AuthorSME

  The atmosphere in the lecture hall shifted as Professor Kurosaki descended, his geta clicking against the polished wood floor. Sora couldn’t pull her eyes away, her ears perked up, the noise of his shoes somehow mesmerizing in its rhythm, echoing softly as though the world itself bowed to his entrance—it was magic, she knew it was, but it didn’t make it any less impressive.

  The glowing nterns around the hall flickered and silk tapestries weaved while he proceeded with deliberate grace, one hand csped behind his back and the other holding a thin, weathered book. Only once did his fiery gaze leave the manuscript to sweep over the gathering of vulpes and other magical creatures before returning to his study.

  Sora’s ears twitched, caught in the stillness that seemed to stretch forever as the professor glided down one step at a time. The air in the room compressed, or was it her lungs? Whatever it was, it made her feel as though even the walls were holding their breath.

  Her tail bristled involuntarily at the sheer weight of his presence, her heart racing faster with every deliberate click of his shoes. She stole a gnce at the others around her; some vulpes exchanged nervous looks, their gray or bck tails lowering submissively, while others stared straight ahead, visibly tensing under his silent scrutiny. Everyone could feel his judging eyes, despite not being in them.

  At the front, Fen stood rigid, her four tails curling protectively around her legs. Sora couldn’t remember ever seeing the Huli Jing so tense, her usual snark and defiance repced by what looked like genuine nervousness.

  Upon reaching the desk at the bottom of the hall, he closed the book with a decisive cp, the sound reverberating like a gavel striking judgment. The silence fractured like a taut string, snapping everyone out of the spell and causing a collective sigh of relief to flow through the air.

  With a subtle, self-assured smile, he lifted his gaze to Fen, his sharp, amber eyes locking onto her like a predator appraising its prey.

  “How,” Kurosaki began, his voice smooth and low but carrying effortlessly through the hall, “would you judge those gathered here today, Fen?”

  The murmurs began immediately. Sora caught fragments of whispered conversations around her.

  “Judge us? What does he mean?” one vulpes muttered, her gray tails swishing nervously.

  “Are we already being evaluated?” another asked, his voice barely audible as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  Only Nilly and Wendy seemed somewhat resistant to the show, arms crossed below. Her brunette sister gnced up, ears twitching with annoyance upon spotting her at the top, and those judging emerald eyes were on a whole new level. She could practically feel the heat as they flicked to Aelion beside her.

  I’m not trying to ditch you! Sora internally growled, trying to distract herself by studying Fen now that she had the full hall’s attention. Fen looks…better? She gained her fourth tail, which is big.

  Fen’s jaw tightened, and she inclined her head slightly, her hands resting over her tails in what seemed to be a grounding gesture. When she spoke, her tone carried the same careful precision Sora had come to associate with her, yet the bitter note wasn’t there.

  “Judgment is subjective, Professor. Each here has the potential for growth, as your spell upon your entrance proved, though it lies dormant in many. It depends…on the soil in which they are pnted, as you taught me st night.”

  Last night?! Sora’s legs knotted together as she saw simir lifted eyebrows from the female vulpes around the hall. I expected this to be a different kind of cssroom but let’s not go crazy, Fen! Maybe I’m reading too much into it… Too many J-dramas.

  Kurosaki’s gaze didn’t waver at the student’s looks or nudges to one another, but a faint, approving smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “A diplomatic answer and turning my own words on me,” he mused, gncing down at the book he’d pced on the desk. “It seems following my guidance to gain your fourth tail has shifted your outlook. Perhaps you have found suitable soil for your own roots, after all. You certainly are worthy to be my aid.”

  Sora didn’t miss the slight shiver that ran down her tails at the praise. “I will merely do as you instruct, Professor.”

  Focus darting between them, Sora’s couldn’t believe her ears. No sarcasm. No deflection. No snide response or smirk. It’s not fear. She certainly respects him, but is there…a crush there?!

  Sora’s tail flicked thoughtfully as the whispers around her grew quieter. Her gaze returned to Fen’s bright tail, a white contrast to her others. Fen’s met the two apex vulpes of…everything, Mom and Aunt Inari, and all she felt was terror and bitter envy… But all of that seems to be gone. What did he do to her? Her eyes were drawn to her fourth tail. Well, give her power, I guess.

  The lecture hall remained still as Kurosaki turned his back to Fen, stepping away from the desk with a deliberate, unhurried grace. His voice snapped her out of her reverie, effortlessly drawing every gaze back to him as his geta once again clicked softly against the polished floor.

  He began a slow circuit around the circur room. One hand csped behind his back and the other trailing thoughtfully against the edges of the tables the listeners sat at, the gesture carried a casual elegance that belied the weight of his presence demanded. The question was if it was a spell doing it or his cadence alone.

  “I see,” he began, his voice low but resonant, carrying effortlessly through the hall, “that there are many more creatures gathered here than is typical of my vulpes lectures. Curious.”

  Sora’s ears perked as he paused mid-stride, his fiery gaze sweeping across the room. Her tail stiffened as his words seemed to weigh down the air, their meaning subtly prickling the edges of her mind with Aelion beside her.

  “Within the vulpes district, there are no shortages of excellent instructors, my colleagues,” Kurosaki continued, the faintest hint of amusement flickering in his tone. “So, why are you here, in my hall? Perhaps it is the traditional scenery,” he mused, gesturing briefly to the glowing nterns and woven tapestries. “Perhaps my magic infused into these walls caught your attention, or maybe it was merely a friend’s recommendation.”

  He resumed his slow pacing, his gaze lingering momentarily on Wendy, Nerida, and Nilly before moving to a cluster of vulpes whose gray tails twitched under his scrutiny. “But what is it you expect from me? What is it I expect from you?” His words, soft yet ced with an edge, carried an unspoken challenge.

  A murmur rippled through the room, but it was quickly stifled as Kurosaki raised his hand slightly, commanding silence with the barest motion. His expression remained enigmatic, his amber eyes flicking between individuals, as though peering into their very souls.

  “And you,” he said suddenly, his voice directed at the top row, causing Sora to stiffen as his gaze locked onto her. “Sora, I presume. A special admittance student who saw fit to skip the opening ceremony finds herself in my hall, and dressed rather boldly, might I add. What a radiant dress that captures the dark, star-strung heavens.”

  Heat flushed Sora’s face as all eyes locked onto her. She opened her mouth to respond, but Kurosaki’s attention had already shifted away from her, his fiery gaze sliding to Aelion.

  “And beside her,” Kurosaki continued, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips, “Aelion, the top Merit Student, sits beside her… A mysterious fae disconnected from all lineage and discovered in a cleansed Shadow Pit who was adopted by High King Oberon. Quite the story, or so I’ve heard.”

  A shiver ran up Sora’s tail as the image of the tall and handsome husband to High Queen Titania fshed inside her mind. He’s adopted by the High King of Avalon?! Wait, but he couldn’t get into the school except by merit? And he was found in a Shadow Pit that corrupts fae into Unseelie? Huh?!

  Aelion’s jaw tightened, and Sora caught the faintest flicker of displeasure in his otherwise composed expression. The silver-haired fae’s lips pressed into a thin line, his green-tinted tattoos pulsing faintly. Sora’s ears twitched as her curiosity spiked, and she risked a sideways gnce at him.

  Kurosaki continued as if unaware of the charged tension his words had sparked. “Both of you are testaments to what diligent effort and raw talent can achieve. Aelion, rising from the bottom of fae society, given no special treatment, to stand here, a symbol of perseverance.”

  His voice carried an almost reverent quality, though there was an undercurrent of something Sora couldn’t quite pce. “And Sora Moore…a mysterious young vulpes with unique magic unheard of in time immemorial, recommended by High Queen Titania herself. Yet, she knows almost nothing about her own spellwork. Not only that, but she brings more enigmatic figures to my hall,” he noted, his gaze flicking to Wendy. “Truly, reality is fascinating.”

  Sora’s breath caught, and her tail puffed slightly. All eyes were now on her, the full weight of their stares squeezing the air from her lungs, and the way they seemed to single her out, made her pulse quicken. At least she wasn’t alone in the feeling by Aelion’s tight fist.

  “What should you all take from this?” Kurosaki asked, resuming his slow circuit of the room. “Envy and ziness will get you nowhere. Each and every one of you come from high or low, yet you are the self-governing agent unto yourselves.

  “Just as you found your way to me, it is you who decides what rules you follow and what ones you break. What lesions you internalize and those you allow to drift into the wind.” He paused, shifting to look up at her with sparkling eyes and a long swish of his nine red tails that sent a warm gust circling the hall. “I quite enjoyed the chaos you brought to the Opening Ceremony, Sora.”

  “You do?” she whispered, unable to help herself. It wasn’t like she’d tried to cause a commotion.

  “I do,” he chuckled, turning to smile at Aelion, who showed a slight frown. “It embodies the vulpes spirit in such a rules driven society like the fae. I admire many things about Avalon. Yet, despite their chaotic roots, fae are rather hampered, in my humble opinion, by the fear The Darkness has instilled in them.

  “There are many mysteries within Avalon, hidden within its ancient lore, its forgotten histories, and its potent magic. They lie just beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered by those with the curiosity and determination to seek them out.”

  The hall was utterly silent now. Kurosaki’s voice lowered slightly, taking on a conspiratorial edge. “Of course, I am not authorized to teach such things.” A faint, teasing smile pyed on his lips and made Sora once again realize how true vulpes really were. “However, there is a new instructor you may find…enlightening.”

  Sora couldn’t help her fingers pressing into her p, knowing exactly where he was going. Sure enough, he said, “Professor Se, once a princess of the fallen kingdom of Honeydew, and formerly an Unseelie Queen, now offers her own insights. I had the opportunity to attend her mock css with the other staff and found it…enthralling.”

  The pause that followed was deliberate, heavy, as Kurosaki allowed the implications to settle over them. She had not expected this to be her first lecture.

  He’s really selling Se’s css… I really should check that out next, if anything to see how she’s doing.

  “Mastery,” Kurosaki said into the silence, his voice deep and steady, “requires the understanding of both positive and negative elements. Magic is not inherently good nor evil; it is a tool, like any bde or hammer, shaped by the wielder’s intent… Something all the more real for our Lady Sora Moore. To wield it with wisdom, you must first understand its foundations.”

  He stopped in the center of the room, his gaze sweeping across the gathered students one final time. “Many of you grew up on instinct, only capable of commanding the messiest of spellwork. Some of you have a better grasp than most but have…other reasons to be in my introductory lecture,” he chuckled while looking up at Aelion. “Yet, for the majority of you, it is the fundamentals that is why you are here.”

  The lecture hall stilled further, a reverent quiet settling over the crowd as Kurosaki raised his hand, a faint shimmer rippling through the air. Sora could see Aelion’s light gre from the corner of her eyes.

  This professor certainly knows how to get people’s attention, Sora internally mumbled, turning her focus back on the nine-tailed Nogitsune.

  “Magic,” he began, his voice smooth and commanding, “like science, is bound by rules and ws. It is not chaos, as some may believe. It is simply another framework of reality. And, like science, it requires understanding and mastery of these principles to be wielded effectively.”

  Sora’s ears twitched, her curiosity piqued, as Kurosaki paused to let the statement settle. The air seemed to hum around him as he continued. This was why she was here, to learn.

  “Now, you might ask, why bother with the kit things for children? After all, you could simply pick up a feather and move it across the room.” He lifted a hand, and in a subtle flick of his wrist, a feather materialized out of thin air, weightless and pristine, drifting gently in the air before him.

  Sora’s throat constricted; she felt a subtle disturbance in the magical field around the room. She instinctively reached out with her senses, trying to understand the weave he was using, but it was too intricate, too seamless for her to unravel. And yet, a faint impression lingered in her mind, like a whisper—something about pulling it from elsewhere, a smaller space, perhaps a pocket dimension?

  Kurosaki’s fiery gaze shifted briefly to her, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips as though he sensed her struggle. “To levitate a feather across a room with magic,” he said, his voice smooth as silk, “is, on the surface, more difficult than simply using your hand. But…is it really?”

  The feather began to move, gliding effortlessly through the air as he gestured. It danced and twisted, mimicking the natural currents of a breeze despite the still air of the hall. The ease with which it moved was mesmerizing, yet Sora could feel the immense depth of control beneath the surface.

  “From birth,” Kurosaki mused, his tone instructional but ced with a faint edge of challenge, “you have honed your motor skills and trained your senses to interact with the world. Every movement, every action—practiced and perfected over years, decades even. But if you were to strip all of that away, return to a state of untrained infancy, would it still be so simple?”

  The feather hovered in pce, spinning zily as his eyes swept the hall. The foxes around Sora exchanged uneasy gnces, some shifting in their seats. Her own tail flicked restlessly as she tried to imagine what it would mean to start from scratch while looking down at Wendy, who now seemed enthralled. The bck thorns coiling up from around her chair made Sora’s fingernails dig into the table.

  Aunt Rose… Wendy may look and even feel like a vulpes or tanuki, but she’s made of Null-Void, whatever that is. She’s having to learn how to do everything again and hold herself back… Maybe I’m being too sensitive. Wendy’s struggling through a lot right now.

  Her gaze shifted to Aelion as Kurosaki continued his lecture, her chest becoming heavy. I want to explore this huge, magical realm and I’m getting caught up in so many things. But…Wendy really does need me. I shouldn’t get distracted by boys right now. Keep focused! I need to practice this stuff with Wendy. Is Aunt Rose calling out to us because she knows Wendy is struggling?

  “Magic,” Kurosaki said, letting the feather vanish with another flick of his wrist, “is not unlike these motor skills. To grasp it, to truly wield it, you must first understand what it is. You must experiment. You must stumble and fall. You must go through the growing pains. Magic is not a tool in the conventional sense—it is a field, a force, a presence woven into the fabric of existence itself that must be experienced as reality itself was for your motor skills.”

  He paused, letting the words sink in, before continuing. “Like gravity, it is ever-present where it exists, shaping and interacting with all things. Yet, unlike gravity, it is not bound solely by the physical. Magic flows in, through, and around all things. It infuses life, matter, and thought. But,” he said, his gaze sharpening, “not everywhere. On Earth, for example, its presence is diminished, weaker. This realm, by contrast, is rich with it, saturated to a degree that allows for phenomena you would call miracles, even done by the most inept witch or wizard on Earth.”

  Sora’s ears twitched again at the mention of her home pnet, her thoughts briefly fshing to her own struggles with magic back home during her transformation.

  I did have to experience all of it…mess up, she winced while remembering the interaction with Lori and the activity center employee. I guess I’m on the fast track since mine literally functions off of desires while these vulpes have to learn how to mold it without autopilot…

  Her vision settled on Fen as Kurosaki brought her into the lesson. I can see why she hated and envied me… Why Daisy was so stunned by what I could do. I do have cheats baked into me because I’m a Founder. I can’t take that for granted. I guess that means I am a magical field in myself… Founders have their own personal field that reshapes…no, creates reality, like Diane said, which is crazy to think about.

  “Fen?”

  The dark-haired woman sallied forward with a confident smile, her yellow eyes darting up to her as if a whip, daring her to zone out.

  “But we are not here to debate where magic thrives and where it falters,” she continued, pacing now in a slow circle, her heels clicking rhythmically against the polished floor in tandem with the professor’s geta. “We are here to build a foundation. To wield magic, you must first understand the framework of existence… Some more than others.”

  Subtle, Sora internally grumbled, seeing Aelion’s frown turn into a curious smile now as he tracked the energy that passed between their stares. Yeah, she was wrong; Fen wasn’t over their talent differences. Don’t forget it’s my magic that kept you from being vaporized by my mom, puffy tails. You get to py teacher’s pet because of me, so maybe y off a bit more with the envy.

  Fen’s voice grew slightly firmer, commanding attention and pulling Sora out of her mental snarls. “There are four fundamental aspects of all things that we must begin with: the Physical, the Spiritual, the Magical, and the Intelligent pnes. Together, they form the foundation of reality as we know it.”

  Kurosaki stopped, turning to face the room directly, his gaze sweeping over them. “Are there more pnes? Absolutely. But these four are the pilrs, or so we understand them to be. Just as science is always evolving, so is the magical field of research. Without understanding these basics, you will not understand the forces you seek to master.”

  The air in the hall seemed to grow heavier, charged with the weight of his words. Sora’s tail bristled slightly, her mind already racing with questions. The Physical and Intelligent pnes she could fairly accurately grasp. She assumed her dream dives involved the Intelligent pne. However, the Spiritual pne was a bit more vague, and she felt like it had something to do with how she sensed people’s auras. The magic was a bit more of a mystery, as well. Sure, she could sense it as if it were the wind blowing against her skin, gain abstract insights by studying the magic others used, yet they were like spttering paint on a canvas to be interpreted.

  Kurosaki’s sharp gaze flicked over the room one final time, his voice lowering as he posed the question that would mark the beginning of their lesson. “Now, shall we begin with the Physical? Or perhaps you would prefer to start with what you cannot see?” His smile was faint, almost teasing, but his eyes burned with the promise of deeper knowledge. “Shall we dive into the deep-end first?”

  After ying down the foundations of magic, Kurosaki transitioned seamlessly into summarizing the four fundamental aspects—Physical, Spiritual, Magical, and Intelligent. He outlined how they intersected and overpped, painting an intricate web of interconnected forces. His expnations flowed like a melody, each point building on the st, but he kept the discussion light, hinting at deeper complexities without diving too far into advanced topics.

  “For now,” Kurosaki concluded, his geta clicking softly as he moved back toward the desk, “consider these aspects not as separate entities but as threads in a single tapestry. Pull one, and the others shift in response. Mastery begins with understanding this bance. And now,” he added, his amber eyes gleaming with a teasing challenge, “we leave the basics behind and approach the threads themselves.”

  The room stirred as the professor shifted into a discussion of more advanced concepts. He introduced the idea of “weave harmonics,” the way magical currents could resonate to amplify or dampen other fields. Demonstrating with a shimmering globe of condensed light, he expined how different harmonics could influence magical outcomes, shifting the globe between vibrant hues with a flick of his wrist.

  The demonstration left most of the lower-tailed vulpes—including Sora—wide-eyed and overwhelmed, their nervous whispers rippling through the hall. It became clear that many would need more time to process the foundations before tackling such abstract ideas.

  Gradually, higher-tailed vulpes and more advanced students began to filter into the room, their presence a quiet signal that the lecture was transitioning to the next level. Sora stood, sensing it was time to leave, though she couldn’t help but gnce back at Kurosaki, his gaze flicking to her as if catching her hesitation.

  She turned to Aelion, who was rising beside her. “Hey, Aelion… Will you come by in the morning on Friday?” she asked, her voice soft but hopeful.

  Aelion gave her a faint, warm smile, his green-tinted tattoos seeming to glimmer faintly in the hall’s light. “I’d be happy to. Though you should know, I have my own lectures you might want to attend. You’re missing out on a lot by skipping the fae-specific sessions. Culture is another thing you’re supposed to learn here, by the way, and I can help with that.”

  Sora chuckled awkwardly, her heart fluttering at the invitation. Now that has to be a date signal! C’mon… Why do you have to ask me that now when I’m trying to be a good sister?!

  “I’m, umm, just trying to figure out where I fit in all of this. Rain check. Thanks, though—seriously, ter! I’ll definitely take you up on private lessons.”

  With a grin and a nod, Aelion turned and began to make his way out of the hall. Sora’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before she noticed Kurosaki still watching them, his focus flicking between her and Aelion as the fae left. A strange pulse emanated from the professor that made her shiver, almost imperceptible, but she could feel it—waves of curiosity radiating from his spiritual field.

  So, this is what a professor with nine tails and a sharp mind feels like… It’s like he’s analyzing every one of us on more levels than I can count. It’s…kind of a little creepy but that’s probably just because I’m not used to it. There’s something about him, though…

  As she descended the stairs to meet Wendy, Nilly, and Nerida, Wendy was the first to speak, her dull emerald eyes sliding past her to Aelion’s retreating form. “He’s cute,” she ftly noted, her tone making it impossible to tell if she was serious or teasing. “Didn’t think you were into the tattooed boys.”

  Sora’s cheeks burned as she instinctively smacked Wendy’s tail with her own, gring at her. “Wendy!” she hissed, gncing back nervously to see if Aelion had heard. Fortunately, he was too far away, but a few vulpes nearby had caught the comment and giggled, their attention briefly following the fae prince—yeah, he was a prince!

  “I didn’t say anything untrue,” Wendy added with an accusatory smirk.

  “Whatever,” Sora mumbled, trying to change the subject. “I want to check out Se’s css next, but first…” She hesitated, her tone softening. “I need to take care of something private with Wendy.”

  Nilly’s sharp ears perked up, and her already rge eyes grew wider. She nodded knowingly, a mischievous grin spreading across her face that reminded her of unstable Nilly for a moment. “Got it! We’ll scout ahead for the best seats. Right, Nerida?” she said, grabbing the timid siren by the arm. “I’m sure it will be packed after that endorsement.”

  The siren girl hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “Uh… Sure. I-I can try…”

  Before Sora could respond, Nilly had whisked her away, leaving her to wonder just how much the feline really knew. Given Nilly’s origins as the literal Cat Mother, it wouldn’t be surprising if she was already aware of Aunt Rose since, well, she’d already infiltrated the prison with them.

  Wendy sighed softly, drawing Sora’s attention back to her. The unspoken tension between them hung in the air for a moment before Wendy stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “I’m just worried,” she murmured, her tone carrying a rare warmth.

  Sora smiled, returning the embrace and feeling the weight that had compressed her heart melt. “I know. Thanks for always trying to look out for me, Sis. I just…I guess I’m trying to do too much. I’m not trying to ignore you…”

  Wendy pulled back slightly, her mouth pushing to the side. “Let’s skip that part for now. Not why I’m mad, but it’s okay. Have you…”

  Sora’s eyes flicked to the faint bck thorns curling around Wendy, the pressure in her chest rising again with the brunette’s confirmation that she is still mad, tugging at her when she wouldn’t tell her way. Then again, maybe it was something they needed to chat about in a more private space.

  “Yeah, I’ve seen them,” she admitted, knowing no one would remember this particur topic. “Should we see what Aunt Rose wants since she keeps reaching out?”

  Wendy gave a dismissive shrug that caught her off-guard. “I feel her emotions through them. She just wants to send her support. Uh, yeah, I can feel her intentions,” she added with a grin. “She’s checking in, I think. Just saying she feels me and poking out to say she’s thinking about us. How’s Eyia?”

  “Just…a wellness check, huh?” Sora mumbled, clearing her throat as her chest warmed, and a faint ugh escaped her lips. “Eyia and Jin are…going through their own thing. But, umm, nothing too ominous then from our prickly auntie? Isn’t our life crazy, though? A prisoner aunt who could go full evil if we’re not careful?”

  Wendy smirked. “Another day in the abnormal life of a fox and squirrel.”

  Their ughter felt like a brief reprieve from everything happening around them. Together, they turned toward the hall’s exit, and headed for the former Unseelie Queen’s css. The lesson and the unusual behavior of Fen and Ember tugged at her mind, though.

  Everyone that came here before us is acting…kind of off. Maybe I’m just being too paranoid. I mean, Jin’s Jin… She didn’t change, but…yeah. Ember changed a ton, and even Fen seems a bit different. How Wendy’s mad at me now… Kari. Yikes, don’t get overwhelmed!

  One thing at a time. One thing at a time, she mentally repeated, finding her sister’s hand to squeeze it for comfort. Our adventure has only just begun and Professor Kurosaki is right… There are so many mysteries to uncover here.

  AuthorSME