Chapter 27 - The Great Bore

  Kaelin stared at the chalkboard, her chin resting in her palm as the instructor droned on about magic theory. She had stopped paying attention ten minutes ago – not that it made much difference. The material wasn’t difficult. If anything, it was insultingly simple. She had already mastered the foundational aspects of time threads, and yet here she was, forced to sit through another lecture on the basics.

  She sighed, shifting in her seat. The academy had been exciting at first, full of challenges and new experiences, but now it felt like a cage. Most of the lessons were too easy, the tests predictable. The only thing that had kept her engaged was her training with Aric – until he, too, had started holding her back.

  If she had to sit through another monotonous lesson about thread stability, she might actually lose her mind.

  She let her gaze drift around the room. A few students were diligently taking notes, their quills scratching against parchment. Others were fidgeting, clearly as bored as she was.

  One boy was nodding off, his head drooping dangerously close to his desk. Kaelin resisted the urge to groan. How was this supposed to make her stronger? The real world wasn’t going to wait for her to carefully analyse patterns, it demanded instinct, adaptability, and pure power.

  As the minutes dragged on, she let her mind wander. What was she even doing here? She wanted to grow stronger, to push her limits, to understand the depths of her magic. But how was she supposed to do that when no one would teach her anything worthwhile? The academy’s so-called advanced curriculum was just an endless repetition of what she already knew.

  Finally, the bell rang, signalling the end of class. Kaelin was out the door before the instructor could even finish dismissing them. She strode through the hallways, barely noticing the other students chatting in small groups. They were probably talking about the upcoming weekend, where most of them would relax or practice in their own time. Kaelin, however, had other plans – or at least she would, if Aric ever stopped treating her like a child.

  Finding him wasn’t hard. He was in the usual spot, an open training hall reserved for advanced students. He stood near the centre, arms crossed, observing two upper-year students sparring. The air crackled with magic as threads of energy wove through their attacks, but Kaelin barely glanced at them. She had only one focus.

  She marched up to him. “Teach me something new.”

  Aric barely glanced at her. “You need to refine what you already know.”

  Kaelin scowled. “I’ve refined it. I can slow, hasten, and even reverse small-scale events. What else is there?”

  Aric sighed, finally turning to face her. “You think mastering the basics means you’re ready for the next level? Time magic isn’t something you rush. You have control, but control isn’t enough.”

  She clenched her fists. “Then let me prove it.”

  Aric shook his head. “Not yet.”

  Her frustration boiled over. “You’re just wasting my time.”

  “If you think that, then you still don’t understand what it means to wield time magic,” Aric replied coolly. “Come back when you do.”

  Kaelin bit back a retort, glaring at him before storming out of the training hall. She needed an outlet – something, anything, to break the monotony.

  She wandered the academy grounds, her temper simmering. The worst part wasn’t Aric refusing to teach her, but the nagging feeling that he might be right.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  She hated that.

  Hated the idea that she still wasn’t ready, that there was something she was missing.

  But how was she supposed to find out what that was if no one would push her past her limits?

  That opportunity came sooner than expected.

  As she made her way toward the dining hall, she spotted a familiar face leaning casually against a pillar – Aria. The older girl was flipping through a book, but when she noticed Kaelin, she smirked. “You look like you’re about to explode.”

  Kaelin folded her arms. “I might. Aric refuses to teach me anything worthwhile.”

  Aria laughed. “That sounds about right. He’s got that whole ‘mentor withholding knowledge for your own good’ thing going on.”

  Kaelin groaned. “I don’t need coddling.”

  “Well,” Aria said, snapping her book shut, “if you’re looking for something more interesting than whatever dull routine they’ve got you stuck in, me and Professor Elric are planning another trip to the ruins this weekend. You in?”

  Kaelin blinked. “Another set of ruins?”

  Aria nodded. “Not the ones from last time – these are deeper in the valley. Supposed to be more intact. They also haven’t been explored, you might even find some untouched artifacts. Thought you might want the option.”

  Kaelin hesitated for only a second before nodding. “Absolutely.”

  Aria grinned. “Knew you’d say that. We’re heading out at dawn on Saturday. Should be fun. Don’t worry about organising your leave permit, Elric will get that sorted.”

  Kaelin smirked. Finally, something that wasn’t mind-numbingly dull. The academy had lost its shine for now, but this? This was something worth looking forward to. The weekend couldn’t come soon enough.

  The next day crawled by just as slowly. Kaelin went through the motions of her classes, barely listening as instructors droned on about mana conservation and historical applications of thread magic. At dinner, she picked at her food, her thoughts already on the ruins.

  Lena and Zephyr sat across from her, engaged in conversation about their latest combat lessons. Kaelin barely heard them until Zephyr nudged her plate with his fork. “You look like you’re plotting something.”

  She smirked. “Maybe I am.”

  Lena raised a brow. “That’s not reassuring.”

  Kaelin leaned back, stretching her arms. “Just thinking about the weekend.”

  Zephyr narrowed his eyes. “You’re not talking about resting, are you?”

  Kaelin grinned. “Nope.”

  Lena sighed. “You’re going to do something reckless, aren’t you?”

  Kaelin shrugged. “Depends on your definition.”

  Zephyr sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Just don’t get yourself killed.”

  Kaelin’s grin widened. “No promises.”

  She could already feel the excitement buzzing in her veins. The weekend was going to be anything but boring.

  Later that evening, as she made her way toward the courtyard, Kaelin spotted Lena and Zephyr talking near the fountain. They stood close, engaged in conversation, Zephyr gesturing idly while Lena laughed at something he said. The sight of them together sent a strange pang through her chest – though she wasn’t sure why.

  Without hesitation, she strolled up to them. “What are you two whispering about?” she asked, sliding into the conversation as if she’d been there all along.

  Lena turned to her with a bright smile. “Oh, just talking about the last trial. Zephyr was explaining his fighting style!”

  Zephyr smirked. “It’s called skill.”

  Kaelin snorted. “Right. Because you weren’t showing off or anything.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe a little.”

  Lena nudged Kaelin playfully. “You’re just jealous.”

  Kaelin rolled her eyes but grinned. “Please. If anything, I should be giving him pointers.”

  They chatted for a while, the conversation light and easy. Zephyr was less guarded than usual, and Lena seemed genuinely happy. The three of them rarely had moments like this, free from tests and looming challenges. It was nice – though Kaelin couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something had shifted.

  ***

  Later that night, as Kaelin was heading back to her dorm, Lena caught up to her, her expression unusually thoughtful.

  “Hey,” Lena said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been thinking…”

  Kaelin raised a brow. “About?”

  Lena hesitated for a moment before smiling. “I think I’m going to ask Zephyr out.”

  Kaelin blinked. “Oh.”

  “We’ve been getting along really well lately,” Lena continued, her voice carrying a note of excitement. “I don’t know, it just feels right.”

  Kaelin forced a smirk. “Well, he’d be an idiot to say no.”

  Lena beamed. “You think so?”

  “Obviously.”

  Lena hugged her suddenly. “Thanks, Kaelin. I know you and Zephyr bicker all the time, but I think you two are actually kind of similar.”

  Kaelin scoffed. “Now that’s just insulting.”

  Lena laughed before heading off, leaving Kaelin alone with her thoughts. For some reason, her stomach felt oddly tight. Shaking it off, she turned toward her dorm, but the feeling lingered.

  Maybe it was just the boredom getting to her.