Valentina woke up long before sunrise. The pale light of dawn was only just creeping through her small window, but sleep was no longer an option. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she eagerly awaited the inevitable announcement of the exam results.

  "Awake already?" Vyxara's amused voice echoed through her head. "You're almost as excited as before the Greystone Competition."

  "But it's a very different kind of excitement," Valentina murmured as she got out of bed. The wooden floor felt cool under her bare feet. "The competition was about… well, everything. Life or death. But these grades... I think I'll pass, but I want to know how good I really am. Without any help."

  "I hope you don't regret refusing my help," Vyxara said mockingly.

  Valentina started to get dressed. As she looked out of her window, she could already see the first students scurrying across the courtyard. It seemed like she wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep at this early hour of the morning. The air seemed to be vibrating with tension.

  The smell of freshly baked bread wafted over from the dining room, but even the thought of food made Valentina nauseous already. Instead, she sat down on the edge of her bed and went through all her exams again in her mind. Like she had done almost every day since the end of the exams.

  "You were good," Vyxara said surprisingly softly. "Better than most of them will ever be, even without my help."

  "We'll see," whispered Valentina.

  The Burning Tower bell rang for the hour. Time to go to the main hall and face the music.

  The main hall was already full when Valentina entered. Excited murmurs filled the room. Some students stood together in small groups and engaged in heated discussions. Others stood quietly, their faces pale with tension.

  She found Innogen in the back of the hall in one of the corners. Crispin was standing next to her, looking as if he hadn't slept all night.

  "Have you not been able to sleep either?" he asked when Valentina joined them.

  "I haven't slept much," she confessed.

  "Quiet, please!" Decan Valemont had stepped up to the podium, followed by the other professors. Professor Horne looked even more nervous than usual. Professor Emberfell, on the other hand, radiated her usual stern dignity.

  "The results of the end-of-year exams will now be announced," the Dean announced. "Professor Horne will begin with the theoretical examinations."

  Horne stepped forward, a bundle of parchments in his trembling hands. He cleared his throat. "The results of the theory exams were... well... mostly satisfactory."

  He began to read out names and grades. Some students sighed with relief, others groaned in despair.

  "Valentina of Palewood." Horne's voice softened noticeably. "Excellent."

  A surprised murmur went through the hall. 'Excellent' was the highest mark that could be awarded and Professor Horne was famous for never awarding the highest mark, on principle. Faustus Boarfend snorted snidely, but no one paid any attention to him.

  Professor Emberfell was next in line. "The practical exams have shown who really has what it takes to be an Essence Weaver," she said sternly. Names were read out again.

  "Valentina of Palewood – outstanding. Your work with the Essence absorber was particularly impressive."

  And so it went on. Professor Veilford praised Valentina's "unconventional but brilliant" approaches. Professor Whitehall emphasized her "extraordinary talent" for Essence-Enhanced Medicine.

  When the last note was announced, Valentina felt the tension fall away from her. She had done it. Without Vyxara's help, she had achieved top marks in all her exams. Innogen and Crispin had passed every course as well. They all were noticeably relieved.

  Innogen hugged her fiercely. "I knew it!" she cheered, "We made it!"

  Crispin beamed at her too, his cheeks slightly flushed. "I'm so glad we all passed."

  "Well," Vyxara commented with amusement, "maybe your noble decision wasn't so stupid after all."

  The students streamed out of the hall, some cheering, others dejected. Valentina stayed in the hall for a moment and let the moment sink in. A year full of impossible decisions, moral compromises and dangerous secrets but in the end, she had made it on her own.

  When she finally was ready to leave the hall, one of the Decan's clerks was already waiting for her. "A package for you," he said, handing her an elaborately decorated box. "From His Grace, the Duke of Duskenshire himself."

  Valentina took the decorated box with trembling hands. The Greystone coat of arms – the silver crescent with the red eyes – was artfully inlaid into the lid.

  "Go on, open it," urged Vyxara. "I'm curious to see what our noble benefactor has sent you."

  The box contained two things: a sealed letter and, wrapped in red silk, a magnificent brooch. It was made of silver and featured the same motif as the Greystone Competition Medal – the crescent moon of the House of Greystone, with glowing red eyes.

  "A winner's brooch," Valentina murmured in awe. "I've heard about it. It opens all the doors in Dusktown."

  "And marks you as his chosen one," added Vyxara, amused. "Very clever, our duke."

  Valentina broke the seal of the letter with slightly trembling fingers. Duke Cosimo's lively handwriting filled the expensive parchment:

  "My dear Valentina,

  Your triumphant victory in Our Competition continues to fill me with the greatest satisfaction. You have proven that true talent knows no boundaries of birth or status – a belief I have always held, believe me.

  I have followed with interest the reports on your further development at the university. Professor Whitehall speaks highly of your remarkable skill in the healing arts. A talent that could come to full bloom in Dusktown. Our hospitals are the most advanced in the realm, and I make my private laboratories available only to the best.

  The enclosed brooch is more than just a sign of your victory. It will grant you access to spaces that remain closed to most. Wear it as a symbol of my affection and my special appreciation of your many talents.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  After your visit with your family – a commendable priority, as I have already told you – I will await you at my residence in Dusktown. I have already had rooms prepared for you that befit your status as my personal protégé. Under my sponsorship, you will be able to develop your extraordinary abilities to an unprecedented degree.

  Rest assured that I will take care of the well-being of my protégés in every respect. Your future, my dear Valentina, is very promising.

  In eager anticipation of our reunion,

  Cosimo Greystone, Duke of Duskenshire

  P.S.: The rooms have their own balcony with a view of the gardens. I've been told that you have a particular fondness for roses."

  "Oh Martyr," murmured Valentina, thunderstruck.

  "He can hardly wait to get his hands on you," mocked Vyxara.

  "He's offering me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Valentina objected, blushing. "Some of the best Essence Weavers in the realm work in his hospitals."

  The next letter was already waiting for her – when she entered the dining room the messenger handed her a modest envelope without a proper seal.

  Valentina's heart leapt when she recognized her father's familiar handwriting. She hastily tore open the letter:

  "My beloved daughter,

  Praise be to the Martyr for His infinite mercy! The news of your victory in the Greystone Competition brought us all to our knees. We prayed together and thanked the Martyr for His safe guidance and the protection He has given you. Even the Ember was moved to tears and asked me to give you his special blessing.

  The prize money you sent us was truly a sign of providence. Our prayers were answered, albeit in ways we could not foresee. The Martyr often tests us severely, but He never abandons His own.

  We haven't told you everything in the last few letters so as not to worry you. The situation had become very serious. The moneylender was threatening to seize our land, the land that your grandfather and his father had worked before him. We even had to consider marrying off your sister Adeline to the yeoman Brentwood. He is wealthy, but a hard man of fifty years. Your sister cried for days. It broke my heart, but in my despair I saw no other way out.

  But the Martyr has not abandoned us! Through you, my clever daughter, He has saved us. The prize money has paid off our biggest debts. Adeline is dancing and laughing again. She prays for you every evening and has even started to study the story of Saint Valentina – she says her big sister is just like the saint. Strong, determined and ready to sacrifice.

  There is also other good news: your sister Cecily has given birth to a daughter! Little Viola is alive and well. Cecily can hardly wait to show you your niece. She is a strong child with her mother's beautiful curls, and the Ember says she has the alert look of her Aunt Valentina.

  Your brother Roric says that he prays for you every day in his monastery. He is very proud of his little sister and has lit a candle for you, which he always keeps burning.

  We are eternally grateful for all that you have done for us. The Martyr has blessed us through you, my daughter. Stay strong in your faith and never forget that His flame is protecting you. We all look forward to your coming soon and can't wait to hold you in our arms again.

  With love and gratitude, your Father"

  Underneath in uncertain, unpracticed letters: "Thank you Val! I love you! Adeline"

  Valentina only realized she was crying when a tear fell onto the parchment. She had suspected that her family's situation was serious, but that they had even considered marrying Adeline off... she was only fourteen years old, for crying out loud.

  "You saved her," Vyxara said unusually gently. "All your compromises, all your difficult decisions – they saved your sister from this."

  "I know." Valentina wiped her tears. "But the price was high."

  "When something is valuable, the price is always high," Vyxara replied. "But remember – your little sister is dancing again. And you have a niece."

  Valentina had to smile despite her tears. "A little Viola..."

  She folded the letter carefully and put it in her pocket together with Duke Cosimo's letter. She pinned the silver brooch to her dress.

  "A bright future awaits you," Vyxara purred. "First Dusktown, then back to university, then who knows? The world is open to you, little Weaver."

  Valentina stepped to the window. The morning was radiantly beautiful, the university gardens beckoning with their first summer flowers. She decided to take one last walk there before she started packing.

  ~

  The gardens of Bridgewater University glowed in the warm sun like a magnificent Essence pattern. Early summer had already brought the roses into bloom and their wonderful fragrance filled the air as butterflies danced among the flowers. Somewhere nearby, a blackbird was singing.

  Valentina walked slowly along the familiar gravel paths. How often had she sat here, studying, thinking? She wondered if there were gardens this beautiful in Dusktown? Definitely not in Palewood. She would miss the gardens the most.

  A few students were sitting on the benches, excitedly discussing their exam results. One young woman was crying quietly while her friend took her in her arms to comfort her. Valentina felt for her – she had sat here often enough herself, worrying about her future.

  She reached a quieter corner of the garden, her favorite place, where lush rose bushes entwined a small shed. The scent was particularly intense here. Valentina sat down on the old stone bench that she always loved to go to and closed her eyes for a moment.

  A soft rustling sound made her look up. There, among the rose bushes, sat a black cat staring at her. Valentina's heart skipped a beat. She recognized the animal immediately – it was the same cat that had jumped into the bankreizh during the summoning of Vyxara all those months ago and changed everything.

  "Vyxara?" she thought nervously, "Do you see that cat?"

  No answer. For the first time in months, there was absolute silence in her head.

  The cat moved towards her with supernatural grace. Her eyes seemed to look straight into Valentina's soul, almost mockingly. She sat down in front of the bench and caught Valentina's gaze.

  "Vyxara? Is there something wrong with the cat?"

  Again, no answer from the Demon. The unaccustomed silence in her head was unsettling.

  The cat tilted its head slightly, almost as if it were asking an unspoken question.

  "Ah, once again in the rose garden? I haven't seen you here for a long time. It always gets so lonely here in winter." A rough, friendly voice interrupted her thoughts. The old gardener she met here so many months ago suddenly stood next to her, leaning on his worn rake. His weather-beaten features curved into a warm smile.

  The black cat ran away, startled by the sudden noise.

  "I... Yes," Valentina stammered. "One last visit before I leave."

  "Hmmm." The old man sat down next to her. "The roses will miss you. They always bloomed so beautifully when you were around."

  Valentina blushed slightly. "You remember me?"

  He laughed softly. "Of course. How could I forget the frightened girl who sat here last fall, struggling with fate?" His eyes sparkled. "I heard you won that competition. You've changed a lot since then. Oh for the better of course, for the better. You look much happier."

  "Yes," Valentina said quietly. "I guess I am."

  "It wasn't easy, I take it? A lot of hard work, yes?" It wasn't really a question.

  Valentina thought about everything that had happened this year. Of the compromises she had made. The boundaries she had crossed. The price she had paid for her successes.

  "No, it wasn't easy," she admitted. "Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decisions."

  The gardener was silent for a moment and looked at a particularly magnificent rose. "You know," he finally said, "success comes in many forms. Sometimes it grows like these roses – blossoming slowly, naturally, from within. But sometimes it comes like a thunderstorm – suddenly, violently, from the outside. Just like you made them blossom last fall, with your beautiful manipulation of the Leb Essence. Both have their place in nature."

  He looked at her piercingly.

  Valentina tried to sense Vyxara's presence again, but the Demon remained silent.

  The old gardener straightened up with difficulty. "But forgive an old man his maudlin talk, I'm sure I'm boring you already. In any case, I wish you all the best. May your path lead you to what you are really looking for. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!"

  Valentina confusedly watched him as he slowly disappeared between the rose bushes. Only when he was out of sight did she suddenly feel Vyxara's familiar presence in her head again.

  "What a peaceful place," purred the Demon, as if nothing had happened. "Too bad we can't just take the gardens with us."

  "Vyxara? Why didn't you answer me? Did you see the cat? And the gardener-"

  "Oh, let's go," Vyxara interrupted her gently. "There's still so much to do before we leave."

  Valentina hesitated. Vyxara had never behaved so strangely since they had been together. She stood up and took one last look at the roses. Vyxara obviously didn't want to talk about it, but Valentina was determined to get to the bottom of it sooner or later.