Chapter 16 - Aria
The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the academy courtyard as Kaelin made her way toward the lecture hall assigned to Professor Martin’s office. She had barely settled into her new routine, and already, the academy’s expectations weighed on her.
It wasn’t just the rigorous coursework or the disdain from certain students – though both were ever-present – it was the people. As one of the few sponsored by a professor, she was expected to act as a leader to the other students, which was especially hard given her reputation.
Professor Martin was waiting for her and Zephyr on a chair in the corner of the room, a large desk sat in front of him, piled up with texts and documents. His expression was unreadable as he motioned for her to enter.
Kaelin glanced at Zephyr, he was already sat down on one of the chairs which had been put out. Professor Martin spoke up.
“Welcome, both of you. I’m sure you’re aware that this won’t be easy. Being a sponsored student means big things are expected of you, so I expect you to work hard in these sessions with me.” His gaze swept over them, lingering on Kaelin for a moment longer than she liked. “You are expected to rise beyond the average student. Fail to do so, and by the end of the year, your sponsorship may be revoked.”
“Yes, Professor Martin,” Kaelin said, she tightened her grip on her notebook. Professor Martin wasted no time in reminding them of the pressure they were under.
“Please, call me Aric.”
Their first session, not counting that of yesterday, was based around the idea of understanding the uses of time magic. Due to its rarity, not much was known about the most powerful uses of the time threads. Only 1 in 10,000 people who unlocked any affinity could wield time.
And of these, barely any of them could truly make it to the top. Many of the most powerful time mages refused to reveal their abilities, and although there have been theories. No one was sure of their full capabilities.
“First, I'd like to know what each of you have already figured out. Kaelin, would you go first?”
Kaelin looked surprised, after all she had barely found out about this when Zephyr had been training for a while.
“Y-yea sure. All I've really found out how to do is speeding up and slowing down time in an area. I’m not very good at it yet either, I've only been able to do small areas, one at a time. The best I can do is my body, but I can only hold it for 10 seconds tops. Oh yea, and I did the thing you taught me with breaking down the plant matter by ageing it.”
I bet that’s what I did to Daniel... I can’t let myself do that again.
Aric looked stunned.
“Wha- Wow, well done. Not bad...”
Despite what he’d said, this seemed like quite the achievement.
“And Zephyr, what about you?”
Zephyr turned to look at Kaelin briefly, her head buzzed, it felt slightly painful, but mostly just a bit odd. He turned back to face Aric.
“Same for me, but I can hold my speed for a bit longer.”
His answer was short, yet still, it felt commanding. Like nothing else needed to be said. One word from him and who knows what people might do.
“Perfect.”
Aric’s smile put Kaelin at ease. Like no matter how stressed she might get, she could always come talk to him.
***
A day had passed since her training with Zephyr and Aric, and by the time lunch arrived, she was already exhausted, but she forced herself to stay alert as she made her way to the cafeteria. She had just settled at a quieter corner of the room when Lena appeared, tray in hand, dropping into the seat across from her with a dramatic sigh.
“I swear, the Nature professors expect me to be some kind of miracle worker. Just because I can accelerate plant growth doesn’t mean I can make an entire tree sprout in minutes.”
Kaelin smirked. “Academy standards, I guess.”
Lena stabbed at her food before glancing around and lowering her voice. “Have got him to talk yet?”
Kaelin raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
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Lena gave her a pointed look. “Zephyr Kalyndria. Obviously.”
Ah. So that’s what this was about. Kaelin shook her head. “Not yet. But don’t worry, as soon as we get talking, I'll try to introduce you two.”
Lena nodded fervently. “Oh, absolutely. I’d expect nothing less from my number one bestie in the world,” she said, with a touch of sarcasm. “Did you hear, supposedly he’s one of the best new entrants... EVER. But I mean...” She hesitated, then shrugged. “He seems kind of untouchable. I don't think I've seen him start up a conversation with anyone yet.”
Kaelin replied, a wide smirk plastered across her face, “Maybe you should go up to him. Break open that cold cold heart of his.”
Kaelin wasn’t sure how to feel about him. If Zephyr was truly as strong as he seemed, he could very likely turn out to be a problem. Doesn't matter, she’d find out soon enough.
That afternoon, Kaelin made her way to her first club meeting. Since the Archaeology club had previously had no members, they didn’t have a room allocated. Today though, she had been asked to meet in the club representative’s room. Number 225 on the second floor of the mixed dorm building.
Kaelin knocked on the door.
“Hello? You in there?”
Kaelin couldn’t hear an answer. But the door was unlocked, so she opened it and stepped in.
The room was cluttered, filled with old, dusty artefacts and scrolls. No one was there, stepping further in, she heard a sound. Like running water.
Curious, Kaelin stepped closer. She put her hand to the handle, about to open the door, she stopped.
What am I doing, this is wrong. Who do I think I am barging into some girls' room, a girl who I've never even talked to properly. Get it together Kaelin!
She took her hand away, but it seems in her thoughts, she’d missed the shower turning off, and the door opened.
Through it, stepped a young girl wearing a white towel, a year older than Kaelin herself. The very girl whose club she’d applied for only two days prior. The girl had her eyes closed as she was humming a tune. Before Kaelin could react, the girl bumped right into Kaelin, pushing her over, and falling right on top.
“Oomph. Wha- WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE”
***
The girl sat across a table from Kaelin, her arms crossed.
“I’m sorry about earlier, I'd completely forgotten I'd asked you to come today!” The girl said with a laugh.
“It’s Kaelin right?”
Kaelin nodded, still blushing from the scene she had witnessed only moments prior. “Yeah... Kaelin.”
“I’m Aria,” the girl said. “Welcome!”
She didn’t have the best introduction, but as Kaelin took a seat and listened to Aria explain the latest research they were working on, she felt, for the first time since arriving at the academy, that she had found a place where she could simply exist without judgment. And for now, that was enough.
Aria packed away a stone tablet which had lay on her desk. She hesitated before turning back to Kaelin. “You know, since you’re part of the club now, there’s something you should know.”
Kaelin raised an eyebrow. “That sounds ominous.”
Aria chuckled. “Not really. It’s just that, as the Archaeology Club, I've been going out on trips. They’re mostly just to nearby ruins or sites with historical significance.” She leaned against the desk, watching Kaelin’s reaction. “There’s one planned for next Saturday. Professor Elric oversees it, but as you know, it’s just me and him right now.”
Kaelin folded her arms. “So what’re you saying?”
“Well i thought it was pretty obvious, i was asking if you wanted to come with!"
“And I'd be the only other student there?”
Aria nodded. “Well, yea. A lot of people aren’t interested in digging around in the dirt, and others…” She trailed off, giving Kaelin a knowing look. “Well, they don’t want to be in a club with me.”
Kaelin frowned. “Why?”
Aria let out a small laugh, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m not exactly ‘popular’ here. Maybe it’s cause I’m weak. People seem to value that a lot here.” She gestured to herself. “Not much of a fighter, and I'm useless close range. Pretty much everything I can do is suited for long ranged. Doesn’t fit the academy’s ideal of ‘strength.’ And nor can I show it off in the small arenas we use for duelling”
Kaelin understood the feeling all too well. She glanced at the room full of artefacts and scrolls, the scent of parchment and old ink filling the air. It was peaceful. Different from the cutthroat atmosphere of the academy’s combat halls.
“Where’s the trip to?” she asked.
Aria’s face brightened. “An old site just outside the capital. It’s mostly ruins now, but some texts suggest it was once a small fortress. It’s just been found, and no one seems to care for artefacts – no one’s been able to find one that does anything new, so there might be some there, or at the very least, remnants of magic inscriptions.” She grinned. “Are you interested?”
Kaelin thought about it for a moment. A trip off the academy grounds, away from prying eyes and whispers? She wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. But at the same time, something about Aria’s quiet persistence made her curious.
She smirked. “I’ll think about it.”
Aria smiled. “Good. I think you’ll like it. Tell me your answer next session! It’ll be her again, I'm still trying to get a hold of a room, but they’re mostly full. And i won’t forget next time.”
The room fell into a comfortable silence as they finished tidying up. And for the first time since arriving at the academy, Kaelin felt like she'd found a friend. Despite her initial impression.
As the club meeting wrapped up, Kaelin lingered for a moment, her eyes tracing the inscriptions on an ancient-looking tome. Aria was carefully packing away some scriptures she had been studying, glancing at Kaelin hesitantly.
“You know,” Aria started, voice quiet but sincere, “people talk about you a lot. But I’d rather judge for myself. And you seem… fine to me.”
Kaelin blinked, caught off guard by the honesty. Then, slowly, she smirked. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Aria chuckled. “You should. Just don’t bring any ancient curses down on us, alright? I’m not in the mood for it at the moment.”
Kaelin snorted. “No promises.”
As she stepped out of the clubroom, the cool night air greeted her, carrying the same bitter chill that she felt every night. The pathways were still busy with students finishing their evening activities, but Kaelin ignored them, focusing instead on the towering spires of the academy that stretched toward the sky. A place of learning, a place of power, and for her – a place of survival.
