¡°W-well it¡¯s short for-

    ¡°Deck of cards?¡± Taegen laughed, as did Lena.

    ¡°Hey come on guy¡¯s he¡¯s a commoner. Who knows what kind of names they have,¡± John tried to calm the situation.

    Bad move, Dek thought. He may not have been good with relationships but he had learned in the past two years to be wary, and with that came a sense of knowing when a predator was about to pounce on its prey.

    ¡°Of course, a commoner, they all do have some crazy ideas. We can¡¯t hold them to our standards. But truly, I wonder what kind of illness must have plagued your father to name you. Oh, maybe he was a fisherman, naming you after the deck of a boat perhaps? Which means he was delirious, probably had scurvy.¡± Taegen guessed. Lena laughed, which seemed to be his goal.

    ¡°Guys come on,¡± Emily said.

    Dek had been na?ve, to think he could make some friends right off the bat, if at all, and especially with nobles. He¡¯d normally never be so careless, but he was tired and happy to be at this school. He chastised himself but retorted anyway, ¡°My mother named me.¡±

    Which somehow prompted Taegen and Lena to glance at each other and enter another bout of laughter.

    ¡°Hey, sorry about these two idiots, ignore them.¡± John placated.

    Dek had suddenly remembered why he wasn¡¯t good with people. It wasn¡¯t just that he didn¡¯t take social cues very well, or that he simply wasn¡¯t good with relationships, well maybe a bit. But in general, he disliked people. He rather be alone, or so he told himself. But this time he had wanted to try and make some friends. He looked at the nobles laughing faces, he was wrong. Dek was reminded of all those people. Of all of those who simply watched as his life had been torn from him.

    ¡°No need,¡± Dek responded, stood up, grabbed his sandwich and walked away.

    Emily looked at her two laughing friends, ¡°Really? Making fun of the new kid, real mature.¡±

    ¡°Oh, come on, he¡¯s just a commoner, so what if we poke a bit of fun. No harm done. Besides you thought it was funny too.¡± Lena shrugged.

    John got up and glared, ¡°You two shame your houses. You¡¯re not fit to be called noble.¡±

    Lena¡¯s face paled in fear. Taegan got up and glared back at John, ¡°You take that back, or I¡¯ll-¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll do what? Come on tell me, Hillow. Last time I recalled your father was a baron, no?¡±

    Taegan¡¯s eyes widened and he realized his situation and mistake, he slowly looked away and sat down.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡± John said, he stretched his hand out to Emily, ¡°Coming?¡±

    ¡°Of course, love.¡± Emily grabbed his hand and the pair walked off.

    ******

    The next day of school was not better for Shen. He woke up with even more pain than when he had gone to sleep, and though the swelling on his face had gone down he now had a black eye. Every time he took a step he could feel the pain of his bruised balls. Shen¡¯s uncle had sent a doctor to the dorms this morning to attend to his wounds. The doctor had diagnosed him with a cracked rib and a mild concussion. He had given Shen a vial of liquid that he had to drink once every day, it¡¯d help with the pain or so he said. Shen didn¡¯t believe it since he had trouble breathing and walking just from the dorm to his classroom. The class stared at his eyes and began to whisper amongst each other, Shen simply walked to his desk. Normally, he¡¯d care about what some of these people thought about him, but right now all he could think of was trying to ignore the pain coursing through his body.

    After class, several students asked him of what had happened to his face. They had heard several rumors. Of how he had attacked a fellow noble. The accounts were different. In one he had attacked a man who was escorting his girlfriend back to his dorm. In another he had gotten into a fight with a delinquent. The most absurd rumor Shen heard though was about how he had jumped off the professor¡¯s tower and landed on a man¡¯s girlfriend, killing her and instigating a fight between both men. Shen had been surprised that the rumors had travelled so far, he guessed that¡¯s how it was, being amongst nobles. It seemed that half of the rumors had somehow been started by Alan Cordon, who had woken up, though no one had seen him out of his rooms yet. Shen just shrugged off most of the rumors and simply implied that he had been in a fight and that he may or may not have, though most likely, beaten up Alan. Shen didn¡¯t personally know the guy, turned out he was a fourth year, but what he did know was that he was a prick. Not uncommon among nobles, but still. What kind of person would randomly attack you, even if drunk. Maybe if it was war sure, but dammit, why were there so many nobles that were stuck up. In many ways Shen hated the nobility, despite being one himself. They weren¡¯t all bad of course, but that in fact just made it worse. It made Shen feel conflicted more than anything.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    After morning classes Shen decided to get some lunch at the caf¨¦. As he walked down the steps he heard a voice that stopped him in his tracks.

    ¡°Yoooo, Shen wait up!¡±

    He turned around, his eye began to twitch at the sight, ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. I see a ghost.¡±

    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m alive. My amazing acrobatic skills have kept me safe and sound.¡± Jack smiled.

    Shen looked at his cheeky smile and then at his broken foot which was covered in a cast, then to his crutch, then back to his face.

    ¡°Well, safe and sound relatively speaking.¡± Jack said limping up to his best friend.

    ¡°Nope, you died. The Jack I knew was an idiot who jumped off a damn tower.¡±

    ¡°I did jump but I¡¯m alive. I grabbed the rope.¡±

    ¡°I remember his last moments as he flew like a bird.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still here. Hey don¡¯t walk away from me!¡±

    ¡°You may have never been a phantom thief, nor a particularly good thief. But you have turned into a wonderful phantom.¡±

    ¡°Hey, I said don¡¯t *pant* Dammit, stop walking.¡±

    Shen did eventually stop, but not for Jack. His own ribs were killing him, every breath was painful.

    Jack eventually caught up, ¡°*pant* Wow, I need cardio. *pant* Damn. But, at least *pant* I don¡¯t look like *pant* shit.¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡±

    ¡°I mean damn did *pant* did a lama attack you or what.¡±

    ¡°There are no lamas this far north.¡±

    ¡°Really, I could have sworn I saw some the other day.¡±

    ¡°Jack.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they were these weird masked guys riding them. I mean it was weird enough riding a damn lama, but hey I don¡¯t judge.¡±

    ¡°While I¡¯m glad you¡¯re alright and a strange way admire your guts for jumping through an eight-story window, I need to ask-¡±

    ¡°Yes, your face is pretty messed up. I don¡¯t think you¡¯re going to get any girls wanting to go to the summer ball with that face.¡±

    ¡°Jack, I will take your crutch and force you to hop back to the dorms.¡±

    Jack laughed, ¡°Please, you act as if you could take it from me. Hey by the way, I heard you got caught, you didn¡¯t by any chance¡­¡±

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t give you up. Obviously.¡±

    ¡°Of course, cool, cool.¡± He looked at Shen¡¯s face, ¡°So, um what did happen anyway?¡±

    ¡°Well, after you¡¯re attempted suicide jump, I ran down the tower. Eventually I got to the first floor and came across this drunk hitting on a girl, though she wasn¡¯t interested. So, I told the guy to back off, then he started hitting on me. Literally.¡±

    ¡°Of course, always the hero. So, did you win?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, though not before taking some hits myself. It was my fault for letting my guard down like a fool.¡± Shen chastised himself.

    ¡°Well, at least you won. So, who was the idiot who dared mess with a Stone?¡±

    ¡°Alan Cordon.¡±

    ¡°Just like the rumors, eh? I hear that guy hits on anything that moves. Stuck up ass, but what else can you expect from a firstborn. Just because they inherit the titles they always think the world has to obey their every wish.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well. That¡¯s just the way it is I guess. And now I got in trouble because of it.¡±

    ¡°At least you helped that girl? Was she hot?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Shen scratched his head.

    Jack laughed, ¡°So she was eh? What¡¯s her name?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Jack stopped walking, ¡°Dude, what? You took a beating for this girl and you don¡¯t even know her name?¡±

    ¡°Hey man, it wasn¡¯t like that. The girl was a bitch, she kicked me in the balls after I helped her.¡±

    Jack laughed, ¡°Seriously? Dude you first let some idiot get the jump on you and then you let a girl kick you in the balls. Man, your rep is going to suffer for this.¡±

    Shen sighed in defeat, ¡°Don¡¯t even remind me. It hasn¡¯t been going well for me. At least we got the history exam.¡±

    ¡°¡­Um¡­ Actually, you see.¡±

    Shen slowly turned around, ¡°What? Don¡¯t you dare tell me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, when I jumped out the window I grabbed the rope but I smacked right into the tower, and kind of dropped the papers, and they might have been blown away in the wind, and possibly be lost. For good.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re dead to me.¡± Shen went for Jack¡¯s crutch, but he did a spin and dodged Shen¡¯s grasp. Shen lunged at Jack, but he hopped away.

    Jack raised his arms, ¡°Now I know your mad, but hey professor Guila will probably change the exam now that she thinks we stole it, which we did.¡±

    Shen did a quick jab and punched Jack right in the nose.

    ¡°Ahhh! Dammit!¡± He screamed in pain and spun in circles holding his bleeding nose with one hand.

    Shen ripped the crutch from his stunned friend¡¯s hand. He flipped it then swung down, sweeping Jack right off from his feet. He landed with a loud thud and groan. The nearby students looked on in surprise, no doubt this would create even more rumors. Seeing his friend on the ground was the first moment of happiness Shen had all day. He began walking to the caf¨¦ once more, Jack trailing behind and failing.

    As he arrived at the caf¨¦ he paused. He couldn¡¯t believe his luck. Maybe today would be better after all. He walked up to the table in the corner of the caf¨¦ and sat across the only other person there.

    ¡°We meet again.¡± Shen stared at the surprised girl. Her oak colored eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°It¡¯s you. From last night.¡±

    Shen looked at the girl who had kicked him and left him gasping in pain. She was the whole reason he was caught and beat up in the first place. She put her fork down and moved her plain salad to the side.

    ¡°So, miss¡­?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your name, first?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know it? After all the rumors running around about the fight last night, because of you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t keep up with the gossip. And if I recall you started that fight with your threats to the other guy.¡±

    ¡°Only because he was harassing you.¡±

    The girl glared at him, ¡°I had it under control, I didn¡¯t need you butting in.¡±

    ¡°Oh really? And how would you do that. Your what?¡± Shen looked her up and down. He was surprised to see she was wearing pants, an uncommon choice for a noble lady. She also wore a short-sleeved blouse, which displayed her bronze arms. Though they were toned they weren¡¯t particularly muscular either. ¡°Five feet? Last I recalled the average noble lady doesn¡¯t attend combat classes either.¡±

    ¡°I handled you pretty, well didn¡¯t I?¡±

    The insult hurt more than he had expected. ¡°I was just caught unaware. I mean what kind of ungrateful person kicks the guy who just helped them!¡±

    ¡°The kind of person that witnesses the other beat a man to a bloody pulp. Then with their bloody hands tries to grab you! What else did you think I was going to do?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well. Dammit, you just don¡¯t kick someone in the balls.¡±

    ¡°Then don¡¯t put your hands on a woman without their damn permission!¡±

    Shen sighed he was tired and in more pain than he had realized. The walk over here wasn¡¯t helping. ¡°Yeah, fair point. Still shouldn¡¯t have kicked me. I got busted thanks to you leaving me incapacitated.¡±

    The girl sat silently, she hadn¡¯t expected him to actually relent. ¡°I didn¡¯t know. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She actually seemed regretful.

    Shen lost focus for a moment, his concussion was making him feel disoriented. He found his eyes began to wander and settle on her well-rounded breasts.

    ¡°Or not.¡± The girl stated irritably.

    ¡°Hm, what? Oh sorry, just a bit tired, got hit in the head.¡± Shen looked up and pointed to his temple. ¡°Because of you.¡±

    ¡°What is it you want?¡± She gestured to him.

    ¡°Shen, my name is Shen Stone. And you?¡±

    ¡°Alice.¡±

    ¡°Alice, got it. And your family name?¡±

    Her glare somehow became worse, ¡°Don¡¯t have one.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Oh, I see. Ummm¡­¡± Shen didn¡¯t know how to respond.

    ¡°What. Do. You. Want?¡± Alice got up from the table.

    Shen quickly opened up his backpack, ¡°I wanted to return your book.¡± It had a blue cover and was titled, ¡°Biological Studies of Permaculture.¡± He looked at it and grimaced, ¡°Sorry I got some blood on it.¡±

    Alice looked at the book and groaned, ¡°Ah man, seriously? You had to get blood on it? The librarian is going to charge me a fortune to fix this.¡±

    ¡°Well, the library fees can¡¯t be that bad.¡± Shen couldn¡¯t understand, she got her book back. What was the problem with this girl.

    Alice¡¯s grip on the book tightened, ¡°Not everyone has money to throw around.¡±

    ¡°Oh, sorry. What I meant was-¡±

    ¡°Oi! Dammit, Shen, give me back my crutch!¡± Jack shouted from behind.

    Shen turned around to see his friend hopping his way towards him.

    ¡°Persistent jerk.¡± Shen muttered, by the time he turned back Alice was gone.

 Entry 5: Ethereal

    Shen waited outside the principal¡¯s door. The wooden frame was ornamented with gold lining, and the wood was carved in the shape of whirling winds. It was beautiful, but Shen found himself thinking on Alice. He wasn¡¯t sure why but she intrigued him more than any of the noble ladies he had met so far. Maybe it was because she wasn¡¯t a noble, but a commoner. He hadn¡¯t met many commoners. Except for the servants back home. Shen supposed that probably was the reason, Alice was different than the others he had met. She wasn¡¯t tall like most noble ladies, nor did she have the bright red hair that was found in so many of the nobility. Well neither did he, but most of the nobility dyed their hair to red if they could. He wasn¡¯t used to the girls here treating him with such disrespect. That in itself was strange at the academy but Shen was no stranger to the treatment. But it didn¡¯t matter, Alice was crazy and that was something he wasn¡¯t about to mess with.

    The principal¡¯s door swung open. Guila stood there, grudgingly ushering Shen inside. He took a breath, let¡¯s get this over with, shall we, he thought. Upon entering he was faced with the entire school board along with to his surprise, his uncle.

    ¡°Please have a seat, Shen.¡± Principal Jackson gestured.

    Shen took a seat and wondered why his uncle was here now.

    The principal cleared his throat and began, ¡°The board reviewed your case, but before we could agree upon a decision several incidents happened. The main one being of a student named Alice. She came in about two hours ago and testified to your account of the fight that occurred last night. We wanted to verify to see if she was telling the truth, at which point Alice showed us the same bloodied book you had carried the night before when we found you. After speaking with the head librarian, we discovered that Alice had indeed borrowed the book from the library last night a few minutes prior to the incident. We also looked into Alan Cordon¡¯s record. He has had four infractions of harassment towards the woman of the school along with two infractions of aggressive behavior. Not to mention the doctor who attended him confirmed that he was drunk.¡± The principal sighed, ¡°As such we have deemed that you were telling the truth of the fight last night. You are innocent on that account.¡±

    Shen was shocked. He hadn¡¯t expected the mean-spirited Alice to have actually stood up for him, especially not after the way they had parted. It made Shen see her in a new light. And it was just his luck that Alan Cordon was an idiot who had been caught for the same thing several times before. Well, not like Shen hadn¡¯t been caught with other infractions himself, but that was beside the point. He was free.

    ¡°As for the theft of professor Guila¡¯s exam.¡± Or not.

    The principal continued, ¡°There was no conclusive evidence. But seeing as none of us are idiots, and with your past record you will still be punished.¡± Jackson glanced at captain Stone, ¡°However after being advised of the hope of your improvement Shen, we have decided to be lenient. You will be placed on probation until the end of the semester. But, any more infractions will lead to your suspension and worse. Do I make myself clear Shen?¡±

    Shen tried to hold in his smile, ¡°Yes, principal Jackson.¡±

    ¡°Shen, I am rewriting the history exam. Seeing as we all believe in your ability to succeed I will expect you to pass my exam with flying marks.¡± Guila smiled.

    ¡°That will be all Shen. You may leave.¡± The principal stated.

    Shen ignored Guila and got up from his seat. He looked at his uncle and nodded faintly towards him. Shen couldn¡¯t tell if he noticed, for he stood still and didn¡¯t even look at him. As the door slammed behind him, Shen stood there for a moment. All in all, things had gone a lot better than he had hoped. He gingerly stretched his aching body. And headed down stairs, when he walked out of the building he was met with a smiling face.

    ¡°So how did it go?¡± Jack asked. He was reclining next to the wall. His crutch back in his hand.

    ¡°How long have you been waiting there?¡±

    ¡°Eternity. So, how was it?¡±

    ¡°Alright I guess. I only got probation so that¡¯s nice.¡±

    ¡°What seriously, how did you manage that?¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe it but remember that girl I was telling you about.¡±

    ¡°You mean the crazy peasant girl?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, her. Turns out she testified for me. My uncle also seemed to have a talk with the school board so that helped.¡±

    ¡°Well, congrats man. I told you everything would work out. All part of the plan.¡±

    Shen give Jack a look, ¡°Really? Cause all I remember of the plan was your ass flying out the window.¡±

    Jack shrugged, ¡°Don¡¯t sweat the little things. Anyway, it must be nice to have a quin have your back like that.¡±

    ¡°Yeah I guess. My uncle is probably the nicest person I know.¡±

    ¡°Wait your uncle, captain Stone, ser Hector the Bloody Mist, is the nicest man you know? Are you daft?¡±

    ¡°No. I mean, yeah, sure he¡¯s a soldier.¡±

    Jack stared at him, an incredulous look on his face.

    ¡°Ok, a very good soldier. Anyway, he¡¯s always looked out for me. He¡¯s one of the few people in my family I actually admire.¡±

    ¡°Dude, I don¡¯t want to ever meet your family.¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t.¡± Shen spoke with a trace of anger or sadness. Jack wasn¡¯t sure which.

    ¡°Well, I have some stuff I¡¯ve got to take care of but I¡¯m glad you¡¯re alright Shen.¡±

    ¡°The infamously lazy Jack Foxe has stuff to take care of?¡±

    Jack smiled, his white teeth showing that characteristic cheeky smile, ¡°Hey, I¡¯m a busy man. I¡¯ve got a reputation to keep.¡±

    After leaving Jack behind, Shen made his way to the library. There he found the head librarian and asked her about the book ¡°Biological Studies of Permaculture.¡± She explained to him that the book was currently not available as it had been damaged. Shen then offered to pay the cost of repairing the book and even gave extra, as an incentive to have the book fixed more quickly. After the librarian took the generous donation she told him the book would be ready in a few days. He thanked her and left.

    ******

    In the end Dek found a small room in the corner of one of the school¡¯s wings. It seemed a good place as any to eat lunch. The room itself was dusty, desks were stacked upon one another, a storage room then, and probably not in use. That is until he noticed a young man sitting in a desk in the corner, eating his own food. Contrary to the room the desk he sat in was immaculately clean. The man had dusky grey hair and a dark complexion, and bright amber eyes, that quickly glanced up at Dek.

    ¡°Leave,¡± the man¡¯s reply came immediately.

    Dek had had it. He was angry from the earlier humiliation and the recalling of old memories. He didn¡¯t care for the nobles and he wasn¡¯t about to be bullied by one now. Dek ignored the command and went to the other corner of the room, sat down and began eating his sandwich.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    The man got up, ¡°I said leave.¡±

    Dek wasn¡¯t a fighting man, far from it. He didn¡¯t know how to fight. He wasn¡¯t strong, nor particularly tall. Dek knew how to run though. His weapons were his intelligence and his iron will. But this stranger was tall and who knew if he was strong, he wasn¡¯t particularly big but he wasn¡¯t lanky either. Dek¡¯s instincts told him to back off and leave, but at this moment he was too tired and angry to care. And so instead of being quiet and leaving he looked up, ¡°I¡¯m going to eat my damn sandwich whether you like it or not.¡± But what actually came out was, ¡°Fuck you.¡± Shit, he had messed up, why did he say that, he should have said something to defuse the situation not escalate it. Oh, man now he had to run, but the stranger was closer to the door, could he make it without getting caught? No, better idea. Wait for the guy to respond then throw the sandwich into his face, then run. Yes, that¡¯d work. The stranger raised his hands, Dek raised his sandwich.

    The man laughed, ¡°Alright, ser Dek, you got some balls. I¡¯ll give you that. Eat your damn sandwich, but next time you insult me I¡¯ll break your fucking nose.¡±

    The man sat down and continued to eat. Dek slowly followed suit. The rest of the day passed in a haze for Dek. He didn¡¯t talk to anyone in class nor did anyone try to talk to him, though he did catch some whispers of people saying he was a commoner, of course, news traveled fast in schools. Dek did notice however that the man who threatened to break his face was in his class, which would explain how he knew his name. Despite their previous encounter the man did not glance at him once. Which suited Dek just fine. He didn¡¯t want to be friends with any of these people. Once the school day was over he headed home. Or at least where he was currently living. He didn¡¯t bother looking at the town scenery or even visit the town market, a particular favorite pastime of his. Only giving a glance every now and then to make sure no one was following him. For the most part, he simply kept his head down and walked.

    Dek walked into his apartment to find Erica tinkering with her mask. The helm was egg shaped and dyed in several shades of black and grey. Two silver discs, with dozens of grooves etched in each, culminating in a small orange gem in the middle, were attached to the sides of the mask. They served a special function for Erica, though she had never fully explained what it particularly did, though Dek knew it somehow helped Erica with her ability. The helm itself was made from several alloys that helped stop an ether blast, or so he was told. Erica was too skilled to have ever gotten shot in the first place.

    ¡°I¡¯m back. How have you been?¡±

    Erica gave a cursory glance and nod then continued working.

    ¡°Problem with the mask?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m just fine tuning it. We¡¯ve entered a dangerous place; many eyes will be upon you. On the possible chance, you or I are recognized I¡¯d like to be prepared.¡± Erica explained.

    ¡°Got it, well I¡¯m pretty tired so I¡¯m just gonna go knock out.¡±

    Dek laid on his bed thinking of the day¡¯s events. The school¡¯s education had been adequate if not entirely all he had hoped for. Nonetheless, the day had not gone nearly as well as he had imagined. Life always had a way of surprising his expectations, mostly with bad results. The only thing that was consistent was Erica, even if that consistency took the form of being cold and harsh most of the time, she was still there, which was more than Dek could ask for. He closed his eyes and hoped tomorrow would be a better day.

    He woke up to find himself in the dark once again. He got up and noted that there was a faint blue glow surrounding him. He took a few deep breaths, ¡°Ok, let¡¯s do this.¡±

    He got up from bed and took a look at his surroundings. He hadn¡¯t fallen several stories, he was still in his room. His back pack was in the corner, his bed was still next to the window, and his body was still in bed.

    ¡°What the hell?!¡± Dek jumped back as he saw his own dead body lying in bed. He really had become a ghost. Or was he? Dek slowly walked back to the bed and saw himself sprawled on the bed, his limbs bent at an awkward angle and saliva drooling down his chin. But he was breathing, which was nice. Note to self, work on sleeping posture. Still, though, this seemed pretty real even as his ethereal hand went right through his sleeping body. So not dreaming or dead, just a ghost, or ghostlike he surmised. He tried to open his bedroom door only to have his hand slip through, taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and walked through the door. He found himself in the empty living room, Erica nowhere to be found. Dek looked around the apartment, touching anything, from the table to dishes or the screwdriver Erica had left. His hands went through everything as if they weren¡¯t there. He eventually walked into the bathroom and stared at the mirror, there was no reflection. Not a ghost, he told himself, not a ghost.

    After touring the small apartment Dek decided to go to the one place he had yet to visit. This time he walked through the door without closing his eyes. And found himself in Erica¡¯s room. She was sleeping in her bed, her hand still glowing purple and her pale golden hair curled around her head. The moonlight made the hair seem aglow, she seemed majestic, almost ethereal. Dek sighed, he really had to work on his sleeping posture.

    ¡°Though, I¡¯m the ethereal one, aren¡¯t I, Erica.¡±

    She didn¡¯t stir. Dek stared at her face, she really was beautiful. When they would go to new places they¡¯d always have to pose as siblings, seeing as Erica was in her mid-twenties, and Dek was seventeen. It seemed the reasonable choice, except their appearance. Erica had pale skin, grey eyes, and platinum hair, and though she wasn¡¯t tall she had large curves. Dek on the other hand was skinny bordering on scrawny, his hair was a dull red, complemented by his olive complexion, and dark brown eyes. The two of them had nothing in common. But somehow, they had kept the sibling charade up, or well maybe they didn¡¯t, seeing as they kept having to move.

    Dek pondered such things as he looked at her sleeping form, normally she¡¯d hate it when Dek stared. But at this moment she couldn¡¯t even see him, let alone be aware of him. Usually he would try to be aware of his surroundings, be wary of the people he walked by, and always be ready to run at a moment¡¯s notice. But for once, in a long time, he simply watched Erica¡¯s body rise and fall. Erica may treat him badly most of the time, but she had stayed through it all, she cared, even if she didn¡¯t show it, and that was enough for Dek. As long as they were together he was confident they could make it through this harsh world. He went to brush Erica¡¯s golden hair only to have his hands fall through.

    ¡°Dammit,¡± Dek cursed in frustration. He wished he could touch something, anything really. Then it hit him. He had touched the tunnel walls last night, and right now his feet were touching the ground. He could touch things. Armed with the realization he cautiously tried touching Erica¡¯s faint glowing purple hand, it felt warm and soft like any regular hand. He touched the other hand, it felt the same. Nothing happened this time around.

    He tried to touch Erica¡¯s hair once more and succeeded. He could feel the strands of her hair, but when he went to brush it he couldn¡¯t. So, he could touch things just not affect them.

    ¡°So, I don¡¯t even get all the ghost powers, huh?¡± But wait, what if he really did have some ghost like powers. Dek stuck his head out the window and looked at the ground thirty feet below. Maybe, just maybe. I mean what was the worst that could happen, fall to his death? I mean could he even be hurt? He fell a greater distance last night and he was fine, so hopefully not? Dek took a deep breath, clapped his hands, rubbed them together, and took a few steps back, he could do this. Dek sprinted past the wall and into the night air, his body felt light, almost weightless, as he looked out at town stretched out beneath him, and the academy in the distance. Then he fell, his body hurtling to the ground faster than he could scream, ¡°Ahhhh!¡± He smashed into the ground, his body making not a single noise as it connected to the ground, well except for his screams that didn¡¯t stop for several seconds. Gasping for breath Dek realized he was alright, unharmed in fact, except for his pride. So, he couldn¡¯t fly, check.

    He glanced around to see if anyone was watching. Seeing the coast clear Dek quickly got up, and walked down the street and pretended nothing had happened. Despite being invisible to others he still kept a watchful eye for anyone who might be watching, he was being hunted and he didn¡¯t know the extent of his ability after all. There were few people up and about at this hour, most of them coming in and out of the local bar. Dek popped in for a bit and observed the drunk folks, no one noticed him. He then explored the streets of Emerald town, finding different ways to get to school or home faster and where less eyes would be watching. Erica had taught him it was never good to have anyone know where you lived. After a few hours of sightseeing Dek¡¯s vision blurred and he woke up in his bedroom, exhausted. He groaned in fatigue.

    He grudgingly got out of bed and made his way to the kitchen. Erica was there eating some toast and coffee, a second cup of coffee steamed on the counter. Dek grabbed it and sat down, sipping his coffee in silence.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what was that Dek?¡± Erica looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Hm, what?¡±

    ¡°¡¯What¡¯, nothing. ¡®Thank you so much for the coffee Erica,¡¯ ungrateful brat.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah, um, ¡®Thank you so much for the coffee Erica.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Better,¡± Erica¡¯s thin lips curled up in a smile.

    ¡°Erica, I was wondering if you knew about quins users with out-of-body-experiences or abilities or something.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s up with these questions recently. Did something happen?¡±

    ¡°N-no, not at all I was just curious. After all, we might go against quins later might as well be prepared, uh, right?¡±

    Erica stared at him, ¡°Uh-huh. Well, there is no way to be prepared for what you¡¯re asking about. There are a few people that have an ability known as astral projection. It allows them to disconnect their consciousness from their body using ether particles as a vessel, and scout out the surrounding areas and spy on one¡¯s enemies. Quite useful and practically impossible to detect. So, if we are being spied on we¡¯ll have no way to know. So, let me know if something happens.¡±

    ¡°Yeah for sure. Thanks for telling me. Is there anything in particular they can do, like I don¡¯t know shoot lightning bolts from their hands or something?¡±

    ¡°What? No, you idiot, of course not. The range of powers of an ability varies slightly from one person to the next but it doesn¡¯t diverge that much. Now drink your coffee, you have to go to school.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah, got it. Thanks for telling me. I¡¯ll hurry up, don¡¯t want to get late to school.¡±

    Erica calmly sipped her coffee, ¡°You already are.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

 Entry 6: Mangoes and Lemons

    ¡°Ah, the smell of fresh fruit, simmering meat, and the oh so delectable sugary desserts. I can¡¯t understand how you could possibly not love the market.¡± Jack waved his around the crowded street.

    ¡°Because I prefer my food cooked by cooks.¡± Shen repeated for the umpteenth time.

    ¡°But,¡± Jack raised a finger, ¡°What do you do those times you feel like cooking something yourself.¡±

    ¡°I remember that I can¡¯t cook.¡±

    ¡°*Sigh* What would you do without me? No worries, my inept friend, I¡¯ll cook dinner tonight. I¡¯m thinking of making some chicken marinated in mango sauce and yoghurt with a side of seasoned rice and steamed vegetables. Trust me, you¡¯ll love it.¡±

    ¡°Sure, sure, but remind me why I¡¯m here again?¡±

    ¡°Because we¡¯ve spent the last few days eating in that damn caf¨¦, thanks to your incessant wishes. I¡¯m tired of that food, I want something fresh for once. And seeing as I have a broken foot and one of my hands is occupied I need your help carrying the produce.¡±

    ¡°You could have just brought a servant along.¡± Shen complained.

    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s the citrus fruit stall, perfect.¡± Jack limped towards the stall.

    Shen hurried to follow, before the flow of the crowd swept him away.

    ¡°Hello Mr. Jack!¡± A high pitched yet soft voice spoke. Shen finally arrived to see Jack speaking to a young girl no older than ten.

    ¡°Why hello there, Lily. Is your mother available?¡± Jack smiled.

    ¡°U-huh. I¡¯ll go get her.¡±

    ¡°Before you go,¡± Jack pulled out a lollipop from his pocket, ¡°Remember, keep it a secret from your dad.¡±

    Lily¡¯s eyes widened in delight as Jack handed her the candy. She quickly undid the wrapper and popped it into her mouth. The little girl¡¯s black bangs covered her eyes as she nodded her head in agreement. She quickly ran off to fetch her mother.

    ¡°You know that girl?¡± Shen asked genuinely curious.

    Jack looked at Shen oddly. ¡°Of course. It¡¯d do you some good to meet some of the locals yourself, especially if you want to really find out what happened to that crazy girl you keep pretending not to care about.¡±

    ¡°What, no I¡¯m not.¡± Shen quickly retorted.

    ¡°Sure thing, I mean it must have just been coincidence why we keep having to eat at the caf¨¦ then eh?¡±

    ¡°Jack, it¡¯s a pleasure to see you again.¡± An attractive middle-aged woman appeared. She wore a brown apron, with a few light stains here and there. Her dark hair was wrapped in a bun. Though there were wrinkles appearing in the corners of her lacquered brown eyes, they did not detract from her beauty, only enhanced it. Her round cheeks formed a smile, her pearly teeth a stark contrast to her bronze skin. Not once among the royal courts had he seen someone smile like this woman, it was as if she had no cares in the world, an innocence like a child. It was bizarre and yet beautiful.

    ¡°Ah, madam Emelia, you are more beautiful than when I lost saw you.¡± Jack smiled.

    Emelia laughed, ¡°Oh please, silver tongue, I¡¯m not getting any younger. But I appreciate the compliment. You know you best be careful with those candies you give Lily. My husband hates it when she eats sugar. She¡¯ll run around the house for hours before finally falling asleep.¡±

    ¡°Not to worry madam, I have instructed Lily to not say a word to your husband of my involvement.¡±

    Emelia laughed once more. ¡°So, milord, what can I get for you today.¡±

    ¡°I am in need of four mangos, five lemons, and ten oranges.¡±

    ¡°As you wish. We just brought in a new batch of oranges, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love them. Though they¡¯re still in the back. One moment. Lily, tell your sister to bring in a sack of ten oranges please.¡±

    ¡°Yes, mommy,¡± Lily ran off.

    ¡°Milord, if I may ask, what on earth happened to your leg?¡± Emelia questioned as she gazed at the cast.

    Jack made a wide smile, ¡°Well you see madam, I was in the middle of a dangerous robbery.¡± Shen did a double take, he couldn¡¯t believe what his friend was saying.

    ¡°No,¡± Emelia placed her hand to her chest, mock worry on her face.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Indeed, my valiant friend here, Shen Stone, and I were stealing secrets from a vile witch. Failure would mean the expelling of our lives in these lands.¡±

    ¡°How dangerous, go on.¡±

    ¡°Well, madam,¡± Jack leaned into the stall, ¡°Lady luck was not on our side. Alas the witch found us in the midst of her lair, her secrets in my hands. It was at this point Shen shouted, ¡®Save yourself my comrade! I shall fend off the witch.¡¯¡±

    Shen rolled his eyes. But Jack and Emelia didn¡¯t notice and so he went on, ¡°But to my dismay while Shen fought the witch, she had barred the door. So, I did the only thing I could, I jumped out of the window.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Emelia gasped dramatically.

    ¡°Yes, and to my blessing Lady Luck had returned and I flew on the clouds and down to safety. Relatively speaking. The brave and skillful Shen was able to break free from the witch though as you can tell he suffered great injury.¡±

    Shen was about to call Jack on his lie, but before he could Emelia turned to him and grabbed his hand, ¡°You truly are a brave man. To have risked your life for your friend like that.¡±

    Shen could feel his cheeks turning red, ¡°Yes, well. It was nothing really.¡±

    ¡°Mom, I brought the fruit. What are you doing here?¡± Alice stared at Shen, ¡°And why are you grabbing my mother¡¯s hands?¡±

    ¡°Alice.¡± Shen¡¯s jaw slackened at the surprise of seeing her here. He looked at the smiling Emelia. Of course, how couldn¡¯t he tell. The two were practically sisters. But they were, ¡°She¡¯s your mother¡­¡±

    ¡°Do you know my dear Alice?¡± Emelia tilted her head in curiosity.

    ¡°W-well, sort of. We¡¯ve met. Twice.¡±

    ¡°Wait. Alice, is the girl you¡¯ve been telling me about?¡± Jack asked, his eyes widened in understanding.

    ¡°I don¡¯t follow,¡± Emelia spoke while glancing between her daughter and Shen.

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story. I¡¯ll tell you some other time mom.¡± Alice quickly said.

    ¡°Not really. I protected you from a creep. You kicked me in the balls.¡±

    ¡°Alice!¡± Emelia turned towards her daughter, her eyes narrowed.

    ¡°Wait, it wasn¡¯t like that.¡± Alice quickly raised her hands in a plead.

    ¡°But then she stood up for me,¡± Shen added. ¡°I was declared innocent of the incident thanks to you.¡± Shen looked into Alice¡¯s eyes, ¡°Truly thank you.¡± Shen bowed, ¡°And I¡¯m sorry if I offended you. It was never my intention.¡±

    Alice didn¡¯t speak for a moment, ¡°It¡¯s ok¡­ and thanks for helping me with that ¡®creep¡¯. Nobles tend to think they have the right to do anything they wish.¡±

    ¡°I hope that you don¡¯t believe us all to be like that, Alice. Some of us are actually only half terrible, eh?¡± Jack smiled.

    Lily popped her head from behind Alice, ¡°Mr. Jack isn¡¯t a bad guy.¡±

    Alice looked down at her little sister and at Jack, ¡°No, he is not.¡± Alice turned to Shen, ¡°Good for you, you managed not to get punished.¡±

    ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t say he wasn¡¯t punished per se.¡± Jack noted.

    ¡°I got probation.¡± Shen admitted.

    ¡°But, I thought you said you were declared innocent?¡± Alice asked.

    Shen scratched his head, ¡°Well, I sort of was punished for something else.¡±

    ¡°Of course, you were.¡± Alice said in a deadpan voice.

    Jack laughed, but it quickly turned into a cough as Shen glared at him.

    ¡°Well, probation can¡¯t be too harsh. I think a brave lord like you will do just fine.¡± Emelia said.

    Jack sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not the probation that¡¯s the problem. It¡¯s the fact that I have to pass professor Guila¡¯s history exam, and I haven¡¯t studied all semester. If I fail then probation would indeed become a problem.¡±

    ¡°My Alice is very good with history, maybe you could teach him a thing or two.¡± Emelia offered.

    ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea.¡± Alice declined.

    ¡°Actually, it¡¯d be great if you could show me a thing or two.¡± Shen knew a chance when he saw one. ¡°I¡¯d pay you. You could be my tutor.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t someone like you just hire a professional tutor. They¡¯d be far better than me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of professional tutors, believe me. Besides you are in the same school as me, you¡¯d know the subject material for the exam far better than a tutor.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a good job to me, if you want it that it is.¡± Emelia said to her daughter.

    ¡°But mom, I don¡¯t even know him that well,¡± Alice whispered. Though Shen and Jack still clearly heard it.

    ¡°Milord Jack, do you trust lord Shen?¡± Emelia asked.

    ¡°With my life,¡± came the immediate reply.

    ¡°Then I will trust him as well,¡± Emelia nodded. ¡°It¡¯s up to you Alice if you want the job.¡±

    Alice looked between her smiling mother and the slightly nervous looking Shen.

    ¡°Well¡­ I want twenty-five coins per hour.¡±

    ¡°Done.¡± Shen said instantly.

    ¡°And I¡¯ll pick the place.¡±

    ¡°Done.¡±

    ¡°Okay, then. I guess I¡¯ll see you tomorrow at the caf¨¦.¡±

    ¡°Of course, the bloody caf¨¦.¡± Jack muttered.

    Shen kicked his good leg. Jack cried in pain.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you there,¡± Shen smiled.

    Jack swallowed his pain and smiled cheekily, ¡°Well, madam, it seems I must go. I hope you can tell me your recipe of beef stew in our next encounter.¡±

    Emelia laughed, ¡°Of course milord, it¡¯d be my pleasure. Try not to put too much pressure on that broken leg.¡±

    ¡°Your wish is my command, madam.¡± Jack bowed and the two nobles were on their way.

 Entry 7: Biological Studies of Permaculture

    As Jack and Shen neared the dorms, Jack spoke, ¡°Of all the peasant girls you could have chosen to pursue you had to choose Alice.¡±

    ¡°How do you even know Alice anyway?¡± Shen asked suspiciously.

    ¡°Not to worry, we don¡¯t have that kind of relationship. And I advise that you try not too either. She has had a hard life. No need to make it more complicated by throwing a noble, much less a Stone, into the mix.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re a part of her life.¡±

    ¡°Like I said, we don¡¯t have that kind of relationship. And as I also said, you shouldn¡¯t get involved with her.¡± For once Jack sounded serious.

    Shen stopped walking and looked at his friend. ¡°Why, what exactly happened?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter.¡±

    ¡°Jack, please. Though I am interested in her, I have no interest in hurting her. She¡¯s different than the others. I¡¯m not sure how much, but if I¡¯m going into this I rather not go in blind. You¡¯re my best friend please.¡±

    Jack sighed, ¡°Fine. But I¡¯ll only tell you for her sake. I don¡¯t want you saying something stupid that¡¯ll set her off. You don¡¯t repeat what I¡¯m about to say to anyone, alright?¡±

    ¡°I promise.¡±

    ¡°I have your word. Well, I guess it started a few years ago. Alice had barely entered womanhood. A sleazy baron was visiting. Alice caught his eye one night as she was heading home from the market. He followed her home and tried to force his way in, making up some absurd reason for his ¡®legal right¡¯ of entry. Long story short Emelia stabbed an eye out of the man and smashed his balls with an iron pan.¡±

    ¡°Emelia?¡± Shen couldn¡¯t picture a woman with such a kind smile doing something like that. But then he remembered Alice kicking him in the balls, and the picture no longer seemed so farfetched.

    ¡°The baron wanted revenge on them and so he sent his men to attack Alice¡¯s family before anyone could call the town guards. By the time the guards had come, Alice¡¯s father was severely injured. The baron lied and told the guards that Emelia had attacked him without just cause. And who were the guards to believe, a baron or some random peasant woman? The situation was looking pretty bad, Emelia and her husband were going to go to prison and Alice and Lily were going to be thrown into the streets, where the baron then could take advantage of them.¡±

    ¡°What a bastard,¡± Shen clenched his fist. A baron like that was a true stain to the nobility.

    ¡°That¡¯s the world we live in Shen. Anyway, right before the town could pass a verdict, another and more powerful noble family stepped in. They had heard of the baron¡¯s disgusting hobby of playing with little girls. And so, with their wit and a bit of gold they were able to get Alice and her family out of harm¡¯s way. They were freed from all charges. However, the damage had been done. Alice¡¯s father was now a cripple and could no longer work. Emelia had to take care of the children and earn a wage.¡±

    He continued, ¡°Alice remembers everything that transpired the night the baron came, but despite that and the other hardships her family has endured she has worked hard. She studied hours on end and finally scored high enough to pass the entrance exams of the academy. Though it¡¯s hard to pay for tuition they somehow make ends meet. Which is why you are going to pay her double for her tutoring. Got it?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah, of course.¡± Shen couldn¡¯t believe the story he had just heard, how could such a thing happen, where was the justice for Alice and her family. And here she was still working hard. ¡°Alice, sounds like an incredible woman.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°She is and you don¡¯t deserve her.¡±

    Shen laughed sadly, ¡°Maybe you¡¯re right. But now at least I can understand why she was distrustful of me when we met.¡±

    ¡°She is distrustful of all nobles; her entire family is.¡±

    They had arrived at the dorms.

    ¡°Hey, in the end what happened to the baron. Please tell me he was at least fined if not had his title and lands taken away?¡±

    Jack smiled, ¡°No, nothing of the sort. In fact, no one knows what happened to the baron. One night he simply disappeared within his own castle and was never seen again.¡±

    The next day Shen met up with Alice and they began their tutoring session. Shen was on his best behavior and tried to be as polite as he could, having found a new admiration for the young peasant girl. Alice at first was hesitant teaching Shen but she soon found him to be a great student, diligently listening to her every word and asking the right questions at the right pauses of her explanations. At the end of the session he paid her twice the agreed upon amount, to her surprise. She didn¡¯t wish to accept but he insisted, saying it was for the great job she had done. After that day, they¡¯d meet each day and Alice would teach him about the histories of Asteri and the Gemini empires. At the end of each session Shen would pay twice the amount. Always claiming that it was because of her superb tutoring, which Shen eventually genuinely meant. With each session Shen would share a bit about himself and ask her a bit of her own life. Though at first, she was silent she began to open up little by little. The two found themselves warming up to each other, though not in the romantic sense, but as friends. Alice began telling Shen of her other friends who didn¡¯t attend the noble school and who were busy doing other things ranging from working at a stall to hunting in the nearby lands. She told him of her family and her own hobby and love of reading. The more Shen heard the more he found himself liking Alice. She was different than anyone he had ever met and he loved it. Without realizing it he began to sincerely care for her, yet she hadn¡¯t shown any inclination of the same. Not once through all their sessions did she laugh or smile.

    ¡°A hundred years ago the Asteri and Gemini empires signed a peace treaty at the hill of-

    ¡°The Broken Sword.¡± Shen answered reflexively.

    Alice raised an eyebrow, ¡°Sometimes I wonder if you really are as clueless on history as you say.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m well versed in military history, just not the rest of it.¡±

    Alice placed her book down and looked at him, ¡°From the little I¡¯ve come to know about you, you seem like a hard-working person. And yet, from what you¡¯ve told me you are failing your history class and your other classes too. Why?¡±

    Shen couldn¡¯t face her inquisitive gaze and looked away, ¡°I used to work really hard for academics and stuff. But as it happens with life, I grew up and I learned a valuable lesson.¡±

    ¡°And what lesson was that?¡±

    Shen leaned back in his chair, ¡°When I was a kid I wanted to change the world, Alice. I really did.¡±

    ¡°But?¡±

    ¡°¡­But I learned that none of it matters, this world won¡¯t change.¡±

    Alice glared at him, ¡°What kind of failure mentality is that?¡±

    ¡°I swear all you nobles.¡± She muttered, ¡°If I was in your shoes, if I had the opportunities you had¡­¡±

    Dammit. He had angered her. He hated it when she was angry. She¡¯d stop talking about anything but the lesson at hand. Like his old tutors. Alice would stay angry for days at a time. Shen almost gave up hope when he remembered his gift.

    ¡°Alice, I almost forgot.¡±

    ¡°What? If it doesn¡¯t have to do with the hundred-year-old peace treaty then I don¡¯t want to know.¡± Alice said with a taut voice.

    Shen opened up his backpack and pulled out a blue covered book, titled, ¡°Biological Studies of Permaculture.¡± He slid it over to Alice, ¡°I just got it back from the Librarian, she had it cleaned and restored. I have no use for it, but maybe you do.¡±

    ¡°This¡­ You were the one who paid the book fee.¡± Alice spoke with realization.

    ¡°It was the least I could do after bloodying it in the first place,¡± he admitted.

    Alice looked up at Shen and for the first time smiled. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    It was as if a sun had broken through her solemn demeanor. Her oak eyes danced with delight and her smile was brighter than even a charged quartz gem. It was as if he was seeing Emelia smile and laugh at once, it was stunning. He found himself mesmerized for but a spell of a moment.

 Entry 8: Gem Lantern

    Dek ran to school, this time opting to go down a shorter route he had seen last night. And just as he thought the streets were there, each corner like the ones he had seen. So, he hadn¡¯t just been dreaming, it was real. Despite being more tired than yesterday he felt he had more energy, he laughed in delight, he was a quin. He was finally one step closer to achieving his goal. He felt light, as he entered his home classroom on time. He spotted Emily who made a small smile, Dek ignored her and walked to his seat. He wasn¡¯t going to fall for that trick again, the nobility could make someone else the butt of their jokes. He sat straight and focused on the lesson at hand and tried to ignore the rest of the class. He didn¡¯t need them, he only needed Erica, together they would achieve his dream. One way or another, he¡¯d get through this school and learn as much as he could then move on. No matter how nice this place looked, it was only a stepping stone for Dek. He could not forget that. Friends would only get in the way, though honestly, he didn¡¯t want to make friends with any nobility, not after his last encounter with them.

    At lunchtime, he went to the library. Emerald Grand Ridge Academy was known for its vast library on many topics dealing with the fifth element ether. And the school lived up to its name, as Dek entered the enormous room that constituted as the library. The shelves of books spread across the room and lined the walls, for several floors. There was no ceiling in the middle of the building, for at least five maybe six floors. Books spanned the entire purview. This was it, this was why he came to this academy in the middle of nowhere deep in the Emerald plains. He looked for the librarian¡¯s desk and quickly found it, empty. A small sign was posted, *Out for Lunch*.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Dek sighed. He looked around to see if there was anyone else who could help him. But the library seemed empty. Dek walked around the long shelves, giving cursory glances hoping to find an inkling of what he was looking for, but to no avail. He decided he¡¯d go up to the next floor, maybe he¡¯d have better luck there. He walked through more shelves of books, ranging from cooking manuals to the herding of the great red buffalos. Nothing that could help him. He was about to give up and wait at the Librarian¡¯s desk when he caught a glimpse of movement from the floor above. He quickly ran up the stairs, past the shelves and found a young woman. She was short even for a woman, barely hitting five feet, she wore a long grey sweater that reached down almost to her fingers. She had short dark hair that curled at the edges. Large thick glasses framed her forest brown eyes, that were currently giving Dek a suspicious look.

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°H-hello, sorry to bother you. But, well, my name is Dek-¡±

    ¡°Dek what?¡±

    ¡°Oh, well just Dek.¡±

    The girl¡¯s eyebrows slightly rose and her shoulders visibly relaxed, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see a commoner here. There are very few at this academy.¡±

    He sighed, ¡°So I¡¯m learning.¡±

    The girl gave a small grin, ¡°I¡¯m Alice, just Alice.¡±

    Dek¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, ¡°Ah, I see. Well, Al, mind if I call you Al?¡±

    ¡°Alice will do just fine.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay, sorry, my bad. Um, yeah, I was wondering if you knew where I could find books that deal with the higher studies of ether gems in relation with quanta gem locks.¡±

    ¡°Huh? Well, I don¡¯t know where to find those but I do know that books on the subject of ether are found on the fourth floor.¡±

    ¡°Ah, perfect. Thanks.¡±

    ¡°No problem, we commoners have to stick together.¡± Alice smiled.

    ¡°Uh, yeah. Sure.¡± Dek nodded without looking at her and jogged up the next flight of stairs.

    Alice gazed at the young redhead¡¯s back as he left. At first, she thought she would have to deal with a noble. But luckily for her she actually found another commoner, one who seemed to be interested in the higher studies of ether. Though only professionals, such as ether scientists, actually studied such thing. She supposed the boy was curious, or maybe he was on some kind of genius. Highly unlikely, but it¡¯d be nice to have a commoner who stood above the crowd, noble and commoner alike. Dismissing her silly wish, she left.

    After a few minutes Dek found a few books that dealt with the subject, satisfied, he waited for the librarian to return and checked out the books. He ignored the librarian¡¯s quizzical look, then went to grab a quick bite to eat. He bought himself a sandwich once again and headed somewhere quiet to read.

    The rest of the day passed by without issue. Dek walked home after school, along the way he bought a few groceries from the market stalls. When he got home he noticed Erica was gone. Probably out scouting the area, he guessed. Dek cooked dinner for two and ate by himself. He then went to his duffel bag and pulled out a small ornamented black cube the size of his fist. Grooves in various shapes coated the surface, five small amethysts were studded around the sides. The cube was in fact an ether quanta lock, the strongest lock ever invented by ether scientists. There were only a few such locks in the world, and they tended to be used for royal family vaults or the like and none of them were smaller than a carriage. Yet, here was one the size of his fist. It was the only thing Dek¡¯s parents had left him. And it was the key to achieving his goal. He spent the rest of the afternoon reading, hoping to find a way to open the cube, but to no avail.

    Eventually, he dozed off while reading. He woke up to find his body asleep at the table in the kitchen. He had gone ethereal again, or he supposed it was called astral projection, at least he thought that was what this ability of his was. To his surprise he noticed that a blanket was wrapped around his dormant body. Dek grinned and walked through Erica¡¯s door. She was in bed sleeping, her armor and weapons on the floor next to her. Dek watched her sleep for a while. A part of him told him it was wrong to spy on someone like this, if not just down right eerie. But Dek didn¡¯t care, Erica was all he had and he was all she had. At least that¡¯s what he told himself. In a strange way, it felt soothing to watch her sleep, it reminded him of his goal and that they¡¯d accomplish it together. Eventually he got up and walked downstairs and into the night town. After an hour or so of walking he caught a familiar dripping sound.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°No way,¡± Dek muttered. He could hear the sound coming from the ground beneath him. But he was in the middle of a street and didn¡¯t know how to get down.

    But he was determined to find the golden pool again. An idea dawned on him; if he could touch things despite being in this form than it should go both ways, right? He focused on his feet and willed them to stop touching the ground, suddenly he fell through the earth. He continued to fall for several seconds until he finally landed in a bright room. Well, more like he tumbled and fell face first into the ground. Luckily, he couldn¡¯t get hurt in his ethereal form. As he got up he recognized the room to be the same one he had been in last time he was down here. The same stream of golden liquid was leaking through the wall. Except this time there was a crew of masked men around it, each with several measuring instruments in hand and journals. They all worked silently.

    Dek was really starting to worry about this place and debating if he should tell Erica about it. But then he¡¯d have to explain how he had gotten here and about his ability. Once Erica knew Dek was a quin she¡¯d take him out of school and make him focus completely on mastering his ability. Which wasn¡¯t a bad thing per se, but he needed to first learn as much as he could from the academy. After that he could work on his ability with Erica, besides he felt he was doing pretty well so far.

    Dek walked around the masked men and their work, trying to understand whatever he could, but it was useless, their writing was foreign and he couldn¡¯t understand it. Well it didn¡¯t seem as if they were doing anything dangerous so Dek thought it was fine, it¡¯s not like it was going to affect him anyway. He walked away and tried to find the way back up, but he couldn¡¯t. He had hoped the masked men would unwittingly show him the way out but they just kept working hours on end. He was forced to wander for a while until he woke up in his physical body.

    The next day Dek made himself a quick breakfast, said goodbye to Erica, and headed to school. Once there he continued to read on ether locks, while ignoring the looks he¡¯d occasionally get from the students, including Emily and John. At lunch, he¡¯d quickly eat while walking, which was uncomfortable but he didn¡¯t care, he tended to eat a light lunch anyway. After eating he headed to the library. He stayed reading until dusk, where Alice happened upon him.

    ¡°Oh, hello.¡±

    ¡°Uh, hi. Alice, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I didn¡¯t expect to see anyone here so late.¡±

    ¡°Why, is it weird?¡±

    ¡°No, just uncommon I guess. Most people rather spend their time elsewhere. I¡¯m the only one who¡¯s normally here this late. So, what are you reading?¡±

    ¡°Just a book on triple and quadra gem locks. Hoping to get some insight.¡±

    ¡°Wait, so you actually understand what they¡¯re saying in those books?¡±

    ¡°Well, yeah. Why else would I be reading them?¡±

    ¡°Not even the professors read those kinds of books. Are you some kind of genius or something?¡± Alice asked, a bit of hope in her voice.

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Dek wasn¡¯t sure how to answer such an abrupt question.

    ¡°S-sorry. I¡¯m being too forward. Well, the sun is setting so I better get going. It was nice seeing you.¡± Alice bowed her head in an apology.

    ¡°Alright, take care.¡± Dek said as he pulled out his lantern.

    ¡°Is that a gem lantern?¡± Alice asked in surprise.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯d you get one? Can I see it?¡±

    ¡°I bought it. Sure.¡± Dek wasn¡¯t sure why she was so excited.

    Alice sat down next to him as he showed her the glowing quartz inside the lantern.

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful.¡± She said as she gazed at it.

    ¡°Have you never seen one?¡± Dek asked in disbelief.

    ¡°Well, not this close up. I¡¯ve only seen a couple at festivals and such. They¡¯re too expensive, most people can¡¯t afford them, well barring nobles of course. I¡¯m surprise you were able to get your hands on one.¡±

    ¡°Do you like it?¡±

    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s amazing. They aren¡¯t just pretty but they also can¡¯t cause fires. Which is why they are allowed in the library, unlike a regular lantern. If I had one I¡¯d be here reading far after sunset.¡±

    ¡°Well, you can have this one. As thanks for helping me earlier.¡± Dek slid the lantern over.

    ¡°I can¡¯t accept this. It¡¯s too precious.¡± Alice raised her hands in refusal.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I have a spare at home.¡± It also didn¡¯t hurt that Alice was cute.

    ¡°Are you sure? Like, really sure?¡± Alice said, eyes widening as she looked at the glowing stone.

    ¡°Yeah, of course.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much!¡± Alice smiled. ¡°Wait, until I show my sister, she¡¯ll be so ecstatic.¡±

    She had a beautiful smile, it reminded him of his mother. Of better times.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Dek smiled.

    They spent the next hour reading together. Alice studied for her classes, Dek read about more gem locks. Though he had been there to focus on his research, he didn¡¯t mind hanging out with Alice. By then end of the night he realized she was becoming his first friend in two years.

    After they parted, Dek went home. Once he got there he did more research. He didn¡¯t bother with the homework, he already knew all the material they were covering in class. Erica would occasionally stop by and check up on him, in her own rude way. Afterwards, Dek fell asleep and woke up in his ethereal form. He first watched Erica for a while before exploring more of the town and school, until he woke up the next day, exhausted. This became a routine for him. Every day he¡¯d wake up tired though he was learning to manage it better each time. He¡¯d go to class, ignore the lecture and study on ether locks. Occasionally he saw Alice at the library where they¡¯d chat for a bit before heading their own ways.

    When he got home he¡¯d cook dinner and then study some more. When he slept he¡¯d go into his ethereal body. He¡¯d wander the apartment for a bit before ending up in Erica¡¯s room, where he¡¯d notice her now familiar purple glowing hand. Then Dek would just talk to her for a while, though she couldn¡¯t hear him. He talked about his school, his parents, his travels with her. And while he did he watched her sleep; noting each feature of her face, from the smallest freckle to the way her hair covered her ears. Sometimes, he¡¯d touch her hair. And on the nights where he recalled the day he lost his parents, when the pain felt so real he couldn¡¯t breather, he¡¯d hold her hand. Her warm hand enlaced with his own, would calm him down. He knew she¡¯d normally be angry at him for touching her, but Dek tried to imagine that she wasn¡¯t asleep and instead was listening to him as he let free his emotions. A silent listener, who¡¯d always be there for him. And so, it became something like a habit to stay with Erica every night at least for a while. After his nightly visits, he¡¯d go wandering around town though he never visited the golden pool again, deeming it not worth the trouble.

 Entry 9: Focus

    Emily Roseglade stretched as she warmed up for her turn on the track. She watched from the sidelines as John ran with several other students. She could hear as some of the students cheered one runner or another, though most cheered for John. No doubt they were trying to curry favor with the heir and future Duke of the Jade family. John, on his part, ignored the cheers and simply focused on running as fast as he could. He had always been in good physical shape but it was in times like these he shined, as he slowly began to overtake the rest of the runners. Emily found herself cheering as well.

    ¡°Your fianc¨¦e is the star of the show, like always.¡± Claire, captain of the cheerleading squad, said as she walked up next to Emily.

    ¡°Physical ed. is the time for students to show what their capable of.¡±

    ¡°Ha, you think it¡¯s hard work that makes all those people cheer John on? Because he runs a bit faster than the rest?¡± Claire laughed, her red ringlets bouncing along with her ample breasts, an effect she knew, seeing as she glanced at the boys who were staring.

    ¡°Hard work always stands out.¡±

    ¡°Oh sure, I must say you can very well much see the results of his work outs. His body really is nice,¡± Claire licked her lips.

    ¡°Stay away from him,¡± Emily glared. She was reminded all too well of Claire¡¯s reputation as a flirt.

    ¡°Or what? My family, isn¡¯t a vassal under you or your fianc¨¦e. You¡¯d do well to remember that not everyone here is, instead of flaunting your titles around.¡±

    ¡°That is not what we do.¡±

    ¡°That isn¡¯t what I heard. It¡¯d be best if you don¡¯t try to threaten other nobles. It rarely ends well.¡±

    Emily recalled how Taegan had gotten into a fight with John a few weeks ago. They hadn¡¯t spoken since. This was probably his doing. Trying to paint John as a bully.

    ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not interested in your fianc¨¦e.¡± Claire stretched her long legs. ¡°There are others far more interesting.¡±

    Emily followed Claire¡¯s gaze, to another student. He was also warming up, but unlike the rest of the students, one could clearly see the heavy set of muscles he had underneath his shirt, and the way they rippled as he stretched. His tall figure, coupled with the contrast of his dark black hair and icy blue eyes made him the affection of most girls. ¡°Shen Stone, huh?¡± Emily sighed. He was known to be a willful disobedient noble who did whatever he wished, even at the cost of the school. A detriment to John¡¯s goal.

    ¡°Please, you¡¯re not fooling anyone with that act Emily.¡±

    ¡°Not everyone is interested in Shen, besides I love John.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t expect me to believe you aren¡¯t interested whatsoever in him. Even if the bad boy streak isn¡¯t your thing you can¡¯t deny that body.¡±

    Emily found herself looking back at Shen. His rippling muscles, wide back, and handsome square jaw.

    Claire smirked, ¡°So the flawless Emily isn¡¯t as perfect as I thought.¡±

    Her cheeks reddened at the realization of her ogling, ¡°I-I¡±

    ¡°Hey, who is that tramp flirting with Shen?¡± Claire stared in surprise.

    Shen had turned and was talking to a girl who didn¡¯t even reach his shoulders. He smiled as the girl said something Emily couldn¡¯t quite catch. The girl for her part didn¡¯t seem to be too interested as she was reading a book while speaking with him. Nonetheless Shen continued to talk with her enthusiastically.

    ¡°Why is she reading outside? And why Shen is talking to her? Who does she think she is?¡± Claire turned to Emily, ¡°Who is she?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Not from one of the count families. Probably a baron¡¯s child then? Why are you even asking me? You¡¯re the one always gossiping.¡±

    Coach Schaffer blew the whistle, signaling the runners had finished their mile run. John had come in first place. Many of the nobles cheered him on as he walked back to the grassy field.

    ¡°Lover boy is coming back. I¡¯ll be on my way then.¡± Claire began walking to the track for her turn. As she passed by John she smiled and did a little curtsy despite being in shorts, as she bowed she made sure to show her ample breast towards John. He smiled and nodded, barely giving her cleavage a glance.

    ¡°That whore,¡± Emily muttered as John walked over. ¡°Hey, hot shot.¡± Emily smiled as she greeted him.

    ¡°So how did I do?¡± John wiped the sweat from his brow, as he tried to calm his breathing.

    ¡°Amazing as always.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but how fast?¡±

    Emily glanced at her stopwatch, ¡°You finished at five minutes and forty seconds. A new best.¡±

    John laughed, ¡°Still not as good as Shen though.¡±

    ¡°Why do you even care about that guy. He may be a noble but he doesn¡¯t act like it. He spends his time skipping class and running around with that Foxe.¡±

    ¡°Believe it or not Emily, Shen is my aspiration.¡±

    ¡°Him? How is that delinquent the aspiration of you, the man who will change the nobility as we know it?¡± Emily asked incredulously.

    ¡°Emily, I do plan to change the nobility. To cut out this stigma of arrogance and selfishness that the nobles have carried for over a century. The nobles of old were brave warriors who¡¯d lay down their lives for noble or commoner alike.¡±

    Emily was reminded of her new classmate. Dek, sat on the field, far away from all the rest. He too was reading a book, but unlike that girl, there was no one beside him. Dek was an enigma. Though he kept quiet and to himself, whenever the teacher called on him, no matter the class he¡¯d quickly and easily answer each question, no matter the difficulty. Though they hadn¡¯t met on the best terms, Emily tried to talk to him whenever she had a chance, but he always kept his distance and would leave without a word. It was strange and slightly irritating, she wasn¡¯t used to people just rejecting her outright like that, especially a commoner. Nonetheless Emily thought he had the potential to aid them, even if he wasn¡¯t a noble.

    ¡°Yes, Emily.¡± John too looked at the boy who sat alone, ¡°To give someone like Dek a better life. Where he doesn¡¯t have to run away from the nobles for fear of them. That¡¯s the whole reason why we came to this school. So that we can convince these student, most of who are second born sons and daughters of the nobles, to join me. The vast majority of heirs are as arrogant as their parents. But the people here, they can learn what it truly means to serve, to help the people we rule. Together we can change this whole empire.¡±

    ¡°I know, John. But why are you interested in Shen of all people. He doesn¡¯t seem like the kind of person who¡¯d want to help us.¡±

    ¡°Because I¡¯ve known him for longer than you. I remember meeting him and his brother three years ago at the capital. His brother being heir to the legendary count Stone, garnered the attention of most of the nobles, they lavished him with praise and spoke of his skills. Ranging from military tactics, marksmanship, horsemanship, to his handsome looks and refined speech. He was like the knight in shining armor of some fairy tale. But it was his younger brother, Shen who caught my attention. You see, Shen didn¡¯t care about the fame. He didn¡¯t try to stay close to his brother at balls and parties, to try and show off his own skills. No, he instead worked together with the soldiers in the mud and rain. Though he was only fourteen he worked harder than any knight I had ever seen. He was devoted to his duty more than anyone else. It was then that I realized that the hope for the nobility did not lie in the heirs. But in the ones, that came after them. I don¡¯t know what happened to Shen to change him so much, but I am not going to give up. I¡¯ll prove to him my dedication for our cause and I will convince him to join us.¡± John swore. He looked at Emily, ¡°Will you help me.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    She smiled and held his hands, ¡°The Roseglade family have been vassals to the Jade family for centuries. I will listen to you as your vassal. I will help you as your fianc¨¦e. And I will follow you anywhere as your love.¡±

    John drew her in close and kissed her. He was very lucky for his fianc¨¦e to also be the woman he loved.

    ******

    Dek looked up from his book as the whistle sounded once again, signaling the second mile run for the class was about to start. He spotted Alice among the crowd of spectators. She too was carrying a book. Dek grinned, at least someone else was taking advantage of the time. Everyone else simply watched as the others ran, in the hot bloody sun. Nobles, he thought, they were a strange lot indeed. He was about to go back to reading when he noticed Alice wasn¡¯t looking down at her own book, but instead watching the track as well. In fact, she was talking to someone. A runner, who looked like a man in his twenties judging from the size of his hulking stature and muscles, though he wore the student P.E. uniform. The man waved at Alice, who frowned slightly but waved nonetheless. The man smiled happily. The coach whistled, starting the race, and the runners were off. Alice turned back to her book.

    Dek followed suit, but his mind was elsewhere. Why did they even have to do a mile run? He knew it was the midterms, but what kind of test forced people to run in circles. So many of the students would run as fast as they could to try and impress the others, inadvertently pushing their selves past their limits. Most of them would just collapse after the race. Somehow the coach thought making the students fall on the ground in exhaustion was a good way to see if they were healthy. Nobles.

    ******

    As usual Shen ran around the track as fast as he could. His wounds had finally healed and he felt great. He enjoyed running, the feel of the wind on one¡¯s face, the power going from your legs into the ground with every push. Running was one of his favorite past times. And now he had someone he cared about watching. As he came around the lap he waved at Alice, but she was busy reading her book and didn¡¯t notice. That was fine, Shen thought. On the next lap as Shen got close he shouted, ¡°Alice!¡±

    ¡°Sheeeen!¡± Jack shouted, appearing from among the crowd, waving his hands like a madman. Alice however ignored all the noise, and kept reading.

    ¡°Dammit,¡± Shenn said under his breath.

    ¡°Oi! Sheeeeen!¡± Jack shouted jumping up in the air.

    Shen ignored him and kept running. As he ran by for a third time he passed by Claire, who was also running, she turned around and smiled.

    ¡°Hey, handsome. It¡¯s been a while. What have you been up to?¡±

    ¡°Claire? Long time no see.¡± Shen nodded though he kept his eyes out for Alice, who looked up just in time to see Claire playfully slap Shen on the shoulder. Alice frowned.

    ¡°Oh damn. Talk to you later!¡± Shen quickly said as he ran passed her. He waved at Alice, who proceeded to go back to reading her book.

    On the final lap Shen decided to run as fast as possible, to outdistance everyone else, in a bid to impress Alice. When he neared the finish line he pushed himself harder than ever. He felt his muscles contract with great force as he practically leaped his way to first place. The crowd cheered when they saw their best athlete sprinting for all he was worth. As he crossed the finish line he slowed down. He looked for Alice among the crowd. Jack came running up to him, his cast and crutch nowhere in sight.

    ¡°Sheeen! Nice run man. You just broke the school record, five minutes and eight seconds.¡± Jack smiled.

    ¡°Thanks. What happened to your leg?¡± Shen asked, though his eyes were still scanning the crowd.

    ¡°Ah, turns out it wasn¡¯t as bad as I thought. The doctor took off the cast this morning. You know it was actual-

    ¡°Yeah, good for you. Hey, where¡¯s Alice?¡±

    Jack made a minor grumble of annoyance, ¡°She¡¯s over there.¡± He pointed several dozen feet away. Alice was sitting next to a guy, with soft red hair. Both of them held books in their arms, though they were both talking to each other. Shen headed over.

    ¡°Hey, Shen¡± Jack called, ¡°Don¡¯t do something stupid. Ah, what am I saying. I don¡¯t care.¡±

    Alice looked up as Shen walked up. ¡°Shen?¡±

    ¡°Hey, Alice. Did you see me waving at you?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Haha,¡± Shen scratched his head. ¡°Can I join you?¡± Though Shen had already sat down before he finished speaking.

    Dek moved back a bit, preferring a bit of distance.

    ¡°Seeing as you already have, I guess we don¡¯t have much of a choice.¡± Alice pointed out.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m Shen Stone, you probably know me. But I don¡¯t know you.¡± Shen said as he loomed over Dek.

    Alice moved between them, ¡°This is Dek. He is a friend of mine. Can you back up a bit?¡±

    ¡°Huh, yeah. Sorry. Sooo, how do you two know each other?¡±

    Dek looked at the two trying to gauge the situation. He didn¡¯t know who this guy was but he was acting oddly. ¡°She helped me find a book.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Dek is actually one of the few people in this school who loves reading. I think he¡¯s actually in the library more often than me. He¡¯s also helped me with some of my schoolwork. He¡¯s probably the smartest person I know.¡± Alice spoke enthusiastically. ¡°And get this, he is studying gem locks. Not even our professors study that.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Alice, you don¡¯t have tell him that much about me.¡± Dek was regretting sharing anything about his personal life to Alice.

    ¡°No, I¡¯d like to know. So, you¡¯re the smartest kid here, huh?¡± Shen raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± yes, Dek actually thought. At least he was in terms of academic knowledge.

    ¡°How old are you? What year? How come I haven¡¯t seen you around?¡± Shen fired the questions.

    ¡°Seventeen, 2<sup>nd</sup> year. How should I know why you haven¡¯t seen me?¡± Dek answered just as fast.

    Right as Shen was about to retort Alice spoke up, ¡°Hey stop interrogating him. He¡¯s my friend. So, get off his back.¡±

    ¡°Hey I just wanted to get to know him is all. I wasn¡¯t trying to mess with him.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you were.¡± Alice spoke in a clear direct tone.

    Shen didn¡¯t know how to respond. The whistle blew.

    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m up next.¡± Dek closed his book and got up.

    ¡°Good luck,¡± Alice smiled. Shock crossed Shen¡¯s face.

    ¡°Yeah, thanks.¡±

    ¡°Hey, um. It was good to meet you,¡± Shen stuck out his hand.

    Dek ignored him and headed for the track. He found his lane and began a quick stretch before the run.

    ¡°Good afternoon, Dek.¡± Emily said as she walked up next to him.

    ¡°H-hello.¡± Dek said. He turned away, trying to ignore her. So, she was running too and right next to him to boot. He really didn¡¯t want to deal with nobles right now. He just wanted to go home and study, and see Erica.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were friends with Shen.¡± Emily pressed.

    ¡°We¡¯re not.¡±

    ¡°So, you guys were just randomly talking each other?¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, alright. Hey, who¡¯s that girl you were talking to?¡±

    Coach Schaffer blew the whistle. Dek started running without answering Emily. He didn¡¯t want to deal with her right now.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s her name?¡± Emily asked as she ran up next to him.

    Dek turned in surprise, he hadn¡¯t expected her to follow him. He looked forward and ran faster.

    ¡°You can¡¯t get rid of me that easily,¡± Emily teased, as she too sped up.

    Dek grit his teeth, he wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. He took a deep breath and ran as fast as he could.

    ¡°What the hell!?¡± Emily shouted behind him.

    He ran as if his life depended on it, like it had so many times before. The wind roared in his ears as he passed one runner after another. His lungs began to burn but he didn¡¯t care, he was going to finish this race then go home. Nothing else mattered right now. He saw Emily coming up from in front of him, he was about to overtake her by an entire lap.

    She turned around as he ran by, ¡°Hey! W-wait a sec!¡±

    But Dek didn¡¯t stop, in fact her voice only served to make him run faster. His legs began to hurt as they kept slamming into the ground with his full force but he thought of the bloody sun and how nice it¡¯d be to be out from under it. How it¡¯d be nice to be home, sitting next to Erica, and just relaxing.

    ¡°Focus,¡± he breathed out. Focus, he repeated to himself. Just get through this run and he could then go home. He thought of his goal. Of how he¡¯d accomplish it the faster he could learn about gem locks. Dek ignored the voices he heard and only focused on the race. Suddenly, all he could hear were his own footsteps and his own breathing. He turned and saw that he had crossed the finish line. The crowd for once was silent however.

    Coach Schaffer shakily raised his stopwatch, ¡°Four minutes and ten seconds.¡±

    Dek looked around and noticed that everyone was staring at him. This was bad, he had attracted too much attention. He quickly walked over to where he had been sitting.

    ¡°That was amazing, I didn¡¯t know you were so fast.¡± Alice congratulated.

    ¡°How did you do that?¡± Shen looked at him suspiciously.

    Dek ignored them both, grabbed his book, and ran home.

 Entry 10: Four Facets

    It was late, the sun had already set. Dek had just picked up a new book about ether residing within quins. He sat down at a table in the library. He placed his small lantern next to him, and opened the lid. The small quartz inside illuminated the surrounding area. He picked up his new book and began to read. A few minutes later Alice walked by.

    ¡°Good evening, Dek.¡±

    ¡°Hello.¡± Dek looked up from his book in surprise. Shen stood behind Alice.

    He nodded in acknowledgement. Dek reluctantly nodded back.

    ¡°Do you mind if we sit?¡± Alice asked politely.

    ¡°S-sure.¡±

    Alice pulled up a chair next to Dek. Shen sat across from him. Dek went back to reading in the hopes of them leaving him be. Though normally he was okay with Alice¡¯s occasional company and even liked it; he didn¡¯t like Shen, or any noble for that matter. He thought Alice shared the same opinion on the matter, but it seemed he was wrong.

    ¡°So, what was up with you yesterday?¡± Shen asked.

    And there it was. One of the several reasons he disliked the nobility. They were always wanting to know everything, even if it wasn¡¯t their business.

    Dek sighed, ¡°About what?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean? About you breaking the school record by a long shot.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah¡­¡±

    ¡°So, how did you do it?¡± Shen pressed.

    ¡°Yeah, actually I¡¯m a bit curious myself.¡± Alice admitted.

    ¡°I tried my best.¡± Dek went back to his book.

    ¡°Do you have a trainer?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Was it some kind of drug?¡±

    ¡°Shen!¡±

    ¡°What? I¡¯m just saying. It¡¯s kind of strange, how someone as skinny as you, beat everyone else¡¯s record is all. No offense.¡±

    Dek wasn¡¯t sure how to respond. He knew that his quin nature would strengthen his body. What he didn¡¯t realize was just by how much it¡¯d affect him. He had ended up running faster than everyone and had garnered the attention from the entire school. Wherever he went on campus people would look at him and whisper. Many had just come up to him and asked how he had done it, beating out both John Jade and Shen Stone. He ended up running away from those people and secluded himself in the library. He had spent the afternoon looking for books that dealt with ether and how it affected the body of a quintessential user. And now when he finally had what he was looking for he was interrupted by these two.

    ¡°Dek, ignore Shen. He¡¯s just mad that you beat him is all.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡±

    Alice ignored him, ¡°What are you reading?¡±

    ¡°Oh, just something to pass the time.¡± Dek evaded the question, he didn¡¯t want anyone to start suspecting him, which might have already happened. It¡¯d only take one smart person to start putting the dots together with his speed and the books he read. He had to move the focus off of him. ¡°So, are you guys, dating or something?¡±

    ¡°What does it matter to you?¡± Shen said defensively.

    ¡°Not at all.¡± Alice replied without even a start.

    Shen felt a small stab of pain. He knew they weren¡¯t together but he hadn¡¯t expected her to respond so quickly to the question. A part of Shen was angry at how easily Alice had begun to affect him. While another part of him just wanted to stay close to her, to see her smile again. The same smile that she so easily gave to this Dek person. Shen had asked Jack about him, but even Jack didn¡¯t know much about Dek. Except that he was in the same class with John and Emily, was a loner, and had scored the highest in every exam of ever 2<sup>nd</sup> year student. Oh, and that he was the only other friend Alice had in this school. Shen couldn¡¯t forget that.

    ¡°So, what are you guys doing here then?¡± Dek asked.

    ¡°I tutor Shen most days of the week. History mainly though I¡¯ve been helping him a bit with math.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, she may not boast, but Alice is one of the most knowledgeable people I know.¡± Shen smiled.

    ¡°Thanks, but there is still a lot I don¡¯t know. I mean take this lantern for example. I know the quartz works with ether to create light but I don¡¯t know how.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s simple actually.¡± Shen began to explain, glad to be the one teaching this time. ¡°Ether is the fifth element, which naturally only exists in the air, right? So, there are certain factories that have large steam powered machines, which absorb the ether in the air and then through some long process infuse it into a gem like the quartz in that lantern, and voil¨¤ you have light.¡±

    ¡°Huh, I always wondered how they were made.¡± Alice pulled out her own gem lantern and looked within to see a small quartz glowing bright. ¡°It really is beautiful. Thanks for telling me.¡± Alice smiled.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Shen was happy, this was the second time he had gotten her to smile, he had been worried she was still angry with him because of yesterday.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°Actually,¡± Dek put his book down, ¡°It¡¯s a bit more complicated than that.¡±

    ¡°Oh? How so?¡± Alice gave him her full attention.

    ¡°Though it¡¯s true that when ether is fused into a gem it glows, they don¡¯t all glow with the same amount of light. In fact, most are quite dim. Quartz is an exception, which is why it is used in lanterns. We are fortunate however that quartz is such an abundant stone, else gem lanterns would be far rarer and more expensive.¡± Dek normally didn¡¯t talk this much, but it was over a topic he loved and was eager to discuss with someone.

    ¡°So, I guess we really are lucky the best kind of gem is pretty common.¡± Alice concluded.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not necessarily the best. There are several different factors to take into account,¡± explained Dek. ¡°There are four facets when it comes to infusing ether into a gem.¡±

    ¡°Such as?¡±

    ¡°Well, the first would be storage. The larger a gem is the more ether it can contain, though different kinds of gems have different storage levels. But the more ether infused within a gem the more fragile it becomes, and too much ether will cause it to shatter. The second would be diffusion. No matter what you do, ether will slowly leak out of the gem, until there is none left. Some gems leak ether faster than others. Quartz has a high storage amount and a low diffusion rate, which makes it very useful for lanterns.¡±

    Shen had heard about some of this before but he was curious as to how knowledgeable Dek was, so he stayed quiet and continued to listen to his explanation.

    ¡°Then there is transferring ether. Though it¡¯s true that large factories infuse gems with ether straight from the atmosphere, it¡¯s not the only way to infuse gems. It¡¯s possible to transfer ether from one gem into another, though most of the ether is lost as energy during the transfer, which is why few people transfer ether between gems. Azurite, however, loses very little energy while transferring ether, as such it is often used as a power bank. Now probably the most important aspect of a gem would be its ability.¡±

    ¡°Ability?¡± Alice asked, her interest now piqued.

    ¡°Ether scientists discovered that by using special circuits one can ¡®ignite¡¯ the ether residing within a gem, which causes the ether to burn and burst out of the gem. But unlike in diffusion, where the ether is simply released out into the air, when ignited, ether takes on a new form depending on the lattice of the gem in which it was infused with.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s quartz¡¯s ability?¡±

    ¡°Well, honestly it¡¯s not that special. It simply releases ether in the form of a blinding light for a few seconds when ignited.¡±

    ¡°Wow, looks like there is a lot more to gems than I thought. Just as I expected from the gems expert,¡± Alice smiled at Dek.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Dek nodded, a small grin on his face. Suddenly, remembering himself Dek turned his head down and went back to his book. ¡°Sorry, I spoke too much.¡±

    ¡°No, not at all. I found it very educational. We commoners don¡¯t really have access to gemstones, so it was nice to learn about them.¡± Alice said.

    But Dek stayed quiet nonetheless and kept reading.

    Alice sighed. She began to tap her fingers on the table. ¡°So Dek, what do you think is the most powerful gem?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe amethysts.¡± He considered.

    ¡°I¡¯d say jadeite,¡± said Shen.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of it,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°It¡¯s commonly called jade. When ignited jade creates a bright green acid. Elite soldiers are equipped with muskets that run off jade rounds, instead of the ordinary steam muskets. The acid is very useful since it burns through almost anything, though it evaporates very quickly. A shot of jade can¡¯t go farther than about a hundred feet. Still every army in the world would love to equip all their soldiers with jade if they could. But it¡¯s expensive. Though there is one family in the Asteri empire that has the largest reservoir of jade in the whole world by far.¡±

    ¡°The Jade family.¡± Dek guessed.

    Shen nodded, ¡°John¡¯s family is very rich thanks their jade mines, it¡¯s also thanks to the mines that they have risen to control an entire dukedom.¡±

    ¡°I can understand why jade muskets would be more expensive, but why would every army want one? I mean obviously they have better ammunition but what about the practicality of it all. In a long range battle the steam musket-however inaccurate they may be-would win out.¡±

    ¡°Because quins,¡± Shen said.

    ¡°Quins?¡± Alice tilted her head.

    ¡°Quintessential users. Human beings born with the ability to store ether within their own bodies and ignite it, just like gems. Steam musket balls can¡¯t pierce a quin¡¯s bones, they¡¯re too dense. Muskets will almost never kill a quin.¡±

    ¡°What? Are you kidding me. I once saw a musket ball blow half a man¡¯s head off, and you¡¯re telling me that these quins aren¡¯t hurt by them?¡± Alice spoke with skepticism.

    Shen shook his head, ¡°You don¡¯t understand. The ether changes them, makes them more durable, stronger,¡± Shen paused and glanced at Dek, ¡°faster.¡±

    This was bad, Dek knew, he packed his book away and stood up. He grabbed his lantern, ¡°It¡¯s quite late. I better go get some sleep. Don¡¯t want to be too tired for the history exam.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, of course. Well, we better get going too.¡± Alice got up.

    ¡°Good night,¡± Dek left quickly.

    ¡°Good night.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, good night.¡± Shen¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave Dek¡¯s retreating form until it was out of view.

    ******

    Dek woke up ready for the exam. Though he was still tired he felt better, his research had been going well and he felt he¡¯d soon arrive at a breakthrough for the quanta lock. He would have to stay away from Shen though, the man was as suspicious as a blood hound. Thinking about it, he may even have to stay away from Alice, since she seemed to hang out with Shen a lot.

    As he walked into the kitchen he saw Erica drinking coffee while reading the newspaper.

    ¡°Good morning, Erica.¡±

    ¡°Morning. You heading out already?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just going to grab some breakfast, at the caf¨¦ at school.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Oh, by the way, be careful with the public water around here. Turns out there was some kind of water system leak, the water is possibly contaminated. We¡¯ll have to use a purifier now. *Sigh* I knew coming here was a terrible idea.¡± Erica closed her eyes and massaged the bridge of her nose.

    Dek remembered the golden pool under the town. ¡°Well that sucks. Sorry, Erica. I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± He said as he left.

    Though the water contamination was a shame, Dek was still in a good mood as he jogged all the way to school. Throughout the past few weeks he had been gaining endurance, which he attributed to his quintessence nature. As he arrived in class he sat down and pulled out his newest book about ether and its interactions with quins.

    ¡°Alright class, as you all know today I will be handing out the history exam.¡± Professor Guila announced.

    The majority of the class was nervous, Guila was known for giving very difficult exams. But Dek didn¡¯t mind, this was just an exam, which he knew he¡¯d ace. Something like wasn¡¯t a problem for him. He heard a faint whiz, the room suddenly turned a pale red. Dek glanced at the window as a bright crimson ball of fire hurled towards them. The world exploded in a blast of blood red.